The "corporate music industry " has been irrelevant in my life since I bought my last mega label LP sometime during the 70's (I think it was "Blood on the Tracks"). Since then my obsession with Old Time (and a bit of folk) music has taken over my musical life and recordings collection.

Except for some releases on Rounder, mainstream music stores carry none of the labels or artists I buy. To be honest, I really don't mind. I am actually glad that my musical interests are not mainstream and never will be. I've seen what commercial considerations do to musicians. It's not pretty.

I prefer to buy directly from musicians who aren't in it for the money at their concerts. I also donate a significant portion of my child's inheritance to the John Hatton Retirement Fund every year at Clifftop.

However, I am quite encouraged by the apparent ease and cheapness with which CDs can be produced these days. All the new technology has been a boon for my interests. Tons of Old Time music, including the current bands and reissues of 78s, have appeared in the last few years. It has actually become hard to keep up with it all. It seems to be easier and more economically feasible to produce niche musical than ever before. I'm very happy with that situation.