Does Being a Country Music Artist = Wealth?
By: Matt Bjorke
One of the biggest misconceptions that fans often make about musicians is that because they have recorded a CD and have a song or two out on the radio, they must be wealthy. OR at least significantly better off than other people. Jeff Bates recently ran into that epiphany and told a great story about it.
Over on his MySpace blog entitled “whaaaat?” Jeff Bates goes on to discuss how MySpace had created new ‘categories’ for people to place friends and contacts into and somehow, Jeff was grouped into the “Rich Celebrities” list. Now, the funny thing is, especially when reading the blog, is that he’s not rich. In fact, very few entertainers are what people would classify as ‘rich.’ He works for a paycheck just the way the “average” person does, hell it’s that work ethic that kept him afloat after losing his record deal with RCA.
I won’t paste the whole blog but here’s a particularly funny excerpt from his blog (something I’ve experienced as well):
"Hello?"
"Tom!!!" (Jeff Bates' financial advisor)
"Yeah?"
"Tom...when were you gonna tell me?"
"Who IS this? Tell you WHAT?"
"This is Jeff BATES!!! WHen were you going to tell me I'm RICH!?"
"Whaaaat?!?"
"TOM!!!!!! It says right here on myspace.....that I'm rich! I'm in the rich celebrity category..."
I hear silence on the other end of the line then a little laughter....then a LOT of laughter....,
"What's so funny Tom?"
"Jeff....you are NOT rich!"
"What do you mean? But it says it right here and..."
"JEFF!"
"WHat?"
"YOU ARE NOT RICH!"
I was puzzled, "What do you mean?"
"You are NOT rich! I just checked your account yesterday before I went home and you are $36.73 overDRAWN in your checking account!!"
"Whaaaaat?!?!? It can't be...!
"Jeff...you are NOT rich! Please make a deposit today to cover your overdraft!"
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CLICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The whole blog post is worth reading. So click Jeff's album cover below to read the rest of the blog (Note: you must be a MySpace member to read it).
READER'S COMMENTS
GramMar says:
Posted: Monday, July 28, 2008
Jeff knows he is wealthy in the things that count! He has so many blessings to consider in his life that he'd run out of fingers before he'd consider them all! I found this to be a great 'read' on Jeff's own site's Journal section! And I sure did enjoy reading both his fans' comments and Jeff's replies back and forth with them as these things seem to take on a life of their own with such humorous angles developing along the way! LOL Even Jeff's wife, Kelly got her tongue-in-cheek reply on there! Thanks for catching this day brightener and sharing it here!
LovinJeff4Ever says:
Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008
W.O.A.M. here for Jeff Bates. As others said we love to read his blog and journal over on jeffbates.net! For me personally I was floored that Jeff actually takes time out of his busy schedule to chat with us fans/friends.. Thanks for joining in with us and promoting Jeff.. We need everyones support that we can get and help him rise to the top! Michelle
msqueen says:
Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008
I always Love to read Jeff Blog Jeff u are very funny u know how to make me and everyone else laugh u have a great Humor.I lvoe you Jeff!!
JeffB8sJunkie says:
Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008
Thanks to you Roughstock.com for this little segment on Jeff Bates. I visit Jeff's blogs daily and let me tell you...Jeff and the way he interacts with his 'friends' just makes my day. You never know what's gonna come outta that boys mouth...so much like the rest of us....that's why we love JEFF!!!
angel73011 says:
Posted: Thursday, July 24, 2008
I absolutely love Jeff's blogs and the way he interacts will all of us.. he never thinks of us as fans but friends.. and family.. Jeff is truely a blessing to me.. I am ever so greatful that the word about Jeff is finally getting around.. You are truely genuine Jeff Bates!! Thank you for all the fun we have on myspace and Jeffbates.net
sherri says:
Posted: Thursday, July 24, 2008
i love jeff's blog.we all live to read what he will post next.thanks jeff and thanks roughstock for shinning a light on jeff
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