BigChampagne is Watching

Record labels routinely point out that Online file swapping is hurting the music industry. But they've also found it to be very useful as a tool for consumer research. Today, we'll look at BigChampane, a unique company that conducts marketing research by monitoring file-sharing networks. CEO and co-founder Eric Garland joins us. We'll also get a different perspective on file-sharing from Geoff Mayfield, the director of charts and a senior analyst for Billboard magazine. Also on the show: So a composer writes a new piece for symphony orchestra that attracts lots of audience buzz and critics are raving. But the work fails to catch on with other orchestras and that early excitement quickly fades. New York Times critic Allan Kozinn recently wrote a provocative column explaining the challenges facing contemporary music at America's big orchestras, and he joins us today to look at some specific examples. Finally, we spotlight a new initiative by the MusiCares Foundation to provide money for music people affected by Hurricane Katrina.