Jul.02.2005 :: Happy Independents Day!

"The difference between me and most people is that my dreams have deadlines." -Scooter Scudieri

As a proud member of the Distributed Computing Industry Association (www.dcia.info) and as a soldier on the front lines of a music revolution I can tell you- it's a great day for independents!

We now have our very own distribution system.

The Supreme Court ruling of MGM vs Grokster provided a much needed kick in the rear for those who are serious about the future of digital distribution!

Attention all affected parties: Now is the time to deploy new business models for content distribution that present a win-win situation remedied to reflect the shift in paradigm of this business we call music...and hey- let's not forget film.

It has always seemed short sighted to me that industry opponents with all their resources would resort to lawsuits against individuals and companies, but never implement or seek to develop an alternative solution themselves. P2P is here to stay and ultimately will be embraced by the very same opponents who wish to crush it now. In the meantime, artists like me will continue to blaze a trail into the future and pave the way for the major record companies to follow.

I work with P2P companies who promote legal and authorized digital rights management (DRM) technologies, micro-payments, and sponsored content that distribute non-infringing content. Without an agent, manager, record company, or marketing dollars my video "Mother of God" was downloaded 50,000 times in April on the P2P networks. It broke 100,000 downloads in June and is projected to break 250,000 by the end of July. These numbers are amazing because my video isn't some sexed up T and A pop song. It's a hard core critique of religion, politics, and war.

I am known in many circles as the Internet's first rock star. It's an arguable distinction, but one that I do not take lightly. In the next few months I will implement a sweeping campaign designed to prove that technology has inexplicably leveled the playing field.

Two short years ago I was one of a handful of trailblazers forging the way for armies to follow. Now, we have become a conscious and collective movement. I believe the industry is slowly coming to the realization that there really is a music (ok - AND film) revolution. I'm not talking an US vs THEM revolution; I'm talking a WE revolution- where we as artists and fans control our destiny. We cannot predict the future, but we can create it. Only music and the love of music are necessary to facilitate this symbiotic paradigm. We are on the cusp of business, social and artistic change in our society. The challenge is synchronizing them so they pay off big for both artists and fans.

We are creating a new system.

Here's a suggestion: Rather than fight us or try to control us; join us in this process of creation.

There's enough for everyone."

Peace, Scooter Scudieri www.firstrockstar.com

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