Start recording. The big stations got spanked.

[Spudman***]

Don't know if anyone read this yet but it sounds like good news.
http://www.freepress.net/news/21607

FCC’s Payola Settlement Means Indie Musicians Finally Get a Crack at Mainstream Radio

From Media Channel, March 9, 2007


Earlier this week, the FCC announced that it was closing an investigation which unearthed a massive payola scandal in commercial radio. Four radio giants, Clear Channel Communications, CBS Radio, Entercom Communications and Citadel Broadcast Corporation, will pay the FCC $12.8 million in fines, but more interestingly, the settlement requires

8,400 half-hour slots to be set aside for artists on independent record labels and for local music, and puts forth a code of conduct for relations between record companies and broadcasters.

This agreement between the FCC and the four major broadcasters could very well be the most monumental of its kind in the history of radio. It will likely turn a new page in the medium’s book, bringing more variety and quality to listeners across the nation, not to mention, it will greatly hinder the opportunity for payola transactions.

The new time-blocks reserved for independent and local artists will be implemented in under the four major broadcast companies in stations that play rock, hip-hop and country.

Not only will this bring smaller artists to heights of accessibility, but also radio itself will benefit from a much-needed dose of vibrant reality. Mainstream radio represents such a small section of the music spectrum, and this agreement will likely flip the tide.

PunkNews notes,

Another aspect of the deal will be the creation of a “rules of engagement”, to be negotiated by the broadcasters and independent labels. These will guide interactions between all music labels (independent and major) and radio stations, to ensure that dealings between parties are fair on all accounts, without further payola. Specific dates and time frames should be announced by the FCC once the settlement is finalized.

Payola, a racket which also goes by the name “pay-for-play,” has a long and illustrious history in radio.

[Robert****]

Yeah, let's hear some fretters make it big time on the radio now!

[Danzego]

If only we could dream, huh Robert? Unfortunately, I think the American mainstream has been thoroughly brainwashed by now (not that hard to do, mind you). They may put smaller artists on the radio now, but I think the status quo will still want their boy bands and what they call "R&B".

Speaking of which, remember when R&B was actually Rhythm & Blues? What the heck happened to THAT? How did it go from what it was back in the 50's to what it is today: just looping samples of older songs with someone who can't sing whining in the foreground? Talk about raping a term.