…and according to the majority of you (54% to be exact), labels need to focus on Artist Development and nurturing artists for the long haul if they want to turn their fortunes around. In second place was the rather novel idea of releasing some good music (22%), third place was focusing on digital distribution (13%), and bringing up the rear was the notion that labels need to hunt down illegal file swappers (6%).

As for me, well, I agree with most of you. If labels signed artists they planned on developing and working with over the long term rather than putting out albums that contain one single and a whole bunch of filler, hoping they can get enough bang from the single to make a quick buck, they might find they can sell more records overall. Even the most dedicated music fan will get tired of handing over their hard earned cash for albums that just phone it in eventually, and they will stop buying.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, when people talk about The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones or any such band that has found fans in generation after generation, they talk about ALBUMS, not singles. These bands that have stood the test of time all had proper artist development behind them. They’re STILL selling records – how many number one artists in recent years can say that even now?

Thanks to everyone who voted! Got more to say? Leave a comment here or take it to the forum.

Article Source: http://musicians.about.com, Written by Heather McDonald

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: www.Music-Career-Guide.com

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