Welcome to another issue of the Spotify Newsletter.

The requirement of a fainting couch was in high demand among the commentariat since our last issue. The amount of media whining surrounding Spotify, Joe Rogan, vaccines, music and the freedom of speech has been overwhelming and nauseating.

A lot has happened in one week. The lowlights/highlights include…

• Joe Rogan responded with smart, understanding comments.

• Spotify played the Tipper Gore card and slapped a label on podcasts that dare discuss the Covid vaccine.

• Spotify stock jumped!

• Graham Nash joined Neil Young and Joni Mitchell in removing music, adding to the list of Laurel Canyon All-Stars who are mad at Spotify for not doing anything wrong.

• Then! Stephen Stills and David Crosby joined the party! Wow - a reunion of CSN&Y! But this time it’s all about being against freedom to think for yourself!

• The lead singer of Eve 6 really doesn’t like Spotify!

• For some reason Sharon Stone decided to voice her concerns and announce that she’s cancelled her Spotify account!

• Lots of people wrote articles about how to delete Spotify.

• Not a lot of people actually deleted Spotify.

• Self-righteous media people continued to twist and turn the chaos-of-the-week into obnoxious moralizing that is nothing more than rank hypocrisy.

There was more, but it was mostly nonsense of the highest order. Even the geniuses at the White House decided to chime in.

What is most chilling about this entire ordeal is that it’s not really about Joe Rogan, it’s a threat from those who will not tolerate a free exchange of ideas and opinions. This is a scary gang scattered across TV shows, websites and social media who would bulldoze anyone/anything that doesn’t follow along with their horrid ideology.

Just their knowing that people have an opportunity to engage with news and opinions they deem unworthy keeps these folks up at night, forever plotting to burn it all down, one podcast, book, TV show, website, career at a time.

Spotify has done yeoman's work in dealing with a tough situation, perpetuated by a lot of repugnant people. I applaud Daniel Ek and his team, and I pray they hold the line against those who oppose the freedom to think for yourself.

Stay strong, Spotify! Onward and upward.

★In the SPOTlight★

⭐️ Spotify CEO defends Joe Rogan deal in tense company town hall

He says Spotify is a platform, not a publisher.

⭐️ Spotify CEO Daniel Ek Responds to Storm Over Joe Rogan, COVID-19 Misinformation With Content Warnings

In his statement, Ek vowed that Spotify would affix warnings on podcast episodes that include conversations about COVID-19. Notably, Ek did not specify any content creators by name in the statement.

⭐️ Jon Stewart sides with Joe Rogan as more artists leave Spotify

“Don’t leave. Don’t abandon,” he said, urging his followers to “engage” instead – while acknowledging that it might not always “work out fruitfully”.

“This overreaction to Rogan, I think, is a mistake,” he added.

⭐️ Spotify backlash over Joe Rogan did little to boost its streaming rivals

The Joe Rogan controversy has been a PR headache for Spotify in recent days, but it doesn’t seem to have yet prompted a sizable exit to rival streaming apps, according to new app store data.

⭐️ Spotify says ‘majority’ of its streams are from active listening

Spotify has created a new website called ‘Made to Be Found‘ as the latest salvo in its efforts to show musicians how it can help their careers.

🗣Podcast Action🗣

Spotify's Move to Keep Joe Rogan Shows Podcasts' Hold on Audio Streaming Business

Harry and Meghan have ‘nothing in development’ with Spotify as Joe Rogan’s power grows, report says

🎧The Playlist List🎧

Brazilian Hitmakers Play With Genre for Latin America’s First Spotify Singles Series

🖌Design Notes🖌

Porsche Updates Infotainment With Spotify And Fresh Graphics

🔥Even More Hot News Links🔥

Spotify’s Daniel Ek Defends Joe Rogan and Hosting Content ‘We Disagree With Strongly’ in Heated Town Hall

Airtel, Spotify partner on music streaming service

Learn How Fans Discover Your Music on Spotify with New 'Made to Be Found' Site and 'Source of Streams' Stats

Spotify Needs Joe Rogan and Music Fans

🎵New Adventures in Spotify🎵

Backlash Blues Nina Simone

Southern Rain Cowboy Junkies

Fruits Of My Labor Lucinda Williams

Heavenly The Temptations

Show Me Bruno Mars

Few and Far Between 10,000 Maniacs

Spirit Moves Langhorne Slim, The Law

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND!!! 😀