ClearChannel connections

Hey...

LiveNation spun off from ClearChannel, they aren't owned by them anymore. And Roo has been using Music Today less and less (purely for online merch sales now). They used to do Krewe of Roo and we all know how well that did. They're just an e-commerce thingy for artists.

It's just as if some random company bought stake in Clean Vibes or whomever did the ferris wheel or dumps all those ATM's at Roo-- it's only marginally news since they're just someone they contract with for a service. Company's like Relix, Microsoft (for the XBox), AT&T, Volkswagen, and Budweiser contribute far more to Roo's bottom line and have more to do with Bonnaroo in general than Music Today does.

Anyway, just my two cents. This probably affects all the bands who use MusicToday in some form (and there are a lot-- from NIN to Sasha to DMB). But it probably ultimately will just mean more live shows recorded and available through online merch stores.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Yeah right.

Try convincing folks who remember venues the way they used to be. You know, before they had names like Nextel this, Alltel Pavillion that. I'm talking the old(more than 20 years ago)venues like Blossom Music Center or Star Lake Ampitheater, or Deer Creek, ETC.

Everything is done at these places now with total disregard for the concertgoer's experience. See beer prices, collusion with cops on checkpoints, taping policies at VENUES(rather than by will of the band), ETC.

Clearchannel is good for this business like WalMart is good for mom& pop stores. Does anyone remember cool locally owned venues that are no longer in business because they could not compete with the megaglopolis corporate culture ? IF clearchannel is involved with Bonnaroo in ANY way, then I'm Outsies. You kids have fun with your $1400 possession charges and Tower records. and Starbucks. and nightvision. The formula forces out the soul---leaving lot rats, custies, and corporate profits. For the up to a grand I spend on Bonnaroo each year including ticket, travel, and treats, I will spend at 50 different locally owned, hungry venues with heart.

This rant was way more about Billy's statement above than any reality of Clearchannel ownership or involvement in Bonnaroo at this point. I'll make my decision with validation of it's truth.

I used to live within 10 minutes of Blossom(near Cleveland) and would always prefer to drive the 2 hous to Star Lake, solely because of the experience. I know that I have missed some pretty good shows because of my boycott. And I know that my personal boycott against this lack of culture will not bring them down. But i know one thing more important. I like who I am and what I support and am accountable for my actions. And i try REEAALLY hard not to give money to those who take away from the experience as a whole.

Can't grow up listening to songs like Maggie's Farm, Wasn't Born to Follow, Won't Back Down, etc ad infinitem, and pretend that "it's only about the music, man".

You mock what you don't understand. It's an accountability thing.

Sure, I might die alone with my principles. Like I said, I don't pretend that I will see the tide turn. Still no reason to abandon ship. We create the world in which we live.

Or we just mock people until they join our side, so we don't have to stand for anything. Or face defeat. Oh so fearful a life, Mr. Bennett.