^^
As long as people out here push the envelope in music the corporate music world will be there waiting...
As the industry downsizes the largest benefit of major labels is MARKETING.. PR and Marketing make or break albums...
Tours, Biography's, Interviews, Artist Photos, Celebrity Functions, Sponsors, Commercials, Videos & (cameos), Fundraising Events, Primetime Local Radio Rotation, Billboards, Contests, Mixtapes, Cross-Country features, Internet Sites, Local Concerts, DJ Pools, ITunes, Flyers, One Sheets, Publicity events (movie premiers, fashion events, high profile award ceremony's) are all ways to be seen and stay seen....
If every serious artist makes a good stab at 3/4 of the list above they are presenting a good argument to sign with any major. If the deal is worth giving up %
Maybe not.. 50K can net you 250K give or take in indy money...