Dnet Helps Producers and Artists Get Connected by CHRISTOPHER WALSH Nections
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THE INTERNATIONAL NEWSWEEKLY OF MUSIC, VIDEO, AND HOME ENTERTAINMENT SEPTEMBER 1, 2001 Studio Craft From A Distance EDNet Helps Producers And Artists Get Connected BY CHRISTOPHER WALSH nections. Using the nascent tech- or `It will have problems.' But [the NEW YORK -The landmark 1993 nology, producer Phil Ramone craft- EDNet] guys sat behind me all the sessions at Capitol Studios in Holly- ed seamless duets between Sinatra time and monitored my stuff so that wood that produced Frank Sinatra's and guest artists who were often we didn't have breakdowns." Duets album permanently trans- Ramone remembers hyping EDNet formed the recording industry-and to studios, encouraging them to get for far more than the music. the technology. One studio that al- Duets-which paired Sinatra with ready had it was the Hit Factory, the more than a dozen contemporary &dnet legendary New York City recording singers, including Lenny Kravitz facility. `We were the first in New York and Barbra Streisand -was the in 1993, when we were doing Duets music world's first high -profile use thousands of miles away. with Phil Ramone and [engineer] Al of Entertainment Digital Network, "When the Duets album came up, Schmitt," says CEO Troy Germano. or EDNet (pronounced E -D -net). I realized that there are so many Such artists as Bono, Gloria Estefan, EDNet is a telecommunications great artists who are not always in and Charles Aznavour came to the Hit network that allows artists in differ- the same city," Ramone says. That's Factory to record with Sinatra -who ent locations to collaborate si- when he decided to use EDNet. was clear across the country. multaneously via fiber -optic con- "Many people said, 'It doesn't work,' (Continued on page 79) BY WES ORSHOSKI An unashamed pop -culture NEW YORK-Spend enough time sponge, the 26 -year -old, Jacksonville, with acclaimed singer /songwriter N.C: bom singer could just as easily Christian Hip-HOp: Devil's Bargain? Ryan Adams, and chances are good dissect Slayer's best records (for the that the conversation will eventually uninitiated, 1986's Reign in Blood BY DEBORAH EVANS PRICE ing to the RIAA, Christian is exceeded in sales only by rock, meander through topics of love and tops '88's South of Heaven) as he NASHVILLE -As the Christian music industry has rap/hip -hop, pop, country, and R&B /urban. But are Chris- heartbreak, New York vs. Los Ange- could those of the rock, country, and grown -the sector sold some 44 million units last tian rap and hip -hop artists getting their share of the pie? les, and speedy songwriting, before punk legends that have obviously year-the vehicles that contemporary Christian and Some argue that they are waging the same battles their somehow turning to-of informed his own work. gospel artists use to convey their message have rock predecessors fought decades ago, when conservatives all things -death -metal It may come as a sur- ' "Gold" isn't evolved dramatically. in the Christian ranks challenged whether juggernaut Slayer. prise even to most fans Although quartets and choirs are still an that genre was an appropriate medium for It may take a while, but about beating that Adams' brand of integral part of the soundscape, many other furthering the Christian message -and Adams-the former front - myself up barroom rock and misty- forms have emerged to spread the faith - whether such music would sell. man of alt-country heroes over things eyed balladry owes as Christian rap and hip -hop among them. `We're fighting the exact same battle," Whiskeytown -will get or feelings.' much to the less -hip Yet just as Christian hard -rock and metal says Teron "Bonafide" Carter of Gotee there. In conversation, he corners of rock culture * Ryan Adams * bands fought for critical legitimacy and Records act Grits. "Christian rock is one of might make a silly refer- as it does to such icons retail shelf space in the '70s and '80s, Chris- the main music genres they sell a lot of. I ence to the head -banging as Neil Young, Paul tian rap and hip -hop artists are now strug- believe it's going to get like that with hip - outfit. In concert, he may even Westerberg, and Bruce Spring - gling to gain acceptance and support from their brethren. hop, but they're a little more fearful of this genre because attempt one of the group's buzz -saw steen. But this helps explain It's a new day for the Christian music industry, with they're uneducated about it. Rock pretty much crossed all guitar solos-on an acoustic guitar, why his new solo set -Gold, due SoundScan numbers up 12% for first -half 2001 over the cultural boundaries. Hip -hop has done that in the main - no less. And, for this, he's routinely Sept. 25 from Lost Highway-is the same period last year. As the sixth- largest genre, accord- (Continued on page 82) awarded with laughter. Yet Adams is most mainstream- leaning, least alt - only half-kidding. (Continued on page 80) ROADRUNNER RECORDS CELEBRATES ITS NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH ISLAND DEF JAM FOLLOWS PAGE 44 BY PRESENTING TWO OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED ROCK RECORDS OF THE YEAR HEATSEEKERS SLIPKNOT NICKELBACK oiLVER SIDE UP Island's Primer 55 Debuts At IN STORES AUGUST 28' IN STORES SEPTEMBER II" THE FOLLOW UP TO THEIR PLATINUM. DEBUT FEATURING THE MULTI- FORMAT HIT "HOW YOU REMIND ME No. 1 With `New Release' SEE PAGE 69 ADVERTISEMENT www.americanradiohistory.com Latin Grammys' Move Carries Cost Billboard. BY LEILA COBO without a hitch in Miami. "This community MIAMI -The last- minute move of the Latin has hosted popes, kings, queens, the Summit Editor in Chief: TIMOTHY WHITE Grammys from Miami to Los Angeles has of the Americas, Super Bowls, World Series, EDITORIAL events bigger than the Latin Gram- Executive Editor: BRADLEY BAMBARGER caused a tumult of activity, as labels, artists, and other Bureau Chiefs: Leila Cobo (Miami), Bill Holland (Washington, D.C.), Academy of Recording Arts and mys," committee member Fred Balsera says. Melinda Newman (Los Angeles), Phyllis Stark (Nashville) and the Latin Deputy Editor: Wayne Hoffman Sciences ([ARAS) itself struggle to revise in "Leaving Miami because of potential demon- Senior Editors: Ed Christman (Retail), Larry Flick, ChuckTaylor Senior Writers: Chris Monis (Los Angeles), Ray Waddell (Nashville) three weeks plans that had taken more than strations is a lame and hurtful excuse." Special Correspondent/Music Publishing Editor: Jim Beaman of protests had been Art Director: Jeff Nisbet three months to organize. Indeed, the possibility Associate Editors: Andrew Boorstyn, Eileen Fitzpatrick (Home Video, Los Angeles), "A lot of the details need to be worked contemplated months before, when Miami Brian Garrity (Merchants & Marketing /New Media), Carla Hay (Music Video), Gail Mitchell (R &B, Los Angeles), Wes Orshoski, Michael Paoletta (Dance), out, but we are hoping to move everything was chosen as the host city.' We had foreseen Deborah Evans Price (Country/Christian, Nashville) would be a possibility-not a Staff Writers: Matthew Benz, Rashaun Hall, Jill Pesselnick over there," Enrique Fernández, senior that [protests] Assistant Editors: Christopher Walsh (Pro Audio), Emma Warby, Chris Woods VP/executive director of LARAS, tells Bill- certainty, but a possibility," Fernández says. Art Assistant: Raymond Carlson Contributors: Scott Aiges, Fred Bronson, Ramiro Burr, Lisa Collins, Steve Graybow, board. "Remember, this is an international "And we were prepared for that." Marti Kenon, Larry LeBlanc, Moira McCormick, David Nathan, ago, when protesters asked Matthew Robinson, Steve Smith, ChristaTitus, SteveTraiman event, not a local event, so it can be held But two weeks GREENE INTERNATIONAL (London) anywhere in the world." to be placed closer to the venue, LARAS Editor In Chief: ADAM WHITE Deputy Editor: Thom Duffy Originally slated to be held at Miami's began to look for alternative sites, sources International Editor: Tom Ferguson Arena, the Latin Grammys he couldn't guarantee the safety of guests, say, and was ready to pick up and go. The first News Editor: Gordon Masson AmericanAirlines Bureau Chiefs: Christie Eliezer (Australasia /Melbourne), Kai R. Lofthus (Nordic/Oslo), will now take place at L.A.'s Great Western artists, sponsors, media, and protesters option was the National Car Rental Center Steve McClure (Asia/Tokyo), Wolfgang Spahr (Germany/Hamburg) 40 minutes north of Contributing Editors: Sam Andrews, Nigel Hunter, Kwaku, Paul Sexton, Nigel Williamson Forum; the Sept. 11 date is unchanged. The themselves (see Latin Notas, page 38). in Broward County, SPECIAL SECTIONS (Los Angeles) Person of the Year dinner, honoring Julio Igle- While the move itself won't be too Miami. When sheriff's deputies said they Director of Special Sections: GENE SCULATTT Associate Director: Dalet Brady sias, will take place Sept. 10 as originally painful -after all, the entire Grammy show couldn't guarantee security there either, LA Assistant Editor: Katy Kroll scheduled but has also been relocated from infrastructure is in Los Angeles -it will became the destination. Coordinator: Marin Jorgensen at a financial cost. LARAS says the show will go on. Con- CHARTS & RESEARCH Miami to LA -to the Beverly Hilton Hotel - come Director of Charts: GEOFF MAYFIELD we're firmed performers include Alejandro Sanz, Chart Managers: Keith Caulfield (Pop Catalog, Soundtracks, Production Credits), Anthony according to Michael Greene, president/CEO "We've basically acknowledged that Colombo (Mainstream Rock, Spotlight Recaps) Ricardo Companioni (Dance, Latin), Steven of the National Academy of Recording Arts going to lose between $400,000 and Luis Miguel, and Thalía, as well as a not -yet- Graybow )Jazz, Blues, Modem Rock), Wade lessen (Country, Contemporary Christian, Gospel), Jonathan Kurant (Adult Contemporary,AdultTop 40), Geoff Mayfield (The Billboard 200, and Sciences and LARAS.