Today’s Best of 2009 Blog Challenge question/prompt is…

Q: What’s an article that you read that blew you away?

A: Hmmm…I did a lot of reading this year, both online and off.  I’ve followed a handful of blogs, religiously, and devoured many magazines on airplanes and in the back of the van while on tour.  But the one article that I loved reading the most this year was 1000 True Fans.  (OK. I just realized that it was actually written in March 08, but I read it in 09!)

I think it’s required reading for all artists today.  The gist of it this…

A creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, videomaker, or author – in other words, anyone producing works of art – needs to acquire only 1,000 True Fans to make a living.

Read the article here, and then read a great response to the it here.

For further reading about the future of the music business, check out this meaty article: Dear Musicians – Please Be Brilliant Or Get Out Of The Way

oh – and speaking of fans…

here’s my favourite photo of fandom:  Paul Mathew signing autographs in cardboard autograph books, hand-made by our true fans in Dunedin, Ontario…(click on the pic to enlarge it…it’s really cute!)

Want to know what other articles people loved in 2009?  Check out this feed of participants in this blog challenge.  I have a feeling I’m going to be bookmarking a lot of stuff to read!

Also – I’d love for you to let me know about any cool articles you’ve read this year.  Let me know in the comments…