Money from the downloads has helped him release his own album, Midnight Rain, while his internet music and www.tomfox.net website have brought him to the attention of major recording labels.

One of his tracks has now been featured on a compilation CD alongside established artists Chaka Khan, Macy Gray and Al Jarreau.

"Without the internet I would probably be consigned to playing small local venues where people just wouldn't appreciate my music," says Tom. "The internet has given me a whole new audience."

He uses several MP3-based sites to promote his music, including MP3.com, where he's had 370,000 downloads so far, as well as other sites, such as Besonic, Iuma and Mpulse.

But Tom says royalties from the sites have not given him rock-star riches.

"I used to get around three cents a download from MP3.com but now I get virtually nothing from music downloads," he told us. "Instead, I use them to promote my album."

If only some of the major record labels took such an enlightened view.