After nearly two years of development, rocker/digital entrepreneur Todd Rundgren has debuted his alternative method of distributing music on the Internet. Rundgren has launched PatroNet, a new type of online entertainment company selling subscriptions that will initially allow fans to access his new songs and music as he creates them, on a day-and-date basis. Rundgren will solicit other musicians for the service once the commercial viability of the subscription model is established. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the company's principals are hoping to approach the Artist (formerly known as Prince), Cheap Trick, and Alice Cooper, among others, to join the site.
PatroNet's strength is that it allows subscribers to follow the creative process as it happens. For example, if Rundgren records a tune or adds an overdub to a song, he will upload the piece to the site, from which subscribers could then download it.
Subscriptions to the service will cost $25-$60, depending on how many of the available extras -- including access to chat rooms and video options -- are ordered. The service's inducement site can be viewed at www.tr-i.com.
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