A Star*s Advice on F*ckn The Music Industry

My music pal named Adam of Strfckr usually creates music for my eardrums to dance to. I got an email from him giving me something to read. Adam made my eyes dance.

He shared this from Bob Lefsetz:

“Monsters vs. Aliens” just broke the 2009 box office record despite having reviews that were mediocre at best.

If you’re making your music for the cognoscenti, you’re missing the point.  You only need to please your target audience, that’s it.  Music used to be a hierarchical world.  Who had the number one album, who got the most airplay, who had the biggest grosses.  If you’re playing that game, you’re lost in the wilderness.  A number one album sells few copies and is no guarantee of profits.  So many people don’t even listen to the radio.  As for box office, do you really thing Miley Cyrus will be selling out arenas five years from now?  Three?  Two?

Music Choice Tunes into SAS(R) Business Analytics

Music Choice, the award-winning, multi-platform video and music network, will use the SAS(R: 28.37, 1.44, 5.35%) Business Analytics Framework to better evaluate and react to trends in product usage. Software from the leader in business analytics will optimize Music Choice’s access to business performance data, driving timely fact-based decisions while streamlining administration.

Record Label Veteran David Kronemyer Joins Music Industry Newswire as Contributing Editor

David Kronemyer

“We’re excited to have David join the team,” said Christopher Simmons, CEO of Neotrope, and MIN editorial director. He adds, “David has a unique perspective on the business of music, the indie film scene, and the metrics of how the traditional business models are being supplanted by new and alternative media.”

Apple plans to hike up the prices of popular songs on iTunes

Right in the middle of this deep recession, the music industry plans to hit us up for a bit more money.

The industry has adopted a “variable pricing” strategy to help boost revenue.  For iTunes users, Apple’s prices on many of the hit singles and classic tracks in its will rise, the L.A. Times reports.

The Music – That’s All It’s About: An Interview with Butch Trucks

Butch Trucks is not only an original member of the Allman Brothers Band, he is also the most seasoned.

“I have,” he notes, “the distinction of being the only member of the Allman Brothers who has never missed a single show. I have played every single show the Allman Brothers have ever played.” Proudly, Trucks then adds, “I’m the only member of the band that can say that. I feel like the Cal Ripkin of rock n’ roll.”

Talking to Numero Group co-founder Tom Lunt

At a time when some of Chicago’s best independent record labels are struggling for survival–witness the recent layoffs of 23 employees at Touch and Go Records–the Numero Group stands out as a surprising success.

“Who Knows” by Marion Black. From Eccentric Soul, Vol. 1: The Capsoul Label (2005).

Devoted to lavishly packaged and extensively-annotated reissues of worthy but little-heard sounds from the past, the label was founded in 2003 by Tom Lunt, a former ad exec, and Ken Shipley, who’d been working as a talent scout for Rykodisc Records. Rob Sevier, a DJ and musical archivist, soon became the third partner. All were dedicated collectors or “crate diggers,” scouring dusty record-store bins for obscure vinyl.

Universal Republic Records Promotes Joel Klaiman to Executive Vice President of Promotion & Artist Development

Joel Klaiman

Universal Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, has promoted Joel Klaiman to Executive Vice President of Promotion & Artist Development, it was announced today by Monte Lipman, President and CEO of Universal Republic.

“Since joining Universal Republic, Joel has helped us successfully catapult the label into becoming one of the industry’s premier music companies,” stated Mr. Lipman. “He has consistently demonstrated the vision and expertise necessary for building and shaping our growing company, while continuing to be instrumental in the break-through success of such artists as Amy Winehouse, Hinder, Colbie Caillat and Taylor Swift, among others.”

Beautiful women more likely to have affair because of sex hormone

Beautiful women may be more likely to have affairs because of a sex hormone linked to attractiveness and flirtatiousness, new research has found.

Those with the most oestradiol, a form of oestrogen, consider themselves more attractive and are found more attractive by others.

They are also more likely to have affairs and change partners more regularly, a team of scientists found.

Women in this group tend to be less satisfied with their current lovers – and less committed to them, according to the psychologists.

The researchers at the University of Texas suggest these women engage in “opportunistic serial monogamy” – being open to flings and moving on to a new relationship if a higher-quality mate becomes available.

Dwarf saved by pet Chihuahua

A Welsh little person who lost her way in the deep forest of Snowdonia near Dolwyddelan, North Wales, earlier this week is alive because of her pet Chihuahua, medics say.

Unconditional love

Beverley Burkitt of Colwyn Bay was on a morning walk with her long-haired Chihuahua, Pebbles, when she strayed into the woodland and got lost, The Sun reported.

The 3 foot, 8 inch mother  had to sleep in the forest when she was unable to contact her 15-year-old daughter at the trekking center where they were staying after she dropped her cell phone along the way.

When she realized she was lost, Burkitt, 45, snuggled up with Pebbles and waited. A search party of ground teams and helicopters found her unharmed the next day with the pooch.

Medics said the dog saved the 45-year-old woman from hypothermia by lying across her legs to keep her warm.

Orissa boy rocks Mumbai music industry

BHUBANESWAR: He mesmerized us with the pensive Main Jahan Rahoon in Namaste London,

City of Mumbai

captured our hearts along with Himesh Reshammiya with Aap ki

Kashish in Aashiq Banaya Aapne, shot to fame by bagging the Max Stardust Award 2008 for Maula Mere in Chak De and more recently he gave us the melodiously haunting Soniyo in Raaz 2.

The voice behind these soulful renditions is Krishna Beura, an Oriya guy who is probably the first from his state to offer his voice as a male playback singer in Bollywood.

Krishna Beura