Performing for Bling

Preface: I have no legal background. Adhere to all copyright laws.

A musician is not good if they can't play live.
Right Ashlee Simpson?

The illegal dissemination of digital media (particularly MP3's) is a major problem for the recording industry. Many musicians regard the downloading of MP3's as stealing, though some do not; check out Archive.org for lots of free music (The Miasmics are particularly good). The loudest complainers (Metallica) make the most money. Isn't ironic, don't you think? (here comes the lawsuit)

What is an MP3? It is a computer file. The webpage you are viewing is a computer file. They are easy to share. Sharing an MP3 is basically the same as sharing any other piece of information. Is sharing MP3's so different than sharing cassettes or VHS tapes? I don't think so. The medium has changed, but that's all. The music industry is fighting against information sharing via the internet, which directly contradicts the primary function of the web. It's a losing battle.

Here's an idea for the record executives: allow a free exchange of studio recordings for personal usage. This expands the number fans for your contracted talent (the bands). With more fans, bands can perform more shows because the demand for tickets will rise. Personally, I've paid as much as $150 for a single concert ticket (the Rolling Stones are worth it) and have seen dozens and dozens of shows (to the detriment of my hearing).

Now the important part: Musicians and the recording companies who produce their studio works can not stop file (information) transfers through the internet. The answer is licensing Live Music. Every time music is played, it happens somewhere. Whatever that 'somewhere' is should have to be licensed. Live playing of copyrighted music without a license, and thus without compensation for the artist and producer, would be illegal. Recording live music within venues can be easily regulated, as well. Charging fees for live performances and public usage of copyrighted materials makes infinitely more sense because the venues distributing the music are tangible. I realize this hurts coverbands, but they can make their own music or pay a fee for using other people's work. Music must be protected WITHIN the music industry, but realize that stopping information flow on the internet is like squeezing a handful of sand. The tighter you grip, the more it slips through your fingers.

The crux of the issue is where are you going to make your profit?
I have always enjoyed live music infinitely more than recordings. The performance is part of the show (the words in bold seem to mean less these days). As stated in the beginning, a live performance is the measure of an artist. Ashlee Simpson, a modern pop 'diva', is a dreadful singer. She was booed off the stage during the 2005 Orange Bowl. That should have been the end of her off-key clatter wailing. Instead, she'll make more digitally enhanced studio albums (they aren't even albums anymore, they're a collection of singles) and more money than I'll ever see. But at least I'll be echt.