Could it be that commercial radio is looking to befriend the independent artist? Apparently, amidst all the format-switching and auto-programming, Clear Channel and their kin have perhaps realized they’re falling behind where satellite is booming: playing good music.
The American Association Of Independent Music (A2IM), an organization representing independent music in the marketplace, has reached an agreement with four of the major radio outlets (CBS, Citadel, Clear Channel and Entercom), that requires 8,400 half-hour blocks of airtime to be dedicated to independent music. The A2IM’s “Rules of Engagement” marks the first step in setting an even bar for independent music on commercial radio.
This comes on the heels of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer’s attack on the questionable relationship between major labels and commercial radio, as well as a recent agreement whereby radio giants would pay the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) $12.5 million in an effort to curb long-standing questionable practices that have been characterized as modern-day payola.
A2IM sent a letter to the FCC urging them to define the parameters between the four major labels (Universal, EMI, Sony BMG and Warner) and commercial radio. After a series of meetings and exchanges between A2IM, the FCC and the radio groups, the three have agreed on the conditions, jumpstarting a independent music campaign that will be led by A2IM, as well as the Future Of Music Coalition (FMC) and American Federation Of Television And Radio Artists (AFTRA), among others.
“This is for the entire music industry, not just for us,” explains Peter Gordon, A2IM board member and president of indie label Thirsty Ear. “It has been a fairly murky area for a number of years and without certainty, it can lend itself for certain individuals to take advantage of it. All we’ve done is create a foundation for a proper business relationship. What [independent labels] have is just as valid and just as exciting as everything else [commercial radio] is playing. And surprise surprise, we might even have better stuff.”
The “Rules Of Engagement” consist of eight guidelines, one of which forbids all cash and non-cash consideration made my labels to be reported to the FCC, who could not be reached by press time.
Source: cmj.com
