The private equity firm Terra Firma hoping to buy EMI has again extended the deadline for its bid by 10 days. EMI shareholders have until July 29 to accept Terra Firma’s offer.
(BBC)
It has been rumoured that Starbucks is set to sign Joni Mitchell to their Hear Music label. Paul McCartney released ‘Memory Almost Full’ through Starbucks in June and was his highest charting US
Independent and unsigned artists will no longer have to waive digital rights to gain airplay on Clear Channel Radio affiliates. Clear Channel was under scrutiny when it asked artists to forgo their online royalties, particularly as they related to online station simulcasts and on-demand offerings (DMN).
More reading on this topic: Blackmail, Radio Giant Clear Channel Accused Of Making Indie Artists Forfeit Performance Royalty
Prince distributed nearly 3 million copies of his latest album in the UK. According to the paper, 2.81 million copies of the paper were purchased, nearly a record-breaking result. Sony BMG UK, dissolved its one-album contract with Prince following the discovery of the Mail on Sunday plan.
 
Walt Disney takes creative action to reverse declining of CD Sales..
Walt Disney music label Hollywood Records is offering a new CD format with extra features to encourage CD purchases in an effort to reverse declining CD sales. Hollywood Records recently unveiled its new CDVU+ (CD View Plus) format with digital magazine extras, song lyrics, band photos and other extras to boost fan loyalty.
The new format also replaces the traditional CD booklet and plastic jewel case with recyclable packaging. Teen pop punk band Jonas Brothers will be the first act to use the technology when they release their album on August 7. (Reuters)
Bottom Line: It’s about time a music label offered a new CD format despite the digital revolution. It needed an overhaul. Although it may not significantly spike CD sales, the standard CD jewel case is cheap and certainly not sexy. Again, hit records and artists will benefit the most.
Warner takes over EMI in market share while Universal Music remains the leader with a 25.7 percent in 2006 for physical and digital music markets. (Reuters)
Also, Warner Music confirmed that it has “decided not to make an offer for EMI” at this time.
Sony’s Sir Howard Stringer used the word ‘greed’ to describe Apple CEO Steve Jobs. According to one audience member, Stringer said it’s funny that Jobs accuses record companies of greed because they want to get paid for music downloads. Stringer said Jobs, who just launched the iPhone, is the “greedy” one because he wants a world where only he makes money. (NY POST)
As odd as it seems – the singing sensation Paris Hilton wants to return to the studio and give it another go ’round. She reportedly signed up for vocal lessons. The press and publicity stints for the famous for being famous and socialites are slowing dying. It’s less interesting.
Top Current Albums
Smashing Pumpkins
Zeitgeist
TW 144,760
Hannah Montana
Soundtrack
TW 126,230
Total 641,891
Interpol
Our Love to Admire
TW 73,223
Kelly Clarkson
My December
TW 58,593
Total 463,426
Linkin Park
Minutes to Midight
TW 54,082
Total 1,356,033
Nickelback
All the Right Reasons
TW 41,777
Total 5,588,980
Velvet Revolver
Libertaid
TW 37,172
Total 130,962
Paramore
Riot!
TW 13,737
Total 101,844
Some say the US Media Blitz Backfired on Victoria..
The New York Post gave the show a damning zero-star review, slamming the pop-star turned fashion figure as “relentlessly self-promoting” with “vapid, condescending behavior” in a show described as “an orgy of self-indulgence.” Tom Cruise arranged the arrival of David and Victoria. The EVENT was held in Los Angeles that some described as bigger than 9/11.
The New York Times was no more forgiving in its write-up, describing Victoria Beckham as being “somewhat famous for being sort of famous, and is photographed a lot in Britain.”
America suffering from a ‘Creative Drought‘ makes it difficult for mainstream media to concoct a story that captivates the American public. The ratings are down across the board. More importantly, one needs to ask how we got here? If you want to correct a problem, then you need to trace it back to the root.
Tracing the drought back to its original root is easy. The root was the INTERNET. The INTERNET which was originally used for the military was introduced to the general public. Thats when the Flood Gates opened. The flood gates opened itself to amateurs that produced amateur content. The amateur content diluted professional content causing chaos and havoc.
The result of this mayhem is amateur content Victoria and David Beckham ‘famous for being famous’…..
Another attribute that the INTERNET produced was the ‘lust’ for being famous. When one is consumed with lust it is highly probable that creativity will suffer. The simple definition of lust is having a self-absorbed desire for an object, person, or experience. When one is in lust, they place the object of desire ABOVE ALL things. That means creativity holds second place to lust. With that said, would it surprise you that blockbusters HITS are Scarce? Would it surprise you that Hollywood can’t sell a MOVIE?
Everybody can have a myspace, a facebook, CD’s, merchandise, promotional tools, etc. It doesn’t require thought or creativity, it just requires action. Time Magazine named ‘YOU’ as the MOST IMPORTANT PERSON of the YEAR.
Steve Jobs knew the flood gates were opened and made a fortune on the word ‘i’ that ultimately means ‘YOU’. The iPOD, iMAC, iTunes, iPhone…..Translation? yourPOD, yourMAC, yourTUNES, yourPHONE.
Why is the American Media whoring Victoria and David to the public? Because they want to capitalize on YOU. They are banking that ‘WE’ want to be ‘THEM’, that WE want our initials to be engraved on a BENTLEY, that WE want an entourage of hairstylists, 200 million contracts, plastic surgery. In all honesty, the people who want to be THEM will LOSE. They will never become famous, the lust will only allow them to DREAM about it.
Is the Media out of touch with American Public? Lets hope so. If the Media is not out of touch then the creative drought will continue. The solution is to call it out and find a way to spark creativity.
Bottom Line: As long as the public continue to view this new ERA of self proclaimed idols (Paris, Victoria, Britney), creativity will take a backseat. We cannot replicate our lives through them. Although entertainment is meant to escape, this goes beyond the boundaries and true creativity will be lost. If you don’t believe me, then go find me a MOZART.
More reading…..
Ego Monsters of the WEB – Washington Post
One in 5 people on Earth has Internet – Guardian
New Music and recommended listening:
Up and Coming New artists….
Northern Room – We’re On Fire
The October – Lost since Graduation
Lennex – Driftin Away
March – I will Be
National artists….
Yellow Card – Light Up The Sky
Glenn Phillips – Rise Up
The Bravery – Time Won’t Let Me Go
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