Prince gives away thousands of free CDs to support his tour. RadioHead decides that fans should pay whatever they want for their new CD. Nine Inch Nails starts selling directly from their website. There’s CD Baby, and even the Pod Safe Music Network. Something is happening, and you don’t know what it is, do you, Mr. Jones?
With very few exceptions, musicians don’t make money by selling recorded music. Musicians make money by playing live shows. Records are promotional items. Don’t buy advertising, give records away. Music isn’t a recording, music is live. It’s different every time.