musicians

pass the mic

The coalition has collected stories and quotes from other musicians telling how internet radio has impacted their lives. We're passing the mic to you -- feel free to share your voice so you can be heard.

pass the mic

Testimonial Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

 

To send your experience, email us.

Alexis Harte of the Alexis Harte Band

"If the goal is to help musicians earn a decent living, raising the internet royalty rates will likely have an adverse effect, as ironic as that sounds.

"I am an independent musician who has never had a record deal, or other real commercial support. I sell my own CDs on line and via shows. Internet radio outlets like Pandora are an absolutely vital way for me to reach new audiences. It is far more beneficial to musicians like myself to forgo any increase in the internet royalty rate (which frankly will never really amount to much even under the new rates) in favor of the likely CD sales that will ensue from many people being exposed to my music on-line.

“Quite simply, because of Pandora, I have sold many CDs (reaping roughly a full 6$ dollars per unit) that never would have been sold otherwise.  Raising the royalty rates,  while only incrementally helping each musician (and we are talking pennies now), will prove unaffordable for small sites like Pandora. They and others will be forced to shut their doors, ending a vital source of exposure for Independent and even major label artists.

"I respectfully as that you reconsider your decision to raise royalty rates. I know you have our best interests in mind, and so let's let internet radio stations provide their valuable service without placing undue financial burden on them."

 

Artist and Owner Samantha Murphy/SMtv

On the surface, the proposed CRB rate increase for webcasters appears to serve artists.  But, upon deeper consideration, it is apparent that these increases, should they come to pass, will do a great disservice to both unsigned artists as well as artists on independent labels.  Small webcasters will be forced out of business and those few larger internet radio operators still standing will be required to negotiate directly with labels, leading to lengthy, unsuccessful attempts to reach agreements on rates.  These actions will remove the level playing field we are working so hard to achieve on the internet.  Should the rate increase be passed, it will send the message that Net Neutrality is going away and will create a hierarchy in our digital world that is unacceptable.  Please let congress know we will not stand by idly and watch this happen. –Artist and Owner Samantha Murphy/SMtv

 

Sol'Jibe

We believe that music is universal and as artists, we want to share our music with as many people as possible.  The Internet, more specifically Internet radio, has helped make us who we are today.  We’ve become successful because of our grassroots following of avid, loyal fans.  We could not have done this without Internet radio and we do not want to see it destroyed. 

It's virtually impossible to break into broadcast radio, especially with a distinct sound like ours. The new Internet radio royalty rates have jeopardized the future of Internet radio, and could squelch one of the ways we keep we're able to share our music.

Internet radio gives us the ability to reach music fans nationwide and globally.we'd hate to see it destroyed since it's a huge part of our livelihood, as well as a great way for people to enjoy all kinds of music.

 

Denise Barbarita

I'm pretty upset about this whole situation, internet radio stations serve as an opportunity for indie artists to be heard, the amount of money these stations will have to pay out if the new legislation is allowed to continue will put them out of business, or deter larger stations from providing internet streams because of the high cost. I don't see how this is going to help anyone's sales or exposure. If anything, it will be another nail in the coffin for the music industry as a whole.

 

Jeff Walsh

Under the guise of Artists Rights, the major players in the music industry are looking to control the content of what people hear by silencing alternative avenues other than Terrestrial (and Satellite) Radio, which they currently control to a major extent.  This allows for them to release the content that they would like to make popular and sell, limiting the choices of which artists that the public can easily listen to, and thereby regaining a stranglehold on controlling what is popular - making it even more difficult to promote independent artist.

Without internet radio indie labels would have next to no ways to have their acts incorporated into a radio atmosphere. Without internet radio indie acts would not be infiltrating the Billboard Top 200, competing with major label acts.   Not to sound dramatic, but this play crushes internet radio and small labels/artists all in one blow and I'd like to have the voice of Turn Records heard.  On it's own perhaps the voice of Turn Records would be just a whisper, but as a part of a larger push I hope this viewpoint can be added to your argument and be of use.

 

Like Summer - Rock/Alternative/Indie

I am the Bass player for the indie rock band, Like Summer.  Like Summer has received internet radio play which has helped us to reach a wider audience.  This legislation would cause most of the stations in which we've been played to go out of business.  Please reverse this legislation!

 

20 Minute Loop - Indie/RockAlternative

As an independent artist, 20 Minute Loop relies on Internet radio for exposure and distribution. Internet radio affords our band an opportunity to be heard by a community thirsty for new and innovative music.    It allows more discerning listeners to find their niche, and access music that is regularly ignored by big business radio.  As a listener of a wide variety of music, I rely on Internet radio to stay up-to-date with the latest news, music and features.  Why should Internet radio be penalized with high royalty fees when other more lucrative forms of distribution are paying far less?

 

Iron Horse - Metal/ Rock/Southern Rock/Country

Internet radio has allowed IronHorse to bring its music to the public.  We do not have a label and therefore our chances to get on regular radio are nil.  We have increased CD sales and have acquired a European following.  There is so much good music out there that is never heard.  Internet radio gives people opportunities they would not have otherwise.

 

Todd Blanchard - Songwriter

I was a full time writer and performer in the mid 80's who is working on new material for a career relaunch. I dismissed the music business as untenable when presented with my first 'industry standard' contract. The rise of new distribution channels gives me hope that my material will get heard and than I will be able to make a living from it. Keep the web distribution channels open. Don't screw this up.

 

Jek Populous - Rap

I'll keep it short and simple. I get about 70% of my rotation on internet radio. I have my first real album dropping on 9-20-07 and I already have dozens of internet radio stations (including finetune, pandora, and lastfm) willing to showcase my album. This is how I generate fans. Without internet radio...I’m fighting an up hill battle. If people like my music, they should be able to listen to it.

 

J. L. Baker – Austin, Texas

Dag King:  Norwegian Euro Rock with a polite Country tip of the hat- could
compare to Gerry Rafferty, Dire Straits and Hank Thompson.

Kenny Parker:  Meditative Tibetan singing bowls at times accompanied by
Shamanic drumming on various percussive instruments.

Benn Nunn:  Dark ambient electronic soundscapes representative of the
vastness and vacuum of space.

I represent several artists on my independent record label here in Austin, Texas.  My label, recording studio, publishing companies and the future success of my artists are all very much dependent upon internet broadcasters and their listeners. The latest decision by the CRB (Copyright Royalty Board) to increase royalty payments at such a rediculously inflated rate will have a devastating effect on an already struggling independent music industry. It is like suddenly forcing every small family-owned business to pay 10 times the taxes they have been paying on their goods sold. It will kill the fair marketplace and further extinguish the chances of future exposure for  independent artists. In fact, it will put the majority of independent internet broadcasters out of business and remove the existing internet radio audience altogether. In particular, this will have a devastating effect on Texas Music and its availability to fans worldwide. That is why I am counting on you to do everything you can to represent me and others who are part of the independent music industry in Texas who each depend on internet radio broadcasters. This is our livelihood.

 

Dustin Blakeman – Independence, MO - Artist

These stations are the last refuge for new and "undiscovered" artists, the last place they can be played along with mainstream artists and appreciated thusly.  It is not the responsibility of the US government to protect the record industry.  It is not an mode of public transportation.  Legislation would only be unfair to the consumer, the American people.  If the industry wants to survive, it must adapt and use the tools that technology and time offer, not reject them and attempt to stop their progress.  Encouraging this will only hurt the industry in the long run.  Do industry, the people and the very Government itself a favor and support Net Neutrality.  We cannot afford nor handle the creation of yet another black market.

 

Thomas Gary – Blues – Storm Lake, Iowa - Tom Gary Blues Bands/Raccoon River Boys

Internet radio is one way I can spread not only my music, but also local and regional bands that play blues music. Blues music gets so little air play as it is. Please don’t take the few venues we have left.  I am a blues piano player and have played and performed mostly in Iowa.  I am also an adjunct professor of history for Bunea Vista University in Storm Lake.  I teach a class on the history of the blues, and I have had an article published in Living Blues.  

 

Sanford Greene – Philadelphia, PA

I have a band with a released album on Bar None Records. We used to get royalty checks from BMI. What we earned from our royalties were small. We would much rather have variety and quality on internet radio than mass big company neutrality. Don't take that away by approving higher royalty payments on Internet radio. Thanks.

 

Daniel E. Gawthrop – Classical Music – Winchester, VA - Composer

I am a full-time composer of classical music, one of the most difficult areas in which to make a living. Internet radio has proven a particularly valuable tool in promoting my career. I need the exposure far worse than any trivial royalties I might eventually receive.

 

Jenece Gerber – Classical Music – Buffalo, New York - Composer/Mezzo-Soprano

Internet radio is the voice of the under-represented and funded cutting edge musician. Internet radio offers opportunities for listeners to explore new music and new musical genres, all of which lead to enhanced record sales. And these aren't only generated from the very large, commercial sites--but from small struggling sites who provide opportunities and a voice for obscure artists! The internet is the haven of free speech and democracy and I, as a composer and performer, thoroughly denounce the CRB's rate inflation. My livelihood and art will be crippled by this appalling development.

 

Adam Blinkinsop

I've gotten more play over the Internet as an independent artist than I have on local radio. Please don't kill this great distribution method.

 

Yanni Giannaros/Four Fifty One Band

An internet radio station (SomaFM) helped us find a label. Now we are touring all over the world and playing in front of a lot of people.

 

The New Guinea Pigs

The New Guinea Pigs write and perform songs of peace, love, and positivity for all humanity - no, not exactly what you'd hear if "majors" were unilaterally responsible for creating play lists. We have a small but loyal following created nearly entirely from small webcasters kind enough to play us. Save internet radio since it gives unsigned acts a venue and music consumers a choice. Corporations and lobbyist have a plan in motion to dominate via an oligopoly. They've clearly proven they don't fight fair, they don't want a fair playing field, the extremely unfair law which if enacted in 2 weeks will silence the stations we're on.  Lawmakers must represent we the people and not kowtow to corporate will.