How do you get your music?

This question came up today between a couple of co-workers and myself today.  How do you get your music?  Do you buy Cd's or records? Do you download music digitally on iTunes, Amazon music? do you stream your music Spotify, Pandora for free of do you pay for streaming services?

I would have never thought that I would be having this conversation 15 years ago.  When I was in high school I was as much into music as I am today.  I remember walking around with my Discman in my back pack or in the back pocket of my JNCO jeans.  I kept my huge CD case in my car and was always listening to music.  I also remember trying to have money so I could go to the store and buy that CD that I had been waiting so long to come out.  I remember going through my parent's old records and realizing how big of hippies they were and are. (side note you know your parents were hippies when you tell your mom "Play Free Bird" and she responds back, no thank you the keyboard part in that song is so boring to play!)  I found a love of music on vinyl records during middle school and now have been able to continue that love of music on vinyl records thanks to the the resurgence of vinyl records. Also who from my generation doesn't remember sitting around the radio trying to make a mixtape for a love interest or friends. I do and it still haunts me when you would hit record too late or stop too early!  

Fast forward to present day and I am always asking for iTunes gift cards so I have a consistent balance on my account so I can buy music whenever I want.  A CD will come out and I can buy it and download it with a touch of a finger first thing that morning or as I lie awake in bed looking at the new music.  I can also stream music with the free services on my phone or iPod while at work through the internet but it is limited unless I want to pay for the monthly service.  Gone are the days of listening to the radio and trying to find out what is new, or waiting for a video to come on MTV and here are the days of opening streaming where you can find new music on a whim and you can pull up a video at any time online.

Has this changed music and the type of music being created?  There are many individuals that have become huge successes because of YouTube or social media.  Can you imagine the hype that the Beatles would have had if social media was around?  Would John Lennon been ripped to pieces when he made his comment about The Beatles being more popular than Jesus?  The Beatles catalog just started being available on Sptotify, this is great for those that do not have their music but I was not overly joyed as I already own almost their complete collection.  I love that I can share my love of music with my children.  Tonight on the way home the kids asked to listen to "Hey Jude" and "Yellow Submarine"..  I was able to plug into my car radio and we listened and sang to these songs all the way home.   I have to say I am so thankful for the download stores and then the current music stores like 2nd and Charles where I can go there and flip through records and share that excitement again of finding that record I was looking for and holding it in my hands

I think feel that this is an interesting conversation that can go in many directions.  Some consider downloading music a crime and then those that feel that Cd's and records are outdated and dying.   My opinion is I could care less how you get music as long as you are listening to music.  I love having my iPod where I have all my music at my finger tips, I like the streaming options so I can find new artists and find new recommendations, but I also love the smell of vinyl records and sharing the experience of having to get up and turn a record over with my kids.  How do you get your music?  Do you have any suggestions or thoughts that you want to share with others?  Please leave comments about your musical taste and band recommendations!