Roden) Barry by (photo S's4V Mail Registration 1351 No 20 plus 1$2.80 OO $3 GST) Volume 21 631\1o. 8,1996 July 2 page See award gold your on Congratulatons WRIGHT IIICARLE BIRTH® APPY 2 - RPM - Monday July 8, 1996 Retailers look for answers in sluggish season the record industry may be settling into a smaller RETAIL continued from page2 niche in the entertainment market. What are the solutions for the retail malaise? Thirty years ago, we had only TV (without three weeks, and then they start to de cable), movies and books to otherwise occupy our don't see those big numbers. by Ron Rogers Sunrise Records' head buyer Tim Baker says time. Now, we have the 500 -channel television "Certainly with the over -30 crow( as important as it used to be. They ix that things aren't as disastrous as some have been universe, we have Cineplex theatres in every mall, So it's not doom and gloom. But the fact is, retail led to believe, but certainly thinks it could be much video stores on every corner, and computer and up the phone on a Friday night, ask is in something of a profound slump, and it's better. How to make things better, however, is a video game software in every kid's bedroom. The to come over, crack open a bottle of wi: to the new Peter Gabriel. With the ov affecting every corner of the business. While record question he can't really answer. music biz has suddenly found itself with some very retailers aren't exactly panhandling on the city "Hopefully when the Dance Mix '96 hits, sturdy competition, and the simple advent of new music has almost become a backgroun( to something that keeps them going. B streets, there's few, if any, retailers who won't things will pick up. But I wouldn't say it's doom technology (namely, CDs), hasn't kept it ahead of admit that things aren't exactly hopping. and gloom, we still have records that are selling the game (or games). getting decent numbers, we're still g( in the stores. And it's not all kids. I m, The question is - what can be done about it? out there. We're not behind, I mean there's still "I think what you're seeing happening here is What does this industry need to get out of its current good business out there. It's just not taking off. at Tracy Chapman, kids aren't buyinE more or less what you saw happen in the movie Celine Dion, kids aren't buying t. doldrums? Certainly, we can't blame things on a We're not seeing those huge numbers on those industry," notes Baker. "Several years ago a movie Michael, the same thing. So at least t lack of big -name product. Just in the last month, particular albums (Metallica, Adams, Michael, would open up, and you'd wait three or four weeks, we've had new releases from Metallica, Bryan etc.) week in and week out. But I don't know what so the crowds would die down, and then you'd go older people coming into the stores. Adams, Soundgarden, The Tragically Hip, George we can do about it. There's no way in the world see it. Now, you'd better see it in the first two or it's the young crowd that we've got more interested in coming." Michael - it doesn't get much bigger than that. we're going to have a big album come out every three weeks, because it's probably not going to be While the major retailers aren't really crying week." showing. And I think something similar is Whenever the topic comes aroi the blues, per se, they are concerned, and they are The thinking in many circles is that the current happening with the record industry. We're seeing sales, that old taboo subject of h seeking ways to put an end to the slowdown and sluggish retail environment is more fact than albums that come out, do incredibly well for two, inevitably comes up. CRIA mainta get things jumping again like they were 10 years illusion. With consumer entertainment dollars ago. being pinched by more and more sources (computer RETAIL continued onpage 3 Atlantic C nad2 flroi software and hardware, videos, video games, etc.), Thanks to Air Nova, approximately Canada performers will be transported Canadian Music Week 997 seeks festival artists to take part in Canada! Atlantic and Be birthday Canadian Music Week '97, the largest music The Rising Star award, an event in which leading will be an August 31 feature of the Li] ,--_celebrates festival/conference in Canada, has issued an open Canadian music critics will vote for those bands Out -of -Doors Festival. The annual I Wright and fans call to artists seeking to showcase their talents in they consider to be the hottest up-and-coming acts. from August 13 through September 5 cass--rsit CISS-FMwill the Export 'A' Plugged New Music Festival, an Winners of the Rising Star awards will be presented "This event will bring a sense of with andToronto's The 'Wright '96 for along time. integral part of CMW which takes place in clubs with an assortment of prizes, as well as gold, silver flare and fun of Atlantic Canada to N( MichelleCanada Day annualCanada and venues across the city of Toronto. and bronze awards. beams Air Nova president Joseph R remember CISS-FM's estimated at In an effort to update the festival portion of In order to give greater exposure to the best Arista starheadlined a crowd see it as an excellent opportunity which drew KewBeach. the conference, CMW '97 organizers are presenting new talent, CMW '97 will feature fewer artists, in tourism to this part of the world, from Daycelebrations fans at 100,000 country birthday,which order to give more time to those bands that do market for Air Nova." more than was alsoWright's from the July 1st Birthday" chorus Van Halen is no participate. Those acts travelling the greatest Support for the Canadian sho "Happy Monica, wasalso distance will be offered additional opportunities prompted a mother longeir Van Lagar comes from the four provincial gove beaming also basking to perform throughout the festival. crowd. Her Wright was You. from federal sources. her birthday.album ForMe It's A brief media announcement informed the rock Each band chosen to showcase in the festival Well-known songwriter/come celebrating of her new until she was in thesuccess and a and roll world that Sammy Hagar is no longer a will receive VIP access to the Music & Multimedia White and Acadian comedy/mu: credosucssful,en roses But shedidn't realize award part of Van Halen. Hagar joined the band in 1986 trade show, the largest of its kind in Canada, which Barachois, will represent Prince Ed, a gold stage byCISS-FM's following the less-than-acrimonius departure of surprised bypresented on will feature 130 exhibitors, three days of seminars, while New Brunswick is sending Eag cake, BMG'sPaul Alofs David Lee Roth. The release noted only that "the birthday F, and Birthday from A&R workshops, musicians clinics and product contemporary native peoples band. 1\1( and Larry Happy band is currently considering a replacement." Cliff Dumas customary the city. demonstrations. The VIP access will also include music will be presented by The Pun Snell. limit set by and Jill 95 decibel guy, even The probable replacement is Roth himself, access to all festival showcases. rock band and the Irish Descendants, exceeded the national press who has been in studio with the three long-standing the crowdCarpenter,13MG' s Janzen tojoin Artists of all musical genres are invited to introduction. From Nova Scotia, tl Cam pitcher Marty Van Halen members (Eddie and Alex Van Halen tender applications. The showcase submission Blue Jays with Jaystrainer fiddler Natalie MacMaster with Dav arranged for along and Michael Anthony), collaborating on new deadline is December 15, 1996. Application forms Gaelic singer Mary Jane Lamond at of well-wisherstrainer BrentAndrews, the crowd assistant playing anmaterial that will be included on the group's are available from music associations and Moment an a cappella quartet. Craig and ballpark after upcoming greatest hits album. That album, on Tommydash fromthe organizations, major music trade magazines, and a quick Warner Bros. Records, is scheduled for release in the Canadian Music Week office at (phone) 416- gamewith Baltimore. afternoon the fall. 695-9236, or (fax) 416-695-9239. NO.1 ALBUM ALBUM PICK HIT PICK the tragically hip ahead by a century FUGEES All d EAD BY A CENTURY CROWDED HOUSE SHOW ME HEAVEN The Score Tragically Hip Recurring Dream: The Best Of... Tina Arena BMG Music Canada president Paul Alofs Columbia - 67147-H MCA Capitol - 38250-F Epic Cox's first gold award for her self -titled Ar Mall.. Burlington at outlet Records Sunrise the debut, Arista -titled self her for award gold first Cox's at fans anxious some for CD II Volume List Hit The of copies signs Dan Tarzan YTV's Deborah with seek and hide little a plays Alofs Paul president Canada Music BMG =,r) , - Ira 416-695-9239. (fax) r 416- (phone) at office Week Music a and magazines, trade music major s, years." quartet. cappella a an Moment and associations music from )le Descendants Irish The subsequent for country the of regions different The Four and Lamond Jane Mary singer Gaelic forms Application 1996. 15, >ecember the from music more find to Canada to getting to MacIsaac, Dave with MacMaster Natalie fiddler submission showcase The ications.