bobperrone

The isolation stems, I think, in large part due to the difficulty in finding venues that support true live music (a DJ is NOT live music in spite of what the sign says). Also, you mentioned the "solo artist" in a studio with virtual instruments. Made me laugh - many folks in my area claim to be musicians - yet they do not play any instrument and instead rap to loops and beats and VI's. Really.....I'm a talented guitarist - playing for over 50 years and although I do find, on occasion, folks to collaborate with, I also understand why the online collaboration didn't work. You need to be physically connected - looking into each other's faces, feeling the "vibe" being generated. To me, the online collaboration thing is just as bad as being in a studio alone - I may as well track the parts myself.Tried it with a dear friend of mine - a bass player/songwriter and it failed. We are about 150 miles apart now and thought that it would work yet, in spite of the 30 + years we've been performing together we couldn't generate the right work with online collaboration. Part of the isolation problem is the business itself - do you think that an "artist" who tracks in a studio, vocalizers going and everything in his/her "band" is computer generated deserves any real consideration for recording deals? Tours are run with the entire show lip-synced. No wonder up and coming kids think that's being a musician, and with the help of music not being taught in grade school any longer - well, there you have it.The isolation of musicians today is partly the sign of the times and, in many instances I'm sure - by choice.