International 11MG International Nolds Worldwide Meeting In Boston BMG Entertainment International gathered its managing directors for a worldwide conference this spring in Boston, where online music sales, border- crossing repertoire, and an expected resurgence for Amer- ican rock'n'roll were key topics of discussion. "We've had great presentations and great music," says Rudi Gassner, chairman/CEO of BMG Entertainment International, who led the gath- ering of more than 100 managing directors, marketing VPs, and associ- ates at Boston's Park Plaza Hotel. Along with showcases by priority BMG acts, those assembled also heard from Thomas Middelhoff, chair - man/CEO of BMG's parent company, Bertelsmann A.G.; Strauss Zelnick, president/CEO of BMG Entertainment; and U.S. label chiefs, including Clive Davis, president/CEO of Arista Records; Bob Jamieson, president of RCA Records; Joe Galante, chairman of the RCA Label Group in Nashville; and L.A. Reid, chairman/president of LaFace Records. Offering a country accent, RCA Records Nashville's Sara A soulful set was served up by LaFace Records vocalist Evans performed an impressive set for the BMG execu- Shanice at the Paradise club. tives. Sho wn, from left, are Nick Stewart, VP of interna- tional A &R and marketing, BMG U.K. and Ireland; Joe Galante, chairman of the RCA Label Group in Nashville; Evans; and Rudi Gassner, president /CEO of BMG Enter- tainment International. RCA's Eve 6 performed for BMG Entertainment International managing directors and guests at Boston's Paradise club. Pictured, from left, are Jack Rovner, exec- utive VP /GM of RCA Records; Rudi Gassner, president /CEO of BMG Entertain- ment International; Eve 6's Max Collins (vocals and bass); Eve 6's Jon Siebels (guitar); Bob Jamieson, president of RCA Records; Strauss Zelnick, president/ CEO of BMG Entertainment; Eve 6's Tony Fagenson (drums); and Dwayne Welch, VP of international marketing, RCA Records. RCA's Guano Apes, originally signed to BMG Munich, opened for Eve 6 at the Avalon club in Boston. Pictured backstage ii the bottom row, from left, are Guano Apes' Dennis Poschwetta (drums); RCA executive VP /GM Jack Rovner; and Guano Apes' Sandra Nasic (lead vocals), Ste- fan Ude (mass), and Henning Rümenapp (guitar). In the top row, from left, are Thomas Stein, president of BMG Ger- many /Switzerland /Austria and the Eastern Europe region; Arista Records' Sarah McLachlan performed a moving Rudi Gassner, president/CEO of BMG Entertainment Inter- rendition of "I Will Remember You," which she dedicated national; and Bob Jamieson, president of RCA Records. to the family and loved ones affected by the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colo. BMG Argentina songstress Natala Oreiro offered a passionate performance for BMG executives during the product presentations. Pictured, from left, are José María Cámara, president of BMG Spain; Rudi Gassner, president /CEO of BMG Entertainment International; Oreiro; Carlos Sanmartin, managing director of BMG Ariola Argentina; Ramón Segura, senior VP Latin Region, and chairman of BMG Spain; and Carlos Lopez, director of Ariola, BMG Spain. British singer /songwriter Beth Orton, signed to Arista Recently signed to RCA U.K., Westlife showed off its vocal Records /Deconstruction, gave a solo performance for the talents to the conference attendees. Pictured, from left, BMG gathering. are Westlife's Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne, and Bryan McFadden; Harry Magee, managing director of RCA U.K.; and Westlife's Shane Filan and Kian Egan. Arista Records artist Monica captivated the BMG crowd Arista's Deborah Cox was among the showcasing artists who wowed the BMG during her performance at the Paradise club. Pictured, crowd. She gathered after her performance with executives from BMG's Asia from left, are Kevin Conroy, senior VP worldwide market- region. Pictured, from left, are Adam Tsuei, managing director, pan China, BMG ing, BMG Entertainment; Strauss Zelnick, president /CEO, Taiwan; Landow Lee, VP pan Chiina, Asia Pacific region; Clive Gardiner, manag- BMG Entertainment; Rudi Gassner, president /CEO, BMG ing director, BMG Music Indonesia; Cox; Frankie Cheah, chairman, BMG Entertainment International; Monica; Clive Davis, presi- Malaysia/Singapore; J.R. Kim, managing director, BMG Korea; Keith Lister, man- dent /CEO. Arista Records; Charles Goldstuck, executive During a Boston showcase, BMG Ricordi artist Giorgia aging director, BMG Records Afnca; Shoji Doyama, VP sales and strategic mar- VP /GM, Arista Records; and Lionel Ridenhour, senior VP, shows how she has won over fans in her native Italy. keting, BMG Japan; and Stuart Rubin, managing director, BMG New Zealand. black music, Arista Records. 64 BILLBOARD JULY 17, 1999 www.americanradiohistory.com.