Music Industry News

The Gourds: Luddite Juice and Tex-Mex Miles

Source: JamBase
February 4, 2009

By: Dennis Cook

The Gourds by John Carrico Things get wild at a Gourds show. Fiddle sawing, accordion flailin' and dust rising, one dodges elbows and wild, stompin' feet as one of Austin's finest shows you what real broadminded American musicians can do. I've never walked away from one of their gigs without a good-sized bruise somewhere on my body - and I've seen 'em about 15 times since they began in the mid-'90s. The ...

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Losses Continue as EMI Pays the Piper

Source: HypeBot
February 4, 2009

Losses at EMI narrowed to $221 million (155 million pounds) in the last six months compared to $462 million (324 million pounds) in the previous half year. The company achieved the improved results despite a falling economy in part by slashing 1500 jobs.

But the debt which new owner Terra Firma took on purchasing EMI is the major cause of the continuing red ink. Financing charges in the last half year period were $214 million (150 million pounds). Interest on ...

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In Tough Times, Showbiz Firms Hold Their Own

Source: PC Magazine
February 3, 2009

There are some showbiz companies that haven't been weakened by the lousy worldwide economy. In fact, some in Hollywood are thriving in these tough times, and a slim few might actually be benefiting from recession-related shifts in consumer spending. LOS ANGELES - The entertainment industry is recession-proof, right? Tell that to the thousands of people who have lost their jobs in the movie, TV and music sectors during the past few months. Still, there are some showbiz companies that haven't ...

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Disc Shelf: A Place to Release Albums

Source: All About Jazz
February 3, 2009

Recently a service for musicians was opened. The service is called Disc Shelf and allows musicians to upload their music and present it to their listeners in form of albums: singles, EPs, LPs, promo discs and WIPs (work in progress). Each album receives a unique URL for distribution. The whole idea of the project is to have works online that would have no ratings, comments, no weird menus and without it looking like a web page. ...

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Christian McBride: 20 Years

Source: JamBase
February 1, 2009

Bassist Christian McBride Celebrates His 20th Dynamic Year As a Solo Artist, Band Leader, Educator, Artistic Director and Artist in Residence

Christian McBride Since 1989 when bassist Christian McBride moved to New York at the age of 17, the Philadelphia native has been one of the most important and influential artists of his generation. He's not only developed into a top-tier solo artist who is equally adept on acoustic and electric bass, but he's also been the go-to ...

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Joe Mooney: Sauter-Finegan

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
February 1, 2009

The other day I posted on singer-pianist Joe Mooney and his two fabulous albums for Columbia in 1963. To shed light on Mooney and these vital recordings, I spoke with guitarist Mundell Lowe, who wrote the arrangements for both LPs. Today, I'm focusing on Mooney's five brief recordings with the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra in 1952 and 1953. I'm also going to share with you a conversation I had yesterday with a 1950s music executive who played a major role in Mooney's ...

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Aretha Franklins Inauguration Hat May Head for Smithsonian

Source: All About Jazz
January 31, 2009

The Smithsonian Museum wants Aretha Franklins Inauguration Day hat.

The Queen of Souls big-bowed headgear has been a hot property since the legendary singer belted America the Beautiful at Barack Obamas presidential inauguration on January 20, with the Los Angeles Times reporting that the hats designer, Luke Song, has been overwhelmed with demand for the $179 item. (Arethas custom-made version cost over $500.)

But while the Smithsonian wants the original, Arethas not sure if she wants to give it up. ...

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Joe Mooney: Greatness and Happiness

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
January 30, 2009

If you dig jazz with a swinging pop feel, you need to know about Joe Mooney. The singer, who had four different recording careers (one in the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s) isn't well known today. But Mooney remains an inspiration and favorite of jazz legends who have made a career out of good taste. Just last week, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli told me that he still thinks about Mooney before he plays a chord. Yesterday I spoke with guitar legend ...

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