The Syracuse New Times

Yesterday, The Syracuse New Times published its 50th anniversary issue. No, it wasn't the one you see above, with Dana & Carl on the cover. But it was a special issue nonetheless, commemorating an illustrious five-decade run as Syracuse's weekly alternative newspaper.

It was also the final free SNT. Starting next week, ya gotta pay for what you get. It's worth it to me. Yesterday I sent The Syracuse New Times $52 to cover the cost of a one-year subscription. If you live in the Syracuse area, I recommend you do the same.

Why? Because content is not free. Content shouldn't be free. That may seem like a strange statement coming from someone who operates a free daily blog, but honestly, if you like what you read here, you should be paying me, too. You should certainly be willing to pay for local reporting, local news, local arts and entertainment coverage. Because if you don't support it, it goes away. And we would all be the poorer for that, much poorer than the debit of a mere $52 flyin' outta the wallet.

I don't have any current affiliation with The Syracuse New Times. I freelanced for SNT a long time ago, but I've also occasionally been pissed off at the New Times, too. That's okay. Whatever quarrels I've ever had with editorial decisions at The Syracuse New Times, they're insignificant compared with the certainty of how much I would miss SNT if it wasn't there for me each and every week.

My first issue of The Syracuse New Times predates the free era anyway; a copy cost something like fifty cents when I was drawn to a cover featuring DC Comics superheroes, staring back at me on the rack at Van Patten's Grocery Store in North Syracuse some time in the mid '70s. Had to have it. I don't remember anything about it now, but it was the start of a long and often hot 'n' heavy relationship.

When I was a college student in the late '70s, my interest in all things punk rock drew me to the New Times, with its coverage of The Flashcubes, The Ohms, The Poptarts, and all of the other bright lights of the then-bourgeoning Syracuse new wave scene. I went to school elsewhere, but The Syracuse New Times was one of my essential tethers to all of the fantastic music being made in my home town. Plus, it was free by then. When I returned to Syracuse in the late '80s, the SNT was an immediate and prevailing part of my renewed Syracuse experience.

In the early '90s, I got to know a few SNT staffers through my friend Dave Murray, who had freelanced for the paper years before, and this led to my own brilliant SNT freelancing career. And in 2006, the same Mr. Murray wrote an SNT cover story about the beauty, the splendor, and the wonder of This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl. Clearly, The Syracuse New Times has taste.

And I say you should support it. Until May 15th, a year's subscription to The Syracuse New Times is only $52, a buck an issue. Chump change. The price goes up to a buck anna half per after that, but you're smart enough to sign up now at my.syracusenewtimes.com. 

Our minds are free. Our information and entertainment are not.



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Our new compilation CD This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4 is now available from Kool Kat Musik! 29 tracks of irresistible rockin' pop, starring Pop Co-Op, Ray Paul, Circe Link & Christian Nesmith, Vegas With Randolph Featuring Lannie Flowers, The Slapbacks, P. Hux, Irene Peña, Michael Oliver & the Sacred Band Featuring Dave Merritt, The Rubinoos, Stepford Knives, The Grip Weeds, Popdudes, Ronnie Dark, The Flashcubes, Chris von Sneidern, The Bottle Kids, 1.4.5., The Smithereens, Paul Collins' Beat, The Hit Squad, The Rulers, The Legal Matters, Maura & the Bright Lights, Lisa Mychols, and Mr. Encrypto & the Cyphers. You gotta have it, so order it here. A digital download version (minus The Smithereens' track) is also available from Futureman Records.