I'd stay confused Doug, it's easier for the rest of us that way.

The OP spoke of artistes asking people to fund their work. When you buy an album, you are funding the work of the artiste anyway. I used Beatles, I could have used John and Esmae Hand, The Dead Kennedys or The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band.

They all got record companies' shareholders to "crowdfund" if you think about it.

It isn't difficult.

Oh and yeah, I recently lent someone the cost of a day in the studio and 500 CDs to peddle whilst he gets gigs. I didn't see it as crowdfunding, I saw it as a loan of sorts. Crowdfunding and cadging money aren't mutually exclusive.