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Artist Development 2007 Style
April 13, 2007
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"I set up my own record label called Blueberry Pie and just got the music out there. It's pretty easy. Anyone can do it. It's amazing. It's great news for all the people who can have the confidence to go out there and do it themselves. You don't need loads of money to make an album and they don't need the backing of a record label. There's no advertising or marketing involved, you don't go on how much money has been spent."
-- UK artist Kate Walsh, who is #1 on the iTunes download album chart there, and not signed to a major label..The above quote by Kate Walsh is from the news story below. ('The Songbird Who's Outselling Take That With Her Homemade Album ')
It's a great story indeed. Inspirational, and at the same time probably unsettling to so many big label executives. Because as Kate says above, she did it all herself. And if Kate can do it (and OKGO, and Lily Allen, and Amy Winehouse, and others who are doing right now), then so can a whole lot more.
So, the Internet is really not impeding at all the development or exposure of new artists. In fact, artists breaking online via social networking sites, etc., would probably never had any chance at all getting significant radio play or being signed by a major label. Most don't fit the magic formula for that "it factor" so prevalent in all music marketing today. That's what music video did to the industry. Billy Joel said, "Videos destroyed the vitality of rock 'n' roll. Before that, music said, 'Listen to me.' Now it says, 'Look at me.' And how true.
Of course radio could have scored enormously when MTV hit, had it remembered that MUSIC was the primary reason people listened and turned the dial to their favorite station(s). But alas, video killed the radio star, because radio played a lot of the same vapid music that MTV did. The videos might have looked great on TV screens, but a whole lot of the music was simply disposable. It was the beginning of the disposable music onslaught and so much of what was on MTV back then is now forgotten because the music just wasn't that good. (e.g. Haircut 100, Flock of Seagulls, and dozens more)
I've written many articles about this generation and the ones behind it (coming up fast) not having any affinity for local radio at all. They listen to music online, trade files and turn each other onto music, tune in to Internet radio, and burn their own songs onto their iPods. The audience is not waiting anymore for traditional media to give them what they want because traditional media has ignored them for far too long.
That's why Kate Walsh is #1 at iTunes in England. The people found her ONLINE. The people told each other, and they ended up BUYING her song, and now her album is selling as well.
Wilco's front man Jeff Tweedy said, "But I don't see it (file-sharing) as a threat because I don't feel that it's a threat to have people more interested in music. I think what's happening with file sharing is that you have a lot more people hearing a lot more music, and I think more than anything else it has engendered an enthusiasm for music. It's a no-brainer that it should be embraced, that's kind the whole point of making music, to be heard."
And more and more artists ARE being heard online. More and more are taking the necessary steps to take control of their own careers. And all of them are doing it ONLINE.
Now if the labels could only figure out a way to utilize the Internet in as meaningful a manner, they would be more successful at breaking new artists with new voices yet to be heard. Because the chances are the audience waiting to hear those voices is not waiting to hear them on the radio or see them on MTV.
AND NOW THIS
This week Apple's iPod sales hit the 100 million mark. Not bad for a product introduced just five and a half years ago. Not bad at all. We are officially an iPod nation.
Meanwhile, the iTunes Music Store, opened only four years ago, recently passed sales of 2.5 billion (that's billion folks, with a 'b'). While many label executives still dislike the fact that iTunes allows people to "cherry pick" songs instead of buying overpriced CDs, the fact remains that Steve Jobs SOLD over 2.5 billion songs, and that means that 2.5 billion less songs were stolen on P2P sites. I would guess at this point all the artists that have received checks from iTunes in the past four years are a whole lot happier getting SOMETHING rather than nothing, which is what they get when their music is downloaded for free on the hundreds of sites around the globe still offering free downloads.
The rate at which both the iPod and iTunes have achieved such extraordinary success is indeed confirmation that consumers have spoken loud and clear at the cash register regarding their preferences for buying and listening to music. And it's quite obvious; the CD has little relevance to them.
According to Nielsen Soundscan the first quarter was another one with bad news for the recording industry. Soundscan figures show sales dropped 16.6 percent for the quarter while physical disc revenues slipped an enormous 20.5 percent.
I keep reading news blurbs about labels appointing people to executive positions to facilitate the industry's setting up future digital models. If these people are REALLY doing something, it's time to see what that might be.
Because in the meantime, all these Apples (i.e., iPods, iTunes) the public is consuming everyday, are changing things faster than ever imagined.
The Songbird Who's Outselling Take That With Her Homemade Album
Acoustic guitarist Kate Walsh has knocked Take That off the top of the iTunes download album chart - but does not even own an iPod. The 23-year-old guitarist recorded her album in a friend's bedroom and named it Tim's House in his honor.
The homemade album has proved an unexpected hit with iPod fans who had downloaded it from the iTunes website in their thousands - knocking Take That and Kaiser Chiefs from the top spots. Miss Walsh said: "You end up looking at it every day to see if you're still number one. I think I'm ahead of Elton. "I don't actually have an iPod yet. I hear they are quite good for ten hour flights.
"I set up my own record label called Blueberry Pie and just got the music out there. It's pretty easy. Anyone can do it."
Read more about it by clicking here.
EMI And Beatles Strike Royalty Harmony
The company representing The Beatles has settled a $59 million royalty dispute with EMI Group in a deal that could finally pave the way for the Liverpool band's music to go online. Apple Corps, the company owned by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison, said in December 2005 that it would sue the record company after negotiations broke down.
Apple Corps said an audit had determined that EMI had not been fulfilling the terms of its contract.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Defendant Prevails In Another RIAA File-sharing Case
A federal judge has dismissed Elektra v. Santangelo with prejudice, leaving the door open for defendant Patti Santangelo to recover attorneys' fees from the RIAA. Last month, Judge Colleen McMahon denied the RIAA's motion to dismiss the case without prejudice, ruling that the case should either be dismissed with prejudice or proceed to trial so that Santangelo could have a shot at being exonerated of the RIAA's accusations of file-sharing and copyright infringement.
A stipulation of discontinuance with prejudice was entered yesterday by both the plaintiffs and defendants, which means that Santangelo is the prevailing party and therefore eligible to file a motion to recover attorneys' fees. It is anticipated that the RIAA will strongly oppose any such award of fees, as they have in Capitol v. Foster.
Patti Santangelo was targeted by the RIAA in 2005 as part of its crackdown against suspected file-sharing. The divorced mother of five denied engaging in file sharing herself, or having any knowledge of its happening in her house. The RIAA subsequently sued two of her children, Michelle and Robert, who were 15 and 11 years old when the alleged infringement took place.
Read more about it by clicking here.
New Day For Sly And Family Stone
The music of Sly and the Family Stone never faded away, despite the star's 30-year disappearing act. Not only do 'Everyday People and Dance to the Music' still crop up on radio and in TV ads, but the groundbreaking music that influenced Motown and P-Funk continues to shape rock and hip-hop.
Legacy Recordings marks the 40th anniversary of the band's signing to Epic Records this week with 'Sly and the Family Stone: The Collection', a limited-edition box set of seven newly remastered classic albums. Each also will be available individually on April 24, expanded with previously unreleased tracks and fresh liner notes.
Read more about it by clicking here.
THIS WEEK'S 'WHO CARES?' NEWS ITEMS
ITEM #1: DNA tests revealed during a paternity hearing in the Bahamas Tuesday determining that Larry Birkhead is indeed the father of Anna Nicole Smith's seven-month-old daughter, Dannielynn, as he has contended all along. If you are at all surprised by this news and actually thought that fake husband Howard K. Stern was the daddy, it's time to
IT'S A GOOD THING THEY FILE SEPARATE TAX RETURNS
People magazine reporting that Marc Anthony has agreed to pay $2.5 million in back taxes and penalties after failing to file returns for five years. Anthony, 38, the husband of Jennifer Lopez, wasn't prosecuted because an accountant handled his returns and Anthony thought the taxes had been paid, according to Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. J-Lo wasn't implicated in the investigation because the couple didn't file jointly.
BEYONCE LIVE
Beyonce will launch her North American tour July 6 in New Orleans and continuing with dates across the U.S. and Canada into September.
IMUS OUT
CBS Radio has cancelled Don Imus' morning show in response to the shock jock referring to Rutgers' women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos" last Wednesday. The decision came after Imus apologized on the air Monday and appeared on the Reverend Al Sharpton's radio show later in the day. MSNBC which broadcasts the show, announced they earlier they were dropping the show as well.
BUT WHAT WILL THESE ACTION FIGURES BE ABLE TO DO?
According to Billboard magazine, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora will get their own action figures from McFarlane Toys this August.
WHEN YOU GOT IT, FLAUNT IT, DEPT
Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley paying about $9.5 million for a new Bel-Air home with eight bedrooms, 10.5 bathrooms, an elevator, a sauna and garage space for 10 cars. 10.5 bathrooms??? Does the word 'excess' mean anything to you Avril?
LIVE EARTH TALENT LINE-UP
The Police, the Smashing Pumpkins, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson, Kanye West, John Mayer and Melissa Etheridge among the performers for the U.S. leg of the 24-hour, seven-continent Live Earth concerts on July 7, while the Beastie Boys, Madonna, Duran Duran, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters among the acts taking the stage in the U.K.
HE WON'T BE SO WILD & CRAZY FOR AWHILE
Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis indicted for tax evasion Wednesday and charged with deducting more than $20 million in false business expenses in 2002 and 2003. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. That wasn't all though. Thursday Jow was charged with trying to bribe a public official, possession of a controlled substance and introducing contraband into a jail cell after he allegedly tried to slip a guard $500 in exchange for a bottle of water, resulting in a search of his cell, where guards discovered 16 tablets of the sleeping aid Lunesta and the anti-anxiety drug lorazepam. All of the counts are third-degree felonies and carry a maximum five-year prison sentence.
JUSTIN & MADONNA
Justin Timberlake teaming with Timbaland to write and produce songs for Madonna's upcoming album, due out in November.
THIS WILL ONLY ADD TO HIS CREDIBILITY IN THE 'HOOD
Snoop Dogg pled no contest Wednesday to felony charges of possessing a gun and marijuana and receiving a three-year suspended sentence, meaning he will not spend any time in jail.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, PAULA ABDUL & RANDY JACKSON DON'T LOOK SO BAD AS JUDGES
Trade show mag Variety reports that Jermaine, Tito and La Toya Jackson partnering with CBS for a new American Idol-esque singing competition called Pop Dynasty, with the goal of finding a new family singing group. Hopefully the new group will do a lot better with their careers that Jermaine, Tito and LaToya.
THEY CLEANED ALRIGHT, BUT ALL TOO WELL
Boxes of photographic material - including the only remaining original transparencies from a 1963 Beatles photo session - were thrown out by a cleaner despite a note warning they weren't trash, a lawsuit filed in Britain's High Court claims. The lawsuit, obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, says more than 450 photographs, negatives and transparencies were lost, most of which were EMI's photographic archive from 1997.
WHEN YOUR MUSIC/ACTING/CELEBRITY CAREER IS OVER, THERE'S ALWAYS THIS
Ex-Spice Girl following in Madonna's footsteps with a six-book publishing deal for a series of children's stories about the adventures of Ugenia Lavender, a brave nine-year-old girl who spends her time solving mysteries and finding her way out of fantastic situations.
DIVORCE COURT
Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora are officially divorced.
2006 Industry Conferences
Date Name Location NAB April-14 - April-19 Las Vegas, NV 2007 ASCAP "I Create Music" Expo April 18-21 Los Angeles, CA MUSEXPO 2007 April 27 - May 2 Los Angeles, CA
Quotes of the week
"I can make clear at this time that I am not the father of the child."
-- Hugh Hefner to the Associated Press, denying any paternity claim to Anna Nicole Smith's daughter, Dannielynn."I focus on a guy if he's a boyfriend, but I don't focus on finding a boyfriend. They're never around when you want them."
-- Scarlett Johansson. Hard to believe any boyfriend of Scarlett's wouldn't be around when she wanted him."I have a butt, I have boobs and I have a woman's curves; there is no way I'd see them go to (size) zero."
-- Jennifer Lopez, on why she has zero hope (or desire) of ever being a size zero to the British edition of Elle magazine."There's no sleeping in the nude on the tour bus!"
-- Sheryl Crow, 45, joking to PEOPLE magazine on the first day of her "Stop Global Warming College Tour," which kicked off Monday at Southern Methodist University in Dallas."If you had paparazzi outside your house, you'd make sure you looked good, too."
-- Gwen Stefani to Harper's Bazaar, on her motivation for keeping up appearances. Yeah, that and plain vanity my dear.
The B-Side - 'Blips'
THE ONION (www.theonion.com) STORY OF THE WEEK:
From their 'Sunday Magazine' send-up, the following cover story: "Finding A Religion That Doesn't Disrupt Your Current Lifestyle"
THE ONION STORY OF THE WEEK:
Democrats Demand Inquiry Into How They're Doing So Far
WASHINGTON, DC-Democrats in both houses of Congress demanded a thorough inquiry Monday into whether or not the American people think they are doing a good enough job, and what, if anything, they should do differently.
"We cannot afford to make a wrong move as we face this crucial crossroads in our nation's history, which is why we need to know for sure what decision you'll support the most before we make it," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser Monday, scrutinizing the assembled crowd for signs of approval. "The question facing us today is simple: Do you like us? If not, why? We demand an answer."
Read the rest and laugh here: http://tinyurl.com/2mfnnv.
The Blogs
Check out a great (that I contribute commentary to) 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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