podCALGARY

Excerpts from: http://bumrushthecharts.blogspot.com/

Daryl;

I see what you’re getting at, and I can’t say that I disagree. This whole “experiment” reeks of Podshow manipulation, and in the long run, the impact will likely be minimal and serve more as a circle jerk for Podcasters. Average listeners will barely bat an eye. I do think you may be missing the point of this whole thing, though. A few points:

1- Music is viral. Always has been, and always will be. The only way we ever hear about any new band/ group/ genre is by word of mouth, be it a friend, a car driving by, or a large-scale advertisement. Whether you’re talking about Beyonce or the Sex Pistols, your affiliation with them came from some (any) other source. It’s up to the listener to filter out the crap, which unfortunately, rarely happens.

2- Look at the Top Songs in iTunes right now. All spots were bought and paid for. The money went to marketing reps, and the artist owns nothing. BRTC is taking artist-owned content with little ad revenue backing it, and attempting to give it a foothold.

3- What’s the difference between this and people promoting the Podcast Pickle Favourites, Podcast Alley votes or the Podcast Peer awards? The result of being high in the rankings is the same: more listeners. There isn’t a show I listen to that doesn’t consistently whore most (if not all) of those sites.

4- I probably would have waited until after the 22nd to post that. Not to censor an opinion, but much of what we’re dealing with is speculation. I’d be interesting to see how this whole thing plays out, and critique afterwards.

5- We should probably get in the habit of signing our names to blog posts on podCALGARY, so the reader knows who the author was.

Love,
- Ajay

I have a feeling that the little experiment is going to backfire on those hoping to “stick it to the man”. One of the complaints I often here about “Big Media” (here on reffered to as BM) is that they tell us what to listen to. They make stars out of the likes of Britney Spears and New Kids on the Block by hyping the crap out them and pushing the albums. Bands that are good, typically “indie bands” get ignored. Now a group of podcasters get together and decide that the only way to show BM that podcast is better is to act like BM.

In reality BM won’t even notice this little experiment. BlackLab will make a few bucks, a charity will make a few bucks but that’s about it. But think about this, there is a good chance that there will be a loser in this. The consumer. Because once again a group of people are getting together and deciding who I should listen to. I think independent media is starting to smell a lot like BM. (That’s Big Media)
Just my opinion

Daryl

Excerpts From: bumrushthecharts.blogspot.com…podcasting is more than just a delivery mechanism - it’s a social movement. People are sick of the watered-down, cookie-cutter content that networks and record companies expect us to enjoy.

We can match and exceed the reach of big media, corporate media, labels, and the entrenched interests. On March 22nd, we are going to take an indie podsafe music artist to number one on the iTunes singles charts as a demonstration of our reach to Main Street and our purchasing power to Wall Street.

The track we’ve chosen is “Mine Again” by Black Lab. A band that was dropped from not just one, but two major record labels (Geffen and Sony/Epic) and in the process forced them to fight to get their own music back. We picked them because making them number one, even for just one day, will remind the RIAA record labels of what they turned their backs on - and who they ignore at their peril.What’s more, we’re going to take it a step beyond that. …every commission made on the sale of “Mine Again” will be donated to college scholarships, …Black Lab has taken it up another notch - 50% of their earnings are going to be donated to the scholarship fund as well.

If you believe in the power of new media, on March 22nd, 2007, take 99 cents and 2 minutes of your time to join the revolution and make iTunes “Mine Again”.
If you’re a content producer (blogger, podcaster, etc.), we’re asking you to join up with us and help spread the word to your audience. Nothing would prove the power of new media more than showing corporate media that not only can we exceed their reach and match their purchasing power, but that we can do it AND make a positive difference in the world. If we can succeed with this small example, then there’s no telling what can do next.