I guess I just don't see it that way. Ive been to some "sellout" 100 person venues that do a fine business (for the business, the band doesn't get a huge payday) and I've never thought to myself "wow, most people would pay money for this". They were decent entertainment while I drink a beer.

Most people are just not that talented, or they are decently talented but disillusioned about their probability of success. My ex BIL went to school and did a four year degree for timpani. Not to teach it, to play it. Do you know how many pro timpani positions there are in the country? For good orchestras, it's fewer than his graduating class in college. Accessible or not, there is just not wide appeal for "pretty good". I'd be more likely to pay people to stop singing or playing guitar while I'm eating dinner than to buy an album. I've also got a friend who is, IMO an extremely good and qualified actor who has been trying 10 years to make it in NYC. He sells real estate. EVERYONE there is an extremely good and qualified actor.

Not everyone, and not even most, can make it in B.A. professions. It just isn't a good choice of career or study unless you are exceptional and by definition, most people are not. A B.A. degree is like going out for the NFL: basically nobody makes it.