echrisl wrote:

Another point about the reliability of lower level contacts ... they have no personal stake in what they're reporting, unlike higher ups or people in/close to the band.  Just saying ...

I'm not sure where the idea came from that I know "lower level" people came from, but that's not exactly the case. As madagas said, it's not Jimmy Iovine or anyone like that, but it's not just some person who puts up posters at record store.

As for their "personal stake" the person I talk to is extremely loyal to artists, labels and the industry as a whole. They check into these things for me because they know how much it means to me. They also know that I'd rather separate fact from fiction ASAP so I don't keep a bunch of false hopes up for no reason.

Obviously you're welcome to believe who and whatever you want to. There are more then a few people in this community who can vouch for the fact that any info I pass along is strictly with the idea that it may help others as well.