XM Shares Drop: Grim Future.
“XM, which competes with Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. in the emerging business of selling nationwide radio service delivered by satellite, said it now expects to have 8.5 million subscribers by the end of the year, down from its previous estimate of 9 million”
The Grim outlook is due to the high expense for signing up subscribers. Lastly, XM was sued by major record companies over a new device that can store up to 50 hours.
30 year old KT Tunstall walked away with the Ivor Novello music award. She has become the most successful singer-songwriter to come out of Scotland. Her single Suddenly I See won best song at the London event, known as the “intellectual” music awards because they honour songwriting talent. A 30 year old woman winning an award? is this true? Does this mean that you don’t have to grace the pages of US Weekly to create national attention? Does this mean you don’t need to rap with Jay Z? I can’t bloody believe this. This must be a dream.
Some definite label heat on Los Angeles based
Side Story who began as a few scattered writing sessions on the campus of UCLA in January 06. Think Keane meets Maroon 5. Check out the track
Better Than which you will hear on the new ABC Television show “Kyle XY” that will air this summer. For more information contact Brandon Phelps – 310-446-1419.
Virginia based Alternative rock act
My Favorite Highway are on the fast track to success. The interest has attracted both majors and indies and they are presently being flown between the east and west coast. The bands on stage confidence and the infectious hooks will seal the deal. Check out the tracks
How To Call A Bluff and Murder On The Radio. For more information contact Daniel R. Friedman at 314.497.1060.
Atlanta based experimental alt-rock band In Vitro have signed to Victory Records, and will begin recording their debut release soon; Legal rep is Ben McLane. Toronto, Canada based indie pop band Crush Luther have signed to High Four Records owned by Goldfinger drummer Darrin Pfeiffer and distributed by Fontana/Universal which was also repped by Ben Mclane. Long Island rockers Phase 9 (Pictured) has signed to Capitol Records. Chicago-based five-piece AbsentStar has signed to RCA Records. Fair To Midland who recently signed to Serjical Strike records also sealed the deal with Universal. Lastly, Double Blind Recordings signs screamo act Signal the Escape.
The new idol is……29 year old Taylor Hicks. “Hicks was named the new “American Idol” Wednesday in a pop star-filled finale that included Prince and Mary J. Blige.”
“I’m living the American dream,” he added as he closed out the show with a performance of “Do I Make You Proud.”
“More than 63 million votes were cast, “more than any president in the history of our country has received,” Seacrest said.” Read the full article here.
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By tonight, America will have a new Idol. But who will it be? For the first time since the shows inception, the outcome isn’t entirely obvious. Since the Top 12, it has been anyone’s game, with classically trained Katharine McPhee and Mr. Soul Patrol, Taylor Hicks surprisingly taking the top 2 spots. The two couldn’t be more opposite with McPhee having nearly robotically perfect performances but an emotional disconnect and Hicks convulsing across the stage shouting lyrics at a microphone, possessed by what he’s singing. Both present unique challenges in their future careers with Hicks embracing a classic blend of funk and soul mixed with a little country that is virtually unknown in modern music, and despite seeing McPhee week after week it is very unclear where her place would be in pop. She has a voice more appropriate for Broadway than Billboard, and aside from her striking physical appearance has not branded herself. Each of the remaining two have question marks hanging over their heads, as it is anyone’s guess if either contestant really has what it takes to be a pop culture phenomenon. With votes exceeding 50 million last week, and viewers in a recent poll stating they feel their vote on AI means more than a vote in an election, this is a good opportunity to find out which is more important to America, style or substance? However, the real proof is in the pudding and if bets are placed on record sales, it would be wise to keep an eye on past contestants Chris Daughtry and Elliot Yamin.
AJ, KOAR
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