Hmmm. 

I was just scolded by MySpace on behalf of "copyright owner" for putting my song, "Shelf Life" up on my profile.  It said something about violating copyright law, et cetera.  Even made me take a "class" on copyright law, so they could reinstate my "privileges" as a MySpacer.  I wrote the f-ing song and am being scolded for sharing it.  Of course, I sold off half of the rights to it to a label.  I'm aware of this.  But it ruffles my artistic feathers, to say the least when I can't share a song I wrote...with PERSPECTIVE FANS!  Helooo??!  It's sorta like if you had a child, then a divorce, gave up half, then got a cease and desist letter from your ex's attorney, just for putting the kid's pic up on Flickr!!!  Kinda infuriating, actually.

Hmmm.

I'm reading a book right now called, "Ripped" by Greg Kot about the wired generation and how they are (we are) revolutionizing music.  It's a good read.  And it has actually helped me make up my mind about this huge elephant of an issue.  I say power to the people!  Let me say it again.  Power to the people!  Notice I didn't say, "Power to the corporation" or "yay, capitalism."  I think people should get what they want.  What happened to, "the customer is always right?"  These days music consumers are taking what THEY want.  And the corporations are calling it "theft."  Interesting how it was never considered theft when they were doing it.  So, people are getting what they want again after years of abuse at the hands of the recording industry. 

Hmmm.

The sad thing is, the status quo folks are too blind or afraid to see that the rules have changed.  Giving away FREE content is the new "marketing."  Accept it or die.  Let me illustrate.  Suppose a perspective Carey Ott fan heard my song on a Grey's Anatomy re-run in Paraguay.  Jorge can't run to the nearest Best Buy and pick it up, so he logs on the internet.  And he's been ripped off for years buying the over-priced, shiny plastic that labels have been shilling for decades.  He's skeptical.  He wants a taste.  He goes to YouTube.  Nothing.  He goes to MySpace.  Sorry!  He's over it.  And then he's gone. 

The other scenario is.  Jorge goes to YouTube.  Sees another fan's homemade video of the song.  "Cool, there's a community building here," he says.  He goes to MySpace and hears the Mp3 version of the song, and decides he is a fan.  He buys the whole record, signs the email list, and sees my next house concert in Paraguay.  :-)

See this stuff probably doesn't concern Metallica.  Or George Strait.  They're established artists.  But for artists like myself, we need the internet.  What we don't need are labels, lawyers and good old boys telling us how to sell our music.  We need to break away from and call out the old "guardsmen" of the dead and dying "business as usual."  This goes for politics as well.  The times are always a-changin,' Bob!!  Don't get me started on politics.

(sigh) What Am I Doing

"I sit on a man's back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means - except by getting off his back."
-Leo Tolstoy

There is this certain corporate "mentality" out there that seems to poison everything it touches.*  Monsanto.  CitiCorp.  Blue Cross Blue Shield.  Pfizer.  To name a few.  Sadly, multi-national corporations like these are owned by a handful of stiff, rich, upper-crustaceans who use power and wealth to regularly purchase the folks you and I vote into office. 

It's not "what's best for the common good," it's "how can I fill my pockets."

Human beings aren't just numbers.  And it isn't "just business" when you're expanding your magick kingdom at another's expense.  It's just wrong.  Get off our backs!! 

*This is not supporting an "us versus them" stance, mind you.  We have enough divisive marionettes in the media, thank you Glenn Beck, et al.  (Rupert owns MySpace now BTW) These deranged, corporate zombies are our brothers and sisters.  We just need to love them enough to tell them they're fucking crazy.

"A lie can travel halfway round the world while the truth is putting its boots on."
-Unknown

Hmmm.

In conclusion, I'm really happy and optimistic about the future of our music (and our country) run FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE.  Let's keep reinventing ourselves...the way WE SEE FIT.  Never be afraid to speak the truth my brothers and sisters!

"Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth, but by washing away from it all that is not gold."
-Leo Tolstoy

:-)
Love and Peace-
Carey

P.S.  Comments are always encouaged and appreciated.  Spill it!