Music Industry - Flux or Phantasm?

As I type this, the music industry continues to be in a state of great flux. Distribution models are changing, promotional techniques are changing, income/profit models are changing, and so much else.

Even with all the change, there are still some things that stay the same...
-> A great studio makes for great recordings. As good as inexpensive home setups are getting, a great studio is still a cornerstone of the music industry WRT recordings. What's great? Well, of course, equipment is getting better, software is improving, and facility building techniques are improving. But what's better than all that? People. Producers, cooperative musicians, and techs make the real difference.
-> Fans are the queens and kings of music. Without fans, music becomes only a personal expression (not a bad or a small thing, just an observation). If a musician is lucky enough to have fans - she/he must look after them. Good musicians make good music - GREAT musicians make music and care about their fans.
-> Creative freedom creates wonders. Creativity cannot be mass-produced. It's just fine to make music to put bread on the table, and to fund making more music - just don't forget to let go of yourself and let the creative soul take over. Some of the best and most creative music is not polished, mega-budget, or well-advertised.
-> Great musicians study, interpret, ponder, and partake in others' music. Understanding the roots of music always makes for more thoughtful musicians and for better music.
-> The collaboration and cooperation between experienced/well-known musicians and budding/not-well-known musicians enhances both collaborators. Established artists who reach out to up-and-comers (both young and not-so-young) learn almost as much as those who seek tutelage.
-> There is always room for someone to take up the torch to light the way to the future of music. We've only had one Bobby Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton (trust me, I could type names for hours to fill this list) - but we've got the Kennon Pearsons of the world to look forward to, as well as MANY other bright musicians. Don't forget to listen to those who aren't on the Billboard charts. Great treasures of music await those who choose to look beyond the mundane and marketed.
-> Music that is fun never goes out of style.
-> Stories never go out of style.

Enough stream-of-consciousness... more later.