$6.95 (U.S.), $8.95 (CAN.), £5.50',U.K.), 8.95 (EUROPE), Y2,500 (JAPAN) aL-1 CI- CI) 1 7w IIIILLJIILIILLIII I IIn.II 908 #BXNCCVR 3 -DIGIT BLED 846 A06 B0113 #90807GEE374EM002# 001 MAR 04 2 MONTY GREENLY 3740 ELM AVE # A LONG BEACH CA 90807 -3402 R THE INTERNATIONAL NEWSWEEKLY OF MUSIC, VIDEO, AND HOME ENTERTAINMENT AUGUST 3, 2 002 L.A. Acts Foster Indies Gain Ground Blues Traditions In DVD Marketplace BY CHRIS MORRIS will wither and expire BY JILL KIPNIS acknowledged that while LOS ANGELES- Tradi- unless it is played with LAS VEGAS -As U.S. they may be forerunners tion is a delicate thing, vitality, originality, and consumers widen their in the special- interest especially when it comes inspiration. DVD collections, it isn't market, competing with to the blues. That blues quandary is only the major studios' major theatrical releases Certainly, no being confront- blockbuster films that are posed challenges in American musi- ed today in Los reaping home - terms of retail cal form has Angeles by mu- video profits. In- shelf space, price roots as deep as sicians- indie- dependent home - competition, the blues, and label acts usu- video companies and available pro- contemporary ally playing in that release special- inter- motion dollars. musicians playing it out -of- the -way venues, est titles in the film, fam- The DVD Entertain- must display both formal sometimes for tips alone ily, fitness, and music ment Group recently re- and emotional fidelity to -who seek to individu- categories are placing leased statistics stating those origins. At the alize and transmit the themselves in enviable that 40 million DVD same time, the music (Continued on page 64) positions, with increas- players have shipped ing demand for a variety since the format of product. A group of launched in 1997 and independents at the that 20 million are likely Video Software Dealers to be shipped this year Assn.'s (VSDA) 21st alone (Billboard, July 27). annual Home Entertain- Accompanying software THE 10 AMERICAN IDOL' FINALISTS ment convention here (Continued on page 63) `American Idol' Weds Reality TV And Music BY CARLA HAY highest -rated new series of the NEW YORK-Can a TV show help year. The program has also creat- revitalize the U.S. music business ed a ratings and media sensation by discovering the next big thing? never before achieved in the U.S. That's what many industry insid- by a televised musical talent con- ers are predicting will happen test. Unlike the judging for other with American Idol: The Search recent TV talent shows, American for a Superstar. Idol will allow TV viewers to vote The Fox TV show -which de- for the finalists and the ultimate buted June 11 -is the network's (Continued on page 65) AOL Time Warner Restructures: Page 6 Alan Lomax Mourned: Page 8 Ringo's 40th Anniversary As A Beatle: Page 10 Asia Pacific Quarterly FOLLOWS PAGE 34 $6 95US $8.95CAN BILLBOARD'S INTERNATIONAL BUYER'S GUIDE IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! 31> Fully searchable and updated weekly Customized reports for download Billboard. For free demo, visit www.billboard.com /directories Dit cton ec 1 11 o 7 486 02552 8 www.americanradiohistory.com Heineken Ë BiHbGtsrd., ii AMERICAN URBAN RADIO NETWORKS ONE WEEK UNTIL CONFERENCE I REGISTER TODAY! 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ASCAP wants to hear your two hottest joints , so bring a CD with you' USHER 11I21 URBA AWE A prestigious event honoring BM! songwriters and publishers. By BMI invitation only egiortis The industry's most knowledgeable experts discuss topics including: Radio, Financial & Legal Terrain, Retail, A &R, Indie Labels, Digital Music and more. ?"11111W 071r11110411 by TWIX, Mistic Juices, Folger's Coffee, Wrigey's auf more! roc et In' xunit/wr A featuring the Heineken STARMAKER Program winner, plus Don Yute and Angela Adams. DON "UTE ANGELA ADAMS TilE GROAD fI11RtE .. BIUBOflRD R&ß IHP-IIOP flWflRDS Honoring the top urban artists of the year at Billboardlive, the new state-of-the-art venue on South Beach! HOSTED BY: WENDY WILLIAMS JARVIS CHURCH "EDDIE F'' FERRELL GINUWINE ANTHONY HAMILTON ICONZ THE ISLEY BROTHERS LATHUM L MARTIN LUTHER MR. CHEEKS THE NEPTUNES PETEY PABLO JALEN ROSE TANK USHER if 111 1 800 CALL ATT MINIMM NOSED JAM PR3DUCTIONS Fölgers fo calls pellevelle www.americanradiohistory.com Senate Bills Sail Past Committees Bill rd. BY BILL HOLLAND ing to do with dancing, music, or any other form of expression. Editor in Chief: TIMOTHY WHITE WASHINGTON, D.C. -lino legislative initiatives affecting the Rather, the criminal provisions target people who promote events (1991 -2002) record industry and recording artists await votes on the U.S. Sen- for the purpose of distributing or using illicit drugs -regardless EDITORIAL Managing Editor: MICHAEL EWS ate floor, while an industry -related House of Representatives of whether or not there is any dancing at the event or any music Bureau Chiefs: Leila Cobo (Latin, Miami), Bill Holland (Washington, D.C.), Melinda Newman (L.A.), Phyllis Stark (Nashville) measure has gained an important co- sponsor. played at the event." Insiders privately say now that the acronym Senior Editors: Ed Christman (Retail), Larry Flick (Talent), Wayne Hoffman (News), `RAVE' not a idea. ChuckTaylor (Features), Ray Waddell (Touring, Nashville) In the Senate, the Anti- Counterfeiting Initiative of 2002, intro- for the bill's title caused alarm and was good Senior Writer. Chris Morris (LA.) duced by Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., D -Del., would give record com- The bill's co- sponsors are Sens. Patrick Leahy, D -Vt.; Orrin G. Special Correspondent/Music Publishing Editor. Jim Bessman Art Director: Jeff Nisbet panies and movie studios the same counterfeiting protections Hatch, R -Utah; Richard J. Durbon, D -Ill.; and Associate Editors: Jill Kipnis (Home Video, L.A.), Brian Garrity (Merchants & Marketing /Music & Money), now afforded to computer software companies. Charles E. Grassley, R -Iowa. Carla Hay (Heatseekers/Music & Showbiz), Gail Mitchell (R &B, L.A.), Wes Orshoski, The bill, S. 2395, would expand law to Hill veterans say political arm Michael Paoletta (Dance), Deborah Evans Price (Country/Christian, Nashville), current that Emma Warby (Copy), ChristaTiitus make illegal the duplication of watermarking, wrestling over Bush administration judicial Staff Writers: Susanne Ault (L.A.), Matthew Benz, Rashaun Hall Assistant Editors: Christopher Walsh (Pro Audio), Chris Woods holograms, and other management technolo- UNITED nominees could get in the way of the passage Art Assistant: Raymond Carlson bills before August recess. Contributors: Bradley Bambarger, Rhonda Baraka, Fred Bronson, Ramiro Burr, Lisa Collins. gies. It also allows copyright owners to sue STATES of the Senate the Steven Graybow, Larry LeBlanc, Moira McCormick, David Nathan, Matthew Robinson, alleged pirates and gives federal prosecutors In the House, a pro- industry bill to be intro- Steve Smith, SteveTraiman SENATE Assistant to the Editor In Chief: Allison Farber authority to prosecute repeat offenders. duced by Rep. Howard Berman, D- Calif., before Editorial Assistant: Margo Whitmire (L.A.) House moves recess Friday (26) has gained INTERNATIONAL (London) In written remarks, Biden said the measure the to International Editor: Tom Ferguson is needed because "in addition to the financial important bipartisan support with the addition News Editor: Gordon Masson Bureau Chiefs: Christie Eliezer (Australasia, Melbourne), Kai R.