The singer or musician who publishes a CD knows that this is not a profitable venture. Ask around among those musicians you may know. Just how much monetary investment goes into the making of a CD. Now, calculate that against the projected income. My friends, it’s not even close. From the business angle, it’s a huge loss.
Why do they do this? There are new CD’s coming out constantly. It’s a gamble, and it is an expensive form of advertising. The popularity that is expected from the release, even if the music gets copied, translates into being hired for weddings, concerts, etc. That’s where the money is. Think of it as a business card, except that you are not buying a box of 1000 for $15.