Personally, I don't think small acts would cease to exist if it weren't there weren't major label success. One could make the argument that great music doesn't get heard or become popular because the airwaves are too crowed with crap. Why knock a world of radio that's filled only wiht musicians distributed on small, but moderately successful indie labels before you try it? I say, hit the majors with a new form of anti-trust law never seen before. After all, great musicians have always existed, even before the wonderful world of major label distribution and promotion. "Don't sing for Pepsi. Don't sing for Coke. Don't sing for Nobody. Would make me look like a joke" (paraphrased from Neil Young's "This Note's for You"). matt g zorn-list-request@mailman.xmission.com wrote:Message: 1 Date: Thu, 01 May 2003 15:56:26 -0400 From: "Ajda the Turkish Queen" Subject: RE: [off-topic] using songs for commercials To: zorn-list@lists.xmission.com

As someone pointed out here, I do think there's a difference when a multi-platinum act does this. Does Sting really need to be in a car commercial? He probably doesn't need the money, right? Madonna and Michael Jackson probably didn't need the money from soft drink companies (but look what happened to them for their trouble). If John Zorn does music for a commercial, I don't begrudge him that at all, especially if this is used to fund his own work, Tzadik and other things that he's then able to do.

Hmmm...I have mixed feelings on this topic. But do I think the above posting reveals a little bit of a double-standard. I think we should remember that while these big artists may not need the money, they too (as much as we may dislike their music or status) are creative individuals who want their music heard and promoted. Why should only {more obscure} people like Zorn be excepted from criticism if they're doing the same things as Sting and Madonna??? Also, there are plenty of small acts on major labels who wouldn't have records if it weren't for the successes of major artists. Don't get me wrong; I'm definitely mostly pro-indie, anti-major but there's no denying the truth of this system. My 2 cents:) Ajda the Turkish Queen http://mp3.com/turkishqueen http://wmbr.org/schedesc.html#binge _____________________________________________________________"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty." - Benjamin Franklin____________________________________________________________ --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.