Quote:

The fact that the 99 cents can be spent almost anywhere on the planet is where the change has occurred.

What was your size of your record collection in the 1960s or 1970s?

The world has flattened and there are many more people today selling 99 cent songs than in the 1960s. Sorry Vince Gill that you can't get as rich now as before; the wealth is spreading out to more people through the availability of both legal and illegal distribution.

I think the last line in his quote is the one farthest off-base. The economic model today encourages way more creativity than in the past. Long Tail economics are at play and the only folks really 'suffering' are those that were able to capitalize on a narrowly controlled distribution channel system of the past.

Vince, you can still be an artist - you just won't get paid as much for it. Welcome to the club....



Scott,
I agree on every point in both of your posts. I think you've stated the current reality in the most positive way. Yes, things have changed... but the result is that more people have opportunity to market their ideas than in the past. This is true not only for song writers, but also for programmers of fart apps

As a creative person, I'd rather live in a world where anybody with a clever idea or product can self promote and make money without being totally ripped off by middle men. The old system is the outrage from where I stand. It consists of greedy promoters who dangle the lure of global distribution to entice hungry artists into signing unfavorable contracts so they can siphon away most of the profits for themselves. And in such a system, only those with unfavorable contracts get promoted... nobody else gets a shot,regardless of talent.

The current system is better; but I bet the middle men will find a way to stop the self promotion and require distribution to funnel through them again. Enjoy it while it lasts.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ey71h8ep047758h/AAC12jNM0Hz9Q8zsh5iDeqNHa?dl=0