The internet..Yahoo, AOL, Prodigy, etcÉ.is changing the world of music, as we have known it for centuries. No longer do we have to turn on our radios, only to hear the same music, by the same performers, being played over and over again. No longer do we have to adhere to the narrow choices we're given by our "record clubs" and music stores. Now, by something as easy as turning on a switch, clicking on a key, we can actually find artists that make their music, for the sheer joy of doing it! And we, the general public, who are outside of the music business and never knew these "independent" artists existed, can not only find their music, but BUY it, as well! The "indies" - singers, songwriters, musicians, producers, and small record labels - are suddenly finding a place to be heard! And heard, not only by the folks in the U.S., but indeed, all over the world!!

Some of them, most in fact, work at other jobs - carpenters, salesmen, secretaries, nurses (sound familiar?) - to support themselves and to scrape up enough money to make their musicÉand even pay for an occasional hour of studio time, Éand if they're very lucky, to actually cut a record! (ok,ok..no one really makes "records" anymore)

I've had the opportunity to sit down with a lot of these artists, the indies, and I've talked with them, listened to them, observed them, heard their musicÉ.and I'm so impressed by their attitudes. They love the music! No, I mean they TRULY love the music!! They get such joy out of performing, of hearing some applause now and then, and even of being in the same room with another musician or writer, who understands their NEED to do this! To make MUSIC!

Now, of course they are all trying to "hit the big time"É.to "get on the charts",Éthat's only human nature. But they're HAPPY! They haven't yet felt the pressure of the dictations of the major record labels. No one is yet, telling them what songs they can sing, or how! No one is yet, telling them what clothes to wear and where they have to be at 8:00. Yes, that's the goalÉgetting to the topÉbut for now, these great artists are just happy to make music and to have as many people out there, as possible, appreciate it.

Ok, so all of us like Garth (well, most of us) and Faith HillÉthe Dixie Chicks and Tim McGrawÉ.BUT, where are the "new" George Jones's, the Hank Snows, and Ernest Tubbs-- and how come we only have a couple of REALLY dependable guys, like Alan Jackson and George Strait, who still give us the "pure" country sound? (At least, that's how it seems when you tune in to your favorite (or ONLY) country music station, on the radio. You get the same song loops, over and over and OVER!) "So where ARE these 'Indies', you keep talking about", you may ask. Well, folks, I'm here to tell you where they are, and how to find them!

I've talked with SO MANY music fans, who are hungry for traditional country, and quite frankly, who are tired of hearing AND seeing theseÉ."Oh yes I AM country!"Éartists, who's only desire it is, is to "make it" in the music business, to become "STARS", to accept awards, and to become millionaires.

I know, mine is not a popular view, or even a safe ground to take, but I'm tired of SAFE! Its time to be honest, to tell it like it is, to call it like I see it. So, if you're ready for something different, listen up!

The independent performers and songwriters ARE out thereÉ..and they're GOOD ! ButÉthe fact remains, they're "indies". Therefore, they rarely get radio airplay, you rarely read about them (except in their local newspapers), and their music is difficult, almost impossible, to find and purchase!

I'm going to try to make it easier for you. You can thank me later. AFTER you've discovered what you, what we ALL, have been missing for way too long. I'll review their music, and maybe, an occasional video, and let you know what's out there, just WAITING for you. I'll tell you where to find the music, and how you can buy itÉand hopefully, all this information will, somehow, LEAK OUTÉto our favorite radio station's owners/managers. Maybe they'll even decide to take a chanceÉnow and thenÉand PLAY some of it ! Ya think?? So, here we goÉ..for better or worseÉÉÉ."an independent view" !!

Written By: Linda Fryer
LFryer1324@aol.com