CD Baby Refund: An Act of Godliness?

By Chad Lagrone, Devil Entertainment (more articles from this author) 2003-11-25

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CDbaby has created a lot of avenues for Indie Artists, for this I stand and applaud! I have been following CD Baby for years both as a shopper and industry professional. Derek Silvers has offered an additional stepping-stone for Indie Artists, and for this I hope for his continued success in all of his current and future endeavors.

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We have all been spectators and/or supporters of CD Baby during the "contract" drama that did more harm to the writer then anyone. Now we stand and watch the amazing (or maybe not so) choice that Derek has decided to refund over 200k that has been paid by artists for Cdbaby's electronic distribution. I have to nod my head and say, "Derek, what are you thinking?" Obviously this refund should happen because in Derek's own words he over-promised, but did this have to become a media blitz affair?

This choice made by CD Baby is the only ethical choice there could be to make under the circumstances; it was not a choice to show their belief in the Indie Artist. (We know they have that). CD Baby made statements that they could not deliver on and in return did what was expected, returned the money. Not a show of godliness, just plain and simple it was a choice of ethics and what should be expected.

The recent flood of articles expressing how awesome of a choice this was just leaves me floored. Recently I read an article from an Indie musician who states she was "near tears" and "wow" for this choice. She goes on about how she supports CD Baby and her long time friendship with Derek, I thought cool she has a link to her site! As I browsed this musicians site I decided to check out her "Buy Now" page, damned if she does not even sell on CD Baby or have their logo ANYWHERE on her site. I surfed over to CD Baby and searched for her name and album title, nothing. The only reason I bring up this article is because it continues to damned people who write articles as a source of notoriety and fame. Her website address is listed 3 times in her article, but yet can not find the time to link to her close and long time friends company. Looks like a grasp at publicity to me!

Bottom line is the refund had to be made, and maybe everyone should stop and think of the consequences of making empty promises.

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