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Russia Tries To Claim The North Pole, Elton John Would Like To Shut Down The Internet...No, Really!
August 3, 2007
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"All music is folk music. I ain't never heard no horse sing a song." -- Louie Armstrong.
Despite the fact that Russia actually tried to claim most of the North Pole as its own this week and they planted a national flag on the seabed of ice, ( source ), it wasn't long before Canada, the U.S., Norway and others called the whole episode a symbolic show to stake a claim in the energy riches in the Arctic.
More important, let's not forget that if anyone actually did claim the North Pole as their own, they could monopolize the whole Santa Claus market. After all, Santa lives there and that's where all the toys are made. We're talking big bucks here, folks. So I, for one, don't think anyone's about to relinquish all the Santa marketing rights without a major fight. That fight could end up being a bigger conflict than the ones currently going on between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama.
Almost as silly as Russia's planting that flag in the ice this week was the interview in London's THE SUN newspaper with ELTON JOHN, in which he actually said, "The Internet has stopped people from going out and being with each other, creating stuff. Instead they sit at home and make their own records, which is sometimes OK, but it doesn't bode well for long-term artistic vision. I do think it would be an incredible experiment to shut down the whole Internet for five years and see what sort of art is produced over that span. Let's get out in the streets and march and protest, instead of sitting at home and blogging." ( http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007350453,00.html )
I had the great pleasure of working with ELTON for a few years while I was at MCA Records, and I can truly say he was one of the kindest, most generous artists I've ever met, and an absolute delight to work with. But even though I love you E.J., I have to disagree completely with what you said.
There's also a whole lot of NEW music on the Internet. A whole lot. TONS. More than you can imagine. More than on radio here or anywhere in the world. that's why the Internet has become the new media of choice for music lovers all over the world, and why it has helped new artists like LILLY ALLEN, AMY WINEHOUSE, OKGO, KATE WALSH, THE ARTIC MONKEYS and other established artists like WILCO. All are evidence that the Internet is now a vibrant breeding ground for new talent.
This week, Epic Records artist SEAN KINGSTON became the first MySpace artist to receive one million plays in the first 24 hours of a song's debut. I'd call that incredibly dramatic exposure that no other media (except maybe a top-rated TV show like "American Idol") could deliver at this point in time to an active music audience. One million plays. obviously, not everyone is "sitting at home and blogging."
ELTON also says, "Hopefully the next movement in music will tear down the internet." Well, E.J., the next movement in music IS the Internet, and nothing is going to tear it down. In fact, if anything, the Internet will be the primary media for all music in short time. (It already is for millions of people who don't listen to terrestrial radio anymore)
The only "movement in music" outside of the Internet that will continue to play a critical part in exposing new music to people is playing live in front of audiences. Nothing can replace the connection made between artists and their audiences in a concert setting, and artists who continue to make that connection when they tour will have longer careers than those who don't.
So ELTON, get online, and tune in to what's going on. You're a music lover, and you'll find so much music to listen to that you'll realize that there is art being produced online.
In fact, the REAL creative talents of the future are all online.
AS I WAS SAYING...
Apple announced on Tuesday that sales at its online music store, iTunes, have topped three billion songs, and that the iTunes store recently surpassed Amazon.com and Target to become the third-largest music retailer in the U.S. (Three BILLION!)
I've said it many times here in this newsletter: no one has done more for the industry to discourage the online theft of music than STEVE JOBS. It's simple math, really: 3 billion songs sold = 3 billion songs not stolen.
Yeah, I know the anti- JOBS rants about iTunes being nothing more than a vehicle to sell iPods ... yada yada yada. Even if that's the case, three billion songs have now been sold. I assume a lot of checks have gone out to artists and others at this point.
It's time to stop all the anti-Apple industry rants. (Funny, I don't read any negative comments of the artists getting checks from Apple.)
It's time for all the labels who want to profit from the sales of online digital music to either get their own stores up and running, or create even more strategic alliances where ancillary revenues can be generated.
Three billion SOLD. Whodathunkit.
Music Suit Creates Discord
A Seattle restaurant is among more than two dozen venues swept up in a music-licensing crackdown for allegedly failing to pay royalties to play copyrighted music in public. Without a special license, owners of bars, clubs and restaurants could be sued for playing any one of eight million recorded songs, even from their own CDs.
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) says that equates to performing copyrighted music without permission, and the group is going after local businesses that haven't paid them for the privilege.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Utility Download: RenaMusic
From PC Magazine: We all have our own systems for naming music files on our computers. Some prefer the track number to be in the title, others to lead off with the artist's name, and others still just need the song or album title. Trouble is, when you get music files from a friend, they're not always labeled the way you'd like them to be, and manually renaming each track is a painfully time-consuming task. Now, RenaMusic makes it easy to rename files by letting you create a file pattern using the tags of the MP3 or WMA files.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Goldman: Apple Prepping Redesigned iMacs, Full-Screen iPods
Apple Inc. is gearing up for several major product releases during the current quarter that should help drive earnings and higher share prices, including an overhaul to iMac and new full-screen iPods, according to investment bank Goldman Sachs.
"iPhone hype notwithstanding, with the heart of Apple's product cycle about to begin, we want to stay with the stock," analyst DAVID BAILEY told clients in a research note Thursday. "In the September quarter, Apple will finish up a refresh of its entire Mac lineup, rounding it out with a redesigned iMac."
Read more about it by clicking here.
Unseen Beatles Footage Emerges
...And it can be seen online.
Exclusive never-before-seen footage of THE BEATLES is being released today (AUGUST 1). The material was filmed by the Fab Four's former roadie MAL EVANS and has been hidden for decades.
The clips include secret concert footage as well as revealing private conversations and personal exchanges within the band. The historic footage includes live concert performances, also the Fab Four chatting as they travel down the Thames on a boat, and the band riding down LONDON's Park Lane in a car with their friends and rivals THE BEACH BOYS.
The private owners have licensed the footage exclusively to MBop, but you can see a preview on NME.COM now. Simply head to THE BEATLES artist page and launch the media player.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Elvis Managers Plan Graceland Overhaul
The thousands of ELVIS PRESLEY fans descending on MEMPHIS for the 30th anniversary of his death AUG. 16 won't see much sign of it, but plans are moving along for big-time changes at GRACELAND. Managers of PRESLEY's famous home want to overhaul its tourist complex, with a new visitors center bigger than a football field, a convention hotel and high-tech museum displays that can give a new, digital life to "The King" himself.
All it will take to bring about those wonders is $250 million or so; the total reorganization of CKX Inc., the New York-based company that controls all things ELVIS; and a publicly supported facelift for GRACELAND's struggling neighborhood. There's digital doings planned to make ELVIS come "alive" as part of the tour as well.
"People will actually think ELVIS is there," said CKX Chairman ROBERT F.X. SILLERMAN, a multimillionaire dealer in media and entertainment assets who took over GRACELAND in 2005 when he bought the rights to ELVIS' name and image from daughter LISA MARIE, PRESLEY's sole heir.
Read more about it by clicking here.
A Picture Worth A Thousand Lies
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but are they authentic? In April of 2003, the LOS ANGELES TIMES ran a dramatic image of a British soldier urging Iraqi civilians to safety. The credited photographer, BRIAN WALSKI, was later fired for combining separate photos to create the image. It was a compelling shot, but it was also a lie.
Such trickery is not news to security researcher NEAL KRAWETZ, founder of Hacker Factor. Krawetz presented his research into exposing malicious-software writers through their keyword use and word choices. KRAWETZ is interested in the ways our use of technology reveals us, even when we think we're being anonymous. This year, KRAWETZ is turning his attention toward revealing the secrets buried within images. For example, KRAWETZ recently attempted to determine--based on the images alone--who might have leaked the contents of the final HARRY POTTER book onto the Internet.
"Some images are on the Internet, some have made the newspaper. There was a graphic picture rendered of BUZZ ALDRIN walking on the moon. It won an award from the Computer Graphics Society. (In my talk) I actually dissect the image and show how it was likely made. This picture--to the human eye--is photo-realistic. It's made the cover of magazines. BUZZ ALDRIN was created using (Autodesk's) 3ds Max and Combustion, and (Adobe Systems') Photoshop, which are all off-the-shelf software programs. But it's one thing to have the tool; it's another thing to have the talent to actually use it right."
Read more about it by clicking here.
TorrentSpy Lawyer Battling 'Copyright Extremism'
IRA ROTHKEN is technology's answer to the radical lawyer -- Silicon Valley's version of JOHNNIE COCHRAN or WILLIAM KUNSTLER. Tech start-ups sued by media conglomerates for copyright infringement typically call on ROTHKEN, a medical researcher-turned-lawyer. He's made a name for himself by bucking entertainment empires and by backing longshot copyright cases, such as those involving RecordTV, ReplayTV and MP3Board.com. His efforts have won him praise from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), the advocacy group that has become synonymous with user rights on the Web.
"IRA has a strong intuition for the little guy," said FRED VON LOHMANN, an EFF senior staff attorney. "He enjoys these uphill fights. I often refer people to him."
The 44-year-old ROTHKEN is defending another back-against-the-wall company in a case that could set an important legal precedent. Last year, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the trade group that represents the top film studios, filed a copyright suit against TorrentSpy, a search engine often used by file sharers to locate pirated films. In May, a federal magistrate judge ordered the company to turn over user information stored in its servers' random access memory (RAM).
Read more about it by clicking here.
Google Bets On Mobile Market
Search giant Google is setting the stage for its biggest push yet into the U.S. mobile market, in a strategy that delicately straddles the line between partnering and competing with the major cell phone operators.
Last week, Google signed its most significant deal with a U.S. wireless operator to date. Sprint Nextel will integrate the company's mobile services with the carrier's new 4G WiMax network.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Worldwide Wireless Downloads
Traveling overseas doesn't mean you have to leave the comforts of your home wireless network behind you. AT&T's BroadbandConnect high-speed network has come a long way in the past year and is the best option for globe-trotting businesspeople who often spend time in EUROPE. These five advanced cellular products reviewed by PC Magazine for the BroadbandConnect network deliver global high-speed surfing.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Toshiba's 5 Free HD DVD Disc Promotion
Toshiba announced it has extended its highly successful "Five Free HD DVD Disc" promotion, "The Perfect Offer," until September 30, 2007. "The Perfect Offer," a strategic promotion started last year by Toshiba to encourage purchase of Toshiba HD DVD players, has been met with overwhelming demand and consumer response and has contributed to strong sales of Toshiba HD DVD players.
As a result, with the purchase of any Toshiba HD DVD player, consumers will continue to be able to select five HD DVD titles from a selection of 15 for free, via a mail-in offer. Full offer details are available at www.toshibahddvd.com
Read more about it by clicking here.
THIS WEEK'S 'WHO CARES?' NEWS ITEMS
ITEM #1: In September's GLAMOUR magazine, STAR JONES-REYNOLDS finally admits that she underwent gastric bypass surgery in AUGUST, 2003, resulting in a weight loss of 160 pounds over three years. Gee, what a surprise, huh? REYNOLDS says she was "intentionally evasive" when people asked how she'd dropped the pounds because she was afraid of what people would think of her. I don't know why she was afraid of that since most people already thought she was obnoxious anyway.
ITEM #2: WHOOP-DEE-DOO: WHOOPI GOLDBERG is the replacement for ROSIE O'DONNELL on "TThe View." The comedienne (although I for one can't remember the last time she was funny) will begin her stint on SEPT. 4th.
CONGRATS
CONGRATS #1 TO: STEVE MARTIN, who married his girlfriend ANNE STRINGFIELD at his LOS ANGELES home SATURDAY in a surprise ceremony attended by TOM HANKS, DIANE KEATON, EUGENE LEVY and CARL REINER, among others. "Saturday Night Live" creator and producer LORNE MICHAELS served as best man.
CONGRATS #2 TO: To MARK BURNETT, CHARLES GIBSON and MTV CEO JUDY MCGRATH, who are among the TV luminaries slated to be inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame on Oct. 22.
WELL, I TRIED IT MY WAY, NOW I WANT HITS AGAIN, DEPT
After all was said and done, KELLY CLARKSON evidently realized it's better to be part of team than try and run the ball downfield on her own. After all the CLIVE DAVIS rants, KELLY has agreed to make her next album the same way she did her multi-platinum "Breakaway." Yup, she'll let CLIVE DAVIS and his team have input on the whole project.
DIVORCE COURT UPDATE
BRITNEY SPEARS and KEVIN FEDERLINE are officially over. A LOS ANGELES Superior Court judge signed off on the couple's split MONDAY.
UNPAID CHILD SUPPORT UPDATE
MELANIE BROWN filed a paternity suit against EDDIE MURPHY, calling him a "poor role model" for their four-month-old daughter, ANGEL. The former SPICE GIRL claims MURPHY has not visited the infant or paid any child support, despite having confirmed he was the father via paternity testing.
PRE-MARRIAGE JITTERS?
USHER and his expectant fiancée TAMEKA FOSTER called off their wedding on the morning of the big day last SATURDAY. No reason was given for their decision to hold off on their vows.
OZZIE OK
OZZY OSBOURNE was treated at a DENVER hospital for a "minor outpatient procedure" over the weekend, his management company said. The 58-year-old singer was said to be "doing well" following his release.
GOOD NEWS FOR US ALL!
PARIS HILTON and NICOLE RICHIE's "The Simple Life" is over. After five seasons, the E! channel has decided against picking up the reality show for another season. The series finale airs this weekend. Believe it or not, I can actually hear you all shouting for joy.
SLOW DOWN, YOU'RE MOVING WAY TOO FAST
KISS guitarist PAUL STANLEY, age 55, had to drop out of a concert in SAN JACINTO, CALIFORNIA, last FRIDAY after his heart started beating at more than twice the normal level during rehearsals. STANLEY was treated on the scene by doctors who gave him an IV and a shot to get his heart to beat at normal rhythm.
THEY THOUGHT HE DIDN'T DESERVE A BREAK TODAY
McDonald's dropped rapper TWISTA from its nationwide concert series because of his "controversial lyrics," the fast food company said on Monday.
ZEPPELIN FINALLY LANDS ONLINE
LED ZEPPELIN's music is finally hitting the Internet. The band will release "Mothership," a compilation album including "Stairway to Heaven," "Whole Lotta Love" and "Dazed and Confused" on iTunes Nov. 13. The tracks were personally selected by ZEPPELIN 's JOHN PAUL JONES, ROBERT PLANT and JIMMY PAGE, who are said to be discussing a possible reunion tour.
HOW LOW CAN IT GO?
Shares of Warner Music Group were trading at $12.29, after dipping as low as $12.18 this week. The question now is: How come heads aren't rolling at WMG?
THE STORIES HE COULD TELL ARE OBVIOUSLY WORTH BIG BUX
KEITH RICHARDS' memoir is currently at the center of a multimillion-dollar bidding war even though it's not scheduled to be published until 2010.
TWO THUMBS UP ONLINE
More than 20 years of televised movie reviews by ROGER EBERT, the late GENE SISKEL and his replacement RICHARD ROEPER will be available online beginning THURSDAY at the website www.AtTheMoviesTV.com."For years, this was a dream," EBERT said in a statement. "Now I am exhilarated that it is a reality, thanks to the enormous effort of digitizing something like 1,000 programs."
AC/DC TO VERIZON
AC/DC is finally selling its music digitally, but only via Verizon Wireless, which has secured exclusive rights to sell the band's back catalog through MARCH 2008, becoming the first and only digital music store to offer the band's songs. The deal is limited to full-album downloads -- one of the reason's AC/DC's music has not appeared in digital form to date. Since full-album downloads are too large and too expensive to sell from mobile phones, Verizon is only selling them from the PC version of its V Cast music service for $12 an album. The one exception is the group's biggest hit, "You Shook Me All Night Long," which will be available as an over-the-air download.
WONDER HITS THE ROAD
STEVIE WONDER announced that he would kick off his first major concert tour in more than a decade. The Motown legend will launch his trek AUG. 23 in SAN DIEGO.
DOLLY HITS THE ROAD
DOLLY PARTON will release her first mainstream country album in 17 years in FEBRUARY and will launch a world tour to promote it, according to her manager.
SHREK 4
Look for "Shrek 4" to hit theaters in MAY of 2010. Let's hope that this is the final installment of the franchise.
Quotes of the week
"Don't put it on YouTube."
-- BEYONCE, after slipping onstage during a concert performance last week. Despite her plea, the accident was posted on the website multiple times hours later and viewed by thousands."Find what you love doing (other than drugs and alcohol), work hard, stay focused, and get a new set of parents."
-- DONALD TRUMP's advice to LINDSAY LOHAN. Hard to argue with "The Donald" on this one."Of course, there are things anybody wishes they didn't have or wishes [there] were more of, but why even bring that up? I think it comes off as bratty."
-- EVA MENDES, on being satisfied with her nice physique to JANE Magazine. I think most of us are satisfied with her physique as well."Somebody needs to teach you some class, my friend. You don't go grabbin' somebody else's, somebody's husband's [private parts], you understand me? That's very disrespectful."
-- FAITH HILL, chastising a female fan who grabbed husband TIM MCGRAW in the crotch area as he walked between a barricade and the stage to greet fans."I would really want to be someone my child would look up to."
-- NICOLE RICHIE to DIANE SAWYER. Well, then all you have to do is change your evil ways, NIC.
The B-Side - 'Blips'
THE ONION (www.theonion.com) STORY OF THE WEEK:
Activision Reports Sluggish Sales For Sousaphone Hero
SANTA MONICA, CA-Despite a catchy 1890s soundtrack and realistic-feeling game play, Sousaphone Hero, the third installment of Activision's massively popular Guitar Hero video game franchise, sold a mere 52 copies in the United States in its opening week, the company reported Monday.
"In the wake of Guitar Hero's success, we thought the public was more than ready for additional popular American musical genres in a simulated-performance format, but people don't seem to be responding to marches as well as we had hoped," said Activision spokeswoman Melissa Hendleman, whose company spent an estimated $25 million developing the game for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii consoles.
Sousaphone Hero offers two dozen public-domain marches, including 1893's "The Liberty Bell," 1896's "Stars and Stripes Forever," and 1897's "Entry of the Gladiators." The bulky sousaphone-shaped controller coils around the body, and players wear white spat-like foot coverings fitted with sensors that monitor synchronized marching steps. As with the fret buttons on Guitar Hero's guitar peripheral, the sousaphone controller's three valves are color-coded to match on-screen notes the player must hit.
Read the rest and laugh here: http://tinyurl.com/2c8gu2.
The Blogs
Check out a great blog (that I contribute commentary to) 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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