Musicians- Is the internet worth the price?

So how do the musicians feel amidst all this free-downloading-file-sharing-streaming going happening online?

I came across this article which summarized a 2003 national survey stating that most musicians think illegal downloading is wrong, but not threatening to their music or industry. 

"December of 2003 finds that substantial numbers of these artists use the internet to gain inspiration, build community with fans and fellow artists, and pursue new commercial activity.

77% of all artists and 83% of all Paid Artists use the internet, compared to 63% of the entire adult population.

52% of all online artists and 59% of Paid Online Artists say they get ideas and inspiration for their work from searching online.

30% of online artists and 45% of Paid Online Artists say the internet is important in helping them create and/or distribute their art.

23% of all online artists and 41% of Paid Online Artists say the internet has helped them in their creative pursuits and careers.

3% of all online artists and 6% of Paid Online Artists say the internet has had a major deleterious effect on their ability to protect their creative works."

I know this article would be entirely different had it been written just a couple years later for so many reasons.  Not only are internet users and programs growing every single day, but more specifically cyber-space has become perhaps one of the most utilized resources in the music industry and thus a very competitive place for musicians in the past couple years. For example, myspace allows musicians to have their own page where you can find any information you would EVER want on a certain artist- you can message them, become their "friend", leave comments, watch videos, look a pictures, read bios and artist blogs, check tour schedules, and any other things a musician decides to include for their fans on the page. They are very elaborate and highly competitive with each other. 

If you want an example of what I'm talking about, check out these two myspaces:

All Time Low

Jack Johnson

Overwhelmed yet? or perhaps, if you're a big fan, excited??

It is clear just from this press release that even in 2003 artists are beginning to understand they need to utilize the internet to their advantage because this is not a fad that's going to die off in a month or two. They can access a significantly larger audience via the web and are gaining fans and popularity, at the cost of putting their material at risk for digital sharing. 

I don't have time right now!!!  ...but I am going to find a more recent article and share THOSE findings with you... what do you think will be different? why?!

Final Thought: Shakira knows what's up!!!