How bad is the music business industry right now?

Question by kkineticc: How bad is the music business industry right now?
I know it’s hurting, but how bad? All jobs are hurting now, but is this on going to ever bounce back or are indie labels taking away the big business from major names? (Sony BMG, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group…)

Are jobs going to be hard to find? Won’t artists still need agents, sound engineers, A&R’s, stage managers, and so on?

How does this industry die if artists are still coming up and need their “people”? How exactly do indie labels function (regarding the business stuff behind the talent)?

Thoughts? Anyone?

Best answer:

Answer by Mark P. James
The music industry’s biggest problem is that it’s an industry. I know that sounds like I’m joking, but every time you try to turn art into commerce, you will fall into the same traps.

The only reason the artists need their ‘people’ is because they need to get onto commercial radio to be heard. Commercial radio only plays what they already know is going to be a success (like a new song from an establish act, or a new song from a new act who already has a following). They will NEVER play a new song by a new band, unless there’s some built in interest already (like a competition winner).

This system kills art and creativity because it encourages you not to do anything new, and not to take any risks. That is the music industry’s biggest problem.

What do you think? Answer below!