>
> But conversely:
> It just galls me that so many people I've met just think music
> materializes
> out of nowhere like oxygen on a warm breeze. Are we like philosophers who
> have nothing to do with our time but live some idyllic existence for the
> amusement of the masses?


It does kinda seem like that nowadays with the number of bands out there
available 24/7 on a million web sites - I know I can't keep up anymore.  I
think the cost of entry into the profession of being a recording musician
has dropped too low.  To use another fun analogy - it's like the sport of
billiards - you can call yourself a player and all you need to prove it is a
dive bar and some quarters. But try that with hockey! - or formula one!

Fair enough and that's all we can hope for. But also understand that if the
> delivery method ISN'T fair (like eMusic and Puretracks) then there
> shouldn't
> be any complaining about lack of choices when someone subscribes. You've


Agreed - and if this delivery method ends up failing for the labels and
musicians and listeners it is supposed to be servicing it should change or
die.  I'm assuming there will be more than a few failed experiments in this
age of musical chaos.

e-Music. You can't get our songs in Best Buy or WalMart either but I don't
> hear anyone bitching about that.


We lost our A&B - pretty much the last chain store we had with extensive
classic back catalog.  Try finding a GFR cd in this city anymore!  I miss it
very much.

Random thoughts:

My local indie-store friend is successfully switching much of his store to
vinyl lately - he's very happy with the renewed interest.  A nice mix of
60's and 70's classic rock along with the new releases.

I think vinyl was perfect not because it sounded better - but because when
you chose well and took care - you were rewarded with an 'investment' that
did not depreciate very much over the years.  (especially with the choosing
part).  When you download a file - you have nothing - instant 100%
depreciation.  It's no fun to collect little files.  There are bunch of
young people buying records from the store here who want their music to have
that total collector experience of sounds, sights and smells.

I think The Supersuckers are doing a great job as a small band in the new
world - they've tried lots of new things with their fan club and auctions
and contests etc.

Though I'm not in the industry - the music and the business are my main life
interest and I find posts on the subject very interesting and enlightening.

-- 
Lee Elliott