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# Support is not a four-letter word
- URL: https://www.drewshannon.net/support-is-not-a-four-letter-word/
- Published: 2010-05-09T21:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2010-05-09T21:00:00.000Z
- Author: Drew Shannon
- Tags: #import-tumblr-2026-08-27, writing

As I’ve said before, every once in awhile, we read something that hits us, that makes us nod our heads in agreement and want to send a virtual “high-five” through the ether. My most recent example of this is a new post on [Music Think Tank](http://www.musicthinktank.com/?ref=drewshannon.net) by Jeremy Schlosberg called [“The Free Music Mirage”](http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/the-free-music-mirage.html?ref=drewshannon.net). Here are some choice bits:

> The tables have in fact been turned so entirely that anyone who dares now to suggest that people should still pay for recorded music can expect derision.   
>  
> And, bless their hearts, the free music folks have been nothing if not loud and self-promoting, convinced that they alone have a grip on reality. “Get used to it!” they explain. “Stop living in the past!” they clarify.   
>  
> One reason the free music camp has gained credibility is because they are so resolutely opposed to an enemy already mistrusted and disliked. Few people stick up for the big record companies, for good reason.   
>  
> Why are people more willing to fight for free music than to fight for a talented musician’s right to earn money from his or her handiwork?   
>  
> Defending their position, some free music adherents sound like querulous children who don’t want to be told they can’t eat candy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Many respond with belligerence to anyone suggesting there might perhaps be moral or legal or logistical problems with their grand idea.   
>  
> On the one hand, the “I’m not doing anything wrong” crew has argued that they should be able to take the digital music for free because it doesn’t have any real value; on the other hand, they want the music enough to have it, which means—um—that is has value.   
>  
> Why do they think it’s somehow wrong or old-fashioned to want to pay musicians for their art?  
>  
> Because here’s the new rule: **if someone else made it and you really like it, it’s not supposed to be free.**

I don’t think the article is perfect, and I’ve read powerful arguments on the other side of things. Hell, I wrote a term paper in college about how illegal downloading was an acceptable and logical response to record label price gouging in the 80’s and 90’s, so I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers.

What struck me most, however, is that it’s one of the first cogent articles I’ve read written by an impartial third-party (Schlosberg, as far as I can tell, doesn’t earn a living by selling music) that advocates paying for music. Do I really need Bono or the record label executive telling me that I should pay for music?

“Illegal” downloading isn’t going anywhere, and trying to stop it is naive and misguided. However, I am of the firm belief that there has never been a better time to be an independent artist, and I think that artists have an unprecedented amount of tools at their disposal to make a decent living doing what they love.

Not to get too nerdy and completely take this in another direction, but as [Techdirt](http://techdirt.com/rtb.php?ref=drewshannon.net) says, *“Connect with Fans (CwF) and give them a Reason to Buy (RtB) CwF+RtB=$$$”.* In other words, artists should be focusing on figuring out ways to provide value to their fans. Make downloads cheap or offer them something they can’t download for free at a reasonable price, and they’ll be happy to pay.

What many people seem to conveniently forget (or worse, ignore), however, is that musicians need support – not only morally, but financially as well – in order to succeed.

Agree? Disagree? I’d love to hear you thoughts either way.