From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!floyd!whuxlb!eisx!npoiv!houxm!ihnp4!ixn5c!inuxc!pchris
Newsgroups: net.music
Title: Re: A Query on MTV - (nf)
Article-I.D.: inuxc.676
Posted: Thu May 12 16:05:05 1983
Received: Thu May 19 04:33:10 1983
References: rochester.1563


As for the lack of music by black artists on MTV, Maurice White of
Earth, Wind, and Fire and Rick James have accused MTV of racism.
They both make a valid point--there are black ROCK musicians who
have produce videos of more than sufficient quality to merit inclusion
on the network. It's interesting to note that MTV's initial reaction--
"our format doesn't lend itself to showing that kind of music"(to
paraphase)--has been succeeded by their showing videos by Prince, 
the Bus Boys, and Michael Jackson.  Hopefully others will follow.
The USA Cable Network's "Nite Flight" show has a more liberal format
and much more interesting presentation. They mix videos from a wider
range of artists with interviews and concerts.  I know this sounds
somewhat similar to MTV, but "Nite Flight" runs for only 4 hours
Friday night, then is repeated again in its entirety later in the
weekend.    

                                                 Phil Fair
                                                 ABI/Indy