INDIE NEWS BEAT September 20, 2004 Edition

Posted by inanglia on 2004-09-21 09:06:39 (2496 views)

* CatDesigners At Number 2 In The ILR Charts
* Brilliant Digital Entertainment And Altnet File Suit Against RIAA
* EFF: New Induce Act Proposal Is A Bad Idea
* John Kennedy To Succeed Jay Berman As Chairman & CEO Of IFPI
* Founder Of The Ernie Ball Company, Ernie Ball, Passes Away
* Raful Neal: June 6, 1936 -- September 1, 2004
* Noble "Thin Man" Watts: February 17, 1926 - August 24, 2004
* Ray Charles Live: In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony On DVD
* Joe Kelly Joins Infinity Records Nashville As VP National Promotion
* Jeremy Lascelles New Vice-Chairman Of AIM
* Inpop Records Names Rob Poznanski Director Of Marketing
* Americana Music Association Gears Up For Conference
* Developing Nations Copyright License Frees Creativity
* IAR Networks Opens Shared Media Content Program
* "Platinum Divas Live!" Competition Showcase
* Greendale The Book By Neil Young

CatDesigners At Number 2 In The ILR Charts

CatDesigners' "Vain As I Am" is at Number 2 in the ILR (Is On Live Radio) World Independent chart for the second week. London's CatDesigners have been described as "one of the underground's best kept secrets" (Whisperin' & Hollerin') and their lead singer, Nick Troop, has drawn comparisons with David Bowie and Morrissey.

Their second album, "Strange Little Creature", has been receiving critical acclaim with reviewers calling it "CatDesigners' second consistently fine album" and "a better follow-up album than it has any right to be". Two songs from the album, Strange Gods" and "Vain As I Am", are currently on the ILR playlist but it is "Vain As I Am", in particular, that seems to have caught listeners' attention.

"Vain As I Am" entered the ILR chart three weeks ago at Number 6 and for the last two weeks has been at Number 2. CatDesigners are especially pleased with this chart position, based as it is on votes cast by ILR listeners. "Although we make music to please ourselves there is nothing more gratifying than other people enjoying it too".

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Brilliant Digital Entertainment And Altnet File Suit Against Infringers Of Its "TrueNames" Patent

Stating its efforts at cooperation have proven fruitless, Brilliant Digital Entertainment (BDE) subsidiary Altnet has filed a civil suit against a number of companies and organizations, including the RIAA, alleging the breach of the "TrueNames" patent it licensed in 2002.

The suit names RIAA chief Mitch Bainwol, and the RIAA's Hillary Rosen, Cary Sherman and Marc Morgenstern as defendants, in addition to The RIAA, Overpeer, Inc., Loudeye, Inc., and Media Sentry Inc. Altnet alleges some of the defendants infringe on its patents to "spoof" peer-to-peer (P2P) users with bogus or corrupted media files. Altnet alleges this has inhibited the growth of P2P for legitimate file sharing that benefits copyright holders (which Altnet advocates) and thereby has injured its business.

The suit, while narrowly focused on a specific, patented algorithm that permits the unique naming of files across peer-to-peer networks, has far-ranging implications in the ongoing battle between artists, copyright holders, labels and consumers over their respective rights to share files over the Internet. Recently, the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that certain file sharing networks were not liable for the actions of their users who share files.

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EFF: New Induce Act Proposal Is A Bad Idea

The Copyright Office provided the Senate Judiciary Committee with recommended language meant to replace Senator Orrin Hatch's "Induce Act," S. 2560.

The proposed language targets companies who make "public dissemination" technologies, where those companies make money from, or attract users with, copyright infringement. The proposal is a break with the doctrine established by the Supreme Court in its famous "Betamax" ruling, which says that technology companies cannot be held liable for copyright infringement by their customers, so long as the technology in question is capable of substantial noninfringing uses. In its ruling in MGM v. Grokster, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently reaffirmed that the Betamax doctrine applies to peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing software. EFF represents one of the prevailing defendants in that case.

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John Kennedy To Succeed Jay Berman As Chairman & CEO Of IFPI

IFPI, the organisation representing the recording industry worldwide, announced that John Kennedy will succeed Jay Berman as its Chairman and CEO from January 1 2005.

John Kennedy has headed record companies internationally and in the UK since the mid-1990s - latterly as President and COO of Universal Music International, a position he held until February 2004.

Kennedy has been actively involved in IFPI's work for several years, participating on the Main Board and chairing the European Regional Board between 2002 and 2004. During this time he played a key role in representing the industry's interests to governments internationally.

Earlier in his 25-year music industry career, Kennedy was a successful entertainment lawyer, working with major artists, managers and major and independent record labels. In the 1980s he played a leading role in the Band Aid and Live Aid projects, for which he was honoured with an OBE from the British government in 1985.

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Founder Of The Ernie Ball Company, Ernie Ball, Passes Away On September 9

Ernie Ball, a legend in the musical instrument industry and founder of the Ernie Ball Company in 1962, passed away on Thursday, September 9 after a lengthy illness. A resident of San Luis Obispo, CA, he was 74 years old. One of the last great colorful entrepreneurs, he created products that helped shape the sound of rock-n-roll - endless hit songs have been played on Ernie Ball Strings since the 1960's.

A graveside service will be held Monday, September 13 at 10 a.m. at the San Luis Cemetery, 2890 S. Higuera in San Luis Obispo. Wheeler-Smith Mortuary is handling the arrangements.

"An artist and a business man in one, Ernie single-handedly revolutionized the music industry with the creation of Slinky Strings, so much so that everyone from the Beach Boys, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix to current artists like Blink 182 have Ernie Ball strings in common," said Sterling Ball, president of the Ernie Ball Company and one of Ernie's sons. "Super Slinkys are one of the top products in the music business, and it all started in a small store in Tarzana because my dad understood what players needed.

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Raful Neal: June 6, 1936 -- September 1, 2004

Famed Bayou bluesman, singer/harmonica player Raful Neal, died Wednesday, September 1, after a long bout with cancer. He was 68. With his relaxed vocal style and behind-the-beat harmonica playing, he was considered one of the best bluesmen to emerge from the south Louisiana area, bringing the sounds of the region to a worldwide audience. Neal was the patriarch of the famed Neal clan: nearly all of his children are blues musicians, including recording artist Kenny Neal.

Neal's first single, "Sunny Side Of Love" came in 1958 on Don Robey's Peacock label. A series of singles followed on regional labels like Witt and La Louisiane. During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Neal became a local legend, performing around the south and teaching his children the finer points of the blues. As his reputation grew, a 1987 single for the Fantastic label, "Man, Watch Your Woman," was nominated for a W.C. Handy Blues Award.

His first full album, "Louisiana Legend," was released on King Snake Records in 1988 and was later reissued by Alligator. A 1991 recording for Ichiban, "I Been Mistreated," and a 1998 release, "Old Friends," for the Club Louisianne label, helped Neal stay in the public eye. Neal appeared on a number of compilation CDs for the Telarc label, including "The Hoodoo Kings," and "Superharps II." These recordings kept Neal's tour schedule full, as he performed from Baton Rouge to points all over the country.

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Noble "Thin Man" Watts: February 17, 1926 - August 24, 2004

Influential R&B and jazz saxophonist Noble "Thin Man" Watts, whose recording career began in 1954 and who shared stages with such musical luminaries as Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis, died on August 24 in his hometown of DeLand, Florida. He was 78.

Born in 1926, Watts worked raking leaves to pay for violin lessons as a boy before learning to play trumpet and saxophone in his teens. In 1942 he enrolled at Florida A&M University and played in the school's esteemed marching band with soon-to-be jazz legends Cannonball Adderley and his brother, cornetist Nat Adderley.

The Griffin Brothers, one of Dot Records' most popular touring R&B acts, hired Watts right after he finished college, and he toured with them for a time. In 1952, he joined famed baritone saxophonist Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams as a member of the house band for the groundbreaking TV show "Showtime At The Apollo." Later on, he had a stint playing with Lionel Hampton's big band. He also played on late '50s tour packages behind the likes of Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers.

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Ray Charles Live: In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony On DVD

This September, Eagle Rock Entertainment presents Ray Charles, one of the most well-known and respected pianists, singers and composers of the twentieth century, in the DVD release of Ray Charles Live - In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony. This monumental production, which was shot in Edmonton, Canada in 1981 at the Jubilee Auditorium, showcases Charles' unrivalled talent with performances of classic songs including the ever-so-popular "Georgia On My Mind." In addition, he is accompanied by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Ray Charles Live - In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony will be available September 21, 2004 for a suggested retail price of $19.98. Dealer order cut-off date is August 10, 2004.

This legendary performance, Ray Charles Live - In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony, shows Ray's lifelong commitment to defining a genre of a whole new kind. Ray Charles gives a stellar performance of his greatest hits such as "What'd I Say, "I Can't Stop Loving You," "I Can See Clearly Now" and "Oh, What A Beautiful Morning," to name a few, and once again captivates and inspires his audience. His gift of music fuses blues, rock, soul, jazz, country and pop, and by mixing these together, he creates a highly one-of-a-kind and original sound that nobody could resist. With over 50 years in the business, Ray Charles shows at this concert why he has won numerous awards, including 12 Grammy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Industry Vet, Joe Kelly Joins Infinity Records Nashville As VP National Promotion

Infinity Records Nashville announces the appointment of Joe Kelly as VP National Promotion for the label. Kelly, formerly VP of Blue Diamond Records and prior to that, regional promotion director for Platinum Entertainment, will be responsible for directing all aspects of radio promotion, including functioning as Label Contact for all Radio Groups. Kelly will also head up the new Regional Promotion team currently being assembled to work Infinity's projects to the R&R Indicator, Mediabase & BDS radio stations.

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Jeremy Lascelles New Vice-Chairman Of AIM

Jeremy Lascelles, CEO Chrysalis Music Division, has been elected AIM's new Vice-Chairman. The decision was taken by AIM's Board at their September meeting earlier this week.

Jeremy, who was elected to the Board at AIM's 2003 AGM, takes over the post from ex-Board member Peter Quicke (Ninja Tune MD), who retired by rotation at June's AGM.

AIM is the non-profit trade body established in 1998 by UK independent record labels torepresent the independent record sector, 1/4 of the UK market with sales worth Â£1/2 bn in 2003. This cutting edge sector generated 30% of UK platinum selling artist albums in 2003 and more 2004 Brit Award nominees than Sony, Warners or EMI.

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Inpop Records Names Rob Poznanski Director Of Marketing

Inpop Records has named Rob Poznanski director of marketing for the label. As a seven-year veteran of the Christian music industry, Poznanski will oversee all aspects ofmarketing for the label and its artist roster, which includes such groups as Superchick, Shane and Shane, Tree63 and Plus One.

"We're very excited about the addition of Rob Poznanski to the staff at Inpop Records," said Steve Ford, Inpop's general manager. "Rob has worked with many of the most successful artists in our industry, and the experience he brings to this position will enhance the effectiveness of our artist marketing and development."

Poznanski began his career in 1997 with Sublime Records, and was shortly thereafter named to the national promotion staff of Essential Records. During that time, he worked with award-winning and best-selling artists Jars of Clay, Caedmon's Call, Bebo Norman and others. In addition, his work with platinum- selling rock group Third Day helped secure the band's first #1 adult contemporary radio single.

Most recently, Poznanski served as part of the national promotions team for Sparrow Label Group, where he worked with such artists as Switchfoot, ZOEgirl, Jump5 and Delirious. Poznanski's contributions to the record-breaking rock group Newsboys helped the group achieve extraordinary success, including the radio single "It Is You," which holds the record for the longest consecutive #1 radio single in the Christian adult contemporary format.

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Americana Music Association Gears Up For Conference

The Americana Music Association (AMA) is gearing up for next week's Americana Music Association Conference, scheduled for September 23 - 25 (next week) at the Nashville Convention Center during the 2004 Americana Conference. In terms of performers, panelists and registration, this year's AMA event represents a quantum leap from last year's conference.

Confirmed to perform the Americana Honors & Awards, a keystone feature of the AMA Conference to be held Friday, September 24 at 7 p.m., are Steve Earle, Mindy Smith, Tony Joe White & Shelby Lynne, Jason Ringenberg, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Chris Hillman (with Herb Pedersen, Bernie Leadon and Al Perkins), Mavis Staples. Pete Anderson & Michelle Shocked and Slaid Cleaves with Ray Wylie Hubbard.

The show will honor merit and achievement within the Americana music genre with five annual awards in the categories of Artist, Album, Song, Instrumentalist and the newly created New/Emerging artist of the year. Five additional achievement awards will be presented during the show to individuals who have been tremendously influential to the Americana genre and industry. Jim Lauderdale will serve as host for the event.

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Developing Nations Copyright License Frees Creativity Across The Digital Divide

The law-and-technology nonprofit Creative Commons offers a tool for authors and publishers to encourage innovation in developing nations while protecting their rights in the developed world.

Creative Commons, a nonprofit dedicated to building a body of creative and educational materials free to share and re-use, unveiled today its Developing Nations copyright license. Creative Commons chairman Lawrence Lessig and Developing Nations license architect Jamie Love announced the new license at the Trans Atlantic Consumer Dialogue's workshop on "The Future of WIPO," in Geneva.

Like all of Creative Commons' legal tools, the Developing Nations license is free of charge and allows authors and artists to invite certain uses of their work, upon certain conditions -- to declare "some rights reserved" as opposed to the "all rights reserved" of traditional copyright.

Specifically, the Developing Nations license allows copyright holders to invite a wide range of royalty-free uses of their work in developing nations while retaining their full copyright in the developed world.

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IAR Networks Opens Shared Media Content Program

IAR Networks and Indie Artist Radio announces their "Shared Media Content" program. This new edition to IAR Networks allows Internet, FM and AM radio broadcasters to browse new music content for their station's playlist, saving the artists and broadcasters time. In addition the "Shares Media Content" is available to venues, record labels and other music related companies to discover new music.

Each Shared Media Content Partner will have the chance to read biographies, look at photos, visit website, contact and download participating artist's music and information. Artists may be located based on genre or geographical location, making the Shared Media Content a useful database for venues and other demographically specific partners.

The launch of IAR Networks "Shared Media Content" has opened with great success and currently shares content with Live-365 Broadcasters, Audiorealm and Radio Programs such as "The Indie Limelight Show", "Independent Nation", and "On the Horizon", all of which represent over 100 FM/AM Broadcasters and 400 Internet Radio Broadcasters.

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"Platinum Divas Live!" Competition Showcase At Century Club!

The first of the competition concert series showcase introducing exciting new talent to the Music Industry Record Labels

The Hottest new Artist Search Showcase in Los Angeles, MC'd by Star Trek's Deep Space 9 celebrity actress Chase Masterson! In addition to performing for booking agents, A&R, producers, managers, record label executives and talent developers, the artists will get a professional evaluation of their talent from honourable Industry judges panel. The winner of the 3 rounds of Platinum Divas Live! Competition Showcase will be awarded a recording and touring deal, compliments of LMD Records and Y3K GM Entertainment.

The thrilling, bedazzling and electrifying atmosphere of the fabulous L.A. hot spot, also known as The Century Club, located in Century City. Join us for an exciting evening of Mixing, Mingling and Platinum XtraSpecial: The evening will be sealed with the guest appearance of the newest and hottest LA's World Fusion phenomena band AVATAR.

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Greendale The Book By Neil Young

Neil Young's latest project, Greendale, about the battle of the Green family in a small town in northern California against the forces of corporate greed and environmental destruction, has already produced a successful and critically acclaimed album, film and world tour. Now, Sanctuary is proud to publish the long-awaited companion book to this landmark creation.

The book is the perfect visual and literary complement to the Greendale body of work and a must-have for all fans of Neil Young. It includes fully illustrated chapters for each of the piece's ten songs. Each song is introduced with an overview by Young and followed by the complete song lyrics, which have been evocatively illustrated with stunning woodcuts by long-time Young collaborator and illustrator James Mazzeo. The book also contains a comprehensive Green family tree accompanied by illustrated biographies of each of its members. It closes with an exclusive 50-page look at the artwork of Greendale character Earl Green (the 'Earl Green Collection'), abstract paintings presented in stunning full colour.

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