Can't agree, Al. There have always been charasmatic performers of questionable talent who make money for somebody else as well as themselves. (As well as great artists who enhanced the status of their benefactors).

Today we have Simon Cowell. Yesterday we had the Gong Show.

And the quality of the songs that Rod Stewart has recently song is far better than the quality of the songs that most of the singers who are pressured to put out their own second rate material have sung. (Even if it's debatable as to how well he sings them).

I think there are just too many songs that don't really need to be heard outside of somebody's basement....and people are being overwhelmed. And it's burying the rare 'great' stuff.

True, some of this has probably come about because of this 'growth industry'....there's more money in collecting song royalties as well as sales of the recording (whatever media is used)