Interesting points being made by all,
no?

But may I simply add two possible bottom lines:

(a) Yep, the fluff always does seem to, at first, rise to the top and shine 
the loudest
(ie:  Guy Lombardo always filled more dancehalls than Stan Kenton, for quite 
a while there Pat Boone outsold Elvis (almost), and the most "popular" song in 
1965 was not "Yesterday," "Satisfaction" or even "Like A Rolling Stone," but 
...wait for it... "Wooly Bully."  Still, the CLASS acts throughout these ages 
DO have remaining power, despite their being often overlooked and poo-poohed 
at the time of their arrival.  So let us all just keep making our good art, and 
if we're lucky we'll be rewarded .....non-posthumously.

(b) "It's the SONGS, dummy!" as the A&R man in me continues to scream.  Say 
what you will about the vehicles behind the processed vocals (and videos), but 
the Britneys and the Avrils have some damn fine p-o-p beneath it all, and 
there always has been, always will be, and is right now, Today, an urgent need for 
great songs and great songwriters.  So for those amongst us not quite willing 
to sacrifice their lives to the endless grey ribbon (Hey, Adam. You know I 
luv ya!), then consider taking, say, Adam Schlesinger's route and break down the 
back door instead ...and earn yourself some very nice "mailbox money" in the 
process. 

This all said, Thank Gawd for fearless crusaders the likes of Messrs. Bash 
and Brodeen:  mark my virtual words, for their operations WILL be remembered, by 
generations to come, as the Ed Sullivans (I do mean that as a compliment) and 
Bluenote Records of their eras were, and are.  If only we could have dozens 
more of their calibre and ilk on our side of the cause right about now.

PS:  and Love you too, Wendie,

Gary  "Give The People, and maybe even the industry, What They Want"  Pig