SHANE CARTER NOW TOP DOG: Shane Carter has been named President of Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc.
In this expanded role as Nipper’s head honcho, Carter will oversee all aspects of the Canadian company and continue to work to identify new opportunities for our artists and our business within the Canadian market. Already a vital contributor to our success in the region, Carter will build upon his experience leading Sony Music Canada to position the company for future growth and achievement.Commenting on his appointment Carter said: “I look forward to continuing to work with our incredible artists and talented executive team to deliver the best music Canada has to offer and develop innovative strategies and solutions that meet the needs of a dynamically changing music market.â€
Carter of course was co-president of Sony Music Canada with (now departed) Neil Foster, a role he held since 2007. Prior to that he was named Senior VP, Marketing in 2006. He joined the Sony Music family in 1999 as Vice President of Marketing for BMG. He previously spent six years as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment.A veteran of the entertainment business for more than 20 years, Shane is a graduate of the University of Toronto. The company has been on a roll in recent months with blockbusters from Susan Boyle, Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Glee and, of course, Michael Jackson.
FORTY YEAR SECRET: The just-over one-hour long’The Forty Year Secret’ – the Linda Dawe/Ray Cave doc about teenage love and pregnancy – is a heartwarming affair that captures an era when propriety meant everything. The show airs on CBC News Network’s The Passionate Eye tonight (10 pm ET/PT). Record promoter Dawe confirms a book deal with Toronto imprint Soul Asylum and says a movie treatment is in the works.
CANUCK WINS US SONG COMPETION: Edmonton’s Maria Dunn has won an honorable mention award at the 14th Annual USA Songwriting Competition with her song The Peddler. Dunn combines North American folk and country music with the influences of her Celtic heritage. Born in Scotland and raised in Ontario and Alberta, she writes songs inspired by historical and contemporary characters, capturing their struggles and triumphs in her lyrics. In 2002 she received a Juno nomination in the Roots/Traditional Solo category for her second recording, ‘For a Song. Previous Canadians that have won include Shirley Eikhart, David Francey, James Keelaghan.
RADIOHEAD RAISES THE ROOF: Radiohead’s benefit concert last night at L.A.’s Henry Fonda Theater raised a total of $572,754 for Haiti relief, with all proceeds going to Oxfam.Tickets were sold by auction, and the closing minimum bid was $475. MOre on the event in today’s LA Times.
CBGB ON THE AIR: Iconic punk institution CBGB has partnered with Clear Channel Radio to create a new digital audio channel on its application iheartradio network, starting today. CBGB Radio will feature music from such influential artists associated with the legendary venue such as the Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith and Talking Heads, as well as current underground rockers. Snippets of artist interviews and commentary from those who knew CBGB best will also be featured. You can check it out today at iheartradio as well as its mobile application, at CBGB.com.
STATSCAN: The most recent reported data from Statistics Canada on the music business shows that the most profitable part of the business (ROI) are recording studios, followed by ‘record production and intergrated distribution’- but it is the music publishers that posted increased revenues in the reporting period, 2005-2008. Tables available here.
Thom performs new song “Lotus Flower” solo on guitar at the Radiohead Haiti Benefit show held at the Henry Fonda theatre in Los Angeles last night (video includes links to other performances from the show).
Neil Young and Dave Matthews perform Alone And Forsaken Hope for Haiti benefit concert.
