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Narm Does What The Riaa Should Have Done A Long Time Ago And Still Hasn't
September 16, 2011
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"If you're proactive, you don't have to wait for circumstances or other people to create perspective expanding experiences. You can consciously create your own."
-- Stephen R. CoveyWhile the alleged industry association, the RIAA, continues to pursue the evil-doers who have downloaded music illegally, and continues to pay big bucks to lobbyists who wine and dine politicians in our nation's capitol in hopes of passing legislation they actually believe will somehow keep technology at bay, the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) has launched a very proactive campaign for the industry's digital initiatives.
First, this from the NARM website: "For the past 50+ years, NARM has been the trade association for the business of music, providing the central platform for the discussion of industry-wide concerns and spearheading the implementation of initiatives to advance the business. While primarily focused on physical formats for much of its history, NARM has expanded its mission in the past 10 years to include all facets of music commerce. This includes physical, digital and mobile outlets as well as gaming, applications, merchandise, video and other ways music is monetized." (Source: http://tiny.cc/yzq6q )
Now this from NARM's new digitalmusic.org website: "digitalmusic.org is a place where the people that are working on the issues around digital commerce can ACTIVELY participate on their resolution. Find out why you should be involved."
And this, "Current member companies include such high-profile digital/mobile companies as 7Digital, Amazon, Alcatel Lucent, Apple, Amazon, Cricket, Microsoft, Napster, Nokia, Rdio, Rhapsody, Slacker, Verizon, Vevo, and Zed. Supplier members consist of the major music companies and leading independent distributors and aggregators."
For years I asked why the RIAA didn't put together some type of panel or hold a symposium of sorts with companies like those mentioned above to help the industry brave the digital waters. NARM didn't wait to do so.
You should go to digitalmusic.org and see all the work that is ongoing including the six work groups: Archival & Contextual Metadata, Digital Supply Chain, Metrics & Sales Analysis, Music & Gaming, Music Subscription and Product Development. You can also check out the people who are members, their bios, etc.
There's a wealth of information on digitalmusic.org and a whole bunch of industry label executives should participate in all NARM's digital initiatives and support them all instead of sending the millions to the RIAA's Washington D.C. offices. Does the music industry really need to spend millions on RIAA lawyers and lawsuits at this point?
The windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror and it's good to know that NARM understands that big-time.
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 2
THOSE iPADS JUST KEEP SELLING AND SELLING AND SELLING
Worldwide media tablet shipments rose by 88.9% on a sequential basis -- and 303.8% year-over-year -- in the second calendar quarter of 2011, according to new findings from International Data Corporation. That amounted to 13.6 million units during the quarter, according IDC. What's more, based on the strong performance in the second quarter, and an improved outlook for the second half of the year, IDC raised its shipment forecast for 2011 to 62.5 million units -- up from a previous projection of 53.5 million units.
"Worldwide media tablet shipments in the second quarter were driven by continued robust demand for Apple's iPad 2, which saw shipments reach 9.3 million units, representing a 68.3% share of the worldwide market (up from 65.7% the previous quarter)," IDC reports. Research in Motion entered the media tablet market in the second quarter with its PlayBook product, grabbing a 4.9% share of the market."
Read the rest here: http://tiny.cc/9p0yo
And buoyed by Mac OS X Lion and new computers released in July, Apple could easily break its record of 4.1 million Macs sold during last year's holiday-shopping quarter, says a Piper Jaffray analyst. Read about that here: http://tiny.cc/nobbs
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 3
FREE MOG? HUH?
This week, Mog offers one new feature that has proved hugely popular in other on-demand music services: a free version. Rather than go with straight ad-supported or time-limited like its competitors, Mog has devised an interesting model in which users earn the free music experience.
Check it out at here: http://tiny.cc/j6hy9
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 4
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER DEPT: BOB SEGER FINALLY AVAILABLE ON iTUNES
Well, it took some time. Maybe The Beatles finally getting on iTunes spurred Bob on.
This week his two multi-Platinum concert albums, Live Bullet (1976) and Nine Tonight (1981), were released for download at iTunes and Amazon.
"We're finally doing it," Seger says. "We're going digital."
Read the rest here: http://tiny.cc/0kfof
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 5
THE ONGOING SAGA OF TV NETWORK PROBLEMS
A new TV viewing study from media and marketing consultant Altman Vilandrie & Co. and online survey firm Research Now has found that just one-third of young adults 18-34 in the U.S. now watch TV shows during their normal broadcast time on a regular basis.
Read the rest here: http://tiny.cc/fphn0
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 6
WARNER BROS. RECORDS GIVING UP ON ROCK MUSIC?
From the Hollywood Reporter comes this question: "After more than a dozen radio promotion staffers are let go, and with dance- and urban-flavored pop selling, what does it mean for the revered label's rock roots? Will Green Day and My Chemical Romance take a backseat to Jason Derulo and New Boyz?"
Of course, the real truth is any label will sign any format of music as long as it sells ... but this is a good article on what's happening at Warners.
Read the rest here: http://tiny.cc/6fcuc
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 7
GOOGLE'S MUSIC BETA ... CHECK IT OUT
Take a look at Google's new Music Beta service, which allows you to upload your music collection and stream it from any browser or Android smartphone.
Read the rest on CNET here: http://tiny.cc/xnzt2
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 8
THAT SONY WALKMAN ANDROID IS LOADED
Sony has unveiled the official details of the first touch-screen Android Walkman, with a Japanese release date of December 10th in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB capacities.
Check it out and see a photo of it on CNET here: http://tiny.cc/pjtfv
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 9
STEVE GUTTENBERG ASKS 'IS COMPUTER-BASED RECORDING RUINING MUSIC?'
So much of today's new music is so processed and "perfected" by computer recording technology the true sound of the actual band is completely obliterated.
Check out CNET's resident audiophiliac Steve Guttenberg's commentary here: http://tiny.cc/pnkkk
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 10
TURNTABLE.FM UPDATE: MOBILE APP AND CELEB INVESTORS
Turntable finally shared some details about the $7 million funding it recently received, listing an eclectic selection of venture capital investors and entertainment names. (Lady Gaga manager Troy Carter of Atom Entertainment, Madonna manager Guy Oseary, Jimmy Fallon and band members from the Roots, MySpace Music alum Courtney Holt and others for starters)
It also opened its beta to everyone in the U.S., dropping the invitation-only requirement, and launched a new iPhone app that lets members interact with Turntable away from their computers.
Read the rest here: http://tiny.cc/e9r27
SEACREST CHANNEL:
That could happen if the deal the TV host and producer is currently negotiating goes through, in which he and AEG would take over MTV Networks' VH1 Soul to create and launch a music, pop culture and lifestyle-oriented channel.
THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE:
Paul Simon marked the anniversary of the September 11th World Trade Center attacks in New York and sang the Simon & Garfunkel classic, "The Sound of Silence," to heartbreaking effect for the crowd of family, friends and colleagues mourning those who lost their lives 10 years ago.
BEATLES ROCK iTUNES AGAIN:
The Beatles, who made their long-delayed iTunes debut late last year with much fanfare, released their modern greatest-hits album 1 on iTunes this week, selling 60,000 copies (compared to 1,000 the previous week) and hitting #4 on the overall charts. Thanks to a $9.99 deal, 1 was #2 on iTunes
MACCA GETS MARRIED AGAIN:
Paul McCartney and his current lady, Nancy Shevell, will marry this weekend at a farmhouse in Sussex, England.
MACCA MUSICARES PERSON 2012:
Paul McCartney, 14-time GRAMMY winner (as well as Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement and Trustees Award recipient), will be honored as the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year at its 22nd annual benefit gala to be held in Los Angeles during GRAMMY Week on Friday, Feb. 10th, 2012, two days prior to the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards.
TIMBERLAKE WINS 2 EMMYS:
Justin Timberlake won two Creative Emmys on Saturday for his appearance on the season finale of Saturday Night Live back in May. The singer won the award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for hosting the show and shared an award for co-writing the original song used in his monologue that night.
KATE BUSH BACK:
British songwriter Kate Bush will release 50 Words for Snow, her second record this year, on November 21st. The album, her first collection of new material since Aerial came out in 2005, will include only seven songs,
WELL, THEY SAY THEY'LL PLAY, BUT WHO KNOWS:
American dates are beginning to slowly come in for a Guns N' Roses tour this fall. So far, they are only slated to play Orlando, Miami and Kansas City - but with a two-week gap between two of the dates, expect many more to come.
REAL HOUSEWIVE RUNS OFF WITH SCHON:
Real Housewives of DC star Michaele Salahi, whose husband had reported her missing earlier this week, has apparently run off with Journey guitarist Neal Schon. According to TMZ
TONY & AMY & THE REST:
"Body and Soul," recorded by Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett on March 23 at Abbey Road Studios in London, was released in its entirety on audio and video Wednesday to commemorate what would have been the late singer's 28th birthday before her passing last July 23. Proceeds from the sale of "Body and Soul" single and video will go to the Amy Winehouse Foundation. Bennett's Duets II, which comes out Sept. 20th, includes duets with Lady Gaga ("The Lady is a Tramp"), John Mayer ("One for my Baby"), Carrie Underwood ("It Had ToB You"), Norah Jones ("Speak Low"), Sheryl Crow ("The Girl I Love") and Andrea Bocelli ("Stranger in Paradise"), among others.
SOME GIRLS REDUX:
The Rolling Stones have announced plans to reissue their 1978 classic Some Girls in a variety of deluxe formats on November 21st. The record, which has been remastered, will be available in digital, Deluxe and Super-Deluxe editions, with new packaging featuring liner notes by Rolling Stone writer Anthony DeCurtis and previously unseen photographs of the band shot by Helmut Newton from around the time of the album's original release. The Super-Deluxe version will also include a 7-inch single of "Beast of Burden" featuring its original banned sleeve art.
NIRVANA CONCERT ON VH1:
VH1 will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Nirvana's landmark album Nevermind by televising the never-before-seen concert movie Nirvana: Live at the Paramount on Friday, September 23rd at 11 p.m. ET/PT.
GRAMMY SALUTE TO GEORGE ALSO:
The Grammy Museum will debut a new exhibition, "George Harrison: Living in the Material World," on Oct. 11th. It opens a week after HBO premieres Martin Scorsese's documentary of the same name in two parts on Oct. 5th-6th, and will be the first major museum exhibition to explore the life and career of the Quiet Beatle.
SIRIUS SERIOUS ABOUT RAISING PRICE:
Sirius XM released details of its subscription price increase and issued its 2012 guidance Wednesday, and the stock market showed its general approval by pushing its share price up by 6.8%. CEO Mel Karmazin confirmed the basic Sirius and XM Select subscription would rise to $14.49 a month, effective January 1st, 2012, with similar price adjustments for other programming packages.
NETFLIX FALLOUT:
Turns out Netflix customers took the service's recent price hike harder than expected. As a result, the multiplatform video rental company has had to cut third-quarter U.S. subscriber projections by 4% from 25 million to 24 million. "The majority of the shrinkage, Netflix says, will come from its DVD-only customers," reports All Things D. Still, "Netflix now sees 9.8 million streaming-only customers, down from 10 million previously, and 2.2 million DVD-only customers, down from 3 million expected previously," Barron's Tech Trader Daily reports.
PASSING:
Richard Hamilton, the "Father of Pop Art" who designed the Beatles' iconic White Album cover, died this week in England at age 89. Hamilton's art collages of the 1950s directly inspired Sir Peter Blake, who created the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper cover. For his own design for the blank White Album cover and the collage-style poster inside, Hamilton claimed to have been paid the equivalent of $316.
The Music Industry Past, Present & Future, And The Internet I answer questions on EconTalk
I did an interview about the industry and the Internet at EconTalk with host Russ Roberts. Russ is also a professor of economics at George Mason University, blogs at Cafe Hayek, and has written three novels that teach economics. He's also the co-creator of the Keynes-Hayek rap video. (And if your understanding of the economic meltdown that occurred needs to be enlightened, this video will do it)
In the interview we talk about the evolution of the music industry, the impact of the digital revolution, and I give my reasons for believing in the virtues and potential of the Internet in enhancing the music industry. I point out, as I have many times here in the newsletter, that the internet allows numerous artists to make money from their music and it can enhance revenues from live performances by expanding an artist's base. We also discuss the challenges facing record companies and I suggest that the full potential of the Internet as a distribution channel has yet to be fully exploited. There's a lot of ground covered, but based on the comments already posted of those who have tuned in, they've enjoyed it.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Quotes of the week
"She's fabulous. She swings as hard as Ella Fitzgerald. She's just a great all-around artist. She sings, she plays the piano, she's a great dancer. I remember we met with her, her mother, her father and her boyfriend and asked if she would be interested in a duet. She looked me right in the eye and said, 'I'll do anything you want me to do.' "I suggested 'Anything Goes,' but my son Danny said, 'Lady Is a Tramp.' We gave her a couple of possibilities and she said that's it."
-- Tony Bennett, talking about Lady GaGa and the experience working with her on his new 'Duets II' album."I am a huge fan of Sarah Palin. She's rad. She's shrewd. She's cool. Because at the end of the day, I'm for the people, because this is the United States of America. This is what America's really about. Anyone should have the right to say, 'Look, I can do the job, and this is what qualifies me to do the job. Now my wife probably will debate and disagree with me. I'm not saying she could be the next president, you know, but there's something about her. Heavy debates in my house. Whenever I say Sarah Palin, people think I'm crazy, but I like her, I do. I can like whoever. This is America, right?"
-- Fugees rapper and political activist Wyclef Jean in Womens Wear Daily. (I'm thinking his comment won't help his political aspirations one bit)"We're further apart now than we were when we started the show. So thanks, Oprah, for all your help."
-- A bitter Ryan O'Neal, after appearing with estranged daughter Tatum in the Oprah Winfrey Network reality series Ryan and Tatum: The O'Neals, to TV Guide
The B-Side - 'Blips'
THE ONION (www.theonion.com) STORY OF THE WEEK:
Bruce Springsteen Releases New Sci-Fi Concept Album About Struggles Of Poor Miners Working On Mars
RUMSON, NJ-After more than a year of writing and recording, Bruce Springsteen released his 18th studio album Tuesday, a concept record titled Red Dust that explores the everyday lives and struggles of immigrant workers scraping by in the 23rd-century carbonate mines on Mars.
According to the 61-year-old songwriter, the new tracks depict rugged Martian colonists as they come to question what's happened to their lives, finding themselves saddled with unpayable debts and hard-pressed to put food on the table for their embryonically harvested juvenile-clones.
"These are songs about growing up on a tough planet," said Springsteen.
"Frankly, we weren't really sure what he was talking about," said Van Zandt, noting he still has no clue what the song "Icecap Cadillac" is trying to say. "But he seemed really passionate about it, and we'd already been through 16 straight hours of rehearsal, so eventually we just went along with it."
Read the rest here and laugh: Click Here.
The Blogs
Check out Jerry Del Colliano's (the founder of INSIDE RADIO) daily blog, by clicking here: http://www.insidemusicmedia.blogspot.comWebsite
Check out attorney Ray Beckerman's website at: http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com where he prints news about the RIAA's ongoing activities
Smart Marketing Consulting Services
Smart Marketing Consulting Services has been in business sixteen years, and consults clients in the music, entertainment, attraction, media, and technology industry on branding, marketing, online exploitation, maximizing new media, and more.
"And the beat goes on, the beat goes on ... drums keep poundin' rhythm to the brain."
"Work is life, you know, and without it, there's nothing but fear and insecurity." -- John Lennon
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