the major labels had it locked down for decades... not any more, and they're worried.. this is a good time to be an 'Indie' artist. It's really a 'hands-on' approach... In this big world... the tech keeps getting better... the networking resources are vast, fast and varied... 'in store' CD sales have slumped globally... people can buy 'singles' online or the whole package through places like CDBaby... but the best place to sell 'records' are at gigs...which are usually generated through a good sounding record or two... a few years ago, it was hard to do a fine production without the machinery of a 'label'... those days are over... I don't miss them at all...