Are we typecast?

[MysteryBill'sMagicRadio]

Hmm. Starting a discussion, about what. Well, let's see peoples opinon here about this!
Sometimes, an actor for instance, gets famous for a part he plays and then gets wildly successful in a role. Later on, when the fickle finger of fate as it were steers people into a different direction of tastes or fads or whatever the "it" b.s. maybe at the moment, the actor finds himself out of work because he has been typecast. As a musician, in my younger days I was driven often by genre specific music, going after a specific audience, trying to find my niche. After 5 decades of living though, I'm finding that it's not as important to me to be defined that way. People ask, "what kind of music are you into?" "Well, anything that's good, here's some of mine, what do you think?" The old adage to stick to what you're good at is certainly prudent to a point, but as an artist, now, I may just reinvent my style from album to album (from say, rock to jazz and back), as inspiration moves me (influenced a bit by what I listen to by everyone else). I'm not particularly market driven as much any more. Sometimes my fans don't like that, and sales may suffer, but I'll lose zero sleep over that. Not that I'm insensitive, but just when you might decide what my 'look' is, maybe I'll just shave my head and paint a happy face on top!! (then again, maybe not, hah!!) So I'm looking for any opinions, pro and cons about being classified solely as this or a that. As this group is to challenge us to create playlists, personally I'm going to go more for the eclectic 'it's all good approach' and try not to be too style specific. Hey Kick, care to jump in here?

[Kickradio]

Eclectic is a good word here...That is the way we are. When you listen to our radio show you hear many different genres being represented. And you know what? It blends very well. I know many people are surprised that we aren't specifically pop, or rock, or country, or christian, or 5th avenue pooper music in genre...We are everything and more...because that is what makes people...

There are almost as many genres as there are songs -- that is why don't claim any to hang our hat on. If it is music we consider it...

People want to debate what makes a certain type of music but really it doesn't matter as long as the listener enjoys listening to it. Did you know that here in the Philippines, for example, they have no idea what country music is? They don't care. I remember one night telling a local here that Hank William Sr. was one of the Beatles and his response back was, "That's cool, isn't he the one who wrote Blue Suede Shoes"?

You see they really don't care -- all they want is to be able to listen to what sounds good. Radio, itself, used to do that too -- played what sounded good. Then the specializations stuck and genres were invented and etc. etc. and Now most radio hangs it's hat (thus limiting itself) to specific genres.

So yeah, ECLECTIC is a very nice word.

[~~ALL SEEING EYE~~]

Genres have been sub-divided to the point of the absurd... and when people do just stick to one genre they segregate themselves from the rest and then they get precious about there genre and start defending it and anaylising to the point where they have create another sub-genre and more segregation..

Diversity is an important tool to stop segregation and encourage people to adapt and embrass all.. whatever the music, age or culture..

[DestinationDawn]

I totally agree...let me out of the box!!!! I write from my heart. I love all styles of music and compose based on the mood I'm in, my inspirations, my life journey and circumstances evolving from it. Actors easily get typecast like you mentioned and artists do, too! As replied by Kickradio..."eclectic" That is the measure of true creativity in an artist, I believe. One who can write many forms of compostions, not just stuck in a formula for their genre-specific music. I am launching an Indie Music Show featuring indie artists and had the dilemma of whether each show should be genre specific, or as I really was leaning to...various genres. Well I am going to go with my heart and this discussion post verified it for me...various genres. "Eclectic" it is!!!!!! An eclectic blend...I like that!