A Hard Time for the Majors?

Subject: A Hard Time for the Majors?
From: alanabit
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 01:40 AM

I came across this story in The Guardian this morning. I have not really had time to think through what all the implications could be. However, if it catches on, it looks as if it could make life very difficult for the major record labels. That is nearly always good news for musicians! In a month which saw publishers virtually wipe out small, independent internet radio stations, it looks like someone has come up with an idea, which could break the backs of some of the majors. As I said, I have not had time to think it through yet, but at first glance, it looks like good news.

Subject: RE: A Hard Time for the Majors?
From: Tootler
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 06:21 PM

Interesting, though I can see snags in the model, especially if you are not a "big name"

I followed one of the links on the Guardian page and came up with this which also looks interesting.

We are living in interesting times.

Subject: RE: A Hard Time for the Majors?
From: Grab
Date: 01 May 07 - 07:46 AM

At the risk of upsetting Countess Richard...

Show of Hands have always told their fans to make as many copies of their CDs as they want, on the grounds that it gets more people to their gigs which is where the real money comes from. The last of their gigs I saw, Steve Knightley said about a bunch of German bikers who were sufficiently keen to drive a couple of hundred miles to see them, and then felt that they had to apologise for having discovered him through a copied CD.

I believe (may be wrong) that most bands make significantly more from gigging than they do from CD sales, even if they're on a major label. It's only the top-ten bands who make real money on CDs.

Graham.

Subject: RE: A Hard Time for the Majors?
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 01 May 07 - 08:17 AM

"In a month which saw publishers virtually wipe out small, independent internet radio stations"

Not so fast. I'm still here, so is Live365, the ISP which hosts Worlds of Trad, my radio station. As of the present, the ship is still afloat and my guess is that Live365's appeal to Congress will be successful. If not, I suppose it's always possible that the business could be relocated to some exotic clime with more enlightened Internet airplay laws.

Subject: RE: A Hard Time for the Majors?
From: alanabit
Date: 01 May 07 - 01:39 PM

Fred, I hope very much that you are right. At any rate, I wish you the very best of luck. Anyone, who offers a real alternative to sponsor/advertiser controlled playlists and the the cosy music biz/radio cliques has my respect.

Subject: RE: A Hard Time for the Majors?
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 02 May 07 - 04:19 AM

Hear hear. In a world which is dominated by whatever the moneyed moguls decide they can sell, whether it's the latest pop hits, or piped music comin' at yer down the phone or in supermarkets or from every passing car with a gigantic pair of speakers, I'm glad to have a quiet corner of the Internet where I can shove on the headphones and listen to the music I want to listen to - even if I have to provide it myself.

If anyone wants to join me I'm at http://www.live365.com/stations/oneworldmusic and I'm in all day.

Subject: RE: A Hard Time for the Majors?
From: alanabit
Date: 02 May 07 - 04:34 AM

I started a thread on this subject here. I was really pissed off at the time (still am), because under the phoney pretext of aiding songwriters, the US publishers had just wiped out the one station, which playlisted my albums and most of the others, which would have been able to!

Subject: RE: A Hard Time for the Majors?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 07:00 AM

Listening to Fred's folk prog now - fantastic!!

Here: http://www.live365.com/stations/oneworldmusic