NEWS
News Pages (to right) are updated daily (except My News).
Stories below: Live Nation Launches Facebook Platorm, Archuleta tops Cook in American Idol; Rookie of the Year set 2 Tours; Cold Play's New NA Tour; Jonas Brothers 3D Film Set; Madonna ToursAugust 23; Neil Diamond Sets July 19 Tour; Jay-Z & Live Nation talk; My Space to sell tickets & Music; Tupac Shakur story garners apology from LA Times; George Michael's 08 Summer Tour; Janet Jackson Sets Fall 08 Tour; The Police Set Final North American Tour, Jay-Z may team with Apple for New Label, Labels see New Online Music Options, The Police Top Concert for 2007, Album Sales Drop Plummet 15%, Ticketing Goes Mobile, Hannah Montana (Part 1: Tickets Available)(Part 2: Lawyer says "Curious"), Kid Rock sets 2008 Tour, Daughtry & Carrie Underwood big AMA Winners, Union Strike hits Broadway & Hollywood, Ticketmaster & iTunes Team up, Prince to sue Fan Web Sites, Avril Lavigne to Tour in 2008, "Babyface" Edmunds on tour in support of new album, Gwen Stefani donates to SC fire victims, Madonnasigns new deal, Kelly Rowland set to Tour, VH1 Hip Hop Awards, Hannah Montana Ticket Controversy, Chaka Khan's New Album & Tour, AMAs set packages to this year's Awards, Britney Spears' appearance on MTV Video Music Awards, Stevie Wonder Starts Tour & Usher marries in surprise ceremony.
New Kids on the Block back in Action
By Jane Cohen & Bob Grossweiner
The recently reunited New Kids on the Block have added a slew of new dates to their first tour in 14 years, including a second show in their hometown of Boston. The singing group added a second show in Toronto as well, because their first show on September 21 at Air Canada Centre sold out.
Other early sell outs include September 27 in Atlantic City, NJ at Borgata Casino Event Center; September 20 in Uncasville, CT at Mohegan Sun Arena; and October 4 in Chicago, IL at the Atllstate Arena.New Kids OnThe Block made their first public performance in 14 years with an appearance on the "Today" show on May 16; the group disbanded in 1994.
New Kids on the Block tour dates:
September 2008
19 Toronto, Ontario Air Canada Centre
20 Montreal, Quebec Bell Centre
21 Toronto, Ontario Air Canada Center
23 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center
24 Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum
26 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
27 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Hotel & Casino Event Center
28 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
30 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
October 2008
2 Washington, DC Verizon Center
3 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
4 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena
8 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
10 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
11 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay
13 Glendale, AZ Jobing.com Arena
16 Houston, TX Toyota Center
17 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
19 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
21 Saint Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
22 Milwaukee, WI Bradley Center
24 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena
25 Auburn Hills, MI Palace Of Auburn Hills
27 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
29 Duluth, GA Gwinnett Center
November 2008
1 Sunrise, FL BankAtlantic Center
2 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum
5 Philadelphia, PA Spectrum
10 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
11 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
12 Omaha, NE Qwest Center
14 Broomfield, CO Broomfield Event Center
15 West Valley City, UT The E Center
17 Edmonton, Alberta Rexall Place
21 Vancouver, British Columbia General Motors Place
22 Seattle, WA Key Arena
23 Portland, OR Rose Garden Arena
26 San Diego, CA San Diego Sports Arena
Live Nation Synchs with Facebook
Los Angeles, CA (Live Nation) May 29, 2008 – LiveNation.com,
the online destination of the world’s largest live music company, revealed
today a new concert and event application that extends My Live Nation’s global
concert search engine capabilities onto the Facebook Platform. The new tool
empowers music fans to search for and buy concert tickets directly from their Facebook
pages.
My Live Nation is a robust suite of tools which enable fans to customize their Live Nation search pages to receive a personalized touring calendar tailored to their specific musical tastes. With just a few clicks, users are able to sync their music library with their My Live Nation account, enabling music fans to receive concert updates on their favorite artists automatically. By integrating with Facebook, Live Nation is taking concert information and online ticket box office directly to music fans where they live on the web.
“We strive to find music fans in their element, where they actively engage in music, and connect them with their favorite artists wherever they are in the world,” says Bryan Perez, CEO Global Digital for Live Nation. “With our new Facebook Platform application, users around the world are able to create personalized global calendars, containing touring and ticketing information about their favorite artists, right on their Facebook page.”
Music fans can register for My Live Nation at LiveNation.com. They can then add My Live Nation to their Facebook profiles by clicking on http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=9436892353 or by searching in the Facebook applications directory for Live Nation, where the Live Nation icon identifies the new application.
LiveNation.com is a leading destination for music fans as a live music search engine offering tour dates and information on artists and venues to fans around the world, as well as an important access point for concert tickets for registered ticket club members, VIP parking and club access. Collectively, Live Nation’s websites are the second most visited event websites in the United States, according to Nielson//NetRatings.
ABOUT LIVE NATION:
Live Nation is the future of the music business. With the most live concerts, music venues and festivals in the world and the most comprehensive concert search engine on the web, Live Nation is revolutionizing the music industry: onstage and online. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV." Additional information about the company can be found at www.livenation.com under the “About Us” section.Archuleta Tops Cook in Surpise American Idol Finish
MTV News put together a brain trust to examine what caused surprise finish:1. He Was the New England Patriots
More than 97.5 million people tuned in to watch Super Bowl XLII, which featured the undefeated, incredibly hyped (and heavily favored) Patriots take on the New York Giants. And of that audience, do you think more people wanted to see the Pats win and secure their rightful place in history, or lose epically, in a big, bursting ball of flames? Basically, ever since February, when he took a seat behind the big black piano and belted out a version of John Lennon's "Imagine" Archuleta was the "Idol" version of the Patriots: constantly hyped, shoved down everyone's throats and crowned long before the season was over. Also like the Patriots, none of this was really Arch's fault. Still, the damage was done. America hates a front-runner, which is why there was much rejoicing when the Giants upset the Patriots, and why, in the end, 12 million more people decided to cast their vote for David Cook.
2. He Was Incongruous
David Archuleta mid-note? Graceful, skilled, soulful and powerful. David Archuleta mid-conversation? Gawking, stammering, awkward and goofy. In the history of "Idol," there has perhaps been no other contestant who displayed such a disparity between the personal and the professional, and in the end, that cost him. We all loved Archuleta the performer, but after his 47th "aw, shucks" interview (highlighting his bizarre breathing pattern), we were ready to show Archuleta the person the door. This is basically the same thing that did in Melinda Doolittle last season.
3. He Was Al Gore
Or, more specifically, his supporters were Florida Democrats. During the 2000 election, all five major networks called the state of Florida for Democratic candidate Al Gore at 7 p.m. EST, despite the fact that the panhandle of the state actually falls in the Central time zone, meaning that polls there would remain open for another hour. Theoretically, the fact that Gore was the presumed winner could've discouraged Democrats in the panhandle from heading out to the polls, since their candidate had already carried the state. Gore ended up losing Florida by a total of 537 votes. Could Tuesday night's "Idol" telecast — in which all three judges basically crowned Archuleta as the "Idol" champ before polls had even opened — have had the same effect? Were Archuleta fans discouraged from voting because they assumed he already had the competition in the bag?
4. He Has a Creepy Stage Dad
There's no nice way to say this: Arch's dad gave pretty much everyone the heebie-jeebies (the goatee, the hat, the resemblance to Kevin Pollak in "The Usual Suspects") and his constant presence — not to mention the rumors that his brazen careerism made Joan Crawford and Dina Lohan look like concerned, caring parents — ruined the whole "diamond in the rough" thing for his son. Instead, many came to see Archuleta as a robotic singing machine that had been trained (forced?) to perform since the age of 12 (you know, when he was on "Star Search") by his taskmaster father. And when "Idol" producers banned his father from the backstage area, well, let's just say that didn't help matters any.
5. He Was One-Dimensional
In the end, the biggest knock against Archuleta was that he never showed he had range outside the majestic world of balladry. His choices of songs never strayed much from tried-and-true schmaltz (Robbie Williams' "Angels," the Beatles' "The Long and Winding Road," Neil Diamond's "America"), and when he did try to stretch things a bit, the results were disastrous, like his take on Chris Brown's "With You." While all this may have made him a mortal lock for the cats-and-cardigans set, it didn't endear him much to anyone between the ages of 12 and 40. There's a reason the show isn't called "Adult Contemporary Idol."
But even though he didn't win "Idol," that doesn't mean that the future isn't bright for Archuleta. His demeanor and looks seem tailor-made for the Miley Cyrus/ Jonas Brothers/ tween machine, and his big, booming voice could also make him a Josh Groban-level hit with older fans, as many industry insiders agree. So, while today might seem dark, we urge you to step back from the ledge, Archie fans. We suspect the kid will end up all right.
Rookie of the Year Sets 2 Tours
By Bob Grossweiner & Jane Cohen
Fayetteville, NC-based rock band Rookie of the Year is hitting the road this week, and plan to play 15 concerts through July 1. The band will then join with Secondhand Serenade, My American Heart, Play Radio Play! and The Graduate on July 11 in Los Angeles, CA for 24 more shows through August 22 in Colorado Springs, CO.
Known for their heavy touring schedule and electric live shows, Rookie of the Year has played numerous dates on the Vans Warped Tour, rocked out energetic sets at Bamboozle over the years and built a loyal fan base.
The band's sophomore album, called “Sweet Attention,” has more than 5 million plays on MySpace. It was recorded in Atlanta, GA at Marigolds+Monsters Studio and produced by Matt Malpass (Copeland).
Rookie of the Year itinerary:
5/22 The Trocadero Philadelphia, PA
5/23 Hamilton Lanes Hamilton, NJ
5/24 Warrenton Community Center Warrentown, VA
5/25 Steppin Out Virginia Beach, VA
5/28 Luna Bean Wilson, NC
6/6 House of Blues Lake Buena Vista, FL
6/18 Jesters Pub Fayetteville, NC
6/19 CBCC’s Chester, VA
6/22 Starland Ballroom Sayreville, NJ
6/23 The Masquerade @ Crocodile Café Allentown, PA
6/25 Mac’s Bar Lansing, MI
6/26 Stage 1 Hartford City, IN
6/27 St Elijah Hall Merrillville, IN
6/28 Johnny’s Coffee House Metamora, IL
7/1 King of Clubs Claremore, OK
Rookie of the Year/Secondhand Serenade/My American Heart/Play Radio Play!/The
Graduate itinerary:
7/11 Troubadour Los Angeles, CA
7/12 Soma San Diego, CA
7/13 The Rock Tucson, AZ
7/16 Brewster Street Ice House Corpus Christi, TX
7/17 Granada Theater Dallas, TX
7/18 Scout Bar San Antonio, TX
7/19 Conservatory Oklahoma City, OK
7/20 Skate Park of Memphis Memphis, TN
7/22 The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
7/23 Amo’s South End Charlotte, NC
7/25 Culture Room Ft Lauderdale, FL
7/26 Jack Rabbits Jascksonville, FL
7/27 The Social Orlando, FL
7/29 Headliner’s Columbia, SC
7/31 The Handlebar Greenville, SC
8/1 The Norva Norfolk, VA
8/2 The National Richmond, VA
8/3 Recher Theatre Towson, MD
8/6 Blender Theatre @ Gramercy New York, NY
8/13 Agora Ballroom Cleveland, OH
8/14 The Intersection Grand Rapids, MI
8/15 The Magic Stick Detroit, MI
8/20 Station 4 St Paul, MN
8/22 The Black Sheep Colorado Springs, CO
Cold Play's New North American Tour
NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) -- Coldplay has announced their plans for a new North American tour in support of their latest release "Viva La Vida" which is set to drop on June 17th. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will kick off in Philly at the Wachovia Center on June 29th, and will bring Coldplay throughout the US and Canada before winding down in Salt Lake City at the UT Energy Solutions Arena.
The band's last major outing, the "Twisted Logic Tour", took place in 2005-2006 and except for a brief stint of dates in South America last year, the band's been huddled in the studio with Brian Eno (Yes, THE Brian Eno), hard at work on their next album.
To whet the appetites of fans for the forthcoming tour, the band will play a pair of free concerts in London on June 16th at the Brixton Academy and then in NYC on June 23rd at MSG.
The Full List Of Dates
6/29 Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
7/2 Washington, DC - Verizon Center
7/3 Hartford, CT - XL Center
7/5 Detroit, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills
7/6 Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena
7/8 St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
7/9 Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
7/10 Oklahoma City, OK - Ford Center
7/12 Phoenix, AZ - Jobing.com Arena
7/19 Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena
7/21 Sacramento, CA - ARCO Arena
7/24 San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion
7/27 Pemberton, BC - Pemberton Festival
7/29 Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
7/30 Calgary, AB - Pengrowth Saddledome
8/1 Winnipeg, MB - MTS Centre
8/3 Omaha, NE - Qwest Center
8/4 Chicago, IL - United Center
10/20 Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
10/21 Ottawa, ON - Scotiabank Place
10/26 East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center
10/29 Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
10/30 Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
11/3 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
11/11 Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
11/18 Houston, TX - Toyota Center
11/19 Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
11/21 Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
11/22 Salt Lake City - UT Energy Solutions Arena
Kelly Clarkston & Reba McIntyre Back on Tour
By Bob Grossweiner & Jane Cohen
Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson will reprise their successful 2 Worlds 2 Voices tour this fall with concerts in Canada and the U.S.
The unique tour, combining both superstar bands and both acts on one stage for a combined non-stop set, sold out 15 markets from mid-January to mid-February. They have now booked 24 additional shows beginning September 25 in Winnipeg, MB and ending November 22 in Baltimore, MD.
The success of the winter tour helped put to rest the tough 2007 that Clarkson experienced after feuding with her record company over the release of her last album, and having to postpone a prior tour due to slow ticket sales.
Steve Moore of MEG/AEG Live Nashville will again promote the entire tour.
"We were thrilled to bring this unprecedented concept to the marketplace earlier this year," said Moore in a statement. The demand for additional shows has been overwhelming."
Reba McEntire/Kelly Clarkson 2 Worlds 2 Voices tour itinerary:
9/25 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
9/26 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre
9/27 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
10/9 Boise, ID Taco Bell Arena
10/10 Salt Lake City, UT Energy Solutions Arena
10/11 Reno, NV Reno Events Center
10/16 Ft. Wayne, IN Allen Co. War Memorial
10/17 Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena
10/18 Reading, PA Sovereign Center
10/23 Grand Forks, ND Ralph Engelstad Arena
10/24 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
10/25 Moline, IL iWireless Center
10/30 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena
10/31 State College, PA Bryce Jordan Center
11/1 Bridgeport, CT Arena at Harbor Yard
11/6 Albany, NY Times Union Center
11/7 Cleveland, OH Wolstein Center
11/8 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
11/13 Biloxi, MS MS Coast Coliseum
11/14 Birmingham, AL BJCC Arena
11/15 Little Rock, AR ALLTEL Arena
11/20 Columbus, OH Value City Arena
11/21 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena
11/22 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena
Jonas Brothers to Star in 3D Film
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Jonas brothers will be shown in all their 3-D glory next year in a movie featuring footage from their upcoming "Burning Up" concert tour. The singing sensations, who make tweens dissolve into giggles, appeared this year in fellow Disney Channel star Miley Cyrus' successful 3-D concert film, directed by Bruce Hendricks. It collected $31.3 million in its opening weekend in February. Hendricks will direct the brothers' movie.
"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," Walt Disney Studios President Oren Aviv said Tuesday.
The tour begins July 4 in Toronto and winds across the U.S. before closing Aug. 31 in Essex Junction, Vt.
In a statement, brothers Kevin, Joe and Nick said: "We can't wait to start working on this film for our fans. It's going to be awesome and we really want to bring a totally unique and different movie experience to everyone whether they've seen us live or not."
Madonna Starts "Sticky & Sweet Tour" Aug. 23rd
NEW YORK - (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) -- Madonna has announced the dates for her upcoming world tour. Touring in support of her latest album "Hard Candy" which debuted at #1 just about everywhere, Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet Tour" will kick off on August 23rd at Cardiff, Wales and linger in major European markets through September. October 3rd will see Madge start the North American leg with a date at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with stops at New York's Madison Square Garden on October 6th and 7th, followed by performances in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and more before stopping at Miami's Dolphin Stadium on November 26th. She'll also make the scene in Mexico and South America later in the year.
Although Live Nation has produced Madonna's last three tours, this is the first she's undertaken since signing with Live Nation last fall. Her last outing, 2006's 2006's "Confessions" Tour played in 25 countries including Russia, reached a collective audience of over 1.3 million fans, and was the highest grossing concert tour of all time by a female artist.
23-Aug - Cardiff - Millennium Stadium
26-Aug - Nice - Stade Charles Ehrmann
28-Aug - Berlin - Olympic Stadium
02-Sept - Amsterdam - Arena
04-Sept - Dusseldorf - LTU Arena
06-Sept - Rome - Olympic Stadium
09-Sept - Frankfurt - Commerzbank Arena
11-Sept - London - Wembley Stadium
20-Sept - Paris - Stade de France
03-Oct - E. Rutherford - Izod Center
06-Oct - New York City - Madison Square Garden
07-Oct - New York City - Madison Square Garden
15-Oct - Boston - TD BankNorth Garden
18-Oct - Toronto - Air Canada Centre
22-Oct - Montreal - Bell Centre
26-Oct - Chicago - United Center
30-Oct - Vancouver - BC Place Stadium
01-Nov - Oakland - Oracle Arena
04-Nov - San Diego - Petco Park
06-Nov - Los Angeles - Dodger Stadium
08-Nov - Las Vegas - MGM Grand Garden Arena
11-Nov - Denver - Pepsi Center
16-Nov - Houston - Minute Maid Park
19-Nov - Philadelphia - Wachovia Center
22-Nov - Atlantic City - Boardwalk Hall
24-Nov - Atlanta - Philips Arena
26-Nov - Miami - Dolphin Stadium
Jay-Z inks $150 Million Deal w Live Nation
By Alfred Branch Jr.
With the Thursday filing of financial documents to the Securities and Exchange Commission, it appears that rapper Jay-Z and Live Nation have finalized a 10-year contract estimated to be worth $150 million.News of the pending deal broke last month, while Jay-Z was beginning his current, sold out tour with Mary J. Blige. The deal, which resembles the mega-deal Live Nation signed with Madonna last year, calls for Live Nation to pay millions for Jay-Z’s future tours, three albums and to set up a new division at the company for rapper called Roc Nation.
According to Thursday’s SEC filing, Jay-Z is receiving 750,000 shares of Live Nation stock, plus an option on another 500,000 shares worth $13.73 per share. The stock is slated to help fund Roc Nation, which is a business venture where Jay-Z might look to acquire other entertainment or merchandizing assets.
As album sales have dropped in recent years, recording artists have turned to touring and other commercial efforts to increase their streams of revenue, and at the same time companies like Live Nation have looked to broaden their reach by expanding into new markets, such as ticketing.
Neil Diamond Tour Starts July 19
By Bob Grossweiner & Jane CohenLegendary singer, songwriter and performer Neil Diamond will return to concert stages
beginning July 19 in St. Paul, MN for a 37-city North American tour. The tour, produced by AEG Live, winds down Oct. 30 in Jacksonville, FL. Included in the tour is Diamond’s scheduled performance at Boston’s Fenway Park on Aug. 23.
Tickets will go on sale beginning April 28 with early on-sale opportunities being offered to American Express cardholders. Diamond has also teamed up with ILoveAllAccess.com to offer the ultimate fan experience for upcoming concerts featuring a variety of VIP ticket packages.
Diamond's newest album, "Home Before Dark," will be released on May 6. Once again, it was produced by legendary record producer Rick Rubin, who helmed Diamond's "12 Songs" back in 2005.
Neil Diamond itinerary:
7/19 Saint Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
7/22 Sioux City, IA Tyson Events Ctr. / Gateway Arena
7/24 Omaha, NE Qwest Center Omaha
7/26 Chicago, IL United Center
7/29 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse
7/31 Auburn Hills, MI The Palace Of Auburn Hills
8/3 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
8/5 Washington, DC Verizon Center
8/7 Hartford, CT XL Center
8/9 Philadelphia, PA The Wachovia Center
8/12 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Arena
8/14 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Arena
8/18 Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena
8/20 Albany, NY Times Union Center
8/23 Boston, MA Fenway Park
8/25 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center
8/27 Green Bay, WI Resch Center
8/29 Saint Louis, MO Scottrade Center
9/14 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
9/16 Edmonton, ALB Rexall Place
9/18 Calgary, ALB Pengrowth Saddledome
9/20 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place
9/22 Portland, OR Rose Garden Arena
9/24 Seattle, WA Seattle Center
9/26 Sacramento, CA ARCO Arena
9/28 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion At San Jose
10/1-2 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
10/7 San Diego, CA San Diego Sports Arena
10/10 Glendale, AZ Jobing.com Arena
10/12 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
10/14 Houston, TX Toyota Center
10/16 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
10/19 Oklahoma City, OK Ford Center
10/21 Tulsa, OK Bank Of Oklahoma Center
10/24 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum
10/26 Sunrise, FL BankAtlantic Center
10/28 Orlando, FL Amway Arena
10/30 Jacksonville, FL Veteran's Memorial Coliseum
My Space to sell Tickets & Music
By Alfred Branch Jr.
Social networking goliath Myspace.com is aiming to take on Ticketmaster and Live Nation under a new plan to begin selling concert tickets.The website, which boasts millions of users, is reportedly looking for ways of improving sales figures beyond their main revenue generator of advertising. According to Bloomberg, besides concert tickets the site is also planning on selling digital music, similar to iTunes, in a venture with several of the major record labels. Myspace has more than 30 million registered users and more than 5 million music artist/band profiles on its site.
In recent years, Myspace has launched concert tours and benefit shows, but has not tried to become a full-fledged ticketer. Because of Myspace’s scope, the ticket and music-selling components could potentially reach tens of millions of users, and for record companies the venture could help them break free of Apple, the industry’s dominant digital music retailer.
The competition to sell tickets, whether at the primary or secondary level, continues to heat up as Ticketmaster, Live Nation, StubHub and others vie for the collective attention of consumers for entertainment spending. Ticketmaster has gone on a spending spree recently, acquiring TicketsNow and signing exclusive deals with sports leagues.
Times Apologizes for Tupac Story
2008 Copyright AP
The Los Angeles Times apologized for using documents that were apparently fabricated in a story implicating associates of Sean "Diddy" Combs in a 1994 assault on rapper Tupac Shakur.
"The bottom line is that the documents we relied on should not have been used," Editor Russ Stanton said in a story posted last night (March 27) on the newspaper's Web site. "We apologize both to our readers and to those referenced in the documents ... and in the story."
Pulitzer-prize winning reporter Chuck Philips, who wrote the story, and his supervisor, Deputy Managing Editor Marc Duvoisin, also apologized. The apologies followed an investigation launched by Stanton after The Smoking Gun Web site reported earlier in the day that the paper was conned by a prisoner who doctored the documents.
Combs denied that he had any prior knowledge of or involvement in the robbery and shooting of Shakur at a New York recording studio. He and other subjects of the story claimed they had been defamed by the newspaper.
The Smoking Gun said the documents seemed phony because they appeared to be written on a typewriter instead of a computer and included blacked-out sections not typically found in such documents, among other problems.
The Web site claimed the documents were fabricated by a prison inmate with a history of exaggerating his place in the rap music world. The Times said its March 17 story was based on FBI records, interviews with people at the scene of the 1994 shooting, and statements to the FBI by an informant. None of the sources was named.
Philips said a former FBI agent examined the documents in question for him and said they appeared to be legitimate. But Philips said he wished he had done more to investigate their authenticity. "I now believe the truth here is I got duped," he said.
Marc Lichtman, an attorney representing rap manager James Rosemond, one of two men the story linked to the Shakur attack, had earlier demanded an apology.
"I would suggest to Mr. Philips and his editors that they immediately print an apology and take out their checkbooks -- or brace themselves for an epic lawsuit," Lichtman said Wednesday.
The shooting triggered a feud between East and West Coast rappers that led to the killings of Shakur and Notorious B.I.G.
The story said associates hoping to curry favor with Combs -- who was overseeing B.I.G.'s white-hot career at the time -- lured Shakur to the studio because of his disrespect toward them.
The story and related features on latimes.com attracted nearly 1 million hits -- more viewers than any other story on latimes.com this year, the newspaper said.
George Michael's Summer US Tour
By Jane Cohen & Bob Grossweiner
After performing 80 shows in 12 European countries for 1.3 million fans this past year, George Michael will tour North America for the first time in 17 years when he brings his "25 Live" tour to the U.S. and Canada this summer. Though he has been one of the more successful singers of the past 25 years, Michael’s career has recently received a boost thanks in part to his songs and acting being featured on the ABC-TV series, “Eli Stone.”
The seven-week, 22-date 25 Live tour kicks off June 17 in San Diego and will conclude Aug. 3 in Sunrise, FL.
Michael will be touring behind his new 29-song, 2-CD retrospective, “TwentyFive,” set for an April 1 release – his first US release since his 2004 studio album, Patience. The retrospective includes his biggest smash hits spanning his entire music career from the early 80’s hits with Wham! through his chart-topping and award-winning solo career. “TwentyFive” also includes new songs, including duets with Paul McCartney and Mary J. Blige. A companion 2-disc DVD of 40 videos will also be made available.
Overseas, the "25 Live" tour broke several ticket sales records, most notably in Copenhagen, where his concert at The Parken Stadium sold more than 50,000 tickets in a matter of minutes. The concert shattered the stadium’s previous ticket sales record formerly held by U2.
Michael is one of the most successful and enduring artists in the history of pop music, selling more than 85 million records globally and encompassing seven U.S. No. 1 singles, two Grammy awards, three American Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award and two prestigious Ivor Novello awards for songwriting. His record "Faith" has sold over 20 million copies alone. In addition, he has garnered 11 British No. 1 singles and seven British No. 1 albums, and was declared the most played British artist on radio over the course of the last 20 years.
Janet Jackson Sets Sept 08 World Tour
By Jane Cohen & Bob Grossweiner
After a seven-year absence from the road, Janet Jackson is gearing up for a fall world tour that is expected to take flight in September. Jackson will tour behind her recently released sixth album, “Discipline” (Island Def Jam), which reached No. 1 on the The Billboard 200 after moving 181,000 during the first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan.Despite the No. 1 ranking, sales of the album have been a disappointment, according to Entertainment Weekly which said the singer’s previous album “20 Y.O.” sold significantly more when it debuted almost two years ago, her last album for her former label Virgin Records.
Jackson, however, has been a highly marketable act on tour, and she told Billboard that her fall tour will likely start in North America before hitting Australia, Africa, Asia and Europe. If past shows serve as an indicator, fans can expect a high-octane, glossy production from the singer.
In tandem with the tour, Jackson is expected to release a book on her weight struggle later this year.
The Police Plan Final Tour
By Bob Grossweiner
& Jane Cohen
The Police, whose 2007 reunion tour racked up industry awards from Billboardand Pollstar, will return to North America this summer to play their final area appearances, this time mostly in arenas and amphitheaters in markets where they did not perform in 2007. An additional 30 dates have been confirmed beginning May 1 at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, ON and culminating Aug. 4 at Jones Beach Theatre in Wantagh, NY. Elvis Costello and The Imposters will join The Police for the North American leg of the tour.
In 2007, The Police concert schedule included sold out performances at many of the most historic and renowned stadiums around the world including: Fenway Park (Boston), Wrigley Field (Chicago) and Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles), Twickenham Stadium (London), Stade de France (Paris) and River Plate Stadium (Buenos Aires) They will return to Europe this summer for a select number of festivals, including the Isle of Wight and Hyde Park Festivals in the UK, the Rock In Rio Festival in Spain and the TW Festival in Belgium. They will also return to Germany, France, Spain and Italy performing at various arenas and stadiums through June and early July.
Tickets for the North American concert dates will sell at face value for $225, $90 and $50 in most markets (plus applicable service fees) and will go on sale on Feb. 23-25. Citi card customers will have first crack at tickets on Feb. 18. There will be a four ticket limit per person in the amphitheatre pavilions and for the top price tiered tickets in the arenas.
Is Jay-Z Launching Apple Label? A Closer Look
SEATTLE (Hypebot) – The blogs are buzzing with a rumor "confirmed" only by Boy Genius Report that rapper and mogul Jay-Z is starting a record label backed by Apple. Jay-Z just left his job as head of Def Jam and some rumors point to a clause in his contract there that would allow him to buy out the contracts of some of the artists that he signed. Other rumors point to Beyoncé joining him at the new label.
How does the story bear up under closer scrutiny?
On the side of this rumor being true:
• There is no love lost between Apple and the labels
• It is unlikely that the majors would stop distributing their music via iTunes given the service's dominate position
• Steve Jobs has a history of forcing product loyalty via closed systems. (i.e. Apple's proprietary DRM). Exclusive release windows would fit that model
• Jay-Z is likely to use his cache' to find a major partner with deep pockets for any new venture
• Both Steve Jobs and Jay-Z enjoy making "bold" moves that appear cutting edge
On the side of the rumor being false:
• The inevitable riff with other labels would strengthen the hands of Apple's competitors at a time when it is already vulnerable
• After being stifled at Universal, would Jay-Z really want another partner legendary control issues and alternative motives
• Does Steve Jobs believe that anything resembling to the old model of expensive executives and costly marketing still can turn a profit?
• How would Wall Street - which of late has battered music industry stocks but been in love with Apple - react?
Wild Cards:
• Live Nation's new Artist Nation is looking for creative partnerships beyond its Madonna 360 deal
• Deep pocket alternatives like Microsoft and Google
Movie Studios Boast Banner Year in 2007
By Laurie A. Trotta
Hollywood studios boasted total box office receipts of a record-breaking $9.57 billion in 2007, up 4.2% over 2006’s earnings of $9.21 billion, according to the website FirstShowing.net. Paramount dominated the other studios in profits, with a total of $1.48 billion from 20 films released. The studio’s leading films for the year were: “Shrek the Third,” “Transformers,” “Bee Movie,” “Blades of Glory,” “Norbit,” “Beowulf,” “Disturbia,” and “Shooter.”
Warner Brothers came in second with $1.41 billion gleaned from 34 films, while Sony forfeited its 2006 leading spot, coming in fourth with $1.24 billion from 28 movies. Paramount had not held the top spot since 1998, when the juggernaut “Titanic” broke all records for box office grosses.
The major studios and their earnings from the 123 major releases of 2007, according to FirstShowing.net, are as follows:
1 - Paramount / DreamWorks (20 Films) - $1.48 billion
2 - Warner Brothers (34 Films) - $1.41 billion
3 - Disney / Buena Vista (21 Films) - $1.35 billion
4 - Sony Pictures (28 Films) - $1.24 billion
5 - Universal (20 Films) - $1.09 billion
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.
Music companies also are expected to license songs for more ad-supported Web sites like imeem, which lets visitors watch videos or listen to full-length tracks posted by other music fans for free.
Major recording labels, long-criticized for being too slow in adapting to changes brought by the Internet over the last decade, are under pressure to explore new ways to get music fans to pay for music, leading to more choices for consumers.
In 2007, the recording industry arguably took the boldest steps yet.
After years championing the necessity of copy-protection safeguards on digital music, three of the world's biggest recording companies agreed to license their music for sale online as unprotected MP3 files. Many analysts expect the last holdout, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, to follow this year.
That's an important step for music lovers hesitant about buying digital music because songs are generally tied to specific devices -- for example, Apple Inc.'s iPod players can't play copy-protected music not bought at Apple's iTunes store.
'It seems clear there's an accelerated pace of change that comes hand in glove with accelerated decline in traditional business,' said Eric Garland, chief executive at BigChampagne Online Media Measurement, which tracks online entertainment.
Recording company executives who once saw new technology as the enemy seem to now see it as a lifeline.
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The major labels -- Sony BMG, Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group Corp. and Britain's EMI Group PLC -- declined to comment.
In a recent memo to employees, Warner Music Chairman and CEO Edgar Bronfman Jr. touched on the importance of developing new areas of digital music. The company's stock price has plunged more than 75 percent over the past year.
'There's no denying that WMG and the industry as a whole have been struggling for almost a decade now with the challenges and opportunities that the digital space presents,' Bronfman wrote. 'The recent trend of dramatic changes in the recorded music market will continue. ... And, though it's a cliche, it's a cliche because it's true: technology will also provide us with new opportunities.'
Bronfman alluded that the industry this year would pursue a way to 'monetize the unauthorized flow of our artists' audio content on the Internet.' That could involve striking deals with Internet service providers to help compensate labels for the millions of songs swapped online.
Another approach involves Internet service providers offering a pricing tier that comes with unlimited music downloads or faster download speeds that might be attractive to computer users who download a lot of music files.
Last year, Universal Music began testing an unlimited music download service in France offered through broadband provider Neuf Cegetel. Then there's Universal Music's Total Music, which is expected to extend what Universal is doing with Nokia's Comes With Music to everything from personal computers to digital music players, with the cost of the music built into the price.
Internet users collectively download about 1.1 billion songs from file-sharing networks every month, according to BigChampagne. So the music industry's success could be tempered if those people see little value in digital music without copy-protection strings or services offering feels-like-free music.
Sales of digital tracks at iTunes and elsewhere surged 45 percent last year compared with 2006, according to Nielsen SoundScan. But digital music still accounts for a small portion of overall music sales, and U.S. album sales in CDs and other physical formats dropped 15 percent during the same period.
Combined, the number of albums sold declined 9.5 percent.
'The industry for the last several years had hoped that eventually the pain would subside and they expected that eventually the market slowdown would level off,' said James McQuivey, media and technology analyst at Forrester Research.
Instead, he said, the recording industry saw CD sales falling even faster.
In a research note issued in November, Pali Capital analyst Richard Greenfield suggested retail floor space for CDs would probably shrink this year by as much as 30 percent.
Like many other music retailers, Related Cos.' Virgin Megastores North America has diversified its product offerings in recent years, adding clothing, novelties, electronics and other items to help offset CD sales declines.
After two years of moderate declines, Virgin's same-store music sales rose 5 percent last year compared with 2006, while overall sales jumped 15 percent. CDs now represent only 40 percent of overall sales, said Kevin Milligan, Virgin's vice president of product and merchandising.
Despite mixed results trying to breathe life into the CD by adding video and other multimedia extras, the recording industry will roll out a host of new variants to stores this year.
One, dubbed the CD-View Plus, lets customers access a trove of additional content when they go online. Another is digital gift cards, which enable users to download specific albums, something Starbucks already sells.
'There's a lot of experimentation going on,' said Jim Donio, president of the National Association of Recording Merchandisers, a trade group that represents hundreds of retailers, record labels and other music-related firms. Music fans are also likely to see more albums released in multiple versions, such as pricier deluxe or limited-editions, and more albums pre-loaded onto small, portable storage devices such as thumb drives attached to rubber bracelets.
Consumers may also see a bigger push this year for CD singles, dubbed 'ringles,' that include mobile phone ringtones and other digital content, Milligan said. Universal Music and Sony BMG, which is a joint venture of Sony Corp. and Bertelsmann AG, are among the labels that have plans to release ringles, he said.
'Everyone is looking for a formula that will provide healthy growth for the industry, which I believe will come,' Donio said. 'The other side of this will be loaded with new kinds of opportunities, for arguably a marketplace that probably doesn't look anything like it looks now.'
The Police 2007's Top Grossing Concert
By Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
The Police tour grossed about $243 million in 2007, according to Live Nation, which recently released the full concert report for the year. The trio, who launched their reunion tour in the spring, had the top tour of the year and sold nearly 2.2 million tickets worldwide. This amends the Billboard story where The Police only grossed $212 million for the year since Billboard closes its books in mid-November.
Over the course of their 84-date 2007 tour, the band played everything from multi-day festivals (Bonnaroo, V Fest), to sold-out stadium shows (Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Giants Stadium in New York, two Twickenham Stadium shows in London and two Au Stade de France shows in Paris) as well as dozens of other sold-out stadium and arena shows in North America, South America and Europe.
The tour shows no signs of slowing down, as the band has scheduled dates for 2008 in Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
The Police World Tour is produced by Live Nation's Global Touring Division in association with RZO Entertainment, Inc.
Album Sales Plummet 15% in 2007
Associated PressJanuary 4, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- U.S. album sales plunged 15% last year from 2006, as the recording industry marked another weak year of sales despite a 45% surge in the sale of digital tracks.
A total of 500.5 million albums were purchased as CDs, cassettes, LPs and other formats last year, down from 588 million in 2006, said Nielsen SoundScan, which tracks point-of-purchase sales.
The shortfall in album sales drops to 9.5% when sales of digital singles are counted as 10-track equivalent albums. The number of digital tracks sold jumped 45% to 844.2 million; digital album sales accounted for 10% of total album purchases.
For the first time since SoundScan started tracking genre sales, all 12 genres dropped, with rap down 30% and country more than 16%.
Overall music purchases, including albums, singles, digital tracks and music videos, rose to 1.35 billion units, up 14% from 2006.
The recording industry has seen CD album sales decline for years, in part because of the rise of online file-sharing, but also as consumers have spent more of their leisure dollars on other entertainment purchases, such as DVDs and video games.
Warner Music Group Corp. artist Josh Groban had the best-selling album with "Noel." The album, a collection of Christmas songs, sold around 3.7 million copies. A soundtrack for The Walt Disney Co.'s popular "High School Musical" franchise was second with around 2.9 million units sold.
Among last year's other top-selling albums were a "Hannah Montana" soundtrack and offerings from the Eagles, Alicia Keys and Fergie.
Three out of the five top-selling albums for the year were released late in the fourth quarter.
The major recording companies' album market share remained nearly the same, with Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group holding a 31.9% share, up slightly from the previous year. Sony BMG Music Entertainment, a joint venture of Sony Corp. and Bertelsmann AG, continued to rank second with 24.97%, though it dropped 2.4% from 2006.
One trend that should prove encouraging to record labels: 50 million albums were downloaded last year, a 53% uptick.
"That says consumers are embracing both the track format and the digital album format," said Rob Sisco, president of Nielsen Music. In all, 23% of music sales were derived from digital purchases, Mr. Sisco said.
The holiday season brought an upswell of music purchases, with music sales in the last week of the year totaling 58.4 million units, the biggest sales week ever recorded by Nielsen SoundScan.
David Pakman, chief executive of eMusic.com Inc., attributed strong holiday sales at the online music retailer in part to an apparent pick up in sales of low-cost digital music players.
"That's showing us that digital music adoption is reaching into some price-sensitive areas," Mr. Pakman said.
Copyright © 2008 Associated Press
Ticketing Goes Mobile
By Brian ThompsonIn a time when a young generation of cell phone users are sending thousands of text messages per month on their cellular phones, it is only logical that companies would begin to try to sell their services via cell phones, offering their products to the consumer everywhere they roam.
Ringtone sales have become old news, and now the ticket market is reaching out to cell phone toting customers. StubHub! recently announced a partnership with go2.com, so now mobile customers can access StubHub’s offerings and go2.com applications on their cell phone.
Electronic ticketing is already commonplace, so allowing consumers to purchase tickets on their cell phones could further cut down on paper ticket sales. This would make it difficult for scalpers waiting near events to remain in business, because those who purchase their tickets through their phones will then have an activation bar code image sent to them, which could then be scanned at the gate.
Of course, Nokia proclaimed an end to scalpers last year when it launched its mobile ticketing service Ticket Rush, only to discontinue it quietly this year, with service ending on January 3, 2008. Accounts with Nokia’s partner Live Nation are being given to users of the program. Still, the mobile ticket market is continuing to grow, especially in Europe.
Ticketmaster is planning to launch its own mobile ticketing application, expanding on the success of its TicketFast online ticket delivery service which allows customers to receive their tickets via e-mail.
With the ability to purchase tickets now in their hands, customers have more convenience, and as the market expands, they will begin to enjoy unprecedented choice from primary and secondary ticketers. Customers can now decide at the last moment to go to sold out events, buy a ticket from a reseller on their cell phone, show the barcode sent to them, and just walk right in.
Montana Finds Tickets / Lawyers say "Curious"
By Alfred Branch, Jr.Part One: MONTANA TICKETS AVAILABLE
Organizers of Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana tour this week emailed shut out fans that 45,000 tickets were now being offered for the remaining 21 shows on the tour, beginning with the Dec. 6 show in Grand Rapids, MI. These are tickets that were apparently withheld from the public by the promoters and venues during the first round of sales.
The shut out fans names were obtained through the MileyWorld.com fan club, which emailed the following letter to those members:
“You are receiving this e-mail because you have been identified by the MileyWorld Fan Club as a MileyWorld member who obtained a Ticketmaster code to purchase tickets to a concert during the pre-sale offer period, but who did not actually purchase any tickets using your Ticketmaster code. MileyWorld is committed to doing everything in its power to see that as many of its members as possible have a chance to purchase tickets to the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Tour.
We have now made arrangements with the concert tour producer and promoter to make a LIMITED NUMBER of additional tickets available for purchase FOR A LIMITED TIME, to those of you who previously obtained a Ticketmaster code but did not use your code to purchase tickets in the pre-sale period. A total of approximately 45,000 additional tickets allocated among the remaining concerts listed below, beginning with the December 6 show in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will be made available for sale through this Special Offer, for a LIMITED TIME ONLY. These are additional tickets that have recently been released by the concert venues and which were not previously available for sale.”
The special offer ends Saturday, Dec. 1.
For months, tour organizers kept mum about the availability of additional tickets and only parceled out a few thousand only after parents and politicians clamored for more tickets. The lack of tickets also prompted a class action lawsuit against MileyWorld alleging that the site virtually promised access to tickets for people who signed up for a membership. In October, the National Association of Ticket Brokers called on tour organizers to release more tickets.
The email goes on to say that it doesn’t guarantee access to tickets, “Please be aware that MileyWorld and Ticketmaster have no control whatsoever over the number of tickets that may be available to any specific concert, MileyWorld is not involved in the sale itself, and neither MileyWorld nor Ticketmaster can guarantee that you will be able to obtain tickets if you attempt to do so.”
Meghan Prophet, publicist for Miley Cyrus and MileyWorld.com, did not reply to messages seeking comment. Bonnie Poindexter, spokesperson for Ticketmaster, declined to comment.
The email concludes with another warning about the tickets, and hints that more tickets might be released in the future, “THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO GUARANTEE THAT ANY MILEYWORLD MEMBER WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN CONCERT TICKETS. As you probably know by now, the demand for tickets to the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Tour has been unprecedented. However, MileyWorld members were able to obtain more than 200,000 concert tickets during the pre-sale periods as a result of their MileyWorld membership. Through this Special Offer, you now have another chance to become one of the lucky members who are able to experience Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus live. If you are still not able to obtain concert tickets as a result of this Special Offer, we understand that you may be disappointed. Please know that MileyWorld will continue its on-going efforts to create more opportunities for you to connect with Miley Cyrus and her web community and other activities.”
Shows for which additional tickets are now available:
December 6, 2007 Grand Rapids, MI
December 8, 2007 Rosemont, IL
December 9, 2007 Indianapolis, IN
December 11, 2007 Columbus, OH
December 13, 2007 Cincinnati, OH
December 15, 2007 Toronto, ON
December 16, 2007 Rochester, NY
December 19, 2007 Hartford, CT
December 20, 2007 Providence, RI
December 21, 2007 Worcester, MA
December 22, 2007 Worcester, MA
December 27, 2007 Uniondale, NY
December 28, 2007 Uniondale, NY
December 29, 2007 Newark, NJ
December 30, 2007 Newark, NJ
January 3, 2008 Cleveland, OH
January 4, 2008 Pittsburgh, PA
January 5, 2008 Atlantic City, NJ
January 7, 2008 Washington DC
January 8, 2008 Baltimore, MD
January 9, 2008 Albany, NY
Part 2: ATTORNEY FIND AVAILABLE TICKETS CURIOUS
The attorney spearheading the class action lawsuit against the MileyWorld fan club is wondering why the organizers of the Hannah Montana tour did not make more tickets available months ago.
Pittsburgh attorney Rob Peirce told TicketNews that he is scratching his head over the fact that the tour this week announced it has made 45,000 tickets available for the remaining shows. Peirce filed the class action lawsuit earlier this month against Mileyworld.com officials, alleging the organization misled members into thinking that they would have better access to tickets if they joined the $30 fan club.
“I do find it interesting that after the lawsuit was filed, and fans club members had complained about this for months, all of a sudden now 45,000 tickets are available,” Peirce said. MileyWorld publicist Meghan Prophet could not be reached for comment.
MileyWorld emailed many of its members this week telling them that 45,000 tickets were now available for a limited time to shows scheduled for between Dec. 6 and Jan. 9. Those who received the email had been shut out when tickets were initially put on sale.
“THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO GUARANTEE THAT ANY MILEYWORLD MEMBER WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN CONCERT TICKETS. As you probably know by now, the demand for tickets to the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Tour has been unprecedented. However, MileyWorld members were able to obtain more than 200,000 concert tickets during the pre-sale periods as a result of their MileyWorld membership. Through this Special Offer, you now have another chance to become one of the lucky members who are able to experience Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus live. If you are still not able to obtain concert tickets as a result of this Special Offer, we understand that you may be disappointed. Please know that MileyWorld will continue its on-going efforts to create more opportunities for you to connect with Miley Cyrus and her web community and other activities,” the MileyWorld email stated.
The controversy over the lack of Hannah Montana tickets, and the high prices many of the available tickets fetched, has gripped not only the concert and ticketing industries, but also parents, children, state attorneys general and other politicians. In fact, the class action lawsuit Peirce filed is not the only one leveled by disgruntled parents.
“I find it curious that these tickets are now available two weeks after the lawsuit was filed,” Peirce said, adding he cannot comment as to whether this development would have any effect on the lawsuit. “Why didn’t they address these concerns months ago and release them?”
Kid Rock Sets 2008 Tour
By Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
Kid Rock is returning to arenas in 2008 with his Rock and Roll Revival Tour, which kicks off Jan. 25 in Evansville, IN and concludes March 22 in Toledo, OH. A host of friends will join Rock on the 29-date trek, including Reverend Run from the rap group Run-DMC, as well as other special guests at stops throughout the tour.
Rock’s latest album, the critically acclaimed "Rock n Roll Jesus," recently debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts, and he appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone’s “Hot Issue.” The past few years have given the rocker ample material for his storytelling-style of songwriting. He married and divorced Pamela Anderson, got into numerous fights, including one with Anderson’s ex, Tommy Lee, at the MTV Video Music Awards this year.
In addition to selling more than 20 million records in the U.S. alone, Rock has proven to be an inveterate road warrior, playing top-selling shows on countless cross-country and international tours throughout his career.
Kid Rock itinerary:
1/25/08 Evansville, IN Roberts Stadium
1/26/08 Bloomington, IL US Cellular Coliseum
1/29/08 Dayton, OH Hara Arena
1/30/08 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Ballroom
2/01/08 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
2/05/08 Saginaw, MI Dow Events Center
2/06/08 Niagara, NY Seneca Casino
2/09/08 Detroit, MI TBD
2/14/08 Huntington, WV Big Sandy's
2/16/08 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
2/17/08 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
2/19/08 Bossier City, LA Century Tel Arena
2/20/08 Tupelo, MS Bancorp Center
2/22/08 Raleigh, NC RBC Center
2/23/08 N. Charleston, SC N. Charleston Coliseum
2/26/08 Lafayette, LA Cajun Dome
2/27/08 Biloxi, MS MS Coast Coliseum
2/29/08 Nashville, TN Sommet Center
3/01/08 Greenville, SC Bi-Lo Center
3/07/08 Knoxville, TN Thompson Boling Arena
3/08/08 Savannah, GA Savannah Civic Center
3/11/08 Atlanta, GA Gwinnett Center
3/12/08 Columbus, GA Colonial Center
3/14/08 Bristol, TN Viking Hall
3/15/08 Louisville, KY Freedom Hall
3/18/08 Roanoke, VA Roanoke Civic Center
3/19/08 Reading, PA Sovereign Center
3/21/08 TBA
3/22/08 Toledo, OH Seagate Center
Daughtry & Underwood Score American Music Awards
By Sandy Cohen - Associated Press Writer
Los Angeles, November 18, 2007 — Chris Daughtry may not have won “American Idol,” but his band, Daughtry, earned high enough honors at the American Music Awards on Sunday to share the spotlight with Carrie Underwood and Justin Timberlake.
Daughtry made good on its three nominations, winning favorite pop-rock album for “Daughtry,” as well as breakthrough artist and adult contemporary artist.
“Wow. I can’t believe we’re in the category with Justin Timberlake and Linkin Park. It’s pretty awesome,” the band’s frontman said. “I want to make sure we thank the fans again because you guys made this all possible for us.”
Underwood, who did win “Idol,” matched her three wins at the Country Music Association Awards this month with three trophies Sunday: favorite female country artist, favorite country album for “Some Hearts,” and the T-Mobile text-in award.
Timberlake was a double winner, earning male pop-rock artist honors and the soul/R&B album award for his “FutureSex/LoveSounds.” Timberlake accepted by video from Australia.
Usher presented Beyoncé with the international artist award, which has been given to just a handful of artists, including Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart and Aerosmith. “I’m so blessed to wake up every morning and do what I love. I don’t take it for granted,” Beyoncé said. “I’m so grateful, so honored and so humbled by this award.”
In the rap-hip-hop categories, T.I. came up a double winner as male artist and for the album “T.I. vs. T.I.P.” Bone Thugs-N-Harmony was favorite group.
Rascal Flatts was named top country duo or group, Tim McGraw was top male country artist, Akon won favorite male soul/rhythm & blues artist and Rihanna was named the favorite female soul/R&B star.
The night was punctuated with performances, including one between Beyoncé and country duo Sugarland, who performed Beyoncé’s hit “Irreplaceable.”
Celine Dion performed her new song, “Taking Chances,” and Lenny Kravitz sat at the piano to play his latest, “I’ll Be Waiting.”
Eighties rock band Duran Duran performed its new song, “Falling Down,” as well as the old hit “Hungry Like the Wolf.”
Fergie opened the show with a trio of songs from her debut album, then closed it by winning the favorite pop-rock female artist trophy.
Other performers included Mary J. Blige, Maroon 5, Avril Lavigne, Rihanna, Rascal Flatts and teen stars the Jonas Brothers.
4th Annual Billboard Touring Awards
By Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner, Ticket BuzzThe Police reunion tour was named Top Tour and Top Draw at the fourth annual
Billboard Touring Awards held recently at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York. The Top Tour and Top Draw recognize the top-grossing tour and the top ticket-selling tours, respectively.The awards, which honor the concert industry's top artists, venues and professionals for the year, are based on the Billboard Boxscores chart from Jan. 1, 2007 to Sept. 30, 2007. The Police tour, one of the more eagerly awaited tours in the last couple of years, was consistently among the Top 10 sellers in TicketNews’s exclusive ranking of leading events.
One award not determined by Billboard Boxscores but rather by the 40,000-plus votes received at Billboard.com and Billboard.biz was the inaugural Concert Marketing & Promotion Award. The Humanitarian Award and Legend Award, which honor individuals who have made a significant impact on the touring industry, were determined by the magazine's editorial staff.
In the artist category, Kenny Chesney’s Flip Flop Summer tour with Sugarland, Pat Green, Brooks & Dunn and Sara Evans went home with Top Package honors for the third consecutive year. Justin Timberlake’s FutureSex LoveShow tour earned him the Breakthrough Artist award; Prince was crowned with the Top Boxscore award based on his 21-night, sold-out engagement at the O2 in London; and the Top Comedy tour went to Larry the Cable Guy.
Venue awards went to New York’s Madison Square Garden in New York, which was named Top Arena for the fourth year in a row; Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colo. (Top Amphitheatre); 9:30 Club in Washington DC, (Top Club); Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City (Top Venue Under 10,000 Seats; non-resident); and the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas (Top Venue Under 10,000 Seats, resident).
Top Festival honors went to Download Festival in Castle Donington, England, promoted by Live Nation UK.
Live Nation was named Top Promoter while newcomer C3 Presents in Austin, Texas, which produces music festivals Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival as well as more than 800 shows nationwide was tapped as Top Independent Promoter.
Live Earth founder/Control Room CEO Kevin Hall was named Humanitarian, and pioneering agent Frank Barsalona, founder of one of the most respected booking agencies, Premier Talent Agency, received the Legend of Live Award.
Union Strike hits Broadway & Hollywood
By Carol-Ann Rudy
There may be an end in sight to the strike by Local One of The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes (IATSE) against The League of American Theatres and Producers. Talks are scheduled to resume this weekend according to a joint statement, but with no information as to location and time and no interviews or comments issued until further notice.
Meanwhile, up and down Broadway theaters are shuttered, stages are dark. Only eight shows are open: Xanadu, The Ritz, Mauritius, Cymbeline, Pygmalion, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Young Frankenstein, under a separate contract with Local One or in existence as a non-profit organization.
The contract between the two parties ended July 31. Negotiations began in June and continued off and on for months until the union went on strike Nov. 10, shutting down about 28 productions. Two days earlier, same union but different Local (The Writers Guild of America), a film and television writers’ strike began in Hollywood, the first in almost 20 years. Many popular shows have been shutdown. Movie theaters have been stockpiling scripts for years in the event of a strike and will be less affected by the strike initially.
The strike on Broadway by Local One is the second in the past five years, but only the second since 1975 by the union. Off Broadway and off-off Broadway shows have not been affected and indeed may do a better business in the short run. In the meantime, Thanksgiving week approaches and theatergoers, management, stage crews, and the economy of the Big Apple may have reason to thank the Union and the League after negotiations conclude this weekend.
Ticketmaster Teams with iTunes
By Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
In a move designed to help seamlessly integrate the selling of recorded and live
music to the same customer, Ticketmaster and iTunes have expanded their “music + tickets” offerings by integrating digital album sales directly alongside concert tickets in a single transaction on Ticketmaster.com.
The Ticketmaster and iTunes program launches with a special seasonal offer of $1 off discount applied to every digital album sold on Ticketmaster and fulfilled via the iTunes Store through Dec. 29, 2007. Ticketmaster.com will provide a direct link that will take the user to the iTunes Store to download their album. Among the first musical artists to have there songs and concert tickets intertwined under the offering are Kanye West, Keith Urban, Modest Mouse and Bon Jovi, and currently there are more than 700 musical acts with concerts currently on sale via Ticketmaster.
Prince set to sue Fan Web sites
By Mike Collett-WhiteLONDON (Reuters) - Fan sites dedicated to Prince say they have been served
legal notice to remove all images of the singer, his lyrics and "anything linked to Prince's likeness", and have vowed to fight what they said was censorship.The move was a shock to many of his followers and came two months after Prince threatened to sue YouTube and other major Internet sites for unauthorized use of his music and image.
But by targeting fan sites directly, Prince risks a backlash, and the sites have vowed to unite under the banner "Prince Fans United" and take the matter to court if necessary.
"We strongly believe that such actions are in violation of ... freedom of speech and should not be allowed," said a statement from the three sites -- www.housequake.com, www.princefams.com and www.prince.org.
A company helping Prince control his image and music on the Internet said the fan sites had spun the story so that it was "incorrect and misleading".
"At no time is Prince suing his fans and this is not about freedom of speech," said John Giacobbi, managing director of Internet policing specialist Web Sheriff.
"The current issue is one between Prince's record label and three unofficial Web sites and relates to the use of Prince trademarks and photographs, many of which are Prince's copyright," he told Reuters.
In a statement released later, he added:
"These forums have taken it upon themselves to wear the crown of being the self appointed representatives of the millions of Prince fans worldwide, despite the fact that they only represent a tiny fraction of Prince's global fanbase."
FANS SEE IRONY
Some Prince fans were surprised at the artist's threat to sue, pointing out that the 49-year-old was seen as a pioneer of online music distribution. He won an Internet award last year for "reshaping the relationship between artist and fan."
"The irony is that someone who has won that award is now challenging the very ethos of the Internet," said a spokesman for Prince Fans United. He added: "The intention of this is to drum up public support, not to damage him. The fan groups want peace, they don't want war."
The sites, now featuring an image of a hand print with "pfu" written on it, said the singer had demanded the removal of fans' photographs of Prince-inspired tattoos and vehicles displaying Prince-inspired license plates. They urged Prince to reconsider his decision, but vowed to defend their position in court if need be.
"The law clearly provides for displaying of images of a celebrity's likeness for newsworthy events or matters which are considered to be public interest," they said.
Prince, behind hit albums "Purple Rain" and "Sign O' The Times", is known as a maverick in the music business. He performed with the word "SLAVE" scrawled across his cheek in protest against his then record label and changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol.
Prince also gave his "Planet Earth" album away free with a British Sunday newspaper earlier this year, infuriating music retailers but winning plaudits from fans for innovation.
Avril Lavigne To Launch 2008 Tour
By Bob Grossweiner and Jane CohenFollowing the enormous success of her third studio album and second consecutive #1 debut, “Best Damn Thing,” pop punker Avril Lavigne will kick off
her 2008 Best Damn Tour on March 5 in Victoria, BC. The tour will be produced by Live Nation and feature dancers along with special guests Boys Like Girls. The first 32 North American concerts have been announced with more concerts to be revealed shortly."I can't wait to get back out on the road!" said Lavigne, in a press release. "I have the most fun when I am performing for the fans. I think that energy comes through in my live show."
“Best Damn Thing” was released in April and is certified Platinum in the U.S. and selling more than 4.5 million copies worldwide. The album was produced by Butch Walker (The Donnas, American Hi-Fi, Lavigne's second album Under My Skin), Dr. Luke (Pink, Lady Sovereign), Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) and her husband Deryck Whibley of Sum 41.
Having sold close to 30 million albums worldwide, Lavigne is one of the biggest selling artists of her generation, bursting onto the music scene in 2002 with the critically acclaimed “Let Go,” which featured the smash singles "Sk8r Boi" and "Complicated."
Tickets go on sale Saturday, Nov. 17, through Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
Avril Lavigne "Best Damn Tour" North American itinerary:
5-Mar Victoria Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
7-Mar Vancouver General Motors Place
8-Mar Kamloops Interior Savings Centre
9-Mar Kelowna Prospera Place
11-Mar Prince George CN Centre
12-Mar Edmonton Rexall Place
13-Mar Calgary Pengrowth Saddledome
15-Mar Regina Brandt Centre
16-Mar Saskatoon Credit Union Centre
18-Mar Winnipeg MTS Centre
21-Mar Chicago Allstate Arena
22-Mar Detroit Palace of Auburn Hills
25-Mar Pittsburgh A.J. Palumbo Center
26-Mar Cleveland Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University
29-Mar Buffalo HSBC Arena
3-Apr Ottawa Scotia Bank Place
7-Apr Toronto Air Canada Centre
9-Apr London John Labatt Centre
12-Apr Uncasville Mohegan Sun Arena
13-Apr Manchester Verizon Arena
15-Apr Fairfax Patriot Center
22-Apr Biloxi Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
24-Apr Hidalgo Dodge Arena
26-Apr Dallas Smirnoff Music Centre
27-Apr San Antonio Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
29-Apr Las Vegas The Pearl
30-Apr San Diego Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl
2-May Phoenix Cricket Wireless Pavilion
3-May Anaheim Honda Center
4-May Los Angeles Gibson Amphitheatre
6-May Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Bowl
9-May Spokane Spokane Arena
Babyface's New Album & Nov.- Dec. Club Tour
By Jane Cohen and Bob GrossweinerR&B singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmunds, probably better known as a Grammy-award winning producer and songwriter, will hit the club circuit in
November and December, in support of his 11th album, "Playlist," a collection of covers of classic, album-oriented rock songs that have inspired him throughout his career. The album was released in September."These songs shaped my past and now they're shaping my future," he says on his website.
Among the artists and songs covered are: “Wonderful Tonight" (Eric Clapton); "Shower the People" and "Fire and Rain" (James Taylor); "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (Bob Dylan); "Please Come To Boston" (Dave Loggins); "Longer" (Dan Fogelberg); "Time in a Bottle" (Jim Croce), and "Diary" (Bread).
Edmunds began his career in the early 80's with funk band Delee. He released his first solo album, "Lovers," in 1986. As a prolific songwriter and producer, he crafted hit songs for such artists as Paula Abdul, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, and Boyz II Men, who dominated the charts with his penned hits "End of the Road," which became one of the best-selling singles of all time, and "I'll Make Love to You."
Babyface tour dates:
November
11 - CA Cabazon - Club Vibe @ Casino Morongo
23 - CA Oakland - Paramount
24 - NV Sparks - Rose Ballroom at John Ascauga's Nugget
30 - MI Auburn Hills - Palace at Auburn Hills
December
1 - IN Indianapolis - Madame Walker Theater Center
2 - OH Cincinnati - Cintas Center
7 - PA Philadelphia - Keswick Theatre
10 - VA Alexandria - Birchmere
12 - GA Atlanta - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center
14 - VA Norfolk - Chrysler Hall
Gwen Stefani Donates Concert Proceeds
By Bob Grossweiner and Jane CohenAs Gwen Stefani winds down her worldwide The Sweet Escape tour this week,
she is donating the proceeds from her concert tonight, Oct. 30, at the Cox Arena in San Diego, CA to a local San Diego charity, the San Diego Foundation, to benefit victims of the recent catastrophic area fires.The Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/fashion icon, who also fronts the rock group No Doubt, made the announcement Monday on San Diego radio station 93.3 KHTS with San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders.
"San Diego has always been so supportive of me throughout my entire career," said Stefani, a Southern California native. "Living in Orange County it has always been like a second home to me. When I heard about the devastation of the fires at first I felt I should cancel my show out of respect, but then it occurred to me there might be a more useful solution."
"We applaud the generosity of Gwen Stefani in dedicating her upcoming concert to support The San Diego Foundation's After-the-Fires Fund 2007," added Sanders, "which will help the foundation help San Diego. I have been heartened by the many who have come forward to assist us in the fire relief effort, and we thank Gwen Stefani and her fans for supporting the fire recovery and rebuilding across San Diego."
Remaining Stefani concerts:
Oct. 30 CA San Diego, Cox Arena
Nov. 1 CA Stockton, Stockton Arena
Nov. 2 CA Oakland, Oracle Arena
Nov. 3 CA Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Bowl
Madonna Signs Ground-breaking New Deal
By Alfred Branch, Jr. (two stories combined)Madonna is close to making A-Rod money.
The Material Girl and Live Nation [have signed] a 10-year, $120 million contract
which calls for Madonna to deliver three studio albums and for Live Nation to exclusively promote the singer’s tours, sell merchandise and license her name.Though currently 49, Madonna is showing no signs of slowing down, and even though the pact won’t be done until she is well into her AARP years, the Rolling Stones can attest to major artists still possessing drawing power into their 50s and beyond.
The deal marks the further decline of the prominence of record companies, which continue to suffer lagging CD sales. Artists are looking at all avenues to generate revenues, not just album sales, so the deal could be a blueprint for future arrangements between artists and companies other than record labels. In signing the deal, Madonna is leaving Warner Music Group where she had been for about 17 years. Warner reportedly was unsuccessful in trying to negotiate a similar deal with the singer, calling in Ticketmaster’s parent company IAC/InterActiveCorp as a partner.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Live Nation contract calls for “a general advance of $17.5 million and advance payments for three albums of $50 million to $60 million.”
Based on historical data from her last few albums and Yours, Live Nation believes it will generate gross revenues well in excess of $1 billion over the 10-year life of its new, ground-breaking music deal with superstar Madonna, the company announced in a conference call today. Live Nation is paying the singer $120 million over the 10 years, but was not the highest bidder financially for her services, according to the company. With the new deal, Madonna ends her long-term relationship with Warner Music Group, but she still owes them one more album.
The company, which produced several of Madonna’s previous tours, said her 2006 Confessions on a Dance Floor trek grossed about $200 million worldwide, and that she could mount four similar tours over the life of the new contract to generate a total of $800 million. Her previous three albums combined grossed $200 million, and the contract calls for three from the singer. Live Nation expects the first album to be delivered sometime in the next two to three years and for the first tour within the next two years.
North Carolina Parents Sues Over Hannah Tickets
By Alfred Branch, Jr., TicketbuzzIt was only a matter of time.
Disgruntled North Carolina parent Lyn Peraldo, upset over the price she paid for
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus tickets, filed suit against TicketsNow last week alleging the company and others essentially conspired to rig the system.Peraldo was allegedly shut out when she tried to buy tickets last month for the Nov. 25 Montana show at the Greensboro Coliseum, and went onto TicketsNow.com and bought four tickets for more than $1,000 as part of a birthday gift for her six-year-old daughter. She then filed the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that TicketsNow and others in the “ticket brokering industry” possess “a sophisticated system and the means (internet, telephone, pre-purchase and in person) to purchase at face value a number of the tickets identified herein in such quantities that Plaintiff and many others had no realistic opportunity to purchase said tickets from the ‘Greensboro Coliseum’ for face value, it being the specific business plan, intent and goal of Defendant to acquire and immediately resale as many of said tickets as possible at grossly inflated prices, which in this case it did to Plaintiff.”
"I watched parents with little girls, bursting into tears, walking back down toward me, saying they'd sold out," she told North Carolina TV station WGHP. The lawsuit is seeking in excess of $10,000 in damages.
According to a copy of the lawsuit, provided by WGHP, Peraldo claims she bought four tickets from TicketsNow.com for $225 a piece, despite the face value of the tickets being $56. She also allegedly paid a service charge of $135 and a shipping fee of $14.95.
Neither Peraldo nor a representative for TicketsNow returned messages at press time seeking comment.
Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland on Tour
By Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen, TicketBuzz
Grammy-winning R&B/pop music singer Kelly
Rowland, a co-founder of Destiny's Child, will launch a 16-date North American concert tour beginning Oct. 28 in Seattle and ending with a three-night run at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 1. Emerging American R&B singer Mario will open for her at select venues.
The tour will showcase Rowland performing songs from her two best-selling solo albums – “Simply Deep” and “Ms. Kelly” -- as well as from the Destiny's Child repertoire and more. Rowland's fall tour marks her first set of U.S. concert dates since Destiny Child's "Destiny Fulfilled ... And Lovin' It" farewell tour in 2005.
Released in June of this year, “Ms. Kelly” entered the Billboard Top 200 at #6, giving Rowland her first Top 10 album as a solo artist, and debuted on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart at #2. Rowland’s previous album “Simply Deep” sold more than 2 million copies worldwide.
Kelly Rowland with Mario itinerary:
10/28 Seattle, WA Showbox
10/30 Sacramento, CA Empire Events Center
10/31 San Francisco, CA Mezzanine
11/1 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues
11/3 Reno, NV Silver Legacy Casino (Rowland only)
11/8 Phoenix, AZ Celebrity Theatre
11/10 Albuquerque, NM Route 66
11/11 El Paso, Texas Blu
11/15 Dallas, TX Palladium Ballroom
11/17 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
11/21 Verona, NY Turningstone
11/23 Atlantic City, NJ House of Blues
11/25 Detroit, MI Plan B
11/29 Las Vegas, NV Orleans Casino (Rowland only)
11/30 Las Vegas, NV Orleans Casino (Rowland only)
12/1 Las Vegas, NV Orleans Casino (Rowland only)
Snopp Dogg Winner at VH1 Hip Hop Awards (Archive)
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP Music WriterThe Associated Press
NEW YORK - Snoop Dogg is usually quick to brag and boast, but even he felt
humbled as he was honored for his rap achievements at VH1's fourth annual Hip Hop Honors. The gangsta rapper was lauded along with Missy Elliott, the '80s rap trio Whoudini, A Tribe Called Quest, music executive Andre Harrell and producer Teddy Riley for creating the "New Jack Swing" sound, and Fab Five Freddy and Charlie Ahern for the groundbreaking movie "Wildstyle." The event airs on VH1 beginning Monday.
Among those on hand to congratulate Snoop backstage during the honors on Thursday were Q-Tip from Tribe and rap legend KRS-One, of whom Snoop asked, "Have I been a good student?" KRS-One gave him an approving nod.
"These are guys that I grew up wanting to be like and learning their words and dreaming and hoping and wishing, and now they know who I am and they respect me and they say that my work has put me in the position that I can be commended it's unbelievable, I can't believe it," he told The Associated Press backstage.
The celebration was more like an old-school party than an awards ceremony. During the tribute to Whoudini, Nelly and Jermaine Dupri did '80s dance moves while Whoudini delivered their classic raps; Timbaland joined Eve, Ciara, Nelly Furtado and Keyshia Cole onstage to perform Elliott's hits as the singer-rapper-producer looked on.
Bow Wow, who performed onstage with Snoop when he was just a child, rapped with him again at the ceremony, while Busta Rhymes, Common and Lupe Fiasco performed Tribe's "Scenario."
Other stars on hand included LL Cool J, Ne-Yo, Chris Rock and host Tracy Morgan.
KRS-One, a previous honoree, said the Hip-Hop Honors event was crucial because it pays tribute to crucial figures in rap that are sometimes overlooked.
"Every time you validate a guy like KRS-One, you are validating a certain voice in hip-hop that doesn't get much validation or time on the airwaves," he said.
Snoop also noted that it brings much needed positive attention to a genre that's been criticized anew for promoting the negative.
"This is the best thing for us to happen for hip-hop, it's positive," he said. "These awards shows never no violence it's never negative, never anything in the media the wrong way, it's always a great celebration of music and the artists and what they did."
KRS-One is hoping to harness the positivity from the Hip-Hop Honors for a new project: At the event, he was enlisting artists like Snoop Dogg to record a new version of his '80s message song "Self-Destruction," an all-star recording that then included acts like Queen Latifah and Big Daddy Kane. Snoop expressed interested as the two huddled together backstage.
"Hip-hop as a culture is getting a lot of backlash right now for its lyrics, for its public image, and the people are crying out for more responsibility," said KRS-One as he explained the need for the new recording.
"Nelly, Snoop, 50, Jay-Z, you are the Big Daddy Kanes, the Queen Latifahs, the Stestasonics of today," he continued. "Let's get this movement together, that tells families in the United States, we never intended for your child to go to jail ... the social ills of society, we never intended to highlight them."
Hannah Montana Ticket Controversy (Archive)
Hannah Montana Ticket Mania: Ticketless Fans Sound OffThu, 10/04/2007 - 4:04pm — TicketScoop
Exploring the Parents’ Point of View
By Stacey Willets
About a week ago I was sitting in my mother’s kitchen discussing the insanity of
Hannah Montana Mania. My eight-year-old sister, who we thought was engrossed in a sixteen episode marathon of the television show, overheard and immediately announced, “Hannah Montana is like my favorite show ever! Will you take me to see her? Pleeeeease?”This is a moment with which many parents across America are familiar. Little darlings with bright, excited eyes asking for an experience that for them is their whole world. Unfortunately, it is also an experience many parents are unable to deliver, and they’re voicing their frustrations . . .
“I [. . .] was guilty of trying to get tickets for my [nieces] for the Hannah Montana show and was shut out like everyone else. I also refuse to pay these crazy prices to a "broker". What a shame these losers buy up tickets to a kids show when I'm sure most of them don't even have kids [. . .] and basically screw people who actually are interested in taking their kids.”
“I know how you all are feeling. I did the same thing [as many parents] joining her mileyworld fan club. I also promise[d] my girls that we would go to her concert, thinking I would have a good chan[c]e getting her tickets, ( WHAT WAS I THINKING) I think we should write to DISNEY CHANNEL and let them know how we ALL feel about this situation. Also maybe our local news. Maybe it would air and expose all the scalpers.”
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is one official taking up the parents’ cause. Already opposed to the free market bill and now prompted by the complaints of scores of other people like the above commenters, Blumenthal is building a case to overturn the ticket resale law put into effect just this week.
Another angry parent calls into question practices used by less scrupulous brokers:
“Here in Chicago the Allstate Arena show was sold out in minutes. No one I know purchased tickets. Now we know that scalpers use outfits like RMG Technologies (Steubenville, Ohio) to purchase thousands of tickets with computers. Then they turn around and scalp them. This is all worse than it was 30 years ago when scalpers used homeless people to stand in line for tickets. The worst part is scalping is "legal" in Illinois. Of course a bunch of our state legislators passed laws allowing this. Gee, I wonder why? This is all a scam and scalping should be banned and made illegal again.”
Ticket resale is legal in all but six states right now and present bills being drafted are in favor of the secondary market, not against it. In fact, although just weeks ago a broker was fined for attempting to sell Red Sox tickets above face value, Massachusetts is on the cusp of joining the majority of states in supporting a free market. Proponents of the legislation would argue that there are plenty of reliable ticket agents and only a small minority of brokers uses illegal software to game the system, but for the average consumer shut out of purchasing tickets, brokers of any sort are a problem.
With prices of Hannah Montana tickets currently hovering in the hundreds of dollars, many parents are finding the size of their bank accounts is disproportionately smaller than the breadth of the love for their children. In the case of Hannah Montana, “fair market price” seems to make seats attainable only for the wealthy, which while basic supply and demand is not necessarily “fair.”
“How pitiful [. . .] the rich in this country are the only ones who will see the show,” a TicketNews reader laments. But it’s not just the ticket sellers’ profits that leave folks sour: “It's a sad day when a person on stage for 90 minutes, pretending to be someone else, makes more than a teacher, firefighter, police officer or 911 dispatcher makes in one year.”
Acquiring Hannah Montana tickets is an ordeal that requires military strategizing and a whole lot of luck, leaving people to miss the simple days when all they had to do to please their children was fight other desperate parents tooth and nail for the last Cabbage Patch Kid. The fortunate parents who obtained tickets are too stressed out by the experience to imagine enjoying the show, while the parents whose best efforts proved fruitless are left feeling angry, defeated, and exploited. Online consumers see thousands of tickets held by people who don’t even want them while many kids, my sister included, will be staying home when Hannah Montana comes to town.
Chaka Khan's New Album & Tour
By Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner, Ticket Buzz
Chaka Khan this week released her first album of new studio music in over 10 years, and the musical legend will embark on a new tour Sunday, Sept. 30 in Los Angeles in support of the new album, called “Funk This.” The CD was produced by Grammy-winning producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and embodies the funky soul of her musical roots with Rufus and her signature passionately-honest vocal styles that make her solo career timeless.The collection includes fresh renditions of Prince's "Sign 'O' the Times;" a duet with Michael McDonald on "You Belong To Me," a song he co-wrote with Carly Simon; Joni Mitchell's "Ladies' Man; " Jimi Hendrix's "Castle Made Of Sand; " the soul classic "Foolish Fool;" and Rufus medley of "Pack'd My Bags" and "You Got The Love."
The album's originals include the ballad "Disrespectful," a duet with Mary J. Blige, and the disc’s first single "Angel" just entered the Top 10 on the Billboard Urban AC radio chart making this her first top 10 R&B radio hit in over 10 years.
Khan helped form the Chicago, IL-based Ask Rufus in 1971, and after their moniker was shortened to just Rufus, they had their first big hit, "Tell Me Something Good," in 1974. The group's name quickly became Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. After a few more successful singles, Khan released her first solo album in 1978, and then the group was called Rufus & Chaka. Khan has been a solo artist for more than two decades.
Khan won two Grammy Awards as a member of Rufus and seven as a solo artist, the latest in 2003 for her cover of "What's Going On" with the Funk Brothers. She will debut on Broadway on Jan. 9 by joining the cast of "The Color Purple" in the role of Sofia.
October 6 Mobile, AL; Bayfest
October 12 Atlantic City, NJ; Borgata
October 14 Westbury, NY; North Fork Theatre
November 1 Tucson, AZ; Fox Tucson
November 2 Phoenix, AZ; Orpheum Theatre
November 10 Merrillville, IN; Star Plaza Theatre
November 11 Washington, DC; Warner Theatre
November 30 Cayman Islands; Cayman Music Festival
AMAs Offer Ticket Packages to 2007 Show
By Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner, TicketNews
Have you ever wanted to feel what it would be like to be a nominee or invited music industry exec at the American Music Awards? Now you can at the 2007 American Music Awards, Nov. 18 at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles.
For the first time, Dick Clark Productions and AEG have created special ticket packages that will be available to a limited number of ticket buyers. Several ticketing options are available. The Platinum Package includes 10 premium tickets and access to the in-show VIP lounge, American Music Awards VIP post party and swag as well as a special limousine package, which includes access to and drop off at the red carpet. The Gold Package includes eight orchestra level tickets and access to the American Music Awards VIP post party, gift bags and special limousine access and parking.
MTV Video Music Awards 2007 (Archive)
(By AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen and AP Writers Kathleen Hennessey and Ryan Nakashima)LAS VEGAS (AP) -- As in most train wrecks, it was hard to focus on just one thing as the Britney Spears disaster unfolded. There was just so much that went wrong.
Out-of-synch lip-synching. Lethargic movements that seemed choreographed by a dance instructor for a nursing home. The paunch in place of Spears' once-taut belly. At times she just stopped singing altogether, as if even she knew nothing could save her performance.
Designed to drum up excitement for her upcoming album, Spears' kickoff to the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night became another example of how far she has fallen. It would have been understandable if MTV's show had been crushed under the weight of the opening fiasco - yet somehow it rebounded, and even flourished.
The show banked heavily on its own reinvention. After poor reviews and a decline in ratings over the last few years, MTV moved the show to Vegas, shortened it from three hours to two, went to a hostless format and focused more on performances than awards.
Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy and the Foo Fighters hosted separate suite parties where most of the performances took place.
But the performance most people will be talking about was Spears'. And unlike her last VMAs appearance, when she locked lips with Madonna in 2003, this time it will be for all the wrong reasons.
"It definitely could have been a lot better," the hitmaking singer and producer Akon commented afterward. "She seemed nervous ... you could tell by the expression on her face. Instead of just blocking everybody out and doing her thing, you could tell she was thinking about it."
After that, though, the changes to the show worked, leading to several exciting performances and some watercooler drama. An off-camera fight between Pamela Anderson exes Kid Rock and Tommy Lee led Jamie Foxx to quip: "Stop all this white-on-white violence."
Timberlake's suite was flooded with revelers, alcohol and eight lingerie-clad stripper types on raised platforms. Before Timberlake accepted the Quadruple Threat of the Year award at his suite, the DJ summoned the partygoers to watch the monitor and go crazy if Timberlake won. He did, they did, and Timberlake said: "I want to challenge MTV to play more videos!" Then he was whisked away by bodyguards and disappeared.
Timberlake was the night's big winner, with four trophies. After accepting the award for Male Artist of the Year, he jabbed at the video issue again: "We don't want to see the Simpsons on reality television." Apparently he's not a fan of either Jessica or Ashlee's MTV shows.
Rihanna won the coveted Video of the Year award, plus Monster Single of the Year for "Umbrella." The Best Group was Fallout Boy, and Gym Class Heroes won Best New Artist.
Beyonce and Shakira won Most Earth shattering Collaboration for "Beautiful Liar." Beyonce's shimmering gold dress barely contained her top; immediately after she picked up her trophy she asked an assistant backstage to help fix her dress, apparently to prevent a wardrobe malfunction.
Other performers appeared on the show's main stage, in front of an industry-only audience seated at tables, like at the Golden Globes. Chris Brown gave one of the evening's most extravagant performances - hopping from table to table in a dance spectacle that channeled Michael Jackson, right down to a brief "Billie Jean" imitation.
Alicia Keys had the evening's most rousing performance, debuting her new song "No One" and then an inspired, choir-backed cover of George Michael's "Freedom."
While performances like Keys' and Spears' were delivered on the main stage, others came in snippets: Akon crooned a bit of his "Smack That" before an award was announced, while the cameras zoomed in on Fall Out Boy and the Foo Fighters mid-performance in their suites, giving viewers the sense that they had happened upon an intimate concert.
Cee-Lo delivered a rocking version of Prince's naughty classic "Darling Nikki" in the smoky Foo Fighters suite (where a beer bong was in operation as Dave Grohl danced, sang Cure songs, played air drums and posed for snapshots); Soulja Boy was showing Kanye West his "Crank That" dance in West's suite.
Though the suites appeared to be chaotic parties, the MTV-cast revelers were carefully organized, strategically placed and encouraged to imbibe for the cameras.
Choreographed or not, Timberlake and Timbaland's suite looked the most exciting - T.I., buffeted by pole dancers, delivered a rousing version of "Big Things Poppin'" while 50 Cent stopped by to perform "Ayo Technology" with Timberlake and Timbaland.
Not to be outdone, T-Pain and West danced high atop Las Vegas in a balcony suite as they celebrated "The Good Life." And Lil Wayne, doing double duty in the Fall Out Boy suite after opening the pre-show with Nicole Scherzinger, was particularly animated.
TV viewers never got full views of those shows, though MTV promised more via its Web site and other "remixed" versions of the show. That might have been the purpose: to whet appetites for repeat viewings by promising glimpses of what they missed during the traditional broadcast.
Unlike in recent years, there was plenty reason to come back for more.
Stevie Wonder On Tour (Archive)
By Talmadge Harper
TicketNews.com 
Music icon Stevie Wonder [is slated to tour for the first time in 20 years beginning August 23 at Humprehy's in San Diego] . . . and brokers are gearing up for huge fan interest despite the long hiatus.
Stevie Wonder is huge, he is great,” said one Jacksonville, FL-based ticket broker. “I have no doubt he will be a top seller.”
A broker who goes by the name Laura with Los Angeles-based Applause-Tickets.com also believes in the potential success of the Motown superstar. “Stevie Wonder will definitely be a top seller,” she said.
The Motown legend has stayed active in the music scene with guest appearances and collaborations in the 20 years since his last tour. Motown Records signed visually impaired singer/songwriter at the age of 11, and he subsequently went on to win multiple Grammy Awards and become known throughout the world. He has nine number one hits, and his album sales have exceeded 100 million units.
DATE CITY VENUE
Sept. 4 Saratoga, CA Mountain Winery
Sept. 5 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
Sept. 10 Chicago, IL Charter One Pavilion
Sept. 12 Detroit, MI Meadowbrook
Sept. 14 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Sept. 16 Baltimore, MD Pier Six Pavilion
Sept. 20 Boston, MA Bank of America Pavilion
