Art Reblitz' points about the radio and the demise of the player piano
can't help but remind me of a phenomenon we're currently experiencing
in the music industry.  Remember that radio was also a source of "free"
music and entertainment?  Unlike rolls and records, once the radio
owner had the hardware, the software [the music] was free!  Anyone for
Napster and MP3 players?

Ed Chaban

 [ The music is free to listen to, because the radio broadcast stations
 [ pay broadcast license fees to the song owners.  Tavern owners also
 [ pay license fees to the song owners for songs played on CDs and phono
 [ records.  The court has ruled that Napster must pay fees at the song
 [ owners request, in a similar fashion as the radio stations.  Earlier
 [ courts ruled that piano rolls (and hence MIDI files) of songs fall
 [ under the same rules as every other recording medium.  Anyone for
 [ a lawsuit?  (Can you tell I'm a musician?  ;-)  -- Robbie