`A HADA Blue Live Trades Facts For Feelings Promoter Eyes Overnight Successes CR14 RIM Join Forces hasn't divided reluctant promoters much sooner whether they've got Tape BY KIRK LAPOINTE from zealous record companies, a winner or a loser on their hands. In Pirate Crackdown OTTAWA Hard facts and figures Skarratt says. In fact, he says, re- "You find out if it's a likely hit OTTAWA A joint investigation kets, CRIA says. The Edmonton no longer count for much when lations between the two branches or a miss within 48 hours," he by the Canadian Recording In- market was inundated with making a decision on an artist to of the industry are better than says. "It's like baseball- either dustry Assn. and the Recording 30,000 pieces of product during a promote in concert, says Jim Skar- they have been in a long time. you connect or you strike out Industry Assn. of America has four -week period, the CRIA re- ratt, the president of Blue Live En- "Record companies are stronger quickly." led to the seizure of nearly 12,000 lease says. tertainment. allies," says Skarratt. "They're It would be a lot simpler if busi- allegedly counterfeit cassettes CRIA says RIAA is convinced The head of the Hamilton -based not necessarily bringing more ness were predictable. Skarratt and the arrest of three men. An it has closed down the U.S. manu- company underwritten by the money to the table in support, but says, "There's no rhyme or reason ongoing investigation may yet facturing source of the product. Labatt brewery says acting on in- for the successes or failures a lot produce more charges. One man in the Los Angeles area stinct has returned investments in of the time." Edmonton, Alberta, city police was arrested, and the FBI is con- a big way to the concert produc- `You find out Matters have been made easier executed a series of search war- tinuing its research on the case. tion business. in recent months as Canadian cur- rants recently after CRIA and On April 6, Edmonton police "You're almost back to a gut re- if it's a hit or miss rency has strengthened against its RIAA received numerous com- charged Arthur Bischoff and action," Skarratt says. "The hard - U.S. counterpart. Most performers plaints about the distribution of Sheldon Weidman with fraud core numbers become less impor- within 48 hours' prefer U.S. dollars as payment. allegedly counterfeit cassettes in over $1,000. Two others may be tant now because we've found "We're now looking at exchange western Canada and the U.S. charged, CRIA asserts. they don't really point to successes they're bringing other types of rates of about 30 or 33 cents on the About 200 titles, most of them CRIA has increasingly encour- or failures the way they used to." support and enthusiasm." dollar," he says. "For a while, it top catalog items from major rec- aged police to pursue such cases Blue Live Entertainment, Indeed, while promoters used to was 40 or so." ord companies, were involved. under the fraud provisions of the launched last year by Labatt's, often depend on record companies And an interesting prospect for In a news release, CRIA's anti - Criminal Code, rather than the staged some 300 Canadian shows for support, now it seems concert Skarratt -who hasn't really pro- piracy branch says the product much more lenient copyright in- in its first 12 months. Skarratt be- producers can do more for labels moted in large arenas in the Toron- was being distributed by individ- fringement provisions. In some lieves the number will increase by than vice versa, according to Skar- to market, although he has access uals who serviced rural routes cases, stiff penalties or sizable 30 -40 shows in the coming year, ratt. to the 15,000 -seat Copps Coliseum and delivered a variety of dry out -of -court settlements have but he says he is relying a lot less What it means for Blue Live, in Hamilton -is the new 61,000 - goods to numerous small ac- been reached when fraud on research and a lot more on im- however, is that advertising and seat Skydome in Toronto. Slated counts in Canada. In the U.S., the charges are pending. pulse. other forms of publicity surround- for completion by 1989, it will fea- product surfaced at flea mar- "Airplay and record sales used ing its productions don't provide ture a retractable roof. to be your guide," he says. "But the kick -start that they once did. now, you have complete unknowns "Advertising might boost sales becoming major stars in six 5 % -10 %," Skarratt says. "I don't months. You have to act early, be- think you can take an [inferior] Claims Domestic Distribution Would Be Detrimental fore those sales, to get the artist show and make something of it for the right price and setting." much anymore." This new way of operating And promoters are finding out Lorimar Exec Objects To licensing Bill OTTAWA Proposed federal legis- since MacDonald announced her in- "Now is the time for the govern- lation to license video distribution in tention to introduce the bill earlier ment to go and make a deal," Peter- Canada (Billboard, May 30) is "ill - this year. President Ronald Reagan, son adds. Blue Rodeo Could Ride conceived and half- baked" and Trade Representative Clayton Yeut- Under this legislation, films like won't greatly benefit Canadian dis- ter, and film industry lobbyist Jack "Platoon," "Crocodile Dundee," and tributors, says a leading video exec- Valenti all have made personal "My Beautiful Laundrette" would utive who wants the bill killed be- pleas to the Canadian government have been taken away from foreign High With 'Outskirts' fore it is even introduced. to hold off on the bill. distributors and put in Canadian OTTAWA It may not happen "We are in this for a long haul," Ian Peterson, executive vice pres- A House of Commons committee hands. Valenti estimates the impact with this album (although it Cuddy says. "It would be nice if ident and director of Lorimar Home would be charged with the responsi- of the bill to be about $40 million an- might), it may not even happen we broke now, but we look at this Video, says that 30% of his compa- bility of studying the legislation and nually, but Peterson says that fig- with the next album (although as a first step." ny's gross sales would have been fine-tuning it before it passes, and ure doesn't include about $20 mil- very likely it will), but just about Others may have more ambi- lost last year under such legislation. there are concerns that its features lion or so for video distribution. everyone in the Canadian music in- tious goals, however. WEA is Communications Minister Flora would be bolstered. KIRK I.aPOINTE dustry is convinced that the basic working the album slowly, start- MacDonald has indicated that the rock of Blue Rodeo is sooner or ing with the title track. Taking in- government will soon introduce a later going to find an international spiration from Bob Dylan, Tom bill that guarantees Canadian distri- audience. Petty, Marshall Crenshaw, and a bution of all videos and films unless The Toronto-based band, whose handful of country-rock hybrids, foreign -controlled companies hold Risque Disque label, on the "Out- Blue Rodeo is one of the first Ca- worldwide rights or significantly fi- Distrib Bill Irks Reagan skirts," is being released national- nadian groups to successfully cap- nanced such projects. ly by WEA Music of Canada Ltd., ture traditional American-style Peterson says the industry is will- OTTAWA U.S. President Ronald plauded in Canada, where distribu- has drawn strong reviews for its rock. ing to sit down with federal officials Reagan has expressed strong con- tors rarely get a shot at major films live performances and for its new Out on the road in coming and discuss how it could more great- cerns about impending Canadian and videos. recording. weeks with K.D. Lang, another ly assist Canadian producers and legislation aimed at breaking Amer- Mulroney, however, told Reagan Although parallels to Dire Canadian who has a distinctly others in the business. But he ican domination of video and film that the legislation would not im- Straits might be a bit lofty, Blue American tone to her work, the doubts the bill will achieve the de- distribution in Canada. pede the distribution of American or Rodeo is nevertheless garnering a cross -country tour should draw sired effect of stimulating Canadian At the recent summit meeting other foreign films in Canada. He reputation as a band's band. The rave reviews. distribution. with Canadian Prime Minister Brian said the measure is designed to musicianship and songwriting on Steeped in Toronto club work, "The bill will do very little for a Mulroney, Reagan reportedly told strengthen a severely weakened el- "Outskirts" are evidence that the with a brief stint in New York, lot and a lot to very few," Peterson Mulroney that the proposed legisla- ement of the film business and group has enormous potential. Blue Rodeo wanted to sharpen its says. Several productions won't be tion could hurt cultural links be- should not hurt foreign companies Recruiting Terry Brown (Rush, sound in the studio without losing picked up for release as a result of tween the two countries and affect to any great extent. Cutting Crew) as producer proved the grit that had gotten the band the bill, he predicts, and foreign dis- the distribution of many films in the Officials who briefed reporters to be a shrewd move, says band co- to that point. Brown is known as a tributors will actively attempt to cir- U.S.' largest foreign market. following the April meeting also principal Jim Cuddy. technology- conscious producer, cumvent the legislation by setting Under the bill, outlined earlier said that U.S. trade representative "There was a lot of push -and- however. up "shell companies" in Canadian this year, the Canadian government Clayton Yeutter raised the matter pull," he says. "We would argue "We worked well together," hands so they can distribute the re- would introduce a licensing system with Pat Carney, head of the Minis- against the harmonizer, and he says Cuddy. "It was important for leases they want. for films and videos in Canada. For- try of International Trade, but no would strengthen our guitar us to have an experienced produc- "I'm as nationalistic as the next eign firms would be allowed to dis- progress was made. sound." Already, the album is pull- er." guy," Peterson says. "But I don't tribute only those releases it helped Reagan also reaffirmed his ad- ing in strong airplay across the And, while longtime fans of the think this bill will be in the public in- produce or for which it holds world- ministration's commitment to secur- country, even during this glut of band might find "Outskirts" to be terest. It will boost royalties flow- wide rights. Anything else would be ing a free -trade arrangement with Canadian music that has seen re- subtler than the concerts and club ing out of the country, and Canadi- turned over to Canadian companies Canada. The U.S. administration's leases in recent weeks by Bryan nights they've seen, Blue Rodeo ans won't get the same access to re- for distribution. stated goal is to eliminate all tariff Adams, Gowan, Rock & Hyde, and has emerged as a much more ma- leases." The legislation has made many and nontariff trade barriers be- others. ture outfit. The federal government has been distributors abroad unhappy, al- tween the two countries by the end under intense lobbying pressure though it has been strongly ap- of the century.

AR BILLBOARD JUNE 6, 1987 www.americanradiohistory.com