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Do not attempt to adjust your computer. You won't hear G-town Radio today, June 26, because we are participating in a nationwide 'Day of Silence' to protest the impending royalty rate increase that will effectively force the vast majority of webcasters off the air. On July 15, the new royalty rates are due and will be retro-active for the past 18 months. The billions (yes, billions) that will be owed far exceed all of the money made by independent and corporate webcasters. In yet another short sighted money grab by the music industry they refuse to recognize the value internet radio brings to underplayed artists of all types. On this day thousands of webcasters will silence their streams to give you an idea of what life would be like without this unique media outlet. Hobbyist stations, community outlets (like G-town Radio), terrrestrial stations that also stream (like WXPN, xpn.org) and streaming services like Live365 will go dark. The point is that FM radio blows. To FM stations you aren't a listener, only a target market they try to narrowly define with boring and insultingly small playlists. Internet radio fills the immense void created by radio. Underplayed artists and entire genres ignored by the radio have enjoyed the air play and appreciation of internet radio. Silencing this new medium with crippling royalty fees hurts everyone. It hurts artists. It hurts music lovers. It hurts you at your computer today wondering how the hell you are going to pass the day at work without anything new and interesting to hear. I started G-town Radio a year ago because I had a problem. I loved music but I hated the radio. I wanted local content that wasn't generic and boring. I wanted to hear all the artists, past and present, that I never heard anywhere else. I wanted to hear real voices sharing their ideas and passions with their neighbors. In many cases that passion is expressed with music. The CRB's royalty decision says our passions will cost too much to share so now we are silent. The cause is not lost. As you read this two bills are moving through the U.S. House and Senate that would repeal the new rates to reasonable levels everyone can live with. If you miss internet radio today spend a little time checking out the links below and learn how you can lend your voice to this cause. Fear not, G-town Radio will be back on the air tomorrow and everyday for the immediate future. As you can see below we even have a new home and are actively training people in the community to bring you live programming you most definitely won't find anywhere else. If you have thoughts or comments about the future on internet radio please write us at
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We'd love to hear from you. Have a productive (and quiet) day,
Jim Bear Visit these sites today:
SaveNetRadio.org Day of Silence Participants Internet Radio Equality Act Radio and Internet Newsletter (RAIN) KCRW WXPN |
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