Sony fined
Gee... Like it hadn't been done before. It makes you wonder who was complaining so much that they could get Sony whacked $10 Million for payola to radio stations. Like this is a new practice?
Now we see why the music industry has nothing to offer. How many great bands could have been shot up the media ladder had their deserved airtime parking spots NOT been taken by mediocre groups being pushed by big companies?
We always understood that radio and music television is nothing but a big commercial for their products to be purchased (not stolen via illegal download), but the fairness is lost with this tactic. It's deplorable.
Sure, I admit, I'd probably want my music promoted with lot's of zeal and effort on the part of my label, but I don't want to think I was force feeding crap to the masses if my music wasn't really good enough. There are far too many "Johnny Bravos" out there simply fitting into the suit that you have to sit in disgust over it all. Record companies often fear trying to make trends in big leaps over fear of financial loss.
There have been so few avante guard acts with even the slightest bit of airplay. Record companies think that we must stay as cattle and just deal with what they churn out over and over...
When I think about the last 30 years of music, I try to list those groups that changed the face of music. Unfortunately, not all got super group status.
Enigma changed the shape of music when it introduced the world to the ethereal sounds of the Gregorian chant.
Moby confused us with his eclectic electronic sounds that never seemed to keep a constant grasp on a steady concept.
Depeche Mode set the tone for 25 years of new wave/ alternative, yet never took the world by the storm they could have. The same goes for the Cure.
Marilyn Manson became more of a circus act than a musician... especially after he lost Twiggy. Was he setting the groove or like Korn, Limp Bizkit and Linken Park, merely staying in the media trough of cookie cutter edgy rock bands? His hype was more smoke and mirrors than anything else. This labeled him as an oddity.
Prince created the Minneapolis sound. He was an oddity also, yet his consistency was more stable in the icon status. I still say the other Minneapolis bands where more fun. Morris Day and the Time were my favourites. Janet Jackson benefited from their sound with the "Rhythm Nation:1814" album.
Dave Matthews. Not my kind of alternative, yet he did seem to spark a huge following and cross over into pop culture. Sort of a modern day Jimmy Buffett, the following he has is rather Parrot-head like.
I digressed slightly. How many people could have made a greater influence on music if they weren't thrown into the similarity bin and churned out for the purpose of making a payola paid back buck?
It makes no sense to complain. What exactly can we the consumer do? Boycott all together? Stop listening to radio? Stop buying CD's?
I don't think that would work somehow.
Why won't record companies stop spending on payola and fines and put the money into getting us something better to listen to? Take that money and take a chance on someone for once...Oh well...wishful thinking.
Here's the article from Spin magazine on the Sony Payola scam.
Sony Admits to 'Payola' Scheme, Fined $10M
July 25, 2005
The New York State Attorney General's office announced today that it reached a settlement with record conglomerate Sony BMG after a one-year investigation into the label's pay-for-play tactics. Prosecutors alleged that Sony BMG routinely gave radio stations in money and expensive gifts in exchange for airplay for its artists. This practice in the music industry is also known as "payola," and was famously exposed in a 1960s investigation of radio DJ Alan Freed.
"Our investigation shows that, contrary to listener expectations that songs are selected for airplay based on artistic merit and popularity, air time is often determined by undisclosed payoffs to radio stations and their employees," said Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. Investigators found several specific incidences of payola, including a bribe given to a radio programmer in Buffalo that was detailed in an interoffice email from Sony imprint Epic Records: "Two weeks ago, it cost us over 4000.00 to get Franz [Ferdinand] on WKSE. That is what the four trips to Miami and hotel cost." The radio station in question, WKSE, also allegedly gave airtime to two other Epic artists -- Gretchen Wilson and Good Charlotte -- as part of that deal.
Sony BMG has admitted to wrongdoing, and, according to a statement issued by the Attorney General's office, "has agreed to stop making payoffs in return for airplay and will fully disclose all items of value provided to radio stations in the future." In addition, Sony BMG will pay $10 million dollars to the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors to fund music appreciation and education programs throughout New York State.
State of New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer official release.
I've noticed this same trend in music. So few bands have really done anything to elevate music. I flip on the radio and everything sounds the same. While I don't hate all of it, I can only listen to it for so long before it simply bores me.
There are many artists who don't get the credit they deserve - Ani DiFranco, Tori Amos, Michael Penn, Aimee Mann, Bad Religion... I could name more, but I don't have the time. What ever happened to the art of Song Writing? I suppose I should not wonder why all music on the radio sounds the same... it's all written by like three people.
I've gotten past what is popular and I have started looking for what is good. This, unfortunately, is a much harder task than it should be. Musical talent has gone the way of the Philosopher. It's still there, just not employable.
Supplicated by: Utopia at August 8, 2005 07:59 AM