Short thought

What I am most curious to witness in the next few years is the balance between creative work and a business model that can support it. Will the new environment recognize true artistic talent or will it be lost while the record industry reinvents itself. Time will tell. Labels are still signing artists while they slowly reorganize and look for new ways to make money. For some artists, this will still be the best way to get out there and build their careers. The labels that survive will have a fraction of the artist roster that they had in the past, but the few artists that they have will be well supported. (If they can make money.)

On the other hand, there has not been a time in the last 50 years where an artist can get their music out so easily and keep so much from each sale. Many believe that the best way to make money is to give your music away and support the process through tours and merchandise. If you have a way of getting recognized on your own, get that project up on iTunes and be the record label. Exploit the fact that everyone can be on YouTube in a matter of minutes. Document the process, build a fan base, get on the road and get heard. At the end of the day you own the project and can make decisions for yourself.