Guest Author - Previous Emerging Music Host

Most music listeners are content to sample only what commercial radio stations offer. Make no mistake; there is some really good stuff out there among those who are “making it in the biz.” However, with very little digging, you can find music that you love and can’t wait to add to your CD collection. There are some great websites where you can sample new music. This week, we’ll look at 3 such places, MyTexasMusic.com, MP3.com and CDBaby.com.

Many people believe that everything in Texas twangs. Having been a resident of Houston, TX for nearly 12 years, I can only support that comment insofar as its native food goes. When it comes to music, Texas is rich in variety and style. On MyTexasMusic.com, you’ll find obscure genres like Folk-Jazz, which describes the work of one of their Platinum Select Artists, Stephen Jamail While you will find good ol’ rockin’ Honky Tonk, like JD Faron & The Lost Texas Band, you will also find ska! Check out Secret Agent 8. To hear samplings, visit MyTexasMusic’s MP3.com Radio station (see related links).

Speaking of MP3.com... I must admit it is one of my guilty pleasures. A great way to use this site is Go Local (http://golocal.mp3.com/). You can put in your location and find artists whose music you can sample and then plan to hear live at a music venue near you! You can purchase MP3.com created CDs, as well as find valuable information about artists you've never heard of, but want to know. MP3.com is also a great way to learn about the different genres of music, so when your kid tells you about the latest “hip-hop/rap shoutout” hit, you’ll have some idea what that might sound like. I recently clicked on World Music/Fusion (http://genres.mp3.com/music/world_folk/world_fusion/) and found some really great relaxing music to chill out by.

Another great place to sample new music is CDBaby.com. Many emerging artists struggle with distribution channels. Most of the big retail music stores aren’t interested until they find you intere$ting. Independent artists have found a friend in CDBaby. Clicking on their “browse” function is much like visiting a top of the line music store without getting out of your jammies. You can look (at album artwork), listen to sample cuts from artists who are playing the style of music you listen to, or even find artists that are performing in your area. When you buy from CDBaby, most of the money you pay goes directly to the artist, so than can keep doing what they love and you can keep enjoying their music!

Have you found a great place to find mostly undiscovered music? E-mail me and tell me where!