>>Anyone else have any musings about the musical future? And especially of how artists will fare?<<
There is a recently (in the last few years) formed group called the Future of Music Coalition. They have a yearly conference in Wash DC (I think). I haven't been to one yet, but have a friend who is part of it. I think its a great time to be an independent artist, though it takes a lot of work. On the other hand there is so much corporate consolidation going on, such as clear channel radio buying up radio stations around the country and also performance venues. A 2000 report by the RIAA (http://www.riaa.com/MD-Cons-5-00-MCT.cfm) stated "Of note was the 45 and over segment, which more than doubled its share of the market since 1990, rounding out the decade with a 23.8% share of the market. This past decade clearly revealed the significance that the baby boom generation places on music in their lives." There was a recent quote similar to this in Rolling Stone & I saw a news program last week that that mentioned the same thing. As an artist, I chose not to put my stuff up on mp3 mainly because I did not like their business practices towards artists (another story). I will continue to record in the CD format...at least in my lifetime & for my audience, think there will still be a market for CDs. I know, if I like an artist, I want the CD with the words, photos, etc. ... not just the music. My first instinct, in reading Bowie's comments was remembering how some said that computers would replace humans...well we know how quite the opposited happened, computers created a whole new industry... I do agree that people will always want togo to live shows. That is the origin of music, before it ever turned into something about a business...people getting together to sing & play together... ******************************************** Kate Bennett www.katebennett.com sponsored by Polysonics Discover the Indies at Taylor Guitars: http://www.taylorguitars.com/artists/awp/indies/bennett.html ********************************************
