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INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION www.radiocountry.org Questions or press releases contact: P. O. B. 271238, Nashville, TN 37227 Email: intlcma@aol.com Fax: 615-882-9213 Writer/Editor: Kathy Sue Loudermilk, Vice-President Permission to quote, reprint, copy, or forward this entire newsletter granted to all. Permission to edit is denied. Internet Sales Skyrocket This Christmas Our lead story has to be the explosive growth of internet sales, this holiday season. I have seen and heard reports that almost twice as many people will make at least one gift purchase over the internet, as did last year. Experts are saying that the crowded malls, traffic problems, and busy work schedules are driving more and more shoppers, to the internet. Many go there in desperation to do last minute shopping. When they see how wonderful it is to avoid the weather, unfriendly sales people, and long check out lines, they will begin shifting more and more of their non-holiday shopping to the internet. Some experts predict that by 2003, half of all purchases will be made over the internet. The 20th century has seen many life changing technologies. The airplane, the automobile, radio, telephones, television, and computers have each changed America and the world, but I don’t believe any of those brought about as much change as quickly, as has the internet. When Bill Clinton took office just 8 years ago, the internet was a dream of a few elite specialists. Now, it has already changed our entertainment, schools, libraries, work places, homes, communications, and buying patterns. It has changed the way we think, speak, and live. If you or someone you love do not have access to the internet, you owe it to yourself and them to correct that problem. Just as friends don’t let friends drive drunk, friends don’t let friends be left behind; by the internet revolution. You wouldn’t let a friend be stuck with using a horse; instead of an automobile. You would help them get a car and learn to drive it. A computer and internet access is less than $1000. There is no reason for anybody to be left behind. Two Country Music Legends Pass OnHank Snow’s career covered more than 50 years. I won’t recap the things that have been covered, by the mainstream media. Instead; I’ll tell you than he began life as an abused child, and spent lots of time and money working to prevent child abuse. I’ll say Hank Snow supported Elvis Presley long before Elvis became the King. Hank , Onie Wheeler, and Ernie Thompson were always there to offer Elvis a place to stay, a word of encouragement or advice, and a chance to polish his skills. Onie and Hank were being booked by Bob Neal. They convinced Bob to include Elvis, in the package tour. Ernie was part of Onie’s band, the Ozark Cowboys Elvis spent many nights at the home of Ernie and Mickey Thompson, during the early 50’s. In 1959 he had a hit with "A Fool Such As I" . Most people don’t remember Hank Snow had a hit on the song, in 1952. Onie Wheeler fell dead from heart failure, on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, May 26,1984. Ernie lost his long fight with lung cancer, the same year. Miss Mickey Thompson has health problems, but still writes for ‘Airplay International" and hosts the gospel segment of the King Eagle Awards Show and Festival , each year. Onie’s daughter, Karen Wheeler, had a RCA hit with "Born To Love & Satisfy", in 1974. She toured with many of the superstars such as Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, and Tammy Wynette. She co-hosts the radio voted awards segment of the King Eagle Awards Show, each year. Ernie and Mickey’s daughter went into the business end of music. She is known throughout the industry as Jennifer Foxx. She married record producer, publisher of "Airplay International" magazine, and one time member associate of Colonel Tom Parker, Jason Hawkins. Jason and Jennifer produce the King Eagle Festival, each year. Rex Allen began his long career, as a singing cowboy, for Republic Pictures, in Hollywood. He starred in about 20 movies. When his singing cowboy career ended, he started a second career, as a voice actor. He narrated wildlife and other films for television and movies. His was the voice in the cartoon classic, "Charlotte’s Web". He was run over in his driveway, by a female care provider and friend. Leaders Of The Other C. M. A. Still Patting Themselves On The Back For The Great Job They Have Done FanFair once sold out months before the event. Last year, tickets were still available the last day of FanFair. Just a few years ago, more than 30, 000 people attended FanFair. Last year, it was down to about 20, 000. Many years ago the Grand Ole Opry drew such large crowds a special 6, 000 seat Opry House was built, and tickets were frequently sold out. Next year, the Grand Ole Opry is moving to the remodeled Ryman Auditorium, which seats about 2, 500. Several years ago, pop and rock radio stations were switching to the red hot country music format. The latest reports say that 70 % of country music formatted radio stations, in the U. S., lost listeners this year. Australia has less than 1/10th as much population as the U. S. Their Tamworth Festival draws 4 times as many people as FanFair. In spite of these facts, the big shots at the other C. M. A. pat themselves on the back and congratulate one another for the wonderful leadership they have provided. It makes me wonder if they attended the school the old Nazi PR folks created. You know, " tell a lie big enough and long enough and people will start believing it" . Satellite Radio We have received so many requests to reissue our October article on satellite radio, we decide to include it in this issue. Many have asked how to get their material reviewed, for the new satellite broadcasters. The only promoter I know of with those connections, is Ambassador Charlie Ray. His web site is: www.charlieray.com .Email: c4promo@aol.com , telephone number: 615-252-8202. (Article From October Newsletter) The Coming Opportunities In Country Music I recently had a long conversation with one of our Founding Members, Ambassador Charlie Ray. He is very adept at taking seemingly unrelated pieces of information, and finding the beginning of a trend, before most people have spotted it. During our conversation, he linked together a series of odd pieces of information. When he had finished, I was left with a wonderful vision of the future, of non - major label country music. We are coming into a time of so many wonderful opportunities. The entire music industry is about to go through some rapid and very exciting changes. Small non-major label publishers, record companies, producers, musicians, artists, and writers are much faster to change. than the multi-national entertainment conglomerates.The once all powerful television networks made mistakes, when cable television appeared. We went from 3 or 4 choices of programs to a dozen, then to dozens, and now to hundreds of channels of programming. The television networks are mere shadows of their former selves. They have been brought down, by new competition. The same thing is about to happen to the major label companies and their servants, at the major labels’ C. M. A. Radio plays the music, creates new stars, and new demand for CDs, cassettes, MP3 discs etc. The major record companies have had a strangle hold on American radio. By paying consultant fees and speaking fees etc, they have gotten around the laws against payola. They shower money and favors on large market radio programmers. These large market programmers set the trend, for mid and small market radio. Songs from the top 40 "Billboard" charts are all most American radio programmers play. Small companies and non-major label artists just can’t compete, on such an unleveled playing field. By controlling radio, they have us locked out and they expect to keep it that way. Americans Listen To Radio In Their Cars Americans listen to radio, in their cars. This is why stations put their best and highest paid disc jockeys, on during morning and afternoon drive time. Cable radio and satellite radio, in our homes have had little effect, on the music industry. There just aren’t many people who listen to radio, at home. The technology that will forever end their control of radio is just around the corner. In their 2001 models, all three of the big American car companies plan to offer satellite radio receivers, in their cars. Two satellite companies are getting ready to start offering radio programming. Each satellite broadcaster plans to provide 100 channels, of programming. The expected cost is less than $10, per month. Folks, this will do to radio, what cable did to television. In about a year, two companies with 100 channels each will require 4, 800 hours of radio programming per day. In the first full year of operation, those two companies will use 365 days times 4, 800 hours of radio programming. My math says that equals 1, 752, 000 hours of new radio programming. If they offer the same old thing that is currently available, why would anybody pay $10, per month. Cable television started with a dozen or so channels of programming. HBO operated only a few hours each day. Compare the beginnings of the cable television industry to where it is, today. If satellite radio follows a similar growth path, how long will it be before there are 3, 4 , or more American satellite radio broadcasters? How long will it be, before other countries launch their own radio satellites? The Demand For High Quality Radio Programming Is About To Create Thousands Of New Careers The demand for high quality radio programming is about to create an explosion that will send a shock wave throughout the industry. The sheer force of the explosion will knock down walls and open doors. New doors will be created. How many television actors and actresses were employed, by the 3 networks? How many are now employed, by the new channels, which cable created? If the current country music industry can employ a few thousand artists, writers, producers, publishers, musicians, etc. , how many new ones will be needed? Think about it people! Are you ready to take advantage of the coming revolution? |