um, looks like Prince aint learned his lesson
it's time for the real Prince fans sans Prince Fags
to stand up and let him now
what the people want, the members of the NPGMC
want
this has to stop
http://www.freemyheart.com/_ohdrama.txt
why whould Prince and the NPG police attempt to shut down the biggest prince fag on the internet?
ohh, i bet he is scared
lol
Rise Rainbow Children
that is what he said
more info on the protest coming

MarcusGarvey said:

Douchebag.

-L

Is the protest back on?

Leighsa--ur pretty

(WTF is this guy talking about?)

I be back with more info
time for some action up in this bitch

MarcusGarvey said:

Let's mobilize people!

2the9s said:

Uh-oh.

"From: NPG Music Club
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 00:38
To: Abuse
Cc: FreeMyHeart.com
Subject: illegal use of Prince music

Hello

This is the official website for Prince emailing you because one of your users:

(edit: me)

Is posting illegal bootlegged music by Prince on his/her site here:

(edit: the location of the current mp3 download)

This is a clear violation of Prince's copyright.
We demand it be removed and any other unauthorized Prince music.
We have been informed that this user posts illegal MP3 files on a regular basis.

Love4oneanother,
The NPG Music Club
www.NPGMusicClub.com
+ + + + + + + + + + + + +
---
From: FreeMyHeart.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 02:33
To: 'NPG Music Club'; 'Abuse'
Subject: RE: Illegal use of Prince music

To Whom It May Concern.

This reply is for the sole purpose on educating you on the difference between
what I am doing (sharing, non-profit), and what a bootlegger does (sell, profit.)
The main difference in what I am doing and what a bootlegger does is purpose.
What is my purpose? To introduce someone to Prince's brilliant guitar playing,
or whatever that song might be highlighting. What is a bootlegger's purpose?
To make a profit at the expense of an artist's fanbase. If you can't see this,
then please, read on.

As you already know, the entire week of June's celebration is being sold illegally
by bootleggers in Europe. Prince's admirers, the ones who already paid Prince $350
to go to these shows, are paying a lot of money to have official bootleg copies of
this material. Why? Because Prince doesn't take the initiative and release this
material through his music club. So unless someone pays at least $350 if they're a
member, or at least $700 if they're a non-member to go to these concerts, Prince
doesn't want this material ever heard? Is he really that naive?

Nearly every performance of Prince's from the past 20 years has been taped and
shared by admirers of his. Why? Because unlike his "Free The Music" promise/bullshit
message of 1995, he's as guilty as the bootleggers for taking his loyal fanbase
for all that he can get. Therefore, admirers of his continue to record his
concerts and share them freely. Yes, there are those that are out there that intend
to profit from those private recordings of his public performances. I agree that
those people should be stopped. It is why I do not put up the entire full-length
concerts, nor share them (in full form) with people with people I don't trust.
Unlike bootleggers, it's quite obvious that I am not one of those people out there
to profit from Prince's abilities. I simply put these songs up to introduce folks
(again) to him. Not everyone has seen him live. Most everyone (short of the sheep
Prince refers to as fams) believes that what Prince has been putting out since 1988
disguised as records is in fact actually subpar passionless material surrounding one
or two great songs (if that) per release.

In short, until my Internet Service Provider says "No," or until I receive a judge's
decision that says "No," I will continue doing what Prince promised in 1995 by
freeing the music in a non-profit format. My putting up a track or two a day of
unreleased material for the 500 people that visit FreeMyHeart.com per day isn't going
to harm Prince financially in any way whatsoever. In fact, I put up a link for folks
to support Prince by purchasing his most recent album. I understand his need to control
everything, but that is simply not, nor will it ever be possible. His continual glaring
lack of vision in this is surprising. (Not to mention disappointing -- coming from
someone who buys everything that Prince makes available at Tower Records. Yes, even
the God awful 1999 Remaster CD.)

Apparently Prince has not researched why the Grateful Dead are one of the most popular
bands of all-time. It was not because of their stellar performances (for which Prince
is well known for). It was not for their popular recordings/videos (they rarely released
any videos, and their official releases rarely made Billboard's charts.) Perhaps it's
time Prince should begin looking into why they were so incredibly successful financially.
Their admirers. They allowed their fans to *share* tapings of their live performances,
because they were intelligent enough to realize that they'd become even bigger fans and
spend even *more* of their income on Grateful Dead products, than if they'd sicced their
lawyers on every admirer who used the official Grateful Dead logo on their website, or
whine to ISP's about users that share a great performance of a song, or sue fanzines that
clearly love & respect them as artists. Not to shabby for a bunch of hippies.

Consider this before I go.
If given the choice, what do you think Prince's admirers would rather have? (This includes
current members of the NPG Music Club.)

A $100 yearly subscription to a members only club that has been known on a regular basis
not fulfill and/or mislead (see NPG Magazine, Crystal Ball, etc.)
OR
A 6-CD set of performances from the Celebration that costs $100 where they know exactly
what they're getting. (Meaning no chance of disappointment.) Current members would be
offered the chance for a full refund to their current subscription (they'd have to return
the One Nite Alone CD) to have this incredible unofficial 6-CD set.

Then, after you've realized the obvious answer to that question, you should take advantage
of that by putting up the following note on your graphic intensive/zero content website:
"Since you've been downloading the tracks from the Celebration from FreeMyHeart.com and
other websites, you didn't have to spend the $100 to buy a bootleg copy. Why not sign up
for another year with that $100 you saved?" (Feel free to rewrite/edit that with the
Prince-speak gibberish that a 44 year old man has no business using.)

Lastly, I want you to know that even if I stop putting up these songs, that admirers will
ALWAYS share Prince's music. It is simply Prince's bad business (lack of common) sense in
not realizing this and making these (and past) shows available for purchase through the NPGMC.

I've carbon copied this reply to the Hendrix estate & a contact that I have with Joni
Mitchell, to let them know that Prince was the sole person that profited from their music
recently. (By releasing Jimi's "Machine Gun" (renamed "Habibi") and Joni's "A Case Of You"
through his members only music club. My bet is that they've not received one cent of
royalties that they are within rights to having, since that material was only available to
folks that purchased them through selling $100 memberships to Prince's NPGMC music club.)
This is completely unnecessary though. Karma comes back around. When Prince's karma comes
around, it will be in the name of the Internal Revenue Service.

Thank you for your time,
Matthew
---
Not included in this response to the NPGMC email was the fact that I've only received
complaints from two sources about the songs that I've been putting up since early 2001.
Prince's NPGMC and Maverick Records. I could give a fuck about either of their views on
this matter, since neither of them respect those that put the food on their tables.
People like you and I.

CDs are still pricefixed in the $18.99 range. And since Prince became "free" from his
contract with Warner Bros, he has taken the stance to charge his once loyal fanbase
as much as he possibly can to see him perform when he has nobody to pay but himself and
a handful of people around him (unlike bands such as the Rolling Stones & U2 who charge
less and have to pay more people.)

For once upon a time artists like Prince, and corporations like Maverick/AOL/Time Warner,
it's about that bottom dollar. Being "#1 at the bank," and looking good to the stockholders.

Somewhere, someone forgot about the art, and why people like you and I spend our hard earned
money on records by Prince and artists at Maverick/AOL/Time Warner in the first place.
---
From: Protected
Subject: The NPGMC letter
Sent: Wed Aug 14 3:51am

Hi,

I've read the letter from the NPGMC and your response, and I must say that can try to
understand Prince's point of view, I think you're right. I mean, in concert, on record,
he is a damn genius. And I think when the people are at his concerts or the celebration
he really has a deep connection to them. But the way he runs things besides that, I cannot
understand. He knows that we'd love to have some live stuff here and there or some vault
songs. It's not gonna hurt him in any way, it will just make us a little happy and make us
join again next year.

I enjoy all the downloads from you and really like your site, thank you!

peace
---
From: A friend
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 06:47
To: FreeMyHeart.com
Subject: RE: illegal use of Prince music

what's up with that???

I can understand an artist not wanting certain things to be released. We know how he
feels about this, but not everyone can be a member of his club or pay the ticket price
to go see him...it is a far cry from seeing b. at $12-25 a head.
---
From: Frank
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 07:38
To: FreeMyHeart.com
Subject: FMH - Comment

Just finished reading your reply to the letter from the NPGMC Machine & I gotta agree.
He does make it hard to show the love don't he?

Damn. 'Lack of common sense' is, like you said, the best way to explain Mr Nelson's attitude... "

sag10 said:

people do know how to click on the link
ok

Nep2nes said:

Marcus -- dude do you really have a hard on for Prince that much that you are soliciting recruits against Prince/Prince's club?

There's no need for protest. if people are really that unhappy STOP SPENDING MONEY ON PRINCE.

Hasn't anyone ever heard the first rule of economics? SUPPLY AND DEMAND...

and this goes out to Prince as well. If people are stealing your stuff bro, wouldnt it make more sense for you to release it BEFORE they do and get what is due to you?


Ya'll invest way too much time and energy into Prince's affairs.

And as for the letter from FreeMyHeart... It was well written and has validity... but know Prince is only picking on you (via Sam, I'm sure) because he can't get to Sabotage and other bootleggers. He should save his breath and energy and put it into remastering his shit and put it out on his own.

before he becomes the Tupac and Elvis of our day and Mani gets the bulk of the estate to do with as she pleases.

knock on wood!
[This message was edited Wed Aug 14 11:14:02 PDT 2002 by nLA]

MarcusGarvey said:

shut up already. i read that correspondence, just let him release stuff at his own speed and respect him as an artist. If U hate the club then don't join again. $100 isn't THAT large a sum of money. if P doesn't want U give free downloads or whatever, then don't do it. he makes the music, not U. it's called respect.

I feel a storm brewin'.

MarcusGarvey said:

Peace Marcus:

Look, I can understand your frustration, but if u truely want to make changes, coming from anger and emotion isn't going to get it. You have to have an effective game plan and have a very clear message and be organized. Take it from me, protests aren't very effective any more, more than anything they are counter-productive.

You can have a "demonstration" but make it pro-active, don't call it a protest, that brings in negativity.. Sit down and really figure out what your "issues" are and what your demands are and present them in a professional way.

Please don't "flame" me, I am just trying to be supportive of your point of view, but I have much experience in the field of demonstrating and I want u to be successful and victorious in your endeavors. I think alot of people would like to see some changes with the music club, but negativity isn't going to bring them to the table to support your cause, only effective organizing will...Good Luck...

Support a band like U2 instead.

Let's mobilize people![/quote]

[/quote]

Prince has really brainwashed a few wierdos on this site.
please stop throwing Prince lyrics out
lol

FREE NAT TURNER :FRO:

Gotta love that last paragraph of M's reply.

These are just some of my thoughts. I'm not saying anything one way or the other.

I think it is very easy for an artist to become invisible. Having an underground keeps that artist visible when he/she is not releasing stuff. I think it is a compliment. I think it actually can help an artist see what the fanbase wants without paying someone to speculate what they want. No bootlegs are ever going to be as well done or as entertaining as what the artist puts out themself. There are many fans that have material they shouldn't. Does it stop them from buying material that is released? NO< they are collectors. I think taking something (anything) w/out permission is unethical. But is there any chance that this can be turned around into something good is what I am wondering...

Keeping your $100 in your pocket is probably the most effective form of "protest" - if you want to call it that.

Whatever.

As far as NPGMC goes, I think they will realise that they cannot tell us what we want to listen to or deliver the goods this late when half as many people join next year.

Half the members I know wont be signing up for a second year & I know NPGMC will be in for a big shock when they sit down & check next years pay check.

I didn't join this year.Cause i learned from last year.
You can kick me in the balls once.After that i'm covering them up and you'll have to kick me in the head.

MarcusGarvey said:

---

If you want to protest why don't you just not buy any thing from Mr.Nelson. In fact do us all a big favor and stop coming to this site. You are the biggest asshole on this site. It is Prince's music not Marcus Garvery's or the owner of Free My Heart.Com. Show some respect !!! I am sure that in time Mr.Nelson will release some live CD's. However, if a artist wants to move ahead they cannot do so by releashing 100 live recordings.
Prince is well within his rights to request that the downloads be removed. The owner of the site does not have to listen. However, I hope that when legal action is taken agaisnt the owner of the site we are not all going to hear the bitch fest from the owner. If you do something like this you will have to deal with the fall out.

.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 2 5:42:49 PDT 2002 by suomynona]

I hate to sound selfish but does that mean I cant get those wonderful downloads anymore??

I understand your grievance and I ask you this...when you put up the tracks for people to hear (and download) was it followed by a statement

that said

Then it would have been clear to anyone what your intention was. Furthermore, if he asked for royalties (which he would be entitled to do) would you be willing to pay them or so equally as willing to distribute them (his songs) FREEly?

I understand your feelings and your points. However, I once again ask, did you make your intention clear when you made music you do not OWN right or title to available to the public? Did you really think about what you were saying to a non-honest person with your actions against copyright law?

The music is HIS, and regardless of the validity of your claims, he has every right to police its distribution how ever HE sees fit. To protest a man for expressing his wishes to music HE OWNS is an oxymoron of a stance.

Flame me if you will, hate me if you must but, it is only my opinion - nothing more...

Peace.

laurarichardson said:

I think you missed the point...completely.

.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 2 5:43:16 PDT 2002 by suomynona]

Is it "SAM" thats running NPGMC right now? If it is, how much does any one wanna bet he got a set of boots up in hizzouse right now?

I may be new, but I know a few thangs.

M - its P's music, and I believe you respect that by not selling it. Obviously if they force you to lock it down, then so be it...

I hope you dont dismiss the genius because of the madness.. lol.