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Bulletin YOUR DAILY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATE FEBRUARY 25, 2020 Page 1 of 25

INSIDE US Recorded Music Revenue

• Four Key Reaches $11.1 Billion in 2019, Takeaways From the RIAA’s 2019 Year-End 79% From Streaming: RIAA Report

• What Is Password BY DAN RYS Sharing Costing Streaming & the The U.S. recorded music business generated $11.1 two years it bottomed out at $6.7 billion total from Music Business at billion in revenue in 2019, according to the RIAA’s its 1999 peak. Limited-tier subscriptions — which Large? annual year-end report, a 13% year-over-year increase includes services like Prime and Pandora • Coronavirus from the $9.8 billion it reached in 2018. That repre- Plus which do not provide full-catalog, unlimited on- Fears Hit Music sents the fourth straight year of double-digit growth demand access — accounted for $829 million of that and Entertainment for the sector, and a faster rate of growth over 2018, total. Paid subscribers to on-demand services reached Stocks when it increased 11.9% over the prior year. (Sales 60.4 million in 2019, up 29% over 2018’s 46.9 million, • Country Radio were up 16.5% in 2017 and 11.4% in 2016.) as subscriber growth and subscriber revenue continue Seminar: An Older Unsurprisingly, that growth was driven largely by to grow concurrently. Medium Looks for continued gains in streaming revenue, which grew Meanwhile, ad-supported on-demand stream- Youthful Passion 19.9% year-over-year to $8.8 billion from 2018’s $7.4 ing also grew significantly, up 20% over 2018, yet it billion, accounting for 79.5% of all revenue. That accounted for just $908 million in revenue. As the RI- • Paul Williams to Receive Johnny figure is also means that streaming revenue on its own AA’s report notes, “These types of services streamed Mercer Award at was larger than the entire U.S. recorded-music sector more than 500 billion songs to more than 100 million Hall of in 2017, and higher than any year’s total revenue since listeners in the United States, yet contributed only 8% Fame 2008, and was the first time streaming surpassed 3/4 to total music revenues for the year.” Digital and cus- • Congressional of all revenue for the business. tomized radio revenue was down 4% year-over-year to Hearing on Within overall streaming revenues, paid subscrip- $1.16 billion, due to a 5% downturn in SoundExchange Ticketing to Cover tions accounted for $6.8 billion, up 25% year-over- distributions ($908 million), while ad-supported Transferability, year and making up 61% of the overall revenue total. streaming revenues remained flat at $251 million. Speculative Tickets That $6.8 billion is also itself larger than the entire Apart from streaming, several numbers stick out in U.S. recorded-music business in 2014 and 2015, the (continued) Republic_05_022920.indd 1 2/21/20 2:00 PM Page 3 of 25

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the sales model figures. For the first time physical and synchronization at 2.9%. ing to the RIAA’s annual year-end report, a since 2006, digital download sales revenue The RIAA’s numbers represent U.S. 13% year-over-year increase from the $9.8 dipped below the $1 billion mark, falling recorded music revenue at retail, not the billion it reached in 2018. 18% year-over-year to $856 million from actual amount taken in by labels. Accord- But within those numbers are a few last year’s $1.04 billion. downloads ing to the RIAA, wholesale revenue, the hidden gems that can be highlighted as dropped 21% to $395 million while digital amount collected by record labels, grew to trends to keep an eye on. Here are four key track sales fell 15% to $415 million, as the $7.3 billion in 2019, an 11% increase from the takeaways: overall download sector totaled just 8% prior year’s total of $6.6 billion. Prior year 1. Streaming growth rate is falling of all revenues for the year. Album down- numbers shown here may vary from what Revenue from streaming reached $8.8 loads accounted for 3.6% of revenues, while was reported by Billboard last year, as the billion in 2019, larger than the entire amount digital track downloads accounted for 3.7% RIAA continually updates its data as new of revenue generated by the U.S. recorded- of revenues, and ringtones still brought in information becomes available. music business in 2017, just two years $21.4 million, good for 0.2% of revenues. prior. But the rate of that growth dropped Yet physical revenue largely remained again, from 68.5% in 2016 to 43% in 2017 to stable, dropping just 0.6% year-over-year to Four Key 30.1% in 2018 to 19.9% in 2019. In absolute $1.15 billion. CD sales continued to drop — numbers, it’s a different story, as the revenue though not as fast as digital sales — as they Takeaways From growth generated has been fairly steady: a fell 12% to $615 million in 2019, with ship- jump of $1.6 billion in 2016, $1.7 billion in ments dropping 10.5% to 46.5 million copies the RIAA’s 2019 2017 and $1.71 billion in 2018. But 2019’s from the 52 million counted last year. But vi- jump was just $1.43 billion, suggesting that nyl continued its victorious return, balloon- Year-End Report revenue growth may finally be tapering off ing a whopping 19% year-over-year to $504 a bit — we emphasize a bit, of course, as it’s million, the format’s highest revenues in 32 BY DAN RYS still nearly a billion and a half dollars more years and its 14th straight year of growth. than the year prior. But a curve in the graph CDs made up 5.5% of overall revenues, he RIAA released its 2019 year- is beginning to emerge as streaming contin- while vinyl accounted for 4.5%; average list end revenue numbers for the ues to climb. price of a CD dropped to $13.21 in 2019 from U.S. recorded-music business 2. Subscribers up, paid subscription $13.43 in 2018, while vinyl averaged $26.05, Tuesday (Feb. 25) and for the revenue up, but... a jump from $25.10 the year before. Tfourth straight year it was full of great news The RIAA significantly altered its number Overall, digital accounted for 87.2% of in the form of double-digit percent increases of paid subscribers for 2018 from last year’s revenues in 2019, physical made up 10.3% of and a wealth of money coming in from paid report — it regularly updates its numbers revenues and synch royalties accounted for streaming. from year to year as more information 2.5% of revenues. In 2018, recorded-music The U.S. recorded music business gener- becomes available — dropping it to 46.9 mil- revenue broke out to 85.4% digital, 11.7% ated $11.1 billion in revenue in 2019, accord- lion subscribers from its initial 50.2 million

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figure. This year, it calculated the number 14th straight year of growth. Not only that, billion in wholesale revenue in 2019, accord- of paid subscribers at 60.4 million, up 28.7% its rate of growth is accelerating even as its ing to the RIAA’s year-end revenue report (and 13.5 million) over last year’s adjusted baseline revenue increases, too — its 19% released Tuesday (Feb. 25). With wide- figures, while 2019’s $5.93 billion in revenue growth in 2019 is more than double the 8% spread dissatisfaction over current stream- from paid subscriptions (subtracting the it grew in 2018, an impressive feat. So let’s ing royalties, creators and labels should $829.5 million from limited-tier subs) is up do the math: If CD sales revenue declines happily welcome extra revenue. 27.5% from the $4.66 billion (again, subtract- at the same 12% rate in 2020 that it fell in If the $300 million in lost fees were ing limited-tier subs) calculated in the prior 2019, and even if we assume that vinyl’s 19% distributed pro rata, , year. That means the two are growing in growth rate was an anomaly and in 2020 its with a 38.82% share of U.S. on-demand near-lockstep — but that slight discrepancy rate reverts to the 8% growth it saw in 2018, streams in 2018, would receive an extra $68 in growth accounts for a $1-per-subscriber then vinyl sales revenue could pass CD sales million in royalties, by Billboard’s estimate. change in revenue generated, from $99.28 in revenue in 2020 for the first time since 1986. And that’s just in the U.S. That’s a speck 2018 to $98.25 in 2019. Those additional 13.5 It’s possible and it could be right around the compared to its North American revenue million subscribers are bringing in around corner. of $2.86 billion, yet an incremental 2.4% of $94.67 per sub, in other words, meaning that revenue would be like being gifted a small there seems to be a significant amount of with modest success but no discounting bringing in those new stream- What Is Password expenses. As Dire Straits sang, it’s money ers. The discrepancies aren’t huge yet, but for nothing. Key Takeaways: it’s worth watching. Sharing Costing 1) Of the 11 million Americans currently 3. Digital downloads dip below ad-sup- using a shared subscription account, about ported streaming Streaming & the 30% could be considered likely subscribers It’s no surprise that digital downloads of and could be worth $300 million annually tracks and are drying up — they’ve Music Business at (at $9.99 per month). been dropping faster than CD sales for a 2) Subscription services address account- few years now, even as they still collectively Large? sharing indirectly by offering a spectrum of bring in more than CD sales revenue in 2019. pricing and plan options, from discounts for But for the first time since 2006, digital sales BY GLENN PEOPLES students to higher-priced family plans for revenue dropped below the $1 billion mark, up to six people. Many carrots, few sticks. to $856 million — and it also fell below the bout one in nine Americans using 3) Some amount of account sharing is the $908 million generated by ad-supported a music subscription service are inevitable, just as illegal downloading still on-demand streaming from the likes of You- streaming using someone else’s persists long after the record industry’s Tube’s and Spotify’s free tiers, which is now account, according to market flurry of lawsuits. But what is an acceptable likely to crack the $1 billion mark in 2020. researchA firm MusicWatch. That means amount of sharing? They’re both in single digit percentages in roughly 11 million of the estimated 95 mil- Rather than crack down on account shar- terms of overall revenue — 7.3% for digital lion total Americans regularly using a music ing, streaming services, working with record downloads and 8% for ad-supported on- subscription service at the end of July 2019 labels, have given consumers reasons to sub- demand streams — yet are headed quickly were doing so for free, potentially costing scribe. Three of Ps of marketing are in opposite directions. Still, the RIAA the music industry hundreds of millions of in play: product, price and promotion. The pointed out that 500 billion of the 1.5 tril- dollars. standard, single-subscriber plan, typically lion on-demand streams in 2019 came from If action were taken to boot these free- priced at $9.99 in United States, has had ad-supported services, meaning that 33.3% loaders from the accounts, not every one many offshoots, such as the $15 family plan, of total streams accounted for just 10.3% would become a subscriber, but account the $5 student plan, free or low-priced trial of total streaming revenue. And that mark sharing undoubtedly leaves money on the periods, bundles with telecoms, a bundle hasn’t changed year-over-year at all. table. About 30% of people who admitted with Hulu (Spotify) and a bundle with the 4. #VinylWatch to using someone else’s account to stream Echo smart speaker (Amazon Music), to It’s our favorite thing to point out every music said they would pay for a subscription name a few. All the while, a drumbeat of single time these reports are released. For service, if they had to. That segment would new features and redesigns improves user the first time since 2004 (when the RIAA be worth $300 million annually at $9.99 experiences. started tracking download singles and per month. The remaining 70% of account If the soft-handed approach to account albums), vinyl revenue has surpassed that of sharers would opt for the free, ad-supported sharing is appropriate in a young mar- album downloads and digital track down- services, said MusicWatch. ketplace, more aggressive tactics would loads, with its $504 million representing Those numbers aren’t trivial, even for a be appropriate in the future. But as the its largest revenue total since 1988 and its recorded music industry that took about $7.3 subscription format matures, will services Page 6 of 25

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and labels take freeloading more seriously? industry faced a deluge of peer-to-peer is just a problem that’s going to exist,” says “That doesn’t seem out of the question,” services and widespread illegal download- Crupnick. one executive at a major record label tells ing. In 2005, record labels won a Supreme Billboard. “But for the time being the focus Court decision against Grokster, the maker is more carrots than sticks.” of a popular peer-to-peer application, that Coronavirus Fears Freeloading isn’t illegal except in Tennes- gave teeth to their cease and desist letters. see, where the “Log-in Law” signed in 2011 Even so, peer-to-peer usage peaked in 2006 Hit Music and has gathered dust. With roughly 2% of the at 19% of the U.S. internet population, then U.S. population, Tennessee could have hun- dropped from 12% to 9% in the quarter Entertainment dreds of thousands of infringers: country- after LimeWire, the last major file-sharing wide, a third of the 68 million people with application, shut down in 2010 according Stocks single-payer music streaming subscriptions to market research firm The NPD Group. — and 44% of millennials — share their log- By 2012, a year after Spotify launched in the BY GLENN PEOPLES in information with an average of 2.3 people. U.S., managing partner Russ Crupnick said But to enforce the law, services would have at the time, “the increased use of legal and ome music companies’ stock to report violators and shoulder whatever licensed streaming services” had become a prices took a hit Monday (Feb. 24) consumer outrage arose. Who wants that viable alternative for former peer-to-peer as markets around the world fell customer relations nightmare? users. sharply on fears the coronavirus is Currently, the best deterrents are baked An approved version of account shar- Snot contained and will leave a large impact into the products: when users have different ing, the family plan, is used by 25 million on economies around the world. tastes, sharing an account won’t give any Americans, MusicWatch estimates. These and ticketing company one person accurate recommendations and multi-user accounts cost $15 per month Live Nation fell 8% and Ryman Hospitality song selection. Family plans solve the prob- for up to six individuals. Some labels have was down 5.8%. Ryman makes roughly 90% lem by offering separate profiles and unique groused the now-standard pricing strays of its revenue from hotels and resorts, but it login information under one account. Apple from their original pricing, $10 plus $5 per owns a portfolio of music-related properties IDs naturally discourage people from giv- additional listener, with a label source including the Grand Ole Opry and Nash- ing people access to their Apple accounts telling Billboard in 2018, “now we’re in a ville’s Ryman Auditorium. — iTunes, email, iCloud — as well as their corner, and it’s not good for anybody” to The Madison Square Garden Company payment information. Some streaming com- accept lower per-head revenue. Even so, fell only 2.4%. The company gets roughly panies’ terms of service expressly prohibit family plan pricing is uniform and settled half its revenue from entertainment proper- or inhibit sharing login info. For example, law. Spotify has praised family plans for ties such as Madison Square Garden and Spotify requires family plan members to reducing attrition, increasing listening time Radio City Music Hall in New York and The have the same address. Music services also and providing a relatively inexpensive way Forum in Los Angeles. MSG is planning to deter account sharing by disallowing con- to acquire subscribers. spin off its entertainment segment from its current listening on more than one device. Attitudes will be a roadblock for reduc- sports division sometime in the first quarter. Video service Netflix battles account ing freeloading. When Crupnick ran focus Travel and outdoor entertainment stocks sharing by limiting the number of concur- groups on piracy for NPD Research in the were hit especially on Monday. Ameri- rent users to an account. Its terms of service early 2000s, he found that people illegally can Airlines Group dropped 10.1%, Delta explicitly prohibit sharing an account with shared music files even though they knew Air Lines fell 7.7% and SkyWest sank 5.4%. people outside the household. Research firm it was wrong, he told Billboard. But with Cruise line companies also fell sharply. Car- Magid estimated in 2018 that 11% of its subscriptions, “people think as long as nival Corporation, operator of the Diamond users share an account. Then in Novem- somebody’s paying, that it’s OK to use.” Princess ship that has accounted for 53 ber 2019, as Netflix began cracking down Awareness is another issue. MusicWatch coronavirus cases, dropped 9.4%, bringing on account sharing, the advocacy group also found 20% of account sharers weren’t its year-to-date loss to 26.4%. Cruise line Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment aware the subscription service they used operator Royal Caribbean fell 7.9%. announced a working group to reduce offered a family plan. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and unauthorized access to content. ACE mem- Without a scorched-earth approach, not S&P 500 fell more than 3.6% on Monday, bers include major movie studios as well as every weed can be eradicated. Peer-to-peer their worst days in two years. Apple’s 4.8% Amazon and two ISPs, Comcast and Charter downloading continues 15 years after the drop also weighed on the S&P 500 a week Communications. landmark Supreme Court decision that after the company announced the virus was History shows that record labels could spelled the services’ demise. A resilient responsible for delays in iPhone manufac- push back against lax attitudes. In the years portion of freeloading will survive educa- turing and closure of some retail stores in following Napster’s 1999 launch, the music tion and innovative marketing, too. “This China. Page 7 of 25

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Concerns mounted over the weekend pointed to radio’s current challenge: Do small. after reports the coronavirus had reached broadcasters play it safe in a crowded media “Competition,” said Ramsey, “is anything Iran, Italy and South Korea. On Monday field? Or do they take a chance on a talented that competes for my attention.” afternoon, CNN, citing Italy’s National Civil artist who took her own risk on a song that As a result, stations were encouraged to Protection Service, reported the country has the potential to change a listener’s life? spread out in the marketplace, with heavy had 229 confirmed cases in Italy. South Guyton belted a gut-wrenching piano presence in social media, podcasts and Korea, which since Sunday has been on its ballad, “What Are You Gonna Tell Her,” both audio and video online. With the na- highest alert status, has confirmed 833 cases. during the Universal Music Group Nashville tion’s largest chain, iHeartMedia, pursuing Six deaths have been reported in Iran. As (UMGN) showcase on Feb. 20 at Nashville’s a business model that relies increasingly of Monday, the World Health Organization Ryman Auditorium. The song explores on nationally broadcast shows and digital counted more than 2,600 deaths, all but 23 culture’s hypocritical treatment of women: content, that changes the game for other of them in China. Daddies’ girls are told they can do anything, stations in local markets. Competing outlets Reactions have ranged from neutral to but when they step into the real world, may be able to use their local niche as a terrified. Investor and television personal- they discover they must fend off unwanted competitive weapon, though being a part of ity Jim Cramer believes the virus problem advances and are likely to get passed over the community is less important to listeners could get worse and “the dip is not yet a in the workforce, only to hear that “it’s been than the music itself, according to Ramsey’s buy,” meaning sell, take profits now, and that way all along.” Guyton’s tone and range study. And those local talents will need to wait for stocks to become cheaper. were awesome, the song was powerful, and rise to the national quality level if they are Citing possible snags in supply chains, her courageous portrait of systemic injustice to succeed. Goldman Sachs lowered its gross domestic got the audience on its feet in the room. “DJ-hosted shows are a competitive product forecast — again — from an annual- Still, the post-show response was mixed. advantage when they’re great,” said Ramsey. ized rate of 1.4% to 1.2%, well below the Some executives viewed it as an important “They’re an obstacle when they’re not.” 2.1% growth rate achieved in the third and message, but privately insisted it would nev- But finding great talent is increasingly fourth quarters of 2019, according to the U.S. er air on their station. Beasley country brand difficult because the employee pool is -in Bureau of Economic Analysis. “An increas- manager/WKLB Boston PD David Corey fluenced as much by the new media as the ing number of companies are curtailing pro- told a panel, “I would play that tomorrow.” audience. duction for lack of Chinese-made finished Commercial radio marks its 100th an- “Students want to brand on social media,” goods and parts,” Chris Low, chief econo- niversary in November, and CRS panelists noted University of Florida director of radio mist at FHN Financial, told MarketWatch, a acknowledged it as a platform in a quan- programming Rob Harder. “They don’t care dour signal for a country that exported $558 dary. It still reaches the masses, remaining so much about being on the air.” billion of goods to America in 2018, per the the most-listened-to media, but the actual Complicating the issue, the music can’t Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. time spent listening is dwindling, and 18- to be the only attraction. Spotify and Pandora 34-year-old country fans now devote more are music-intensive, and they have built-in time to streaming in an average week than advantages, including Skip buttons and the Country Radio they do to traditional broadcast radio. Ad- subscriber option to avoid commercials. ditionally, programmers’ beliefs about the “If you are just a jukebox,” noted Town- Seminar: An Older audience have not kept up with changes in square senior vp programming Kurt the playing field, or even their customers’ Johnson in a later panel, “that isn’t really a Medium Looks for definition of radio. differentiation.” Younger listeners no longer view radio as Plenty of artists found ways to differenti- Youthful Passion a place that transmits music from a tower, ate themselves. Hot Country Knights, a researcher Mark Ramsey said while unveil- Dierks Bentley side project, dressed in BY TOM ROLAND ing a study of how consumers’ perceptions retro-redneck fashion for “Pick Her Up” of broadcasting differ with PDs’ expecta- during the UMGN show. New Big Machine ickey Guyton has yet to earn tions. Most of them consider the medium to artist Payton Smith came off as an ener- a hit record, but she comman- be music on their phone, tablet, desktop or getic, updated American Fool-era John Mel- deered a standing ovation from in-car radio — whether transmitted by satel- lencamp during the Feb. 21 lunch showcase. broadcasters with a new song lite or AM/FM waves. Radio, said Ramsey, And Gabby Barrett’s Feb. 19 delivery of Mthat was widely regarded as the stand-out is “whatever platform gives me the music I the seminar-opening national anthem — musical moment of Country Radio Seminar. want when I want it.” wrought with flutter, scratch and force — set Was it a breakthrough moment? That can With so many options available, PDs who her apart as a new vocalist. only be assessed by programmers’ responses worry only about losing their audience to a A clinical panel showed how program- in the weeks and months ahead, but it subtly rival broadcast signal are thinking way too mers can use such tools as streaming data, Page 8 of 25

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Shazam and most-added status to sort Be Around” from Cinderella Liberty (1973), through the options and find the most likely Paul Williams to “Evergreen” from A Star Is Born (1976) and hits for their markets. But even that presen- “The Rainbow Connection” from The Mup- tation from Stone Door Media Lab partner Receive Johnny pet Movie (1979). Jeff Green came with a panel-ending Williams has two songs on the American caveat. Mercer Award at Film Institute’s 2004 list, 100 Years…100 “Music is supposed to be something that Songs, a ranking of the top film songs of all hits you in the feels,” observed MCA Nash- Songwriters Hall time. “Evergreen” ranked No. 16 on that list. ville senior vp promotion Katie Dean, “so “Rainbow Connection,” from The Muppet take this all with a grain of salt.” of Fame Movie, ranked No. 74. He co-wrote the latter That passion for music was echoed song with Ascher. throughout the seminar — as Eric Church BY PAUL GREIN Williams won an Oscar for writing the said during a keynote Q&A, “We all are in lyric to “Evergreen.” He is just the fifth this room because, at some time, music did aul Williams is set to receive the recipient of the Johnny Mercer Award who something to us.” And that’s where Guyton’s prestigious Johnny Mercer Award has won both an Oscar for best original performance raises the biggest questions. As at the 51st Annual Songwriters song and a Grammy for song of the year. terrestrial broadcasting moves into its sec- Hall of Fame induction ceremony He follows Burt Bacharach (Oscars for ond century, it faces stiff competition from Pon June 11 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” and the other platforms that consumers think of New York City. “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do),” as radio, as well as from video games, social The award, the SHOF’s highest honor, Grammy for “That’s What Friends Are media and TV. The on-air talent needs to be is given each year to a , already For”); Marilyn and Alan Bergman (Oscars as crisp, inventive and engaging as possible inducted into the Hall, “whose body of work for “The Windmills of Your Mind” and to keep listeners. And the music, which re- is of such high quality and impact, that it up- “The Way We Were,” Grammy for “The Way searchers insist is still the biggest attraction holds the gold standard set by the legendary We Were”); Stephen Sondheim (Oscar for for consumers, has to inspire them, too. Johnny Mercer,” as the SHOF says. Williams “Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man),” “If you don’t give them the music that was inducted in 2001. Grammy for “Send in the Clowns”) and they want, they have other places to go,” Nile Rodgers, chairman of the Songwrit- Lionel Richie (Oscar for “Say You, Say Me,” Shopkeeper Management owner Marion ers Hall of Fame, said in a statement, “Paul Grammy for “We Are the World”). Kraft, who manages Miranda Lambert and Williams is a songwriter’s songwriter. He’s Mercer would also be on that list, but Tenille Townes, noted during a panel on one of the most wonderful and colorful cre- the award that is given in his honor was women in country. ators of our time and a man who has given introduced in 1980, four years after he died So how will music directors respond to the world so much love through songs like at age 66. Mercer won four Oscars for best Guyton’s passionate song? Her performance ‘Just An Old Fashioned Love Song,’ ‘We’ve original song, for “On the Atchison, Topeka clearly inspired the gatekeepers at the Ry- Only Just Begun’ and ‘Rainbow Connec- and the Santa Fe” (1946), “In the Cool, Cool, man. Does broadcast radio want to take a tion.’” Cool of the Evening” (1951), “Moon River” chance that what inspires them might also Rodgers and Williams were collabora- (1961) and “Days of Wine and Roses” (1962). inspire their audience? Radio’s dilemma is tors on Daft Punk’s 2013 album Random The latter two songs, both co-written with one that has sounded through the hallways Access Memories, which brought them both Henry Mancini, also won Grammys for at CRS since its inception, and it applies not Grammys for album of the year. Williams’ song of the year. just to programmers, but to every facet of two previous Grammys were for “Evergreen Williams is president and chairman of the the modern music business. (Love Theme from A Star Is Born),” which board of the American Society , “We need more shepherds,” said Kraft. won the 1976 award for song of year, and The Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Two other “We need less sheep.” Muppet Movie, which took the 1979 award board members have received the Johnny for best recording for children. Mercer Award—Marilyn Bergman (who re- Williams, 79, received three Grammy ceived the honor in 1997) and Jimmy Webb nominations for song of the year, for “We’ve (who received it in 2003). Only Just Begun” (1970), “You and Me Williams is also passionate about recovery Against the World” (1974) and “Evergreen” and works tirelessly to destigmatize alcohol- (1977). He wrote all three songs with dif- ism and addiction. His career, life, and work ferent composers — Roger Nichols, Kenny in recovery were chronicled in the 2011 Ascher and Barbra Streisand, respectively. documentary, Paul Williams Still Alive. He has also received three Oscar nomi- The droll and self-deprecating Williams nations for best original song, for “Nice to has predicted he’ll be remembered for play- Page 9 of 25

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ing Little Enos in the Smokey and the Bandit dramatically rewrite the rules of the ticket or which tickets are controlled by broker trilogy and for writing the lyrics to TV’s business. groups taking out huge positions on tickets kitschy The Love Boat. You could say the di- If passed, representative (D-NJ) Bill as a way to set prices. On the flipside, many minutive songwriter is selling himself short. Pascrell’s BOSS Act would enshrine ticket brokers and resellers often complain that Inductees at this year’s SHOF event are scalping as a legal right for fans and brokers, doesn’t adequately disclose Mariah Carey, Steve Miller, Rick Now- while also restricting practices like specu- how many tickets it puts on sale at any given els, William “Mickey” Stevenson and the lative ticketing and requiring increased time and how many it holds for presales and individual members of three ensembles transparency by both primary and second- fan clubs. — Annie Lennox/Dave Stewart (Euryth- ary sellers. “We launched our bipartisan investiga- mics); Chad Hugo/Pharrell Williams But the most contentious portion of tion because of concerns about potentially (The Neptunes); and Ernie Isley/Marvin Wednesday’s hearing will undoubtably unfair and deceptive practices occurring in Isley/O’Kelly Isley/Ronald Isley/Rudolph focus on ticket transferability and technol- the primary and secondary ticket market- Isley/Chris Jasper (). ogy from companies like Live Nation and place. Unfortunately, the investigation has AXS that can make tickets nearly impossible thus far validated our concerns,” Committee to resell. chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Congressional Restricting transferability can “can limit subcommittee chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) ticketholders’ ability to sell tickets they can said in a joint statement. “Consumers face a Hearing on no longer use due to unforeseen circum- number of disturbing practices in the indus- stances and frustrate consumers wishing try, including a systemic lack of transparen- Ticketing to Cover to buy tickets as gifts for others,” reads a cy and fairness. This hearing will give us the six-page memo from the House committee’s opportunity to hear directly from companies Transferability, staff released Friday, citing a Black Keys about troubling practices in the live event show last year where “hundreds of fans ticketing marketplace and push them to put Speculative were turned away from a Black Keys concert consumers first going forward.” at the Wiltern because they unknowingly The hearing starts Wednesday at 10 a.m. Tickets purchased tickets on the secondary market EST and can be watched via livestream that were nontransferable.” here. BY DAVE BROOKS But not everyone is in agreement, includ- ing Ticketmaster’s Howe, who is expected xpect plenty of finger-pointing to argue that “transferability restrictions BTS’ ‘Map of the Wednesday when a half-dozen allow consumers to access tickets at a face- ticketing executives go before a value price” set by the artist for their fans, Soul: 7’ Bound for powerful congressional subcom- the report explains. Emittee to discuss long-standing consumer The issue highlights a larger debate about Big No. 1 Debut complaints about the live event ticketing how much control Ticketmaster should business. have over tickets once they are sold to fans. on Executives including Amy Howe, As the most dominant ticketing company in president and chief operating officer at the United States with the biggest market Albums Chart Ticketmaster, AXS chief executive Bryan share, Ticketmaster already maintains a Perez and Stubhub vp and general coun- powerful position in the supply chain and BY KEITH CAULFIELD sel Stephanie Burns will be joined for by companies like Stubhub and Vivid Seats say executives from Vivid Seats, TicketNetwork that allowing the company to decide which TS is on course for its fourth and Tickets.com to discuss how increased shows can and cannot be resold gives the No. 1 album on the Billboard competition and the blurring of lines be- company a complete monopoly on tickets. 200 chart, as industry forecast- tween primary and secondary tickets led to Officials at Ticketmaster argue that its the ers expect the pop group’s latest unpopular practices like speculative tickets artists who dictate the rules on transferabil- Brelease, Map of the Soul: 7, to enter atop next and hidden fees. ity and say tools like Safetix are only utilized week’s tally. The set, which was released Titled “In the Dark: Lack of Transpar- by a small percentage of acts that want to Feb. 21 via Big Hit Entertainment, could ency in the Live Event Ticketing Industry,” make low priced tickets available to fans. earn 300,000 equivalent album units in the the hearing before the House Energy and The hearing will also cover disclosure U.S. in the week ending Feb. 27, with most of Commerce subcommittee on Oversight and issues within the primary and secondary that sum driven by album sales. Investigations comes amid renewed inter- ticket business — sites like Stubhub tell fans The seven-member South Korean act est in passing a decade-old bill that would very little about who is selling their seat topped the Billboard 200 with its last three Page 10 of 25

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charting albums: Map of the Soul: Persona and on behalf of American Idol artists Kelly (in April 2019), Love Yourself: Answer (Sep- RCA Promotion Clarkson, Daughtry and Carrie Under- tember 2018) and Love Yourself: Tear (June wood. 2018). Exec Wendy “I’ve always valued her partnership in de- The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most veloping the Promotion team and how com- popular albums of the week based on multi- Goodman Exiting mitted she has always been to promoting metric consumption, which includes tradi- our artists’ music,” Riccitelli added. “Please tional album sales, track equivalent albums After 20 Years join me in wishing Wendy and her family all (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums the very best in the future.” (SEA). The top 10 of the March 7-dated Bill- BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN Goodman began her career at Maverick board 200 chart (where Map of the Soul: 7 Records in 1995, where she helped launch is likely to debut at No. 1) is scheduled to be CA Records senior vp promotion the careers of Alanis Morissette, Prodigy revealed on Billboard’s website on Sunday, Wendy Goodman is stepping and Deftones. She followed that with a role March 1. down from her post at the label, as Southwest regional promotion manager Remarkably, Map of the Soul: 7 is selling Billboard has learned. The news at C2 Records, where was in strongly without the aid of a concert ticket/ Rwas shared with employees in a pair of breaking Ricky Martin in the U.S. In 2000, album sale redemption offer, nor any mer- emails written by Goodman and RCA co- she joined as Southwest regional chandise/album bundles, as has become the president Joe Riccitelli on Monday (Feb. promotional director out of Dallas and was norm for many major releases. 24). upped to director, adult formats in 2004. Map of the Soul: 7 is trending well in sales In her email, Goodman cites a desire to That promotion spawned a move to Los An- thanks in large part to the availability of four spend more time with her children as the geles, where she continued to rise through elaborate collectible CD packages — the reason for her departure. Her last day at the the executive ranks. same release strategy employed by BTS with company will be Friday. “Being in my entire its three No. 1 albums, as well as many other “Besides my children, my greatest accom- career, I live & breath numbers and South Korean pop acts. plishment is my 20 years at RCA Records,” rankings – the goal is always to take a song Each of the four CD variants of Map of the Goodman wrote. “I have had the privilege of to #1,” Goodman told Billboard last year Soul: 7 has the same base contents (the CD working with some of the best music execu- after being named to Billboard’s inaugural album, a photo book, lyric book, a mini note tives, artists, managers and radio program- Pride List recognizing LGBTQ executives. book, a postcard, a sticker, coloring paper mers in the business and these relationships “It is important that the workplace is re- and a poster), though each has slight differ- are what I cherish the most of my 25 years flective of our community,” she added. “For ences depending on which of the four CD on the label side. everyone to see/feel/be a part of a diverse, packages the customer purchases. Further “That is what makes this decision so diffi- inclusive work environment that reflects the enhancing the collectability of the packages: cult, but I have thought long and hard about real world. Having young people in the com- each contains one of 32 randomized photo it and right now I need to spend more time pany to have someone to look up to that is cards. with my children and be there for them in a like them is important & necessary. It is also Other albums aiming for top 10 debuts more consistent capacity.” important to talk about & celebrate inclu- on next week’s Billboard 200 chart include Goodman went on to praise Riccitelli for siveness/LGBTQ+ outside of Pride month.” YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s Still “continually elevating” her since J Records Since 2008, Goodman has been married Flexin, Still Steppin and ’s was folded into RCA in 2011. She added, “I to entertainment attorney Dina LaPolt, Ordinary Man. will forever be grateful to Richard Palmese with whom she has twin boys. and for hiring me at J Records 20 years ago and giving me the opportu- nity to be part of building something really special.” “Wendy’s passion, positivity and tenac- ity has helped lead our Promotion team’s consistent success at adult radio,” wrote Ric- citelli, who praised Goodman for her work overseeing the launch of P!nk’s last three albums at adult radio, during which time the singer became “one of the most played artists at that format.” He additionally cited her work on ’s 2017 single “Praying” Page 11 of 25

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that they also intentionally scrubbed and/or vastly inflated prices on U.K. secondary sites Yeasayer File altered the Content Management Informa- such as Viagogo, StubHub and the now- tion (CMI) attached to “Sunrise” to further shuttered Ticketmaster platforms Get Me In Copyright Suit hide the alleged theft. and Seatwave. Yeasayer and We Are Free are asking the The pair also made large profits buying Against Kendrick court to enjoin the defendants from further and selling tickets to U.K. by Swift, acts of infringement; to transfer all record- Lady Gaga, Blink-182, Rod Stewart, Mad- Lamar, The ings, videos and other material connected ness and popular West End theatre shows with “Pray for Me” into a constructive trust; like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Weeknd Over and to award the defendants actual and In total, Hunter and Smith earned at least statutory damages, lost profits, pre-judg- £10.8 million ($14 million) from their ticket ‘Black Panther’ ment interest, attorneys’ fees and all other selling operation, jurors at Leeds Crown costs of the suit. Court were told. When investigators raided Track ‘Pray for Me’ Other defendants named in the complaint their homes, they found more than 100 include “Pray for Me” songwriter/producer different payment cards in 37 names. The BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN Doc McKinney, songwriter Adam King couple also used 88 different postal address- Feeney, Top Dawg Entertainment and es and around 300 email addresses to evade endrick Lamar and The Week- Universal Music Group and its subsidiaries platform restrictions. nd’s​ Black Panther and Aftermath Records. Sheeran’s manager Stuart Camp gave evi- collaboration “Pray for Me” gave Billboard reached out to a representative dence in the trial, which National Trading both artists another chart suc- for the defendants, but did not receive a Standards called a “landmark decision.” Kcess in February 2018, when the hard-charg- comment by time of publishing. Following the guilty verdicts, Hunter was ing track peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard sentenced Feb. 24 to four years in prison. Hot 100. Unfortunately for them, the song is Smith will spend two and a half years be- now also hitting the courts. Ed Sheeran and hind bars. Indie rock band Yeasayer and their re- “This was a case of sustained dishonesty cord label We Are Free are suing Lamar, The Taylor Swift Ticket for a number of years,” said Judge Mushtaq Weeknd (a.k.a. Abel Makkonen Tesfaye) Khokhar upon sentencing. “A lot of people and various other defendants for copyright Scalpers Given in this case paid a lot more [for tickets] than infringement, accusing them of lifting a “dis- they could have paid,” he said. tinctive choral performance” from the song Six-Plus Years in The prosecution is the first of its kind in “Sunrise” off the group’s 2007 debut studio the U.K. since National Trading Standards album All Hour Cymbals. The complaint was Prison in ‘Major started investigating bulk buying and resell- filed in U.S. District Court in New York on ing tickets in 2017. Monday (Feb. 24) by the plaintiffs’ attorneys Blow’ to Touts Commenting on the sentences, FanFair Scott Alan Burroughs and Laura M. Zaha- Alliance campaign manager Adam Webb ria of Doniger/Burroughs. BY RICHARD SMIRKE said the lengthy jail terms “represent a ma- In the complaint, Yeasayer — which jor blow to online ticket touts who break the consisted of Chris Keating, Ira Wolf Tuton ONDON – Two ticket touts who law and rip off the public.” and Anand Wilder — allege the defendants bought and resold large numbers He called it a fantastic result “for music “extracted” the choral performance in ques- of Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift lovers across the U.K. [that] should also send tion and inserted it into “Pray for Me” only concert tickets online have been shockwaves through the likes of Viagogo after “slightly” modifying it and altering its Ljailed for a total of six and a half years in a and StubHub whose businesses are depen- pitch in post-production. landmark British court case. dent upon large-scale resellers.” “This material was specifically created Married couple Peter Hunter and David “This should be investigated as a matter for use in ‘Sunrise’ and is unique, comprised Smith, who traded as Ticket Wiz and BZZ, of urgency,” said Webb, “and lead to action of male voices singing in their highest were found guilty of using multiple identi- against those platforms if they have benefit- registers, with animated, pulsing vibrato, ties and bot software to harvest millions of ted from the proceeds of criminality.” and developed via distinctive audio post- pounds worth of concert and theatre tickets A spokesperson for Viagogo issued a processing,” the complaint reads. between 2010 and 2017. statement following the sentencing, ex- The suit goes on to allege that the defen- In one year, London-based Hunter and coriating Hunter and Smith’s “fraudelent dants purposely altered the performance Smith bought more than 750 tickets for activity” on their platform and calling for in order to conceal their infringement, and Sheeran concerts, which they then resold at greater collaboration between primary and Page 12 of 25

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secondary markets. said Femme It Forward president Heather “We don’t believe that anyone should be Lowery in a release. “Recruiting a team of Justin Bieber using software to gain an unfair advantage powerhouses going into this new decade when buying tickets,” the rep said. “Their was a priority of mine and as a female CEO, Returns to No. activity was a clear breach of our user agree- I’m incredibly passionate about working ment, that strictly prohibits sellers from with other like-minded women to further 1 on Artist 100 selling tickets sourced through criminal celebrate the depth, talent and power we means. As soon as we became aware of their possess in this industry.” Chart, Thanks to fraudulent activity, we removed them from Shows will feature sets from additional the site immediately. That was approximate- artists such as Rapsody, Tinashe, SWV, ‘Changes’ Debut ly two years ago.” , Deborah Cox, Jade Novah, Kiana The spokesperson added, “We believe Lede, The BonFyre, Alex Mali, Melanie BY XANDER ZELLNER greater coordination between the primary Fiona, Lil Mo, Tweet, Brooke Valentine, and secondary markets along with the Teedra Moses, Sunshine Anderson, 702, ustin Bieber leaps 6-1 on the Bill- proper authorities will enable us to iden- Amerie and Sevyn Streeter. Even more board Artist 100 chart (dated Feb. 29) tify this type of fraud early, and ensure it is artists are expected to be announced. to become the top musical act in the stopped.” “Women have always played a pivotal U.S. for a 12th total week, thanks to his StubHub has yet to comment. role in the entertainment industry, whether Jnew album Changes. we’re behind the scenes or center stage; The set debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard but it’s rare that those stories make it to the 200 with 231,000 equivalent album units, Femme It forefront,” said Grammy Award-winning according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data, rapper Lil’ Kim in a release. “Femme It earning Bieber his seventh No. 1. Forward Series Forward is a game-changer! I’m excited The Artist 100 measures artist activity and appreciative to be a part of this major across key metrics of music consumption, Reveals 2020 movement.” blending album and track sales, radio air- This year’s events will include Inter- play, streaming and social media fan interac- Programming national Women’s Day Celebration at the tion to provide a weekly multi-dimensional Fillmore in Maryland on March 7, Love Lan- ranking of artist popularity. With Acts guage concert at Microsoft Theater in Los Bieber had last ruled the Artist 100 on Angeles on April 30, Fest in in April 23, 2016, when his previous album, Including Missy May and more. Purpose, ranked at No. 8 on the Billboard New partners joining Femme It Forward 200 and the set’s “Love Yourself” and Elliott and Brandy include female CEOs and industry power “Sorry” placed at Nos. 6 and 14, respectively, houses including Tina Farris Tours’ Tina on the . BY TAYLOR MIMS Farris, MTW Live’s Diana Dotel, Tri Star With his 12th week atop the Artist 100, Sports and Entertainment Group’s Lou Bieber ties Ed Sheeran for the sixth-most emme It Forward has announced Taylor, LaPolt Law’s Dina LaPolt, and total weeks spent at No. 1, dating to the its first slate of 2020 events and a DPR’s Carleen Donovan with more to be chart’s 2014 launch. Taylor Swift leads with host of partnerships with female announced. 37 weeks in charge, followed by (31), business owners. Following a Confirmed events scheduled to date are (15), Post Malone (14) and Fsuccessful launch in 2019 and partnership listed below. Additional events will be an- Ariana Grande (13). with Live Nation, the series will welcome nounced throughout the season. Tame Impala re-enters the Artist 100 at performers Missy Elliott, Brandy, Monica, No. 2, reaching a new peak on the strength Xscape, Lil Kim, Keyshia Cole and many of its new LP The Slow Rush, which arrives more to its concerts. at a career-best No. 3 on the Billboard 200 The new wave of events includes con- with 110,000 units. certs, festivals and discussions with women Rounding out the Artist 100’s top five, in front of and behind the scenes of the Billie Eilish dips to No. 3 after 10 total weeks music industry. on top, followed by Post Malone (2-4) and “The launch of Femme It Forward ex- Roddy Ricch (3-5). ceeded any expectations that we had as an Check out this week’s full Artist 100 organization, the amount of love and sup- chart here. port from our community was powerful,” Page 13 of 25

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adjacent festival to leave the city, nor was rushed the already crowded venue and Party’s Back On: it the last, as Downtown L.A. would soon police shut the event down by 11 p.m. Rich- become a dance-massive desert. But years ards told the L.A. Times he faced a “seven- Why Major Dance later, these same promoters are back in a figure” loss from the event — the kind of new way that reflects the scene’s evolution failure that can end a promoter’s career. Festival Promoters since EDM’s heyday. When Hard Summer returned the fol- Last November’s Day of the Dead was one lowing year, it was to a new home at the Are Returning to of three major dance music festivals held State Historic Park, but the stakes were even in the downtown area over four consecu- higher. Earlier that summer, 15-year-old Los Angeles tive weekends. It followed the house-and Sasha Rodriguez had died from MDMA techno-focused Secret Project, produced by intoxication after attending ’s BY KRYSTAL RODRIGUEZ Hard’s Live Nation-owned parent company, five miles away at Insomniac Events and All My Friends, cre- the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. As a result, hile Los Angeles isn’t ated by original Hard founder Gary Richards county officialscalled for a moratorium necessarily famous for its for Live Nation competitor LiveStyle and on at publicly owned facilities and skyline, the city’s down- launched in 2018. created a new public health task force town cluster of skyscrapers Warehouse parties, massives and raves designed to “enhance safety.” hasW been the backdrop for many festivals at have been an integral part of Southern Cali- Like Hard, Insomniac had either out- the Los Angeles State Historic Park. fornia’s dance music culture since the early grown most local facilities or had a difficult Nestled between two freeways, an in- ‘90s. As EDM fervor swept the nation at the time finding one that was willing to host its dustrial park, the L.A. River and the Metro turn of 2010, dance festivals became a rite kinds of events. With its future in Los An- Gold Line, the park itself is a simple design: of passage and an indoctrinating experience geles in question and its fanbase expanding fields of grass bisected by paved walkways, into DJ fandom. In SoCal, established and amid the continued rise in EDM’s popular- adorned by oak trees and furnished with then-independent event promoters such as ity, Insomniac needed venues to host its benches and picnic tables. Even before Pasquale Rotella’s Insomniac Events, Dave other events. In 2011, EDC moved to Las completing a three-year-long renovation Dean’s Giant, Reza Gerami’s Go Ventures Vegas, where it has remained, now hosting in 2017, it was coveted by event promot- and Richards’ Hard Events were pillars of 150,000 people a day. ers who filled its vast space with thematic the local scene, having shepherded rav- Meanwhile, the State Historic Park’s stages and booming music several times a ers from illegal undergrounds into proper scheduled renovation took longer than ex- year. Its central location and proximity to venues. pected, taking it off the map as an option for public transportation made it a nearly ideal As the culture grew, so, too, did festivals large-scale events along with the Coliseum location for festivals, from Hard Events’ Day in both size and influence. Promoters who and The Forum, which remained off-limits of the Dead and Hard Summer to FYF and had previously organized events for crowds due to their previous festival-related inci- spectacles such as Swedish House Mafia’s of a few hundred were suddenly selling dents. With the city highly wary of massives Masquerade Motel. thousands of advance tickets. What promot- and low on venues that could house them, “Out of all the venues we’ve ever done our ers lacked in organizational structure, they by the early 2010s, dance music festivals shows at — and we’ve done our shows at a made up for in zeal to capitalize on the new started disappearing from Los Angeles. lot of different venues — it’s definitely my wave of EDM popularity. While the city Even though dance music was more favorite,” says Meagan DesChenes, director of Los Angeles was generally receptive to popular than ever, Angelenos had to trek an of Hard Events. hosting events in spaces such as the State hour or more away by car to get their festi- Hard held festivals at the State Historic Historic Park, off-season sports venues or val fix. While the Inland Empire had long Park for three years, between 2010 and 2013, on shut-down city streets, promoters found been home to Insomniac’s Wonderland mas- when dance music was exploding in the themselves ill-prepared to manage the sives in San Bernardino, Hard also made the States and Los Angeles was emerging as a logistical hurdles of their rapidly growing trek out of the city, moving from downtown key scene hub. The company’s ever-increas- crowds. to 20 miles east in South El Monte, then to ing audiences (its last event, Day of the Dead Hard Events’ second annual Hard Sum- Pomona, then to the city of San Bernardino in November 2013, hosted approximately mer festival in August 2009 was almost its to Hard Summer’s current home in Fontana, 70,000 people across two days) outgrew last. Held at The Forum, an indoor arena 50 miles outside of Los Angeles. the venue, causing it to relocate outside city known to host sold-out shows by Madonna, “We kept getting moved out,” Richards limits during the Historic Park’s renova- U2 and Prince, Hard sold out the venue tells Billboard Dance. “It just kept getting tion because, as DesChenes notes, few local with advertised headliners Underworld bigger and more headaches.” venues could hold that many people. and Chromeo. They never got to perform. Following two drug-related deaths It wasn’t the first electronic or electronic- Early in the night, hundreds of people at Hard Summer in Pomona in August of Page 14 of 25

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2015, L.A. County supervisors called for a The brand throws parties in sanctioned “If we were doing this somewhere else, it temporary ban on festivals held at publicly warehouse spaces and at two Insomniac- would probably be a different event overall,” owned properties, as well as an electronic affiliated clubs in L.A., and it also curates admits DesChenes. “Those were the little music task force to recommend health and stages at Insomniac festivals including EDC sacrifices we had to make to bring it back to safety measures for future events. Ulti- Las Vegas. Amid a thriving period in down- the city.” mately, the task force suggested not to ban town’s already solid warehouse scene and Secret Project is also 21+. After starting electronic festivals outright, but to distrib- increasing fan interest in “underground” as an 18+ fest its first year, All My Friends ute drug education materials at large events, sounds, a festival of Factory 93’s own went to 21+ for its second run. Perhaps most provide more access to water and to require seemed like a natural next step. Thus, Secret crucially, these festivals both also signifi- four police officers for every 1,000 guests, Project was born. cantly scaled down in size from the massives among other recommendations. Secret Project debuted over two days in of the EDM heyday, with each hosting up to But by the mid-2010s, as the EDM October 2018 at the 1756 Naud St. ware- 10,000 people per day. (Comparatively, the explosion had stagnated nationwide, its house space in Chinatown, next to the latest Hard Summer in Fontana drew about once bright-eyed festivalgoers had started State Historic Park. Its lineup — which 170,000 over two days.) growing up. Not only were they members included international DJs and live acts When a festival grows, Richards explains, of the workforce with bills to pay and more such as Bicep, Peggy Gou, Motor City it taxes more resources from the city. It also discretion over their disposable income, Drum Ensemble and Dixon B2B Âme — felt changes the surrounding area’s traffic pat- their tastes had changed, too, with many of unprecedented for the area: Though house terns, which even on their best day are still a them ditching the core-rattling and and techno had been featured at previous mild inconvenience for drivers in the fifth- big-room bombast of their youth for more major festivals, it was usually on smaller worst city in the nation for traffic. traditional house and techno. side-stages. Here, it was the main attraction, “When you’re dealing with 10,000 people The industry landscape was evolving as with the scene’s evolution toward under- as opposed to 100,000 people,” he adds, “it’s well. Days before Hard Summer in August ground music and smaller crowds making it 10 times less the problem.” 2017, Richards announced he was leav- possible for promoters such as Rotella and DesChenes posits that the city has eased ing Live Nation and Hard, and was soon Richards to return to the downtown area in up on festivals because dance music is more after named President, North America which they had laid roots. mainstream today, and thus more under- of LiveStyle, the new company reformed “The appetite for new and exploratory stood and accepted by the general public. from the pieces of EDM conglomerate SFX sounds has been growing stronger in L.A. “It’s on the radio now,” she says. “Elec- Entertainment, which had filed for Chapter for the better part of 10 years,” says Secret tronic music is almost pop culture at this 11 bankruptcy the year before. Project co-promoter Deirdre Coleman. point, whereas before, it was this under- The following April, Richards announced To bring Hard back to the State Historic ground, secret thing. So the conversations All My Friends, a two-day summer festival Park in 2018, DesChenes says the team we’re having are a lot easier because the in downtown’s Fashion District. In August worked closely with the city in advance, artists we’re booking are more well known. of 2018, AMF debuted at Row DTLA, where allowing officials to preview artists, artwork When people at the city are looking at our the stages sat on black asphalt among a and the overall experience the festival lineup, half the time they know half the parking garage and industrial buildings, planned to provide. lineup, or their kids do.” (Emails to State including the former site of the American “[The city] looks at what we do and sees Parks, which runs the State Historic Park, Apparel factory. The site is near the inter- massive shows,” she says. “They wonder and the Mayor’s Office were not returned. section of S. Alameda and 7th Street, where how many people will be coming into their Row DTLA declined to comment for this Richards often passed while en route to community. Will they respect the commu- piece.) warehouse parties as a teen. nity? Is everything going to be safe for the Meanwhile, local DIY promoters are also “I always want to be in the city,” he says. residents who live here and for the people seeing the benefits of this evolution. Masha “The further out of the city you go, the more who are coming here?” Martinovic and Jimmy Maheras, both DJs freedoms and more things you can do, but … In order to appease their concerns, Hard and co-founders of L.A.’s Dig Deeper and I felt [my events] resonated more in the city scaled back Day of the Dead by making Into the Woods parties, respectively, see than outside.” it 21+. The festival, hoping to avoid any potential in these festivals and hope their While Insomniac-branded festivals have potential noise issues (the community’s No. graduated lineups will funnel open-minded yet to return to Los Angeles, the company 1 complaint, according to DesChenes), also punters to the smaller events. found an opportunity to return to the lowered its sound decibel level and revised But, as Maheras points out, five of South- aesthetic of Rotella’s own warehouse-party the lineup accordingly, skipping much of the ern California’s major dance festivals — San roots in L.A. proper. In May of 2016, Insom- heavy bass music and rap that populates its Diego’s CRSSD fall edition, Secret Project, niac launched Factory 93, an event series other events in favor of more melodic house All My Friends, Insomniac’s Escape: Psycho geared toward fans of house and techno. styles that also appeal to older audiences. Circus and Day of the Dead — all transpire Page 15 of 25

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within a six-week period from the end of the city is clearly ready to party year-round. guage media giant Univision Communica- September to the beginning of November. In May, Dirtybird will celebrate its 15th tions for an undisclosed sum. “I don’t know if it’s the festivals’ fault or if anniversary at Exposition Park — where The group is made up of private equity people just go out less,” he says. “Maybe a EDC once reigned — with the Birdhouse firm Searchlight Capital and media- and bit of both. There’s definitely a saturation in Festival. The weekender is a step up from consumer technology-focused operating festivals and a saturation in general events the popular Dirtybird BBQ events, albeit at a and investment company ForgeLight, which as well.” reduced capacity (from 7,000 people per day Davis launched as CEO in December after There’s also the pressure of direct com- to 5,000). leaving Viacom due to its recombination petition so close to home, particularly with “We like to keep our events more intimate with CBS to form ViacomCBS. Davis set to Secret Project, whose artists and target au- and weird,” says label head Claude Von- run Univision as CEO upon deal close. dience overlap with DIY organizers’. While Stroke, “so we changed from one day to two Mexican TV giant Televisa has elected to Insomniac’s logo doesn’t appear on Secret days so we could maintain the family vibes retain its stake of about 36 percent. Finan- Project’s branding, its star-studded lineups and not have the capacity get too corporate. cial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. would be next to impossible for a truly inde- We value the fan experience over jamming Univision emphasized that its program li- pendent promoter to book. bodies into a venue.” cense agreement with Televisa “will remain Maheras and Martinovic say they were In September, Barcelona’s long-running in effect and will not expire unless Televisa unable to book certain artists who played Primavera Sound festival makes its U.S. voluntarily sells down a substantial por- the festival for their own parties due to debut at the State Historic Park. Though tion of its ownership stake, at which point radius clauses (contractual agreements the lineup has not yet been announced, the the agreement would remain in place for restricting artists from playing within a festival’s impending arrival has resurfaced an additional seven and a half years.” The certain distance or time frame of an event), worries from smaller promoters about how agreement, which Univision called one of its which promoters utilize to keep events radius clauses will affect their own event “most strategic assets,” provides the com- unique and competitive. But as more events schedule. pany exclusive access to Televisa’s content join the crowd, smaller operations without “There are pros and cons for people in my library, which it says is the largest Spanish- the financial backing and brand prestige position, but overall I’m really excited to see language video library in the world. to outbid their better-endowed peers must what they bring,” says Martinovic. “There’s The deal, which is subject to “custom- either dig deeper into the talent pool or risk a lot of potential here in L.A.” ary closing conditions, including receipt of getting the short end of the stick. The city’s key figures are all in their own regulatory approvals,” is expected to close Both parties have found something of a ways contending with the saturation and later this year. working solution, for now. Martinovic, as obstacles of which Richards speaks, but the “I am honored to be partnering with well as DJ-promoters from Making Shapes, L.A. scene also knows a thing or two about Televisa and Searchlight to help steward Lights Down Low and Bears in Space have beating the odds. Univision into this next phase. Univision’s populated Secret Project’s lineups over “It’s definitely not easy,” Richards says. leadership and connection with one of the both years. Rather than shut out the people “But I’m a forever optimist, you know? most important audiences in the U.S. today they’d normally be competing with, Factory Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” creates an amazing platform to drive in- 93 invites them to share in the spotlight. It novation, build market-defining content and also helps that these smaller organizers give create an even deeper relationship with its the festival both access to their fan-bases Investor Group to audience,” said Davis. “Vince and the entire and local underground credibility. Univision team have done an outstanding But while events such as Day of the Acquire Majority job of refocusing the company over the past Dead, All My Friends and Secret Project 18 months, which has further enhanced the have opened a new chapter in Los Angeles’ Stake in Univision, company’s position as a market leader in ever-evolving dance scene, Richards doesn’t Spanish-language media and created this foresee them returning to the level of the Wade Davis to incredible opportunity going forward.” EDM festival heyday. Sadusky has been running the firm as “I kind of see festivals … it’s just like mu- Become CEO CEO since Randy Falco retired at the end of sic, there’s just too many of them,” he says. 2018. While Univision under Falco had been “There’s only so many times people can BY GEORG SZALAI acquiring English-language assets like the go out. It’s really more [about] which ones Onion, Lifehacker, Deadspin and Jezebel, have a point of view that are interesting and n investor group led by former under Sadusky, Univision has shed those unique?” Viacom CFO Wade Davis has businesses. The next round of major-promoter fes- agreed to acquire a 64 percent Last summer, Univision said it would en- tivals in L.A. is still a few months away, but A majority stake in Spanish-lan- tertain offers from potential buyers as part Page 16 of 25

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of an exploration of “strategic options” and updated rules, there could be dire economic engaged advisers. It said Tuesday that Mor- Canadian and cultural consequences.” gan Stanley, LionTree Advisors and Moelis The $30 million overall increase is due to & Co. are acting as its financial advisors, Performance the $23 million in digital collections plus the with Cravath, Swaine & Moore, Covington $7 million from reproduction rights collec- & Burling and Sidley Austin serving as legal Rights Org tions, following SOCAN’s 2018 acquisition of counsel. Society for Reproduction Rights of Authors, Univision has been privately owned for SOCAN Collected Composers and Publishers in Canada (SO- more than a decade. Its investors, including DRAC). Saban Capital Group, Madison Dearborn Record $405 “While royalties from digital sources Partners and Providence Equity Partners, remain too small for most SOCAN members, have been seeking at least a partial exit for Million in 2019 revenue from international sources con- a while and previously considered an initial tinued to show strength at the historically public offering before market conditions BY KAREN BLISS high mark, and new record, of $88.5-million, changed their mind. demonstrating again that Canadian music Univision was hoping an IPO might have ORONTO — The Society of Com- creators and publishers continue to out- valued the company at $20 billion, and it posers, Authors & Music Publish- perform on a global level,” the press release had in 2017 turned down an offer of up to ers of Canada (SOCAN) again says. $15 billion from John Malone, who controls reports record-breaking numbers, Lionsgate, SiriusXM Radio and other media Tissuing preliminary year-end figures for assets. 2019 of an estimated CA$405.5 million (USD TSA Halts “Both Searchlight and Wade are wholly $305.38 million) collected, an 8% increase supportive of Univision’s core mission to over 2018’s $375 million ($282.41 million). Employees From entertain, inform and empower Hispanic However, one figure is concerning — do- America and fully embrace the commitment mestic digital earnings. Using TikTok for and special bond we have with our audi- Despite a 38% increase in digital collec- ence,” Sadusky said. “Our talented operat- tions — by a little more than $23 million to Social Media ing team has transformed Univision to be $86 million — the performing rights organi- strategically, operationally and financially zation says its members earned an average Posts stronger than it has been in years.” of only $67 ($50.47) from domestic digital “Televisa has a shared history with Univi- royalties, an actual increase from 2018, BY ASSOCIATED PRESS sion dating back many years and a deep stra- which was a mere $54 ($40.67). tegic relationship today,” Davis highlighted. SOCAN has more than 160,000 songwrit- he Transportation Security “The context, insight and strategic content ers, composers, music publishers and visual Administration said Sunday it that Televisa brings to Univision have been artists as members. has stopped allowing employees key to the company’s success.” And he Final figures will be determined following to use the China-owned video touted the acumen of the new investors, SOCAN’s Board of Directors meeting next Tapp TikTok to create social media posts for saying: “This group of owners will be able month and released in concert with its an- the agency after the Senate’s top Democrat to support the incredible team at Univision nual general meeting in June. raised concerns about potential national to deliver even more value to its advertis- “Royalties from television, radio, inter- security issues. ers, distributors and most importantly, its national and concerts remain strong, but New York Sen. Chuck Schumer sent a let- audience.” most growth this year came from domestic ter letter Saturday to TSA Administrator Da- This article was originally published by digital sources and it is clear that more must vid Pekoske, months after news reports that The Hollywood Reporter. be done to improve the SOCAN writer and the U.S. government launched a national publisher’s share from streaming royalties,” security review of the app, which is popular said SOCAN CEO Eric Baptiste in a press with millions of U.S. teens and young adults. statement. Schumer also cited a Department of Home- “The Canadian government has acknowl- land Security policy prohibiting TikTok on edged that Canadian content rules and agency devices. discoverability must be modernized for the The TSA said in a statement Sunday that digital age. If music creation – the lifeblood a “small number of TSA employees have of Canada’s music industry – is not sup- previously used TikTok on their personal ported quickly through the development of devices to create videos for use in TSA’s Page 17 of 25

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social media outreach, but that practice has T.J. Martell Foundation does following he since been discontinued.” T.J. Martell and his wife’s respective battles with cancer. In his letter, Schumer said national “Without hope, there’s not much out there… security experts have raised concerns about Foundation Thank you, T.J. Martell. Kitty, here’s one for TikTok’s collection and handling of user you, baby.” data and personal information, locations Honors Amy For two hours, over dinner and a live and other content. He also noted in the auction, members of the Nashville music letter that Chinese laws compel companies Grant, Clint industry gathered at Music City’s Omni Ho- to cooperate with China’s government and tel to raise money and awareness for cancer intelligence collection. Higham at Star- research. Actor Charles Esten served as host “Given the widely reported threats, the for the eighth year and introduced Wade already-in-place agency bans, and the exist- Studded Nashville Hayes to the stage to perform “Go Live Your ing concerns posed by TikTok, the feds can- Life” in honor of Dr. Jordan Berlin, a medi- not continue to allow the TSA’s use of the Honors Gala cal oncologist who specializes in gastroin- platform to fly,” Schumer said in a statement testinal (GI) malignancies and new drug to The Associated Press. BY ANNIE REUTER development; Berlin received the medical Over the past few months, the agency has research advancement award. posted a number of videos reshared on other eba McEntire, , CeCe Rascal Flatts honored Laurie and Jim social media platforms such as Twitter, Winans, Rascal Flatts, Wade Seabury ahead of their lifetime humanitar- which have amassed hundreds of thousands Hayes, Michael Ray and Carly ian award with a spirited performance of of views. Pearce were on hand to celebrate “Fast Cars and Freedom.” The pair was The agency said it never directed viewers Rsome of T.J. Martell Foundation’s biggest recognized for their involvement in count- to TikTok or published content directly to supporters on Monday evening (Feb. 24) less charity work throughout the Nash- the platform, despite videos reposted on during the 12th Annual Nashville Honors ville community and beyond. They were other TSA social media accounts having the Gala. The night recognized Dr. Jordan Ber- presented the award by their friend, Dr. C. TikTok logo in the bottom of the screen. lin, Patrick G. Emery, Laurie and Jim Sea- Wright Pinson. The agency said it had an “active and award- bury, Amy Grant and Clint Higham while “I had cancer nine years ago… and I can winning presence on several social media raising $1 million for cancer research. still talk reasonably,” Jim said, explaining platforms.” “What do you say to a guy you literally that the cancer was cut out of his neck and Some of the videos are musical parodies owe your life to?” Hayes said, crediting throat. “At the end of the day, our parents about what can and cannot be brought on an Berlin for allowing him to be clear of cancer endowed us with a giving spirit, so we want aircraft, while others advertise services like for seven years. “I thank God for you. Here’s to thank our parents for giving us a giving TSA’s expedited screening program known a tune I wrote after our meeting that day.” spirit. What we hope we leave with our kids as PreCheck. In one of the videos, a TSA Following his performance, Berlin’s col- is that same giving spirit. Thank you for the spokeswoman with Nutella spread on her leagues, Dr. Dana B. Cardin and Dr. Laura award and thank you for the recognition.” face is showing different containers of the Goff, presented his award. Gill later took the stage to perform for chocolate-hazelnut spread to detail which “I honestly can’t tell you how humbled honoree Amy Grant with their 18-year-old one can be brought in carry-on luggage. and honored I am to be here and to receive daughter, Corrina. During a stripped-down this award. This is one of the most special performance of “When My Amy Prays,” Gill days of my life,” Berlin said. “I work with sang the poignant ballad while his daughter a team that works together and helps each sat beside him on piano. Following a video other out and continues to make life better that included congratulatory messages for cancer patients … At the end of the day, from Paul Simon, Carole King, Sheryl Crow, I can’t wait to go back and work that much James Taylor and Scott Hamilton, among harder for my patients.” others, McEntire presented Grant with the Ahead of Emery’s recognition for the Tony Martell outstanding entertainment spirit of Nashville award, CeCe Winans achievement award, praising the gospel performed an inspired rendition of Kris singer as being a light. “As long as I’ve Kristofferson’s “Why Me Lord.” Thomas known you, you have radiated a light very T. Raney then presented the real estate special. Vince, thanks for sharing Amy with developer with his trophy. Delivering an us.” emotional speech in honor of his late wife, “That was so much fun to hear all that! Kitty, Emery said that he believed in all that It’s so great to be alive and it’s not happen- Page 18 of 25

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ing at my funeral,” Grant joked upon taking prised by Kenny Chesney, who raved about Hunt claims his first Country Airplay No. the podium to accept her award. “I’m so his manager of 27 years. “I’ve always felt 1 since his crossover smash “Body Like a grateful to be here tonight like this… I love that music has always been medicine in Back Road,” which reigned for three weeks how all of our stories intersect in this town my life… I could have went down a lot of in May 2017. It ruled Hot Country Songs for and that’s the beautiful thing about a night roads with a lot of people, but Clint and I 34 frames starting that February. like tonight. We get to feel some of the con- have went down every single one of them to- Hunt first topped Country Airplay with nectedness of our community. gether and I’m proud of that,” Chesney said. his debut hit, Montevallo lead single (of five) “I do think that the combination of Higham admitted that he was “humbled” “Leave the Night On,” for a week in Novem- intelligence and creativity and community and “a little embarrassed” to stand on the ber 2014, followed by “Take Your Time” and philanthropy that comes because of stage and to accept the award. “To receive (one, May 2015) and “House Party” (one, Nashville, because of the giftedness that this honor from you, Joel means the world,” September). “Break Up in a Small Town” has come into this place — it’s creating a said Higham, who has been involved with reached No. 2 in February 2016 and “Make kind of energy that is nowhere else in the T.J. Martell Foundation since 2001. “Being You Miss Me” led for a week in September world,” she continued. “I do believe that honored for something I do because I have 2016. scientific strides will be made here, that the been blessed really seems overwhelming. “Kinfolks” follows stand-alone single world will be changed in unimaginable ways The real honorees are the folks at T.J. Mar- “Downtown’s Dead,” which peaked at No. 15 because of our generosity, our effort, and tell who support those fighting the cancer in June 2018. because all of us in this room tonight have battle and doing research to find a cure.” Hunt will launch his Southside Summer already learned that if we give what we have T.J. Martell Foundation formed in 1975 Tour 2020 on May 28 in Charlotte, N.C., there will always be enough.” by record label executive Tony Martell fol- with the trek set to include supporting art- The final award of the evening was pre- lowing the death of his 19-year-old son from ists Brandi Cyrus, Travis Denning, Ernest sented to Clint Higham, business partner leukemia and has since raised more than and Kip Moore. and president of Morris Higham Manage- $280 million. 3,360 HOURS AT NO. 1 Dan + Shay and ment. Fittingly, the Joel A. Katz music is Justin Bieber’s “10,000 Hours” dominates medicine chairman’s award was given to Hot Country Songs for a 20th week, solely the music industry executive by Katz, the Sam Hunt Nets claiming the fourth-longest reign since the founding chairman of Greenberg Traurig’s survey became an all-encompassing genre Global Entertainment and Media Prac- Sixth Country ranking in 1958. It passes the 19-week com- tice. Ahead of being presented his honor, mand of Leroy Van Dyke’s “Walk on By” in Michael Ray and Carly Pearce performed a Airplay No. 1 With 1961-62. stunning cover of Keith Whitley and Lorrie The only songs to lead longer: Bebe Rexha Morgan’s “Til a Tear Becomes a Rose.” ‘Kinfolks’ and Florida Georgia Line’s “Meant to Be” “Visionary is what I think about when I (50 weeks, 2017-18); Sam Hunt’s “Body Like think about Clint Higham,” Ray said. “Clint, BY JIM ASKER a Back Road” (34 weeks, 2017); and Florida you have the biggest heart of anybody I’ve Georgia Line’s “Cruise” (24 weeks, 2012-13). ever known. You’ve changed all of our lives am Hunt scores his sixth leader on “Hours” tops Country Streaming Songs … your belief in me has changed my life.” Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, for a 15th week, with 14.7 million streams, Added Katz, “He’s smart, he’s fair, but and first since 2017, as “Kinfolks” and sold 7,000 in the week ending Feb. 20. It best of all he’s really kindhearted. And lucky ascends 2-1 on the survey dated led Country Airplay for two weeks begin- for him, he found a career in the music SFeb. 29, up 5% to 36.6 million audience ning on the Jan. 25-dated list. business because his true and real passion impressions in the week ending Feb. 23, ac- CHESNEY, THEN AND ‘NOW’ Kenny is music. He’s always front and center at his cording to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. Chesney makes his 91st Country Airplay client’s shows, singing along and moving to Hunt co-authored “Kinfolks” with Zach visit as “Here and Now” roars in at No. 25 the beat… He’s a true role model for every- Crowell, Jerry Flowers and Josh Osborne with 5.1 million in radio reach, aided by one who has had the good fortune of being and the song previews Hunt’s album South- hourly plays on participating iHeartMedia included in Clint’s friendship circle. On side (due April 3), his first LP since his 2014 stations during its Feb. 21 release day. behalf of the T.J. Martell Foundation, it is debut, Montevallo. Chesney boasts the second-most Country with great pride and with great admiration On the airplay-, streaming- and sales- Airplay entries, after George Strait’s 100, that we congratulate him on this milestone. powered Hot Country Songs chart, “Kin- dating to the list’s January 1990 launch. Clint, tonight we celebrate you in your folks” holds at its No. 3 high, also having (Garth Brooks now ranks third, with 90.) individual and collective contributions to drawn 7.8 million U.S. streams (up 5%) and Chesney’s haul includes a record 30 No. 1s, our success.” sold 3,000 downloads (up 1%) in the week among 56 top 10s. As Higham took the stage, he was sur- ending Feb. 20. “Here” follows Chesney’s “Tip of My Page 19 of 25

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Tongue,” which debuted at No. 20 last July chart, From Now On (No. 4) and Focus (No. ceiving this top award since the award was and rose to No. 8 in December. The new 10) plus songs such as “Everybody Needs introduced in 1986. single is the first single from his album ex- Somebody,” “Need to Know” and “Praisin’ Largely unknown just a year ago, Lizzo pected this spring. on My Mind.” was named entertainer of the year at the ‘CATCH’-Y TOP 10 Brett Young’s A former member of the Underdogs 51st annual NAACP Image Awards, which “Catch” climbs into the Country Airplay top production team, Eric has collaborated were presented on Jan. 22 at the Pasadena 10 (11-10), increasing by 10% to 21.3 mil- on projects by , Justin (Calif.) Civic Auditorium. That’s the fastest lion audience impressions. Young adds his Bieber, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Babyface that anyone has climbed from obscurity to sixth top 10, a total that includes four No. 1s. and Mary Mary among others. His work has receiving this top award since the award “Catch” follows “Here Tonight,” which led also been heard in various films including was introduced in 1986. for two weeks in April 2019. Dream Girls, A Shark’s Tale and The Help Beyoncé, Steve Harvey, Ava DuVernay, (the Academy Award-nominated “The Liv- , Halle Berry and Eddie ing Proof”). Murphy also received the NAACP’s enter- Legacy Music “With Legacy Music Group, we are get- tainer of the year award within a decade of ting back to the true art and origin of artist their breakthroughs. Group Lifts development by being involved in every as- Beyoncé won entertainer of the year for pect of a project from conception to comple- the first time in 2004, seven years after the Off, Headed by tion,” said Eric. “Artist development is not release of Destiny’s Child’s breakthrough just a position; the process is paramount at hit, “No, No, No.” Jovan Dawkins the label. It is our goal to give every artist an Harvey won the award in 2001, eight opportunity to be the best they can be.” years after he began a long stint as host of and A&R Chief Hammond’s most recent hit is “Tell Me Showtime at the Apollo. Where It Hurts,” which peaked at No. 14 on DuVernay won the award in 2018, eight Eric Dawkins: Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs tally last May. years after the release of I Will Follow, her He also guests on the track “Hands On” first film as a producer/writer/director. Exclusive from Kanye West’s Jesus Is King album. For- Houston won the award in 1994, nine merly known as Tasha Page-Lockhart, Tasha years after the release of her eponymous BY GAIL MITCHELL will make her Legacy Music Group debut debut album, which logged 14 weeks at No. 1 on Feb. 26 with the single “Why Not Me.” on the Billboard 200. ntertainment executive Jovan Also in the Legacy pipeline: the soundtrack Berry won the award in 2000, nine years Dawkins is announcing the launch for the forthcoming biopic about the gospel after her first film role in Spike Lee’s Jungle of inspirational label Legacy Music group Commissioned. Fever. Group. Heading the label’s A&R Murphy won the award in 1990, 10 years Edivision as president is Grammy Award- after he joined the cast of NBC’s Saturday nominated singer-songwriter and Dawkins’ How Lizzo Bested Night Live. cousin Eric Dawkins. The initial roster Lizzo’s triumph was especially welcome for Los Angeles-based Legacy includes Oprah & Made because she missed out on key prizes at Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award-winning other award shows. She won three Gram- artist Fred Hammond, Tasha and Dawkins History at 2020 mys on Jan. 26, but lost in each of the Big & Dawkins. Four categories to Billie Eilish. She lost best Referencing his ministerial work as well, NAACP Image new artist to Eilish at the MTV Video Music Jovan Dawkins stated, “My goal was to Awards, and the launch something that’s part of my tradi- Awards Grammys. At the Image Awards, the char- tional background from a musical perspec- ismatic star finally got her due — and made tive. I also hope to provide a comfortable BY PAUL GREIN history in the process. space to produce and approach music in a Lizzo also won a second Image Award: different way that ideally inspires others argely unknown just a year ago, outstanding /visual album for and honors my family’s legacy.” Lizzo was named entertainer of “Juice.” That legacy includes Dawkins & Dawkins, the year at the 51st annual NAACP the gospel and Christian R&B duo com- Image Awards, which were pre- prised of Eric and his brother Anson. The Lsented on Jan. 22 at the Pasadena (Calif.) pair is best known for charting two hit Civic Auditorium. That’s the fastest that albums on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums anyone has climbed from obscurity to re- Page 20 of 25

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event for its 61st year, outside there were Ricky Martin protests stemming from Chile’s “estal- Placido Domingo lido social,” or Social explosion, the anti- Brings the government movement that started Oct. Abused Power, 18. Protesters burned cars in front of the House Down, historic O’Higgins hotel and forced festival U.S. Opera Union organizers to cancel the competition portion Protests Lead of the evening, as some of the contestants Probe Finds were staying there. to Rescheduled At Quinta Vergara, hosts Maria Luisa BY ASSOCIATED PRESS Godoy and Martin Cárcamo acknowledged Competition & that the occurrence was “unprecedented” n investigation into legend- in the festival’s six decades of existence and ary singer Placido Domingo More From Viña also clarified that the contest would start by the U.S. union representing officially Monday (Feb. 24). However, those opera performers found more del Mar Day 1 onstage were not ignoring the realities of thanA two dozen people who said they were the country. “Chile, we are with you,” were sexually harassed or witnessed inappropri- BY LEILA COBO words heard often during the evening, from ate behavior by the superstar when he held the hosts and from Martin himself. “I’m senior management positions at Washington icky Martin opened the Viña with you, Chile,” said Martin, who last sum- National Opera and Los Angeles Opera, ac- del Mar in Chile mer led demonstrations against the Puerto cording to people familiar with the findings. with a sold-out show, where he Rican government. “Demand your rights. The investigation, conducted by lawyers traversed some of his greatest Never stay silent. Peacefully, but not silent.” hired by the American Guild of Musical Rhits, from “Vuelve” to a reimagined “Livin’ Chile’s protests, which were set off by Artists, concluded that the accounts from La Vida Loca.” an increase in metro fares, have focused on 27 people showed a clear pattern of sexual Playing to an adoring crowd of more asking for governmental and constitutional misconduct and abuse of power by Domingo than 15,000, an emotional Martin — who reform and the demands for basic rights. spanning at least two decades, according to last played this venue six years ago — was Massive marches have taken place in the those who spoke to The Associated Press on generous with his playlist, performing for country since Oct. 18, but activity had lulled condition of anonymity because they were more than 90 minutes and picking up a sil- until Sunday night in Viña. not authorized to disclose the findings. ver and gold seagull (Gaviota de Plata y de Regardless, the show is set to go on Mon- In response to a request for comment Oro), the symbolic trophies that the crowd day night, with Mon Laferte, the Chilean from the AP, Domingo issued a statement at Viña del Mar, known as “El Monstruo” singer/songwriter who has actively raised saying: “I have taken time over the last (the monster), clamors for (or doesn’t) her voice against the government, as the several months to reflect on the allegations when they like a performance. headliner. Fellow Chilean singer Francisca that various colleagues of mine have made Martin performed at Viña del Mar, the Valenzuela will close the show in an all-Chil- against me. I respect that these women oldest and most respected Latin music ean evening. , Ozuna, Ana Gabriel finally felt comfortable enough to speak out, festival and song competition in the world, and Pimpinela are also slated to headline. and I want them to know that I am truly sor- as part of his South American tour. He sang On Sunday night, closing the show fell on ry for the hurt that I caused them. I accept back by his full band and eight dancers, Martin’s fellow Puerto Rican singer/song- full responsibility for my actions, and I have delivering a show that was part pop, part Ve- writer Pedro Capó, who is in the midst of grown from this experience.” gas razzle dazzle and part die-hard romantic a career high with the success of his single The union’s investigation was the first of emotion. And while he opened and closed “Calma.” Capó performed with an 11-piece two independent inquiries launched after with signature dance hits like “La Bomba” band steeped in and Caribbean multiple women accused Domingo of sexual and “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” it was the roman- rhythms. harassment and abusing his power in two tic segment — which Martin performed sit- If Ricky was sleek pop, this was free love. AP stories published last year. The second ting barefoot on a stool sans dancers — that It also worked. Capó walked out with gold inquiry, still ongoing, was launched by LA generated some of the most reaction from a and silver seagulls. Opera, where Domingo had been general crowd that sang along every step of the way. For the remainder of the week, Capó will director since 2003 before resigning in It wasn’t the only emotionally charged be a judge at the siniginig competition. October. moment of the show. Billboard’s Leila Cobo wil be sitting as a According to the people familiar with While Martin sang in the historical judge at the Viña del Mar song competition the contents of the union’s investigation, Quinta Vergara venue, which hosted the until Feb. 28. lawyers from the firm Cozen O’Connor Page 21 of 25

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interviewed 55 people from September until Governors on the findings Monday. addition to heading Los Angeles Opera, he late December. In addition to the 27 who The people familiar with the investigation served as general director at Washington said they experienced or witnessed sexually said Domingo, now 79, had reiterated his Opera from 2003-2011. suggestive behavior on the part of Domingo denials of wrongdoing to investigators and Most of Domingo’s accusers were young in the 1990s and 2000s, 12 others said they contended that he did not occupy a posi- and starting their careers at the time. were aware of the star’s reputation and tion of power over his colleagues and their Several told the AP that he dangled job that it was common knowledge at the two careers. They said he told investigators he prospects as he tried to pressure them into companies. had engaged in flirtatious behavior but did sexual relationships, sometimes punishing Mirroring AP’s reporting last year, the not cross a line into inappropriate touching them professionally if they rebuffed him. So- investigation found that the allegations or behavior like asking colleagues to meet prano Angela Turner Wilson said that after included unsolicited physical touching that privately in his residence. weeks of pursuing her, Domingo forcefully ranged from kisses on the mouth to groping, They said the investigators characterized grabbed her bare breast under her robe in a late-night phone calls in which Domingo Domingo’s conduct as inappropriate work- backstage room. asked women to come to his residence, and place behavior under the norms of the 1990s The accusations in the union’s report inviting women to go out with him socially or by today’s #MeToo standards. included multiple new accusers not inter- with such persistence that some felt they The investigators said that they found the viewed by the AP, according to the people were being stalked. witness accounts to be credible based on the familiar with its contents. Two of the women told investigators that number of people who came forward, the Investigators said most of the people they they had sexual relations with Domingo, similarities of their stories, corroborations interviewed requested anonymity in the saying they felt compelled to submit because of their accounts, and the common theme final report, fearing professional retaliation of his position of authority and potential that Domingo’s behavior and reputation or personal embarrassment, highlighting to damage their careers, according to the were such widespread knowledge that the problem the industry faces in trying to people familiar with the investigation. women at his companies were warned to convince victims to come forward. In the rest of his statement to the AP, avoid being in close contact with him. Domingo said, “I understand now that some The union announced its investigation in women may have feared expressing them- September, shortly after the publication of Mark Knopfler selves honestly because of a concern that AP’s stories, saying it did not trust the indus- their careers would be adversely affected if try to police itself. Most of the harassment to Host New they did so. While that was never my inten- alleged in AP’s stories occurred at LA Opera tion, no one should ever be made to feel that and at Washington opera, which has repeat- SiriusXM Show way. edly declined to say if it would investigate “I am committed to affecting positive the claims. LA Opera has not said when or if ‘The British change in the opera industry so that no one it will make its findings public. else has to have that same experience. It is In the AP stories, more than 20 women Grove Broadcast’: my fervent wish that the result will be a saf- accused Domingo of sexual harassment or er place to work for all in the opera industry, other inappropriate behavior in encoun- Exclusive and I hope that my example moving forward ters taking place from the late 1980s to the will encourage others to follow.” 2000s. Dozens more said his behavior was BY RANIA ANIFTOS Union officials would not directly address an open secret in the industry. the contents of the report, which has not A number of U.S. companies canceled Do- ark Knopfler is bringing his been made public. But the union’s national mingo appearances and he withdrew from fans on a journey of director, Leonard Egert, issued a others under pressure. But no European discovery by hosting a new statement to the AP saying, “AGMA salutes performances have been affected. Sirius XM show, The British the brave people across all our industries Domingo has been one of the opera’s most MGrove Broadcast, the broadcasting company and encourages them to continue speak- beloved and successful figures, admired as announced Tuesday (Feb. 25). ing out against wrongdoing. We call upon an ambassador for the art form and valued The songwriter and producer will air management, and pledge to work collabora- for his enduring talent and ability to attract his one-hour weekly show from his British tively with them, to get at the root causes sellout crowds in an era of diminishing Grove Studios in West London, where he that have allowed this behavior to occur, and ticket sales. will play some of his favorite songs from his go unaddressed, in opera, dance, and choral He also was a prolific conductor and personal record collection, which includes cultures for far too long.” powerful administrator, which his accusers genres from early roots, and rock n’ Egert, other senior union leaders and the told the AP gave him the power to make or roll to newcomers. investigators briefed the union’s Board of break careers and behave with impunity. In “I’ve tried not to make my choices too ob- Page 22 of 25

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vious and avoided the mega-hits,” Knopfler album of the week on CDs and downloads, tion of neighboring rights,” comments Ann said in a statement. “I hope people might while Ozzy Osbourne’s Ordinary Man, the Tausis, CEO, Kobalt Neighbouring Rights. make a discovery or two, but there’s so rock great’s 12th studio set, is the best-seller “More and more global artists are becom- much good music out there I’ve had to leave on vinyl. ing aware of this important revenue stream out mountains of it. It’s been tricky, but fun Ordinary Man is on track to earn Os- that has lots of rules and exceptions affect- all the way.” bourne his highest-charting album ever as ing who gets paid and where. It’s complex. “Having Mark take us on his personal a solo artist. The Black Sabbath legend has Tones and I is the latest global star to recog- journey of music discovery—from the com- a best of No. 7 as a solo artist, with 1980’s nize this area and our years of expertise will fort of his own London studios—is a special Blizzard Of Oz, though the Hall of Fame- ensure she receives the income due to her addition to our Volume channel,” Scott inducted rock band has two leaders. across the globe.” Greenstein, president and chief content of- Also aiming for top ten entries are Those income streams aren’t insignifi- ficer of SiriusXM, added. “He is a true mod- Grimes’ Miss Anthropocene (4AD) at No. 6, cant. Tones’ “Dance Monkey” has exploded ern guitar hero and his work as a songwriter and English singer and rapper King Krule’s to 2 billion-plus stream since its release and producer has such tremendous range. Man Alive (XL Recordings) at No. 7, for what last May, and its music video has clocked With that rich and varied background, each would be both acts’ chart peaks. up more than 717 million views. Written show will be a treat for our listeners as Mark Meanwhile, The Weeknd’s “Blinding solely by Tones and recorded with Brisbane curates and comments on his extraordinary Lights” (Republic Records) returns to No. 1 producer Konstantin Kersting, the track has range of selections.” on the Official Singles Chart Update, with become the most “Shazamed” song of all The British Grove Broadcast premieres on Billie Eilish’s Bond theme “No Time To time, and the longest-running No. 1 song on Wednesday, March 4, at 9 p.m. ET on Vol- Die” (Interscope) pushed into second place. the Spotify global charts. ume (channel 106). In conjunction, Pandora At the midweek stage, BTS has the high- In the U.K., the song ruled the Official will release special playlists coinciding with est debut with “ON” featuring Sia, the lead Singles Chart for 11 weeks, a record for a the music and themes of each episode. single from Map Of The Soul: 7, at No. 12. solo female artist, and in her homeland, it The weekly U.K. singles and albums ruled the ARIA Singles Chart for an incred- charts are published late Friday local time. ible 24 weeks, easily an all-time record. She BTS Races to Top went on to scoop four ARIA Awards. On the Billboard Hot 100 this week, “Dance Mon- of U.K. Midweek Tones And I Signs key” rises 5-4, a new peak in its 20th cycle on the tally. Last month, Tones hit No. 1 on Chart With ‘Map With Kobalt For the Billboard Hot 100 Songwriters chart for the first time. Of The Soul: 7’ Neighboring Speaking on the new pact, Regan Leth- bridge, David Morgan (both Lemon Tree BY LARS BRANDLE Rights Music) and Jackson Walkden-Brown (Art- ists Only), co-managers of Tones And I, say: TS is charging toward a second BY LARS BRANDLE “We’re absolutely pumped to be working chart crown in the U.K. with Map with Kobalt on the neighbouring rights Of The Soul: 7 (Big Hit Entertain- ustralian busker-turned-global front. Our detailed discussions leading up ment). star Tones And I has signed to doing this deal really reinforced for us BThe K-pop superstars’ new LP nabs top an international neighboring that they’re the best in the business when spot on the midweek chart in the U.K., rights deal with Kobalt. Tones it comes to this relatively complex and where it’s outselling its three nearest (realA name Toni Watson) is the singer and evolving income stream. They’re exception- competitors combined (Ozzy Osbourne’s songwriter behind the hit “Dance Monkey,” ally passionate about Tones and we’re very Ordinary Man via Epic; Lewis Capaldi’s which blew its way to No. 1 in 30 territories confident that this will be a long and fruitful Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent via and smashes chart records in the U.K. and relationship.” EMI and Stormzy’s Heavy Is The Head via her native Australia. Tones has just completed the sold-out Atlantic/Merky, respectively). Through the with Kobalt North America leg of her world tour, in sup- BTS already have one U.K chart crown Neighbouring Rights, the independent port of debut EP The Kids Are Coming. U.K. with Map Of The Soul : Persona, while in the music company will offer and Europe dates kick off Friday (Feb. 28) United States they’re powering to a fourth artist a range of global administration and with a show at O2 Kentish Town in North successive Billboard 200 title. royalty maximization services. London, with international dates booked According to the , “I am so very pleased that Tones and her solid through August. In recent days, Tones Map Of The Soul: 7 is the U.K.’s best-selling team have partnered with us for the collec- appeared on Ellen and Today, following on Page 23 of 25

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from guest spots last year on The Tonight support of arts programs nationwide. not guilty pleas on his behalf to six counts Show With Jimmy Fallon and . In the trailer, which premieres below, fel- of felony disorderly conduct. She also told Sources tell Billboard new Tones music is low artists from Quincy Jones to Sting and Judge James B. Linn that she has asked the coming “very soon.” Kobalt Neighbouring Questlove expound on Alpert, who admits Illinois Supreme Court to halt the case. A Rights represents more than 2,000 art- he could not enjoy his success in its height somber looking Smollett, 37, entered the ists, including A$AP Rocky, Red Hot Chili because he felt like just a number. “We were Cook County courthouse wearing sunglass- Peppers, The Chainsmokers, Dua Lipa and selling out these huge arenas in three min- es and sporting a beard, flanked by his legal Tame Impala. utes and at that point I realized, man, I’m team and surrounded by reporters. rich, I’m famous, but I’m miserable,” he says. “He’s obviously frustrated to be dragged “Herb is a true artist who did things the through this process again,” Glandian told Herb Alpert right way, achieved success on his own reporters after the hearing. She called the terms, and brought much joy to the world revived prosecution “an ordeal” for Smol- Documentary in the process,” Scheinfeld says. “I wanted lett and said he has the support of relatives, to make a documentary that would reflect some of whom flew out from California to Headed to this and, most importantly, to be a ‘Feel be with him. Good’ film that will uplift, inspire and bring “He’s strong, he’s resilient, he’ll get Theaters via audiences together exactly as does Herb’s through this, but he’s frustrated,” she added. music.” Smollett pleaded not guilty to 16 counts Abramorama: Adds Abramorama CEO Richard of the charge in the same courthouse last Abramowitz, “It’s our great honor to cel- year, just weeks before the Cook County Watch The Trailer ebrate the man who outsold The Beatles State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office abruptly in 1966, then went on to co-found the most announced it was dismissing the case, BY MELINDA NEWMAN successful in his- angering police and City Hall. tory on his way to supporting artists and Smollett’s attorneys also have filed a bramorama has acquired the students young and old around the world. motion in Cook County court arguing that rights to distribute Herb Alpert Herb Alpert is a renaissance man of the the refiling of charges violated protections Is.., a documentary that chron- highest order; the only things greater than against being charged twice for the same icles the life and career of the his many accomplishments are his gratitude crime, known as double jeopardy. Prosecu- legendaryA trumpeter and A&M Records and humility.” tors have said double jeopardy does not co-founder, Herb Alpert. apply because Smollett was not prosecuted A spring theatrical release will kick off last year. with a world premiere at the Grammy Jussie Smollett Linn on Monday set a $20,000 personal Museum May 5. Directed by John Schein- recognizance bond, which means Smollett feld (Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Pleads Not Guilty does not have to pay any of it. He was not Documentary, The US vs John Lennon), the taken into custody. His next court date is film profiles the multiple Grammy winner, to Restored March 18. Special Prosecutor Dan Webb, whose most recent album, Over the Rain- a former U.S. attorney who was appointed bow, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Charges of to examine the state’s attorney’s office’s and Contemporary Jazz album charts. handling of the case, represented the state. Alpert has sold more than 72 million Disorderly Foxx’s office is not involved in the new case records, according to the documentary, against Smollett. including Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Conduct The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Brass’s 1965 classic Whipped Cream & Other the defense motion filed with Illinois’ high Delights, known as much for the woman BY ASSOCIATED PRESS court argues that the appointment of the covered in whipped cream on its provoca- special prosecutor was legally flawed.Smol - tive as such hits as “Whipped ormer Empire actor Jussie Smollett lett has repeatedly denied police allegations Cream” and “A Taste of Honey.” pleaded not guilty Monday (Feb. that he staged the attack to get attention and At A&M, Alpert, now 84, discovered and/ 24) to restored charges that accuse further his career. or worked with artists as diverse as The him of staging a racist, homo- Smollett, who is black and gay, told police Carpenters, The Police, Janet Jackson, Fphobic attack against himself last year in that two masked men attacked him as he Peter Frampton and Cat Stevens. The Chicago and falsely reporting to police that was walking home in the early hours of movie also explores his work as an abstract the phony attack was real. Jan. 29, 2019. He said they made racist and painter and sculptor and his philanthropic His lawyer, Tina Glandian, entered the homophobic insults, beat him and looped Page 24 of 25

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a noose around his neck before fleeing, Added Grammy Museum president and that at least one of his attackers was a Nat King Cole Michael Sticka, “Nat King Cole’s legacy as white man who told him he was in “MAGA an iconic, American artist is unparalleled, country,” a reference to President Donald Centennial making him an undeniable national treasure. Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America It’s an honor for the Grammy Museum to Great Again.” Exhibit to Open at host this exhibit and celebrate his incredible Weeks later, police alleged that Smollett achievements and musical legacy.” had paid two black friends to help stage the Grammy Museum Born on March 17, 1919 in Montgomery, attack because he was unhappy with his Alabama, Cole formed the Nat King Cole salary as an actor on Empire, a Fox series on March 17 Trio in the late 1930s and signed to Capi- filmed in Chicago that follows a black family tol Records in 1943. His debut album, The as they navigate the ups and downs of the BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN King Cole Trio, topped Billboard’s inaugural recording industry. album chart the following year. Over the The friends, brothers Abimbola “Abel” he Grammy Museum is celebrat- course of his career, he recorded nearly 700 Osundairo and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo, ing the life and career of legend- songs for Capitol, 150 of which charted on were among those who attended Monday’s ary singer and pianist Nat King Billboard’s pop, R&B and country charts proceedings. If Smollett’s case makes it to Cole with a new exhibit, it was — an achievement that led to the iconic trial, they would be the state’s star wit- Tannounced Tuesday (Feb. 25). Capitol building’s informal designation at nesses. The brothers are bodybuilders and Entitled “This Is Nat King Cole,” the “The House That Nat Built.” He has also aspiring actors whom Smollett knew from exhibit — which will bookend Cole’s cen- been noted for his contributions to advance- the Empire set and the gym. tennial celebration — is slated to open on ments in racial equality, including the U.S. Their attorney, Gloria Schmidt Rodri- March 17, what would have been Cole’s 101st civil rights movement. guez, told reporters after the hearing that birthday. The singer’s daughters Timolin Cole died of lung cancer in February 1965 the brothers were there to “support the Cole and Casey Cole will be on hand at the at the age of 45. process.” museum’s Clive Davis Theater on opening “They are here because they want the day to discuss the stories behind the exhibit truth to be told. ... The brothers are sorry for with moderator Scott Goldman. Robbie Williams their involvement and ... they’re going to do Scheduled to run through summer 2020, everything they can to make this right,” she “This Is Nat King Cole” will offer a retro- to Return to Las said. Glandian, Smollett’s lawyer, said she spective of Cole’s personal and professional was “surprised” the brothers showed up. life, including his relationship with Capitol Vegas for 2020 “There was no reason for them to appear in Records. Cole died in February 1965 at age court,” she said. 45. Residency Glandian has questioned the integrity of Highlights of the exhibit will include the the special prosecutor’s investigation, point- tuxedo Cole wore during his 1960 visit with BY RANIA ANIFTOS ing out that Webb’s probe relied on the same Queen Elizabeth and the kimono he was detectives who were part of the original given in Japan the same year; his Record- obbie Williams is heading back investigation despite pending civil claims ing Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, to Sin City. that Smollett is pursuing against the city and which he was awarded posthumously in Following the huge success police for malicious prosecution. 1990; handwritten letters to his wife Maria of 16 sold-out shows this year Foxx’s handling of the case has become Cole; a beaded gown worn by Maria at Rduring three residency runs, Williams is re- a key issue in her bid for re-election, with a 25th anniversary celebration of Cole’s turning to Wynn Las Vegas’ Encore Theater her opponents accusing her of having acted relationship with Capitol Records; and an for eight new dates from March 24 to July haphazardly and indecisively. engraved Tiffany sterling silver box gifted to 15, 2020. Cole by activists Eunice Kennedy Shriver “I’m so excited to be returning to Las Ve- and Sargent Shriver. gas for new residency dates next year,” Wil- “We are so excited that our father is being liams said in a press statement. “To have my honored at the Grammy Museum in celebra- own run of Vegas shows was a real dream tion of his centennial, and even more special come true and I can’t wait to come back.” that it is on his birthday,” said Casey and “Robbie Williams is coming back to where Timolin Cole in a joint statement. “Our hearts he belongs – Las Vegas,” mirrored Bobby are full knowing that after all these years his Reynolds, senior vice president of AEG music lives on in the hearts of so many.” Presents Las Vegas. “Robbie’s personality Page 25 of 25

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and style are as unique as this town and we couldn’t be happier to have him back at Wynn. Robbie packed the house every night with audience members from near and far. Whether they had seen him one time or one hundred times, the crowd all had one thing in common: They loved the show!” Tickets for the bulk of the shows are on sale now, with new July dates going on pre- sale starting Wednesday. Fans can access an exclusive pre-sale for the new shows by registering at RobbieLasVegas.com. Pre- sale runs from Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 8am – Friday, Feb. 28 at 8 a.m. PT. Official VIP packages and additional artist pre-sale information is available at rob- biewilliams.com/tickets. See all the Vegas dates below: March 24 March 25 March 27 March 28 March 31 April 1 April 3 April 4 July 3 July 4 July 5 July 8 July 10 July 11 July 12 July 15 UPDATE: This story was updated Tuesday (Feb. 25) with new July dates added to Wil- liams’ residency.