Banned song

[Pixie Bavle-Nolin]

There is a song that some radio stations are refusing to play. It's by Diamond Rio. I've just put it on my profile page about half way down in the center of the page. See if you think it's worthy of such treatment.

[MrBassMan]

With the most sincere respect for your faith, Pixie, an uproar over "banning" this song is an attempt to rally around a non-issue.

There is no elite star chamber that sits in judgment over whether a song is politically correct, and if not chooses to ban it from the airwaves. Radio stations -- or more commonly the media empires that control them since there are few independent radio stations left -- choose what to play based on business decisions, what they believe will attract listeners who will attract advertisers. A radio station will just as soon air a song about patriotism as it will about revolution, God or Satan, chastity or wantonness, if its management believes it will ultimately make them more money. That may not be pretty, but as a musician I think you and most people here know that that's how it works.

With the Internet, radio stations are less relevant than ever as factors in the popularization and distribution of music. Even if there were some shadowy "Them" who wants to "ban" this music, "they" can't do it. The fact that this is on your page, and on YouTube, discussed and linked to on all sorts of web pages, is a testament to free speech in this country.

[Judy Whiting]

Pixie: we can with the internet add any song we choose to all of our sites. I know most of the guys
in Diamond Rio and they had a long run as Major Artists! I feel there is more too this, then what is
politically correct. Hey my brother told me about when Rock and Roll first hit, and parents burning the
45's and 78's. What did that do. SELL MORE RECORDS! so banning is not necessarily a bad thing!

In reply to Mr Bass Man who is pretty close in his statements, but in this biz of music, They're have
always been corporations the funding is what made the labels probably all the way back to the first
record label.. Now the answer is the same too, They do control what happens. with not the dj's but
the Program Directors who decide what gets paid. I have been involved with two artists getting signed

to major deals and have been across country at many of these parties and have seen the $$$ spent
on the wining and dining to get AIRPLAY. both artist one with RCA and one with WARNER BROS had
a really good run too!

In regards to the internet! Yes it is cool! but one thing alot of artists don't do in this part of the
equation is ASK, do you report to the Affliated Songwriters Organizations as Ascap, Bmi, Sesac etc.
and the European affliates. Airplay is critical to the Songwriter. It is how he gets paid! BillBoard
is still the leader here! We have petitioned Congress also for stronger control over the internet,
and freedom of speech has nothing to do with it. It is protecting a law in regards to how a songwriter
gets paid! Also on the internet are those who promise you and show you airplay and if you don't ask
the question DO YOU REPORT and they don't answer WATCH OUT! it is a scam. These companies
can go to any of our sites. and pull the song from your site, put it on their site, claim 81 weeks now
at say number 5 you go there look and there you are right along with Alan Jackson and Madonna! but
you go to BMI for example NOTHING IS REPORTED. Also there are sites in the USA and Europe where
you can purchase a cd by a major artist for 1.49. With no permission from the artist or the label for that
matter. So use caution when touting the INTERNET! All affliated songwriters organizations now have
HOT LISTS and are cracking down. on INTENET PRICRACY! it is about time too! Personally I have
had a 1, 5, and 23 in the Billboard Charts as have many others and they were not on MAJOR LABELS!
It was good for me, the songwriters when those royalty checks came rolling in.

Ok off the soap box. I would rather take a risk of a banned song. Hey don't forget the publicity that
generates and publicity generates SALES, then just give my songs to internet airplay with out protecting
the rights of the songwriter.

wishing you all the best
Judy

[Bob "Stormcrow" Sanders]

I would like to second the comments made by MrBassMan. As private enterprises, commercial radio stations can choose to play or not play any song for any reason.
I listened to the song and personally didn't care for it. I found it pandering, overly sentimental and, in some cases, factually incorrect. For example, in a court of law, no one can be compelled to "swear" on the bible. One only has to "affirm" that they will be truthful. The consequence of falsehood is prejury which is a crime.
I think the 1st Ammendment has to be one of the most brilliant ideas ever committed to paper - 45 world-changing words. Even though there are many in this country that don't like it very much. But we should be grateful for it. With it no government or quasi-government agent can lock you up, beat you up, or stick a dagger in your eye if you have a different idea of the nature of the universe than the majority.