Singer/songwriter Janis Ian recorded her first album when she was just 15, and went on to enjoy considerable success throughout the late '70s and early '80s. Janis also believes in giving something back to her fans. The following is an extract from an article she posted on her web site
Janis Ian.com
One other major point: in the hysteria of the moment, everyone is forgetting the main way an artist becomes successful - exposure. Without exposure, no one comes to shows, no one buys CDs, no one enables you to earn a living doing what you love. Again, from personal experience: in 37 years as a recording artist, I've created 25+ albums for major labels, and I've never once received a royalty check that didn't show I owed them money. So I make the bulk of my living from live touring, playing for 80-1500 people a night, doing my own show. I spend hours each week doing press, writing articles, making sure my website tour information is up to date. Why? Because all of that gives me exposure to an audience that might not come otherwise. So when someone writes and tells me they came to my show because they'd downloaded a song and gotten curious, I am thrilled! Who gets hurt by free downloads? Save a handful of super-successes like Celine Dion, none of us. We only get helped.
... and furthermore
we've started putting our money where my mouth is. We will be offering one song a week in mp3 format for free downloading...and if we can ever afford the server space, we'll try to put a bunch of them up there at once! These are songs I own and control both the copyright and master to; you are welcome to share these files with your friends.
So if you have heard her perform and want some of her music for your PC then follow the link - if you have never heard of Janis Ian nor her music then where have you been for the last 30 years? but anyway follow the link and see what you think! I think she is a great talent and deserves all the support you can give her - so buy her albums also (c: you won't regret it.
