Soundcheck

I look forward to reading this book. Would Mr. Foege comment on the relationship between the rise of Clear Channel and the decline of the music business?

It seems to me the homogenization of rock radio had two effects: 1) the proliferation of poor quality music after about 1995 resulting from the increased pressure on labels to only release sure-thing smash hits, and 2) the difficulty consumers faced in learning about music during the period from 1992 until the rise of internet radio. Both factors drove consumers to free downloads in my opinion.

I was a teenager when Clear Channel took over and even then, I knew their name and was greatly affected by the take-over of the local radio stations. We all used to get local information about bands and concerts in the area from the radio. After that, it was like listening to the Disney channel. There was no character left in the play-lists or the announcers.

The combination of deregulation by the Communications Act of 1996 coupled with advances in technology has cost the radio industry tens of thousands of jobs not to mention that live and local radio barely exists anymore. So sad for those of us who truly love "real" radio.

clear channel is fascist. to wit, Q104 used to be an tolerable rock station in new york--and almost the last one, until the re-format at K-rock. they bleep words on songs that the pre-clear channel Q104 would never have done. discussed, in disgust, the subject with their program manager, who agreed that their "owners" are wary of "tempting the FCC". this for the lyrics from "who are you" by the who, which were never bleeped when it was first released, or for years following. i blame clear channel for continuing, on a more macro basis, the payola system that guards radio for mediocre label artists, and supressing the listener-driven playlist.

Your blog claims that the American audience is responsible for maintaining Clear Channel's hold and corruption of the musical landscape because we are the one who keep listening.

There are millions of albums out there. Thousands of years ago, a DJ was someone who would get tons of records and expose his or her audience to what was knew. If a cut made the grade that record would get replayed and hopefully build an audience. That's how Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and countless others started getting an audience. If we are not exposed to new music how are we supposed to make a real choice. If all you know about cuisine is McDonald's, the range of your food choices are not going to be very healthy.

I am originally from southwest Kansas and the name Clear Channel is a dirty word out there. When I was a teenager the radio stations were great, local dj's, local weather, things like that. Then CC took over all the stations and there was no one in the studios, no local news, and boring, bland, same-o music.

Sorry for some of my typos; obviously "knew" should be "new".