Go to a concert today and it’s a sea of smartphone screens. Now some artists aren’t allowing them. CBC’s Jason Osler and I explains why.
Fleetwood Mac to Launch Exclusive SiriusXM Channel
SiriusXM announced today that GRAMMY Award winning rock band Fleetwood Mac will launch an exclusive, limited-run SiriusXM channel, The Fleetwood Mac Channel, on Thursday, February 1.
The Fleetwood Mac Channel will showcase music from Fleetwood Mac’s extensive Rock & Roll Hall of Fame career, including their indelible hits, solo material, live songs, rare demo tracks and musical influences.
The channel will also include exclusive stories and insights from Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie, plus special hosted shows by band members.
Fleetwood Mac will be honored at the 2018 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute on Friday, January 26 in recognition of their significant creative accomplishments and their longtime support of a number of charitable causes, including MusiCares, the premier safety net of critical resources for the music industry.
SiriusXM’s The Fleetwood Mac Channel kicks off on Thursday, February 1 at 12:00 pm ET, via satellite on channel 4, and through the SiriusXM app on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com.
Jon Bon Jovi and Acclaimed French Winemaker, Gérard Bertrand Join Forces to Launch a Premium Rosé Wine
Award winning music icon, Jon Bon Jovi and acclaimed French winemaker, Gérard Bertrand, have joined forces to launch a premium rosé wine label, Diving into Hampton Water, soon to be available in the US market.
The venture was inspired by Bon Jovi’s son, Jesse Bongiovi, former Notre Dame football player, who played a pivotal role in the brand’s creation. The idea to create a wine, emblematic of a bon vivant lifestyle, emerged during time spent in the Hamptons, between Bon Jovi and his son. Rosé, a popular drink for the Bongiovi’s, had initially been dubbed ‘pink juice’ by Bon Jovi, until Jesse and a friend inadvertently coined the name, Hampton Water, and an idea was born.
Bon Jovi and Jesse began exploring this idea as a real enterprise, designing bottles and building on concepts. They were eventually introduced to Gérard Bertrand by a mutual friend and the three quickly developed a shared vision, to create a unique rosé, uniting the essence of the relaxed lifestyles of the Hamptons and the South of France. “We’d tried rosé from everywhere,” says Jesse. “But when we visited Gérard, we realized that there is an entire coastline in France that is producing some of the best-kept secrets on Earth.”
Coincidently, Jon Bon Jovi and Gérard Bertrand, both giants in their respective fields, had a lot in common. “We just hit it off immediately,” Bon Jovi reports of their first meeting. “We found that we shared a love of family, food, friends, and of course, great wine and great music.” Gérard Bertrand hosts a jazz festival at his main wine estate, Château l’Hospitalet, each year. “For me the connection between wine and music is organic,” says Gérard Bertrand. “I want to create a link between the emotions that spark off a great song and good wine. They elevate each other.”
After a number of visits between the US and Gérard Bertrand’s wineries in the South of France, as well as numerous blending and tasting sessions, the wine is now ready for release. The wine is described as a fresh and lively rosé, with distinctive minerality, featuring Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre, grape varieties characteristic of the French Mediterranean region.
Bon Jovi states, “Creating this wine with Gérard was just as creative as collaborating with another songwriter, Gérard uses his talents and wine knowledge just like a gifted musician. And working with my son on this has been an amazing experience.”
Diving into Hampton Water rosé wine is set to hit the shelves before spring 2018 and will retail for $25.
Andrew Lloyd Webber Unmasked: The Platinum Collection To Be Released March 16th, 2018
As one of the most successful composers of the modern era, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s repertoire includes some of the world’s most celebrated musicals; Sunset Boulevard, Cats, Aspects Of Love, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Starlight Express, The Phantom of The Opera, School of Rock and Love Never Dies – to name but a few.
Last year, Lloyd Webber became the only person to equal the record set in 1953 by Rodgers & Hammerstein with four shows running concurrently on Broadway (Sunset Boulevard, Cats, The Phantom of the Opera and School of Rock). Two of his shows are currently running in both Broadway and the West End: School Of Rock and The Phantom of the Opera, and his musicals have grossed more than $13.6 billion and have been watched by 302 million people across 44 countries. He has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide.
In celebration of his 70th birthday this March, ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER UNMASKED: THE PLATINUM COLLECTION will be available March 16.
The collection is personally curated and overseen by Lloyd Webber to include classics from his earliest work starting with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat through his most recent School of Rock.
Newly recorded songs from superstar artists Lana Del Rey (“You Must Love Me”, Evita), Nicole Scherzinger (“Memory”, Cats) and Gregory Porter (“Light at the End of the Tunnel”, Starlight Express) and add to the collection of his cherished works from the past five decades.
The set also contains recordings by world-class performers such as Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Michael Ball, and released for the first time, Beyoncé singing “Learn To Be Lonely” from the 2005 Academy Awards with Lloyd Webber accompanying on piano.
UNMASKED: THE PLATINUM COLLECTION is available as 2 CD and 4 CD editions. The 4-disc version contains an exclusive 40-page book with a personally penned introduction from Lloyd Webber and in-depth notes on each track, written by respected theatre critic and Lloyd Webber biographer Michael Coveney, together with tributes from Barbra Streisand and Glenn Close among others.
The fourth disc encompasses a mix of overtures and showstoppers from Lloyd Webber’s key works, as well as newly created orchestral suites. The five new orchestral suites have been specially prepared from existing recordings, emphasizing the grand orchestral aspects of his work. All CDs were mastered at Abbey Road Studios.
Lloyd Webber’s productions have sold more than 330 million tickets worldwide. The Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running show on Broadway and second longest-running show in West End history. Cats and The Phantom of the Opera are two of Broadway’s four highest grossing shows. The Phantom of the Opera original cast album is the No. 1 Broadway album of all time in the U.S. and the #175 biggest seller among ALL albums of the SoundScan era in the U.S. In addition to his worldwide sales and audiences, Lloyd Webber has been recognised by critics and peers with numerous accolades and awards including seven Oliviers, seven Tonys, three Grammys, one Golden Globe and an Oscar.
Also in celebration of his 70th birthday, Lloyd Webber’s new autobiography UNMASKED, will be released by HarperCollins on March 6th in the U.S. and on March 8th in the U.K. Written entirely in his own words, Lloyd Webber recounts his fascinating life and remarkable career. A natural storyteller, with his signature humour and self-deprecating tone, Lloyd Webber shares the details of his early personal and professional years, including his early artistic influences. He takes stock of his achievements, the twists of fate and circumstance, which brought him both success and disappointment, and the passions that inspire and sustain him.
ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER ‘UNMASKED: THE PLATINUM COLLECTION’ TRACKLISTING
CD ONE
01 SUPERSTAR • MURRAY HEAD & THE TRINIDAD SINGERS
02 THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA • SARAH BRIGHTMAN & MICHAEL CRAWFORD
03 OH WHAT A CIRCUS • ANTONIO BANDERAS & MADONNA
04 LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING • MICHAEL BALL
05 STICK IT TO THE MAN • ALEX BRIGHTMAN & THE BROADWAY CAST OF SCHOOL OF ROCK
06 MEMORY • NICOLE SCHERZINGER
07 NO MATTER WHAT • BOYZONE
08 WITH ONE LOOK • BARBRA STREISAND
09 BUENOS AIRES • GLEE CAST
10 DON’T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA • JULIE COVINGTON
11 TAKE THAT LOOK OFF YOUR FACE • MARTI WEBB
12 I’M HOPELESS WHEN IT COMES TO YOU • JOANNA RIDING
13 LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL • GREGORY PORTER
14 THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT • MICHAEL CRAWFORD
15 GETHSEMANE ( I ONLY WANT TO SAY) • IAN GILLAN
16 ANY DREAM WILL DO • DONNY OSMOND
17 AMIGOS PARA SIEMPRE • SARAH BRIGHTMAN & JOSÉ CARRERAS
18 I DON’T KNOW HOW TO LOVE HIM • YVONNE ELLIMAN
CD TWO
01 AS IF WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE • GLENN CLOSE
02 THEME AND VARIATIONS 1-4 • ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
03 UNEXPECTED SONG • SARAH BRIGHTMAN
04 YOU MUST LOVE ME • LANA DEL REY
05 EVERYTHING’S ALRIGHT • YVONNE ELLIMAN, IAN GILLAN & MURRAY HEAD
06 THE VAULTS OF HEAVEN • TOM JONES & THE SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS
07 ANOTHER SUITCASE IN ANOTHER HALL • MADONNA
08 YOU’RE IN THE BAND • BROADWAY CAST OF SCHOOL OF ROCK
09 IT’S EASY FOR YOU • ELVIS PRESLEY
10 COLD • THE EVERLY BROTHERS
11 COME BACK WITH THE SAME LOOK • DENISE VAN OUTEN
12 I AM THE STARLIGHT • MICA PARIS & GEORGE URE
13 MR. MISTOFFELEES • PAUL NICHOLAS
14 TELL ME ON A SUNDAY • MICHAEL CRAWFORD
15 THINK OF ME • EMMY ROSSUM & PATRICK WILSON
16 RAINBOW HIGH • ELAINE PAIGE
17 ALL I ASK OF YOU • CLIFF RICHARD & SARAH BRIGHTMAN
18 WISHING YOU WERE SOMEHOW HERE AGAIN (LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL) • SIERRA BOGGESS
BONUS TRACK LEARN TO BE LONELY (LIVE AT THE OSCARS) • BEYONCÉ & ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
CD THREE
01 JACOB & SONS/COAT OF MANY COLOURS • JANET METZ, DONNY OSMOND, MICHAEL FLETCHER & THE CANADIAN CAST
02 CLOSE EVERY DOOR • DONNY OSMOND
03 HEAVEN ON THEIR MINDS (LIVE – ARENA TOUR) • TIM MINCHIN
04 KING HEROD’S SONG • ALICE COOPER
05 SKIMBLESHANKS • KEN WELLS & THE ORIGINAL LONDON CAST OF CATS
06 MACAVITY: THE MYSTERY CAT • WENDY EDMEAD & DONNA KING
07 YOU’VE NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD • STEPHEN WARD ORIGINAL LONDON CAST
08 I’D BE SURPRISINGLY GOOD FOR YOU • ELENA ROGER & PHILIP QUAST
09 EVERMORE WITHOUT YOU • MARTIN CREWES
10 I BELIEVE MY HEART • DUNCAN JAMES & KEEDIE
11 IF ONLY YOU WOULD LISTEN • THE BROADWAY CAST OF SCHOOL OF ROCK
12 SING • MILITARY WIVES
13 HOSANNA • JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LONDON CAST
14 HOSANNA • PLÁCIDO DOMINGO, SARAH BRIGHTMAN & THE CHOIR OF WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL
15 PIE JESU • SARAH BRIGHTMAN & PAUL MILES-KINGSTON
16 BY JEEVES • STEVEN PACEY, SIMON DAY & NICHOLAS HAVERSON
17 WHERE DID THE ROCK GO? • FLORENCE ANDREWS
CD FOUR
01 PHANTOM PHANTASY • ORIGINAL LONDON ORCHESTRA
02 MASQUERADE • ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE CAST
03 ‘TIL I HEAR YOU SING • RAMIN KARIMLOO
04 LOVE NEVER DIES ORCHESTRAL SUITE • ORIGINAL LONDON ORCHESTRA
05 LOVE NEVER DIES • SIERRA BOGGESS
06 THE BEAUTY UNDERNEATH • BEN LEWIS & CASEY LYONS
07 VARIATIONS ON VARIATIONS • ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
08 JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR OVERTURE • ORIGINAL JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR ORCHESTRA
09 OVERTURE AND THE BEAUTIFUL GAME • ORIGINAL CAST AND ORCHESTRA FROM THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
10 IF THIS IS WHAT WE’RE FIGHTING FOR • JOSIE WALKER
11 CATS OVERTURE • THE ORIGINAL LONDON ORCHESTRA
12 THE JELLICLE BALL • CATS MOTION PICTURE ORCHESTRA
13 SUNSET SUITE • ORIGINAL BROADWAY ORCHESTRA
14 SUNSET BOULEVARD • KEVIN ANDERSON
15 ASPECTS OF ASPECTS • ORCHESTER DER VEREINIGTEN BUEHNEN WIEN
16 SEEING IS BELIEVING • MICHAEL BALL & SARAH BRIGHTMAN
17 ANYTHING BUT LONELY • SARAH BRIGHTMAN
Reba McEntire Is Playing KFC’s The Colonel
Kentucky Fried Chicken announced today that it has selected the first ever globally-known music superstar to play the role of Colonel Harland Sanders. Beginning January 28, ads featuring multiple Grammy-Award winning entertainer Reba McEntire will air on television and computer screens nationwide to promote KFC’s new Smoky Mountain BBQ fried chicken.
An iconic performer through and through, McEntire is the first female celebrity to play the role in KFC’s rotating Colonel advertising campaign. The multi-faceted “Queen of Country” is a lover of fried chicken and has plenty of Southern charm, making her the perfect fit to promote Smoky Mountain BBQ and KFC’s authentic southern-inspired flavors.
“I grew up with Kentucky Fried Chicken. It’s part of my story, and I’m so excited to now be part of theirs,” said McEntire. “I’ve held a lot of roles in my life – sort of like the Colonel himself – but this is certainly the most unique one yet.”
KFC’s Smoky Mountain BBQ fried chicken blends barbeque recipes from Memphis and the Carolinas, creating a BBQ flavor that launches in participating U.S. restaurants on January 29.
Depeche Mode To Release 55 Watches To Benefit charity: water, Inspired By Their 55 Singles
One of the most influential, beloved and best-selling musical acts of all time, Depeche Mode have sold over 100 million records worldwide and have played to more than 30 million fans since their formation in 1981. And, in their 37 year career, Depeche Mode have released an incredible 55 singles, from “Dreaming of Me” in 1981 to last year’s release of “Cover Me”. In tribute to this incredible achievement, the Swiss watchmaker Hublot introduces a collection of 55 unique pieces of its Big Bang Unico model, all to benefit Hublot and Depeche Mode’s charity partner charity: water.
Each of the watches features, on its dial, a disc that partially shows the image of the record cover it represents. The back of each watch features the entire cover of the single as well as the charity: water logo. These two elements are imprinted on the sapphire of the glass opening onto the famous automatic UNICO movement. Produced by the Hublot manufacture, it provides a power reserve of 72 hours. Each piece will be fitted with a strap in a colour specific to each model, completed with cuff straps in the same hue, and rock-and-roll-inspired rubber studs.
charity: water, based in New York City, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries worldwide. Depeche Mode and Hublot have actively supported charity: water since 2013, with their first partnership bringing safe, clean water to over 30,000 people in Nepal and Ethiopia.
Net proceeds from the sale of the 55 unique pieces will go to charity: water, as part of the larger charity initiative between Depeche Mode, Hublot and charity: water. You can get the watches here.
SiriusXM Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Results
SiriusXM today announced fourth quarter and full-year 2017 operating and financial results, including record revenue of $1.4 billion and $5.4 billion, respectively, each increasing 8% versus the prior year periods.
The Company’s net (loss) income totaled $(37) million and $648 million in the fourth quarter and full-year 2017, respectively, compared to $205 million and $746 million in the fourth quarter and full-year 2016, respectively. Net (loss) income per diluted common share was $(0.01) and $0.14 in the fourth quarter and full-year 2017, respectively, compared to $0.04 and $0.15 in the fourth quarter and full-year 2016, respectively. The fourth quarter and full-year 2017 net income results reflect a $185 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, charge associated with the revaluation of the Company’s deferred tax assets as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In the fourth quarter 2017, the Company also recorded a decrease of approximately $72 million, or approximately $0.02 per diluted share, in the fair value of its investment in Pandora, reversing the prior quarter’s unrealized gains.
Adjusted EBITDA grew 14% and 13% in the fourth quarter and full-year 2017, respectively, to a record $542 million and $2.12 billion. Free cash flow and operating cash flow in the fourth quarter 2017 increased 7% and 8%, respectively, to $460 million and $542 million. Full-year 2017 free cash flow and operating cash flow grew 3% and 8%, respectively, to $1.56 billion and $1.86 billion.
“The fourth quarter capped a strong year for SiriusXM and was our best quarter for self-pay subscriber growth in five years. We exceeded all of our 2017 subscriber and financial guidance, even after increasing these targets during the year. I am particularly pleased that we achieved this growth in an environment of slowing auto sales. Earlier this month, we outlined our goals to grow subscribers, revenue and adjusted EBITDA in 2018, and at the Detroit Auto Show, we unveiled with Fiat Chrysler the new Ram 1500, which will soon be available to consumers with our new 360L interface,” commented Jim Meyer, Chief Executive Officer, SiriusXM.
“SiriusXM didn’t let up in the fourth quarter in finding and delivering outstanding new programming for our national audience. We see this as a true competitive advantage and simply part of our DNA. From the launch of new college sports channels from major conferences, to a new comedy channel with Kevin Hart and a new show with Ricky Gervais, to our newly launched 24/7 channel with Barstool Sports, to breaking new artists across multiple genres, and to exclusive concerts with icons such as the Eagles and Duran Duran in special venues, we never stop delivering the best radio for our subscribers,” added Meyer.
FULL-YEAR 2017 HIGHLIGHTS
- Self-Pay Subscribers Exceed 27.5 Million. The Company added 527,000 net new self-pay subscribers in the fourth quarter and 1.56 million for the full-year to end 2017 with approximately 27.5 million self-pay subscribers. Total net additions in the fourth quarter and full-year were 569,000 and 1.39 million, respectively, taking the Company’s total subscriber count to approximately 32.7 million at year-end. As of December 31, 2017, SiriusXM Canada had approximately 2.8 million subscribers. SiriusXM Canada’s subscribers are not included in the Company’s subscriber count or subscriber-based operating metrics. The Company also provides traffic services to approximately 7.5 million vehicles.
- Strong Revenue and ARPU Growth. Full-year 2017 revenue climbed 8% compared to the year ago period to a record $5.4 billion. The growth was driven primarily by a 4% increase in subscribers and a 3% increase in average revenue per user (ARPU) to $13.25.
- Record Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA in 2017 reached a record $2.12 billion, up 13% from $1.88 billion in 2016. The Company’s adjusted EBITDA margin was an all-time high of 38.9% in 2017, a 160 basis point increase from 37.3% in 2016.
- Free Cash Flow Reached a Record $1.56 Billion. Free cash flow for 2017 totaled $1.56 billion, up 3% from $1.51 billion in 2016. Operating cash flow for 2017 totaled $1.86 billion, up 8% from 2016.
“2017 was an aggressive year for capital deployment at SiriusXM. The Company deployed approximately $2.45 billion to return capital to our stockholders and to make strategic investments in Pandora, SiriusXM Canada and connected vehicle services through Automatic. During the year, we repurchased nearly 271 million shares of our common stock for approximately $1.4 billion. We also paid $190 million in dividends to stockholders last year, and increased the dividend by 10% in November 2017. Additionally, our Board of Directors recently approved an additional $2 billion of common stock repurchases, taking our total authorization to $12 billion. At the end of last year, our debt to adjusted EBITDA was just 3.2 times, and we had cash on hand of approximately $69 million and undrawn revolver capacity of nearly $1.5 billion,” noted David Frear, Chief Financial Officer, SiriusXM.
Dubset Releases Exclusive DJ Sets From Steve Aoki, Sigala, DJ Suss One And More On Apple Music
Dubset Media Holdings announced today that the company has partnered with Apple Music to provide hundreds of DJ mixes to the streaming platform, including three never-before-heard DJ sets from Steve Aoki, Sigala and DJ Suss One. These mixes celebrate the availability of the millions of tracks in Dubset’s MixBank service including those from major label imprints as well as renowned indies like Stones Throw, XL Recordings, Ninja Tune, Domino, Mozzy Records, !K7, Warp Records, Monstercat, Last Kings, Tommy Boy, Anjunabeats, Fool’s Gold, and Axtone among others. DJs all over the world can now tap into this massive library to create their own mixes and are encouraged to check the available catalog by utilizing Dubset’s MixBANK Catalog Search, which is accessible with any free MixBANK account.
“These incredible mixes are a fitting celebration of our shared goal of providing innovative mixes for music fans, while ensuring artists are fairly compensated for their work,” said Dubset Media CEO Stephen White. “Our technology is opening new avenues of revenue for rights holders, artists and DJs, and allows fans around the world to not only listen but to create and distribute new mixed and remixed content in a legal way.”
“How amazing is it to be able to quickly and freely throw together a mix of tracks with no clearances or paperwork required?” said Steve Aoki. “It’s the dawn of a new era. I can’t wait to see what aspiring DJs and Aoki fans do with my music in their own sets.”
Grammy-nominated Mr. Aoki’s 2011-2017 retrospective megamix showcases work from seven years worth of albums and singles which feature his collaborations with today’s biggest stars including Gucci Mane, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty & Migos, Fall Out Boy, and many more. Meanwhile, UK Platinum hit radio artist Sigala provides a 30-minute house mix of some of his favorite tracks of 2017 while working in a couple throwback 90’s hip hop and R&B jams.
“Dubset’s new platform is revolutionary!” says Sigala. “It’s so good to easily upload a mix of tracks direct for everyone to hear, and to be the first UK artist to have a mix go live is a massive honor. The future is here!”
To round out the mixes, veteran radio jockey DJ Suss One put together a tribute to classic hip hop featuring the works of many of the all-time greats. Listeners may know DJ Suss One from his current residencies at New York City’s Power 105 and SiriusXM’s Hip Hop Nation – two of the most influential hip hop outlets in the world.
Dubset’s MixBANK technology platform adeptly serves rights holders by solving the complex problem of identifying the underlying musical recordings sampled within DJ sets and remixes. Once the tracks are identified, the platform determines the label and publishing rights holders (a DJ set could have as many as 100 different rights holders), and simultaneously clears the DJ sets or remix across all rights holders within minutes. Dubset enables record labels and music publishers to set permissions for access via a simple rules-based system which enables catalogs to be efficiently monetized and precludes the need to conduct time consuming searches and initiate claims.
Steve Aoki “The Retrospective Mix: 2011 –2017”
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-retrospective-mix-2011-2017/1339218947
DJ Suss One “Hip Hop Classics – Part 1”
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hip-hop-classics-part-1-hip-hop-classics-part-1/1338982765
Sigala “Sigala’s Picks”
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sigalas-picks/1338903805
Choir! Choir! Choir! Teamed Up With David Byrne To Perform David Bowie’s “Heroes”
Choir! Choir! Choir! teamed up with David Byrne and a TON of singers in the Ford Foundation lobby of the Public Theater during Under the Radar Festival to sing David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’.
Tom Hanks on His Most Embarrassing Audition
Tom Hanks discusses his most embarrassing audition for a touring show of Grease, when he showed up to the audition with a terrible head cold.