Music Industry News

Ticketmaster, Live Nation Defend $575m Merger

Source: PC Magazine
February 25, 2009

Ticketmaster and Live Nation defended their proposed merger Tuesday, painting themselves as struggling music entities that need each other's strength to survive. “Economic times have taken its toll," Michael Rapino, president and CEO of Live Nation, told the Senate Judiciary antitrust committee. “I can hope the economy gets better or I can seek a more pro-active approach. That is the motivation behind the merger." “This business is in far worse shape than people realize," said Irving Azoff, CEO of Ticketmaster ...

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Motion for Mardi Gras

Source: Straight No Chaser
February 25, 2009

Fat Tuesday is upon us! This year, on top of showing your favorite mask and beads, Zatarain's is asking America to show their festival spirit with “Motion for Mardi Gras". A tradition in New Orleans since before the turn of the century, the restaurant and food company begin by Emile A. Zatarain, Sr. is now behind “Motion for Mardi Gras", a national petition for 100,000 online signatures asking Congress to proclaim the final day in Carnival season an official holiday. ...

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Ticketmaster/Live Nation What Does It Mean for Consumers

Source: JamBase
February 25, 2009

The Ticketmaster/Live Nation Merger: What Does it Mean for Consumers and the Future of the Concert Business?

Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights

DATE: February 24, 2009 TIME: 02:30 PM ROOM: Dirksen-226

Check the live webcast here.

OFFICIAL HEARING NOTICE / WITNESS LIST: February 17, 2009 NOTICE OF SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING The Senate Committee on the Judiciary has scheduled a hearing before ...

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Groove Armada: Finding a New Way

Source: JamBase
February 25, 2009

By: Kayceman

Groove Armada It's a brave new world and you don't need to look far for proof. The record biz is changing faster than an infant's diaper and smart artists are seizing the opportunity. From Radiohead's “pay what you want" In Rainbows release to Umphrey's McGee's Mantis pre-order campaign, the old rules no longer apply as bands experiment with new models.

The latest act to break free of the traditional record label strangle hold ...

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Congress Looks at Live Nation Ticketmaster Merger

Source: HypeBot
February 24, 2009

IRVING AZOFF, MICHAEL RAPINO & JERRY MICKELSON TO TESTIFY Scrutiny of the proposed merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster takes center stage this week as both the House and Senate hold Congressional hearings.

The Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights begins hearings on Tuesday. Uber-manager and Ticketmaster CEO Irving Azoff, Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino, Jerry Mickelson, the Chairman of Chicago based indie promoter JAM and David Bellow, a Senior Fellow ...

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The Kessler Sisters, Scopitone and Desmond

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
February 24, 2009

When I was looking for something on You Tube the other night, what to my wondering eyes should appear but the Kessler Sisters. I hadn't seen them in forty years, and they still looked terrific. Paul Desmond introduced me to them in 1965 at the Hilton Hotel in Portland, Oregon. Desmond had just played a concert with the Dave Brubeck Quartet at Willamette University down the road in Salem. I couldn't go because I was working. When I got off ...

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Newman, Crawford and Cooper Remembered

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
February 23, 2009

In today's Los Angeles Times, David Ritz writes from a personal standpoint about the nearly simultaneous loss of three important musicians. Ritz is the author or co-author of several books about blues and soul artists including Ray Charles. The headline on his op-ed piece is “Ray Charles' Heavenly Trio." Here's the first paragraph:

Notes from the Net: A Miles Davis Tribute in Scotland, David Sanborn on DVD, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
February 23, 2009

Here's this week's compilation of news and links related to jazz in St. Louis, including musicians from the Gateway City, recent visitors, and coming attractions, plus assorted other items of interest:* For this week's supply of mandatory Miles Davis-related linkage, we note that Scottish trumpeter Colin Steele will salute Davis with a Kind of Blue tribute concert on March 2 at the Lot Jazz Centre in Edinburgh. Also, for some Miles-related anecdotes, check out part three of AllAboutJazz.com's ...

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