The drop off in their pay-per-download

services is due in part to their early success in making people aware

of the availability of free music everywhere on the net. The introduction

of similar PC services such as buymusic.com is also making more and more

mainstream computer users aware of the vast network of free and legal

downloads available from literally hundreds of thousands of independent

musicians and bands on various OMDs (online music distribution).

The idea that these artists

are not as good as the ones chosen by "The Big 5" labels is

preposterous. Everyday there is a new way to listen to music from these

very talented but unsigned bands. The Internet-only classic rock station

9412.com now has a 3-hour show once a week (8 p.m. CDT) to spotlight high

quality indie rock music.

DJ Jeff Straub, who cut his

teeth as an Internet-only DJ at Ampcast.com's relatively small radio broadcast

is a great personality with extensive knowledge of both classic rock and

independent musicians. Visiting the Jerk Free chat room is a howl and

very educational at times. This is truly a breakthrough time for independent

musicians. While small compared to many broadcast radio stations, the

show has a worldwide audience that grows weekly.

I believe shows like this are

emerging for every genre of music basically giving listeners of fine music

a chance to decide who they like for themselves rather than having the

"Big 5" labels decide for them what to listen to.

The OMD music world is growing

and changing fast with millions of free and legal downloads daily. The

number of sites offering these free services is growing daily. While many

have failed due to lack of resources there always seems to be someone

to replace them. Mp3.com reports 250,000 artists and over 750,000 songs

on their site available to stream or download as well as offering CDs

for sale from these "unknowns."

Pop music played by the old

technology broadcast radio is basically a small part of what the music

world is made up of. Independent artists are legion and many are extremely

high quality, something those five guys making "stars" don't

want you to know about.

Don Campbell

Peachtree City, Ga.