To Club or Not To Club?

We're against fan clubs. There, we said it and we meant it.

Fan clubs are supposed to be inclusive, bringing fans closer to the artists they support. In actuality, they do the opposite. When you consider that membership in an average fan club costs approximately $25 a year, being a member isn't feasible for most people. After all, we're fans of more than one person - big fans! So even if we pick only our top four artists, that's about $100 per year per person. The majority of us cannot afford to throw away $100 or more like that, particularly in this current economic downturn.

And, what do you get for your $25? Depends on the club. Usually a fan pack which includes some autographed material, a shirt and other knick-knacks. Access to a video or unreleased track. Maybe a chance at VIP tickets or meet-and-greet passes. Sometimes you don't even get any of that, just the "prestige" of being a club member.

The fan pack is generally comprised of items you can pick up individually and get signed by the artist personally, rather than pre-signed. A "special" video or track only stays that way for so long, thanks to the age of YouTube. And, notice, you only get a chance at VIP tickets or passes. You're not even guaranteed to get to meet the artist who you just gave even more money to!

That's what really gets us, the money. Fan clubs are not about the fans, they're about the money. Membership doesn't even give you a discount on ticket prices, although you might get a chance at a presale. So, let's see, if you're paying $25 a year for a fan club membership, then upwards of $75 per ticket for a good seat to see a major artist (not including fees, service charges and other bogus crap), and then factor in merchandise like CDs...we're talking like $200 for one musician. Those four we mentioned earlier, you're looking at easily $800 to $1,000 a year.

For some people, that's not a big deal. For the rest of us, however, it's a serious dent in our pockets. Some of you are saying, "You don't have to have the best seats in the house." You'll pay for a fan club but not to see the artist up close on stage, where they are typically at their best?

And the Most Underrated Country Star Is...

Lee Brice! The good ol' boy from Sumter, South Carolina, has been toiling in Nashville for a while now, with little to show for his efforts since Garth Brooks rocketed to the top with More Than a Memory, which Brice co-wrote (with Kyle Jacobs and Billy Montana). His debut CD on the Curb label has been pushed back at least three times; its original release date was 2007 and Curb's web site now has it set for 2037.

Brice could be in his sixties before we hear track 1. That's a real shame, as anyone familiar with Brice's work knows. He's the voice behind the raucous Upper Middle Class White Trash, the vulnerable Happy Endings and the gotta-love-a-crazy-chick anthem, She Ain't Right. And, let us not forget the beauty and angst of More Than a Memory.

Of course, he hasn't been in Nashville for 10 years, which appears to be the average amount of toiling time spent by some of country's hottest artists. So, we may yet luck out. But with talent like Brice's, why must he suffer the 10 year curse? He's developed his voice. He knows who he is. He knows his audience. So what is Curb waiting for?

The official word is that Curb is waiting for one of Brice's singles to hit the Top 20 (an upcoming single is due in April). Given the way Curb has treated mega-star Tim McGraw of late, why should we believe them? McGraw's troubles inadverently screwed Brice once more, as one of the singles from McGraw's delayed new record was co-written by Brice.

Most importantly: Brice is genuine. He's true to his roots and to his fans.