GASP! Planet Zeb!.... OFF THE AIR????

Well, yeah, in fact we WILL be (sort of) "off the air" on Tuesday, June 26th as part of a united internet radio broadcaster's community's DAY OF SILENCE (for details, go to http://www.savenetradio.org)-- and while we think it kinda sucks to have to go a day without PLANET ZEB!-- doubtless you do too (grin)-- we still think it's an important show of solidarity to indicate to fans and listeners of ALL internet radio exactly what the 'net would be like if SoundExchange got their way and managed to run small independent stations like ours out of business with royalties that are LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF TIMES the percentage that satellite radio and other "new media" pay-- conglomerate-owned terrestrial radio that blathers the junk you've been trying to get away from with internet radio doesn't pay ANYTHING, in fact.

Of course, the other point about the DAY OF SILENCE is that PZ didn't have much of a choice in the matter.... our network, Live365.com, is basically telling broadcasters it's going to happen to ALL streams, so there (laugh). But again, PLANET ZEB! supports the event and I think maybe... with one workday of reminder of how vapid a media landscape there was before 'netradio made its mark... more people will take the royalty issue much more seriously and GET ACTIVE in helping support the Internet Radio Equality Act (IREA). Time IS running out before, in the absence of congressional legislation, internet radio is gone for good.

But speaking of which, take a look at some of the comments that members of Congress have been sending Live365 and its broadcasters, as well as other front-lines entities in the IREA war:

Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA), original sponsor of H.R. 2060

"The good news is that momentum is growing in Washington, D.C. Since its introduction in April, well over 100 members of Congress have recognized the important service webcasters provide by cosponsoring the Internet Radio Equality Act. With your continued help, that number and congressional support will keep growing as we approach July 15."

Congressman Donald Manzullo (R-IL), original sponsor of H.R. 2060

"We have had an amazing response to the Internet Radio Equality Act here in Washington, DC. Please urge your listeners to contact their Members of Congress so we can continue to build support and keep the music playing."

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), original sponsor of S. 1353

"Webcasters are valued members of the Internet community, and I will do all that I can to ensure that these royalty hikes don't go into effect. This effort is part of a broader issue that I am fighting for and that is the importance of protecting e-commerce from unfair discrimination. In order for this effort to succeed, we must all continue to work together to preserve Internet radio."

Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), original sponsor of S. 1353

"The Internet Radio Equality Act (S. 1353), which I recently introduced with my colleague Senator Ron Wyden, is fundamental to the survival of the new and innovative technology of webcasting. The recent decision of the Copyright Royalty Board, which goes into effect on July 15th, will decimate an entire industry. Millions of Americans listen to Internet radio regularly, and artists whose music would not receive airplay on commercial terrestrial radio are beginning to receive royalty checks for the first time. Despite what the critics would have you believe, Internet radio benefits artists and I applaud the innovators who have made this technology possible. Senator Wyden and I recently sent a letter to Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy requesting that the Committee quickly move to consider our bill and correct the section of the Copyright Act that allowed for this disastrous decision."

If you didn't realize how serious this was BEFORE now, maybe you do now! At least I hope you do. And don't think that "lots of other people will make the phone calls and write the letters" to Congress insisting on passage of IREA. Or at least if you do, then please ask yourself, "wow... what if everyone else thinks the exact same thought and mistakenly assumes that I'm gonna get off of my sweet butt to do something about it?!" :)

Oh GAWWWWD I long for the days of future when I can do something with this blog but post updates to the IREA story. But for now, troopers, we gotta keep rallying the legions!

Hope you're continuing to enjoy PLANET ZEB!, and here's to seeing you a little scathed but still alive on JULY 16TH!!!

Z