The Hypocrisy (and Ignorance) of the Music Industry
On March 4-5, Michael McDonald will perform at the Blue Note in New York to celebrate the release of his new album, ‘Soul Speak‘. It’ll be a wonderful day for Michael, but will it be for the ‘Blue Note’?
The ‘Blue Note’ just blogged about Michael’s David Letterman performance which includes an ‘embedded’ YouTube video of the gig. There’s a ton of irony in this: Will technologically incompetent lawyers representing Michael threaten the venue with a “cease and desist” letter laced with false accusations like I received last July?
What the ‘Blue Note’ has done here is no different than several videos I’ve posted to my own site which were ‘embedded’ from YouTube. Unfortunately, I was chastised and chewed up as being the perp who uploaded the videos in question that I ‘embedded’ to my site (There’s a huge difference between ‘linking’ videos and ‘uploading’ them).
The hypocrisy — and ignorance — of an industry that is littered with far too many egos and often bemoans accountability to the very people which make the industry what it is (without ‘fans’, there’s no livelihood for the industry) is more than obvious here.
Chances are, the ‘Blue Note’ won’t be chastised for embedding this video, as they are a paid gig for McD.
To date, I still haven’t received an explanation on the mixup, how I was chosen and how my e-mail address was even known. The last thing in the world I’d do to a friend is cheat him of his rights or harm his brand, product or service by distributing unauthorized works w/o permission (and, no, ‘embedding’ is not ‘distributing’).
Personally, I believe an apology from Vector Management and Michael’s lawyer is long overdue — Michael needn’t be the janitor cleaning up the actions of others (and I did mention this incident to him, and of course, he apologized — But, again, it’s not his doing), for our friendship has been nothing but inspiring over an almost 10 year period.
My only desire is that those representing him should take better precautions to avoid the possibility of alienating those who are friends and supporters of Michael. The music industry continues to demonstrate that they are not in the business of listening — Just dictating (and bullying).
Don’t forget to pick up Michael’s new album, ‘Soul Speak,’ on March 4th:
Tonight: World Premier of Michael McDonald’s New Album, ‘Soul Speak’
Smooth Jazz, 94.7 ‘The Wave’, is debuting Michael McDonald’s forthcoming album, ‘Soul Speak,’ at 7 PM Pacific today. Michael will be hosting a segment which will include commentary by himself and a preview of the entire album! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to hear the latest offering by one of the most recognizable voices in music today!
Listen to ‘The Wave’ LIVE online
Pre-order ‘Soul Speak‘ at Amazon
Mogul: The Perfect Movie for Terrence Howard
For many years, I’ve always had an interest in writing a script for a Hollywood movie, hashing concepts for new ones and discovering talent. When I thought of someone to play Detroit-based cable and casino mogul Don Barden in a conceptual movie idea (”Mogul”), Terrence Howard immediately came to mind.
Howard is the only man in Hollywood who’s capable of delivering a stellar portrayal of the life and history of one of America’s most successful entrepreneurs. As the member of a poor family in Inkster, Michigan, Barden left the confines of his family for college in Lorain, Ohio, where he dropped out to pursue a number of ventures. Determined not to be another “auto worker,” he proved to himself that he had the business acumen to become a wealthy and successful individual overtime through trial and error.
Over the course of his history, Barden has been a member of city council (in Lorain), a TV anchor (Cleveland), cable television pioneer (Detroit), automobile manufacturer (Africa) and casino mogul. A millionaire since the 1980s, Barden’s greatest achievement to date was winning the license to construct a $450 Million casino in Downtown Pittsburgh. A man of many dreams, Barden has proven that anyone can live a life of success if only they put forth the effort to succeed.
Barden’s story deserves a national audience, for his will inspire anyone to break barriers and live out their dreams. I’d love to see “Mogul” become a reality with Howard on board to steer the course.
Correction on Michael McDonald’s Birthday: It’s February 12th
For more than 13 years now (I purchased my first Doobie Brothers tape at 15), I’ve noticed a grossly understated error within the media: The incorrect reporting of Michael McDonald’s birthday. I’m not even sure how this mix up occurs, but somehow, he’s confused with being born on Feburary 2, when in fact, it’s February 12 (which he’ll turn 56 years young).
Reuters, the Associated Press and other outlets do this time and time again. C’mon, guys, fix the man’s birthday!
And, while we’re on the topic of Michael McDonald … Make sure you purchase his latest album (due March 4), ‘Soul Speak‘ — It’s a wonderful and eclectic collection of cover songs and original material — I’m certainly looking forward to purchasing his latest work, aren’t you?
Here’s the latest track (and possibly final) listing of the album:
1. I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)
2. Living For The City
3. Love T.K.O.
4. Walk On By
5. Still Not Over You (Getting Over Me)
6. For Once In My Life
7. Into The Mystic
8. Hallelujah
9. Enemy Within
10. (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher
11. Only God Can Help Me Now
12. Baby Can I Change My Mind
13. Redemption Song
14. You Don’t Know Me
Universal/Motown, Vector Management: I’ve Done Your Homework
In case you haven’t noticed, many popular online retailers (Here’s a few links: Best Buy, Barnes and Noble … you get the idea) rely on All Music Guide for their album data. The problem is that a genius at All Music guide entered Michael McDonald’s upcoming ”Soul Speak
We’re talking about a new album release here, by a well-known artist. This should have been corrected several weeks ago, but of course, I’ve done your homework for you — Again (I’ve submitted the necessary changes to All Music Guide).