In the News & Observer of Raleigh, NC., David Menconi examines some of the
many problems in pop music, radio playlists and recording contracts that now
push so many "one-shot wonders" onto the public stage. The article, "Their
One and Only," states that few successful artists now use the build from
ground up models of Bruce Springsteen and Shawn Colvin. Thus, "these days, a
pop artist's success is measured by his latest single. And with few acts
surviving their first big hit, the music constellation is now shaped by
shooting stars instead of long-burning lights."
You can find the full text at
http://www.news-observer.com/daily/1998/05/31/arts00.html
And forgive me if I appear to be self-serving -- I don't know the freelance
writer -- to point out that The Washington Post had a fascinating piece
about the (record label-imposed) career decisions of Hal Ketchum. (He dumped
most of an album deemed too dark for mass airplay.)
Bill Friskics-Warren's full article, "Hal Ketchum's New Approach: Cut &
Dry," is available at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1998-05/31/066l-053198-idx.html
Scott Moore