Internet radio (also known as web radio, net radio, streaming radio and e-radio) is an audio service transmitted via the Internet. Music streaming on the Internet is usually referred to as webcasting since it is not transmitted broadly through wireless means. In 2003, revenue from online streaming music radio was US$49 million. By 2006, that figure rose to US$500 million. I love listening to online radio stations like Jazz FM and BBC Radio 1. The former play jazz classics and funk from yesteryear, and new releases from acclaimed artists like Aileen Hunter, Diana Krall, Mica Paris, Rozalla Miller, Amy Whinehouse and the list goes on. The latter play pop chart material. So as you can see, by tuning in to these two stations I get a pretty rounded supply of great music…Music that I love to listen to. If you’re pretty much like me and want to break away and listen to a playlist on the radio that you yourself compiled, the good news is you can now create your own Internet radio station and get to share that with all your friends. It’s a fun way to play the music that you like, when you like, and to reminisce and share that with people you know.

Whilst browsing Internet radio Jango recently, I ran into 80s pop star Stephanie Mills (a childhood friend of Michael Jackson). I hadn’t heard nor seen Stephanie in years…well, since the 80s. It was a pleasant surprise. Better yet, I discovered she had a new single out, “Yesterday”, a cover of The Beatles classic. An amazing guitar and voice rendition! I was so impressed I went and bought her new single on Amazon MP3. And obviously, that track has been added to my very own Jango station where I can listen to it, along with a bunch of other songs that I like, whenever I like.

How to find a station that works in your location? Be warned, I recently discovered Pandora has barred certain countries citing reasons appertaining to copyright laws. Another element to be considered is the speed of your internet connection. Some countries have a slow connection – hence, if you pick a radio station that takes ages to load, chances are you’ll not enjoy the experience.

Once you’ve found the station you like…and one that works well in your area, it’s time to spread the word to all your friends. Most online radio stations (like I know Jango do) will allow you to post the track you’re currently listening to on Twitter in real time. And you can do the same on FaceBook too.

It is also a great way to discover new music by undiscovered artists, as a number of online radio stations geared to this market allow new artists to upload their music to the station and to be included on the radio’s playlist. In some cases a small fee is levied to the artist, however, that puts a new artist on rotation along with major artists compiled according to genre-a great way, also, for artists to pick up new fans from around the world with whom they can actually communicate through the sites’ fan mailing list application. So the next time you want to listen to new music you wouldn’t here on commercial radio, consider Internet radio. You’ll be glad you did.

Joett is a UK-trained vocal coach and pop recording artist based in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. His music can be heard on Internet radio Jango and downloaded from iTunes and Amazon MP3 via the site. For regular updates visit his blog at: www.joettmusic.com

Joett is a UK-trained vocal coach and pop recording artist based in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. His music can be heard on Internet radio Jango (http://www.jango.com/music/Joett) and downloaded from iTunes and Amazon MP3 via the site. For regular updates visit his blog at: http://www.joettmusic.com

Author Bio: Joett is a UK-trained vocal coach and pop recording artist based in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. His music can be heard on Internet radio Jango and downloaded from iTunes and Amazon MP3 via the site. For regular updates visit his blog at: www.joettmusic.com

Category: Entertainment
Keywords: internet radio, online radio,web radio, net radio, streaming radio