Sam Rosenthal, founder of Projekt Records, introduces "People for the Ethical Treatment of Musicians" (PETm), highlighting the urgent need for fair compensation in the music industry. This initiative addresses the economic challenges faced by working musicians in today's digital age.

The movement aims to raise awareness about several key issues:

• Musicians, like all workers, deserve fair compensation for their creative work
• Most musicians belong to the 99% economically, yet struggle to earn a living wage
• The current system often fails to properly value musical creation and performance

Rosenthal challenges common misconceptions about musician income, particularly the belief that touring compensates for lost music sales. The reality is:

• Most bands earn between $0-500 per night on tour
• Average CD sales at shows are around 5 units
• Tour expenses (van rental, gas, food, hotels) often exceed earnings
• Most musicians break even or lose money touring
• Missing work for touring rarely translates to profitable income

The initiative has gained significant traction on social media, with the PETm graphic receiving over 500 shares in just two days, indicating strong public interest in musicians' rights and fair compensation.

This movement represents a growing call for ethical treatment of musicians, drawing parallels with fair trade practices and workers' rights movements. The goal is to create sustainable economic conditions for working musicians in the digital age.

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