The old business model is dead… but is it coming back already?

I’ve noticed a disturbing trend lately. It seems that people- especially folks in the [tag]new media[/tag] world -believe that musicians don’t need to be paid. It’s rather unsettling, it is, to find out that people I respect and work with don’t understand that musicians have to eat.

Back in 2004 I dove head-first into the new media pool when I embraced [tag]podcasting[/tag]. Back then we even called it a revolution, but I’m starting to wonder if [tag]revolution[/tag] will lead to the lawless chaos that usually follows in a power vacuum.

• Podcasters do not pay musicians to play tracks. I was obviously fine with this the day I submitted material to the [tag]PMN[/tag]. This, however, was a break from the traditional model where broadcasters pay [tag]BMI[/tag] and [tag]ASCAP[/tag] who, in turn, pay the [tag]songwriters[/tag] and [tag]publishers[/tag] directly (and only a handful of podcasters do that). Fortunately, podcasters try to get their audiences to buy the tracks and the albums, but then there’s my next observation…
• Newer generations do not pay for track or album downloads. Since many kids even as old as college-age never paid for a disc of any kind in their entire life, they’re under the assumption that it’s okay to just go find the music you want online and take it. Even [tag]indie bands[/tag] and artists.
• [tag]Second Life[/tag]rs do not pay musicians to play tracks. I’m not talking about live shows where performers get tips, I’m talking about [tag]audio streams[/tag] of uncleared pre-recorded music. All those [tag]DJ’s[/tag] spinning everything from [tag]AC/DC[/tag] to [tag]Prince[/tag] to [tag]Slim Warrior[/tag]? Are they paying BMI or ASCAP licenses?
• Some conferences (like [tag]SLCC[/tag]) do not compensate musicians to perform live onstage. This one’s still kind of a hot topic, but I’ve had friends whom I respect actually tell me that musicians are asking for “special treatment” because they actually want to be compensated for their work (or even retain the rights to use their performances later). Of course, none of the other presenters are getting so much as a discounted admission, but that begs the question of why they’re not angry as well. Don’t they think their time is worth anything? Sure, some gigs are worth it for publicity… but when do the musicians start paying rent?

On a personal level, I’ve been paying my bills via [tag]works-for-hire[/tag]. This means music written for someone else, such as a commercial jingle or a theme song. While this is a fine sight better than brewing coffee or waiting tables for a living, does that mean I don’t get paid for any of my [tag]original work[/tag] unless it’s sold on a round piece of plastic?

I’m a big fan of the power of [tag]community[/tag], so I’m hoping you folks can help shed some light on this subject. We’re all blazing a new trail through business models that are still being written. Before the [tag]RIAA[/tag] becomes necessary again to make sure folks in my line of work don’t starve to death, we’d better find a way to enjoy the music without standing on the backs of the musicians OR crushing the new media pioneers that love them.

EDIT: LOTS of good comments below… please read them before leaving your own.