Cameo- a new level of celebrity prostitution?

toddmc

Gold Member
So I was informed via Instagram about a website called Cameo which specialises in "personalised shout-outs" whereby people pay a nominated amount for their favourite celebrity to make a short video for them.

Keeping things drumming related here are some of the drummers (and prices) I found:

Mike Portnoy- $50
Paul Bostaph- $25
Tommy Lee- $350 (REALLY Tommy?? Even Vince Neil topped out at $300!)
Charlie Benante- $40
Carmine Appice- $60
Stix Zadina- $30

Personally, I’m of 2 minds about this. On one hand it’s pretty cool you can have your fave drummer/ actor/ athlete/ whatever make a personalised video for you or a loved one (the majority seem to be birthday shout-outs to family members) but on the other hand it’s just another example of celebrities prostituting themselves out for $$$ and comes off as disingenuous (to say the least).

However, I do understand why musicians in particular would sign up for this (due to no-one actually buying albums these days) and that this is another revenue stream for them to exploit in addition to meet and greets/ live gigs.

So how many Tommy Lee vids should I put you guys down for? : )
 
No matter how much money I offered to donate, it would never compare to the video Tommy Lee was famous for...
 
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...it’s just another example of celebrities prostituting themselves out for $$$ and comes off as disingenuous (to say the least).

However, I do understand why musicians in particular would sign up for this (due to no-one actually buying albums these days) and that this is another revenue stream for them to exploit in addition to meet and greets/ live gigs.

A side hustle can include almost anything and goes way back, even giving lessons and doing clinics would qualify (although I'd consider those on a much higher level than the shout-out clips.) The internet age has provided some additional methods and opportunities. Most recently, the MeetHook app allows musicians to chat with celebrity players, for a fee of course. I've been pitched on that and declined, mainly because it's hard to imagine anyone paying to chat with me (when they can already reach me online for free.)

Bermuda
 
The economic climate for musicians kind of dictates it.

I don't blame the artists, I blame the economic climate.

Musicians and prostitutes aren't that far apart.
 
A side hustle can include almost anything and goes way back, even giving lessons and doing clinics would qualify (although I'd consider those on a much higher level than the shout-out clips.) The internet age has provided some additional methods and opportunities. Most recently, the MeetHook app allows musicians to chat with celebrity players, for a fee of course. I've been pitched on that and declined, mainly because it's hard to imagine anyone paying to chat with me (when they can already reach me online for free.)

Bermuda

Mr Schwartz, I'd pay to chat with you........
 
I'll happily pay Paul Bostaph $30 to punch Tommy Lee in the face for wanting $350. Another $30 if teeth fall out!
 
I don't seen any problem. Its the modern equivalent of an autographed pic, drum head or cymbal.
 
No matter how much money I offered to donate, it would never compare to the video Tommy Lee was famous for...
Guess Tommy puts a bit of "extra effort" into his personalised videos to justify the price (Oh God no)....


I've been pitched on that and declined, mainly because it's hard to imagine anyone paying to chat with me (when they can already reach me online for free.)

Exactly my point- as one of the few people here who could have engaged in such a service (but chose not to) here you are giving your time, insight and opinions for FREE.
You may not be making money from it but at least it's genuine gesture on your part and appreciated by those who seek your advice.

I'll happily pay Paul Bostaph $30 to punch Tommy Lee in the face for wanting $350. Another $30 if teeth fall out!
Now THAT'S a good investment! : )
 
Exactly my point- as one of the few people here who could have engaged in such a service (but chose not to) here you are giving your time, insight and opinions for FREE.
You may not be making money from it but at least it's genuine gesture on your part and appreciated by those who seek your advice.

Plus...you know...all that valuable exposure.
 
I don’t think Tommy Lee actually wants to do it &/or he’s having a laugh at Cameo’s expense. It’s like the old joke about not getting out of bed for under £10,000. I doubt he needs the money but if he’s going to do it he’s making sure it’s worth his while, perhaps his favourite bottle of wine or dinner at his favourite restaurant comes to $350?

I can totally see why artists would get onboard with this as a revenue stream because of the drop in royalties now that huge amounts of music are streamed or listened to for “free”. However I attach more value to interactions done for no money. My favourite band did a meet and greet on their last tour which included front row tickets. Paying that many hundreds of pounds was out of my reach so I wasn’t going to buy that package. But a few months earlier I’d contacted the frontman because when having a clear out I’d found an old and obscure magazine the band had appeared in and I asked if he wanted it. I posted it to the bands PO Box and enjoyed that he’d chatted to me over private messages on Twitter. Then a few days later a dedicated signed CD dropped through the letter box, he’d gone to the trouble of cross checking his sales records as I’d bought CDs through the band website and off his own bat sent me a compilation CD I didn’t already own with a thank you note on it. To me that was worth as much if not more than paying for the privilege.
But getting back to Cameo, while I wouldn’t pay for it myself I’d perhaps appreciate someone buying a shout out for me as a surprise, and perhaps if someone had paid for the meet and greet I’d have appreciated it as a gift and perhaps that’s the difference between Cameo and meet and greets because Cameo is more likely to be gifted.
 
However I attach more value to interactions done for no money.
Exactly. I owe a lot to Al's fans who make his, and therefore my career possible. I can't charge them for a hello, a handshake, or an autograph after a show.

And for the relative handful of drummers and other musicians who are actually interested in what I do as a player, I also don't feel right charging for a little of my time to answer an email or send a signed pic. The only time I take any fee for personal interaction is when I do a clinic, and that's paid for by the companies I endorse, there's never a charge to the attendees. Who am I, Steve Gadd?? (Actually, it's a real bargain to pay $10-20 to see him up close!)

I don't begrudge the musicians who want to make some extra cash, I know a couple of guys who offer signed heads and sticks, and hope they're making money. There are certainly some drummers who I'd pay for a signed head or pic, or personal video message... just not the guys on that list! :O

Bermuda
 
And if people will pay...why not. Consenting adults would be a fitting description for this thread lol.

Sounds like a good thing. The money they get is all theirs. Well, you know.

No one gets hurt or corrupted or taken advantage of, it's a win/win and it helps keep the wheels of almighty commerce turning.

Could be something to look forward to, selling your autograph. Not for me.

You guys maybe :)
 
The economic climate for musicians kind of dictates it.

I don't blame the artists, I blame the economic climate.

^ This.

I think there is a misconception that if one obtains a certain amount of success, they have a certain level of financial wealth as well, but the two don't always go hand in hand.

Managers, lawyers, etc take up a considerable percentage.

A musician on the road only gets paid when they're on the road. Once the tour ends, the income stops. If you're on TV, and the TV show ends, the income dries up, other then small residuals if you're lucky enough to have the shows rebroadcast. And who knows if that will pay as well going forward with everything streaming and on demand now.

Record sales and royalties aren't even close to what they used to be.

I've come across many who you would think would be well off, or at least stable, but live in apartments, or with roommates, or have side jobs, or rely on their spouse/parents/other people to keep them afloat.

Even someone like Tommy Lee, ok, he's not hurting for cash, and probably still lives pretty well. But multiple divorces, being in and out of jail, and being sued umpteen times all takes a toll on how much money he's made vs how much he actually has.

So I get the wanting to do it for a fee aspect.

What I don't get is why anyone would PAY for this.

I mean, it's not like the celeb has anyone idea who you are. They're just reading a name on a script. It would have no significant meaning. Seems a pretty silly thing to waste money on.

But I live in Los Angeles, and I've met or seen or know plenty of "famous" people over time.
 
I'd pay Carmine $60 for a micro-lecture at my band, telling them to pay heed to my greatness, etc. But, I doubt any of them use instagram.
 
I'd pay money to bottle a few drops of sweat from Sonny Emory and then I can infuse myself with his unbelievable awesomeness.

Sonny Emory is one cat that I'd DEFINITELY pay to hang out with.
 
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