Are (folk) musicians better off these days?

[Mr Cat (Lewis)]

I wasn't sure how to title the quesion, but I'm wondering whether folk performers make a better living now by recording and selling CDs at gigs, issuing limited live CDs etc, compared to depending on a mega record company to cough up money.  

The question was prompted by reading a recent Q & A on Richard T's website where he noted that about 90% of all bands ever are still on the road regardless of home much they dislike each other to pay the rent etc!

Cheers from an unusually snowy Vancouver

[Swarb]

its easior in some ways with it being cheap to make ones own records, selling em is another matter , the company's still rule the roost.and the majority of the musician make their money from gigs