Website that pays its writers despite having no discernible source of income shuts down

[Seriously, I never could figure out what their income source was. But they lasted two years! And they paid! And they didn't fuck up my text in the editing process!]

From: Christopher R. Weingarten
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 10:02 AM
Subject: the pitch pool is closed

Dearest allies,

So yeah, as most of you know, PTW is ending its triumphant 37-year run on tuesday. Getty is shutting us down (something they said about "never making them any money whatsoever at any point ever" Whatever, guys!). I was considering buying it, but it's just too expensive to manage at the freelance rates we were paying, and the last thing I want to do is muddy up the internet with more underpaid music criticism.

To answer your first-through-third questions: Yes, if you wrote for me in August, you will get paid. Yes, if you wrote for me in August, you will get paid. Yes, if you wrote for me in August, you will get paid.

Now: I just wanted to thank you all for being there. My goal was to work with my favorite writers and I seriously had the time of my life doing exactly that for two years. Thank you so much.

Deepest thanks to many sleepless nights of Jessica Suarez and Kory Grow. If I tried to sum up their efforts in exaggerated terms, it would still be an understatement.

Also, mad props to Brandon Stosuy, JT Ramsay and Tom Mallon for their tireless help in the lean(er) years.

Closing time, folks. Don't care where you go, but you can't stay here.

(Actually I do care! Stay in touch!)

~C