NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Marion, NC, United States, 04/06/2007 - SoundExchange recently posted artist names and comments commending the new internet radio royalty rates. It seems some artists and their colleagues have a different opinion.

One such artist Michelle Shocked stated "A lot of internet users think of music as a product created and generated by major labels with corporate megadollars and so think nothing of taking or paying very little to use this music," added singer Michelle Shocked. "But the evidence shows that a large majority of music is now created by independent artists with very small margins trying earn a living and it's in that context that the recent decision to raise the internet broadcasting rates are seen as an encouragement to creativity and independence."

Another noted artist Jay Jay French of Twisted Sister added, "With the shrinking royalties from the usual sources, the ever expanding digital universe is apparently becoming the future and, before our very eyes, it is here now. I wholeheartedly support all organizations that endeavor to collect and account to all the hard working artists whose material is exploited. I applaud these new royalty increases as they scratch the surface of the new world order."

It would seem that there are mixed opinions on this issue. Talking heads frontman David Byrne has criticized the CRB royalty ruling and the organizations that support it in a recent post on his blog. Additionally in a recent with interview KK Downing of Judas Priest called the new rates ridiculous saying "It doesn't stack up." He also stated "Any radio is great radio." He said without radio he would have never had the success he achieved. A direct quote" To my knowledge I have never received a payment from Soundexchange."

John Rhys-Eddins has also spoken out against the new rates as well. He has worked with such music legends as Brenda Lee, Jimmy Clanton, Charlie Rich, and Roy Orbison. He now operates Bluepower.com, a site dedicated to the keeping the blues genre alive. Steve Albini a producer of Nirvana, posted a very negative blog on myspace portraying the big labels as bad for musicians and that many end up getting paid less than they could make at a 7-11 store after the labels take their cut. A petition has been created for artist that are against the new rates. Webcastersunite.net, an organization of independent webcasters that was formed shortly after the rate increase set up the petition earlier today. All music artists are asked to sign the petition which will be sent to Congress.

Agency / Source: Webcasters Unite - Radio Amber

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