You know that image we all have of record executives; overweight, balding, cigar smoking, weasely guys in shiny suits and $1,200 shoes that are more con-artist than 'executive', well... It's wrong.

None of the record execs I have met smoke cigars.

The record industry is lobbying hard to increase the fees that internet broadcasters, like me, pay for the use of 'their music' in our 'casts. Over the next 3 years the royalties fees we are forced to pay will increase 150% from what they are today.

Internet broadcasters already pay double with the satellite broadcasters pay. BTW, traditional radio broadcasters don't pay anything for over-the-air transmissions.

If this fee increase is allowed to stand the results may be dramatic. Most internet broadcasters will no longer be able to afford the fees and will be forced out of business. Internet radio has always been a lively medium for genres, like Blues and Swing, and artists not heard on commercial radio. If these fees go into effect many of these voices of the underserved will go silent.

The Internet Radio Equality Act (H.R. 2060) has been introduced in the US Congress that will save Internet radio for these crushing fee increases and ensure that voices like Dreamland Blues Radio continue to bring you the music you love.

For more details on this bill and how you can contact your congresscritter to urge them to support HR 2060 please visit SaveNetRadio.org

Together, we can save Internet Radio!

Thanks for your support! (channelling those guys from the 80's wine commercial)

T.