INDIE NEWS BEAT August 2, 2004 Edition

* Mark Whitfield Joins Smooth Jazz Guitar CD G-Fire II
* Heart Crazy On TrustyFiles P2P File Sharing Network Distribution
* "Gamers" Make Up More Than Half of Online Radio's Audience
* iMesh Reaches Resolution With Recording Industry
* Eagle Rock Entertainment Restores The Who - Live At The Isle Of Wight
* Music Pirate Sales Hit Record 1.1 Billion Discs
* Ardel Records Releases Of Newest CD, Entre Nosotros (Among Us)
* CD Baby And Vision Music USA Form Partnership
* MusicDish Network & Audio Graphics Deliver Music To Radio Programmers
* Radio Gets Wild A Radio Station With A Difference
* Independents Disappointed By EU "Easy Clearance" Of Sony/BMG Merger

Heatwave Warning: Mark Whitfield Joins Smooth Jazz Guitar CD G-Fire II

2003 Smoothjazz.com 'Smoothie' award winning "G-Fire", after a year of radio airplay on stations around the world which include commercial, NPR, college, internet, satellite, and cable subscription music channels, and music from the CD included on several top jazz related compilations with artists such as Michael McDonald, Daryl Hall, Spyro Gyra, Lee Ritenour, Mindi Abair, Art Blakey, George Benson, and other top names in the jazz field, Boosweet Records prepares to launch it's burning hot successor "G-Fire II" in September.

Artist/Producer and founding member of the "G-Fire" Vernon Neilly, has taken the upcoming release to a higher level by signing on former Warner Brothers, Verve Records recording artist and guitarist supreme Mark Whitfield. Mark, who needs no introduction to the jazz world, has had a string of previous major market radio hits to his credit, as well original compositions on major movie soundtracks, and in television music. His guitar instructional videos still are some of the most in demand, and sought after learning materials by both private teachers, and guitar schools around the world.

Mark Whitfield has worked with the Jazz elite such as Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Smith, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Dianne Reeves, Joe Williams, Terrence Blanchard, Branford and Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, Stanley Turrentine, and others. Mark has also stepped out of the Jazz realm to work with other artists such as R&B superstars D'Angelo, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Take 6, and Blues legend B.B. King.

When asked about how he felt about being asked to be a part of "G-Fire II" Mark replied, "I was very impressed with the first G Fire project, and am always eager to participate in projects that include great creative artists. I am honored to be a part of this great event, and look forward to the release of G Fire II".

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Heart Crazy On TrustyFiles P2P File Sharing Network Distribution

RazorPop, Inc. and Sovereign Artists, announced the release of Heart's new CD "Jupiters Darling" over the TrustyFiles P2P File Sharing Software (http://www.TrustyFiles.com) and the TopP2P web site (http://www.TopP2P.com). The program provides distribution across all major P2P file sharing networks, including Kazaa, Gnutella, and eDonkey.

"Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart have always been an innovative force in music", said Paul Angles, Director of Internet Marketing at Sovereign Artists. "Their first concern is reaching out to the fans they love. That's why they made 'Jupiters Darling' and that's why we're distributing over P2P, where they can reach the most people."

RazorPop CEO Marc Freedman added "When a legendary band like Heart embraces file sharing, you know it's become mainstream. Don't be misled by the entertainment terror campaigns designed to instill fear and stunt innovation. The real focus should be on the artists and making music. A wide majority of musicians support P2P file sharing. There's been an explosion in its use by independent artists. Some, like the G- Man, have achieved success directly due to file sharing.

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"Gamers" Make Up More Than Half of Online Radio's Audience
RRadio Network - Survey 25 - May 31 to July 12, 2004 - 1,999 respondents

Over the last 36 months RRadio Network surveys have defined the online radio audience better than any other research. Over 32,000 persons have contributed their opinion.

For the first time, Survey 25 measured demographics of our online radio audience using traditional broadcast age/gender breakouts. Details are available at: http://www.audiographics.com/spclreport/survey25.htm

"Gamers" Make Up More Than Half of Online Radio's Audience

1,999 persons responded to Survey 25's question: "Are You a Gamer?"

51.7% said "yes," making this category a primary prospect for advertising with radio online.

Of these 1,031 persons:
* 43.7% - play PC games the most
* 23.2% - spend most of their time with online games
* 20.4% - are console game players

...and, while cell phone and handheld games are spoken of in the press, only 1.9% and 1.7% (respectively) of those who listen to online radio say they play these most.

* 4.6% report they play "other" types of games, and
* 3.2% abstained from this question. Humor is In

In Survey 25, online radio listeners also explain how to best approach audio and banner advertising by offering what motivates them to give attention to these types of ads.

For audio ads, "humor" more than doubles the next genre of ad.

When asked, "What in a radio ad is most likely to get your attention?":
* 35.9% of 1,999 respondents report "humor"
* 15.1% say a "personable voice"
* 13.3% claim it's the word "free"
* 12% respond to a "price mention"
* 9% look for a "discount offer"

While we have 12.2% looking for an "other," only 1.7% are motivated to respond to a radio ad when it uses a "forceful delivery."

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iMesh Reaches Resolution With Recording Industry

iMesh, the pioneer of peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks, announced that it has reached a resolution with leading record labels who filed a lawsuit in September 2003. The record labels alleged that the company contributed to digital copyright infringements taking place on the iMesh network.

"Entering into this agreement with key players within the entertainment industry to put the lawsuit behind us will allow us the opportunity to migrate to a business model that will continue to provide users with the P2P experience that they have come to expect from iMesh," said Ofer Shabtai Chief Operating Officer at iMesh. "iMesh plans to transform the way consumers share media online and we are excited about the prospect of working together with the entertainment industry as we usher in this new era of P2P file sharing."

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Eagle Rock Entertainment Restores The Who - Live At The Isle Of Wight

Eagle Rock Entertainment is honored to release an historic set of music with The Who's legendary concert performance Live At The Isle of Wight on DVD on August 10, 2004. Supported with a nationwide theatrical premiere at Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters across the country on August 9th, the concert event will also be broadcast in high definition on INHD later in the month, beginning August 14th.

The DVD is available for the first time in DTS audio and features the original Who lineup and an exclusive 40-minute interview with Who guitarist, Pete Townshend. Under the expert supervision of Townshend and Murray Lerner, the film's director, this epic concert film has been completely remastered, remixed and restored to an astonishing degree. Original negatives and reversal rolls were used to convert the film to HD, and the audio was remixed using a total of 16 tracks recorded at the festival. The concert film also includes a performance of The Who's top-selling rock opera, "Tommy," and some of the band's most popular songs including "Eyesight To The Blind Boy," "The Acid Queen," We're Not Gonna Take It" and "Fiddle About."

The exclusive in-theater premiere event will include a special 10 minute cut of the revealing interview with band guitarist Pete Townshend, as well as an in-theater-only introductory segment by Academy Award winning filmmaker Murray Lerner. The Who - Live At The Isle of Wight will premier in 49 select Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theaters and Edwards Theaters nationwide on Monday, August 9th.

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Music Pirate Sales Hit Record 1.1 Billion Discs But Spread Of Fake CD Trade Slows

Illegal music sales valued at US$4.5 billion in 2003; A record 35% of all music discs sold worldwide are illegal copies. Traffic in fake CDs grows more slowly, with stepped up enforcement actions

Global sales of pirate music have hit another record at 1.1 billion discs annually, but thanks to stepped up enforcement efforts the fake CD trade is spreading more slowly than in recent years. Music piracy remains a huge US$4.5 billion illegal business driven by organised crime, government apathy and corruption.

These are the highlights of a new report published today by the international music industry (IFPI). The report includes a wake-up call to governments, singling out ten priority countries - 4 in Asia, 3 in Latin America and 3 in Europe - where wholesale anti-piracy offensives are most urgently needed.

Global sales of illegal music discs rose 4% in 2003 and the global average piracy rate increased to a record 35%. The ratio of illegal to legal CDs sold continues to increase: in 2000, one in five CDs sold worldwide was a pirate copy; in 2003 the ratio was one in three, and rising.

Encouragingly, music disc piracy in 2003 grew at its slowest rate in four years, indicating that enforcement efforts by industry anti-piracy teams, and by some government enforcement agencies, are now having a significant impact. There were record levels of seizures of discs and a huge increase in seizures of CD copying equipment.

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Ardel Records Releases Of Newest CD, Entre Nosotros (Among Us)

Ardel Records of Hamden, CT announces the release of their newest CD, Entre Nosotros (Among us), by their newest artist, Laura Lahera and Fulvio Paredes.

In Entre Nosotros (Among us), the artists offer a superb collection of traditional songs that invites the listener to become one with the music. By combining singing and classical guitar, Laura and Fulvio pay homage to the tango. In Entre Nosotros, the pair travel through South America to assemble a classy repertoire of songs. Laura holds the tone of her pure and flawless voice until the last breath.

Fulvio's long career started when he was 6 years old. He attended the Berkley School of Music in Buenos Aires, Argentina and the Conservatoire of Music in Geneve, Switzerland. He has participated in numerous jazz festivals, including the prestigious Montreux Festival in Switzerland.

"We are very proud of this release. It stands for the very essence of Ardel Records as it preserves the rights of the artist while reinventing the music. Laura and Fulvio are seasoned artists and represent the types of artists that help us toward our mission," stated record company owner, Lola Arcaya-Delucia. "We expect to be announcing more releases in the near future."

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CD Baby And Vision Music USA Form Partnership To Help Independent Musicians

Vision Music USA and CD Baby have decided to pool their collective resources and form a strategic alliance aimed at helping the independent music community.

CD Baby is the world's #1 online retailer for independent CDs. They currently have 67,123 artists selling CDs on their site. To date, they've sold 1,074,899 CDs and paid out $8,547,404.48 to artists. Vision Music USA is a TRUE independent musicians resource. They provide artist development, booking, publicity, merchandise, graphic and website design, CD duplication and mastering services from their offices in Austin, Texas and Boston, Massachusetts.

As a result of the alliance, Vision Music USA is offering CD Baby artists a 15% discount on all Vision Music USA services. With this pooling of talents, independent artists now have a team ready to address everything they need to vault their careers to the next level.

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MusicDish Network & Audio Graphics Deliver Music To Radio Programmers

Audio Graphics, Inc. and MusicDish Network have partnered to make independent and unsigned acts easily accessible to those who program online radio stations. The collaboration will highlight the MusicDish Network's roster of artists through RRadioMusic.com, an Audio Graphics web site that limits the number of selections to the ten best available indie songs in each of five music genres.

The goal is to better display quality musicians looking for airplay with online radio, and to simplify the act of choosing music for online radio music directors. MusicDish Network's reach into the music community will keep artists informed of additions, while leading those with high-quality sound to RRadioMusic's submission process. Online radio stations affiliate with Audio Graphics' RRadio Network and RadioRow.com web site are notified when new songs are available. There are more than 350 stations associated with both of these online properties.

Thus far, MusicDish Network artists featured on RRadioMusic include Susan Barth selected as 'Artist of the Week' for her song Wonderland, hard rock band Plastik Lies for the self-titled track from their album 'Unsuperficial Madness,' and Joseph Patrick Moore's "Groove Messenger" from their jazz release 'Drum and Bass Society.' To gain a listing on RRadioMusic.com, musicians need to provide music that exceeds the quality of songs on the current list.

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