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 From
a commentary piece by Janis Ian in The L.A. Times:
"The Recording
Industry Assn. of America recently won a court ruling that
effectively will cut off the
recording artists it represents from new
listeners.
"In RIAA vs. Verizon, the U.S. District Court for the
District of Columbia ruled that anyone
suspected of downloading so-called 'infringing' files
on the Internet -- usually an MP3 of a song -- could be sued. No
evidence is required. An accuser fills out a form for
a court clerk and the machinery is set in motion.
"The record companies say this decision will mean more
money for musicians, but they have it backward. The downloaded music
they're shutting off actually creates
sales by exposing artists to new fans...
 "I've
been a recording artist for nearly 40 years, with top-selling
songs such as 'Society's Child,' 'At Seventeen' and 'Jesse.' Six
months ago, I began offering free downloads of my songs on my Web
site. Thousands of people have downloaded my music since
then -- and they're not trying to steal. They're just looking for
music they can no longer find
on the tight playlists of their local radio stations...
"After I first posted downloadable music, my merchandise
sales went up 300%. They're
still double what they were before the MP3s went online...
"The Internet means exposure,
and these days, unless you're in the Top 40, you're not getting
on the radio. The Internet is
the only outlet for many artists to be heard by an audience bigger
than whoever shows up at a local coffeehouse...
"With the court's decision, the RIAA didn't just defeat
Verizon,
the Internet service provider that the RIAA sued. It damaged the
viability of recording artists who don't conform to the mainstream
musical tastes of the moment."
Read Janis Ian's commentary in The LA Times here.
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...
Here's another artist who understands the promotional
potential of the Internet. While this article is directly concerned
about the availability of MP3 song files, we'd like to think
it has important implications for Internet
radio -- which can be an effective way for audiences
to discover new music and
artists to sell their product,
in an environment that is not
conducive to piracy and copyright infringement. -- PM
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From a Speakeasy press release: "Speakeasy,
the nation's largest independent broadband provider, and online
 music
company Listen.com
today announced an agreement to give Speakeasy members one full
year of access to Listen.com's premium Internet radio service, Rhapsody
Radio Plus, at no extra charge.
"Rhapsody Radio Plus enables users to program their
own Internet radio stations with music from their favorite artists,
offers more than 50 professionally programmed stations, and allows
users to skip tracks they don't want to hear.
"Speakeasy is one of the first broadband companies in
the US to bundle entertainment choices seamlessly  within
a member's account. Speakeasy will provide one year of free access
to Rhapsody Radio Plus service (normally $4.95 per month) to existing
and new subscribers who register before July 15, 2003. Subscribers
can also upgrade to the 'All Access' plan of Listen.com's CD-quality
Rhapsody digital music service for just $9.95 per month (a cost
which includes a Rhapsody Radio Plus subscription)."
Read this entire press release here.
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BY PAUL MALONEY
 Radio
Daily News publisher Larry Shannon
has named Kurt Hanson
"Radio Person of the Day" for February 4, 2003.
Radio And Internet Newsletter publisher Hanson founded RAIN
as a personal project in November of 1999. Since then, the publication
has become the central source for information and opinion for the
Internet radio industry. He helped organize the industry's "Day
of Silence" event, and participated in the US Copyright Office's
roundtable discussion on Internet radio recordkeeping. He's a frequently-quoted
authority on industry matters, and has been interviewed by CNN, USA
Today, the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, and
numerous other publications and electronic news sources.
Kurt has a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of
Chicago, and made his name in radio as a
research expert. He cofounded Strategic Media Research in 1980 and
served as Chairman of that firm.
Kurt's on assignment in London, and was unable to comment for
this story. |
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"A
tribute to the Shuttle Columbia..."
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Dear Fellow Broadcasters,
I would love to see a tribute to the lost Shuttle Columbia
and the great souls that were lost in an effort to expand
man/womankind's reach and knowledge.
At the time that Mission Control lost communications with Columbia
(Saturday 9am EST) I would love to see Internet Radio and our brothers
in the Terrestrial Radio world join us in this effort. To play the
song: "Faith of the Heart" (Diane
Warren ft. Russell Watson) at that moment. This melody is the theme
song for the TV show "Enterprise." It is soulful and very well done.
Watch the show this Wednesday night and listen and see it for yourself.
Considering the moment we live in it touches the soul of those that
feel we need to continue with space exploration and feel for those
lost in this grand journey.
So this Saturday at 9AM EST play the song and follow it up
with 60 seconds of silence.
I think it would be truly fitting to do this. I just thought
this up and time is short to make this happen. Regardless of how many
do this, I-TRACS will be doing it. I can't seem to stop playing that
song...
Spread the word!
The following is in response to Bob Heckler's feedback on a recent
RAIN Guest editorial (second e-mail here)...
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"There's
enough room for all of us..."
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 What
an uncharitable, mean-spirited opinion Mr. Heckler sets forth.
At least he lets us know what big corporate radio thinks of individuals
who are webcasting.
Personally, it has been my understanding that the big corporations
don't "own" the airwaves, and that the job of broadcasters is to serve
the public interest. How dare Mr. Heckler insinuate otherwise.
Personally, I don't earn any money broadcasting and promoting
my favorite artists either via my webcast and my community radio show
on cable. Rather, I volunteer my time and SPEND my own money to make
this happen. There's enough room for all of us. Mr. Heckler just speaks
for a stodgy, greedy industry that is running scared.
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