The other proposed merger was attempted first over six years ago – Warner Music Group wants to acquire EMI Group, thus improving both their standings as the smallest of the music industry’s four biggies. The $4.6 billion deal’s success was threatened when a European court annulled the 2004 merger of Sony Music and BMG, but a major European trade group – The Independent Music Publishers and Labels Association – which opposed mergers before, now supports the plan. The merger must be approved by The European Commission and some observers are skeptical. However, the digital revolution that has hurt the major music companies might suffice to convince regulators to let the merger happen.
Sonny Rollins Podcasts – Here’s something new provided by the digital revolution: The Sonny Rollins web site is offering a free monthly video series focusing on the jazz giant and his music. The series producer Bret Primack said: “These Podcasts are essentially an ongoing documentary film that will unfold over the next year, chapter by chapter. With the advent of web video, which offers free global distribution, we are introducing Sonny Rollins…to new audiences all over the planet by using state-of-the-art technology.” The podcast is syndicated via the free Google embedded video player and the html code is available on Sonny’s site [www.sonnyrollins.com] so fans, bloggers and web sites can post the actual podcasts. On The Road is the first podcast, with behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage from two Arizona concerts late last year, plus performance excerpts. Radio and the Movies is this month’s podcast, scheduled for Feb. 23. Sonny discusses the influence of old time radio and classic movies on his music, and performs musical examples from his latest CD: Sonny, Please.
