In these times of MP3 downloads and peer-to-peer file sharing the ease with which fans can get free music has been increased massively. Sending music to friends and acquaintances has become a regular occurrence; however there is a payback that many people don’t consider.

While everyone likes to get something for free, somewhere down the line somebody has to pay. If an artist goes into a studio, hires a producer, and an engineer it all costs money. Then there is the marketing and promotion of the track – not to mention the cost of pressing and distributing any hard copies.

All of these costs need to be met. Whether the record label covers them or, more commonly, from a budget that is passed onto the artists themselves the fact remains that monies need to be recouped.

You may argue that labels like Universal have deep pockets and can afford to take a loss here and there. This is true, but the music industry is a business. And business is all about money. Without the money there is no business. Without the business there is no music – or at least not on the level it is produced and distributed at now. Further to this, if an artist doesn’t get paid for their work they will be pushed to leave the game and do something else for a living, which leaves the consumer as the loser too.

If your favorite artist cannot make a living in the music game then they will be forced to leave it behind. This means you won’t be able to enjoy the fruits of their talents.    In the end everyone loses.

I can’t tell you not to get free music, but remember, each time you cop that new tune for nothing someone has to pay down the line. The bottom line is, you must support the game with your money or you run the risk of losing the entertainment that you love.

Tom ‘Slim’ Clover (Managing Editor – Grind Mode Media LLC) – WWW.GRINDMODECONNECT.COM   & WWW.GRINDMODEPRESS.COM