How much does it cost to make a hit song? - Barking up the wrong tree
Fascinating.
Especially since the year's biggest hit, "Call Me Maybe" cost almost nothing to write and produce.
By the way, Kevin Kelly's 1000 true fans is as true for a blog or YouTube channel as it is for musicians: http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2008/03/1000_true_fans.php