´óÏó´«Ã½

His cricket, his formula 1 team and indeed his private jet. What exactly does Scotland get out of this? Is he sponsoring anything in Scotland?

He loves motor racing so how about him sponsoring some of that in Scotland. It wouldn't cost him a fortune (probably less than running his jet) but would make a huge difference to all those amateur and mainly self funded drivers that turn up to race at Knockhill every month.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

As someone who has never downloaded music and has not bought any in at least a decade, I am glad to see music returning to something driven by a direct interaction between artists and "consumers" (a.k.a. "real people").

Music should never really have been an "industry" with moguls exerting their power to package and present to the world whatever they feel is good - and make massive profits from doing so (which means excessive costs to the consumer).

Music is an art form and the recorded form of the product, however popular, is best out of the hands of business types.

Artists will want to be protected of course, but if they can sell their wares at a sensible price then people will buy it to support artists whose work they like.

Also, if the price is reasonable most people will want to avoid any legal ramifications by paying 10p to download a track whereas in the old model where you're expected to pay £13 to buy a CD with maybe 13 tracks on it (most of which are pure filler that you wouldn't buy if you could help it) there is a strong case for taking a stand against a system that is clearly filling the pockets of all sorts of middle men and forcing people to pay for vast swathes of mediocre music.

It was a situation just begging for people to take a stand, to find an alternative way of doing things - and they have and good luck to them.

Hey Scamp: Maybe Vijay could sponsor some sunshine for Knockhill, only seen a couple of good days an a heap of years :-)

"I'd bet on the production of an Edwardian-style 'Shackleton' whisky on the market, just as soon as it can be distilled and matured."

He could call it; Shackleton's Formula One.

#3 chris911t

"Music should never really have been an "industry" with moguls exerting their power to package and present to the world whatever they feel is good - and make massive profits from doing so (which means excessive costs to the consumer)."

I have felt that way for decades. When CDs came out the price, in comparison with cassettes, was more expensive and yet, it was much more cheaper to produce. Again we had the 'industry' ripping off the consumer. It was no wonder that people started to 'rip' their own music. The 'industry' only had themselves to blame their drive to maximise their profits has led to the growth of pirate sites. Personally, I would be happy to pay the artist but I am loath to pay the huge profits to an 'industry' which has been treating us (and the artists) in such a despicable fashion.

Douglas,

Sorry once again, but as Brian's blog is closed, I'll add my comment here (is does affect the economy).

Interesting article in the Telegraph today about the true cost of PFI. It's compared to "loan shark" proportions.

The total capital value [must be in England and Wales] is £56 billion. The total cost to the taxpayer will be £229 billion.

This is just one of Labour's many legacies.

We cannot afford Labour.

Neither can your children or grandchildren and that is their legacy as things stand

The problem for young emerging artists is that, if you do not have the backing of "the industry", it is almost impossible to get your songs played on the ´óÏó´«Ã½.
...but I have faith in youth, they will rebel and go underground and attempts to push soulless manufactured ditties will fail.
I went to a lot of the celtic connections shows and it was good to see the following that many young Scottish artists have amassed without the help of mainstream media.