[darling1]

Originally posted by straightBOS
In regards to the topic, a few things need to be made clear before one can begin to discuss how mp3s affect record sales, if at all.

1) A portion of the sales from ALL CD-Rs, CD-Rws, and CD-Rewrittable drives sold in the US is collected in a fund that is supposed to go to the record industry to help offset any loss evenue due to burning and downloading. As of this date, none of the money has been released by the government. Why? If the artists are so deparate for compensation have they not received a legally collected tax? Because artist compensation is not the issue.

2) Large artists such as Britney Spears, 'NSync, and other top Pop artists still sell platinum albums, so, what are they complaining about? Or, are they truly complaining at all?

3) No artists will EVER make more from CD sales than from tour dates. So, if you think you are doing them a favor by purchasing a CD that others would rather D-Load, then you are wrong. You do the artists a large disservice by never attending a concert than d-loading a song. But, since the artists are employees of the record companies, they would have you believe differently. Even a very successful artist cannot live on record sales alone.

4) Has anyone ever asked how a full, fininshed album can make it to the NET a full month BEFORE it is released in stores? The record companies routinely give away the full albums--- and not just to radio and DJs. With such carelessness, is there any real sincerity in preventing the pre-release of albums?

Basically, I feel that good musicians need to be supported on all levels-- CD sales, Tour Dates, radio and video requests. And what makes an artist "good" needs to be determined by the consumer.

The issue is NOT artist compensation. It's about who has control over the industry, trends, etc. and the record companies cannot stand the fact that consumers are more informed and empowered than they have ever been. Instead of trying to corral and control consumers, give us better reasons to buy, i.e., better music and better artists to support. The sloppiness and laziness w/i the industry has caused the explosion of burning and d-loading, not geeks and nerds with time on their hands.

I agree with the points mentioned. In addition, I just refuse to pay 20 buks for a CD. It is simply crackish. As I get older I realize that I am more a listener of 'older' music and not the 'new stuff'. If I do spend any money on a CD it will be on more 'classic' music.