People for the Ethical Treatment of Musicians (PETm) emerged from Projekt Records founder Sam Rosenthal's frustration with the music industry's unfair compensation practices. The initiative aims to highlight the ethical treatment and fair compensation of musicians, drawing parallels with other social justice movements.

The movement emphasizes that while consumers support fair wages for workers globally, musicians often struggle to earn a living wage for their creative work. Most musicians belong to the "99 percent" economic bracket, yet face significant challenges in receiving fair compensation for their art.

A common misconception is that musicians make their living through touring and merchandise sales. However, Rosenthal explains this is largely a myth for most artists. The reality is:

• Average show earnings: $0-$500 per night
• Typical CD sales per show: Around 5 units
• Tour expenses include:
  • Van rental
  • Fuel costs
  • Food and accommodation
  • Lost wages from regular jobs

Most touring bands barely break even, with four-person groups often returning home with only $100 profit after a week-long tour. Unlike major artists such as U2 or Lady Gaga, the vast majority of musicians cannot sustain themselves through touring alone.

The initiative has gained significant traction on social media, with Rosenthal's original graphic receiving over 500 shares in just two days, indicating strong public resonance with the message of fair compensation for musicians.

The movement continues to grow as it challenges the current industry paradigm and advocates for ethical treatment and fair compensation for musicians across all levels of the industry.

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