> I wrote a piece on spec. Joe at Amplifier balked--nicely--but agreed to
> print my article after I convinced the band's label to purchase an ad and
> donate CDs for Amplifier's 'free CD with subscription' offer. Had I not been
> so passionate and willing to hustle on behalf of both sides, this never
> would have happened.   

Unfortunately for Joe, I believe it was as much the way he chose to
tell the guy from Birdman that he wouldn't be reviewing that label's
releases unless they advertised in Amplifier as it was the fact that
the publication, like most publications, has a difficult time coming 
up with the money to publish each issue and relies heavily on ads.
If Joe had cared a little more about the magazine's relationship with
the label, he might have not been so curt. But his magazine's situation
is probably no different than a lot of others out there who are doing
pretty much the same thing (Magnet, Alternative Press), it's just that
no one has forwarded any email exchanges to the world to let them
know what's happening behind the scenes. It's tough right now for
labels and magazines and retail stores and everyone and everything
associated with the music business, tougher than ever.

Bryan