From Michael Stone

The Artists who won't be named decides to GIVE AWAY his latest CD in cooperation with an English tabloid.

Princes' latest anti music industry move might seem to some as yet another Independent act of artistic-musical rebellion.

I can't help but ask, what is the reason he would purposefully tell the music industry, record company, distributors and local record store owner, screw you?

Each and every one of these entities would have, or probably already have, invested in promoting the interests of Prince as an artist.

But instead, he seems to subscribe to the argument that those who brung you to the party don't need dancing with.

This proverbial poke in the eye to the very people who helped Prince achieve his enormous success is baffling. I can only speculate on his motives, but I can tell you that I believe, it is idiocy in it's finest form.---

--A few notes from the media---

LONDON -- Prince has angered the music industry and stirred up trouble among British retailers by giving away his new album with a tabloid newspaper this weekend.

"Planet Earth" will be packaged with the Mail on Sunday at a price of $2.80.

The giveaway has been roundly criticized as a major blow for an industry already facing rapidly declining CD sales. It has led Sony BMG U.K., Prince's local label, to pull the plug on its own sales release of the CD in Britain.

I believe they are right to cast every bit of blame on an artists whose genius I admire, but who's people skills are seriously lacking.

Prince seems to believe that his &*#% doesn't stink!

Come down to the real world and join us peons oh great one. ---

Paul Quirk, co-chairman of the Entertainment Retailers Association, said this; "It is an insult to all those record stores who have supported Prince throughout his career."

I couldn't agree more.

Feelings aside; it's still about business.

Perhaps Prince thinks his selling, uh GIVING away CD's, is great promotion.

I'm sure that those who get them for $2.80 along with their copy of the tabloid would agree.

But this is about the wider business of music to me and I would hope to all artists big, small, signed or unsigned.

I've really tired of artists giving away their music away. This undermines any and all artists. If people can get for free what should have a price tag, they'll never go back to buying. This can't be good for anyone who hopes to make a living as a musician or in any related industry. If the public at large gets used to the idea that music is something that should be free then those who provide the music from the depths of their souls may find it increasingly difficult to make a living.

The only musicians that survive may be those sitting on street corners, with guitar case open asking for coins. Oh wait that's already happening. Never mind.

So call this an open letter to Prince and other artists of note, who've MADE IT. Please; oh please, don't GIVE your music away. It devalues me and what I'm trying to accomplish.

Carpe Diem!
Michael Stone
Radio Personality
Singer-Songwriter
----Observer----
AudioPros.com