A friend and I were recently talking about patronism.com and I discovered that as a non-musician, the concept of patronism was not obvious. I’ve been an artist at http://www.patronism.com/gingerleigh for one year now and have discovered that, although it has been quite a success for me, explaining the concept to others has been challenging.
My friend asked and I answered these questions:
1. Friend asks: How does patronism benefit the fan? Answer: Not only does the fan-turned-patron get to download all the material I have ever recorded, they also get songs that have never been released. They get home demos, live audio recordings, exclusive videos and out-of-print CDs. My profile has 144 songs for my patrons to download.
2. Friend asks: But I can download your music at iTunes and other outlets. Aside from the songs I get at patronism.com, why would I sign up for a monthly access to your profile? Answer: You can’t download at other outlets all of the music I have at posted to patronism. Much of it is ONLY available at patronism.com. But other than the music itself, there is a deeper, more profound connection between patrons and my music. This is the part of the concept that’s the most difficult to explain. When my fans choose to sign up at patronism.com, I feel blessed to know that they care enough about my music to basically pitch in to keep me going. There is a relationship that’s established already when fans choose to come to shows and purchase CDs, but to take it one step further by becoming a patron, I am able to take a deep breath and know that there is more financial and emotional support for what I love to do for you; music.
For example, this song is out of print and not on iTunes: Crazy Anyway
3. Friend asks: How has technology effected your music career and how does patronism.com remedy the problems? Answer: We’re all guilty of copying CDs for friends, right? My little sister said she just rips MP3s off youtube videos. It’s amazing how easy it is to grab music for free. On one hand it’s great to know that if a fan purchases a CD of mine and then wants to share it with other people, I am being exposed to more ears. It’s an honor to know that they want others to know about my music. However, if a fan buys one CD at $15 and then copies it for 10 more people, I just lost $150. Or with the advent of single downloads at, say, iTunes, artists are looking at .65 per song, which means an artist at my level would need a sudden miracle of thousands and thousands of single downloads for there to be any major financial positive impact on my career. It’s nearly impossible today to hit those numbers when the world is overwhelmed with choices and access. I would love it, though, trust me! And I’m taking other routes to try to make that happen as well! And it very much might happen. Doors open every day! But with patronism.com, my patrons become my record label. The funds that come to me via patronism.com are currently being stowed away for my next CD recording! AND, last but not least, patrons can share my music all they want. They own, they are a part of every note! Imagine what I could create if only 10 or 20% of my fans became patrons! (PS. One of the albums I have on patronism.com is from the show I did with Ruthie Foster and Shelley King with a surprise appearance by W.C. Clark. It’s phenomenal and invaluable!)
This song is live at Momo’s in Austin and not on iTunes: Un\’Anno d\’Amore – I’m singing this one in Italian.
4. Friend asks: Well, how does it technically function? What do I do? Answer: You go to http://www.patronism.com/gingerleigh Click “Sign UP”. You fill in the form. In step one of the form, you can choose to contribute any amount you wish! Are you comfortable with $10 per month? $20 per month? $1000 per month (that would rock!) or $2 per month? That’s cool too! You enter your information. Then you have become my patron! Once all of that is done, you sign in and go download 144 songs of mine! In the meantime, I’m writing more material and will soon record a new CD as a direct result of your patronage! Besides, I’m much better at writing and recording and performing than I am at flipping burgers. 
5. Friend asks then: Why don’t you go flip burgers? Answer: You’ve known me and my music for a long time and have been witness to the time it takes to write, record, promote, perform. It’s a long, arduous process, but a precious and beautiful one with results I hope move those who know my tunes! I love making music, I love what I do! I was born with this blessing (sometimes a curse) of being musically talented. It’s my passion! I believe in the world that has music. Imagine a world without it! Being an artist is incredibly fulfilling when I know that my music makes a difference for others, makes you dance, laugh, cry, feel that funny feeling! And I have so much more to create. So I thank my patrons so much, because with them I am motivated to continue. I am obligated to fulfill not only my own dreams, but the expectations of my fans-turned-patrons. (PS. Those of you who sign up, I have been working on some new styles, some unique material that I think you will love! I’ll be putting them on my patronism profile very soon. So please go sign up and watch the work from behind the scenes! Good stuff, folks!)
6. Friend says “I’m in! SIGN ME UP! http://www.patronism.com/gingerleigh
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