I hate harping on about the good ol days but lessons can and should be learned. In the early 60s there were many independant record labels producing many different artists and styles of music. Competition was fierce and the listeners were generally more discernable IN THEM DAYS. Unfortunately most if not all of these labels were put out of business or simply bought up by the big boys. Now they have the monopoly and can pick and choose what we hear. Sadly the people who have CONTROL and the last say in what/who is recorded have little or no taste. They refuse to break the mould, will not take any sort of gamble on new talent. They perpetuate mediocracy which is now the accepted norm.
If real original music and quality songs played by real musicians was encouraged the industry might recover. At present I refuse to help millionaires with more ego than talent like Gene Simmons, manufactured poptarts and their ilk any richer than they already are. I simply do not buy their CDs or listen to them on TV if I can help it.
The indie labels should be helped and encouraged. One idea is for the multinational record companies to subsidise an indies operating costs or help with marketing promotion and distribution. In return they could take a cut from the extra profits generated. Indies would still have creative control but be able to tackle the problems of sales and marketing by subcontracting these tasks to the large networks. Am I making SENSE.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=687727&songID=5238055