Could shows be off the table in 2022? I wouldn’t count it out. A string of artists cancelled their tours in the fall of 2021. Fauci now said he doesn’t see any type of normalcy until the Spring of 2022, at the earliest. Artists and managers are frustrated, because there is more uncertainty now than ever. At least last fall, the hopes of touring the Spring seemed plausible and it was. Now, nobody knows where this going. It’s a cruel summer.

The artist on the road now have full understanding that the wheels could fall off at any moment.

We all thought the vaccines were going to buy us out of this mess, but Israel with a highest vaccination rate also has the highest covid surge. A booster is on its way. Who knows if the latest booster will settle the score. Maybe an annual booster because the virus changes so rapidly.

And what about the debate around vaccine reports? No doubt it will harm business. I wouldn’t be surprised if concerts saw a 40% reduction in ticket sales. It’s risky business when you mix a weary population, and many who’ve been struggling for work 18 months with new laws like vaccine passports.

We want to keep people safe without destroying entertainment with all the restrictions.

Hard question, tough answers.

Olivia Rodrigo has added two members of Paramore to the writing credits of her single “Good 4 U”. Why? Rodrigo’s hit song is very similar to Paramore’s 2007 hit song Misery Business. They both share an identical verse and chorus accompanied with a rock production.

Paramore singer Hayley Williams and ex-guitarist Josh Farro are now listed as co-writers of the song.

Check out the Mashup.

Did you hear? Big things coming soon. I can’t tell you how many times I here this. I wait and wait and wait…

And what usually happens? Nothing. It’s a zero score in a game.

People tuned out. Especially if you use buzz words like deep dive, engagement, optimize, and queen. They’re the worse. Do you really want to bore people? Post a photo dump. Like anybody cares about random photos. Let’s face it, you have nothing to post, no story.

A personal story always hooks me. Especially if it’s real and heartfelt. You have to guts to be vulnerable. Especially today because it could be used against you.

Britney Spears is winning her bid to end her fathers control over the conservatorship. How? She told a story. People reacted. Her father couldn’t take the public backlash. He wants out.

Stories have to be real. We know the difference between genuine and fake.

If you make a real connection, folks will want to hear your music. They’ll like your music if they like you. It’s not the other way around.

I can’t help you with story building. Stories are built on the battlefield, not in class rooms.

Universal Music is expanding it’s music recorded-music operations in China.

The labels are Republic Records China, EMI China, PolyGram Records China, and Universal Music China. Each label will operate independently with its own artist rosters, A&R and marketing teams. The suits will report to UMGC chairman and CEO Sunny Chang.

“After 15 years of development in the local market, Universal Music is once again demonstrating its commitment to the Chinese creative community by becoming the first international major music company to launch multilabel operations here,” said Chang in a prepared statement.

“Under the new structure of four distinct labels, the star team at UMGC will be able to better support local musicians in a way that is more professional and comprehensive. With an innovative and pioneering spirit, UMGC will develop rising stars from the Chinese market and promote Chinese pop music so that it can be heard an audience around the world.”

AEG Presents will now require proof of vaccination for entry into its owned clubs, theatres, and festivals.

AEG Presents operates New York’s Webster Hall and Brooklyn Steel, The Roxy and El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, The Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas, Firefly Music Festival, Day N Vegas, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Coachella Music & Arts Festival.

“We realize that some people might look at this as a dramatic step, but it’s the right one. We also are aware that there might be some initial pushback, but I’m confident and hopeful that, at the end of the day, we will be on the right side of history and doing what’s best for artists, fans, and live event workers.”