Where do I start on this topic? People that download music FREE. I find it strange that they think it's ok to steal music. Yes... that's exactly what it is... STEALING. Especially from an independent artist. So here I am, worked for the last 13 years as a Landscaper, saving money and buying equipment to build my own studio so I could record my own CD. If I had saved that money and paid a studio, it would have cost more. Even if I had, it makes no difference as far as the stealing is concerned. Stealing is stealing. I spent thousands of hours writing, recording, mixing, hiring musicians & producing this CD. It cost me over $50,000 (so far). Then someone just goes to a "Sharing" website and just downloads a song, or my whole Album for FREE and thinks nothing of it. It amazes me. Same thing with movies. I NEVER have downloaded a movie for free. I have also never downloaded a song for free that I didn't ALREADY purchase previously. I either lost the tape or CD, or it was damaged. If someone buys my music and something happens to it, I would love for them to download it at no cost because they already paid for it.

Movies are different. It's still stealing from the producer of the film but at least you're not stealing directly from the actors themselves. They get their 15+ Million dollars for that film and when it's done they move on to the next project. If you download my music, for free... you are taking food right off my kitchen table. LITERALLY! And that goes for any independent artist. We are out there trying to make a living. We don't own Bentley's. And even if I do one day, how does that make STEALING MY MUSIC right? PLEASE... if you buy my music, do not upload it to your computer for file sharing, or at least upload it into a separate folder so it's not available to others for FREE. It will make all the difference in the world.

Then there's the argument that big celebrities are already rich so you should be able to steal their products. WRONG! We end up right back at square one... yep, you guessed it: IT'S STILL STEALING. Who made it ok to take from someone that is already successful anyway? Why should it be any different? IT'S NOT! It's like going into Home Depot and walking out with an unpaid Fridge. Why not? They've already made their money. They make Billions!! Who cares about a Fridge? It's only $500. They'll never miss it right? YOU'D GO TO JAIL.

Somehow downloading music without paying for it has become more acceptable today than yesterday, and it's only getting worse. I guess what has to happen is people, everyone on this earth has to have a little more respect for others on this planet. From just being nice and having some compassion for one another to using your damn signal when changing lanes on the freeway. It means realizing that when you pay your very small $0.99 for a song, it adds up and you are SUPPORTING an artist trying to make a living doing what he/she loves. And believe me, they love it more than anything in the world!

I've often thought: What would happen if no one paid for music anymore?
Well I'll tell you: Artists just wouldn't be able to afford to pay for Studio Time, Studio Musicians, Engineers, Mastering Studios, CD Manufacturing, Photography, Publicists, Managers & Lawyers? (not to mention their basic living expenses while they are doing all these EXPENSIVE but necessary things?) Seriously.... NO MORE NEW MUSIC... EVER. Think about it. Support artists. It's on $15. Buy it, don't steal it. :-)

M.