There’s more music being created than ever before, but paradoxically, musicians are making less. Which means there are also fewer musicians and music professionals enjoying gainful employment, thanks to a deflated ecosystem once primed by major labels and marked-up CDs.

It’s a difficult reality to stomach, especially given years of misguided assumptions about digital platforms.  But it’s not really a revolution if it’s not getting people paid.  And according to stats supplied by the US Department of Labor, there are 41 percent fewer paid musicians since 1999.

The musicians are self-reported in Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys, though the pressing question is how tightly correlated this is to recording sales.  Sadly, the connection might be stronger than many imagine. [Digital Music News]