Compiled by MC Senior Editor, Mark Nardone hen Music Connection began to compile this exclusive list, we not only drew upon the Wmagazine’s own resources –– our editorial staff, freelance writers and industry contacts — but via our Weekly Bulletin we invited 70,000 readers to participate. So we want to thank the thousands of respondents who contributed thoughtful and, in many cases, heartfelt nominations. As is the nature of such a list, it was not possible to include all who were deserving of recognition. And we do not expect you will agree with every choice we ultimately made. But this one-of-a- kind list, a result of many hours of deliberation and presented in no particular order regarding an individual’s importance or accomplishment, is composed of people and entities who had an important impact on music and music-makers in 2008. 42 AMP NETWORK • WEEKLY BULLETIN • WEBSITE • DIGITAL EDITION • MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008 Shepard Fairey access to a rights. But beyond his career in law he put Aside from his notorious prints of Che synthesizer right together a 2008 charity CD, Interlude, which Guevara, Joseph Stalin and George Bush, in the palm of their features the talents of artists such as Chuck graphic artist Frank Shepard Fairey has lent hands. In addition Prophet, Kelly Willis and Ana Egge. The his vision to album covers by Black Eyed to the amazing proceeds of the disc are going to MusicCares, Peas, the Smashing Pumpkins and Led linking capabilities, which makes sure musicians have their Zeppelin. Most importantly, in 2008, Fairey’s which offer musical financial, medical and personal needs met in anti-establishment art has become the official opportunities no single synthesizer ever could, times of crisis. In addition his pro bono work, look of “Change,” not just for those youth who the KORG DS-10 puts powerful tools at the Litowitz also runs a foundation to raise money rebelled against the disposal of a whole new generation of music to fight Parkinson’s, called ParkinSong. (www Bush administration, talent. Scary. (http://www.aqi.co.jp/product/ .finnegan.com/robertlitowitz) but also for the masses ds10/en/index.html) that would vote for a Red Bull young African-American Lil Wayne The Austrian energy for president. Shepard Perhaps no drink maker does more Fairey’s ubiquitous precedent exists than send a hot-shot designs have influenced for the 2008 of caffeinated sugar to a generation to become success of this your cerebral cortex. politically active. (www rapper (Dwayne The company has also .studionumber-one Michael Carter, become known for its dynamic music events, .com) Jr.), who offered especially the Red Bull Soundclash, a high- over 70 songs concept endeavor that gives the audience an and remixes as onstage collaborative performance in which Trent Reznor free downloads two bands are judged via crowd response as Who’da thought instead of putting they complete a set of assigned tasks. This the perennial a new CD on mash-up results in a cohesive, “conversational” prince of darkness the market. performance between the bands. (www. would ever get all By giving his redbullsoundclash .com) touchy-feely on music away he kept his art in the public’s ears us? But when it and his fans happy. When he finally did release came to Nine Inch a full album, the fans rewarded him handily, Nails fans, that’s making Wayne the biggest first week seller of pretty much how 2008. The rapper’s Tha Carter III sold 423,000 Reznor rolled in copies in its first day of release, according to 2008. With his self- Billboard magazine (citing figures from Nielsen released Ghosts Trent Reznor SoundScan). With those numbers, Wayne I–IV, Reznor seized posted the best sales debut of the year. He has the opportunity to ignore the old-school label- marketing paradigm and go directly to his killed the oft-cited warning that listeners will not listeners with special offers and cool incentives. buy what they can get free. (MySpace.com/ lilwayne) He sold the music online from $5 per digital Rothbury Festival download on up to a $300 Ultra-Deluxe limited “Destination festivals” have been popping edition package, which sold out all 2,500 copies Robert Plant up like a plague of dandelions the past few (grossing $750,000) in three days. A week later The hi-pitched years. But this one, on an idyllic tree-lined he reported more than 700,000 orders and hellion of classic mecca six miles from Lake Michigan, had downloads, and revenue of $1.6 million. Reznor rock turned down an environmental mission (organizers set a has showed that an artist’s best move is to (at least for now) the “near-zero waste” goal for the festival) and, like bond with the core fan to offer something smart easy money – an and unique. (www.nin.com) Bonnaroo, was later rewarded for “Outstanding eagerly anticipated Greener Festival” by agreenerfestival.com. LZ reunion – to MC feature writer Gary Graff reported via The Eagles & Irving Azoff continue to pursue GoAndDoMichigan.com: “Rothbury’s well- Kudos to this classic band, now his new love, the ULLINS publicized green initiatives were a hit with fans well-received duet M touring in support of Long Road LLA and artists alike — even Snoop Dogg was seen Out of Eden (their first album of project Raising Sand E sorting his trash into compost, recycling and new material since 1979), and with country/bluegrass siren Alison Krauss. In landfill trash bins.” (www.rothburyfestival.com) their longtime manager Azoff for effect, Plant has proved to aging superstars thinking of their fans. How? and their fans that there’s life and untold artistic Ellen Page By doing away with the satisfaction beyond your Greatest Hits. (www standard, much-hated .robertplant.com) For the 2008 Oscar-winning film Juno, “convenience fee” this Canadian actress was so in-tune with that could easily her precocious, pregnant title character Tim Westergren that Page asked the director to rethink his ALODNER have been tacked An accomplished K on to the price soundtrack choice of ‘70s glam rock in favor of OHN musician, Westergren founded internet radio something simpler, stripped down and sincere J of each concert station Pandora in 2000. In 2008, facing Irving Azoff ticket. Does this — the songs of quirky Moldy Peaches singer extinction at the hands of the powerful National Kimya Dawson, which led to a commercial gesture, triggered by Azoff’s recent rise to CEO Association of Broadcasters (which represents of Ticketmaster (“Ticketbastard,” to more than a breakthrough for that alt-folk artist. (www commercial radio’s interests) Westergren .ellenpages.com) few cash-strapped concertgoers), actually signal spearheaded the successful grassroots the emergence of a kinder, gentler, fan-friendly campaign to get the House and Senate to ratify music industry? (www.eaglesband.com) an agreement on internet radio royalties, thus ensuring the continued existence of internet Nobuyoshi Sano radio. As Pandora’s Chief Strategy Officer, Westergren is dedicated to helping talented KORG DS-10 emerging artists connect with the music fans Composer/sound designer Nobuyoshi “sanodg” most likely to appreciate their music. (www Sano, the musical genius behind many popular .pandora.com) videogames, including several of the Tekken and Ridge Racer series, has expanded the world of music creation by designing software Rob Litowitz for the Nintendo DS, the ever-popular handheld He’s a litigating attorney specializing in patents, gaming device, which allows users to have trademarks and other intellectual property DECEMBER 2008 • MAGAZINE • DIGITAL EDITION • WEBSITE • WEEKLY BULLETIN • AMP NETWORK 43 Bob Lefsetz sticking by the commercially struggling yet San Francisco and London. In 2008 her events His LefsetzLetter –– opinionated, often critically acclaimed Kings of Leon for four focused on new business models. smashmouthed, but very persuasive –– is albums and counting. (www.rcarecords.com) (www.narip.com) received via e-mail by a broad spectrum of artists and execs and always pushes hard Brian Eno for artists’ rights. Lefsetz not only brings an From his daring entertainment attorney’s knowledge to the Roxy Music days table, but his abiding passion for great music through eccentric fuels his informed rants, which challenge the solo albums industry to stop whining and go boldly into the and ambient future. (www.lefsetz.com) excursions, to mega-success Brendan Okrent with U2 and A tireless champion of young songwriters, Mel Karmazin most recently this ASCAP exec organizes The Lester Sill The difficult merger he Coldplay’s 2008 Songwriting Workshop. Okrent also started orchestrated between rival release Viva la ASCAP’s “Quiet On The Set” showcase (in satellite radio services Sirius Vida or Death N.Y., L.A., Miami, at SXSW in Austin and at the Brian Eno and XM keeps the form alive and All His Folk Alliance Conference). These showcases have been a potent proving ground for so it can continue to deliver Friends, this producer/artist continues to exert emerging talent. (www.ascap.com) compelling commercial-free a powerful mojo. What’s more, 2008 saw Eno music programming and reunite with David Byrne for the duo’s first a nagging challenge to collaboration (Everything That Happens Will commercial radio. It remains Happen Today) since 1981’s My Life In The to be seen if the merger will Bush of Ghosts. (www.enoshop.co.uk) offer more or less channels for new music, but the very David Mel Karmazin survival of commercial-free Israelite satellite radio is a worthy As President/ compromise. (www.sirius.com) CEO, National Music Publishing Association, he has significantly raised the lobbying profile of songwriters and publishers with tangible results in Washington. “Although we face such an enormous fight,” says Israelite, “we have an incredible advantage –– we represent songwriters, without whom the record labels Tena Clark and digital music services could not exist.” (www.nmpa.org) Tena Clark A songwriter, producer and visionary entrepreneur, Clark is a force of nature.