A Brief Interview between Burried Scolls webzine and Pastor Brad On the rate increases set by the Sound Exchange and its impact on web radio May 2007 Back to Metal Trivia Index Back to Guitar Jams Home If you haven't heard what's happening in the world of web radio... scroll down to the bottom of the page and read the NOTES... then the interview will make LOTS more sese. Burried Scrolls: What benefits have you gained from online radio towards your music? Pastor Brad: You know, I've really enjoyed being able to share my music with the world via web radio. I really can't say specifically how it may have benefitted me. I don't really receive notes from people saying, "Hey pb--I heard your song on so and so station and I just had to get your cd." You know--I just haven received notes like that. But--I'm certain that web radio has introduced Pastor Brad to a lot of people who would not have heard my music other wise. Burried Scolls: With the threat of it being closed down, how could you adapt to get heard and secure a still hard to reach audience? Pastor Brad: First off, let me say that I really think what's being done to indie web radio stinks... but as for how I will adapt... you know--I'll just strive to be creative... I really believe that in every problem--if you search for it--there's an opportunity. I'm not sure what that opportunity is in this situation just yet. I know this--my "Sound Click Station" has become more important to me. I'm really trying to optimize a page at www.guitarjams.net to promote that station. You can check out what I'm talkng about at http://www.guitarjams.net/ChristianMetalRadio.html. As far as I know--stations like that remain free from all those royalty fees. I thinks these kinds of stations may become a big deal for artists. Burried Scrolls: Are these fee increases justifiable for independent artists? Pastor Brad: I can't really speak factually abou it... There's lots I don't know about the radio business. But from a common sense standpoint---Heck no there not justifiable... to me is smells of greed, plain and simple.. Some background notes to help you understand what's going on. These notes--courtesy of Burried Scrolls Magazine Upto date facts on the current situation: New rate increases set by the Sound Exchange (independent RIAA royalty collecting agency) will threaten small online radio stations to close. Many small independent stations will cease by June 15th. But what about the musicians? It helps artists by letting people become aware of their work.. The fees will increase by 300 percent to 1,200 percent. The new royalty agreement is designed to pay artists, songwriters and labels on a per-song played basis, instead of just songwriters, as it currently stands the ruling established a $500 minimum payment for each Web channel internet radio is not subject to the commercialism and music genre monotony as AM and FM What online radio stations can afford the fees ie Yahoo, will then mean subscription fees will result. Meaning then potential users will turn away from online radio, no one will want to subscribe. Representatives Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Donald Manzullo (R-IL ) introduced a piece of legislation titled the "Internet Radio Equality Act" (H.R. 2060). It would essentially reverse the Copyright Royalty Board's decision, returning Internet Radio to its previous, percentage-based fee structure, thus allowing these outlets to be able to afford to keep operating. Should the Internet Radio Equality Act fail to pass, most online radio stations will go silent since they simply don't make enough money to pay the royalty fees Closure of internet stations means independent artists will suffer from a lack of national exposure |