Support the Artists You Like by Buying Their Music Instead of Downloading It

When any fan or any avid music listener buys a new CD, there is usually one of three key factors involved in the decision to purchase. Factor number one, I'm bored with my current music selection, and I need a new choice. Factor number two, an artist I enjoy has dropped a new CD and I like the singles. Factor number three and artist I support has dropped a new CD.

With technology today, iTunes and other MP3 dedicated websites are flooded with purchases of both new and old. music still the average consumer will tend to purchase actual CDs of artists they truly support, as opposed to downloading it. Why? Because we honestly believe purchasing an actual CD more fully supports the artist where as downloading it from a website seems more like were taking what we want and out the rest because it's not as important to us. We as consumers in a technical era are constantly looking for corners to cut, and time to save. It seems like we think there is less time now than 10 years ago. Maybe it's because we've overtaxed ourselves or maybe we're just lazy. Either way, we seem to have forgotten the simple importance of purchasing something tangible. We seem perfectly content buying something on credit or buying the idea of something as opposed to actually obtaining it holding in our hand and enjoying it for what it is.

We also seem to forget about all the time and effort and thought that each artist puts into the cover art and CD face. All of the illustrations photographs thank yous and well wishes. The actual CD is the artist's opportunity to give credit and thanks to all those involved in the process of the CD start to finish as well as to think the fans for all their support. Something the true fans of any given artist would eagerly wait for ,simply to read that one line that speaks to them, "I'd like to thank my fans." It's a simple and understated process, but one every single person who ever loved music would rush to read at least once in their life. A process diluted by the Internet and casually accepted by its users.

Don't get me wrong, I'm as guilty as the next person when it comes to downloading music from an online source I can honestly say in a year of buying music, only about 10% is spent on actual tangible merchandise, meaning 90% of the time I'm downloading MP3s from one of the many pay and play websites.

All of that being said I would simply encourage true support for the artists you enjoy most, I say buy more download less, of course easier said than done.