This is a response to my previous post regarding providing music downloads as a pledge gift .
I really appreciate the feedback on how everyone feels about downloads versus CDs. We’re trying to clear the rights for a compilation of announcers’ faves for this next pledge drive, but are having trouble getting releases on a lot of the music.
It feels like we’re in some kind of limbo. We have all this really great music with no way to legally share it outside of our normal broadcast.
We need to figure out something that works for us during pledge, since it’s getting harder and harder to obtain (and fulfill!) CD’s in the quantity that we need. Besides, we want to share some “personal loves” from our “personalities”!
I’d be interested in hearing from musicians, other radio stations and folks in the business as to whether there are any fair and creative ways that they’ve discovered to clear rights. Anyone out there with some info?
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The closest thing I can think of is iTunes or Amazon (MP3) credits. Then you offload the rights clearance onto those companies. Of course, you’re then limited to their catalogs, but you can influence them to pick up your favorite titles with the promise of a market prepackaged by your pledge drive.
TW
How about a KCSM-branded compilation of notable tracks by the Bay Area’s locally-resident jazz musicians? There are many outstanding musicians here (or from here in the not too distant past). Your announcers do a fine job of staying on top of the local scene, so why not go for a little more cross-promotional synergy?
Just use the “all the old jazz musicians are dead and they can’t make any more money off their recordings” excuse…. it’s bound to work at least a few times.