I think a lot of times music sites (including donewaiting.com) take for granted what people might and might not know. Sometimes we take for granted that you might not know what an mp3 with digital rights management is, or why Wilco is better than Radiohead. For that, I’m sorry.
A standard rallying cry on many sites is that Clear Channel is terrible. And we’re right! But why? Well, believe it or not, Rolling Stone has a pretty good article that covers the basics as to how Clear Channel came into power, and the evils that they do. It’s a good starting point.
Here’s a highlight:
Clear Channel controls roughly 1,200 radio stations and about seventy percent of all live events that are promoted in the United States. The company also is reportedly considering the launch or purchase of a record label. In less than a decade, Clear Channel has become a music company on steroids — and a company that’s increasingly under fire. Critics contend that Clear Channel uses its size to crush the competition while force-feeding audiences the same playlists no matter where they live. Bands, managers and music-industry executives argue that Clear Channel has ruined the concert business. (full story)
For more information on Clear Channel, check out:ClearChannelSucks.org
But more importantly, do your own research and arm yourself.