Back to the OP:

For those of you who disparage Danny, Bob and I for lamenting the current state of the live music business, I would submit that you would have a different perspective if you were actually playing out these days. Not thirty years ago – today.

Find a “niche”? We've all done that. “Make something happen”? We're doing just that every day. Should we ignore a serious threat to the way we make our livings?


“If I want to give my product away free for the joy of doing so that's my business and I'll do it if I want to.”

That statement perfectly illustrates the problem addressed in the OP.
Try handing out free hot dogs at a pro ballpark, or free beers in someone's bar. Let me know how that works out for you. grin

It's not a 'product' if it has no value. In my experience, people who give their musical product away for free, have valued it correctly.