In the scheme of things a music blog amongst so many is a very very small thing.A live radio station, fully staffed, listener supported, and with a unique heritage such as Radio Caroline, is still easily lost on a global scale, and so I unashamedly promote them.
Why is that ?
They remain largely free of this corporate, profit orientated and very selfish world, and have a genuine pedigree that can be traced back to their 'pirate/free/offshore' radio day's in the 1960/70/80's.
Despite the odd cretinous protest from the occasional (usually UK based) dis-tractor, who would rather see people lose their lives at sea, than embrace the developing on-line, satellite and mobile technologies, that most pre-teens see as standard fare, Radio Caroline soldiers on.
Don't get me wrong, some of their music policy (broadly popular classic rock in the day time - a little more niche at night), and the odd 'rather tired' presenter, ensures that Radio Caroline, is far from the 'finished article' as far as 'twenty first century cutting edge radio' goes.
That said, their desire to grow, regain a listening audience tangible to the golden days in the 1960's, and continue to be alternative, is somehow quite appealing.
Therefore I have found it quite easy to give them yet another unashamed promotion.
As regards a small music blog, pandering in the main to the past, and now finding itself, the subject of unwanted attention from some rather 'big music industry fish' to carry on the nautical references, despite not updating for four months, well that is a different issue.
You may well be aware that 'Blogger' have been forced to delete whole postings, rather than risk the hostility of a few large music corporations, along with us bloggers, just spot the gaps on the 'anorak corner' series on this site for example.
I felt quite comfortable sharing old bootlegs, you cant buy them, you are most likely a fan, I make no money from these shares, and have always promoted official artists material at the same time.
I will accept some of the 'oldies' posted as mp3's are not mine to share, despite the fact they are repackaged and resold time after time on compilation CD's, in all fairness, I don't have the right to share these.
However cross reference that with the fact that, I have and continue to receive mp3's from promoters, artists, bands, and music publishers, encouraging me to share their material on this blog.
A lot of the music does not fit the general Beehive Candy genres, however, I have discovered some great artists that have taken me off into new musical directions.
Much of the new music I have shared, has likewise come from other music blogs who in turn are sharing material given to them to promote, and that has 'struck home' with their tastes and mine.
Which leaves me with a personal conundrum and a number of questions.
Do I just share promo material selectively based on personal taste?
Am I entitled to share what I like (bootlegs - rare oldies - whatever) because I love it, and want others to know?
Do I back off and close down, because of some rather 'ugly' emails received that suggest if I carry on, I will be 'stamped on'?
What do you think?
