The evolution of the portable mp3 player and p2p file-shares have mixed things up quite a bit. The music video channels and the media conglomerates are reeling, and garage bands who would have never made it out of the garage are touring the world, and rocking out. It’s a quiet revolution, where the local radio station isn’t the only influence, and neither is MTV. It’s grass-roots, it’s social, and it’s totally organic. Being such, it cannot be controlled by an overseeing force. Companies *can* profit, but they cannot corner the market. ISP’s can sell it, but they can’t cast a net over a large chunk, and call it their own, truthfully.

It’s now happening with all media, and a lot of the news attention has shifted to the movies and video sector.

the Creative Commons license is getting very popular, and provides for artists getting their music to the masses without a governing monopoly, as well as for options to allow other artists to base new creations on the originals, including a re-mix-friendly license.

if you are looking for legal downloads of mp3’s there are a number of links on the cc site, including this one.

BTW, For those who haven’t heard it, the new Tom Petty album is out. Another in along line of excellent road trip CD’s. Every track has a mood, and a progressive beat, and very personal lyrics. WTG, Tom!

Tom Petty -- Highway Companion