Search Results for: the voice

Michael Jackson is probably walking around his Neverland Valley Ranch right now singing the praises of his sports world equivalent: Michael Jordan. Imagine it, Jackson, smiling, has his 1993 retro Jordan sneakers and #23 Washington Wizards jersey. Jordan’s keen game play has been loosening the world up for comebacks, especially by individuals with the initials M.J. And as his sports world equivalent shines on the court, Jacko is certainly betting that his album is going to be a slam dunk as well. Although Jackson does complain about the press covering his every movement on Invincible – finally unveiled to the… Read more »

Rounding out its programming lineup as it launches the nation’s first digital satellite radio service, XM Satellite Radio’s “NASCAR Rig” will tour the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit throughout the Southern United States this fall. XM launched its service Sept. 25 in its two lead markets and expanded throughout the entire Southwest and Southeast in mid-October. XM will complete its national rollout in November. “XM is proud to offer NASCAR fans the world’s first 24-hour radio channel devoted to America’s most popular spectator sport,” said XM President and CEO Hugh Panero. “Our XM rig will help spread the word as we… Read more »

More than 25 artists – from boys (of the Backstreet, ‘NSYNC and O-Town variety) to men (elder statesmen such as Aerosmith, James Brown and Rod Stewart), from vocal queens (Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey, Carole King) to the King of Pop – took the stage Sunday at RFK Stadium for the all-day United We Stand – What More Can I Give benefit concert for victims of September’s terrorist attacks. Themes of unity and perseverance permeated every performance, with artists often thanking the sold-out crowd for the message they were sending to the rest of the country – that no matter the… Read more »

“This tragic event has awakened a new interest in news and information for 12-25 year olds that had never existed before,” says Cromwell Broadcasting’s “Czar of Programming” Brian Krysz, referring to the terrorist acts of nearly a month ago. And would anyone argue with his statement? This generation has had its defining moment, just as the Great Depression and World War II were for our parents or grandparents, or the assassination of JFK and the Vietnam War so clearly defined the next generation. After the events of September 11th, 2001, everything in our world, including radio programming, has entered a… Read more »

The September 11th terrorist attacks pulled dozens of high-profile musicians into spirited rounds of fundraising and flag waving. But Groundwork 2001, a benefit to alleviate hunger, began Sunday night, showing that such charity existed before the attacks and will presumably continue after the furor dies down. The opening show was suitably eclectic, featuring Daniel Lanois, Philip Glass, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Emmylou Harris and Dave Matthews. After four smaller shows during the week – featuring Joe Strummer, the Wallflowers, Heart and others – next Monday’s grand finale boasts R.E.M., Pearl Jam and Alanis Morissette, with Gwyneth Paltrow as the… Read more »

Republic/Universal recording artist Powderfinger recently won six ARIA’s (Australian Record Industry Awards), more than any other artist this year, for their critically acclaimed album Odyssey Number Five. The Brisbane quintet received awards in the categories of: Album of the Year, Best Rock Album, Record of the Year (“My Happiness”) Best Group, Highest Selling Australian Album and Best Cover Art. Odyssey Number Five is Powderfinger’s first release in the U.S. and their fourth multi-platinum release in their native Australia. In 1999 Powderfinger won ARIA’s for their album Internationalist including Album of the Year, Best Rock Album and Song of the Year… Read more »

The Grateful Dead played their final show more than six years ago. And thanks to a career-retrospective box set, an endless stream of live CDs, a documentary film featuring late guitarist Jerry Garcia and steady touring by the group’s surviving members and their new ensembles, the Dead’s legacy isn’t close to fading away. A 12-CD box set, The Golden Road (1965-1973), out October 16, chronicles the Dead’s six-year stint on the Warner Bros. label with remastered versions of each album – from Grateful Dead (1967) to History of the Grateful Dead Vol. I (Bear’s Choice) (1973) – along with studio… Read more »

Voting is currently going on for the 2002 class of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and once again Black Sabbath is among the finalists on the ballot. Frontman Ozzy Osbourne has made many caustic comments about the Hall and has intimated that he has no interest in being thus enshrined. However, in a recent chat with LAUNCH, Osbourne changed his tone somewhat and indicated that, if elected, he would serve. “I’ve voiced my opinion about it,” he explained. “I don’t really believe in it, to the respect that it’s not voted by the people-it’s voted by the committee.… Read more »

This is a difficult transition for the entertainment community. There is a growing desire, if not need, to return to some form of business as usual, yet an uncertainty as to whether this is a viable option. Parties and premieres are being resurrected, but companies are doing so furtively, like children worried about parental admonition. Stars are returning to the business of hyping their movies, albeit sheepishly. The TV trade wants its Emmys, yet seems bent on making the ceremony at once non-competitive and non-ceremonial. Dealmakers who have been struggling with the rules of the “new civility” are starting to… Read more »

NetSilicon, Inc., Germany-based Micronas GmbH, and FS FORTH-SYSTEME GmbH announced their cooperation in developing a high-performance MP3 Internet radio application, called NetworkAudio. “The innovative NetworkAudio Web radio is a result of the seamless cooperation among three leading edge companies with vast expertise in embedded networking and digital audio technology,” said Michael Evensen, EMEA vice president, NetSilicon. “Electronic product OEMs can now leverage a complete, off-the-shelf reference design and development kit for very low bill-of-materials costs, allowing OEMs to begin product development immediately. The NetworkAudio reference design can therefore drastically reduce OEMs’ designs risks, cost, and time-to-market.” NetworkAudio allows access to… Read more »