Not to start a controversy here, but this is one instance where the "music" factor trumps the "entertainment" factor. I think this phenomenon only affects certain types of venues, such as the special events (weddings, etc.) and dance-oriented venues. Jazz clubs will never replace live music with an ipod. Neither will "sun, surf, tiki huts, sand-in-your-crotch gigs like Diki's. Probably not the NH/Senior Center type gigs, either. I think it's nothing more that an el cheapo way of replacing what would have been a DJ's gig anyway. Man, Ipod entertainment. Disgusting!!!

Hey, maybe playing those SMF's and MP3's at what was supposed to be a "live music" event is coming back to bite you (Uh, that was the "controversial part). Maybe that "dumb" audience figured out that if you could do it, so could they. And cheaper. Just a thought.

chas