I'm taking a course called, Music Indistry Analysis, and it is the most facinating subject I have ever learned about! I just wanted to start a discussion thread on it, because I think it's cool. I'm beginning to learn about how music has evolved in the US from Tin Pan alley in NYC (late 19th century) till now.
So far I'm only up till the 20's and 30's and we've covered rivalry between Tin Pan Alley ( the first real "music industry")vs. the recording industry, and the beginnings of Blues and Country.
If you're intrested, check out people like:
John Phillip Sousa
The Clef Club
Irving Berlin
W.C. Handy
Bessie Smith
Blind Lemon Jefferson
The Carter Family
Jimmie Rodgers
etc... i haven't gotten too far in the studies.
They're all people I didn't know too much about, but I find facinating and I actually like their music too!