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That Eric Alper

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That Time Freddie Mercury Performed With The Royal Ballet in 1979

Mar 23, 2015

On October 7th, 1979 Freddie Mercury performed with the Royal Ballet. He had never done any ballet before, but it was something he had always wanted to try. The songs he had chosen to perform to were Bohemian Rhapsody and Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Songs were played by the orchestra with Freddie doing live vocals. Freddie’s first dance was Bohemian Rhapsody, and he performed with skill in front of a packed house of enthusiastic balletomanes, who loved him, and he received a standing ovation for both his cameo performances.

Video from that night is below.

SXSW offers 1,291 free songs from artists performing this year

Mar 23, 2015

These torrents include tracks that can be previewed on the SXSW website for SXSW 2015. This year’s includes 1,291 files totaling 8.42GB, making it the largest to date. Note that the filenames and ID3 tags were updated to properly reflect the artist names and song titles.

The first torrent was seeded February 18, 2015 and the second on March 12, 2015.

SXSW_2015_Showcasing_Artists_Part1.torrent – 844 files – 5.41GB
SXSW_2015_Showcasing_Artists_Part2.torrent – 447 files – 3.01GB

Note that 64 tracks that were included in the first torrent were no longer available on the SXSW website as of the release date of the second torrent. That list is here for reference.

SoundExchange, NPR And The Corporation For Public Broadcasting Ink Long-Term Agreement For Webcasting Royalty Rates

Mar 23, 2015

SoundExchange announced it has reached a settlement agreement with NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) on royalty rates for the next five years for webcasting by public radio stations.

“We always prefer negotiated solutions with digital services, provided that they ensure appropriate payment to artists and rights holders. We are pleased that we have again reached an agreement with NPR and CPB. This agreement recognizes the unique circumstances and missions of these organizations, and compensates the creators of the music used in their programing,” said Michael Huppe, president and chief executive officer, SoundExchange.

“The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is pleased that we, together with NPR and SoundExchange have reached an agreement on Internet streaming of sound recordings by public radio stations funded by CPB that recognizes the unique nature of public radio and the vital service it provides to the American people,” said Pat Harrison, president and CEO, CPB.

“We are pleased to again collaborate with SoundExchange to come up with a framework for royalties that provides artists and rights holders with fair compensation while recognizing public radio’s distinctive public service and nonprofit operating model,” said NPR CEO Jarl Mohn. “The agreement is a testament to public radio’s significant contributions to musicians, artists, audiences and cultural programming in today’s dynamic music environment.”

This is SoundExchange’s second settlement agreement in five months with noncommercial webcasters. In October 2014, SoundExchange reached an agreement with College Broadcasters Inc., which represents college media outlets. The agreement ensures that noncommercial webcasters at colleges and other educational institutions will continue to have a consistent royalty framework and that the artists and rights holders who recorded the music that educational webcasters play are compensated.

The settlements, if adopted by the Copyright Royalty Board, will be in effect for the years 2016-2020.

Sony Music To Purchase Remaining Interest In The Orchard, The World’s Leading Independent Digital Distributor

Mar 23, 2015

Sony Music Entertainment announced that it has entered into an agreement with Dimensional Associates, LLC to acquire the remaining interest in The Orchard, the global independent music, video and film distribution company. The Orchard will continue to operate separately from Sony Music and will be led by its existing executive team.

The deal is aligned with Sony Corp.’s recently announced strategy identifying Sony Music as one of its growth businesses. Sony plans to proactively invest in and implement a variety of measures to promote growth across its entertainment businesses, including music.

The Orchard is focused on providing world-class digital distribution services for content creators including independent labels and filmmakers. It offers clients an end-to-end solution for music and video delivery to hundreds of services and digital storefronts worldwide, as well as efficient and transparent reporting of sales and revenue. The sales, digital marketing and business development offerings also included in The Orchard’s suite of services have helped it outpace the industry in growing revenue for its clients.

Sony Music became the majority investor in The Orchard in March 2012 following the merger of The Orchard with IODA, a Sony Music-owned digital distribution company. At that time, The Orchard became the digital distributor for RED and select catalogues from Sony Music affiliates outside of the U.S.

This investment in The Orchard will allow Sony Music to further enhance its relationships with distribution clients all over the world. It also will allow the companies to work more closely together to drive improvements throughout the digital supply chain and quality of revenue reporting. Sony Music remains committed to operating The Orchard independently with the goal of improving the revenue and profitability of its distribution clients.

Canadian Arts/Media Job Posts For March 23, 2015

Mar 23, 2015

Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods in Saint-laurent, QC is looking for a dynamic and creative person, who wishes to join a dynamic and industry-leading company in the food business.

SOCAN represents the Canadian performing rights of millions of Canadian and international music creators and publishers, and have an opening for a Manager, Outreach & Development.

GoViral Inc. is a fast-growing Canadian social media, news and entertainment company engaged in the development of web-based advertising and marketing platforms, and they are looking for a Manager of Social Media & Marketing.

PALETTERA is looking for a Junior Graphic Designer with some serious illustrator skills to join their team of designers.

Duchesnay Inc. located in Blainville (approximately 20 km north of Montreal) is a rapidly growing pharmaceutical company specialized in the design, development, manufacturing and distribution of women’s health products. They have an opening for a Communications Coordinator.

Great Blue Resorts seeks an experience graphic designer and social media coordinator to join the marketing team at their head office in Niagara-on-the-Lake across from Jackson Triggs Winery.

RoveConcepts.com is a well-known and rapidly expanding global ecommerce company, and they are looking to add another creative designer to their design team. This is a role which has been created due to huge demands of the design team, and their plans for rapid growth which include the launch of a number of new brands and concepts this year.

Vaughan Mills is a super-regional ‘hybrid’ shopping centre totalling 1.3 million sq ft, comprised of a mix of popular name brand outlets, off-price stores, plus family-oriented dining and entertainment concepts, and are looking for a Tourism Manager.

Rayacom in Calgary is currently seeking graphic designers who can conceptualize and produce graphics and design layouts for web and print materials.

KiSS 103.1 Victoria is looking for a talented, energetic on-air performer to join our team in the midday time slot.

The OGM in St. John’s, NL has an opening for a Graphic Designer.

Rock 105.3 is The Hat’s Best Rock. They are a fun station with attitude in “Canada’s Sunniest City”. Rock 105.3 is seeking a Morning Co-Host who can intelligently communicate to Medicine Hat’s Adults 25-54.

THE LAVIN AGENCY is a speakers bureau that exclusively represents authors, scientists, social entrepreneurs, and other extraordinary public figures whose work inspires ideas and dialogue that make the world a better place. They are currently hiring for an Events Coordinator for their downtown Toronto head office.

Bell Media is Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media, including CTV – Canada’s #1 television network, and the country’s most-watched specialty channels. They have an opening for a Brand Partnerships Coordinator.

TIFF, a vibrant not-for-profit arts organization, is hiring for the contract part-time position of Community Engagement Team Representative (Multiple Positions Available)

CTV Winnipeg has an opening for a Reporter.

Established in 1979, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is a professional Canadian theatre company dedicated to the development and presentation of queer theatre, and they are looking for an Artistic Director.

Cityline.ca has an opening for a Web Content Writer responsible for overseeing daily operations of the website including live stream, video, show guide, written content.

Rodmell & Company Inc. in Toronto is looking for a Social Media Content Specialist responsible for writing, managing, and coordinating content for various brands and across various social and digital channels.

CTV News is looking for an experienced online news journalist. Candidates must have experience with breaking news, copy editing, running online lineups, using Content Management Systems, creating online maps and interactives.

CTV Saskatoon and CTV Regina are looking for a Web Producer participating in the creation, repurposing and editing of content for CTV Saskatchewan websites including news content, program news, related links, photos and other content.

SOCAN represents the Canadian performing rights of millions of Canadian and international music creators and publishers, and they have an opening for a Program Administrator.

Dorel Home Products (DHP) – a division of Dorel Industries Inc – provides well-priced quality furniture that is fashionable, versatile and functional. They are seeking a Social Media Marketing Specialist.

The National Arts Centre is more than a place, it’s an idea. It’s the idea the National Arts Centre should work with artists and arts organizations in every part of the country to provide a national stage for the performing arts. They have an opening for an Administrative Assistant, Executive Office.

Brandon’s # 1 station 96.1 BOB FM is looking for a Morning Show Host.

The Grand Theatre in London, Ontario is a regional A house professional theatre with an 839-seat main stage and a 150-seat second McManus stage. They are now accepting resumes for The Artistic Associate/Apprentice Artistic Director, and will receive an introduction to the workings of a large, unionized regional theatre, focussing particularly on the role of the Artistic Director and the Artistic Director’s responsibilities and relationships amongst the various administrative and production departments, creative teams, Board of Directors, and the community.

World Vision has an opening for a Gift Catalogue Marketing Manager responsible for the strategy and execution of the World Vision Gift Catalogue program, with a goal of $10+ million in single gift revenue.

TIFF, a vibrant not-for-profit arts organization, is accepting applications for the permanent, full-time position of Director, Industry Office.

Labatt employees share the dream of becoming the best, most profitable beer company in a better world with their Anheuser-Busch InBev colleagues worldwide. They are looking for a Senior Manager, Brand Department.

The Toronto Musicians’ Association (TMA) represents the finest professional Musicians in the Greater Toronto area, and they are looking for an Executive Director to lead the organization as the public face of all of Toronto’s professional Musicians.

Neil Young built “a barn roof” out of 200,000 copies of Comes A Time

Mar 23, 2015

From Uncut:

Neil Young has admitted he once bought thousands of copies of his own album and used them as shingles on the roof of his house.

Young, who recently launched his high quality digital Pono music player and service at South By South West in Austin, Texas revealed that a “mastering error” on the 1978 album Comes A Time left him dissatisfied with the release and forced him to take the existing copies off the market.

Asked if the story was true by Rolling Stone, Young replied: “The tape got damaged when it went through the airport or something. I had to go back and use a copy of the master — it was a copy, but it had better-sounding playback than the other one. No, no, I made a barn roof out of them. I used them as shingles.”

Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp Is Coming To Toronto June 4-7 Featuring Aerosmith’s Joe Perry

Mar 23, 2015

The legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp that has been making dreams come true in the U.S. for the past 18 years is now launching in Canada. With dates in Calgary (May 14-17) and Toronto (June 4-7), music lovers have the opportunity to move from spectator to stage, and share the limelight with industry heavy weights. The first-ever Canadian camp will take place in Calgary in May and features the rock legend, singer-songwriter, arena football co-owner of the LA KISS and media icon – Gene Simmons. Toronto hits the band stand in June and is helmed by Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer and one of Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry.

Joe Perry says, “I have a great time interacting with everyone who attends the camp. They are so stoked to get up and jam, it’s worth it to be there to experience the thrill they feel from the many accomplishments they’ve learned during their time spent at the Camp. Sharing in the excitement is a real rush for me too. Thanks for letting me be a part of the experience of the universal language of music.”

Gary Hoey (Jeff Beck, Peter Frampton, Ted Nugent and more) will join Perry as the musical director for the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Toronto. Additional Rock Star Counsellors include: Mark Clarke (described as the Joe Cocker of Liverpool), Nick Catanese (Black Label Society), David Hull (Buddy Miles, Joe Cocker, Ted Nugent, The Joe Perry Project), Sass Jordan (JUNO Award winner, Canadian Idol Judge) and Gowan (vocalist & keyboard player for Styx), with more to be announced soon.

Over the span of four days, attendees fulfill their Rock ‘n’ Roll dreams and get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to jam with their idols. The Rock Star Counsellors mentor the enthusiasts to improve and perfect their instrument skills, vocals and Rock ‘n’ Roll stage presence. The Rock Campers – with guidance from the counsellors – write, record and rehearse an original song culminating with a final performance to a packed crowd in downtown Toronto on June 7.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp will exceed all expectations on both sides of the border with iconic headliners like: Jeff Beck, Brian Wilson (Beach Boys), Roger Daltrey (The Who), Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule), Dave Davies (The Kinks), Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones), Slash, Bret Michaels (Poison), Cheap Trick, Dr. John, George Thorogood, Jack Bruce (Cream), Joe Satriani, Joe Walsh, Meatloaf, Vince Neil (Motley Crue), Duff McKagan , (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Def Leppard, Alice Cooper, Sammy Hagar and of course Gene Simmons (KISS) and Joe Perry (Aerosmith) – an exceptional experience where Rock ‘n’ Roll fantasy becomes reality.

JK Simmons on the music of “Whiplash”

Mar 23, 2015

Whiplash stars JK Simmons as terrifying jazz teacher Fletcher, who pushes ambitious student drummer Andrew to breaking point in the pursuit of greatness. Here’s his take on the music of the film, and his controversial role.

Johnny Cash’s Unused Theme Song for James Bond’s Thunderball

Mar 23, 2015

Country musician Johnny Cash also submitted a song to Eon productions titled “Thunderball” but it wasn’t used. The lyrics of Cash’s “Thunderball” describe the film’s story. The producers’ decision to change the film’s theme song so close to the release date meant that only some of the film’s soundtrack had been recorded for release on LP. You can find Cash’s “Thunderball” on the 2011 compilation Bootleg, Vol. 2: From Memphis to Hollywood.

…and here’s what the opening credits would have sounded and looked like, had they used Cash’s song.

Want Chad Brownlee Hockey Stick Guitar? Of Course You Do

Mar 23, 2015

This is a cool item for the country music fan – its Canadian Country Artist Chad Brownlee’s custom-made guitar of over 20 SherWood hockey sticks, including hockey puck trim and took over 40 hours to make. Chad will be playing this guitar during his When The Lights Go Down Tour (March 4 – April 4).

The guitar body is made of over a dozen wooden shafts glued together, and various hockey items, such as parts of a puck have been used to create this one of a kind item. Inspired by the name of Chad’s latest album, the guitar is aptly titled “The Fighters” as a symbol of confidence and strength the Foundation’s camps instill in children to overcome adversity in their lives.

The proceeds of the auction will benefit the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation, and you can bid on it here.