Roundup

1. Hard Day Of The Dead

http://bit.ly/RB7t7I

Watch this video and tell me you don't feel like you missed it!

But that's not why I'm writing about it. Then again, match music with images and you can end up with something greater than the sum of its parts.

But the bottom line is I LOVE this track!

Music, when done right, jolts you right out of your seat, inspires you, makes you come alive. There's no way I can listen to "MYB" by Oliver without twisting my body, shaking my head and pounding the desk. My inhibitions fall away. I can't help but dance to the music.

Come on, put your hands in the air. Don't be afraid. There's nothing wrong with partying.


2. Striking Matches

Got an e-mail about their song "When The Right One Comes Along," featured in last night's "Nashville."

The show has not met expectations, but you've got to laud anything that features brand new music instead of airheads singing yesteryear's hits. This is pretty good. Especially the cover in the show.

There's hope.


3. The Grammy Fiasco

"Who the Hell Is Al Walser and How Did He Get an EDM Grammy Nomination?": http://bit.ly/YEz0Iu

This is what happens when you try to be all things to all people.

I actually thought this year's Grammy noms were good. Finally, the younger generation is wresting this antique giant from the clutches of the oldsters who think they know better. Black Keys, Mumford...one thing you can say, it's not the usual suspects!

Then you've got something like this.

For this to slip through demonstrates that systems are inadequate. Any EDM fan could tell you this was a nonstarter. But no EDM fan was called to vet the nominations.

The real story will come out.

But the point is, they should cancel all those Grammy nominations. You know, the ones that don't make the telecast. Leave the big awards and forget the rest.

I know, I know, the musos will bitch. But if you really think a Grammy will change your life you've probably still got your swim team ribbons. This is America at its worst. Where everybody gets a trophy, where everybody deserves to get into the Hall of Fame, where everybody is a winner.

Acknowledging you in your tiny sliced up category is something for your local group to do, not a national organization. The Grammys make all their money from CBS, not the dues-paying members. If the Grammys were smart, and they're not, they'd put the knife in the back of all these losers who are not known outside their backyard but believe they're entitled to national recognition.

The point is the Grammys are now bigger than the Oscars. The Oscars have lost touch. TV has eclipsed the movies. There's no there there. Whereas music is fresh and direct and if you don't like what we're making today, just wait until tomorrow...

That's the power of institutions. Wait around long enough, and you become relevant.

The Grammys mean more than they ever have before. Credit longevity, credit social media, but don't credit the besuited players who think they're part of a big tent. No, you're not. Grammy is for those who impact everybody. Not Herbie Hancock doing lame covers of Joni Mitchell songs or Steely Dan putting out an album notches below its greatest work. The Grammys are today. Thank god.


4. "The 'Mad Men' Economic Miracle"

http://nyti.ms/YG6XZ2

This is why your cable bill is so high:

"Cable TV has developed one of the most clever business models in our modern economy. Until recently, AMC was a basic-cable backwater known for 'Threes Stooges' marathons. But a few years ago, it tweaked its business and began offering two or three hours of original programming on a few dozen nights a year. Starting with 'Mad Men' in 2007, the network landed hit shows that developed small but obsessive followings. Soon after, it began making larger financial demands of the cable and satellite providers, like Comcast and DirectTV, that carry the network. AMC now charges these providers about 40 cents a month for each subscriber, including the millions who will never watch 'Mad Men' or 'Breaking Bad.' These providers can refuse to pay up, but doing so would infuriate legions of vocal viewers. (Last summer, the Dish Network played chicken with AMC and lost.) AMC collects $30 million a month in fees alone on a base of 80 million subscribers, which is pretty good considering that the last episode of “Breaking Bad” had fewer than three million viewers."

In other words, cable TV is heading for the cliff. This monopoly has such sky high fees they're going to break the model. If you're not thinking of canceling at least part of your cable, you're not a subscriber. It's truly getting cheaper to buy a la carte. Or wait and watch it on Netflix. This is the record business charging $14 for a CD with one good track. Works for a while, then the public revolts.


5. Zappa Scheme

Roxy By Proxy-http://bit.ly/SfJxDw

This is so wrongheaded, thank god it didn't get any traction.

The problem has been solved, they call it Kickstarter. Who in the Zappa camp is so ignorant that they think this is a good idea?


6. Out of Reach: If the Media Covers You, You’d Better Bring an Audience - If an item runs and no one reads it, does it make a sound?

http://bit.ly/SsLTQO

Things are so bad in mainstream media that they want to piggyback on your Twitter feed!

Build your audience, it's all you can depend on. Those reading (or not reading!) about you in mainstream media are grazers, who probably won't become fans anyway.


7. "Tim Cook's Freshman Year"

http://buswk.co/VyGYks

"That's a part of our base principle, that we will only do a few things. And we'll only do things where we can make a significant contribution. I don't mean financially. I mean some significant contribution to the society at large. You know, we want to really enrich people's lives at the end of the day, not just make money. Making money might be a byproduct, but it's not our North Star."

Are you making a difference?

Or is it just about piles of cash.

You want to wake up not only refreshed, but eager to head to work, to continue your mission. Don't be me-too, be cutting edge, that will inspire you and keep you going.

And remember, you can't do everything, be content to do just a few things, well.


8. "'Walking Dead' becomes first cable series to top fall TV ratings"

http://lat.ms/WHi9OK

This is why the major labels have to be very afraid...

While they're chasing trends, the indies are creating them.

And now with distribution flattened, with anybody able to play, we're going to experience even more left field hits.

To the cable subscriber it doesn't matter what channel a show is on, just that it's good.

Remember when you bought the record based on its major label imprimatur?

Neither do I.


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