Unique Online Streaming Music Service Launched by INgrooves & Thump Radio

INgrooves and Thump Radio announced the launch of ThumpINgrooves, an online streaming music service with eight pre-programmed channels featuring Thump Radio's live recordings of the world's top DJs and hits from INgrooves' vast catalogue of Dance & Electronic music.

Subscribers to ThumpINgrooves will now be able to stream music from their favorite DJs and artists in the comfort of their own home or office. The Dance & Electronic genre focused service will feature recorded DJ sets from the likes of: Danny Howells, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Mark Farina, Sasha and Digweed, Infected Mushroom and Seb Fontaine; and new releases from DanceStar award winner Sander Kleinenberg, Kaskade, Shpongle, Johnny Vicious, and more.

Brian McDonald, Co-Founder of Thump Radio, comments; "For over 5 years, electronic music fans have been clamoring for high quality streams of the epic sets we've recorded at live events around the country.. We're very proud to launch this service where people can re-live, or enjoy for the first time, these amazing sets in high-bit rate streams. And adding the INgrooves content is the icing on the cake as fans can rediscover classic hits from elite Dance & Electronic artists." No existing streaming music service offers this combination of recorded DJ sets and hits from today's top Dance & Electronic artists.

"ThumpINgrooves is launching with some of the best and most exclusive content available", commented Robb McDaniels, CEO and Co-Founder of digital record label INgrooves. "Future releases of ThumpINgrooves will include on-demand streaming so you can select your favorite DJ show, download links, video and artist interviews." The service also plans on adding additional content channels in the coming months.

Open Letter To MTV From The Independents Of Europe The End Of Independent Music On MTV's European Networks

Artists and labels across Europe have come together to protest at the way in which MTV has tried to get independent record companies to provide videos of their artists at a rate which is far less than their economic and cultural value and less than half the previous rate. Independent artists and record companies object to the high-handed way in which MTV is trying to reduce its costs.

If MTV loves music and artists, this is not the way to treat them. MTV has now threatened to take off air all videos produced by independent labels that refuse to agree its new terms.

In our opinion, the terms being offered by MTV are totally unacceptable, being:

* Less than half the fees payable under the previous deal, but for an increase in the number of television channels.

* New rights thrown in, including the right to use our videos online and on mobiles - all for the same flat fee, regardless of MTV's dollars (since withdrawn).

* The proposed new deal runs forever - no R.P.I increase, no more fees for EC accession countries, nor for any new channels you create or acquire.

* MTV says that the promotion compensates for the value. No one denies that play on MTV may be beneficial, but it should be recognised that the labels provide MTV with its core content and so should be effectively recompensed at competitive commercial rates.

* MTV is likely to earn millions out of deals with mobile phone operators, advertisers, sponsors and consumers - without any further payment currently offered to the music makers who make these deals possible except the flat fee offered, less than half the old rate.

We find the MTV claim that it values independent music to be totally at odds with its actions. We are certain that the vast majority of fans throughout Europe would agree with this. An MTV without the likes of The White Stripes, 2 Many DJs, Dizzee Rascal, Carla Bruni, Rasmus, Franz Ferdinand, Travis, Moloko, Mis-Teeq, So Solid Crew, Martina Topley Bird, Badly Drawn Boy, Craig David, Coldcut and The Prodigy will be much poorer and will short-change the fans. An MTV without labels like PIAS, Naive, Ninja Tune, Telstar, Beggars, Independiente, Rough Trade, Echo, Domino, Ministry of Sound, XL Recordings and many others will be just like any other mainstream pop channel. Good luck, MTV!!

Finally, we have stood by and watched companies like MTV become vast, profitable and successful broadcasters. Without music, MTV would not exist, and yet we get a comparatively tiny return from their use of our videos. It is time the music makers stood up for themselves to re-establish fair value for their work. We value MTV - we wish they would value us in the same way.

Yours sincerely,

The Undersigned

The independent labels from across Europe including France, Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and the UK.

Letter To Independent Labels Of Europe From MTV

I have been a music lover all my life as many of you who already know me know, and MTVNE also loves music whatever you may have been told or read in the press recently.

MTVNE value artists - all artists. We respect them and their repertoire, big and small, indie and major, but above all we value our relationships with artists and labels - having spent nearly 20 years fighting their corner. Events over the last few days have jeopardised some of our most treasured relationships.

Don't get me wrong - we still fundamentally believe that collective licensing does not serve the best interests of independent labels as they relate to MTV. Direct deals offer many significant benefits and we remain convinced at the strength of our case - and unconvinced by the arguments and tactics of the VPL and AIM. However, in the interests of supporting the issues that the indies have raised and in a genuine effort to reach a resolution we have decided to return to the negotiating table with the VPL.

This is not just about the money - our invaluable relationships with the independent music community dictates that this is the right course.

Our goal, as always, is to ensure that all good music, including independent artists and repertoire, retain their unique position on our network.

I trust that this is a goal you share.

Respect

Brent Hansen
President & Chief Executive, MTV Networks Europe
President of Creative, MTV International.

Zakk Wylde & Black Label Society "Hangover Music Vol. VI"

On April 20th, Zakk Wylde and his band, Black Label Society, release their fifth studio album, "Hangover Music Vol. VI", through Spitfire Records. The New Jersey born singer/song writer/guitarist formed BLS in 1998 while maintaining his role as Ozzy Osbourne's lead guitarist.

One of the last remaining rock stars, Zakk Wylde has earned the right to do as he pleases. A rare alternative to the image-conscious music scene, he's more content in his backyard cleaning up after his Rottweiler's than attending parties and award ceremonies. Always unpretentious, Zakk has many accolades, acquiring many multi platinum CD's with Osbourne, a Grammy and winning Guitar World's acclaimed MVP two years in a row. Black Label Society is an extension of the persona and force created by Osbourne's side, allowing Wylde to get his hands dirty with some of the most dark, fearsome and thunderous hard rock of the Modern Age.

Now comes an album that will turn all preconceptions about Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society firmly on their head. As the title implies, "Hangover Music" is a thought-provoking, warming and consistently fascinating collection of songs that show off the mellower side of Zakk's personality. As much a fan of Elton John and Neil Young as Black Sabbath, Pantera and Judas Priest, Wylde shows his true diversity here.

From the hypnotic opening strains of "Crazy or High" to an emotional vocal-piano interpretation of Procol Harum's 1967 hit, "A Whiter Shade of Pale", the album vacillates between moments of claustrophobic density ("Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow") to the tragic ("She Deserves A Free Ride"). It also contains a lucid song called "Layne", which is a moving tribute to the late Alice In Chains front man, Layne Staley.

"What would be the point of putting out the same damn album each time?" retorts Zakk. "This one's darker and heavier than some of our previous CD's, maybe in the vein of when Alice In Chains did "Jar of Flies" but its still a Black Label record. I loved it when GN'R did mellow shit like "Lies".....those are the CD's we listen to during 20 hour bus rides or after a night of "brewtality".

Leahy-Hatch Bill Takes Aim At Copyright Infringement

Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) Thursday introduced a bill that would expand the Department of Justice's (DOJ) arsenal in protecting the creative work of artists, authors and others against copyright infringement. The Protecting Intellectual Rights Against Theft and Expropriation Act (PIRATE Act) would extend DOJ's current authority to permit its filing of civil copyright infringement cases. Under current law, the Attorney General can only bring criminal copyright cases, which can be difficult to prosecute because, among other factors, they require a high standard of proof. The Leahy-Hatch bill would allow the Attorney General to file civil claims that could include damages and restitution without criminal penalties.

=> Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Introduction Of The PIRATE ACT
=> Statement Of Senator Orrin Hatch On Introduction Of The PIRATE ACT

Latin Cool Now: A New Destination For Latin Jazz, Afro-Cuban And Jazz Online

A new and exciting place to find the best Latin Jazz, Afro-Cuban and Jazz music has arrived. Latin Cool NOW (www.latincoolnow.com) is a digital download store offering the best in Latin music - both the classics and the latest arrivals. Newly launched Latin Cool NOW will house a catalogue of tens of thousands of songs, all on sale for 99 cents each. Fans will be able to select individual tracks from the artists they love and create their own compilations.

Latin Cool NOW is an example of the proactive position that its founder, David Wasserman, has taken to further showcase the top talent on the Latin, Latin Jazz and Jazz fronts. "I think this is a great opportunity for lovers of Latin Jazz and Afro Cuban music to discover a gold mine of wonderful recordings."

Wasserman, along with co-founder Bobby Marin, acknowledges the plight of the music industry and its on-going battle against piracy and illegal downloads. As such, Latin Cool Now has created a place where lovers and connoisseurs of Latin music can gather to easily - and legally - listen to and buy from one of the greatest collections of Latin Jazz and Cuban music ever assembled online.

Defendants Settle FTC Charges They Deceived Consumers Trying To Vote For Their Favorite "American Idol" Contestant

On behalf of the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint and consent order against several Utah-based defendants settling Commission charges that they deceived approximately 25,000 consumers who were trying to call the popular television show "American Idol" to vote for their favorite performer during the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

According to the FTC's complaint, the defendants took advantage of callers who inadvertently misdialed the "American Idol" phone numbers by buying numbers that were very close to - but not the same as - the correct numbers (i.e., an 800 prefix instead of the 866 prefix or a switch in two of the digits (1-866-463-5701 instead of 1-866-436-5701)) and that routed the callers to the defendants' own toll-free lines. The callers were then allegedly led to believe that they had to call a 900 number to place their vote, and that they had to pay a fee ranging from $1.99 to $2.97 per call.

Independent Label Guitar CD Wins Smooth Jazz Award

There are some people that say that the guitar isn't a good fit to headline a Smooth Jazz track. There are Critics who snubbed the guitar laden CD for it's edgy approach to the genre. All that aside, the votes are in and the CD Guitars On Fire -(G-Fire) is still winning listeners at Smooth Jazz commercial radio all across the U.S., and internationally as well.

"G-Fire", the Smooth Jazz/Jazz Fusion guitar CD from black owned and operated Los Angeles based independent record label Boosweet Records, recently won a much deserved award from the world's most listened to Internet station for Smooth Jazz music, smoothjazz.com, in the form of a "Smoothie Award". Airplay information was compiled from reporting stations in the Smooth Jazz genre nationally, and the Top 20 most played independent releases for 2003 were given awards, "G-Fire" finished #13 in this category.

When the originator and producer of the "G-Fire" CD project, Vernon Neilly, was asked what he felt about the success of "G-Fire", he commented, "although the playing field in this genre is very uneven for African Americans because of the politics that exist, but through hard and dedicated promotional work from my staff at Boosweet Records, and the independent promoters I hired that believed in the project, we were able to make a decent showing. The DJ's out there who had the guts to play the CD, and the consumers all around the world who have bought "G-Fire" are proof positive that it's a good CD."

Summer Hartbauer Places 1st In Songwriting Contest

Summer Hartbauer won 1st place in Krystal 93's Songwriting Contest. Krystal 93 is the largest radio station in Summit Country Colorado broadcast to Dillon, Frisco, Breckenridge, Vail and surrounding areas.

This contest was audience-judged and the room at Barkley's, in Frisco, was packed. Summer was featured in the third round of songwriter's competition and when she stood to sing "Sweet Addiction" the room became silent. When she finished, the crowd roared. In the final round, the crowd didn't wait until she finished her new song, "Someone Chose Me". They started cheering during Summer's singing of "Someone Chose Me" and went wild after she finished.

Summer has approx. 90 original songs and her career highlights include:

*1st Place in Krystal 93's Songwriting Contest

*MI2N's "Best of Batch" for her CD: Somebody's Dream

*Cover story for the Colorado Springs Independent Feb. 5, 2004

*NEWCOMER of the Year 2003 (Hapi Skratch Records/distributor)

*Colgate Country Music Showdown Colorado State Champion

*KMTS/Glenwood Springs 1st Place

Ash Street Music Adds Andrew Dorff To Roster

Greg Dorschel, President, Ash Street Music, Nashville, TN, has announced the signing of its newest songwriter, Andrew Dorff. Dorff, who comes to Ash Street Music from Los Angeles, signed with the company securing an exclusive writing deal that unites this talented singer/songwriter with one of music row's fasted growing and innovative music publishing companies.

Dorff initially launched his musical career at age 15 when his first song (a collaborative effort with his father, Steve Dorff, and Larry Herbstritt) was recorded by Donny Osmond ("The Echo Of Your Whisper"). The song was featured on Osmond's Christmas Album (1990).

Dorff's music profession spans over 16 years. He was signed to SONY Records (Los Angeles) in 1995 and recorded two projects under the SONY imprint. In 2002, he moved to Lost Highway to record one project before changing his direction to concentrate his efforts in the song creation arena. "I feel like I had my shot at being an artist. Today my focus is to write for other artists and Nashville is where I needed to be," says Andrew.

Called2Music.com: New Canadian Christian Music Web Magazine

Not your typical music magazine aimed at promoting artists & their music. Called2Music.com is an online magazine, aimed at artists, delivering content that educates, encourages and challenges artists in their careers and callings.

Batsirai Chada, Senior Editor states "The desire of our team is that Called2Music.com would be a refrigerator of wisdom and knowledge about being a Christian musician in Canada. Where anyone can come and take the knowledge or inspiration they need to be effective in their career & calling." Featuring practical Œhow to¹ articles covering a range of topics, reflective editorials and interviews with leading Canadian Christian artists & industry insiders - Called2Music.com is a resource to the nation¹s Christian artists, ministers and visionaries.

Interactive in nature - readers are invited to participate, interact with authors using comments and suggest topics for discussion or research. Readers can also submit content for publishing.

"We have yet to discover the potential of our industry¹s impact on society - by giving a platform to the Œplayers¹ of this industry to inspire, challenge and educate artists & one another - the whole Christian music community will benefit and grow."

Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © Tag It 2004 - Republished with Permission