High End Audio-Gaining Higher Ground?

The issue I have with high end is mostly with the retail end of things. They barely do anything to promote music (ever see a small concert at an audio salon? No? Me neither), and apparently are happy with business as usual...I asked somebody at Goodwin's (nearby extreme high end shop) if they could put me on the email list for upcoming demos...they said they don't have an email list. I've mentioned concerts coming up in my town that audio sales dudes are oblivious to, modern concerts I've mixed recently in other towns with major jazz dudes they haven't heard of...it's amazing. There seems to be no promotion of the experience of "active listening," and I can bet that if you ask residents of this crowded area I live in if they've even heard of the two local high end shops, 99% would say no. You get what you've earned I suppose, and that's a shame.

High End audio is NOT the music business which is actually doing fine...big "gate keeper" labels are having to adjust or die, but independent musicians are figuring it out...online concerts, live shows to sell your swag and CDs...all good. Ever know somebody with a record contract? Ask 'em if they made any money. As for the argument that new music isn't as good as Fleetwood Mac (!), I can say from my experience over recent decades as a live sound mixer and concert producer that anyone who thinks today's musicians aren't every bit as brilliant as the over hyped stuff from the past simply isn't getting out much. Still plenty of lame stuff to go around of course, but I've been astonished at the extremely high level of musicianship and beautiful writing created by scores of young artists that most so called "music fans" can't be bothered to search out (local "coffee house" concerts or house concerts is where you should start, just don't ask the sales dude at the audio "salon"). The jazz scene is also kicking ass, and you should be sad if your ass isn't one of them getting kicked.

My 22 year old daughter produces live shows, which is great for somebody with an Art History degree...

Fleetwood Mac are certainly successful (I saw 'em live by accident once and they were great)...Christine McVie has an amazing voice and has rejoined them I think. My point is that there are other people out there who are worthy of attention and every bit as good as the mainstream stuff you may enjoy...I hope I've simplified this point enough for the top 40 aficionados among us.

In the world of "musician appreciation," Peter Green is generally considered a guitar god, Zappa is and was one of the most respected composers and guitar players of his generation, and Lindsey Buckingham is a gazillionaire uber successful dude who is still touring and making his millions of fans happy...maybe a we need new definition of underrated around here.