Mailbag

From: Allen Kovac
Subject: Re: Pretty Heart

Artist development happens in rock all year every year. Indie labels have always been the innovators. Touring, social media, and videos. Radio is the cherry on top. But not for majors. They have to hit quarterly numbers. They have to play the short game.

So we have an average of 9.1 writers and producers on a song hit song in hip-hop and pop. Majors control media, radio, and retail. Algorithms are there for the audience. Social media and streaming are all about building fans. Touring is the route to fans. This process takes 18-24 months. That data can then be used for radio.

Last year our label was the top rock label at Mediabase using data. We aren't playing the game at radio until we prove we have the song they should play. That's artists development and how Zeppelin, The Who, and Stones broke through. Ahmet learned the touring game from Barsalona. Then he learned the indie radio game. Indies have always been the innovators. Check out sales of tickets, merchandising, and consumption of Five Finger Death Punch. They are number 3 in rock to Metallica and AC DC, at buzzangle. Shouldn't that be the metrics for a hit as opposed to overnight spins?

However, with the consolidation of radio, record labels, and promoters, and the instant gratification of quarterly billing, we haven't taught our future leaders properly. Most agents, managers, lawyers, and business managers want us to go to radio first.

Our message is be patient and develop your fan base, or there are plenty of labels out there for short cuts. Indies have 40 percent market share today. Up from 14 percent in the 90's. If you want a career it's about indies. If you want a hit it's all about the majors. My two cents, our two major radio chains have gone bankrupt following the majors, retail is the equivalent of print, and Universal is for sale. We need to stop drinking the majors' Kool Aid media. What does Vivendi know that we don't ?

Allen
Founder E7LG

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From: Michael Fremer
Subject: Re: Any Major Dude Will Tell You

Glad your numbers were in the zone! You know that the intro to "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is a direct cop of the intro to Horace Silver's "Song to My Father", right? Check that out.

https://spoti.fi/2lA5kyM

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From: Jim Charne
Subject: Re: You're On Your Own

One more piece of advice for your excellent list --

Don't be overly protective of your work. If you've got one great song, and you hold it tightly because you're afraid someone may steal it, then get a job and forget music. A song is a song but music is a career. A creator has to keep creating.

Jim

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Subject: Re: The Stones At The Rose Bowl
Date: August 24, 2019 at 8:48:16 AM PDT

Bob
Jagger is indeed old and skinny but man do the ladies want him...When I was playing with him every girl I knew wanted him...I would say...He is skinny and old and you are 30? But they would ALL say BUT HE IS MICK JAGGER!

After our concert at the El Rey I was in my own dressing room and I heard some noise...I came out from the bathroom in only a towel to find my old pal Suzannah Hoffs and a beautiful blonde who introduced herself to me as Meg...I said I know who you are ( It was Meg Ryan and they had both snuck into the backstage). We made small talk then they both asked...Is Mick back here?

Jagger is The KING

Stevie Salas

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From: george drakoulias
Subject: Re: The Stones At The Rose Bowl

Charlie is the coolest. I remember when they were tracking at Ocean Way and I was working in the studio next door. I snuck into the live room to check out the set up.

I noticed a hook coming out of one of the baffles behind Charlie's drum set. I asked someone on the session what was that about, maybe a strange mic placement?

He told me Charlie's tech drilled it in on the first day and when he comes it it's where he hangs his suit jacket. Class all the way.

GD

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From: Alan
Subject: Re: A Tribute To Jerry Weintraub-This Week's Podcast

Jerry was a good friend. We all lived in Palm Springs.

He came to our home for dinner, didn't like where he was seated and left.

The morning after another dinner party, he called at 7am and asked...
"AM I OFF THE LIST?"

"Yes!!!" I said, but giggled enough for him to know I understand his quirky behavior since I'm like that too.

A couple of months later he called me and said... "I've got a book coming out and I want you to make it a bestseller. You've done it with Suzanne and I want you to do it with me".

I told him the formula which we use for all of Suzanne's books, 27 of them, most are New York Times best sellers And he said… "Let's go"

I totally identify with Jerry. I also fly by the seat of my pants based on instinct not intellect.

Intellect lies to you every time. True instinct never ever lies to you.

I miss Jerry a lot. He stood alone from the crowd and always pulled it off.

Elvis's manager Colonel Tom Parker was a friend.
He filled me in on the first deal he ever made with Jerry to tour Elvis.

That was a major 'fly by the seat of your pants' deal.

Alan Hamel

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From: Ronnie Dunn
Subject: Re: Pretty Heart

My youngest daughter, worked at the A&R department of a major label (name omitted to protect the guilty) here in Nashville. She found Parker and played his music to the label heads. A few months later they brought him in and offered him a recording contract....much to their surprise, he turned that notorious mainstream 360 ("give us a piece of every dime you make") deal down. They were offended and called him "cocky / ungrateful".
He was already pulling in seven figures in Texas alone.

.....take it from there

Ronnie Dunn

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Subject: Re: Fear Inoculum

Hi Bob - couldn't agree w/ ya more on the beautiful contradiction(s) that is all things TOOL!! Fear Innoculum is an epic new standard on soooooo many levels.

1 correction though- your review lends the impression that Bud Scoppa signed the act. Matt Marshall was the brains behind that landmark & kooky signing during a time when every other AnR person was in Seattle trying to find the next Nirvana. He literally signed them out of the Coconut Teazer and their warehouse rehearsal shows. Oh what a time to be in the LA record industry w/ all that early 90's cd money a flowing!

Quick side note- anyone who's had the rare pleasure of working w/ Matt (he rarely signs acts) can attest that he is absolutely one of the best gut instinct record people in the business as well as one of the the most educated, articulate & cultured. Like other gems (Mark Williamson, Jim Barber, etc) Matt is modest as well as private- if you never have it's soooo worth spending time w/ him as well as his equally impressive & awesome wife (Carianne Marshall). No matter how high your IQ, hang time w/ Matt or Carianne will add several points.

Best, Karl Louis

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From: Craig Finley
Subject: Re: Re-Popeyes Fried Chicken Sandwich

Bob,

I tour and I eat chicken. No one samples more of these delights around the world than touring road crew…

SO:

Favorite dessert: Chicken.

Best chicken - Popeyes

2nd - Bojangles, but it's still East coast/SE regional.

SO...Popeyes spicy…all dark, cajun rice.

BUT Bojangles do have bigger better biscuits

KFC aren't in the discussion at all any more. Smaller pieces, no spicy option. Still do a tasty slaw though.

The big challenger will be the Koreans. They do some damn nice soy and hot chicken. Just need a chain that gets some traction.....Bon Chon?

Over the Nashville super hot. Don't hide the taste with heat (feel the same way about bbq and saucing)

Fin
Stage Manager
Coldplay, Michael Buble

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From: Jerry Greenberg
Subject: Re: Re-Popeyes Fried Chicken Sandwich

Could have had rights for east coast back in the 70s but Ahmet passed. Knew the guy from New Orleans who started it. Jerry g

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From: Jim Charne
Subject: Re: Re-Popeyes Fried Chicken Sandwich

Years ago — I mean, YEARS ago, when we had the one Asleep at the Wheel album on Epic, from the still intact original band (Floyd Domino, Leroy Preston, Lucky Oceans, Chris O'Connell with Ray Benson), the band told me one night the best fast food on the road was Popeye's chicken.

Jim

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Subject: Re: Re-Popeyes Fried Chicken Sandwich

Bob
Next time in nyc. You'll come and try my bacon Cheeseburger & pastrami dumplings.

Patti Labelle is my partner and we just sold it to Walmart. It will hit the stores next summer under my Brooklyn Chop House brand.

Stratis Morfogen

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From: Alan
Subject: Re: VMA Ratings Hit An All Time Low

Bob,

For awhile even after America's 3 major networks suddenly had hundreds of new channels move into their neighborhood, we continued our loyalty to Real TV; All In The Family, Mash, Three's Company, Laverne & Shirley, etc etc etc.

The difference between the above shows and dozens more from that period and now, is that we knew Every Single Character in every show. We were so familiar with them, we knew what they were going to do or say even before they said it or did it. We loved them. We could hang out. We promptly turned up at a specific time to see them. We continue watching 50's, 60's & 70's sitcoms today Over And Over And Over. We know all the jokes and still laugh at them. It's comfort food.

Today, no one knows anyone on TV channels/platforms/streaming.
OK, that's broad brushing but generally true.
And even if they do know them, they don't give a crap about them.

Remember when there was Always something to watch when there were only 3 channels? Today, there are nights after clicking through Apple's team, when taking an Epson Salt bath takes precedence and OD'ing on its magnesium guarantees 8 hours of 'fall off the cliff' sleep followed by a religious experience in the morning.

I was dining in Craig's and for the edification of those who have never heard of Craig's, it is very much an industry rich restaurant.
Craig had a couple of big screen TVs and was running the Emmys that night.
"Who Are Those People?" That's what I said every time I looked over. And I wasn't alone. No one in the place stopped talking & would occasionally glance at the screen and then get back to their chicken piccata.

Remember Apache Sacheen Littlefeather who represented Brando at the Oscars and declined his award for best actor in The Godfather?
That Was Great TV!!
The Academy establishment, the stunned live audience & the after glow.
Brando had Balls & Conviction.
Brando was A Major Star. He was Radio Active.

I'm not wise enough to know where this is all going, but if the ratings trends continue to crater, we may have to start talking to each other again.

Alan Hamel

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From: C Northey
Subject: Thanks Bob. Craig N from Odds here.

Bob,

My email box filled up a few minutes ago with friends letting me know you'd said a good word about us Odds. Very nice. I saw Bud and Peggy in LA when I was there a few months back playing the Troubadour with the Steven Page Trio. They have sipped from the fountain of youth it seems.

Tool are fantastic. We'd run into each other from time to time around the Zoo offices back when everyone needed to make free long distance phone calls and get someone to take them out for lunch on the expense account (Bud, Lou, George Daly). On one of Tool's past Canadian tours they'd open each night with "Somedays It's Dark" from the Kids in the Hall's "Brain Candy" movie. We wrote that tune and recorded the track with Bruce McCulloch of the Kids. That was such a solid and funny move on their part. Viva la Tool ...and best to them on this new album. They have the true rock n' roll spirit.

32 years of Odds now and we don't really play that song you mentioned anymore…but don't let that keep you away …we make other good choices.

Yours

Craig Northey


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