Hi Folks!
We've taken our stations off the air temporarily in light of the latest
legislation introduced in the House of Representatives-H.R. 848-the
Performance Rights Act - a bill that would require radio stations to
pay royalties to performers. It has passed the House and will be up
for a full vote by the senate with the next week or so.
We ask that all of you who listen and enjoy not only
broadcast radio stations,
but internet radio stations like ours, to write, email or call your legislative
representatives in the SENATE - NOW.
We don't have much time to make our voices heard,
but if you don't make
a choice to pull on your
representative's ears and let them know how you feel,
internet and broadcast
radio will forever
be changed - and not for the good.
The radio stations that will be hit hardest will be
the
small, independant broadcast radio stations,
and those of us who run internet radio stations without
any advertising
while listening to the music libraries we strive to present as a representation
of our love and passion to the music and artists we listen to.
You can go here for a brief description of the bill in
question:
http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2009/05/14/house-judiciary-committee-approves-performance-rights-act
...and read the full text of the bill here:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-848
In the mean time, we will be watching and waiting to
see what happens with this bill,
as it will greatly influence the way both broadcast and internet stations
run their stations, pay for royalties, and even force listeners to listen
to excessive amounts of advertising just to help pay for the royalties,
not to mention the cost of running the stations.
Check back regularly as we will be keeping you, the loyal
listeners, up on the
actions being taken, and what it will mean for stations like ours.
Thanks for your undying support, and email us if you have any questions
or comments.