Industry News

Universal Buys BMG Publishing

Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group is already the world's largest record company. Now it's going to be the largest music publisher when it buys BMG Music Publishing for US$2.05 billion. BMG is the world's third largest publisher and grossed US$474 million last year. It owns a million songs by Coldplay, Christina Aguilera, Nelly, Maroon 5 and Mariah Carey, and classics by the Beach Boys and Barry Manilow. There were six other bidders, including Warner Music Group and a team that included media conglomerate Viacom Inc and private equity firm Apollo.

Furtado, Plant, Coming

Nelly Furtado will tour Australia in the first half of 2007, she says, with a show she says will mix her love for Spanish and Portuguese with hip-hop to her love for theatre.

The word is that Robert Plant is a headliner at the East Coast Blues & Roots festival next Easter, and will do a national run after.

Dolly Parton and Motorhead are on their way - but not on the same show, we reckon. Prince negotiations are continuing for a farewell tour while rumours keep bouncing back to us linking The Who and Big Day Out.

'Billboard''s Oz Spotlight

US music and technology bible 'Billboard' magazine is readying its annual Australian Spotlight to coincide with next month's ARIA awards. The Americans are so interested in what acts and labels are coming out of Australia that they've made international plans by record labels and publishers their main story.

Things We Hear

* Will Jet be a headliner at Big Day Out?

* Despite speculation Adam Hills was being wooed by commercial TV, he's re-signed with the ABC for the third series of music trivia show 'Spicks And Specks'.

* After Commercial Radio Australia made disparaging comments about the community radio survey, is McGair Ingenuity -which did the survey - taking legal action?

* Michael Franti will visit Parliament House in Canberra on September 26 to talk to politicians about his documentary about the Middle East war zones "I Know I'm Not Alone". Franti was invited by deputy opposition leader Jenny Macklin. Bet it's been quite some time since they had a dreadlocked speaker in there!

* Don't expect a Pseudo Echo DVD in the near future. Their video clips were all stored in a warehouse in Melbourne. It exchanged hands, and all unclaimed items were trashed.

* Who is the rock legend that the Music Managers Forum has snared to speak at their October seminars?

* Will Elton John and 50 Cent collaborate on a hip hop project?

* News Corp has signalled it is more likely to buy up radio stations than TV stations when cross-media laws are relaxed.

Sarez Scores In DJ Poll

Sarez was the only SA DJ in the Top 15 of the 2006 Technics inthemix50 DJ Poll. It was won by Sydney's Ajax followed by Kid Kenobi. Over 14,000 people cast a record 65,000 votes in the Poll. Ajax received his award at a packed Tank Nightclub in Sydney before 500 execs from around the country. Full list, including state winners and club nights see http://www.inthemix.com.au/50/

Sarez topped the South Australian category, followed by Josh, Kontrol, H Bomb and Patch in the Top 5. SA's most popular club night was voted Venus @ Arkaba, and most popular event was Arkaba Anthems from last August.

Singing And Stage Workshop

SA country singer Alison Hams will conduct the first of eight ARTS SA funded workshops on Sat 16 Sept. Hosted by Junior Country Crossover, the workshops are aimed to further develop talent of all ages in SA. Ham covers Vocal & Microphone Technique and Stage Presentation & Performance. It aims to coach performers on how to handle equipment successfully. It also covers vocal techniques as breathing, diction, and projection; working with bands/industry partners and writing charts. The stage/performance session coaches both on and off stage, from presentation to industry networking. It runs from 1 to 4.30pm at the Folk Federation of SA, cnr of George Street and South Road, Thebarton.

Hoods Lead Dance Awards

Adelaide's Hilltop Hoods, whose success this year included a #1 album and a sell out tour, lead this year's Dance Music Awards nominations. They got no less than six mentions for the Sydney event, including best live act, best hip hop act, best album, best single, best remix and best producer for MC Suffa. The Presets had five mentions.

Air Members Showcase

While most of the showcase slots at Brisbane's Big Sound conference in October are reserved for Qld acts, the Association of Independent Record Labels (AIR) has managed to secure five spots for acts around the country as well as in Qld. Showcases will be held on Wed 18 and Thur 19 Oct. See www.sonicbids.com/airatbigsound.

Wright At SonyBMG

Shelley Wright has begun at SonyBMG Music Entertainment at their Sydney headquarters as publicity and artist relations rep. She was previously event manager at ACP Magazines.

JB Hi Fi Eyeing NZ

JB Hi Fi, which is said to be about 18% to 20% of the local music CD and DVD retail market with its 70 stores, told Billboard magazine it will open its first New Zealand store by next March. The chain, which recently announced a record net profit of $25.8 million, told Billboard Sydney correspondent John Ferguson it may acquire another NZ chain.

INXS Managers Stoush Over?

The legal stoush between INXS and their two former managers David Edwards and Michael Murchison of Odd Couple Productions Pty Ltd seems to have been settled quietly. The outcome remains confidential. Odd Couple sued for $7.5 million at least for their share of royalties from the band's CD, tour and merchandise.

Cleanskins Of The Week

The National Football League in the US has abandoned playing Gary Glitter's Rock And Roll Pt 2 (ya know, "rock and roll, HEY!") at the beginning of each game and after each touchdown because of his paedophile activities. That generated him $250,000 a year (the song, not the other activities).

Lifelines

Expecting: Helen Hatzi (Warner Music, Marketing Manager) and Brendan Williams (Level 2), their first child around 15th December.

Injured: INXS' Tim Farriss tore a ligament during their Canberra show and played the next few shows in considerable pain despite multi-injections before he went onstage.

Hospitalised: My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryor from injuries during a video shoot.

Hospitalised: Rancid's Lars Frederiksen had a seizure midway through a Montreal show.

Arrested: 50 Cent, after New York cops stopped him for making a dangerous lane change, and discovered his Ferrari was unregistered.

In Court: US rap act Three 6 Mafia asked a judge to dismiss legal action brought by a 19-year old man who claims their song Let's Start A Riot provoked a violent attack on him during a Pittsburgh show.

In Court: two Queensland bouncers working at Mackay's Pulse nightclub are committed to stand trial for allegedly beating a patron who allegedly smashed a glass pane inside the club.

In Court: Arthur Fawell, who drugged and sexually abused a 13-year old girl after reading that Ozzy Osbourne allegedly had done the same, was sentenced to 10 years jail in NSW District Court.

In Court: the 17-year old who stabbed 2GB newsreader Rowan Barker was let off with a two year suspended sentence.

In Court: a 63-year old Dutch priest admitted to a hoax bomb scare to a Madonna show to stop her doing her mock crucifix routine.

In Court: Victor Willis, original cop in the Village People, got three years probation for drugs and gun possession.

In Court: Ron Isley of R&B group the Isley Brothers jailed for three years for tax evasion, and has to pay $3.1 million back.

In Court: As Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson divvy up their $36 million in assets, Lachey will take more than $1.5 million offered by Simpson (he could claim $18 million because Simpson refused to sign a pre-nup) but less than the 50 percent he's entitled to by law.

Died: US tenor player Dewey Redman (Ornette Coleman, Keith Jarrett), 75.

Died: South African sax player Moses Khumal hung himself at his home in Johannesburg, aged 27.

Died: British jazz trumpeter Ian Hamer who once recorded with the Beatles, of a heart attack, 73.

Died: Melbourne radio legend Don Lunn, 71, heart attack. He dubbed himself 'Daddio of The Radio' and 'Professor Funn'.

Wilson Crosses Boundary

Julia Wilson is the new label manager for Boundary Sounds Records. She was previously promo coordinator at Liberation Music. Boundary Sounds' roster includes The Mares and Wons Phreely.

Joining Ferris Davies

Joining Sydney PR company Ferris Davies PRM is PR assistant Bianca O'Neill who is contacted at office1@ferrisdaviesprm.com.au and on 0405 181 750. She is currently finishing a Masters - Media Practice at Sydney Uni. Cat Swinton (office2@ferrisdaviesprm.com.au and 0411 333 190) is taking a break from her own publicity company, Catalyst Public Relations, to assist them over the next couple of months.

Mason Moves At CBAA

At the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Paul Mason has moved into the newly-created role of Manager, Content Services. It is part of a restructure to bring together all CBAA managed online, satellite and music initiatives into a single unit. Mason previously established and managed the Australian music initiative Amrap for the CBAA.

Ferris At Warner/Chappell

Cassie Ferris is Warner Chappell Music's licensing coordinator, replacing Jo Thornely. She was at FMR, MTV Europe and Foxtel.

Sunscreen Looks At Indie Videos

In its second year, SunScreen aims to give independent artists a chance to showcase their music videos without the competition of big budget videos from the majors. Videos must have cost $15,000. Sonicbids members that enter before October 1st will be considered for a spot at the Festival of The Sun. See www.sonicbids.com/sunscreen

Scissors, Floyd, Fall Out

Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears called Pink Floyd's David Gilmour "a bastard" and revealed details of a fallout between the pair. After their hit cover of Floyd's Comfortably Numb, Shears was invited to sing it at Gilmour's New York show. The offer was withdrawn at the last minute. "It was like taking candy away from a kid," he told 'Uncut'. My mom was getting on a plane to come and see me."

Wanna Be Promotions Manager At Liberation?

Liberation Music and Ivy League need a full-time Promotions & Publicity Manager in their Melbourne office. You work closely with radio, TV, print across Victoria, SA and WA to promote Liberation, Ivy League, Liberator and Illusive acts. You need at least 3 years experience specifically in promo and publicity, and be a knowledgeable music fan. They will pay relocation costs for suitable applicant. Send your resume to info@liberation.com.au by Fri 15 Sept.

Star Maker: Now A Compass Record Deal

Next year's 'Toyota Star Maker', a country music talent search, will introduce a record contract with Compass Brothers Records as part of the winner's prize.

Basil Fawlty At Radio Conf.

British comedian John Cleese (aka Basil Fawlty) will make the keynote address at the Australian Radio Conference. It is at Luna Park in Sydney on Fri 13 Oct. Other speakers look at the impact of the Internet, cross media ownership, brand management, holding on to listeners, promotion and what radio will sound and look like in 2010.