"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts
they perform for us in our
time of need. I ask this in the
name ofJesus, our Lord and Savior, Amen."
Monday, March 31, 2003
NOW THIS WE SAW COMING...:
Court
TV's The Smoking Gun.com is
having a field day with this season's American
Idol
criminals, er, contestants. Following last week's report
that Trenyce has a rap sheet, Gun has learned that
fellow finalist Corey
Clark faces trial next month on
charges he assaulted his teenage sister
and battled
with cops while resisting arrest. The 22-year-old bad boy
who
in his Fox.com profile claims to "get along with
everyone" was arrested
last October
following a disturbance in his family's
Topeka, Kans., home.
It's not known
whether Fox was aware of the incident,
but to me, this seems
a lot worse than
Frenchiegate. Meanwhile, I would like to extend
a
plea to the sleuths at TheSmokingGun.com: If you
guys find any dirt on
personal faves Ruben Studdard
or Clay Aiken, please
bury it. I'll pay you. Better yet,
have announced initial plans to form a jointly owned music
company dubbed Sony BMG.
Each company will own exactly 50 percent
of the new venture. Should the merger
get approval from industry watchdogs,
Sony BMG will become the second-largest
music empire in the world behind Universal Music Group, potentially pulling in a
whopping $8 billion in global revenue and controlling 25 percent of the market.
"We realized that we could not survive alone in this
To recap, the Top 10 albums for the week ended Sunday
were as follows:
1. Shock'n Y'All, Toby Keith
2. Afterglow, Sarah McLachlan
3. Now That's What I Call Music! 14, various
4. The Very Best of Sheryl Crow, Sheryl Crow
5. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, OutKast
6. Blood in My Eye, Ja Rule
7. As Time Goes By...Great American Songbook: Vol. II, Rod Stewart
8. Measure of a Man, Clay Aiken
9. Payable on Death, P.O.D.
10. Chicken & Beer, Ludacris
Reality
Hits Reloaded
Tue Nov 18, 1:35 PM ET
By Josh Grossberg
It's going to be a busy winter on the reality front.
Depp, 40, first hit the scene on TV's 21 Jump Street and
went on to star
in such diverse films as Edward Scissorhands, What's Eating Gilbert
Grape and Chocolat. The Kentucky native lives in France with his
girlfriend, actress Vanessa
Clay is "the biggest Idol of all where it counts on the charts. Making A.I.
sales history, the endearing North Carolinians MEASURE OF A MAN sold a whopping
613,000 copies last week, according to SoundScan numbers released Wednesday.
"No other Idol has sold even half that amount in a week," Jenison reports.
Clay the Christian. Clay the bracelet wearing WWJD What Would Jesus Do?
singer. Clay the one derided by Simon on AI. Clay the guy left behind by his
dad. Clay the gent who will tell you to your face to stop your "cussing."
Clay
the one whos taken the hearts away of countless of all ages. Clay "the last
shall be first."
Clay Clay Clay. Its all about Clay.
Clay has received his deserved honor on a number of TV shows, including his
interview on PrimeTime with Diane Sawyer. These look-into-the-heart-and-soul of
Clay dialogues have revealed a truly marvelous man who has his act together.
Hes moral. Hes conscientious. Hes caring. Hes talented. Hes likeable. Hes
committed. And so wheres the fault in mortal Clay? He told Diane that he does
have a temper to control. Well, do tell. Lets assume that Mr. Clay can center
in on that. Not bad at all.
All I can say is that I dont think any other young man in America deserves the
applause Clay is receiving right now. He stands for much that this country has
lost. He stands for much that this country can regain if we have more molded
like Clay.
Congratulations, Mr. Clay.
-------
Rolling Stone
Daily
www.rollingstone.com
"I hate to brag, but our records are better than most people's
records." -- R.E.M.'s PETER BUCK
Thursday, October 30, 2003
McCARTNEY A DAD AGAIN
PAUL McCARTNEY and wife HEATHER
MILLS had a baby girl, BEATRICE
MILLY, on Tuesday. The child, McCartney's fourth and Mills' first,
was born three weeks early, but according to a statement, "Both she
and mum are doing well. She is a little beauty and we couldn't be
prouder." McCartney, 61, and Mills, 35, married in June 2002.
Clay TOPS ROD
Clay Aiken's "Measure of a Man" sold 225,000 copies
in its second
week, according to SoundScan, to best fellow
spikey-haired crooner
ROD STEWART, whose "Great American Songbook,
Vol. 2" came in at
Number Two with sales of 212,000. Top Ten debuts were
also posted
by the EAGLES' "The Very Best of the Eagles," which sold
162,000
copies at Number Three, rapper LOON's self-titled debut
(Number
Six, 80,000) and the BARENAKED LADIES'
"Everything to
Everyone"
(Number Ten, 71,000).
COURTNEY CHARGED
COURTNEY LOVE could face more than three years in
prison after she
was charged with two felony counts of drug possession
this week,
stemming from an October 3rd incident when she was
arrested after
trying to break into the home of her ex-boyfriend. At the
time of
Love's arrest, police recovered pills that tests revealed to be
the
painkillers OxyContin and Vicodin. Love
turned herself into
authorities on Tuesday and was charged
and released.
WEILAND ARRESTED FOR DUI
VELVET REVOLVER singer SCOTT WEILAND was arrested by the Los
Angeles police this week after he smashed his car into a
parked
vehicle in Hollywood. He attempted to flee the scene,
but was
quickly caught by officers and arrested for driving under
the
influence. Just last week, an L.A. judge had congratulated
Weiland
for completing most of the drug testing and counseling as a result
of his no contest plea in August to two felony drug possession
charges.
IN THE NEWS
MICHAEL STIPE, MOBY, JACK BLACK
and MICHAEL MOORE
are on a panel
organized by Moveon.org to judge a
nationwide contest to find the
best television ad that critiques the polices of
President George
W. Bush . . . CHINGY will release a CD/DVD version
of his hit album
"Jackpot" on November 18th, featuring live footage
and remixes of
his hit singles . . . JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE's October 19th
hometown
show in Memphis will be broadcast on November 25th.
The show
features a guest spot by soul legend AL GREEN . . .
HRIS ROBINSON
has signed with Vector and is working on
his second solo album with
producer PAUL STACEY.
ABBA's AGNETHA FAELTSKOG is
working on her first album in sixteen
years, due in March . . . BLUES TRAVELER
will release "Thinnest of
Air: Live From Red Rocks" on DVD on November 18th.
The two-DVD set
will include concert and backstage footage, as well
as ninety
minutes of interviews . . . PEARL JAM were joined
by CHRIS CORNELL,
JACK JOHNSON, JOHN FRUSCIANTE and their former
drummer JACK IRONS
at their October 28th show in Santa Barbara, California . . .
DAVE
CLARK FIVE drummer MIKE SMITH was
paralyzed from the waist down
from a September 12th fall at his home
his own right, moved 212,000 copies due in part to a
recent Oprah appearance. Catching heat from his new album,
the original
Great American Songbook, released a year ago
this month, jumped 49 spots
to number 46, while
The Very Best of Rod Stewart reentered the
charts at
125.
Fueled by a huge TV direct-response campaign, The Very Best of the Eagles
sold 161,000 copies at number three. The double-disc set features all the band's
easy-rocking classics, including "Take It Easy," "Already Gone" and "Hotel
California."
The Harlem-born, Beverly Hills-raised Loon also made an impression on the chart,
selling nearly 80,000 copies of his self-titled debut to check in at number six.
With help from P. Diddy, the 90210 gangsta built up name recognition with
countless guest appearances, most recently on the Bad Boys II soundtrack.
The fourth and final Top 10 bow belonged to Canadian rockers Barenaked Ladies (news
-
web sites), whose Everything to Everyone landed at 10 with 71,000
copies.
The remaining Top 10 were holdovers: OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
at four, Ludacris' Chicken & Beer at five, Dido's Life for Rent at
six, Jagged Edge's Hard at eight and Barbra Streisand (news)'s
The Movie Album at nine.
Nineteen-year-old Mandy Moore (news),
who first made her mark singing teen pop hits like "Candy" and "Crush," debuted
at 14 with Coverage. Moore, who returns to the big screen in 2004 with
How to Deal and Miss Liberty, stacked her third release with covers
of lesser-known songs originally performed by the likes of the Waterboys, Joni
Mitchell (news),
Todd Rundgren (news)
and Elton John (news)
and recorded long before Moore was born.
Other Top 40 debuts included Marques Houston's MH at 18, Something
Corporate's North at 24 and Van Morrison (news)'s
What's Wrong with This Picture? at 32. Also opening strong: Rush's fourth
live disc, Rush in Rio, which debuted at 33. The triple-disc set was
recorded on the final night of the Canadian prog-rockers' Vapor Trails Tour.
Further down the charts, the Shins' Chutes Too Narrow logged in at 86,
Smokie Norful's self-titled opened at 90, punk greats Anti-Flag's Terror
State registered at 91, the score to Disney's Brother Bear roared in
at 97, and NYC's the Rapture's Echoes debuted at 121.
The rap duo Dead Prez's Get Free or Die Trying (a title that clearly
mimics 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin') checked in at 144. Previously
making a name for themselves on Loud Records, Dead Prez released their latest on
independent Landspeed Records.
Nearly a year after his death, former Clash frontman Joe Strummer (news)'s
final studio album, Streetcore, opened at 160. The U.K. deejay duo
Basement Jaxx landed at 172 with Kish Kash, which features a guest
appearance by 'N Sync (news
-
web sites)'s JC Chasez (news).
This week also marked a milestone for Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, whose TVT
Records release Kings of Crunk celebrated its one-year anniversary on the
charts. The sleeper hit disc, currently at number 30, continues to benefit from
its smash single, "Get Low" with the Ying Yang Twins.
Here's a recap of last week's Top 10 albums:
1. Measure of a Man, Clay Aiken
2. As Time Goes By...Great American Songbook: Vol. II, Rod Stewart
3. The Very Best of the Eagles, Eagles
4. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, OutKast
5. Chicken & Beer, Ludacris
6. Loon, Loon
7. Life for Rent, Dido
8. Hard, Jagged Edge
9. The Movie Album, Barbra Streisand
10. Everything to Everyone, Barenaked Ladies
N.C. Residents Sell Clay
Aiken Memorabilia
Fri Oct 31, 9:48 AM ET
RALEIGH, N.C. -
Clay
Aiken is passing
into another realm of celebrity, thanks
to those who knew or
just videotaped
him way back when.
From old yearbooks to videos of Clay dressed as Santa
and singing Christmas
tunes, raiding your Raleigh
attic is turning dusty, forgotten keepsakes into
bountiful
booty.
Take Marc Cram. His stash of Aiken memorabilia has netted
him enough to make a
mortgage payment.
A certified financial planner in Durham,
Cram found some old videotapes he made
in the late '90s of variety shows in Garner,
where Aiken performed. He edited
out
everything not related to the
Raleigh-born heartthrob, made copies
and put
them on eBay, an Internet auction site.
The first one sold for $180.
"It's like printing money," said Cram, who has sold about
30 of the videos.
Reflecting on the happenstance surrounding his
made-for-eBay gold mine, Cram
still
sounds surprised: "I had it in my closet."
Jeannie Holleman of Raleigh whose
family is friendly with Aiken's family
bought the copyright to her daughter's
2001 wedding video and had it copied and
re-edited to emphasize the song Aiken sang
while the wedding party walked down
the aisle,
thereby starting a cottage industry.
Her 30-minute videos have sold for as much as $320 on the
Internet, and she has
peddled about 50 so far.
Most have gone for $60 to $85.
Some of the fans' money is going to charity,
including Aiken-endorsed good
causes.
A number of people are selling Aiken
yearbooks, among them Jennifer Riehle, who
attended Leesville Road middle and high schools with Aiken.
Riehle has sold three yearbooks on eBay
for a total of $1,220. She knew The
Measured Man
well, but they weren't particularly close. He was
Clayton Grissom
then, before he took his mother's
maiden name.
He signed her eighth-grade yearbook: "Jenn,
Have a great summer. Great year in
S.S.
Don't do anything I would do. Clayton
Grissom."
Riehle, a part-time student at N.C. State
University, shed no tears about
putting her
Leesville memories on the auction block.
"I'm a poor student," she said. "I needed the extra money. That's what it's all
about."
and Toby Keith (news).
Coldplay will also hit the charts
with a new live CD/DVD, as will Sheryl Crow (news)
with
her new hits collections.
Here's a rundown of the Top 10 albums for the week ended Sunday:
1. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, OutKast
2. As Time Goes By...Great American Songbook: Vol. II, Rod Stewart
3. Measure of a Man, Clay Aiken
4. Room on Fire, the Strokes
5. Chicken & Beer, Ludacris
6. Stroke of Genius, Gerald Levert
7. The Very Best of the Eagles, Eagles
8. In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003, R.E.M.
9. Life for Rent, Dido
10. Away from the Sun, 3 Doors Down
Britney Spears (news),
Justin Timberlake (news),
Christina Aguilera (news),
Dido, OutKast, Rod Stewart (news),
Sarah McLachlan (news),
the Strokes, Avril Lavigne (news),
the
according to the
Express-Times of Easton, Pennsylvania.
The lawsuit, filed in Northampton County Court by
Louis and Adrienne Maiatico,
alleges the 25-year-old
popster, who hails from nearby Doylestown, became
distracted
and was driving too fast when he rammed his truck into their
vehicle
on March 12, 2002, while they were
stopped at a red light.
Bethlehem police issued a ticket to
Guarini for following too closely.
Initially, he planned to fight it, but by
the time his September 16, 2002 court
appearance rolled
around, he opted to remain in Los Angeles, where he
was
competing on the first season of American Idol,
and instead paid a $25
fine and $75 in court costs.
According to the suit, Louis Maiatico injured his back,
neck and side in the
accident and is seeking more than
$100,000 in damages to ease his pain and
suffering.
Guarini's reps were not available to comment.
This is the second time in the past four
months that Justin's driving (in)ability
has earned him unwanted ink.
In July, the Idol runner-up ran afoul with police at a lake
in Cedar
Hill, Texas, near Dallas, when he drove his
personal watercraft out of the water
and onto the beach,
coming within spitting distance of a young girl. After
the
girls' parents complained, he was cited for reckless operation
of a motorized
watercraft, a misdemeanor, and ordered to pay
a $145 fine.
At least the bad press over his
behind-the-wheel exploits is keeping
people from
paying attention to his less
than scintillating musical career. His
self-titled
solo debut barely registered on the charts last
June and From Justin to
Kelly, his beach blanket bingo
of a movie opposite Idol champ Kelly
Clarkson (news),
flat-out tanked.
With his 15 minutes ticking toward extinction, the "Sorry"
singer's still
milking his Idol fame. Guarini currently can be
heard getting his jingle
on in American Idol: The Great Holiday
Classics, a Yuletide album
featuring such other
Idol luminaries as Clarkson, Ruben
Studdard and Clay
Aiken.
Rumor and Scandal
Catapult Prince Charles to Top of this Week's List, Hotter than Britney Spears,
Pam Anderson and the Matrix Reloaded; Socialite Paris Hilton Sex Video Scores
Big with Web Users
Lycos Search Presents the Lycos 50 for Week Ending
November 8, 2003
WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Terra Lycos
first studio release in six years, "Afterglow" (Arista).
The set notched McLachlan's career-best sales week, moving 361,000 copies.
McLachlan's 1999's live set, "Mirrorball,"
debuted at No. 3 with 221,000 copies
and has sold 2.9 million to date. Her
last studio release, 1997's "Surfacing,"
peaked at No. 2 and has sold 5.4 million.
The 14th volume of the "NOW That's What I Call Music!" (Universal/EMI/Zomba/Sony)
series lands at No. 3 with
322,000 copies. The compilation almost doubled the
first week sales total of the last "NOW," which entered
at No. 2 in July on sales of 171,000 copies.
"The Very Best of Sheryl Crow (news)"
(A&M) arrives at
No. 4 on sales of 247,000 copies. Last year,
Crow's "C'mon C'mon," entered at No. 2
with 185,000 copies and has sold about
2 million to date.
Despite a gain in sales, OutKast's
two-CD set "Speakerboxxx/The Love
Below" (Arista)
falls from the top spot to No. 5. Sales of the album were
up about 5% to 148,000 copies, giving the release a
to-date total of more than 1.5 million copies sold.
The latest from rapper Ja Rule, "Blood in My Eye" (Def Jam), enters at
No. 6 with 140,000 copies. That's a significant drop from the first-week
total of 2002's "The Last Temptation," which arrived at No. 4 with 238,000
copies and has sold 1.5 million to date.
down five places, to No. 8, is "Measure of a Man,"
the RCA debut from Clay Aiken. Sales fell 19% to
113,000 copies, giving the second-season "American Idol"
runner-up a to-date total of 1.1 million.
Hard rock act P.O.D. enters at No. 9 with "Payable on Death" (Atlantic).
The set sold 106,000 copies, falling a little
short of the first-week
numbers for 2001's
"Satellite." That set sold 133,000 copies
to debut at No.
6, and has moved 2.7
million to date. Ludacris' "Chicken & Beer"
(Disturbing The Peace/Def Jam) falls five
places to No. 10 as sales were down 14% to
88,000 copies. To date, the disc has sold a total of 936,000.
The DVD/CD combo "Coldplay Live 2003" (Capitol) sold
71,200 copies to enter at No. 13. The band's most recent
studio set, "A Rush of Blood to the Head," is currently No. 47 on the
chart and has sold 2.6 million since its August 2002 release.
"This Left Feels Right," an Island set of
acoustic reinterpretations of
Bon Jovi's
greatest hits, arrives at No. 14 with sales
of 71,000 copies.
Other notable debuts
include Wyclef Jean's "The Preacher's
Son" (J Records;
No. 22), Bob Seger
(news)'s
"Greatest Hits 2" (Capitol; No. 23), Ryan Adams
(news)'
"Rock'n'Roll" (Lost Highway; No. 33). Further down, Adams' "Love Is Hell,
Part 1" EP enters at No. 78.
A number of artists reaped the benefits of exposure on
last week's
Country Music Association (CMA) Awards. Martina McBride (news)'s
"Martina" (RCA) jumps 59-27 on a 120% sales burst to 44,000 units, Rascal
Flatts' "Melt" (Hollywood) soars 71-53 on a 61% gain to 27,000 copies and
Johnny Cash (news)'s
"American IV: The Man Comes Around" (American) bolts 94-60
on an 81% sales gain to 23,000 copies.
Reuters/Billboard
No shaking
Beyonce's "Baby Boy" from No. 1
By Todd Martens
LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Beyonce and Sean Paul are still on top of
Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart with "Baby Boy."
The song cruises to an eighth-straight week at the peak
of the tally, once
again fending off "Stand Up" from
Ludacris and Shawnna, which remains No. 2.
Narrowing
the gap, however, is OutKast's "Hey Ya!" The song is the
chart's
fastest-growing track at radio for the second week in a row and enjoys an
eight-slot leap to No. 5.
"Hey Ya!" is one of two singles from OutKast's double-CD "Speakerboxxx/The
Love Below" (Arista).
"The Way You Move" featuring Sleepy
Brown is also
performing well, hanging
in the top-10 with a one-slot dip to No. 8
this
week.
The top-10 welcomes a pair of new
cuts this week. Baby Bash's "Suga Suga"
featuring Frankie J skips 11-9, giving the act its first
top-10 hit.
Meanwhile, R. Kelly earns another top-10
single as "Step In the Name of
Love" moves up two
notches to No. 10.
Elsewhere on the Hot 100, G-Unit and Jay-Z are shooting up the chart.
G-Unit's "Stunt 101" bolts 28-17 and Jay-Z's "Change Clothes" rockets 54-31.
Both G-Unit's "Beg for Mercy" (Shady/Interscope) and Jay-Z's "The Black
Album" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam) will be released Nov. 14.
The Hot 100's top debut comes from
second-season "American Idol" runner-up
Clay Aiken, whose "Invisible" arrives
at No. 57. Aiken's last single,
"This
Is The Night," debuted at No. 1
in June.
Other notable entries on the Hot 100 include Puddle Of Mudd's "Away From Me"
at No. 74, Joe's "More & More" at No. 78, Too Short's "Shake That Monkey"
featuring Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz at No. 97 and "I Can't Take You
Anywhere" from Scotty Emerick and Toby Keith at No. 98. Keith also has the
No. 1 song on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks roundup for the
second week with "I Love This Bar," and the No. 1 album with "Shock'n Y'All"
(DreamWorks).
On Billboard's rock airplay charts, Staind's "So Far Away" is displaced by
tracks from Linkin Park and A Perfect Circle. The latter returns to the top
of the Modern Rock Tracks tally for a third week with "Weak and Powerless."
Over on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, Linkin Park's "Numb" jumps 3-1 as
"So Far Away" falls to No. 2. "So Far Away" logged seven, non-consecutive
weeks at the top of the Modern Rock chart and 14 on top of the Mainstream
Rock tally.
Reuters/Billboard
11/13/03 13:50 ET
In The News: Alias,
Paris Hilton and More!
Friday, November 14, 2003
Lena Olin and Jennifer Garner
IDOL
GOES GLOBAL:
Miss
Independent is setting her sights on a new, loftier title: Miss Universe!
American Idol's
inaugural champ,
Kelly Clarkson, will compete against 10 of her international
counterparts in World Idol, a two-part special airing the evenings of
Christmas and New Year's Day on Fox. The singers will perform for 11 judges,
one from each participating country. Producers have yet to decide which U.S.
judge
Simon Cowell,
Paula Abdul or
Randy Jackson will be invited to participate. But just to be safe,
Abdul is learning how to say "You were amazing" in German, French, Polish
and Icelandic.
MOM'S AWAY:
Alias
villainess
Lena Olin seems to be taking her role as
Jennifer Garner's absentee mom, Irina Derevko, a little too
literally. As reported in the new issue of TV Guide magazine, the
actress nixed a deal to return this season despite the fact that, as a
source close to the negotiations puts it, "every single one of her demands
were met by ABC and the producers." Among her initial requests: "Sharon
Stone-type money," says an insider, referring to the unprecedented
$100,000-per-episode salary the Basic Instinct star reportedly pulled
in for her recent
Practice stint. ABC declined to comment, as did Olin's camp, but
Alias exec producer
J.J. Abrams is holding out hope that Olin will be back. "[Irina]
remains a critical piece of the puzzle." Albeit an expensive one. For more
"TV News" scoop including exclusive dish on Las Vegas and
Malcolm in the Middle pick up the new issue of TV Guide, on
sale Monday.
AND THE SAGA CONTINUES...:
Paris Hilton's
X-rated leading man made good on his
threat to take legal action against the hotel heiress over the whole sex
tape fiasco. On Wednesday,
Richard Salomon filed a $10 million slander lawsuit against Hilton,
her parents and publicist
Siri Garber, claiming they have waged a "cold, calculated and
malicious campaign" to portray him as "a rapist." Solomon maintains in the
suit that Hilton "posed and preened" during the video and even said "hi"
to the camera. She also answers her cell phone at one point. So I've heard.
MORE
LEGAL MATTERS: A
14-year-old girl is suing Maury Povich and his talk show for $25
million claiming she was raped by a limo driver shortly after an appearance
on Povich's program in 2001. The girl who travelled to New York to tape an
"Out of Control Teens" segment of The Maury Povich Show was
apparently still under the show's travel arrangements when the alleged
attack occurred.
Digital sales
outpace physical for first time
By Silvio Pietroluongo
NEW YORK (Billboard) - For the first time since the chart's rollout in July,
the No. 1-selling song on Hot Digital Tracks bests the weekly total of the
No. 1 title on Hot 100 Singles.
With the rollout of Napster 2.0, sales data of digital tracks takes another
step north, resulting in OutKast's "Hey Ya! (Radio Mix)" selling 8,500
downloads compared with 7,500 physical singles scanned of MercyMe's "I Can
Only Imagine."
This occurrence, if not the speed with which it was accomplished, was
predicted in most music quarters once the business model of digital
distribution was in place.
While it appears that the new kid in town is beating up the physical single,
a closer look reveals that this is not exactly a fair fight. If stores were
provided with the same weapons (i.e., titles) that the digital distributors
are able to offer, the number of units on Hot 100 Singles most likely would
exceed those found on Hot Digital Tracks.
Of the top 10 songs on Hot Digital Tracks, seven are not available in any
form at retail. Of the three that are at retail, OutKast's "Hey Ya!" can be
found on the less viable DVD single and 12-inch vinyl formats, Black Eyed
Peas' "Where Is the Love?" is out only as a 12-inch vinyl and Coldplay's
"Clocks" is cut out after being released as a limited-run CD single.
In turn, of the top 10 songs on Hot 100 Singles, only Jagged Edge's "Walked
Outta Heaven," OutKast's "The Way You Move" and Clay Aiken's "This Is the
Night" have enough transactions to register among the top 300 digital
tracks.
'LIFE' GOES FAST
With the biggest increase on Hot Country Singles & Tracks, Kenny Chesney's
"There Goes My Life" leaps 15-9 and is the third title so far this year to
crack the top 10 in five weeks or less. That is a slight improvement
compared with 2002, when only two titles made such a quick ascent on the
chart.
At 13 weeks on the list, Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar" spends a second week
at No. 1, giving DreamWorks Records the edge for total No. 1 singles in the
current chart year (four). The label previously tied with MCA Nashville and
Arista Nashville, with three No. 1s each. Keith and Gary Allan are the only
country artists to achieve two No. 1 singles this year.
CAN YOU FEEL IT
Linkin Park's "Numb" moves to No. 1 on the Modern Rock chart, giving Warner
Bros. Records its fifth chart-topper of 2003. The label matches the record
for most No. 1s on the chart in a calendar year, which it set in 1989.
Linkin Park becomes the first act to post three No. 1 songs in a year on the
Modern Rock chart, as "Numb" follows "Somewhere I Belong" and "Faint" to the
top. All three tracks are from the band's album "Meteora."
Only one other act in the history of the chart has had three consecutive No.
1s from the same album. In 1991 and 1992, U2 hit the top with "The Fly,"
"Mysterious Ways" and "One" from "Achtung Baby."
EDGED OUT
After having the longest run at the top of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart
this year with "Walked Outta Heaven" (11 weeks), Jagged Edge hands the crown
to Avant's "Read Your Mind." The track is the second consecutive No. 1 on
the chart for Avant, who spent two weeks at the top with his debut single,
"Separated," in May 2000.
On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, "Mind" holds at No. 10, while "Heaven"
moves into the top five (6-5), making it the act's fifth that has reached
that portion of the chart and the first there since "Where the Party At" in
the summer of 2001.
(Anthony Colombo in New York in contributed to this report.)
Reuters/Billboard
11/14/03 22:51 ET
OutKast shifts
dual gears
By Fred Bronson
LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - For the first time in three years, a duo or group
has two songs in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
OutKast earns a backward bullet as "The Way You Move" (Arista) slips 7-8,
while "Hey Ya!" leaps 13-5 and earns Greatest Gainer/Airplay honors.
The last group to place two songs in the top 10 at the same time was
Destiny's Child. "Independent Women Part I" ranked No. 7 the week of Nov. 4,
2000, and "Jumpin' Jumpin' " was one notch lower at No. 8.
"Hey Ya!" and "The Way You Move" are OutKast's 12th and 13th songs to chart
on the Hot 100. The only OutKast track that has charted higher than these
two titles was "Ms. Jackson," which spent one week at No. 1 in February
2001.
"Hey Ya!" is No. 1 on Hot Digital Tracks for the sixth week and is also
charting new ground for OutKast. On the Modern Rock Tracks list, "Hey Ya!"
moves 25-23 in its sixth chart week.
VISIBILITY
Any chance of Clay Aiken being labeled a one-hit wonder on the Billboard Hot
100 evaporates this week, as "Invisible" (RCA) earns the Hot Shot Debut
designation by opening at No. 57.
Aiken's first single, "This Is the Night," had a commercial component and
was able to debut at No. 1 based on sales. "Invisible" is charting solely on
airplay.
That will change when RCA releases a commercial single of "Invisible" backed
with the non-album track "Solitaire," a remake of the Neil Sedaka song that
Aiken performed on "American Idol." The single has a street date of Dec. 9.
DEEPEST'S SPACE, NINE
Sheryl Crow collects her eighth top 10 hit on the Adult Top 40 chart, as her
cover of Cat Stevens' "The First Cut Is the Deepest" climbs 11-9.
Crow was tied with Jewel as the female artist with the most top 10 hits on
this tally. She now owns the honor all by herself.
Crow is tied with Goo Goo Dolls in second place on the list of acts with the
most top 10 hits. The champ is Matchbox Twenty, with 10.
Crow's biggest hit, "All I Wanna Do," pre-dates the Adult Top 40 survey and
isn't counted in her total. The chart was introduced in 1996, and Crow's
first top 10 hit was "If It Makes You Happy," which peaked at No. 5 in
December 1996.
SPINNING AROUND
It looks like a Spinners revival on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, but
it's not. Cee-Lo has a new entry at No. 71 with "I'll Be Around" (Arista),
which shares its title with the first Spinners single on Atlantic in 1972.
A bit below Cee-Lo's entry at No. 73 is a debuting song from T.I., "Rubber
Band Man" (Grand Hustle/Atlantic), with a title extremely similar to a 1976
Spinners single, "Rubberband Man."
FOR THE RECORD
New Zealander Keith Urban has three No. 1 songs under his belt on Hot
Country Singles & Tracks, including "Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me" (Capitol),
which topped the chart two weeks ago. I credited him with six in the Chart
Beat column two weeks ago.
Reuters/Billboard
11/14/03 22:51 ET
Billboard single
reviews
NEW YORK (Billboard) - Calling Dr. Kelly! With all the disappointment and
distracting scandals attached to Michael Jackson's previous "Invincible" --
not to mention the set's sheer mediocrity -- new single "One More Chance"
feels pretty much like a make-or-break proposition for the tarnished pop
idol. R. Kelly has written and produced a pretty song for Jackson, which
capitalizes on the former's strengths as a hitmaking guidepost: lyrical and
melodic simplicity. The theme here is innocuous enough, focusing on
Jackson's quest for "One More Chance" with a disillusioned suitor. On the
down side, Jackson still can't resist throwing in his signature gasps and
vocal tics. Jacko's days of innovation are long past--and it's hard to
dismiss his freaky persona -- but "One More Chance" is a passable, pleasant
song that could help bring attention to his upcoming "Number Ones." And the
song is better than anything he's recorded this decade. That's something, at
least.
ARTIST: WILLA FORD FEATURING MAY
SINGLE: A TOAST TO MEN
Willa Ford had no problem convincing the masses a couple years ago that she
was Atlantic's bad girl. Not only did hit single "I Wanna Be Bad" take a
swipe at the pop-princess mold, but her refreshingly audacious persona KO'd
PC attitudes into a coma. Weighing Willa 2001 against the 2003 model,
however, shows just how far musical morality has moved to the left. "A Toast
to Men" is cleaned up for radio, but that doesn't hide the predominant hook
(supposedly an age-old sorority chant): "Here's to the men we love to
love/Here's to the men in love with us/Here's to the men that pass on
us/f--- the men, let's drink to us." A saucy (but graciously playful)
videoclip adds fuel to the flamboyant raunch. While pushing the envelope
this far comes across as a calculated move -- after all, it takes some
effort to take attention from pin-up models Britney and Christina nowadays
-- there's no hiding the fact that underneath it all, a pop hook and catchy
chants give this ditty much more meat to the bone than one might suspect.
Ford is not reinventing the wheel here, but she's definitely one savvy
vixen. We're offering a C for the cheap thrill and an A for the musical
vision behind the vamp.
ARTIST: AL GREEN
SINGLE: I CAN'T STOP
Al Green is one cool dude. Timeless in his soulful appeal and untarnished
hip factor, the singer is moments away from a glorious comeback with his
Blue Note debut, "I Can't Stop." The title track holds true to all that we
love about Big Al, from groovy, '70s-style horns and organs -- even a flute
solo -- to his loose, life-loving vocal, complete with Green's trademark
cat-calling falsetto. "Stop" is even processed to sound like it's from
another era -- and that should suit fans to a T. The potential here is
boundless; adult R&B is its natural home at radio, but this could just as
easily fill the floor at frat parties and 20-something taverns around the
world. A welcome return from a man we never knew we missed so much.
ARTIST: JOHN CONLEE
SINGLE: HOW HIGH DID YOU GO?
John Conlee has always been one of country music's most distinctive
vocalists, and he has consistently had a good ear for a fine song. Both
those qualities are readily evident on this new track from "John Conlee's
Classics," released on his own Rose Colored Records. Penned by Mark Nesler
and Tony Martin, it's a well-written song about bravery, risk and people's
fascination with the triumph of the human spirit. Conlee delivers the lyric
in a conversational tone that infuses each line with a sense of purpose and
meaning. It's a solid single from one of country music's most talented
veterans. Sure, it's a long shot at country radio, but every now and again a
dark horse runs a pretty good race.
ARTIST: PINK
SINGLE: GOD IS A DJ
Pink's previous "Trouble" -- the launch single for new album "Try This" --
barely cracked the top 20 at pop radio, a disappointing turn for an artist
regarded as a core for the format. That makes it difficult to predict which
way the wind will blow for "God Is a DJ," another pop/rock ass-kicker that
conjures more melodic and lyrical smarts in four minutes than most of
today's threadbare pop tarts will ever muster. Thematically, Pink is
uncharacteristically optimistic, insisting that "If God is a DJ/Life is a
dancefloor/You get what you're given/It's all how you use it." While guitars
lead the verses with fairly aggressive chords, the chorus is a sunny
delight, singable and crafted with the savvy of a veteran. Now it's radio's
turn to make up for its inexplicable misgivings with "Trouble"; Pink has the
goods to stick around for the long haul, but she can't do it without a
little artist development from programmers. "God Is a DJ" deserves to be a
career-enhancing smash.
ARTIST: KIMBERLEY LOCKE
SINGLE: 8TH WORLD WONDER
While it remains to be seen if "American Idol" second-season winner Ruben
Studdard will come close to the success of runner-up Clay Aiken when his
hip-hop-flavored album drops Dec. 9, second runner-up Kimberly Locke is
holding a loaded hand with major-label debut "8th World Wonder." Like
Aiken
before her, the Curb artist is wise enough to know that the show's core
audience likes what it heard on the show--pure, glorious pop that showcases
arm-stretching vocal talent. Her debut single, produced and co-written by
Shaun Shankel, is a one-listen anthemic ace that will have fans parading
into record stores waving a victory flag. Locke's voice is indeed a
world-wonder, painting glorious hues across the musical landscape, as a
positive lyric of newfound love caresses the fervent, uptempo, chug-along
melody. Curb intends to work this record with steadfast determination,
market by market, holding off on Locke's album release until well into the
new year. This is artist development the old-fashioned way -- and Locke
possesses the kind of spirited, believable bravado that focuses on her
shimmering gifts -- again a throwback to a day when talent and ability were
the more essential T&As.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Following is a complete list of winners at the
31st American Music Awards, which took place on Sunday at the Shrine
Auditorium in Los Angeles:
"What? I'm shocked," Anderson said, smiling. "I could have met him on the
corner of Hollywood and Vine."
Since calling off their engagement, the 36-year-old actress has been seen
with ex-husband Tommy Lee (news),
with whom she has two young sons. Kid Rock, 32, performed on Sunday night's
American Music Awards.
Holding a lit cigarette and a beverage in a plastic cup, Kid Rock said he
and Anderson were having a post-show bash.
"Good company makes a good party," he said, nodding toward Anderson.
Daryl Hall and John Oates returned to the American Music Awards as
presenters as a favor to old friend and show producer Dick Clark.
The duo won the pop-rock band, duo or group award from 1983-85, but they
don't remember much about the decade that included their hits "I Can't Go
for That (No Can Do)," and "Kiss on My List."
"Everything in the '80s was sort of a blur," Hall said.
"I'm a lot more aware now than I was then," Oates added.
Glen Campbell (news),
who won two awards in the mid-'70s, also made the red carpet scene. Another
veteran act, Fleetwood Mac, won a trophy for pop-rock band, duo or group.
Ashanti was on the minds of teenage rapper-turned-actor Bow Wow and
"American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Ashanti and that's it," Bow Wow said. "I
want to see what she's wearing."
She didn't disappoint, performing "Rain On Me" in a super-short V-neck
pink dress that was soaked by special effects rain.
Studdard was followed by "Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken on the red carpet.
Aiken sang his single "Invisible" and Studdard performed "Superstar" before
they teamed on "Jesus is Love" with a choir.
"This is my first awards show and I'm pumped about that,"
Aiken said. "I
don't have musical idols. I wasn't going to be a singer. I was going to be a
teacher."
R&B singer Heather Headley (news)
was still aglow about her wedding.
Headley, who starred won a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway
musical "Aida," married former New York Jets player Brian Musso in
September.
"I didn't know it was going to be this good," she said backstage. "He's a
great guy. When I'm not here being cute, I'm at the grocery store trying to
figure out the best deals."
She is starting work on her second album, a follow-up to "This Is Who I
Am."
"Since the wedding, I'm a little too happy," she said. "I got to go back
and find some heartbreaking stories."
Husband-and-wife singers Faith Hill (news)
and Tim McGraw (news)
each took home a trophy. In McGraw's case, it was his second win in the same
category this year.
McGraw also earned country male artist honors at the AMAs in January. The
show was moved to November to avoid the crush of awards shows early in 2004.
"I'll put the two trophies together," he said backstage. "They'll make
nice bookends."
The couple also won individual trophies in 2001 and 2002.
"It never gets old to be recognized and it's certainly a surprise,
especially when it comes from the fans," Hill said.
"I'm never blase about it," McGraw said. "I feel like I still got a lot
more ahead of me than I do behind me."
___
Rapper Missy Elliott is putting her fondness for designer duds in the
closet.
She showed up wearing black Harley-Davidson pants, jacket and cap instead
of her usual rhinestones, which are being retired.
"I'm putting them in the back of the closet," she said. "They're resting
until the next decade."
Singer-songwriter Macy Gray (news),
known for her funky style, is going upscale with a new clothing line
debuting in 2004 that includes her real first name, Natalie.
"It's all glamor, like Halston, Jackie O kind of stuff," she said.
Gray's third album, "The Trouble With Being Myself," came out last
summer, but has yet to match the success of her smash debut in 2000. Her
second album, "The Id," was considered a flop with barely 500,000 copies
sold.
"I'm just doing my thing. The industry doesn't let you do your thing if
you want to go off and make a crazy album," she said. "If you do that and it
doesn't work out, it's like a failure. As an artist, you want to try
different things."
Clay Aiken Wins Big At AMA
1 hour, 38 minutes ago
Clayniacs around the country are celebrating a big
win. The object of their affection, Raleigh, N.C.'s Clay Aiken, was a winner
at Sunday's American Music Awards.
The crooner took home the Fan's Choice Award, beating out 50 Cent, Beyonce
and others. It was the only award of the night where fans were able to vote
online for their favorite singer.
Aiken attended the ceremony with a friend, Amber, on his arm. As for his
win, Aiken said it was unexpected.
"I totally expected it to go to Justin Timberlake or to 50 Cent, and when
they called my name I was literally completely 100 percent surprised,"
Aiken
told WRAL-TV.
Aiken joked that he was not used to winning as he received his award. He was
also nominated for Favorite Male Artist - Pop or Rock, but he lost out in
that category to Kid Rock.
Aiken said he was not very nervous about winning an award; he was more
concerned about his performance. He sang his hit "Invisible," then performed
a duet with Ruben Studdard.
"I was really nervous. This really, as Ruben said, this was our audition for
the industry. This was our chance to show them were were more than just
contestants on a game show," he said.
With his first major award under his belt, Aiken said he wants to keep it in
a place close to his heart.
"I kind of feel it might be safest back in Raleigh with my mom," he said.
"Maybe I'll sit it right beside me in the Raleigh Christmas Parade when I
drive the street. Will that be bad?"
Aiken comes home to Raleigh Saturday to serve as grand marshal of the 59th
Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade.
Aiken got into the holiday spirit this weekend, taping a special for Nick at Nite that will air Thanksgiving weekend.
"They've gathered together some pretty big musical acts for this thing, so
it's pretty neat to be a part of that," he said.
The pop star took a turn at acting alongside Martin Mull, John Schneider and
Ted Danson.
"I get to appear with some of the people I grew up watching. I grew up
watching Ted Danson. So I'm kind of in the same situation as him he is now
-- and his dressing room is the same size as mine,"Aiken said. "I'm a little
nervous about the acting gig. I've never really done it before -- so it may
be a 50-take thing."
And through the magic of television, Aiken will sing a duet with none other
than the king of all crooners -- Bing Crosby.
"They will superimpose him onto the same screen I'm on, so that will be
pretty exciting," Aiken said.
Celebrities Join
Fight to Save Music Education
CARLSBAD, Calif., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Teens are at the epicenter of
music advocacy - they are extremely passionate about music and unfortunately
stand to lose the most if their school music programs are cut. That's why
DKNY//JEANS, TEEN PEOPLE magazine, the American Music Conference (AMC) and
its new web resource for teens, themusicedge.com, have joined forces to give
teens a voice to let the world know they want music in their lives and in
their schools.
On November 16, TEEN PEOPLE hosted the second annual 2003 Artist of the Year
party, honoring the hottest recording artists on the charts after the
American Music Awards. The party, held at the Avalon Hollywood, offered
something unique this year by giving celebrities and attendees the
opportunity to sign a petition to Congress to ensure that America's youth
get the music education they deserve. The petition is the second tier of a
petition drive started last year by AMC and the Justin Timberlake
Foundation. The celebrities also had the opportunity to pledge their
donation of a signed musical instrument to the cause at a later date.
DKNY//JEANS partnered with TEEN PEOPLE and themusicedge.com to sponsor a
"Velvet Rope Access" Contest, in which entrants submitted their photographs
for a chance to become DKNY//JEANS' Red Carpet Correspondent at the TEEN
PEOPLE Artist of the Year Party. Lauren McBride was chosen for her interest
and focus on music and music education, and was on hand to interview
celebrities and ask them to sign themusicedge.com petition.
Numerous celebrities lent their support to music education by signing their
names to the petition, including Nick Lachey, Jessica Simpson, Ashley
Simpson, JC Chasez, Run DMC, 3LW, Clay Aiken, Pauly Shore, cast members of
the hit shows The O.C. and Everwood, Amber Tamblyn of Joan of Arcadia, and
Teen People's Artist of the Year Sean Paul. For images, go to
www.wireimage.com and click on "DKNY Jeans Sponsors Celebrity Petition Drive
for themusicedge.com."
"DKNY//JEANS, as a brand, is always focused on representing and cultivating
teen spirit, energy and creativity" says Susan Davidson, President of
DKNY//JEANS. "It shows in our ads, our clothes, and the types of issues and
organizations we support. We are thrilled to have been able to create a
forum to support themusicedge.com at TEEN PEOPLE's coolest event of the
year." Geared as a launching pad for the ambitions of tomorrow's musicians,
themusicedge.com is a place where teens can go for information on up and
coming bands, current stars and a comprehensive guide to finding the right
instrument to express themselves with. The site also has a place where
teens across America are able to sign the same petition to Congress that
stars signed at the Artist of the Year party. The petition will be
delivered to Capitol Hill in March, as a part of AMC's activities
surrounding Music in Our Schools Month.
"By aligning ourselves with great partners like TEEN PEOPLE and DKNY//JEANS,
the American Music Conference and themusicedge.com are able to reach
millions of teens nationwide and give them access to music and the making of
it," states Laura Johnson, Associate Executive Director of AMC. "The
celebrity signatures obtained at the Artist of the Year Party and the
ongoing petition for music education will help us draw much-needed attention
to the music education crisis we now face and the millions of teens it is
affecting. It is our hope that with the help and support of those in the
music world, AMC, TEEN PEOPLE and DKNY//JEANS will be able to create
awareness of music education in schools and ultimately, impact music program
funding through the petition drive."
About AMC
Founded in 1947, The American Music Conference is a national non-profit
educational association dedicated to promoting the importance of music,
music making and music education to the general public. For more
information on the American Music Conference, go to www.amc-music.org.
About TEEN PEOPLE
TEEN PEOPLE, a National Magazine Award winner for General Excellence, is the
definitive voice of youth culture. Launched in January 1998, TEEN PEOPLE
became the first pop culture magazine for teens that focuses on stars, style
and substance. With an editorial mix covering celebrities and
entertainment, fashion and beauty, and real teens and their accomplishments,
TEEN PEOPLE keeps its readers clued in to what's now, what's next and what
matters. Published ten times a year with two newsstand special editions,
TEEN PEOPLE's guaranteed circulation is 1.6 million.
About DKNY//JEANS
Donna Karan International is one of the world's leading fashion design
houses. The Company designs, markets and distributes "designer" and "bridge"
collections of women's and men's apparel and sportswear, accessories and
shoes under the Donna Karan New York and DKNY brand names, respectively.
The DKNY Jeans and DKNY Jeans Juniors divisions are licensed categories for
Donna Karan International that fall under the DKNY family of products.
SOURCE American Music Conference
CO: American Music Conference; DKNY//JEANS; TEEN PEOPLE
ST: California
SU: CHI NPT
Web site: http://www.amc-music.org
http://www.prnewswire.com
11/17/2003 14:54 EST
Lycos Search
Presents The Lycos 50 for Week Ending November 15, 2003
WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Terra Lycos (Nasdaq:TRLY),
the global Internet Group, today announced the following information from
The Lycos 50(TM), the 50 most popular user searches for the week ending
November 15, 2003. For a complete list of The Lycos 50(TM) and for in-depth
text of The Lycos 50 Daily Report, go to http://50.lycos.com. Readers of
The Lycos 50 can also share their thoughts on Internet trends and pop
culture on The Lycos 50 Blog located at http://lycos50.tripod.com/blog/.
The Lycos 50(TM) Top 10 Search Terms for the Week Ending November 15, 2003:
1) Paris Hilton 6) The Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions
2) KaZaA 7) NFL
3) Britney Spears 8) Pamela Anderson
4) Christmas 9) Brooke Burke
5) Prince Charles 10)
Clay Aiken
***********************************
Notes of Interest:
With rumors flying around the Internet about a homemade sex tape, debutante
Paris Hilton rose to number eight on last week's The Lycos 50. Once the
tape itself hit the Web, Hilton skyrocketed to number one on this week's
list. For every search this week for KaZaA (#2), there were six searches
for Hilton or the tape. For every search this week for Britney Spears (#3),
there were eight searches for Hilton or the tape. There were more searches
for Hilton and the tape than there were for items ranked number two through
number 15 combined. Also this week, besides the Hilton tape, there are
plenty of searches for rumored pictures of former P.O.W. Jessica Lynch (#23)
-- which Hustler publisher Larry Flynt decided not to publish. Meanwhile,
with all the buzz surrounding the Paris Hilton video, Prince Charles drops
to number five this week, but there are still plenty of searches coming from
both sides of the Atlantic seeking insight into the mystery of the sexual
rumors surrounding the Prince of Wales.
Other Notes of Interest:
The return of B-level celebrity Anna Nicole Smith (#39) and the first-ever
Lycos 50 appearance for weight-loss supplement Trim Spa (#43) are both
connected to the beginning of an advertising campaign featuring Smith as the
Trim Spa spokeswoman. In an October 2002 Lycos 50 article about searches
for Trim Spa, it was noted that Howard Stern's cohorts had razzed Smith
about her weight during a Stern show appearance and told her to use Trim Spa
(which is a Stern advertiser). Apparently Smith listened, because she now
claims that the supplement has helped her get back to the same weight as her
Guess Jeans modeling days. Smith will now appear in commercials for Trim
Spa and is prominently featured on the product's Web site.
The Popularity of Tupac:
This week marks the highest-ever rank for rapper Tupac Shakur (#12), who
continues to consistently make appearances on The Lycos 50 -- and release
new albums -- despite the fact that he has been dead since 1996. The recent
wave of Tupac interest comes from a new documentary film on his life called
Tupac: Resurrection.
Election Watch:
Howard Dean continues to lead in Web popularity this week, generating 47
percent of the search activity among the democratic presidential candidates,
while John Kerry generated 16 percent, Wesley Clark 10 percent, and all
other democratic hopefuls combined, 27 percent.
About Terra Lycos
Terra Lycos is a global Internet group, with a presence in 40 countries in
19 languages. The group, which resulted from Terra Networks, S.A's
acquisition of Lycos, Inc. in October of 2000, operates some of the most
widely visited Web sites in the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America, and is
the largest access provider in Spain and Latin America. Terra Lycos'
network of Web sites includes Terra in 18 countries, Lycos in 22 countries,
Angelfire.com, Atrea.com, Azeler.es, Educaterra.com, Gamesville.com,
HotBot.com, Ifigenia.com, Invertia.com, Lycos Zone, Maptel.com,
Matchmaker.com, Quote.com, RagingBull.com, Rumbo.com, Tripod.com, Uno-e.com
and Wired News (Wired.com), among others. Terra Lycos, with headquarters in
Barcelona and operating centers in Madrid and Boston, as well as elsewhere,
is listed on the Madrid stock exchange (ticker: TRR) and on the Nasdaq
electronic market (ticker: TRLY).
Lycos(R) is a registered trademark of Carnegie Mellon University. All other
product or service marks mentioned herein are those of Terra Networks, S.A.,
Lycos, Inc. or their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Contact:
Kathy O'Reilly
Lycos
781-370-3454
kathy.o'reilly@corp.terralycos.com
SOURCE Terra Lycos
CO: Terra Lycos
ST: Massachusetts, Spain
SU:
Web site: http://www.lycos.com
http://www.prnewswire.com
11/18/2003 07:30 EST
Details prove
devilish for Sony, BMG merger
NEW YORK (Billboard) - Sony Corp. and Bertelsmann AG officials are facing
issues involving cost cutting and label integration as they race to come up
with a merger proposal to submit to regulators.
The two firms announced Nov. 6 that they signed a non-binding letter of
intent to merge their respective music arms, Sony Music Entertainment and
Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG), into a 50-50 joint-venture.
Blending the two sprawling global companies with distinct cultures while
attempting to satisfy antitrust scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic is
likely to be easier said than done.
"What's happening looks like the logical thing to do on paper, but the
practical issues are going to be much more difficult to iron out," says a
senior executive familiar with the talks.
Once all the details are worked out, the two companies expect to save in
excess of $300 million annually by combining their recorded music businesses
-- although the merger will initially cost close to $400 million, according
to both companies.
FORGING CULTURES
How labels will be integrated in the U.S. is the big unanswered question.
BMG operates in the U.S. with three different label groups: RCA/J under
Clive Davis, Arista under Antonio "L.A." Reid and Zomba under Barry Weiss.
Sony has two label groups in the U.S. -- Columbia and Epic -- both of which
are under the control of Sony Music U.S. president Don Ienner.
Sony and BMG executives say no decision has yet been made on whether some of
those groups will be merged.
In announcing the deal, BMG COO Michael Smellie told Billboard there hasn't
been "one moment's thought" given to if and how label groups will be merged.
He says the more immediate concern is coming up with a larger collective
structure that will clear regulatory hurdles.
But artist managers and legal reps say they are bracing for eventual label
consolidation and roster trimming.
"The result is going to be less people and less money to pay attention to
what will end up being fewer artists -- it's just inevitable," one leading
artist attorney says.
Making room for all the egos at Sony and BMG and forging a new, unified
culture at the combined company promises to be challenging.
"The two cultures could not be more different," says an artist manager who
has dealings with both companies.
A former Sony executive describes Sony as "a highly centralized structure,"
with a lot of financial control over the affiliates.
BMG, on the contrary, evolved from a decentralized structure focusing on
local repertoire and has developed a more global approach to the business.
With the top management for the new Sony BMG agreed on by both parties,
attention now is focusing on the next management level.
The deal between Sony and BMG would reunite Ienner with Davis. The two
worked together in the past at Arista.
Insiders at Sony suggest that pair could form a winning team.
"The key in the U.S. will be the relationship between Donnie and Clive," a
Sony source says. "Donnie is much more mature than people credit him for.
Clive takes direction from no one, but it could work."
Relations between executives at the top of the new organization -- BMG
chairman/CEO Rolf Schmidt-Holtz and Sony Music chairman/CEO Andrew Lack --
are expected to be aided by their mutual backgrounds in TV.
U.S. MARKET SHARE
Sources at Sony and BMG estimate that the new company will trail Universal
Music Group both globally and in the U.S. by one or two percentage points in
market share.
Through the first nine months of the year, the two companies have a combined
total album share of 27.7% in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan data.
UMG -- the current leader -- claims a 27.8% share as of the end of the third
quarter.
Sony and BMG have suffered share erosion in the U.S. in 2003. At the end of
the third quarter, Sony placed fifth in total album market share, with a
13.9% ranking -- down more than two percentage points from 16% a year ago.
BMG came in with 14% at the end of the third quarter, down from 14.4% last
year.
However, BMG is enjoying a strong fourth quarter, with releases from OutKast,
Clay Aiken and Dido. For October it had 18% of the total album market share
in the U.S. Britney Spears' latest, "In the Zone," (Jive) arrived Nov. 18.
Similar market-share figures by country are not available outside the U.S.
But BMG and Sony had a combined Pan-European albums chart share of 27.5% for
the first nine months of 2003, which would put them in the No. 1 spot.
In contrast, a combined EMI and Warner would have a Pan-European albums
chart share of 30.5%.
BMG is strong in the U.K. and Germany. Affiliates in both countries have
benefited from momentum created by the TV show "Pop Idol," while in Italy
local repertoire has proved to be a strong point.
Among the company's success stories are U.K. artist Dido and Eros Ramazzotti
from Italy. Both have been major sellers over the past five years.
Underperforming BMG affiliates are in France, Spain and Scandinavia. BMG has
already withdrawn from Greece. Instead of having a stand-alone company, its
catalog is licensed to a local firm.
Sony has a few bright spots. It is by far the strongest company in France,
Italy and the Scandinavian countries. But Germany is a dark spot, as is
Spain.
"Historically, Sony had the best global organization for setting
priorities," the manager says. "It is only quite recently that they started
to focus on local repertoire, especially in Europe."
Meanwhile, BMG has become a much more artist-friendly company than in the
past, the manager says.
Because of the shrinking music markets, BMG says that without the merger, it
would have been forced to scrutinize its rosters for further cuts.
"Now, however, we can build up national repertoire together with Sony and
promote the existing national stars more effectively," Bertelsmann
chairman/CEO Gunther Thielen says.
At the same time CBS announced a post-Super Bowl slot for the
much-anticipated all-star edition of its ratings juggernaut
Survivor, Fox trumpeted the launch date for the next installment of
its blockbuster
American Idol.
The Eye network will unveil Survivor: All-Stars, its long-rumored
tournament of champions competition rounding up 18 of the best known
hardbodies from the first seven Survivors, after Super Bowl XXXVIII
on February 1.
CBS and show mastermind Mark Burnett are remaining tightlipped for now on
who's expected to outwit, outlast and outplay.
But count on such usual suspects like original Survivor Richard "the
Snake" Hatch,
Survivor: The Australian Outback (news
-
Y! TV) winner Tina Wesson, Survivor: Africa's curly-topped
soccer stud Ethan Zorn and Survivor: Amazon's swimsuit model Jenna
Morasca to be in the running for the title of "Ultimate Sole Survivor" and
another $1 million jackpot.
And for those veterans voted out early, there's a nice consolation prize to
be had: Burnett has upped the total prize pool so that the first person to
get the boot gets $25,000, 10 times the amount normally awarded to the first
outcast.
The last time Survivor followed the big game was in 2001, when CBS
premiered Australian Outback after Super Bowl XXXV. That edition,
according to Nielsen Media Research, was eyeballed by a whopping 43.6
million viewers. Meanwhile, Survivor: Pearl Islands is the
second-most-watched show on television this season, averaging 20.4 million
viewers a week.
No word where Survivor: All Stars is currently filming. CBS is
keeping that a secret too. Since there are two more players than a typical
Survivor, the network is expected to broadcast 14 episodes instead of
the usual 13.
As for rival American Idol, Fox has slated the third go-round of its
popular amateur talent contest to debut with a two-hour special on January
20 followed by a one-hour episode on January 21.
Original judges
Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell will be on hand again as
Idol takes over its usual two night-a-week time slot--8 p.m. on Tuesdays
and 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Fox has also slated American Idol: Christmas Songs, a one-hour
holiday special featuring past champs Kelly Clarkson (news)
and Ruben Studdard, along with also-rans like Clay Aiken and Tamyra Gray,
for November 25.
Meanwhile, according to the New York Daily News, NBC is preparing to
dish out another helping of its reality hit, The Restaurant. Shooting
on the second season of the series, also produced by Burnett, is now
underway at Rocco's, the New York eatery opened last summer by chef Rocco
DiSpirito.
No air date has been set for the new episodes, but the new season reportedly
will update viewers on the agony and the ecstasy of running a TV restaurant
six months later.
The Peacock had originally considered opening up a new bistro with another
chef and a new batch of staffers, but Rocco's flavorful story--from his
meatball-making mama to the menu missteps, cold food, slow service, injured
employees and kitchen fires--whet the appetite of so many viewers that the
network opted to bring him back.
Per the Daily News, NBC is looking for Big Apple diners planning a
special occasion-- such as a marriage proposal, a wedding party or even a
breakup--to make a reservation and be a part of the series. So much for
keeping it real.
World Children's Day at McDonald's(TM) Slated for November 20, 2003
Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Simpson, Clay Aiken, David Foster, Justin Berfield
and Carl Lewis Join Worldwide Effort in Los Angeles to Benefit Ronald
McDonald House Charities(R) and Critical Children's
Causes WHAT: World Children's Day at McDonald's is an annual global
fundraiser for children, taking place in more than 100
countries to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities(R)
(RMHC(R)) and local children's causes around the
world. In support of World Children's Day, celebrities and
McDonald's Executives will participate in an event in Los
Angeles that will feature Jessica Simpson and
Clay Aiken
performing the World Children's Day anthem, "Aren't They All
Our Children," a song written by producer/songwriter David
Foster and his wife Linda Thompson that won the Emmy for
Outstanding Music and Lyrics at the "2003 Emmy Awards --
Presentation of the Creative Arts." The song will be performed
at a Ronald McDonald House event in Los Angeles as part of the
World Children's Day celebration. Following the event,
celebrities and executives will proceed to a McDonald's
restaurant to kick off the fundraiser by working behind the
counter. WHEN: Thursday, November 20, 2003, 9:30 a.m. PST
WHERE: Ronald McDonald House in LA: AND McDonald's Restaurant in
LA: 4560 Fountain Avenue 4166 Melrose
Ave Los Angeles, CA 90029 Los Angeles, CA
90029 9:30 a.m. PST 11:30 a.m. PST
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: Celebrities: * Dustin
Hoffman, Two-time Academy Award winner * Jessica Simpson, pop
icon and singing sensation *
Clay Aiken, "American Idol"
finalist * David Foster, Grammy-award winning
producer/composer * Justin Berfield, star of Fox TV's "Malcolm
in the Middle" * Carl Lewis, 10-time Olympic Medallist
McDonald's Executives: * Jim Cantalupo, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, McDonald's Corporation *
Mike Roberts, President, McDonald's USA * Ken Barun, President
and Chief Executive Officer, RMHC(C) * Don Thompson,
President-West Division, McDonald's Corporation * Ronald
McDonald, Chief Happiness Officer WHY: On this day, by purchasing
select items at participating McDonald's restaurants, people
worldwide have the opportunity to help children in their local
communities. Fundraising tactics will vary by country. In the
U.S., a donation will be made directly to RMHC for every
Premium Salad or French Fry purchased at participating
McDonald's restaurants from November 20-23. Last year's
inaugural program raised more than $12 million in 24
hours. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST INTERVIEWS, CONTACT:
Pamela Madrid, Porter Novelli, 310/444-7064 (Work) or 626/297-7243
(Cell) Alison Baseley, Golin/Harris International, 312/729-4194 (Work)
or 312/501-0112 (Cell) (C)2003 McDonald's Corporation SOURCE
McDonald's
CO: McDonald's; Ronald McDonald House Charities
ST: California
SU: NPT CHI MAV
http://www.prnewswire.com
11/20/2003 09:00 EST
World Children's
Day(TM) Raising Millions to Help Children in 100+ Countries
Satellite News Feed Thursday, November 20, 2003 5:00 - 5:15 p.m. EST
and 7:00 - 7:15 p.m. EST
Dustin Hoffman, Justin Timberlake, Celine Dion, Paul Newman, Venus and
Serena Williams, Jessica Simpson and Clay Aiken Among Those Lending a
Hand for
Worldwide Children's Fundraiser at McDonald's(R) November 20-23
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of participating McDonald's
restaurants in more than 100 countries worldwide are gearing up for World
Children's Day 2003, an annual worldwide fundraiser benefiting Ronald
McDonald House Charities(R) (RMHC(R)) and local children's causes.
A prestigious roster of world-renowned entertainers and athletes are lending
their support to this year's effort including superstar Justin Timberlake in
Milan, Italy; international diva Celine Dion in Las Vegas; philanthropist
and actor Paul Newman and tennis megastars Venus Williams and Serena
Williams in New York City; and in Los Angeles, award-winning actor Dustin
Hoffman, pop star Jessica Simpson, singing sensation Clay Aiken, and Grammy
award-winner producer/composer David Foster and his wife, lyricist Linda
Thompson.
Fundraising tactics in the restaurants vary by country. In the U.S., a
donation will be made directly to RMHC for every Premium Salad or French Fry
purchased at participating McDonald's restaurants from November 20-23.
The first-ever World Children's Day fundraiser held last year raised more
than $12 million in 24 hours.
B-roll includes:
Footage of:
* Dustin Hoffman at a Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House.
* Justin Timberlake at a McDonald's restaurant in Milan, Italy.
* Celine Dion reading to children and working behind the counter at a
McDonald's restaurant in Las Vegas.
* Paul Newman serving customers at McDonald's in New York.
* Serena Williams and Venus Williams serving French Fries and Premium
Salads(R) to customers and working with crew at McDonald's in New York.
* World Children's Day song performance by David Foster with singing
stars Jessica Simpson and Clay Aiken and children.
* Olympic champion Carl Lewis at a Ronald McDonald House in Los Angeles.
* Chicago Bear Brian Urlacher serving food to customers at McDonald's in
Chicago.
Soundbites from above celebrities and McDonald's executives including:
* Jim Cantalupo, Chairman and CEO
* Charlie Bell, President and COO
* Mike Roberts, President, McDonald's USA
* Ken Barun, President and CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities
