How is a directory (folder) formatted to allow iTunes to correctly import ripped songs from my HD?

Question

I have ripped files and have examined them with a 'kd3' program and see some of the formatting.  However when I ask iTunes to import them, I get a partial or non existent result.  Many of my file names are like " 01 - Friend of Mine.mp3".  There is no identification of the artist, although the name of the directory is the ripped CD's name.  Many I have of multiple entries, so there is like "Blondie" then in that directory is each of the owned CD's (or albums) that I have ripped.  I would hope it could figure out it was a "Blondie" and what each album was, but, alas, no such luck.  I can't seem to find anything that identifies what exactly the directory should look like, or if I need a flat file with 'kd3' type entries and separate music files (as identified in the flat file?)
Although this seems simple, I have struggled many hours, even asking and receiving information.  Somehow I'm just missing the boat...
Thanks
Jack

Answer 1

iTunes organizes its media files and folders based on the metadata ("properties" or "tags") within the music files that you add to its library.  File names are irrelevant.  You can see the metadata in Windows Explorer by right-clicking on one of your MP3 files, select Properties and then the Details tab.  You shoud see something like this:
If some or all of the properties are missing or incorrect you have two choices:
Correct the metadata in the MP3 files before you import into iTunes - you can do this (albeit inefficiently) in Windows Explorer, or using any 3rd party application that can read, modify and update this information.  I use Foobar2000 for this, but there are many other alternative solutions available.
Import the songs into iTunes and correct the metadata there (right-click > Get Info on one or more selected songs/albums).
When you have these options enabled in iTunes (Edit > Preferences > Advanced):
iTunes will automatically maintain its file and folder structures so that all songs are located in C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes Media\Music\artist_name\album_name and files are named either track_number song_title (for single disc albums) or disc_number-track number song_title (for multi-disc albums).
If you use method (1) above iTunes will not pick up any changes until you play the songs.  In general, once you've imported anything into iTunes its much better to use iTunes rather than any other method to update metadata, and you should never try to rename or move files once they've been added to your library - this will result in broken links ... next to tracks that then won't play or sync to iDevices.