ICD 08120 M1`ÿfe¡y.*yM*i. *iy.**#>r3 DIGIT 908 f01066048024B13 MAR88 MONTY GREENLY 03 10 APT A UCY 3740 ELM LONG BEACH CA 90807 VOLUME 98 NO. 10 THE INTERNATIONAL NEWSWEEKLY OF MUSIC AND HOME ENTERTAINMENT March 8, 1986/$3.50 (U.S.) CAPITOL, MCA DROP INDIES; RIM SUBPOENAED anti-pay- This story prepared by Iry Licht - tions of widespread payola in the ing their independent promotion the parent of the WEA labels - company's "long- standing man in New York and Sam Suth- music industry. policies. Federal attorneys here which suspended the hiring of indie ola program." This decision, Menon erland in Los Angeles. In a rapid series of developments would not comment on the RIAA promoters in late 1981, only to re- said, was prompted by an NBC at week's end, the Recording Indus- subpoena. turn to the practice several months "Nightly News" story last Monday NEW YORK Capitol-EMI Records try Assn. of America (RIAA) was Capitol-EMI's move, officially ac- later -press chief Geoffrey Holmes (24) on payola. and MCA Records last week sus- subpoenaed by a federal grand jury knowledged Thursday (27), involves said, "There's no question that we Menon said that "two days after pended the use of independent rec- in New York probing independent all indie promoters hired by the la- are once again going to examine the we suspended the use of indepen- ord promoters in an apparent reac- promotion practices, and other ma- bel; MCA said that it had suspended whole issue of independent promo- dent promotion, we learned from tion to nationally televised allega- jor labels were known to be review- "some" of its indies. tion." Asked if that meant immedi- [the RIAA] that federal grand ju- Although MCA would not elabo- ate suspension of indies, Holmes ries are investigating the situation. rate on its action, it is understood We believe this is the only appropri- that members of the so- called indie ate manner of determining whether CDs promotion "network " -including Time for action: any unlawful activity prevails." NARM Keys: Costs, Joe Isgro and Fred DiSipio -are no In the first of several televised re- ering. Bar- coding of product, the longer working MCA recordings. editorial, page 10 ports beginning last Monday (24), BY GEOFF MAYFIELD fate of the LP, and video's growing Capitol -EMI's move was con- NBC News charged that Isgro and NEW YORK Manufacturer pric- role will be key topics as well. firmed by various independent pro- said, "I don't want to say the com- DiSipio are linked to payola in asso- ing policies and the short supply of Antitrust considerations prohibit moters Wednesday (26) and involves pany won't -only that we're not ciation with organized crime. Compact Discs are the key issues on the discussion of pricing during not just those indies associated with there yet." The charges were contained in an the minds of music retailers as they NARM meetings. But due to WEA's the purported "network," but every Bhaskar Menon, chairman, presi- investigative report shown on head for the National Assn. of Re- recent 2% hike (see Inside Track, indie being used by Capitol, EMI dent, and CEO of Capitol Indus- NBC's "Nightly News." Most of the cording Merchandisers (NARM) page 92), questions regarding fu- America, Manhattan, and Blue tries -EMI Inc., said Capitol -EMI segment was repeated the following convention this weekend in Los An- ture increases will be on the agenda Note. had retained outside counsel, morning on the "Today" show, with geles. (Continued on page 90) At Warner Communications Inc., Latham & Watkins, to review the (Continued on page .91) NARM's investigation of a uni- form security system (Billboard, ADVERTISEMENTS Feb. 1) and labels' return policies also figure to receive attention at CBS May Pass the trade group's March 7 -10 gath- On MTV 'World,' Collins `Countdown' Pace Grammys BY STEVEN DUPLER NEW YORK MTV's "Top 20 Video BY PAUL GREIN Countdown," already cleared on 76 LOS ANGELES "We Are The stations in nearly half of all U.S. World," as expected, was the big markets, may make its debut in the winner in the 28th annual Grammy syndicated broadcast market next Awards, presented at the Shrine month without videoclips by CBS Auditorium here Tuesday (25). Records Group artists. "World" took four awards for re- Although MTV Networks presi- cord and song of the year, and also dent and CEO Bob Pittman says the for best pop group performance and syndicated countdown show, to be best short -form video. marketed by MTVN parent firm Viacom International, has conclud- The other big winner was Phil ,AIM FOSTER MOVES INTO THE FAST TRACK. Canadian Witn his new album, "A Friend In California," Merle Haggard is Collins, who won three key awards: ncker Jir't Foster brings his unstoppable blend of pop /rock adcing to his long and illustrious musical success story. Songs ed licensing agreements with "basi- album of the year, producer of the nusic to America with his debut album POWER LINES such as "I Had A Beautiful Time," which is currently climbing the cally all the major labels," spokes- year, and best male pop perfor- tIFL1 -8098, featuring the first single, X -RAY EYES PB- 14271. charts, and the title track "A Friend In California" are continuing men for WEA, PolyGram, and Aris- mance. On tour in Canada with Mr. Mister in March, Jim Foster's ready the legacy cf Merle Hagga-d hits. "A Friend In California," ta say only that talks on such to go the distance on RCA Records and Cassettes. (FE 40286) 3 hot new album from superstar Merle Haggard on (Continued on page 92) (Continued on page 88) Epic Recorcs and Cassettes. In -store March 10. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I g: I I I I I rr Ir CI II Ir v II SHOP BOYS 1 PST I I I I I I I I O fV 00 O O FROM THE FORTHCOMING ALBUM -PLEASE-( TT 7 7193) fV 00 N- FROM EMI AMERICA RECORDS PRODUCED BY STEPHEN HAGUE (88307) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ' MN EXCEPT 'OPPORTUNITIES' PRODUCED BY J. J. JECZALIK & NICHOLAS FROOME - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -C1986 - ENI - Americo - Records,- - division - ofCaVin>f- - Records, - Inc ADVERTISEMENT www.americanradiohistory.com www.americanradiohistory.com Country Package Tours on the Upbeat N S SSUE But Insurance, Taxes, Concessions Cause Concern Although multi -act packaging nie Fricke, T.G. Sheppard, and Syl- BY KIP KIRBY does not defray these costs and ac- via. On this three -hour bill, each act NASHVILLE Country music is tually adds to promoters' short - is treated as a headliner: All sets are VOLUME 98 NO. 10 MARCH 8, 1986 putting its acts into packages and term expenses, the rewards in sell- of the same length, and each per- taking them on the road. out crowds far outweigh the over- former introduces the next artist, 1 NEWS Capitol -EMI and MCA suspend use of independent pro- That's just one of the trends iden- head. Says Charles Dorris, with whom he does a duet to main- moters, and the RIAA is subpoenaed in the aftermath of reports of tified by Billboard in a survey of top president of Headline International tain continuity. record industry corruption. Pricing policies and a sho,tage of CDs country booking agents. The agents Talent Inc. in Nashville: "We can't Ticket prices on the tour are kept are retailers' top concerns as they head for the NARM convention. are forecasting a healthier tour pic- bring down building or insurance at $10 and $12.50 to encourage full "We Are The World" and Phil Collins are big winners at the ture than last year's. costs, and we can't inflate our mar- houses and family attendance. Grammys. 0. MTV "Top 20" hits snag in clip -use negotiations with As one positive sign, the agents ket share, but we can try to increase Beals says the tour's impact in the CBS. 0-3 /Country agents turn increasingly to packaging to offset point to stabilization of ticket prices our grosses. That's why there is so six Texas markets it covered in Feb- escalating tour costs. 0- 4 /March album releases come in like a lion in the $12.50 to $15 range, with the much packaging going on today." ruary has prompted talk of extend- with Van Halen, Prince, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Seger. 6/ added attraction that acts of similar Jeffrey Beals, vice president of ing it into the fall or spinning off a Texas marked 150 years independence with a touch of royalty of stature are being piggybacked to- the William Morris Agency office in version with different headliners. and a shot in the arm for its diverse music industry. gether. In fact, the single outstand- Nashville, says packaging is the pri- Also enthusiastically capitalizing 4 Executive Turntable 73 Classical ing trend in country touring is the mary reason his firm is optimistic on the packaging trend is Philip 78 Newsmakers 73 Latin ever -increasing use of packaging. about business in 1986. Last year Morris, whose Marlboro Country 72 Gospel 84 Album & Singles Reviews There is, however, a down side, the agency sent letters to client Music Tour is enjoying its third con- 72 Jazz 92 Inside Track with agencies reporting growing managers suggesting that they secutive successful year. Every 69 Dance Trax concern over the following issues: package with another act of equal Marlboro date offers three and escalating insurance costs; or greater stature.