Musicians today face significant challenges in receiving fair compensation for their work, prompting Projekt Records founder Sam Rosenthal to launch "People for the Ethical Treatment of Musicians (PETm)."

The initiative draws parallels between fair trade practices and musician compensation, highlighting that while consumers often support ethical treatment of workers globally, musicians struggle to earn a living wage for their creative work. As members of the "99 percent," musicians create valuable content yet often face significant financial challenges.

Common misconceptions about musician income need addressing:

• Most musicians don't profit significantly from touring
• Average show earnings range from $0-$500 per night
• Tour expenses (van rental, gas, food, hotels) often exceed earnings
• Typical merchandise sales at shows average only 5 CDs
• Most bands break even or lose money on tours
• Band members often sacrifice regular work income during tours

The movement has gained significant traction on social media, with the initial graphic receiving over 500 shares in just two days, indicating strong public interest in addressing fair compensation for musicians. This grassroots response suggests growing awareness of the need to support sustainable income models for working musicians.

The initiative emphasizes that while major artists like U2 or Lady Gaga may profit from touring, the vast majority of working musicians require direct support through music sales and fair streaming compensation to sustain their artistic careers.

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