Remember that radio stations are only using the airwaves with the permission of the population and the money of their advertisers.

Threaten the companies who buy "airtime" and get your voice heard.

-T

And that's why Clear Channel and their ilk are losing listeners at an unprecedented rate to satellite and HD Radio providers. The forcing down the public's throat of another's political agenda has no place on the public airwaves. Whatever happened to one of the most basic premises of a democratic society, I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it (to paraphrase). Our current political climate seems to be steering us inexorably to a national state of mind which sanitizes everything we hear, see, or read through a political cheesecloth, such that by definition, if you disagree with the politics of the owners of corporate America, you are, by definition, wrong. Whatever happened to freedom of speech?

If this is absolute -- I'll no longer listen to any Clear stations -- I mean, The Boss!! Who the hell do they think they are???

You know that's not true, don't you?? According to a host on Air America, a Clear Channel station, no such edict has come down. In fact, they played Bruce just to show that they could.
This is apparently another FOX faux.

"classic rock stations, which by definition are stations that play old music."

Not necessarily. I'm in the Boston area and most New England classic rock stations play a mix of old and new stuff from musicians and artists considered "classic rock." So, you get a mix that includes stuff like Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, as well as artists still putting out music like U2 and Springsteen.

Anyway, if this was just a case of ClearChannel trying to remind their stations that they can't play new music from classic rock artists, then I imagine, considering the controversy created in the past, that the note would have stated the directive was because it is new music. Also, if this is a longstanding policy of ClearChannel's (to not play new music by classic rock artists on classic rock radio), then wouldn't their station program directors already be aware of the policy and not need a reminder note?

Granted, it's all circumstantial, but based on the evidence available, as well as ClearChannel's recent history, I don't really have a problem believing they're trying to censor the album, or at least certain tracks. Do I know for sure? No, but it's really not that much of a stretch. Personally, I hope there are a few program directors and deejays who ignore the order.

I don't need to hear the Boss's songs in advance, I'll buy his records anyway.

Clear Channel's policy makes it that much easier to ignore a medium that long ago sold itself down the HeadRush Pillbaugh path. These ears will be listening to the Boss, and not the radio.

Support the Boss and his right to free speach. BUY THE ALBUM.

a quote from a reliable source at a local Clear Channel affiliate:

Unfortunately when you are a big corporate giant it comes with a target on your back... This is totally fabricated, in fact our company does not issue any company wide "do no play" orders. For instance, when the Dixie Chicks had their issues, it was up to the local program directors to make the choice whether they wanted to play them or not.

If you remember, Bruce had an album preview of "Magic" on every Clear Channel rock format station's website. AND, we aired an hour long clear channel exclusive special for the release.

I hope that helps explain why you are still hearing all the great Springsteen music -old and new- on Clear Channel stations nationwide!

Anyone who is against Springsteen will be sorted out by me!

The right wing's "attack machine" is always ready to be sicced on Celebrities who dare criticize, satirize or ridicule Bush.

They risk becoming a target, like the "DIXIE CHICKS". What they went through served as a warning to every Music Artist: "SHUT UP & SING!"

Remember the menacing GANG of Republican Bullies who descended on Florida during the RECOUNT in 2000? They were flown down in the ENRON Corporate Jet, according to HBO's new "RECOUNT", a great Documentary.

The Republicans have LEGIONS of these thuggish Bullies they can unleash on their political enemies. Blue-Haired, scary right-wing WOMEN they can unleash, too! Think of an Army of Barbara Bush clones!

Fortunately, Republicans know only SOME "targets" can be attacked, while OTHERS are really "Off Limits" to the kind of direct, VICIOUS attacks we witnessed against the DIXIE CHICKS.

They ruthlessly attacked Natalie Main of the Dixie Chicks, but THEY DIDN"T DARE attack & go after DOLLY PARTON!! Because she is a Country Music ICON, by God!

And, they didn't attack & go after FAITH HILL & her Country Music husband, what's his name (sorry, not a fan of country!) even though they ALSO have publicly criticized BUSH, especially his handling of the IRAQ WAR!

After DOLLY PARTON made her comments on several T.V. programs that I saw, not ONCE did I hear ONE PEEP from the Right-Wing Attack Machine!

That, to me, is the most fascinating thing about the whole "SHUT UP & SING" ugly nasty saga over the past long years of the Bush presidency & the Iraq War.