Welcome - Here's the Latest

ASCAP to honor New Edition

Congratulations to New Edition. According to my friends at Urban Network Magazine, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will honor New Edition at its 21st Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on June 23, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA. The six members of New Edition will be presented with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award, which is given to songwriters, composers, and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. The invitation-only gala will also honor ASCAP's top songwriters and publishers of 2007.

This was one of the best entertaining groups to come along with my good friend Johnny Gill being a former member.

Previous ASCAP Golden Note Award honorees include Lionel Richie, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder, Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jay-Z, Quincy Jones, LL Cool J and Steve Miller.

Commenting on the Golden Note Award honorees, ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman said: "Over the last 25 years, New Edition has experienced success on multiple levels to become true legends. The group has firmly left their mark on today's music, and ASCAP is very proud to honor them.”  

Visit [Urban Network Magazine] to get the inside stories on R&B, Hip Hop and Rap news as well as the most up-to-date information on Indie Artists. My warmest regards to its publisher, Miller London, one of the entertainment industry's most knowledgeable individuals.

New Kids on the Block Back!

On May 16 on the "Today Show" the recently reunited Kids on the Block made their first public appearance as a group since 1994. They will play nine dates in September, 16 dates in October and 13 dates in November. I just got a copy of their schedule. [story & schedule]

Live Nation Synchs with Facebook

That's pretty cool folks. You'll be able to buy concert tickets directly for your Facebook pages. [read story]    Visit [Live Nation]   Visit [Facebook]

Beijing Olympics May Sell Out

You all know I'm a huge sports fan. It's no secret. But for those of you who like basketball, track & field, swimming, gymnastics and the rest of the events in an Olympics, news was just released that this summer's Olympiad may sell out.

Jonathan Krane of Ticketmaster China announced “We predict that this will be the first Olympics that it’s a ‘sold out’ Olympics,”  Ticketmaster is the official ticket provider for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

According to Krane’s prediction, Ticketmaster expects to sell all 6.8 million tickets. The 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece sold two-thirds of the 5.3 million available tickets. However, China's 1.3 billion people gives it the largest potential ticketing base ever.

For more [Beijing Olympics]  and check out the video story below:

This Week's Top Events

Tina Turner & American Idols Live - Hottest Tickets 2nd Week

For the second week in a row, Tina Turner has the Hottest Concert ticket  and stays #1 on the Top Concerts  and Combined Events Charts

And for the second week in a row, American Idols Live is the second Hottest Ticket. And Madonna remains #3 for the second week. The Jonas Brothers at #9 replace Kanye West as the only contemporary Artist on the chart.  . [Top Concerts] 

Wicked and The Jersey Boys keep their strangle hold on the #1 and #2 spots on the Broadway and Theater charts for several consecutive months. These shows remain extremely popular.  [Top Events]

Penguins Hottest Sports Ticket

And a big surprise on the Sports Chart. The Pittsburgh Penguins take the top spot as this week's Hottest Sports Ticket, replacing the perennial #1 New York Yankees who slip to #3.

The Detroit Red Wings are #2 Iand the Boston Celtics top the Los Angeles Lakers for the top NBA team on the chart at #6. The Belmont Stakes takes the #4 spot.  [Top Sports]

Hottest Movies

Indiana Jones Kingdom of Crystal Skull -  Hottest Movie

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is the Hottest Moviethis week. This sequel stars Harrison Ford and Cate Blanchett. In this installment Indiana spoils a Soviet plot to take over the world by using ancient artifacts. I hear the special effects are quite good. 

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspia, last week's #1 slips to #2 starring Ben Barnes and Skandar Keynes. In this sequel the kids and their allies displace the evil king with the right heir -- Prince Caspian; and another previous #1 Iron Man, moves from #2 to #3). For the rest of the Top Ten [Hottest Movies]

Athena's Personal Film Tip: Great Debaters

This is my pick for "Best Movie of the Year" so far. If you didn't catch it, run and buy or rent Denzel Washington's stirring film The Great Debaters. He stars and directs. It is an incredible true story that every person, young or old, should see. It is inspiring and moving. Tears are everywhere in the audience. You know it's rare I personally recommend a film, but this is a MUST-SEE!   [Visit The Great Debaters]

Archuleta vs. Cook in Idol Surprise?

I've received a number of emails regarding what many consider a surprising end to this year's American Idol contest. For those of you who don't know, David Cook beat out presumed winner David Archuleta by an amazing 12 million votes!  It wasn't even close.

Personally, I think both are extremely talented and will do well in our industry. For Cook fans I know you're exhilarated and rightly so; but Archuleta fans don't you fret. The young man will land on his feet big time too. Look for hit product from both of them in the very near future. I predict both will have top CDs.

Here's MTV's interesting take on the American Idol Finish:

By James Montgomery

If you are a fan of David Archuleta, you probably went to bed Tuesday night feeling pretty confident that he'd be crowned the next "American Idol" champ. After all, he'd just delivered a trio of knock-out performances on the show's penultimate night, drawing raves from the "Idol" judges, winning over the studio audience and getting his fellow finalist — former bartender David Cook — to admit defeat.

Things were looking pretty good. Arch showed up, blew 'em away and closed big time. All that was left to do on Wednesday night was fit him for his crown and send him off into the stratosphere. Only, things didn't exactly play out that way.

In a shock to pretty much everyone, it was Cook who walked away with the "Idol" title, and his margin of victory wasn't even close. The Comb-Over King trounced Archuleta by more than 12 million votes, leaving many Arch-aholics to clutch their Precious Moments figurines tightly, gaze heavenward and wonder just what went wrong.

Well, we're glad you asked. Because we were about as shocked as you were. So we convened an emergency meeting of the MTV News "American Idol" brain trust, and came up with the following list. It may not lessen the pain of his defeat, but it may get you through the tough times. Or it may just make you mad. You know, whatever

To find out want the MTV News brain trust came up with: [MTV]

Artists Lineup 4 US Presidential Race

Artists, Musicians and Celebrities are lining up behind candidates for the US Presidency. I might be declaring my support soon. Here's a partial list that might interest you:

BARACK OBAMA
Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Usher, Will Smith,Melissa Etheridge, Pearl Jam, Dave Mathews, Babyface, the Black Eyed Peas, Elvis Costello, Macy Gray,  Grateful Dead, Ne-Yo, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst, Arcade Fire's Win Butler and Harry Connick Jr among others. Barack launched a "Vote for Change" voter registration drive on May 8 to register new voters for the fall election.

HILLARY CLINTON

Janet Jackson, Elton John, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Carole King, Quincy Jones, Carly Simon, Willie Colón, Merl Haggard, Goo Goo Dolls, Lupe Fiasco, 50Cent, Merle Haggard, Madonna, Barry Manilow and Timbaland among others.


JOHN MCCAIN
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Burt Bacharach, Abba and Curt Schilling.
Those who endorsed other Republican Candidates: Ted Nugent (Mike Huckabee); Arlo Guthrie (Ron Paul), Pat Boone, Donnie & Marie Osmond (Mitt Romney)

2007 Annual Global Fan Chart Released

I am so deeply humbled by a phenomenon I can't really explain. I haven't had any product out for over four years and my Webmaster just handed me the results of my Fan site visits, emails and fan mail for the year 2007. I'm in disbelief.

In 2007, you visited my site 467,381 times, read over 3,136,582 pages and averaged 6.7 pages a visit.  You guys are amazing!
In 2006, I had Fans in 60 countries (2006 Annual Global Fan Chart).

In 2007, without product released, I thought the list would diminish. To my amazement the list actually increased to 78 countries (2007 Annual Global Fan Chart). I really don't know what to say except, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. Please visit 2007 Chart to see where your country ranks.

Here's a preview of The Top Ten Countries from the 2007 Annual Global Fan Chart:


To my fans in the above countries and in the other 68 countries on the Chart I'm honored to have fans in, thank you for hanging in there with me and not forgetting me.  Thank you for showing so much love. It certainly keeps me going and lets me know my art is appreciated.  Thank you too for all the kind and encouraging words you wrote in 2007 in your letters and emails.

Jay-Z Inks $150 Million with Live Nation

Jay-Z cut his deal with Live Nation for reportedly $150 Million to handle his upcoming tours, entertainment businesses and three albums. I first shared this story with you about a month ago as speculation began to grow the deal was being considered.

This is the same type of deal Madonna signed with Live Nation last year, but its richer. [read story]

Rookie of the Year Sets 2 Tours

Rock band Rookie of the Year will play 15 dates on its own tour through July 1, then join Secondhand Serenade, My American Heart, Play Radio Play! and The Graduate in Los Angeles on July 11 to play 24 more concerts through August 22. [story & schedule].

Cold Play Sets North American Tour

Take note Cold Play Fans. They've announced a North American tour in support of their new CD "Viva La Vida."  The tour is scheduled to begin on June 17th.Archuleta

Fans in New York and London will have it good. They will give a FREE concert in NYC on June 23rd at Madison Square Garden and in London on June 16 at the Brixton Academy.
[schedule & story]

For information on getting FREE tickets check out their [website]. 

Kelly Clarkston & Reba Back on Tour

These two Superstars put on a great concert, so I'm glad they're back on their "2 Worlds 2 Voices" tour. If they're coming to your city, make it a point to check them out.  They've added 24 new shows and they kick off in Winnipeg on September 25 and end in Baltimore on November 22. [schedule & story]

Cult Cancel All Summer Concerets

Bad news for Cult Fans. They've had to cancel all of their summer tour concerts. Ian Astbury has to have surgery on the leg he injured his leg during the band's Canadian tour, and he must have surgery before the end of the month.

Jonas Bros. 2 Star in 3D Concert Movie

For all you Jonas Brothers Fans, their upcoming tour "Burning Up" which launches July 4th in Toronto will be filmed in 3D like the other Disney sensation Miley Cyrus' 3D film which grossed $31 Million in its first week of release.

Walt Disney Studios President Oren Aviv says "More than just a concert, this film will take moviegoers inside the band's creative process, and present them in a very intimate and entertaining way,"  [read story]

Madonna Sets Tour Schedule

A few months ago I posted here that Madonna was scheduling a new tour. Well folks. It's set. Get your news here first (smile).

On August 23rd at Cardiff, Wales, she will kick off her "Sticky & Sweet Tour" in support of her "Hard Candy" album which hit #1. She will play in major European markets through September first and come to the US on October 3rd at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. She will also play New York's Madison Square Garden on October 6th and 7th, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and end up at Miami's Dolphin Stadium on November 26th. [story & schedule]

Sonny Rollins Heads Jazz Lineup

I love all kinds of music as most of you know. So Jazz Fans, and there are lots of them out there, pay attention and don't miss this. The legendary Sonny Rollins will headline this year's JVC Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, Rhode Island.

The Festival , which was first held in 1954, will be held August 8 through August 10 at Fort Adams State Park and at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.  More than two dozen acts are scheduled to perform, including pianist-composer Herbie Hancock and trumpeter Chris Botti. Tickets go on sale Thursday morning.

Avril Lavigne has laryngitis cancels shows

Canadian punk rocker Avril Lavigne joined Alicia Keys and Jordin Sparks, all of whom have had to cancel recent shows due to voice problems.

She canceled shows due to a bout of laryngitis.

Lavigne said, "I am at home right now taking it easy. I have been sick this whole tour, and now I have lost my voice. I have never canceled a show in my whole career and just had to for the first time ever. This sux!"

Tina Turner to Tour US

My girl Tina Turner, without a doubt one of the best female entertainers of all time, after a seven year hiatus will tour the US starting October 1. Tickets will go on sale May 12. She made this announcement while taping an episode of the Oprah Winfrey show.

Bon Jovi Get Bomb Scare

Bon Jovi BankAtlantic Center concer in Sunrise, Florida was delayed three hours after police got a phoned in  bomb threat. just before the concert was cheduled to start. The caller threatened that two bombs would explode during the concert.

Fortunately, it was just a hoax and everyone had a great time as the concert went on without a hitch.

P. Diddy & Making the Band Tour

For those of you interested, "P. Diddy and MTV Presents Making the Band 4 - The Tour" will kick off on May 24 in Orlando and feature Danity Kane, Day 26 and Donnie Klang with special guest Cheri Dennis.

Here are the cities and tickets are on sale:

MAY
24 Orlando, FL Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
25 Miami, FL The Fillmore Miami Beach
29 New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom
30 Baltimore, MD Pier Six Concert Pavilion
31 Detroit, MI Fillmore

JUNE
1 Chicago, IL Chicago Auditorium
5 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theatre
6 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl Concert Theater
7 San Diego, CA Viejas Casino
9-10 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern

My Space Set to Sell Tickets & Music

My Space, the giant social network, is challenging Live Nation and Ticketmaster as it plans to sell concert tickets and soon to offer digital music downloads. With an ability to reach millions of highly prized potential customers, My Space hopes these new directions will add to its bottom line.  [read more]

LA Times Apologizes for Tupac Story

Many of you may have heard about the story the LA Times posted on its website that associated P "Diddy" Combs with the 1994 shooting of Tupac Shakur. According to AP the Times relied on fabricated documents for part of its story. Diddy denies any association with the incident. The Smoking Gun website exposed the fact that documents the Times relied on appeared to be fake. The apology appears on the LA Times Website.

Tupac's assualt allegedly created the rift between East Coast and West Coast rappers. [read more]

George Michaels Sets US Summer Tour

If you want to enjoy a good concert, then get your George Michael's ticket as soon as you can. Check with your local ticket suppliers and purchase ticket for his "25 Live" Tour which he brings to the United States and Canada this summer. Last year he toured 12 European countries and entertained 1.3 Million fans. This man can sing.

The 22 date tour kicks off June 17 in San Diego and ends August  3 in Sunrise, FL. He will tour for seven weeks. [read more]

My Response to Fan Suggestions

I continue to listen to your suggestions and feelings about my Site, and your comments are read and appreciated. One thing I'm working hard on is your suggestion to setup of a Bulletin Board where you can post your comments using nicknames rather than posting your  actual name and email address publicly.

Other suggestions you made in 2007 I'm working on: 1) an area for listening to samples of my music; 2) a music store; 3) my Fan Club; 4) a Newsletter and 5) a Fan store were you can buy products of mine. These things are in the works.

Rapper TI Pleads Guilty

Hot Rapper TI who was arrested just before the BET Awards in Atlanta last October, pleaded guilty to federal weapons possession charges in an Atlanta courtroom March 27, according to the Associated Press. He will be sentenced in a year after completing 1000 hours of community service. [read more]

Janet Jackson Sets Sept World Tour

If you can believe it, it's been seven years since my girl Janet Jackson has toured. Well all of her fans can rejoice, she's in preparation for a World Tour to begin in September, in support of her new #1 Island-Def Jam album "Discipline."

Just like I wouldn't miss a Stevie Wonder concert, I won't miss Ms. Janet's high powered, non-stop show

The tour is slated to begin in North America before moving on to Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. She hopes also to release a book on her weight struggle later this year. And of course, when I get more info I'll pass it along. [read more]

Essence Music Festival - July

Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Chris Rock, Morris Day and Kanye West are among some of the Artist who will perform at this year's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans July 4 to 7. This is one of the most popular music festivals in America.

Last year it was reported that over 200,000 attended.

Jay-Z & Apple & Beyoncé?

SEATTLE (Hypebot) – In case you didn't know, according to some blogs Jay-Z may be teaming up with Apple to launch a new record label after leaving Def Jam.

It's not confirmed, but the rumor may be fueled by a clause that's "supposed" be in his Def Jam contract that allows him to buy out any artist he signed to the label.

And the rumor mill is running hot that Beyoncé may join him. This is all speculation at this point, and until it's confirmed let's wait and see. In the meantime check out why some say it's true and others it's false.  [read story]

Labels See New Online Music Options

LOS ANGELES (AP) - When you are not inclined to give your product away for free, make your customers believe they are getting something for nothing.

That's the thinking behind some of the offerings music fans may see this year as the recording industry scrambles to offset losses from plunging CD sales and find new sources of revenue when many consumers simply download music for free.

Among the business models music fans are likely to see more of: music subscriptions bundled with the price of Internet access, and services like Nokia Corp.'s upcoming Comes With Music, which would give users of select mobile phones a year's worth of unlimited access to music, for no extra charge. See Full Story.

Album Sales Drop 15% in 2007

The Associated Press is reporting that album sales in 2007 dropped 15%, continuing years of declining sales. More and more of you are buying digitally with digital tracks sales up 45%. The rise is digital sales is good news for independent Artists such as myself.

Soundscan, which tracks music sales, says for the first time in its history, all music genres are down with rap taking the biggest hit, dropping 30%, and Country dropping 16%.

Josh Groban with around 3.7 million in sales, had the best-selling album entitled "Noel, " a collection of Christmas songs.  Disney's High School Musical was the second best-selling album with 2.9 million units sold.

Hannah Montana, the Eagles, Alicia Keys and Fergie had top selling albums. Read Story.

The Police, Top Grossing Concert in 2007

The Police, selling 2.2 million tickets worldwide according to Live Nation, is Billboard's Top Worldwide Tour for 2007, grossing $243 Million. The Police are also the top grossing tour in the United States earing $131.9 Million according to Pollstar. My congratulations to The Police. Read More.

Kenny Chesney was #2 for the year grossing $71.1 Million. Justine Timberlake was #3 at $70.6 Million and the only contemporary Artist other than Hannah Montana ( #15 ) to make the Top 20 Grossing Concerts in 2007. The other 18 were established acts.

How about ticket prices for 2007?  The highest average ticket price was Barry Manilow's $141.72, followed by Celine Dion's $141.26. The Police averaged $114.32 and the lowest average ticket price was Dave Mathews' $47.80.

See 2007 Top 20 Tours Chart.

Ticketing Has Gone Mobile

 With text message changing the way we all communicate, and websites being ported over to Cell Phones, I guess none of us should be surprised that very soon we'll be able to purchase tickets to our favorite concerts through our cell phone.

StubHub! has announced a partnership with go2.com, so mobile customers will be able to access StubHub’s ticket offerings and go2.com applications on their cell phone. Well folks we're getting closer and closer to the Jetsons' show gimmicks, are we?  Read Story

Other Important Items

The Passing of Washington Redskins Player Sean Taylor

As I shared with you in December, the death of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor is an unbelievable tragedy. I am still saddened by his death, but I feel better after seeing the outpouring of love for him at Monday's funeral.

It brought home what a wonderful man he was, how much he loved his daughter and Jackie Garcia, and all the special things he did for his community.

Sean's father, Pedro, is nothing short of the rock of Gilbraltar in the way he has conducted himself throughout. And I am sure he held his family together. I think Andy Garcia being there in support of his brother and niece said volumes about their family.

Dan Snyder and the Redskins organization have been admirable in their support of the Taylor and Garcia families. Snyder flew the entire team to Miami for the funeral.  And although they didn't win Sunday's game against the Bills, you could tell they played for Sean, especially Clinton Portis, Fred Smoot and Santana Moss. The Redskins organization is a class act.

Portis brought a joyously light moment during the funeral when he recalled how Sean asked him, out of the blue, if he had seen a certain episode of the Flintstones. We all felt LaVar Arrington's pain as he discussed how you can't take life and friendship for granted. Coach Joe Gibbs' words were spiritual and moving.

I applaud the NFL for observing Sean's passing with a moment of silence at all of its games on Sunday. And my hat's off to Ray Lewis and two other Baltimore Ravens (all former Miami players). They huddled before their game Monday night against the Patriots to dedicate themselves to playing for Sean.

I will never forget Sean's play on the field (even Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals admitted he "feared" Sean over the middle); but neither should any of us forget the role model he became for all of us off the field.  My prayers are still with the Taylor and Garcia families.

I have added a permanent page on Sean Taylor in my "Features" section. Click here to visit that page and click here to visit the Redskins website to view a video tribute to Sean. Click here to view my Photo Album "Hail to the Redskins."