Equipoise's Christmas Gift

[SkipMagic]

@Equipoise

The one song in that directory that I DO have permission to freely share is the Happy Rhodes version of “Oh Holy Night” (permission note) so though Christmas has come and gone, perhaps some will still enjoy it.

Not to pick on you, Equipoise, but I’ve a couple of problems with this:

1.) The problem with the permission on your website is that anyone can slap a web page up declaring that they have permission from an artist to distribute his/her work. While I’m not personally doubting your honesty, I’m afraid we’re going to need something more verifiable than a paragraph of text on your site.

2.) If, indeed, you are an authorized distributor for her music, sharing her music on the SDMB (without our permission) may fall under this part of our Registration Agreement:

This message board is intended as a medium for public discussion. Do not post spam, including but not limited to advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, solicitations, offers to trade or barter, charitable appeals, or other messages primarily intended to promote a cause, venture, organization, event (except Straight Dope-related events), website, or other entity or activity, whether or not money is involved.

I say “may” because I’m not sure how fine a line we–as mods–want to draw here, so I’ll be discussing this with the others. In the meantime, I’ve disabled your link; I’ll get back to this thread whenever I have a better answer for you.

[Equipoise]

@SkipMagic

Not to pick on you, Equipoise, but I’ve a couple of problems with this:

1.) The problem with the permission on your website is that anyone can slap a web page up declaring that they have permission from an artist to distribute his/her work. While I’m not personally doubting your honesty, I’m afraid we’re going to need something more verifiable than a paragraph of text on your site.

Give me an e-mail address where I can have her write someone directly.

Meantime, here’s a bit from her web site biography (I’m Vickie, btw):

One of these cassettes made its way to a woman named Vickie Mapes, who at that time, was doing an all-female-artist radio show in Kansas City. She began to play Happy’s tapes and circulating samplers to unsuspecting music-lovers. From her efforts, a small fan-base was forming. They organized themselves into what is now known as ECTO, a Happy Rhodes Mailing List. This is a forum through which, music lovers can discuss Happy’s work, as well as other “Ectophilic” artists.

And on the front page of her web site:

I also want to thank Vickie Mapes for fielding questions on my behalf and for keeping the MySpace.com situation online.

And in a recent interview:

CEV: Obviously the Internet has changed the way independent musicians market their music and interact with their fans. How has the internet expanded the reach of your music from the days that you released your first pieces of music on cassette? Any thoughts on MP3’s and the rise of music sharing via the Internet?

HR: I used to be not really thrilled about the sharing thing, but I think it’s great now. MP3’s sound like shit as a rule and that never makes me happy but I remember when I had a shitty little AM/FM radio, listening to Elton John singing “Harmony”, I didn’t complain then. The Internet made my career. Period. The coolest thing about it is it’s a set-it-and-forget-it kind of medium. Once you’re out there, if what you’re doing strikes any kind of a chord with anyone, it’s going to multiply whether you like it or not. The Internet is Momentum. In my particular case, no one has been more instrumental in my Internet presence than Vickie Mapes, who started the ball rolling and continues to spread the word about my music. She keeps me in the public ear.

If this matters at all, I don’t give out links, or do whatever I do like web sites, to help Happy. She’s a sweetie and I adore her as a musician and as a person, but she doesn’t need me. She’s content living on her farm in upstate New York and isn’t into self-promotion. I don’t do it to help myself (I don’t work for Happy and wouldn’t want to). I give out links as a gift to those who would like her voice and music. All the music is there, waiting to be listened to for free. I just try to help people find it.

@SkipMagic

2.) If, indeed, you are an authorized distributor for her music, sharing her music on the SDMB (without our permission) may fall under this part of our Registration Agreement:

That’s unfortunately broad. If we’re not supposed to recommend anything to others, that’d wipe out half of MPSIMS, IMHO and just about all of Cafe Society. Just because I can back up a recommendation with an authorized mp3 or lyric shouldn’t be a problem. I don’t understand why it would, anyway.

I’m very depressed by this turn of events, brought about by my own stupidity the other night.

[SkipMagic]

@Equipoise

That’s unfortunately broad. If we’re not supposed to recommend anything to others, that’d wipe out half of MPSIMS, IMHO and just about all of Cafe Society. Just because I can back up a recommendation with an authorized mp3 or lyric shouldn’t be a problem. I don’t understand why it would, anyway.

Well, no, nothing was said about not being able to recommend music or artists; in fact, I think it’s fairly clear from the existence of Cafe Society alone that we want people to recommend and discuss their favorite artists. Providing the actual music (as you did) when you’re the only authorized distribution channel outside the artist herself seems to go a step further, however, and this is what I’ll be talking about with the other mods. I just want to make sure there’s clarification on this one small, specific issue, and that we’re all on the same page.

Until then, however, I think this is enough for this thread. Further discussion on board rules can be had in ATMB. Dicussion of my specific moderator action can be had in the BBQ pit. But as I said in my last post, let’s please end this hijack.

[Equipoise]

@SkipMagic

Until then, however, I think this is enough for this thread. Further discussion on board rules can be had in ATMB. Dicussion of my specific moderator action can be had in the BBQ pit. But as I said in my last post, let’s please end this hijack.

Ok, no problem, sorry. This is hardly Pittable but ATMB, I can see.

[lissener]

@DSYoungEsq

If you really want an answer (as opposed to multiple posts intended to do nothing but make a public point), you could always email the mod in question. :rolleyes:

And you could always refrain from assuming you know whom I have and haven’t emailed.