Thug Life Army

Claiming SONYS'', (home of many hip-hop and rap artists among other genres), recent admission of wrongdoing regarding Attorney General Eliot Spitzers'' year-long investigation into payoffs from the label to radio stations is "too little, too late," indie musician & recording artist Robert Kramer states that the much-publicized $10,000,000 settlement settles nothing.

Indie musician/recording artist Robert Kramer says the recent statement about the Sony/BMG recording industry payola settlement leaves many questions and issues unanswered, saying “now's the time to keep the pressure on the radio stations and the advertisers who buy time on the stations.”

"Basically, they were caught red-handed," says Kramer. "Now, they just pay what amounts to a pittance, say they''re sorry, and life goes on? I don''t think so."

Stating this should be only the beginning of a continuing effort to put pressure on a record industry that has complained about dwindling profits due to illegal downloading, the indie musician challenges unsigned musicians and small labels everywhere to start campaigns to get new music heard by approaching the radio stations directly.

GIVE AIRWAVES BACK TO THE PUBLIC

"OK, so they''re admitting they paid off radio stations to get their own artists'' music on the air...," continues Kramer, "Now, they''re sorry and they won''t do it anymore..this means that all the radio stations who were paid off should now be open to music by indie artists...great....then let's start sending them CD's by the truckload to fill in all that empty programming time...let's see if the stations will give the airwaves back to the public, and let's find out if the FCC will stand behind the musicians and the public for once instead of the recording industry lobbyists..."

NATIONWIDE CALL TO ACT NOW

Kramer states the reason the industry became so monopolized over the years is because the radio-listening public allowed it to happen. He is calling for a nationwide listener/indie musician/label activist movement to demonstrate that the public is tired of the lack of quality music being pushed today, and encourages the radio-listening public to get involved.

"Everyone's complaining that today’s music stinks.." offers Kramer. "Well, OK, here's your chance to do something about it once and for all. Industry insiders and indie musicians have known for years that the stuff that makes it on the radio is bought and paid for by the major record labels. The radio stations don''t play songs because it's quality music or because it's what the public wants to hear.....they play it because the station managers want to hang on to that Jaguar in the parking lot...every indie musician and radio listener who ever complained about poor radio programming should be outraged.."

Encouraging radio listeners, musicians and indie labels to literally throw down the gauntlet to the recording and radio industry, Kramer says the time to act is now.

BOYCOTT RADIO ADVERTISERS

"I say we should hit them where they live...organize free concerts boycotting advertisers on radio stations that refuse to play indie music. Fans of indie music should write letters to radio stations asking for local music programs, and should report stations that are non-responsive to the FCC who refuse to play what the public is asking for. Maybe it's time for the radio station fat cats to trade in their Jaguars for a nice pre-owned Toyota, return the airwaves to the public, and start programming the kind of music people REALLY want to hear....to quote the late Frank Zappa, it's time to "KILL UGLY RADIO”. Once and for all.."

Answering critics who state the publicized revelations of payola will do little to change the industry, Kramer agrees, saying "Words alone won''t change anything..", offering that - The radio and record-buying public need to take action instead of being complacent.

"It's all about the power of public action, not just public opinion. Everyone complains quietly about the fact that today’s music is garbage, but you have to realize YOU''RE the ones who really control the marketplace. You have the power of choice to either act or do nothing."

Further investigation into payoffs in the music industry by Spitzer continues, which will include Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and EMI Group PLC.

"Before this is over,“ Kramer adds...“it will make the ENRON flap look like a block party...it's time the recording industry and its radio monopolies were put on notice. Your days are numbered..."

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