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which prompts me to wonder who gets the rest, since a platinum album generates FAR more revenue than $24k per song

This is why I like the internet. To at least SOME extent, it has enabled talented people to sell their original songs without forcing them into a really bad deal with music sharks who get more from the artist's work than the artist does.

As far as I can tell, its the sharks who are doing most of the squealing about lost revenue. The artists, especially once they've made a name for themselves, can sell their stuff online and get 100% of the profits for themselves

As an added benefit, they aren't pushed to meet corporate deadlines for the next CD... they can take as long as they want to get the songs the way they want, retaining all the creative control of the product.

As time goes on, we've seen (and will continue to see) success stories of talented people who do their own legwork to stir interest in their songs online. Marketing and distribution is the main service provided by the sharks, but IMHO, to keep 9 cents for yourself and pay 91 cents for marketing would be totally unacceptable in any other business. Yet musicians stand in line to sign these recording contracts.

Go figure.



It is pretty incredible to witness the changes going on in the music industry. While I agree the old system was far from fair to the artists, I have my doubts about a new internet-based system as well.

At least in the old days, if you landed a record contract you had a shot at something pretty cool. Nowadays you can sell your CD on CD Baby and sell your songs through iTunes but now those organizations become the sharks and, with all of the competition (since everybody has a "record contract" now) your chance of selling enough to provide more than pocket change is pretty slim! How many musicians do you know of who are making anything even close to a living on internet sales?

I have friends in the music business who swear the only way to make money currently is to tour. Ya need to tour to promote your music and sell your swag and CDs. And they claim touring is the only way you keep the lion's share of the take.

I am fortunate in that I have a decent "real" job and I plan to keep it while I enjoy music on the side. If something were to come of the music that would just be gravy!