Payola

Like it never left, the record company Sony BMG settled a lawsuit for what was called payola back in the 50s. For those of you not familiar with what payola is, it is when a record company or some promoter affiliated with the record company compensates a radio station for playing a specific artist or song more often then it would typically be played.

I recall saying more than once, if you take something and cram it down people’s throats enough it will sell. This was displayed to a “T” with the inception of American Idol, and now such artists as Jennifer Lopez (J-Lo for those hipsters), Good Charlotte, and Celine Dion enjoyed extra air time because of such antics.

Radio is somewhat of a paradox, and it is impossible to try and satisfy everyone. First off on general radio, you only get to hear songs which have deemed “single worthy”. These songs get are played too many times and typically stay on the air longer than they really should, all making for a stagnant play list. How many more times can people really hear AC/DC’s Back in Black or the Eagles Hotel California? However, if you play more unknown artists, or tracks from the albums which aren’t known as well you may alienate some listeners who don’t want to give anything a chance.

Second, is edited songs – how annoying is it to hear a random beep or gibberish where a word deemed “un-wholesome” would be? There is way too much regulation on what is allowed to be aired and the spectrum should be widened. It was great when I could hear the original version of Pink Floyd’s Money until a few years ago they started changing the part when they say “Bullshit”. It appeared that way for years, but all of the sudden they change it.

Third, it is all about dollars. Radio stations are getting revenue from the record companies, thus record companies get money from increased album sales. All along the consumer, the listener gets screwed, but wait – you downloaded that hit song illegally. So the record companies are gonna sue Joe Sixpack for an obscene amount of money, which Sony then turned around and spent on payola.

So here is what you do with that payola, and the fines inflicted on Sony BMG, and all the other guilty parties partaking in this: come to the defense of downloaders. Support the EFF with a percentage of the money from this settlement and all others which are sure to be coming. Help stop the nonsense of making songs pushed down your and my throat a hit. Turn your radios off and turn on those cd and mp3 payers. Let a variety of music ring!