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International Country Music Association News July 2002 P. O. Box 292937, Nashville, TN 37229 On The Web: www.radiocountry.org Email: intlcma@aol.com Scarlett Vanek, Publisher, Bobbie Patterson, Editor Rhett Ashley, Music Reviews ************************************************** What Is MIDEM? MIDEM is the premier music trade fair on the planet. For more than 30 years, music industry leaders have gathered for five days of total music immersion. Last January 9,000 people from 94 countries gathered in Cannes, France. Representatives from 3,975 music companies attended. The event was covered by 750 journalists. It was attended by Crown Princes, members of the British Parliament, and high ranking government officials from many nations. All of which is interesting, but not as interesting as why they were there. They were there because that is where the action is. Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of business was done. Record distribution deals of all types were made. Booking agents made deals with concert promoters. Songs were pitched, publishing companies were bought and sold. If it is business and involves music, some of it was done. Needless to say, we were thrilled when we were invited to attend. We were thrilled for several reasons. It's nice to know we are getting that sort of attention. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to see it and be a part of it. We were thrilled to be going to France. Unlike B. B. King, we cannot announce to the world, "The Thrill Is Gone." It's still here, and we're still glad to be going. However; some of the original excitement has dissipated. We have come back to earth. We started looking at it more professionally. We intend to achieve the maximum results. Our good fortune will have far reaching effects. We will drop a pebble into the pond and watch the waves spread bigger and farther than expected. We will accomplish these things by placing great independent music with foreign record distributors. They attend MIDEM hoping to find some high quality music. They want to sell it in their home markets. They want to make a profit doing what they do. They distribute music. They need great new music to distribute. There are countless variations, but it works along these lines. Distributors go to MIDEM looking for music from any place except their home market. A Japanese distributor might make a deal to distribute music from Germany. A German distributor might make a deal to distribute music from Australia. A distributor from Taiwan might make a deal to distribute, from England. All the above and more might make a deal to distribute music from America. American culture has spread throughout the world. The demand for American style music has never been greater. Only the biggest foreign distributors can afford to make deals for the best known American artists. Regional distributors don't have the financial muscle to buy the distribution rights to the music of big name American stars. They are looking for music in the $15,000 to $50,000 dollars range. They want exclusive rights, but only for their market. They don't care what happens in other markets. Nothing prevents such limited regional exclusives from being sold to several different regional distributors. Put together several $15,000 to $50,000 dollars distribution deals on an album, and you're talking real money. We are reviewing music now. Over the next few months we will be selecting the American style music which we will pitch. Our only requirement is quality. There is a demand for all kinds of American style music. Country, pop, urban, rock, bluegrass, gospel, even reggae have fans, in various parts of the world. We are primarily country music fans. It is our first love. However; down deep we agree with what Louie Armstrong said many years ago, "There are only two kinds of music, good and bad." Great American style country music is being produced in Australia, Canada and other countries. Rhett, our music review writer discovers some of it frequently. We will base our selection 100% on quality. We have subscribers and members throughout the world. It would not be fair or good business, to disqualify any of them. We intend to make MIDEM part of our yearly operation. We will build a reputation for pitching high quality American style music from little known artists. We already have many foreign business contacts. We are hard at work establishing more. The well known artists have huge multinational corporations representing them. Our mission is to help highly talented and highly professional unknown artists. If you have an album you are proud of, send it to us. The mailing address is International CMA, POB 292937, Nashville, TN 37229. Mark it Attention MIDEM Project. Please allow several weeks for a response. The selection process will be careful and time consuming. For more information about MIDEM, visit http://www.midem.com ************************************************** The Following DJs Need Music Vinicio Giampaoli, Viale Argonne 22, 20133 Milano, Italy (C) Raffaele Redini, Via Cavour 5, 46042 Castel, Goffredo, Mantova, Italy (C) Paolo Zara, Via XX Setterbre 65/A, I 20099 Sesto S Giovanni, Italy (C) Maurizio Benvenuti, Via Meucci 13, 61100 Pesaro, Italy (C) Matteo Cozzani, Via G Ferrero 16, 20143 Milano, Italy (C) Alfonso Pella, Via Regione Setterio 35, Chiavazzo 13051 Biella, Italy (C) Tommy Murphy, 33 Lord Edward St, Ballina, Mayo, Ireland (C) Sean Brady, 3 Dutton Close, OldCastle, Co. Meath,Ireland,(C) Paul Eagan, Tullaghanogue, Trim, Co Meath, Ireland (C) Michael Gerrard, Boyne Shopping Center, Droghed, Colouth, Ireland (C) Joe Vincent, P. O. Box 39, Waterford, Ireland, (C) Geoff Harris, WLR FM, George's Street, Waterford, Ireland(C) Desmond Hensey, 27 Davitt Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly, Ireland (C) Dave Byrne, Villa Maria, Rocky Road, Wicklow, Co Wicklow, Ireland (C) Chuck Wilson, P.O. Box 100, Kildare, Co Kildare, Ireland (C) Clifford Hopper, 16 Battlehill Road, Portadown, Co Armagh Nothern Ireland (C) Maurice Mc Cann, 91 Derryhale RD, Portadown, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland (C) David Robinson, 18 Battlehill RD, Portadown, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland (C) Markus Hintikka, Poste Restante, 94700 Kemi, Finland (C) Hank Svennson, P.O. Box 53, S 240 30, Marieholm,Sweden(C,BG) Rein Wortelboer, Akelei 10, 5803 CA Venray, Holland (C), (BG), (Gos) Johnny Nielson, Marievej 24, DK 5700 Svenborg, Denmark (C) (C) = Country (BG) = Bluegrass (Gos) = Gospel ************************************************** European Radio Differences Europe radio operates very differently than American radio. More than 90% of European radio stations are owned by the governments of the countries in which they are located. They operate without paid advertising. Very few European stations play only one type of music. It is very common for one radio station to broadcast country, rock, pop, urban, bluegrass, and various other forms of music. Most of these radio stations do not have a music library. DJs furnishes their own music. Nearly all the DJs work without pay. They are volunteers. They support their families by working a day job. Johnny Nielson of Denmark is a bus driver. Rein Wortelboer is an executive for a multinational corporation. Others do other types of work. They volunteer as DJs because they love the music they feature. They want to share the music they love with their listeners. The station pays royalties to the writers and publishers. All other expenses are paid by the DJ. Being a DJ in Europe is a very expensive hobby. When these DJs play your music, they are doing you a favor. If you make it expensive or hard for them, you are shooting yourself in the foot. When you fill out the customs form on your package, be sure to write "Gift" and "$0 Value" on the green portion of the customs form. In many European nations, DJs must pay taxes on whatever value you write on the form. Many DJs receive a hundred or more CDs, after being mentioned in this newsletter. If each of those CDs are valued at $15, they must pay taxes on $1500 of income. Many European nations have tax rates of 50% or more. Would you pay hundreds of dollars in taxes to do total strangers a favor? When a package with a cash value arrives, the DJ is faced with a choice. He can pay the tax or refuse to accept the package. If he has received more packages than he can afford to accept, the package stays at the post office and is eventually thrown away. You never hear from the DJ, because he doesn't know who sent the package. Your music never appears on his playlist, because he never received your music. You can save yourself a lot of wasted time, CDs, and postage. Fill the green customs form out properly. ************************************************** Karaoke Party Of The Year The American Karaoke Society has announced the dates of their first Annual Talent Search. They will host the multistage event Labor Day Weekend. Numerous record companies, producers, promoters, publishers and so forth have already confirmed they will attend the Talent Search. More are confirming everyday, as the news spreads about the number of singers and writers who will be performing. Many styles of music will be included. If it can be performed with prerecorded tracks or acoustic instruments, it's welcome. This open door policy is bringing singers, writers, and music companies from everywhere. The event will be on 20 privately owned acres just north of Nashville. All singers and songwriters are welcome. Each stage will be managed by a professional KJ. As part of their compensation, they will each receive a private 30 minute showcase on the big indoor stage. They will receive $500, for the weekend's work, as well. Stage managers are required to have good sound equipment, at least 2000 tracks, and a boom microphone stand. (The boom microphone stand is required to hold a microphone in front of an acoustic instrument.) For more details, email info@karaokesociety.com or visit www.karaokesociety.com. ************************************************** Music Reviews By Rhett Ashley We wish to provide an honest fair music review. We do not want to publicly humiliate anyone. With that in mind, we do not publish reviews of music which earns a rating below 3 stars. We contact those people privately and offer them our best advice, on how to achieve better results. Virginia, Lee Harris, "Best Foot Forward," 25 sides, The next time somebody asks where all the good writers have gone, I'll them about Lee Harris. 4 Stars New Jersey, Billy Hector, "Hard To Please," 13 sides, He reminds me of the way Hank Jr. was before he lost his edge. 4 Stars California, Michael Mulholland, "Michael Mulholland," 8 sides, His Cherokee heritage brings a Native American spiritual quality to his music. 5 Stars New York, Michael Jerling, "Little Movies," 14 sides, Mostly acoustic folk music, this album is well titled. It makes you see little movies in your mind. 41/2 stars California, Darryl and Dallas Cornell, "Glass Door," 15 sides, This album features 15 old standards. It has solid vocals with a simple, but effective production. 4 Stars California, Hawks, "I See Hawks In L. A.," 12 sides, This album forces you to think uncomfortable thoughts. It reaches deep inside. 41/2 Stars Alabama, Ruth Duncan, "Give God The Pieces," Good gospel songs. Better mastering is needed. 3 1/2 Stars Nashville, Izak and West, "All Fired Up," 11 sides, The production is a little weak and noise level a little high. Strong vocals carry the project. 3 1/2 stars Texas, Terry Rasor, "Texas Highway Troubadour," 13 sides, There is both gravel and truth in his voice. You hear the former and feel the latter. 4 1/2 stars Wisconsin, Jill Korroris, "Invisible," 13 sides. Super strong vocals and songs, but the production seems a little busy. 4 stars Texas, Sourdough Myres, "Share My Campfire," 13 sides, Native American flute adds a haunting quality to these tales of the trail. 4 stars Michigan, RBG, "Straight To The Point," 6 sides. You hear a strong gospel influence in his voice. It adds depth and feeling. 4 1/2 stars Oregon, CountryPolitans, "Face of My Hometown," 10 sides, Country vocals with uptown production. 4 1/2 stars Oregon, Tommy Womack, "Circus Town," 12 sides, He's good when he sings pop and even better when he keeps it country. 4 1/2 stars Connecticut, Willie Mc Culloch, "Carry Me Home," 12 sides, These songs of longing wishfulness are a near perfect match, for his Celtic voice. 4 stars Nashville, James Talley, "Touchstones," 16 sides, This album has became an office favorite. We find ourselves listening to it daily. 5 stars Wisconsin, K. G. Williams, "So Far," 4 sides, The only thing to wish for is a lot more of it. 4 1/2 stars New Jersey, Bobby Rey, "Bobby Rey," 6 sides, If Charlie Daniels played a guitar instead of a fiddle, this is how he would sound. 5 stars Canada, Lew Dite, "I Was Born 10,000 Years Ago," 15 sides, The songs, production, and vocals are so traditional you wonder if Grandpa Jones is reincarnated. 4 stars Pennsylvania, DrmJ, "Lonely Road," 12 sides, Good songs and vocals, but overly simplistic production and poor mix hurt the overall quality. 3 stars Texas, The Guzzlers, "All Alone In Texas," 10 sides, Texas style country rock is tough to do, but they nail it. 4 1/2 stars Texas, Steve Calvert, "Texas and Me," 10 sides, The appealing quiver in his voice is perfectly matched to these beer drinking sad country songs. 5 stars Texas, Ray Phillips, "Don't Kill The Jukebox," 12 sides, Some of the songs are little weak, but the good fiddle and vocal work shine like new money. 4 stars ************************************************** |