JAG update --

[JAG!]

Greetings all,

I know it's been awhile since I've actively participated on EE. Though hopefully my recent posts have given some indication that work and other things surrounding my life have settled a bit.

As some of you may know -- I started a new job back in September 2006. I'm now in-charge of the company's website properties (radio stations) and they have quite a few, so things have been busy. With that said, I'm proud to announce that one of those websites received 1st Place in the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters awards. Essentially, the best "Radio Website" in Texas. At the very least, I can say my job is "safe" for the moment. :D

Also, for those of you on MSN messenger or Yahoo -- due to problems with my Yahoo account, I've cancelled my old screenname and created a new one. The "Yahoo" icon on this board points to my new account -- feel free to holler.

The weeks ahead will prove to be quite busy, but, I do try to visit (albeit lurk) the board, daily.

By the way, Dean - the ElectricEntertainment.com site really looks awesome! The new content, news and video trailers have me hooked! I'm quite curious about the [Store] option... Planning to sell EE Polos, caps and autographed EE posters? Sign me up! :D

Finally, some potential sad news to any listeners of my Internet-based radio station. Due to the ridiculous acceptance of new royalty rates for web-casters by the CRB (Copyright Royalties Board), I may have to shut down the station. If you enjoy internet radio (ala Streamcast, Live365 etc.), visit: http://www.savenetradio.org or http://www.save-internet-radio.com to learn more and help keep internet radio - alive.

I'll try NOT to be a stranger...

PS: We need a CHAT ROOM! -- I miss the weekend chats!

[auric]

Hey JAG!

Congrats on winning the 1st place. That's a neat way of telling your employer that you're doing a good job. :)

I have to admit that I haven't listened to your web radio in quite a while. I don't really know why. Those new royalty rates are a bummer. :(

And YES about the chat. Does EE's Palace chat still exist?

[Crazy Pavarotti Man]

That's insane! I sent off the letter to my representative (I have to give the government rare kudos, I like the easy to use system they have for contacting our local representatives).

[sheri]

Way cool news Jag! (about your Texas station) Proud of ya! :)

Auric, we need to find Andrew some chat software that can easily integrate into this forum and it would be done. :)

As for the radio royalties....well....if you're playing music that isn't created directly by you, I can understand that. That sort of law has always been in place and I guess is only now being updated for the new media out there. Being an artist who's been ripped off in various places, I wish they could do something similar for us so as to protect our livlihood. (I wish they'd start with them stupid cheap China knockoff painting sweat factories...)

[JAG!]

Thanks Sher! :D

Re: Royalties
Just so it's known, I am paying royalties on a monthly basis. The new CRB rates puts me (and other broadcasters who do this as a hobby) in financial jeopardy as these rates would equal to about $15K a year. Even if I could afford that, hardly any of that money will go to the artists. Simply ridiculous.

[tim]

Great work, Jag. I only wish I had more time to visit your station.

[Crazy Pavarotti Man]

Way cool news Jag! (about your Texas station) Proud of ya! :)

Auric, we need to find Andrew some chat software that can easily integrate into this forum and it would be done. :)

As for the radio royalties....well....if you're playing music that isn't created directly by you, I can understand that. That sort of law has always been in place and I guess is only now being updated for the new media out there. Being an artist who's been ripped off in various places, I wish they could do something similar for us so as to protect our livlihood. (I wish they'd start with them stupid cheap China knockoff painting sweat factories...)

Sheri, the problem with royalties (don't know if you read the article) is they went from 1-2% of a stations profits, to almost 100%! So a station that used to make say, 10k a year, and pay 200 dollars in royalties, now has to pay almost 10k in royalties! That's a huge, not to mention totally absurd, increase!

Oh and um... Jag? Congrats :beer:

(sorry, I got so pissed off at the royalties thing, I almost forgot the good news part)

[sheri]

What does regular radio pay for royalties? Internet radio should be governed by the same laws? Isn't that why radio has commercials?

[Crazy Pavarotti Man]

Here's the problem: Regular radios are used to promote album sales (that's why singles are released before the album, to hype it up). There are plenty of instances when the record labels pay the radio stations to play songs (especially if it's a new/unknown artist). Radio then sales air time for ads, because people listen to it to hear the new songs. It's a hand in glove relationship.

Internet radio, however, 1] with some (but little) exception, the music cannot be distributed until AFTER the album is already released, so it's not a "promotional" thing. Also, internet radio doesn't sell air space for ads, because they don't have really any serious overhead. They don't have to be licensed to broadcast, sound booths, etc. They just rip cd's and broadcast them.

Airwave radio and internet radio are two totally (and almost opposite) things. And sadly, they are almost mutually exclusive.

[sheri]

Aye but still I know you have to pay royalties to use or air music in a lot of instances, soooo I would only think it natural for it to extend to the "new media" which is internet radio???