‘ When we download favorite tracks or go hunting for rare recordings in digital format, we aren’t often thinking of where our money is going to go.’ In the case of local music downloading service CyTunes, 100 percent of the profits go to brain cancer research.’
Back in the summer of 2008, Cy Rawls was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.’ He was an immensely popular fixture in the Triangle music scene, as a performer and a supporter.’ This popularity went deeper with many local musicians, who all considered themselves close to Rawls.’
James Hepler, local musician and program director of CyTunes, is one of many who cared deeply for Rawls.’
‘The music community rallied around him and we recorded music to raise money for Cy,’ Hepler said.’ ‘When he passed we decided to keep the project going and keep the money going to the people who treated him.’
Rawls had been treated at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center in Durham.’ The Tisch Center is a branch of the Duke Hospital system and one of the leading centers for brain cancer treatment in the country.’ ‘They had even treated Ted Kennedy,’ Hepler said.’
CyTunes itself began ‘around December 2008,’ Hepler said.’ ‘There was a big surge [of traffic] right away but we honestly haven’t seen a whole lot of new content.’
The music on CyTunes has so far been donated entirely by local groups.’ ‘It’s hard for a band to make money for themselves, so it’s hard for them to give more than a couple of songs,’ Hepler said.’
In fact, it’s only now with Schooner’s upcoming album release that any entire album will be available on the site.’
The biggest issue in user traffic that CyTunes has seen is that ‘without a constant influx of new music, people forget that it exists.’ Hepler hopes that Schooner’s album release can bring the kind of attention needed to get larger acts to notice.’
‘I think we are one major act away from this being able to raise millions of dollars for brain cancer,’ Hepler said.’ ‘I think this model, this idea, could be a great way to raise money for anything.’ The hard part is the credibility.’
It helps that all of CyTunes’ profits go toward brain cancer research.’ ‘We don’t even see the money,’ Hepler said.’ ‘It goes right past us, other than the percentage that goes to’ Google payment services.’
Another large part of the site’s success comes from limited availability.’ ‘We don’t have the tools to exist on the same level as other sites, but what we do offer is exclusivity,’ said Hepler.’ The bands agree to let CyTunes own exclusive rights to their songs for one year.’
Many die-hard local music fans looking for a B-side, a live recording or any other rarity will only be able to find some of these on CyTunes.’ ‘
‘Schooner releasing a whole album this way is just incredible,’ Hepler said.’
Hepler himself does much of the recruitment for CyTunes’ content.’ ‘We’re going to keep trying to get the word out there,’ he said.’ ‘About half of our time getting bands to submit music, half getting people to download.’ I play in a bunch of bands around the area and we always take a moment to ask for songs for CyTunes.’
Fortunately, the Web site doesn’t cost anything to maintain.’ Only four people run CyTunes: Hepler; Chris Rossi, the site’s coder; Elizabeth Hammond, the graphic designer; and Janette Park, who deals with the legal operations.’ This is a completely volunteer staff and all outside costs for the program lie in promotion, which has been a largely grassroots effort.’
‘The good CyTunes’ existence does far outweighs any work needed to support it,’ Hepler said.
