Business and law adjusting to our new world

It’s become almost trite to suggest that the new material underpinnings of the music marketplace demand new legal and marketing models, but getting people past their convictions that existing business and legal models are eternal is not an easy thing.  We can point to different models in the past — artists were once dependent not on the marketplace to make a living but, rather, on patrons.

But Corey Smith is proof that there are new and profitable models to follow.  His model is based on the widespread distribution of his music for free.  As Dave Kusek reports:

Corey’s whole business model is based on giving away lots of music for free and building relationships with his fans. Last year he grossed $4.2 million with a team of seven people. He does it primarily through touring and developing seriously close relationship with his fans.