Music Industry News

A Few Minutes with Brian Wilson

Source: JamBase
February 14, 2009

By: Dennis Cook

Brian Wilson Ten minutes. That's the time allocated for our conversation with Brian Wilson, whose All Music Guide bio starts by proclaiming him “arguably the greatest American composer of popular music in the rock era." It's a tough line to argue against given the global impact of 1966's Pet Sounds, not to mention the small pop miracles of “In My Room," “Good Vibrations" and countless other singles, as well as his long delayed personal opus SMiLE. His ...

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Analyst: Merger Will Lead to Double Digit Ticket Price Increases

Source: HypeBot
February 13, 2009

Yesterday Hypebot shared 6 Predictions For Live Nation Ticketmaster, but paidContent's Rory Maher went beyond predictions and did a detailed analysis of how Live Nation and Ticketmaster were likely to make the merger worthwhile to stockholders. Based on annual and quarterly reports and some fairly sound assumptions Maher concluded that double digit ticket price increases are inevitable.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margins are now about 7%. How can they drive that number higher?

The Roots: NYC Residency

Source: JamBase
February 13, 2009

The Roots Present “The Jam" at NYC's Highline Ballroom With 14 Shows in Four Months

The Roots The Roots are making New York City's Highline Ballroom their home for a while, as they settle into a residency that will last through June. It will be called “The Jam" (rumor has it special guests will abound) and tickets will only cost $10!

Complete List of Highline Ballroom Dates: Thursday, March 5 Thursday, March 19

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Portland and Blue Note

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
February 13, 2009

Early this morning, I'll be off to Portland, Oregon, one of my favorite former home towns. I lived there for three years long ago when my television news career was getting into gear -- the second-gear phase, I suppose. The occasion is the first weekend of the Portland Jazz Festival, rescued from the budget shortfall that canceled it for a time. For details of the bailoutgo here. It has nothing to do with the Obama stimulus plan. For the festival ...

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The Dead Speak!

Source: JamBase
February 12, 2009

NEW Q&A WITH BOBBY, PHIL, MICKEY AND BILLY ABOUT UPCOMING TOUR AND THE EVOLUTION OF THEIR LONG STRANGE TRIP

Bob Weir & Phil Lesh :: 12.31.08 :: S.F. By Susan Weiand On October 20, 2008, The Dead performed together for the first time in four years at “Change Rocks," a Barack Obama benefit show held in Pennsylvania (JamBase review). The four principles sat down with director Danny Clinch to talk about their music, fans, history and ...

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Correspondence: Frishberg on Dearie and Evans

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
February 12, 2009

Dave Frishberg writes with important information on a matter raised in the previous entry.I'm reading the Rifftides discussion about Blossom Dearie and Bill Evans, and who influenced who. I'd like to add my comment: During the late sixties I played a couple weeks solo opposite the Bill Evans Trio at the Village Gate on Bleecker St, and had some conversations with Bill. I asked him how he came upon his piled-fourths voicing of chords, and his immediate answer was ...

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Ticketmaster Live Nation Merger Done, Government Scrutiny to Follow

Source: HypeBot
February 11, 2009

IT'S OFFICIAL! Here's the press release.

Both stocks suffer losses as Wall Street gives thumbs down to deal.

(UPDATED) The merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation is a done deal and will be announced today. It be an all stock merger with the two companies combining as relative equals and cost savings of $40 million plus annually. In what is almost certain to become a clash of the titans, Ticketmaster's Barry Diller and Irving Azoff, as well as, Live Nation's ...

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Ticketmaster and Live Nation Merge

Source: JamBase
February 11, 2009

LIVE NATION AND TICKETMASTER ENTERTAINMENT TO COMBINE IN MERGER

Live Nation and Ticketmaster Entertainment ("Ticketmaster") today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to create the world's premier live entertainment company. The combined entity, which will be called Live Nation Entertainment, joins Live Nation's concert promotions expertise with Ticketmaster's ticketing solutions and artist relationships to improve the live entertainment experience and drive major innovations in ticketing technology, marketing and service. Live Nation Entertainment will have the tools ...

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