What’s the first thing you want to do when you hear a track you like on the radio?

OWN IT!

But "I’m With The Band" just came out TODAY! (And funny how it has as many MySpace plays as the Eagles song that’s been out for days.) And it’s too soon to STEAL IT!

Oh, you can’t buy it either. Hell, iTunes doesn’t even put up tracks that are ALREADY commercially released (just consult our expert, Al Kooper). And, it takes a few days for someone to record the MySpace or homepage stream before it appears P2P, especially if it’s not a monster act.

But I fired up my P2P program anyway. Nada.

And I’m thinking of alternatives. Hype Machine?

And frustrated that I have to keep pushing play on the MySpace page, listening at a volume sure to piss off my neighbors, wanting to own the damn MP3 so I can listen on my iPod, I start reading Little Big Town’s homepage. And that’s where I see the band is giving away the single FOR FREE!

But I click and click and can’t find it. And I’m frustrated.

But then I realized the twenty four hours they’re giving it away starts FRIDAY! Then I realize on the east coast, IT’S ALREADY FRIDAY!

Finally, clickability appears.

Turns out you’ve got to register for the band’s site. What a bunch of bullshit that is. Don’t you think I’ll give you my e-mail address if I want to? But why would I do that, when I can return to your page whenever I desire information, which is why you need constant updates. We PULL information. We don’t want to be spammed. My inbox is cluttered enough.

And they want my MOBILE NUMBER! What, is one of the band members gonna CALL ME?

But, either through ineptitude, or a desire not to be completely heinous, the band doesn’t require a legitimate e-mail address, they don’t e-mail you a code, they don’t require authorization.

So I just made up a name and password. And took the track.

It’s an unprotected MP3. Ripped at 160 kbps.

What a concept, band gives away its new track! Talk about creating excitement! Where were the Eagles when this idea was in the marketplace? Want to create excitement, for a day or weekend? Legendary band GIVES AWAY THEIR MUSIC!

Oops, that’s Prince.

Anyway, it’s just a track. A taste. And, the only people hip enough to know it’s available are FANS! And that’s who you want to satiate, FANS! Fans are going to buy the album ANYWAY! And they’re the ones who will pay SCALPERS to sit up close! Do everything you can to maintain, to strengthen the bond with your fans.

It’s a new era. Don’t play by the old rules. Embrace technology. Now it’s easier than ever to blow up. IF YOU’RE GOOD!

Because if you’re good, people will find you and tell EVERYBODY THEY KNOW ABOUT YOU!

Like me. I haven’t been paid a red cent by the band, their label or anybody involved. I’ve just been writing on and on about Little Big Town because I LOVE THEIR MUSIC!

What a concept!

It’s ridden shotgun with me all over the world. It’s rooted me. It’s kept me happy. We’ve got memories together. Not images on a screen, but the mental movies created when I was walking the streets of Vancouver, doing back exercises on the floor in Vail. We’re TOGETHER!

And to get a fresh hit! Whew!

Like I said, "I’m With The Band" is not legendary. But, it’s got the harmonies, the essence of the Eagles’ "Seven Bridges Road". And I can’t get enough of that sweet honesty.

So go to littlebigtown.com.  And about five inches down the page, in the white box, you’ll see one of two messages, they change. Wait until the words say "Click Here For A Free Download", then CLICK! (Actually, you can click when it says "Little Big Town New Single, I’m With The Band" too…) On the resulting page, click on the bottom box, where it says "Download ‘I’m With The Band’ Single Free".

When you click to download, it’ll ask for your username and password. Use fads@aol.com, the fake one I just entered. As for the password, use "bullshit", because that’s what I think this system is.

Or, you can create your own fake e-mail address.

There are too many hoops here. I’d say to make the single free forever. But this is a step in the right direction. You want people to not only hear your music, but OWN IT! You don’t want them to think it’s only about the money. You want them to BELIEVE YOU’RE THEY’RE FRIEND!

Once again, to save the song on a Mac, click on "Download ‘I’m With The Band’" on the resulting screen after you enter in your username and password WHILE YOU’RE HOLDING DOWN THE CONTROL KEY! From the pop-up menu, choose "Download Linked File". All these steps might seem daunting, but a fan knows them all. Or buys the track ANYWAY!