Independent Music Stores Vulnerable to Cheaper, Easier Internet Sites.

Byline: Peter Bothum

Jul. 17--The independent music store has survived more cultural transitions than Bob Dylan.

Iko's Music Trade on East Market Street might not have been around as long as the folk-singing legend, but the 14-year-old store did weather the change from vinyl and tapes to compact discs in the 1980s (Sony introduced the CD in 1985).

Iko's survived the music club blitz, when giant record labels made a killing by selling 12 albums for a penny through venues such as Columbia House Record Club and BMI Music Club.

"Record clubs were a big threat," said Paul Hamilton, owner of Iko's. "They always were."

Like other independent music stores, Iko's also stayed afloat as chains such as The Wall and Sam Goody and corporate behemoths such as Borders and Wal-Mart moved into their backyard.

The latest challenge to independents such as Iko's is one that can't be touched or seen.

It's riding in on the Internet.

Industry experts are predicting digital players that play MP3 computer files and Internet services such as Napster Inc., …