When’s the last time you heard someone say they walked up to Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift or Eminem at a concert and bought a new CD directly from the artist? And, oh yeah, can you believe this, it was autographed right on the spot?

Believe that one and let me unload some shares of GM stocks on you today — for $500 a pop.

So lies a big difference in the rock, pop and Top 40 Country world compared to the stars of bluegrass. Indeed, you can walk right up to Dr. Ralph Stanley’s CD table at a festival, buy his latest release and have him sign it. Or, if you just happen to already have a copy that you didn’t buy at Doctor Ralph’s table full of goodies, no matter — the iconic Ralph Stanley will still oblige you with an autograph.

In a February online survey undertaken by the International Bluegrass Music Association, many respondents — 31 percent –said they most often purchase their recordings that way, directly from the artist or record label. That was topped only by the 42 percent of respondents who said the bought their CDs online from Web sites. Just over 13 percent buy their CDs in the mass retail market while another 10.5 percent get their recorded music products via direct mail.

The survey also shows that the respondents, by and large, won’t alter their music-buying habits this year in spite of a souring national economy that’s left millions out of jobs — and without paychecks.

More than 64 percent of those responding said they intended to buy about the same number of CDs this year as they have been purchasing. Nineteen percent said they intend to buy more CDs this year and almost 17 percent indicated they would cut their CD budgets.

Almost a third of those answering the IBMA survey said they purchased more than 25 CDs last year. About 17 percent said they didn’t spend a dime on CDs in 2008.

IBMA issued a disclaimer in publishing the results that the survey is very limited in scope and “may not convey an accurate forecast.” The survey was only available to online member/subscribers to the association’s e-mail newsletter.

Nonetheless, it makes for interesting reading.