I'm not a big Prince fan...

... but I must say this was one awesome move on his part.

I'm of the opinion that the current "music industry" needs to be taught a few lessons. I'm sick of reading headlines about coffee shops getting harassed over purchasing "music rights" to have live music or music playing in the background and people getting sued for sharing music.

The way I see it, if you like something support the artist. Don't make the RIAA, record company executives and massive record store mega corporations rich off of the sweat, talent and hard work of the artists. Go see the band play live, preferably at a small local venue if they're playing at one. Buy a t-shirt, button or sticker or something while you're there. The band probably sees more of that money that way than they do from you buying a CD at the record store in the mall for $18.99. Go ahead and buy that CD or buy the tracks on iTunes if you want it but just don't think that a lot of that money is making it back to the artist.

I wish the music industry would embrace free and cheap downloads and focus more on finding talent... that is... well... talented. I'm sick of manufactured acts that are so promoted that the mindless masses know that they're "cool" even before they hear the first note.

(Just so you all know [if you don't already know] - This is coming from a 27 year old guy with 600+ CD's in his apartment.)