Electronic Music and Music Business Commentary by Fate Sensation

The State of the Music Biz Nation

By Fate Sensation

Issue #01 (February/March 2006)

3-26-06

Welcome to the premiere edition of Fate Sensation's bi-monthly The State of the Music Biz Nation newsletter. The purpose of this newsletter is to both inform and entertain you about the goings on in the crazy but fun-loving world of the Music Industry. So without further adieu, here are Fate Sensation's most memorable stories from the past two months:

Ryan Adams Fans Face Prison Time for Sharing Songs On-line Before Release Date

Two Ryan Adams fans have been criminally charged under the 2005 Family Entertainment and Copyright Act Law or FECAL (Fate Sensation thinks this is quite the appropriate acronym; actually it's really just FECA) which makes it a separate federal crime to pirate music and movies before they are released to the public. Robert Thomas of Milwaukee and Jared Bowser of Jacksonville allegedly posted songs from Ryan Adams' album, Jacksonville City Nights, on a fan website about a month before its official release last September. If convicted on all counts, the defendants could each face 11 years in prison.

Fate Sensation has a recurring nightmare in which he is caught posting Raven's new album, “That's So Raven Too,” to a fan website and winds up sharing a cell with Bubba and Big Al both of whom fortunately are Raven fans too. Note to all internet file sharers - file sharing is like sex, the only guaranteed way to stay safe is abstinence!

Rolling Stone Announces the Richest Rock Stars of 2006

Rolling Stone magazine published its annual list of the top money making artists and here are the top 10:

U2, $154.2 million
The Rolling Stones, $92.5 million
Eagles, $63.2 million
Paul McCartney, $56 million
Elton John, $48.9 million
Neil Diamond, $44.7 million
Jimmy Buffett, $44 million
Rod Stewart, $40.3 million
Dave Matthews Band, $39.6 million
Celine Dion, $38.5 million

Fate Sensation finds it interesting the list is dominated by ageing Baby Boomers who tour. Perhaps it is proof the 1960s and 1970s rocked like no other or perhaps it's just in this time of continuous job off-shoring, record government deficit spending and unchecked undocumented immigration, only Baby Boomers can afford $150 ticket prices. Fate Sensation's part-time Wal-Mart salary just doesn't cut it.

Fate Sensation is sad to report he just barely missed making the list. He fully expects to rocket to the top next year!

Judge Halts Sales of Notorious B.I.G. Album Because of Uncleared Sample

A federal judge halted sales of the Notorious B.I.G. album, Ready to Die, after a jury found the title song used an uncleared sample from the Ohio Players' song, “Singing in the Morning.” Bridgeport Music (the Ohio Players' music publishing company) and Westbound Records (the Ohio Players' record label) successfully sued Universal Records, Bad Boy LLC and Justin Combs Publishing and were awarded a $4.2 million judgment against the defendants.

Sampling artists who plan to release their music commercially should obtain sample clearances from both the copyright owner of the song (usually the music publisher) and the copyright owner of the sound recording (usually the record label). Otherwise, you may be subject to financial penalties and the removal of your music from the marketplace.

Fate Sensation included a secret uncleared sample on his debut CD. He challenges you to find it. If you are the famous Rock Star he sampled, please sue Fate Sensation so he can use the publicity to become a famous Rock Star too. It worked for Danger Mouse, so why not Fate Sensation?*

*Fate Sensation's plethora of lawyer friends advised him to let you know he is just kidding about the secret uncleared sample.

Country Music Legend Buck Owens Dies at Age of 76

Buck Owens was best know for his songs, “Act Naturally” and “I've Got a Tiger by the Tail,” for developing the honky-tonk “Bakersfield Sound,” and for his role on the television show, “Hee Haw.” He died in his sleep after playing a show at his Bakersfield club.

This brought a tear to Fate Sensation's eye. It reminded him of many years ago when his Daddy would bounce him on his knee while playing Buck Owens' classics. According to Daddy, Buck Owens played “real music.” Fate Sensation couldn't agree more. Amen and may Buck rest in peace.

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