by Cliff Matthews

Created on: February 27, 2007   Last Updated: April 21, 2007

In the last century, music has gradually become one of the biggest past-times of our lives. During this past fifty years even, music has grown so much and become so big that it's hard to believe what life would be like without it. Music sets trends, fads, and helps sculpt the minds and attitudes of today's youth. The music industry has become one of the most difficult industries to break into, and also one of the most sought after. As the influences of rock stars, pop stars, singing sensations, and rap stars grow, so does the drive for an impressionable youth to want to become like their favorite musician. So what do you do then? You learn how to play an instrument, spend years perfecting your craft, and then start or find a band. Simple right? Not actually. It should be so easy, however, since the Internet boom of the mid-90's, there are a lot more outlets for a striving musician to have their music heard. The old days of walking the streets passing out fliers to strangers to promote your band are coming to an end. These days it seems that as long as you have a recording of yourself, there is always a place for you on the Internet. But which sites are more helpful? Which .com will help you become noticed? Here is the rundown on the worthwhile ones that you should try if you've got the sound, the talent, and the drive to be a star.

MySpace.com: MySpace, with the tagline: "A Place For Friends", has become on of the best ways for bands to get their music into the ears of people of all ages worldwide. MySpace began as a social networking system using comment boxes and messages just like any other networking site. When MySpace introduced MySpace Music, the site exploded...in a good way. On MySpace you can listen to music from your favorite bands you hear on the radio everyday, or local acts that you wish to see make it big. You can even communicate with your favorite artists, as well as your friends. Now how cool is it to say that you're friends with Usher? Pretty cool. MySpace music is definitely a place to try and get your music to. It has great features and a huge user database.

PureVolume.com: This site has a lot of potential, yet lacks the functions of myspace as well as the personal aspects. Yet it is still a great way to get your music out to the world.

SoundClick.com: This site is a little more personal than PureVolume, but lacks the visual appeal. You can upload a lot more songs onto the site than you can on MySpace. So if your band or group has more than

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