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Chicopee businessman starts 'Internet jukebox' web site

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE Dave Culbertson believes the future of home entertainment will revolve around the home computer and that's one of the reasons he has launched a new web site www.musiccityna.com.

There are many sites on the Internet featuring music, but Culbertson believes his is unique. He's not music available for downloading, but instead has creating an Internet jukebox.

He said the sound quality is twice as good as standard FM radio and is comparable to the quality of the new satellite radio services. Culbertson said the site is designed to work as well on dial-up service as it does on a DSL or cable modem. The only limitation is that it only works on computers running the Windows operating software.

And the site is free.

Culbertson has been involved in building and repairing computers since 1979 with his Custom Computer business on Exchange Street. He has also designed web sites for his business and others.

This new site features a wide blend of musical genres including rock, country, R&B, jazz, pop and classical. It also features music from Italy, Poland and Greece.

Listeners can select an individual song or listen to a genre. They can also listen to a random mix of the music offered. Presently there are over 2,500 selections on the site.

"We want to put everything on here that we can get in high quality," Culbertson said.

He is planning to add a children's section as well as a Christian music section.

The software allows the listener to pause a song or repeat it and control the volume all through a simple control panel on the site.

"We're cutting edge," Culbertson said.

One section of the site features music from bands or individuals that have recordings but no distribution. Culbertson links their song selections on his site to their own site. If the listener likes what they are hearing, they could buy the recording direct from the artist.

Culbertson is hoping that this section will grow into an employment area in which people can not only find new music, but also find artists for various engagements.

Although the music is presently commercial free, he said he is looking for sponsorships either in the form of web ads or audio commercials.

In the meantime, the site has attracted 10,500 listeners in its first two weeks.

"We're broadcasting to the world," Culbertson said.