The View From Here: Music Monday: Green River Ordinance

Monday, August 16, 2010

Music Monday: Green River Ordinance

This is Geoff...

Josh...

Joshua...

Denton...

and Jamie...

Together they make up Green River Ordinance.

I first heard of GRO when they opened for David Cook and the Anthemic last summer. Openers for Cook never seem to be anyone I’ve heard of before but, much like his first Ryan Star, after seeing them I instantly wanted more. In fact, GRO was so good that they managed to keep my attention at the August show I attended, even though I had an ear infection with a busting eardrum. I also had the opportunity to see them as a headliner this past February and they were even better than I had remembered. Along with touring with Cook (and other well known bands) the guys were tapped to record an exclusive song for the Winter Olympics called Rise Up. If you have never heard of them, you should really look them up. Now, as can sometimes happen in business, the band has parted ways with their label. The didn't tell the reason but I trust these guys so if they said it needed to happen, I trust they have good reasons.

Some would consider this a move that could cause the end of a band's career, and I suppose it could, but instead GRO is turning to fans, new and old for help. full details can be found at readysetgro.com but basically it is set up like one of those PBS fund drives where rewards are given in exchange for financial backing, one of which actually includes co-writing a song with the band. This is a time when fans can actually be in control of the music they want to hear, to a degree and it cuts out the middle man of record labels deciding what they believe the listening audience wants to hear. It is possible that Green River Ordinance maybe starting a revolution in the music world resulting in bands having control of what they produce, audiences deciding what they want to hear instead of it being up to a bunch of rich guys in suits who really have no idea what people want, and artists who are rewarded for having talent and not gimmicks.

If this sounds like a good idea, get involved, every dollar helps and lets get GROing.

ON YOU OWN