Our music startup (The Fan Connection) has a sponsored band who, with the help of their song "Katy Perry", is driving fans to their TFC merch store...an on-demand shopping place where bands put up no money upfront and get a percentage of every sale. All tied up with an interactive social media experience. A thousand beta bands so far!
The music industry as we know it is dead. As someone with a history in the industry, it is time to discover and embrace the new music model...whatever that may be. And there are many things it might be. Streaming, yes. The end of downloads? I don't think so but maybe. The ability for deserving artists without the backing of the major-label machine to have a measurable amount of success. Stay tuned ;)
I'm currently reading "How To Sell Anything To Anybody" by Joe Girard. A recommended read for anyone who wants more pointers in the arena...and not as shady as it sounds!
I say find a way to do it. I'm a single mother of 2 teen boys, and my co-founder and I have WORKED and not let any perceived walls stop us. We are single-mindedly determined. If you really want to do it, go for it! Man up or in my case WOMAN up!