Originally Posted by Colin Ward
The laws of supply and demand and econ 101 apply to music too. Consumers will certainly jump on free or cheap stuff (that's why our jobs have been heading to China for 40 years). But at some point, the manufacturers of the stuff (songs in this case) realize that they cannot afford to sell their product at a loss, and therefore exit the business. So there is no more product being made.

As far as touring and making money is concerned, most people lose money on tours (except for the top stars of course).

Musicians are told that there is no money in selling your music but you can play live and make up for it.

Musicians are also told that there is no money to pay you to play live, but you can sell your stuff at the gig.

Most musicians end up not selling their music and not being paid much to play live.

One in ten thousand musicians hits the big time and makes a few bucks.

Don't quit your day job.


Music has been getting lifted, since it first was made. Bootlegs were made, and it has been copied on to cassette from vinyl since technology allowed it.

There used to be a record store nearby who had every record around. People would go and ask for whatever songs they wanted on cassette, and he would charge like 5 bucks for it.

This was a legit shop too!

But music keeps going, some say stronger than ever. I disagree with the quality of it, but I might be an ole fart.