INDIE NEWS BEAT 
July 17, 2006 Edition
* CBGB To Close On September 30th
* European Court Annuls SONY/BMG Merger
* The MusicDish Network To Promote Mellani Day’s Sophomore Release "Mostly True"
* Salvation Army Comples First Term Of Free After-School Online Music Lessons
* IRMA Facing A Backlash Over Their New Charts In Ireland
* The Wave Celebrates It’s Second Anniversary
* Getting Ink & Working The ‘Net: Secrets, Tips & Tricks Of Publicity & PR
* Galaxy Girl Special Charity Event! New York City Fall 2006
CBGB To Close On September 30th
After over 30 years, the legendary rock club CBGB will be closing for good on September 30th, 2006.
CB’s, as it is universally and fondly known, opened its doors in 1973, making it NYC’s oldest continuously- operating rock venue. Owner Hilly Kristal originally intended the club to showcase country, bluegrass and blues (hence the acronym), but the lack of places for unsigned bands to perform in New York at the time made CB’s a magnet for the punk and art-rock scenes that were emerging downtown. Throughout the 70’s, such seminal artists as The Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie, The Patti Smith Group, Television and Suicide performed at CB’s regularly, and the club served as an incubator for what would become the most influential music of the era.
When punk metamorphosed into hardcore in the 80’s, CB’s remained on the city’s cutting edge, offering a home for The Gorilla Biscuits, Agnostic Front, The Cro-Mags, Sick Of It All, H20, Murphy’s Law, Leeway and the other pillars of the NYHC movement.
As the New York nightlife industry grew bigger and more cutthroat in the 90’s, CB’s remained an endearingly stubborn throwback, sticking firm to the open-door booking policy that first welcomed its inaugural class of rebels - whoever you are, whatever you do, your band can play at CBGB. In a downtown scene increasingly governed by fashion and status, CB’s has zealously adhered to the formula that made it meaningful, by refusing to apply stylistic filters to its bookings, welcoming all comers to sink or swim on their own merits.
A much-publicized altercation with their landlord in mid-2005 led to an a star-studded benefit concert in Washington Square Park, and even Mayor Bloomberg vocally led his support to the little club that had developed, over the decades, into a globally-recognized cultural institution.
However, despite the universal outpouring of love, and numerous attempts to resolve the matter legally, Kristal has been unable to arrive at terms with the building’s owner, and a three-decade musical legacy will come to an end in just a few short months.
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European Court Annuls SONY/BMG Merger
In a landmark ruling which will set important legal and political precedents, the European Union’s Court of First Instance has overturned the European Commission’s 2004 authorisation of the Sony/BMG music merger.
The Luxembourg Court pointed out that the Commission’s analysis of the Sony BMG case was left wanting in various fundamental respects. It contained a series of legal and economic errors which renders the decision null and void.
The Commission waved the merger through unconditionally in 2004, creating the world’s second largest music company and putting 80% of the worldwide music market into the hands of four media conglomerates. This was despite widespread industry objection and previous market assessments that further concentration could not be tolerated. The independents highlighted a catalogue of fundamental mistakes which left the Court in no doubt that it had to overturn the Commission’s approval. The Court also ordered the Commission to pay three quarters of IMPALA’s costs.
This is a victory for music and cultural diversity. It is the start of market recovery. The independents take the view that the judgement underlines the need for any assessment of mergers in creative sectors to take into account the economic, social and cultural specificities of markets. IMPALA also emphasises that a review of the merger process in terms of the rights of third party market operators is required. IMPALA had made the case to the Court that the merger clearance process is biased towards large corporations and lacks transparency. Third parties who oppose a merger have few rights compared to the notifying parties. They also have extremely limited access to the Commission’s file. This makes proper decision making is very difficult.
The parties will now have to consider their options. An appeal to the EU’s highest court, also in Luxembourg, would be difficult as it can only be made on grounds of law. The merger will go back to the Commission but the independents believe that the problems highlighted by the Court right across the music market are too fundamental to be repaired. Without competition clearance Sony/BMG would have to dismantle.
The Court’s ruling will also thwart any other attempts to merge such as between EMI and Warner. It now looks extremely unlikely that they would obtain the competition clearances necessary. IMPALA will continue to oppose any further concentration.
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The MusicDish Network To Provide Saturated Online Exposure For Mellani Day’s Sophomore Release "Mostly True"
MusicDish, an Internet music magazine publisher and artist marketing/development firm, is proud to announce the addition of Jazz singer Mellani Day to the MusicDish Network roster. Combining a variety of online viral marketing strategies, the MusicDish Network will be coordinating a broad campaign in support of her debut full-length release "Mostly True."
Co-produced by renowned jazz pianist Eric Gunnison, and featuring her band Dazed, "Mostly True" consists of original jazz vocal-centric tunes that range from smooth jazz & blues to reggae & calypso. Available August 8, the 12 tracks album includes Billboard honorable mentions "True Love" and "Progress" as well as a bluesy version of Huey Lewis’ hit, "I Want a New Drug!"
The MusicDish Network will conduct an extensive saturated marketing campaign, combining PR/brand development, syndicated marketing and online street teaming. In addition, Mellani and her band will be aggressively pushed on social networking sites such as MySpace, Live Digital and TagWorld.
Joining Mellani on the "Mostly True" CD are members from the Dazed Band including Jamie Krutz, guitar and electric violin; Michael Willis, bass; Keith Whiting, Drums; on selected tracks Sky Canyon, vibes and congas; Phil Garcia, guitar; Bob Rebholz, sax; and Dirk Mewes on the bonus track playing the Uilleann bagpipe and a whistle made out of a ski pole.
Mellani previous three song EP, ‘Shy to Sure," was greeted with rave reviews. Two of the songs - "Shy to Sure" and "Jade to Sapphire" - won honorable mentions in the 2004 Billboard World songwriting competition.
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Salvation Army Comples First Term Of Free After-School Online Music Lessons Using WorkshopLive Technology
Declaring its initial online music lessons after-school project a solid success, The Salvation Army has announced plans to continue the free program, with the view of expanding it beyond the Berkshires region. A June 22 recital demonstrated the fruits of the innovative public-private collaboration among the Salvation Army and supporting organizations, including WorkshopLive Inc., Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, Guardian/Berkshire Life, Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield Rotary Club and the Pittsfield Cultural Council.
"From the very start, this program was conceived as a possible prototype for adoption elsewhere in the northeast, and nationally. This early experience convinces us that we are on the right track," said Capt. Scott Peabody, of the Pittsfield Corps. "The WorkshopLive approach to online learning proved extremely effective in our music lab. Students found it easy to use, and their progress was remarkable. My guess is that they never knew online music lessons could be this much fun."
Capt. Peabody told attendees at the concert/recital of student musicians that the Pittsfield Corps is now accepting for the second 12-week term of online music lessons, which begins in the fall.
"Music education has been proven to lift students¹ learning abilities in all subjects," said David Smolover, founder and CEO of WorkshopLive. "The Salvation Army has provided a valuable service in many ways, giving students a constructive after-school activity that is both fun and helpful to their quality of life. To see these students performing after just 11 weeks of lessons was a most rewarding experience. We are proud to be partners in this most worthwhile endeavor."
Available to those in grades 4-8, this new beginner program for keyboard lessons uses the teaching technology of WorkshopLive, the leading provider of online music lessons. WorkshopLive provided the course content and software; music interns from Berkshire Community College supervised the practice sessions; and Berkshire Life (Guardian) provided the hardware. This program is funded in part by grants from Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, Pittsfield Rotary Club, and the Pittsfield Cultural Council.
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IRMA Facing A Backlash Over Their New Charts In Ireland
Amidst the quiet summer lull and the distraction of the World cup, IRMA - the Irish Record Label Association, sneaked through the biggest change in the chart rules in Ireland since 1962.
Unfortunately, they failed to consult independant labels who are furious that they were not informed or fore-warned to the new change, which includes download sales in the weekly single charts.
An online petition has been setup for independent labels which calls on IRMA to suspend the new charts until the wider industry is consulted and satisfied that the new chart rule change benefits all in the industry, not just a select few.
The first Irish Single charts that includes download sales are as follows:
TOP TEN SELLING SINGLES & DOWNLOADS (w/e July 7th 2006)
—————————-
01. HIPS DON’T LIE - SHAKIRA FEAT. WYCLEF JEAN
02. I WISH I WAS A PUNK ROCKER-SANDI THOM
03. MANEATER-NELLY FURTADO
04. BUTTONS-PUSSYCAT DOLLS FEAT. SNOOP DOGG
05. HIGH-SULLIVAN BROTHERS
06. FROM PARIS TO BERLIN-INFERNAL
07. SEXY LOVE-NE-YO
08. HARD ROCK HALLELUJAH-LORDI
09. WHO KNEW-PINK
10. SMILE - LILY ALLEN
LABEL CHARTS
————-
01 - SONY BMG (British project)
02 - SONY BMG (British project)
03 - UNIVERSAL MUSIC (British project)
04 - UNIVERSAL MUSIC (British project)
05 - INDEPENDENT (Irish Project)
06 - UNIVERSAL MUSIC (British project)
07 - UNIVERSAL MUSIC (British project)
08 - SONY BMG (British project)
09 - SONY BMG (British project)
10 - EMI MUSIC GROUP (British project)
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The Wave Celebrates It’s Second Anniversary
The Wave (sister station to WCH Radio - St. Louis), celebrates it’s second anniversary this month.
As part of a series of celebrations for the St. Louis based hip-hop internet station, we decided to salute St. Louis artists, who have really embraced the station over the past two years, according to John O’Day the station’s CEO.
We’re planning a special show featuring St. Louis artists from rap to reggae. We wanted to showcase St. Louis’ artist to our worldwide audience, and since we are an Internet station we can do that. Says O’Day.
St. Louis is rich in music, but does not always get the opportunity to showcase it’s talent, and so we thought that during our second anniversary this would be a good time to do so. O’Day said. The show will also feature several former St. Louisans, whose heart is still in the Gateway City.
The show will begin at 7pm (cst), on July 19th, 2006 and can be heard by logging on to www.stationdirectory.com, scroll down to the rap category and click on The Wave.
The show "A saLOUte to St. Louis", follows another special show the station did earlier this month that featured only MySpace artists. That was fun, according to O"Day, who said there have been request for repeats of that show.
The Wave would also like to welcome it"s newest DJ, DJ Realz, who actually joins the station from his studio in Raleigh, North Carolina. Hey it"s the Internet!!
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Getting Ink & Working The ‘Net: Secrets, Tips & Tricks Of Publicity & PR
Google your name and see what comes up. Then Google any one of these terms: The G-Man, G-Man Music, or G-Man Marketing. If you, your company, or your artists want to increase awareness in print and online, this event is for you.
TOPICS:
- The art of the press release
- Using editorial content to reach more readers
- Approaching editors and journalists
- Online versus print publications
- Your 1-sheets say you’re a pro or an amateur
- Web strategies for improved Google rankings
- Networking power tips
- The 12 URLs you must know online
- Ways to reach magazines, newspapers and ezines
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
- Record Industry Professionals
- Personal Artist Managers
- Music & Entertainment Attorneys
- Producers
- Publicists
- Marketing Professionals
- Music Publishers
- Bloggers
- Ezine Editors
WHEN:
Tuesday, August 15th, 2006
6:00 p.m. Registration
7:00 p.m. Program begins
9:30 p.m. Program ends
WHERE:
Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn
Beverly Garland Theater
4222 Vineland Avenue
Studio City, CA 91604
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Galaxy Girl Special Charity Event! New York City Fall 2006
Legendary Performing Live artist Jeannette Claudine Romeu, "Galaxy Girl" and Alan Boss, proprietor of the Metropolitan Palladium in Manhattan, New York City are proud to present a three - hour LIVE music event to benefit children who are terminally ill with cancer at "A hole in the wall" camp, located in Ashford, Connecticut.
"Die J! Mars" will be opening for The Galaxy Girl Live show.
Special guest, renaissance painter Anastasia The Great will donate a masterpiece painting to be auctioned on the night of the concert. Visual Arts by Andrew Rudy, aka "Maestro"
Place: Metropolitan Palladium
125 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
Date: Wednesday, OCTOBER 25th, 2006
Time: 9:00 pm to 12:00am
Entrance: $50.00
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Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © Tag It 2005 - Republished with Permission
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