It's hard to discount myspace as a musician/songwriter seeking to promote oneself. The phishing scams are unfortunate, and should be avoidable if one is vigilant and knows what to look for.

I am on myspace daily and have over 400 friends for my band so far. With very little attempt to attract listeners, I have somehow attracted over 3,000 visits to my page and over 4,000 'listens' to my little home demos. I think this is quite amazing and wonderful. Thousands of people from around the world have listened to my songs - I can't imagine how I could have accomplished that with so little effort in any other way.

Virtually every major recording artist has a myspace site, and I can't imagine any stand-alone website receiving the same level of unsolicited traffic as one can have on myspace. I am a music junkie and when I read record reviews of new records, my first visit is to myspace to sample the artist's music.

I have read many bulletins from the myspace people expressing their concern about the phishers and scammers and stating their policies to eradicate them. I have seen evidence of them working on this problem (accounts being revoked, etc.).

Boycotting myspace because of the handfull of idiots out there seems akin to boycotting New York City, for example, because they have too much crime. Its not the city so much as it is the few weasels trying to take short cuts.

Myspace is Like New York, Nashville, Lodon, LA, Sydney, Paris, Tokyo &c. all rolled into one. Avoiding myspace as a musician/band/artist is really shooting yourself in the foot.

When a band or artist invites you to be their friend on myspace, its either because they want you to come and have a listen to their music, or perhaps its because they like your music and want to remember you or perhaps wear you like something of a badge on on their list of top friends.

I have invited several artists to be my friend because I like them and I am always surprised when other artists turn down requests for myspace 'friendship' from other bands and artists - we listen to music too....

Myspace is certainly not perfect. I have had several technical issues with them and it seems vitually impossible to contact them. However, at this point in time, I cannot imagine trying to make a concerted effort at getting your music out there without using myspace. I would recommend you reconsider.

And to you other artists out there, open up and accept requests for friends, its either people who like your music or think you might like theirs. Give them a chance in the same spirit as you would like to be given the chance.