Would the music industry survive without music? No.

Would music survive without the music industry? Yes.

Would the music industry survive without people buying music? No.

For artists looking for livelyhood you may want to know where the money comes from.

"Many developing songwriters resent having to be a businessperson. I've heard them lament, "I've written the songs—now let somebody else take care of the business." But the reality is that this is the music business. The greatest song in the world will not become a hit if it's neither demoed or brought to the attention of music business professionals." (from Learning Where the Money Comes From by Jason Blume)

Also, check out Making Money....

"Remember, playing paid gigs and getting a hefty record contract advance are only two ways to make money in this business (although they certainly are great ways to make it). But most musical success wannabes make the mistake of ending their search there." (from Making Money-Making Secrets by Bob Baker)

Conclusion: If you want to make money from your music, you may benefit most by paying attention to how you and your audience enjoy your music.

Here is my philosophy about the economics of the music industry:

Music appreciation and enjoyment is the prime motivator and creative force behind the entire music industry.

Music is primarily produced for enjoyment. Why do we buy a CD or a consert ticket? We plunk down the money looking forward to enjoying the music. What motivates music industry executives to produce and distribute music? Money and enjoyment of music. Why do artists write, perform and sell their music? Money and enjoyment. Take away the enjoyment; what do you have left? Certainly not a market for music. Take away the money; what do you have left? Certainly not a livelyhood. But, you can still enjoy the music, sung and played at home and with friends and neighbors. So, it is not the money that actually drives the economic viability of the music industry. It is the enjoyment of the music itself!

Those people who invest in music to make a buck are motivated by intersts that may or may not include the enjoyment of music. Those of us who shell out our hard-earned cash for the right to listen to the music are focused primarily on the enjoyment of the music.