It's always been this way. Seriously. Read Beethoven's biography.

I know several folks here in Denver and Colorado Springs that are absolutely proving all of the 'drying up' comments wrong.

Different skills for different times. The world is your stage now with the Internet / YouTube / Facebook / Twitter / Reverbnation. If you know how to work that and have real talent, you can be successful.

Check out Tyler Ward Music on YouTube.

This kid was one of the worship leaders at our church just 6 months ago. He has absolutely gone viral on the internet and not because there's some amateur video of him laughing with milk coming out of his nose. He's got real talent as a musician, producer, videographer, and social network leader. His fan base is truly global. Hundreds of thousands of subscribers to his YouTube channel. Featured in Entertainment Magazine as a phenom to watch, etc. Playing tonight at the Hard Rock Cafe in Denver. Multiple record companies courting him, etc.

One of Tyler Ward's lead guitarists and another former worship leader at our little 250 person church, Jesse Michael Howard - super talented electric guitar player - landed lead guitarist gig with Big Kenny of Big & Rich.

And oh yeah, what Notes says in all of his posts in this thread "Ditto".