function _db_getartistlist($filter=''){
//Example $filter='A%';
/*filter not working yet ??*/

/*doesn't work*/
/*
   if($filter!=''){

      return db_query('select distinct artist from {mp3col_data} where artist like \'' .$filter . '\' order by artist');

      //return db_query('select distinct artist from {mp3col_data} where artist like \'%s\' order by artist',$filter);


   }else{
      return db_query('select distinct artist from {mp3col_data} order by artist');

   }
*/

   /*works*/
   return db_query('select distinct artist from {mp3col_data} order by artist');

}