Early on in my long entertainment career I was signed as a recording artist with a major label (A&M Records). I tried hard to understand the mechanism of the recording contract, but to no avail.

My experience was that most employees at record labels were actually artist wannabes who, for many reasons, were settling for a "next best" career. With such folks "at the controls," it's no wonder that historically less than one out of eight major label recording projects yields enough return to cover its own recording costs. It's clear that for a record company to make money, the hit artitists' proceeds must cover the expense of the flops.

Singer-songwriter Janis Ian, who scored major hits with "Society's Child" and "At Seventeen" in the 1970's, continues to be active as a recording artist. During her 25 year career, she has yet to receive dollar one from her major label recordings. Over the last several months, Ian has garnered much worldwide attention for two articles she published on her website in which she lucidly explains the effect of the internet on making and selling recordings and why the major labels' business model is in the midst of seismic change.

It's an updated "Emperor's New Clothes" tale from a woman who proves all over again how bright and savvy she is!

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