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Looking For Comedy In The Music Business World
May 2, 2008
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"Life literally abounds in comedy if you just look around you."
-- Mel BrooksI started to write this week's commentary about several things and realized they were all unintentionally very funny.
You've probably all seen it or heard about Paula Abdul's on-air spacing-out on "American Idol" this week. Certainly Paula Abdul didn't have it in her head to make us laugh when she started critiquing one of the finalist's performances this week. Actually, she never has it in her head to make us laugh, but she does it so often no one really takes anything she says seriously anyway. But this week she was especially hysterical.
Paul started critiquing the second song performance of finalist Jason Castro. And yes, his being a finalist is funny on a whole other level, but this is about Paula. The problem, of course, was that Jason hadn't performed his second song yet, so Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest had to point that out to Ms. Abdul, who quickly realized she must have been hallucinating, and said, "Oh my God! I thought you ... thought you sang twice!" As an article about the incident said in the L.A.Times, "Double vision is a troubling thing. Double hearing is a cry for exorcism."
Paula fumbled some more and went on to say, "This is tough." Tough? Making a couple of million for sitting in a chair once a week after you've had your hair and make-up done, and then listening to karaoke is tough?
It was one of the most amusing and hilarious live TV gaffes of all time and it was a shot fired around the world almost immediately via the Internet. As of this moment there are already over 28,000 Google search results for "Paula Abdul Screws Up On Idol." But to be fair to Paula, she screws up so often the search results might be for multiple displays of her.
Paula went into immediate damage control and put her spin on it on Ryan Seacrest's radio show the next morning and in Entertainment Weekly. But who cares about that? Obviously not the audience. They are eating it up big-time. The clip of Paula's on-air idiocy is all over YouTube.com with headings like "Is Paula Abdul On Crack?"
As for me, I think she's setting up her next gig after "American Idol" fades. It's apparent to me she's looking to for a part on a good sitcom where she can play the bubble-headed ditzy female. She's a natural because that role isn't a stretch.
Next up: Adult film company Vivid Video announced this week they will be releasing a Jimi Hendrix sex tape that was shot back in 1968 and allegedly shows Jimi having lots of "adult" fun with two willing females. The title? "Hendrix: The Sex Tape," and it's available DVD on May 6th. To make the tape appear to be even more interesting than it actually is, famed groupie Pamela des Barres and Cynthia Plaster Caster are both seen testifying to the footage's authenticity.
Gee, 40-year-old not-that-great-quality footage of Jimi Hendrix and two women romping in a hotel room for a whole 12 minutes. Who woulda' thunk it? Jimi liked to have lots of sex ... what a shock! The trailer promo for the tape is (unintentionally) funny. Check it out at the Vivid Video website for a laugh.
Almost as funny as Paula Abdul this week, was a report I found on the RIAA website. It's titled (and I swear this is the real title and not something from The Onion) "The CD: A Better Value Than Ever, An RIAA Report Prepared By The Communications and Strategic Analysis Department Of The RIAA." It was written in April, 2007, and you can find it here in a pdf file at: http://tinyurl.com/6z28c2.
The report is only two pages, and it's a MUST-read. It tells how CDs have come down in price since their introduction back in 1983 when labels gouged consumers at retail with an average suggested list price of $21.50, to an average suggested list price of just $14.90 in 2006. (What a deal, huh?)
From the report: "While many forms of entertainment are only one-time experiences, a CD can be enjoyed repeatedly and will last through many years of use." Yeah, if it has more than one or two good tracks on it and people keep it for years instead of throwing it away years later and asking themselves, "Why the hell did I buy this?"
And continuing from the report: "And although it's difficult to precisely quantify, many of today's CDs offer value in ways that was not possible years ago. For example, many CDs come bundled with bonus content that can be accessed online using a special code or the disc itself as a digital key." Value to who exactly? Obviously NOT the consumer, because none of these value add-ons have increased CD sales one iota.
To say this report is sophomoric in its content would be an understatement. Maybe the Communications and Strategic Analysis Department of the RIAA should realize who is buying the new Grand Theft Auto IV video game that's expected to rack up over $400 million in sales in a week. I think they'd find out many of the people purchasing the game are exactly the same demographics as those who buy (or steal) music. Even at about $55-$60 at retail, I don't think those buying the game still perceive the CD as offering value "in ways not possible before."
But for a good laugh, read the report. Like I said, it's short. And it's unintentionally funny. If nothing else, it will evidence yet again how far removed from reality the RIAA really is.
Removed from reality ... something Paula Abdul and the RIAA have in common.
And Now This...
And continuing with the "removed from reality" theme, still MORE evidence about the RIAA existing in that state.
This past week nine major record labels and the RIAA filed sued music search engine Project Playlist, claiming that the service infringes copyright by making it easy for users to find and play pirated tracks. The company, which doesn't host files on its site, provides a player that can be embedded on social networking sites. Sony BMG is the only major label that did not join in the lawsuit.
Another lawsuit. More litigation. More wasted time and resources on trying to stop yet another online destination from P2P file-sharing.
If all these lawsuits actually did something, anything, to help the industry, one could look at them and make some judgment as to their real value. The facts are that none of the industry's lawsuits have done a thing to patch holes in the digital dikes where file-sharing still exists in great numbers, and this week the industry lost a major court battle when a federal judge in Phoenix ruled that placing music in a Kazaa folder doesn't in itself infringe on the owners' copyright. (See the story below 'Court Says Putting Music In File-Sharing Folder Doesn't Violate Copyright')
Groucho Marx once said, "Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it, misdiagnosing it, and then misapplying the wrong remedies."
Sounds like the RIAA don't it?
And This...
In the March 28th newsletter my commentary was titled "Just Sign Here" and I gave my reasons why I believe subscription services for music will ultimately fail and I referenced seven articles that basically said the same things.
While record labels still try and come up with creative marketing to sell subscription-based music programs to consumers, new data shows that platforms there were only a total of 1.8 subscribers by the end of last year. That was up only about 100,000 from last year's total, for a meager .7% gain, according to figures released by the RIAA.
But more important: Revenues from subscription actually fell from 206.2 million in 2006 to 200.9 million in 2007.
Unless somebody inside the executive halls at the major labels knows something we don't about the future of subscription-based services, I'd say the handwriting is already on the spreadsheets showing the above data.
Court Says Putting Music In File-Sharing Folder Doesn't Violate Copyright
From mediapost.comThe record industry lost a major court battle Tuesday, when a federal judge in Phoenix ruled that placing music in a Kazaa folder doesn't in itself infringe on the owners' copyright.
"Merely making an unauthorized copy of a copyrighted work available to the public does not violate a copyright holder's exclusive right of distribution," wrote Judge Neil Wake in a ruling denying the record industry's motion for summary judgment against Arizona resident Jeffrey Howell. Wake also ruled that simply offering to distribute music does not infringe on the copyright owner's rights.
The Recording Industry Association of America criticized the ruling, calling it "a strange decision that is outside of the mainstream and inconsistent with countless court rulings on these issues." The group said it's "considering all options going forward."
But Wake's opinion was cheered by some lawyers who represent defendants. "This is going to be the gold standard now," said attorney Ray Beckerman. He added that although the 17-page decision isn't binding on other courts, the sweeping, lucidly written ruling is likely to have an effect throughout the country because it's "the clearest, most comprehensive discussion of the issue."
Read more about it by clicking here.
All Together Now
From thedeal.comMusic-related social networking sites are shaking up the music business and could be the paradigm for the future.
At first, Joy Walshe's riff sounds like that sorry refrain so common among musicians, however talented they may be. The London-based singer-songwriter doesn't have a record contract, had a busted deal with an independent label that ended up in court, scores gigs where and when she can, and works in an office to get by financially.
Walshe, however, has emerged as an unlikely luminary in a significant new movement within the music business. In February and again in March, both her self-released album, "Saint for a Sinner," and one of its tracks, "Home," topped the charts of We7, one of many music-oriented social networks that have sprung up recently. Without leaving Britain, Walshe has garnered an international following and some extra income. "That's the beauty of social networks," says Steve Purdham, We7's CEO and one of its founders. "A piece of music can go around the world in 24 to 48 hours."
Music fans aren't the only ones responding to these burgeoning networks. Mostly venture fund investors have piled tens of millions of dollars on at least a dozen sites similar to We7. Most notably, CBS Corp. paid $280 million last year for Last.fm, We7's older and much larger competitor.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Coldplay Giving Away New Single - Joins Others Who Have Given Music Away For Free
From bbc.comColdplay are to give away a free download of "Violet Hill," the first single from their new album, for one week via their website. The release of the album "Viva La Vida" or "Death and all his Friends" has been moved forward to 12 June in the UK. The band has also announced plans to give away tickets to two free concerts in June, in New York and London.
The download move follows a shift away from traditional sales by various acts last year. Last June, Prince gave away copies of his album "Planet Earth" with the Mail on Sunday newspaper, and indie band The Charlatans gave away a free download of their new album on radio station XFM's website. In October, Radiohead let fans decide how much they wanted to pay to download their seventh studio album, In Rainbows, from their official website.
A free 7-inch vinyl single of Coldplay's "Violet Hill" will also be given away on the cover of music weekly NME on 7 May.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Radio & Records -- Playing Not To Lose
From insidemusicmedia.comRadio and records ... Somehow you get the feeling that these two ex-powerhouses are concerned with trying not to give up another goal (profits, CDs, listeners, advertisers ... you name it). They're not on their game. They are on the defensive.
Instead of blazing the way into the digital future, the record industry has been trying to hold on to CD market share since 2000.
Not figure a way to handle Napster. Not get an answer to illegal file-sharing.
Instead of getting into the mobile and Internet content businesses, the radio industry has also played defense -- in hockey we might call it playing the "trap" -- trying to keep others from "scoring" in new media instead of pulling out the stops and going for it.
Read more about it by clicking here.
AT&T Goes After Digital Music Lovers Where They Live--Online
From mediapost.comAT&T has turned toward search advertising and marketing to connect consumers who love digital music to a series of blue room webcasts planned this year. The carrier has offered live and recorded concerts through the website for three years, but now plans to set up efforts to connect with digital music lovers where they live, online.
This year, AT&T turns the spotlight on its purchase of keyword terms related to artists and festivals, such as the 2008 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The strategy aims to attract consumers who listen to digital music and do the majority of their searching for entertainment online. Traditional banner ads will continue to run through 2008 to promote blue room concerts on music video sites like MTV, MySpace and Pandora, places where people go to watch music videos and listen to music clips.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Apple Lands Day and Date Access To New DVDs for iTunes
From avrev.comIn a striking move toward success in the world of PC convergence, Apple today announced they have secured a deal that will get them day and date access to movies as they are released on DVD (or Blu-ray). The studios signing on to the deal include: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Universal Home Entertainment, Sony, Lionsgate, Image Entertainment and First Look Studios. New releases like Juno, American Gangster and I am Legend will sell for $14.95 as a download. Catalog titles will sell for $9.99.
Convergence just got a lot closer to mainstream success.
Read more about it by clicking here.
CONGRATS, MIMI
E! Entertainment television is reporting that Mariah Carey has married boyfriend Nick Cannon.
ONE WEALTHY TRAIN WRECK
Her personal life looks like a mess, but Amy Winehouse's estimated worth is nearly $20 million, and that's enough to make her debut tenth on the 2008 Sunday Times Rich List, ranking the wealthiest Brits in music under 30. Newcomer and Simon Cowell/Clive Davis-produced Leona Lewis also made her way onto the list.
MAYBE WE SHOULD FOCUS MORE ON OUR CORE COMPETENCY, COFFEE
Starbucks will hand over management of its Hear Music to the Concord Group. In the past year, the label released albums by Paul McCartney and Joni Mitchell, among others.
THE BOSS'S FAREWELL TO DANNY
Bruce Springsteen has posted the moving eulogy he gave at the funeral for fallen E-Street bandmate Danny Federici, at his official website. If you're a Springsteen/E-Street Band fan it's a must-read. Check it out at: http://brucespringsteen.net/news/index.html.
DYLAN, WILCO AND OTHERS JOIN VIRGIN FEST
Bob Dylan, Iggy & The Stooges, Chuck Berry and Wilco are among the acts who will join the Foo Fighters, Kanye West, Nine Inch Nails and Stone Temple Pilots at this year's Virgin Mobile Festival. The event will once again take place at Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore, Maryland on August 9-10th.
LENNON LYRICS FOR SALE
John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for "Give Peace a Chance" will hit Christie's auction block in July. The lyrics are expected to retrieve between an estimated $400-600,000.
PIGS DO FLY
Earlier in the week Coachella organizers offered a $10,000 reward and four lifetime festival passes for the return of Roger Waters' two-story inflatable pig that has become a staple at his concerts. The pig-balloon broke free and floated away during his Sunday night set last week. It was found on Wednesday after it deflated and came back down a few miles from the concert site.
COURIC'S BASEMENT GOES DEEPER
Katie Couric's weekly ratings for the CBS Evening news have sunken to even lower ratings. In the latest weekly ratings, Ms. Couric drew an average of 5,430,000 viewers for third place. NBC News had 8,010,000 viewers for first place, and ABC News had second place with 7,790,000. Bye, bye Miss American (Apple) Pie.
Quotes of the week
"This last pregnancy rumor really made me want to go back to the gym. I just didn't like the picture. [I thought,] 'You know what? My stomach is sticking out there! Let me get back on the treadmill and do some sit-ups.' "
-- Fergie, explaining her new buff body, in an interview with New York City radio station Z100."It's all fucking posing. It's nothing to do with music. He knows it, too."
-- Keith Richards talking about David Bowie. Obviously not a fan."He's the best rapper of all-time and I think he'll knock it out of the park."
-- Gwyneth Paltrow, talking about Jay-Z to the BBC about the rapper's headlining slot at the legendary Glastonbury music festival, in response to some saying he can't sell tickets to the Glastonbury music as some rock acts. And of course, we should all listen to Gwyneth ... she's such an expert on rap music, don't ya' think?"I grew up watching Lindsay. It made me want to do what she does."
-- Ali Lohan, on following in her sister's footsteps, to Teen Vogue. Uh-oh, more trouble for sure coming in the Lohan clan."I'm content with 90%of me. I like my teeth. Sometimes I wonder if my orthodontist realizes how important he was."
-- Carrie Underwood, talking about her body image, to InStyle magazine. I'm pretty sure most guys aren't looking at your teeth, Carrie."We are happy. We're going to take things slow."
-- Carmen Electra at the Coachella music fest talking about her wedding date with Korn guitarist Rob Patterson. Husband #1 was Dennis Roadman; husband #2 was Dave Navarro. Yeah, it's a real good idea to take things slow, Carmen.
The B-Side - 'Blips'
THE ONION (www.theonion.com) STORY OF THE WEEK:
Potential Employee Uprising Quelled With Free Pizza
NEW YORK-A massive employee backlash over low wages and increased workload was narrowly averted this week when company management arranged to have eight large pizzas delivered to the design firm Cobalt Media, instantly quelling months of mounting resentment and dissatisfaction.
The pizzas-topped with pepperoni, mushroom, and extra cheese effectively cooled down the angry mob, which had reportedly reached its boiling point. According to Cobalt sources, the free Italian pies arrived approximately 20 minutes after a company-wide e-mail detailing upcoming cutbacks was sent out late Friday morning.
"Everyone's been fed up and ready to explode at management for weeks," production designer Carolyn Wurster said. "But then all those pizzas showed up, and it just didn't seem like the right time to start demanding a legitimate healthcare plan or salary raises that reflect the amount of work we do."
Read the rest here and laugh: http://tinyurl.com/3ffgbk.
THE RADIO INTERVIEW on 'THE AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE' - From newsblaze.com
"Steve Meyer is on the front line of global music sales and distribution which he expects will soar to pocket-bursting levels. What's more, he shares his insight and ingenuity with us. Steve gives us both historical perspective and futuristic vision as he chats with Judy about the love of his work, trends of the business and his personal points of view about success, happiness and blending life with the lust for life. Steve joins Judy and helps us discover the thrill of having it all with a sense of balance and purpose. "
You can listen to an interview I did with Judy Piazza of 'The American Perspective' by clicking here: (It runs about 15 minutes)
http://www.thesop.org/index.php?id=10306.
The Blogs
Check out a great blog by Jerry Del Colliano, the Director Executive Programs, Clinical Professor Music Industry & Recording Arts, at the Thornton School of Music,University of Southern California, by clicking here: http://www.insidemusicmedia.blogspot.com.
Box Office
Check The Daily & Weekly Box Office (and more film info) at: www.boxofficemojo.com.
TinyURL
Check out www.tinyurl.com where you can make a smaller URL that will work for any webpage you wish to link to or reference. (As you can see, I'm using it in my news stories above!)
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