It's now common knowledge that the music business as we have known it is pretty much finished. For music lovers that can be a bad thing or a good thing. Many of the music lover I know seem, to like it and maybe "the music industry" will begin to like it too.

The one thing constant in life is change and the music industry faces lots of change. From artists, who stand to benefit the most from the changing nature of the business because of the freedom they have to share their art directly with the public,
to terrestrial radio stations, to internet radio stations like this one.

For music's sake the changing face of the industry will benefit the fans most. On the business side the competition for listeners , fans and dollars (this is business and money is all important)has and will turn into the "wild wild west". Those who have made their living in the music industry and want to continue and those who are trying to make their living in the industry may now have or take the opportunity to do more unthinkable things than have ever been seen in music to get over because the rules of the game are changing so much and things are so wide open now.

As I write these thoughts, things seem bleak but actually I think music may never be in a better position . Of all the artists nominated for Grammy Awards this year 50% were independent.  

http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2010/12/indie-artists-labels-grab-50-of-grammy-nominations.html

The article is a general statement. What is even more encouraging is the independent artists in the soul/urban community. Whether it be Eric Roberson or Maiysha or Yahzarah(all of whom have been nominated for Grammy Awards) or so many others who are through their music creating a spirit of harmony that says , as Lorenda Robinson of Brown Baby Girl states, "What God Has for me has got my name on it" meaning that that there can be a support of the whole without worrying about what I'm losing because of another's success.

It's another example of soul music leading the way for the entire music industry.

There will be more to add to this post in the coming weeks. Please leave your comments.