Here’s what some of the artists affected have to say: The Dixie Chicks; "It may seem innocent enough, but every time you illegally download music a songwriter doesn’t get paid. And, every time you swap that music with your friends a new artist doesn’t get a chance. Respect the artists you love by not stealing their music. Trisha Yearwood, Multi-Platinum and Renowned Award-Winning Artist: "A songwriter is a craftsman much like a carpenter. Whether writing a song or building a house, the creator deserves compensation. Piracy deprives songwriters, producers and artists acknowledgment for sharing the gift of music." The Barenaked Ladies, One of the Best-Selling Canadian Bands Of All Time: "When the Gap went online, T-shirts didn't become free." Luciano Pavarotti, Legendary Tenor: "Everyone who loves music should be able to enjoy the wonderful recordings that are created. But it's no secret that it takes hard work, expense and many people to make great recordings. Artists and composers –particularly the younger ones - will not stand a chance of creating music in the future if their recordings are simply stolen in this way."

More than 2 billion songs are downloaded illegally over the Internet every month. A typical music fan who buys a CD might use that CD at home, take that CD in the car, make a tape of that CD, and keep that CD for many years. Most consumers, when asked, describe CDs as a good value. At the same time, when asked directly whether CDs cost too much, some consumers will say yes! Why the contradiction? Because some consumers don't understand why the sales tag on a CD is so much higher than the cost of producing the actual physical disc.

There are many factors that go into the overall cost of a CD -- and the plastic it's pressed on, is among the least significant. CD manufacturing costs may be lower, but it takes more money than ever before to put out a new recording. Of course, the most important component of a CD is the artist’s effort in developing that music. Artists spend a large portion of their creative energy on writing song lyrics and composing music or working with producers and A&R executives to find great songs from great writers. This task can take weeks, months, or even years. The creative ability of these artists to produce the music we love, combined with the time and energy they spend throughout that process is in itself priceless.

But while the creative process is priceless, it must be compensated. Artists receive royalties on each recording, which vary according to their contract, and the songwriter gets royalties too. In addition, the label incurs additional costs in finding and signing new artists. Once an artist or group has songs composed, they must then go into the studio and begin recording. The costs of recording this work, including recording studio fees, studio musicians, sound engineers, producers and others, all must be recovered by the cost of the CD. Then come marketing and promotion costs -- perhaps the most expensive part of the music business today. They include increasingly expensive video clips, public relations, tour support, marketing campaigns, and promotion to get the songs played on the radio. For example, when you hear a song played on the radio -- that didn’t just happen!

Labels make investments in artists by paying for both the production and the promotion of the album, and promotion is very expensive. If you would like to get some legal music on the Internet try, info@musicunited.org

Belated congratulations to Chris Scheetz and everyone who participated in the “Say Hay” campaign to aid the drought stricken farmers of Alberta.

Later,

Fustuk