Digital Music-Thing 19

At our home we have Yahoo Music, which is a service we pay a monthly charge for that we use constantly. It's a great way to try out music without having to buy it. That's the way we first listened to the new album by Allison Krause and Robert Plant (love the way their voices harmonize, but there were a few off the wall tunes . . .) As a result, we'll probably only pay to download our favorites from the album, instead of going out and buying it.

I love the freedom music services give to the consumer. I understand there is some controversy over file-sharing and decreased record sales and musicians and record companies feeling they're getting ripped off. I think artists just need to rethink the way they get their new stuff out there. The internet basically replaces the radio DJ who would give their new stuff airplay. By giving consumers the option of free downloads, they build up excitement and desire among the public to see their favorite groups in concert. That's where the artists can make their money, in the concert venue rather that through record sales. The recording companies can then produce full length concert DVDs, splice in interviews with the performers, interviews with the audience, etc.