Music InDUSTry: Relationships

Relationships? That’s what the music inDUSTry was built upon right from beginning.

Most likely the 50s, or even the 40’s. It began with radio and labels having lunches,
dinners, or congregating at functions such as conventions. Great way to network.

The very foundation of the inDUSTry was pure and simple, who you knew and who you wanted to get to know. From there, you became ‘friends’ or at the very least good acquaintances.

Looking down the page, I described what has happened since 2004 with the
investigations and improprieties that help kill ‘Bambi’ (the inDUSTry).

Since then people have lost their jobs. Many people. Many have gone on to other
careers or jobs. Others have dropped down into the bowels of hard drug abuse,
spurring suicides, broken marriages and personal relationships, and other not
so good things.

Some persons would take a 50% or more reduction from their prior salaries just to
hang in there and remain part of an inDUSTry that was falling apart.

Radio persons due to consolidation became more scarce and trying to get a hold
of them isalmost nil nowadays.

The excuse. "Too busy", and wearing too many hats.

On the label side, one person is now doing the job of three. So, they have to outsource and hire independent contractors (indie promoters) to do the legwork to
help promote the music.

Funny, I did that in 1993-94 and again in 2002-2005. I was like many, honest and straightforward promoters and did nothing in the area the investigations were about.

But, it did have an effect on me, enough to have to sell my home in Los Angeles,
and move back to Phoenix after ten years.

So back to relationships. Since I returned I noticed that very few people have tried to stay in touch with me. I tried to with many, but after one conversation I could tell that the world that I used to know since the 70s had changed. Would we continue to stay in touch?

Frankly, on my end the answer would be yes. I suppose as I look back, I realized that
it didn’t happen. So that would be a no for the largest percentage.

E-mail address’ changed, and so did phone numbers. If that’s all you had for someone,
then it became a dead end.

No way to get in touch.

Then there is instant messaging. The majority of inDUSTrites used AOL.

On my AOL IM, I have well over 200 people. At one given part of most days excluding weekends there are at least 60-70 on at one time. As the day wears on into the evening the number lessens.

In the past week I have not opened up my AOL. I can’t figure out why, and have
no solid answer for it. Make’s me feel weird. Today I got back on.

Nobody IM’d me. lol

What used to be somewhat of an annoyance is no more. In the past year I’ve taken
notice that very few even use that anymore.

Don’t get me wrong though. I never felt that everyone that revolved around me
was a true friend. There were some, and probably more for me than others because
I am a communicator. I actually like having a conversation on the phone.

I always make myself available, unlike others who have a strict call time.

Sure I communicate through e-mail, maybe not as much as others, and I would use my
IM more but it seems that is becoming a white elephant very much like the telephone.

As we all get older, call me ‘old school’, but keeping up relationships is a healthy reason for keeping in tune with what each other is up to, and you never ever know what will come out
of a conversation.

Unfortunately, I am delusional because most people are so wrapped up in their own lives today, that they feel they do not have time to stay in touch.

Well, take it from me, the guy who always took your calls, called you, and was a good friend or acquaintance, IM’d you or answered your IM’s, and e-mails, a big FUCK YOU! I hope you
are enjoying the shrinkage of contact in your life.

I will always try and stay in touch, and keep a relationship, be it meaningful, or just a simple one forever. At least I tell myself that. lol

Here is the irony as I write this. Yesterday I get a mass e-mail from a true friend for years, Mike Mena. Awhile back his e-mail changed and his phone number too. I had no way to get in touch. Today I get an e-mail, another mass one from Eric Baker, who was not that close with but I always enjoyed our conversations. A good guy.

I called both earlier today. Now, lets see how long it takes for a return call?

Will they or won’t they?

Finally, for all those New Yorkers who voted for Elliott Spitzer for your Governor.

Thanks a heap of shit. The man is shallow and used the music inDUSTry to help him, because it made good media coverage.

But, Elliott you left a whole lot of blood along the way. :-(

Things that make me blush

A loving hello to a unique individual I am proud to call friend!

Loving your continued innovative ways Jonathan!

Enjoying your vids, show, playlist and especially your recent
'KROQ missed it' seg!

Thanks for keeping me 'in the loop.'

Love always, your pal,
Sushi

*(Malibu Sue, one the best DJs to ever grace the WLIR/Long Island) airwaves

***********

If there were any justice in this world you'd get a lifetime achievement
award from R&R or something.

Lenny Lasalandra (Combat Rock Promtion/Los Angeles)

*That will never happen Lenny. R&R doesn't like me ;-)

Rainy day feeling

It’s an overcast day today. A smattering of raindrops.
I love to reflect on days like this.

Tuesday I got more ink. With a couple of more sessions, my left arm from wrist to shoulder, onto back, and inside chest will be complete. That will finally match my complete right arm. Yay (soft drum roll please)

My tattoo guy is named Isaac.
Since I returned to Phoenix, he has done the majority of my recent ink.

You can see his Myspace page at www.myspace.com/agenda297

Just got back from getting hair bleached. Platinum again. lol

I have my show already programmed for Saturday morning, although I always reserve the right to change my mind and substitute or add songs.

Here is a conundrum. I just received the new B-52’s single “Funplex”. I think it sounds great, but oh so B-52’s, like the clock stopped in time.

Will my audience (you) want to hear it on my show? Hmm, I really have to think about this. Maybe I’ll stick it in on the Sunday night show? Maybe.

Spoke with close family friend John Easdale this morning and congratulated him on being on the Ellen Show today. (They taped yesterday) performing the legendary “Anything, Anything”.

I watched. What a great moment for Dramarama. National TV, but not only that, on the highest rated afternoon show in America!

One ringy dingy, two ringy dingy...hellooooo!

This is an e-mail I recieved earlier today. Normally I wouldn't do this,
but they are the best, so I gave in (to myself-not them)


Jonathan...

As a friend of UNCLE, we were wondering if you'd feel the least bit inclined to write a brief testimonial for us?!?!? It's something we will post in the propaganda section of our website.

Thanks, in advance, for your semi-kind words.
...Dead Air Dave/UNCLE Promo

"I hope all other peeps that do promotion see this. I don't need to pimp U.N.C.L.E. Promotions, they simply are the most professional at what they do. Marc always finds time to pick up the telephone, as well as Dead Air Dave and call. Whoa, what did he say? Call. Hell yeah. The rest of you think e-mails are the only method of alerting people about your music. Guess what. I delete them right away. I wouldn't even know what you are working, and frankly could care less. The music arrives, I listen, and decide what will air, and what won't. Simple as that.

Seriously, do any of you know what a telephone can do? U.N.C.L.E. does. Maybe that's why they stay ahead of you other knuckleheads.

Relationships go a long way, and the 007's, 0013's, and whatever other 00's are running around get my vote for being the BEST at what they do.

The rest of you...hmmm...do what you do best. Type away."

-Jonathan L

*Just thought I would share this with you all.

Music InDUSTry? Is there such thing anymore?

You will notice “DUST” in the headline. That’s pretty much what the once great inDUSTry has been reduced to. Dust particles floating around in the air.

I was using the reference as asteroids floating in space for a long time, based on the classic stand-up video game from the 80’s. But I kind of like ‘DUST’ better. Since 2004 the music business has tail spun into a non-inDUSTry. Those of us who have been involved and it was our life for many years sit back now and become critics of what happened.

Before I continue, there is no way in one column that I can get everything I want to say out, so this is just the beginning. I will name names, and circumstances, and tell the truth, nothing but the truth, so help me. Ok, at least I will try. :-)

The now governor of the state of New York, Elliot Spitzer used the music biz to ascend to his current throne. Oh, he could have taken something, say like the Pharmaceutical companies, who have much more to own up to than an industry that the common citizen could care less about. Does the music biz affect their daily lives? I think not.

According to legend Joel Klaiman, a longtime label Promotion Executive at a convention in Miami spoke with a woman somewhere where alcohol is served and in his hidden motive to hit on her, spewed a whole bunch of stuff on how the music biz worked. He of course cited the underbelly with its greed. The givers and takers. She was the assistant to the aforementioned Spitzer. That might be urban legend, but it is the story that was on top of all the other reasons of the invasion by politicians. Others will say it wasn’t Klaiman.

To me, Joel was a nice gut at one time who as time went by became just another asshole in a sea of others who started out with a good attitude and as time goes by, change their attitude and beliefs. They become power hungry assholes; just so they can make those very high six figure salaries.

Oh, and by the way, Klaiman was paid to go away for quite awhile. He then resurrects as head of Promotion for another label. Funny how things work, huh?

From that point the domino effect began. The investigations were long and maybe thorough. I say maybe, because none of us will ever know the real truth. Ironically they ended as Spitzer turned toward becoming Governor, exhausting his use as Attorney General. That assfuck ruined many peoples careers, and more important, their lives.

Again, does the public really give a shit about the music biz? Corruption is pretty much involved in every corporate business, as we all know. Hello…Enron!

I will take a break, and when I return, let’s discuss how the one thing that the music inDUSTry was built upon. Relationships.

Today, after a mere three years, relationships hardly exist. I will dissect that next. I should remind you all that it is not only inDUSTry peeps reading this. People from all over the world are.

Bye for now.

Spanked Part 1: Learn your A,B,C's

This is a subject that I speak about during my radio shows occasionally, and more often with friends and aquaintences. Restaurants and any place that serves food, should go by the city of Los Angeles' lead.

A rating system!

Here in Phoenix the local CBS affiliate runs their "Dirty Dining report" each night on the news. Giving us, the consumer the inside skinny who has x-amount of violations. Like dirt, unhealthy kitchen conditions, like mice droppings, etc. When I moved to Los Angeles in 1995 there was no rating system, and they did the same thing, the CBS affiliate ran the the same thing. Then
finally the city decided to enact a law that all places that serve food, and that included convienence stores like 7-Eleven and others too, had to have their places scrutinized by the health department. If you had almost none (violations), you received an 'A' sign that went in a place where the public could see from the outside.

A few violations got you a 'B', and if you were on the verge of being shut down-you got a 'C'.

If you didn't take care of it freakin' quick-wham-doors were closed, until you complied. Now, if you are a owner of a eatery, you won't want this. I say, I don't give two shits about your feelings. I care about all of our stomachs.

When you enter a restaurant you want to feel safe about the food you are putting into your tummy. I don't know if any other large urban city other than L.A. is doing this, but all should be. Our health is at risk! So, City of Phoenix, we re the 5th largest populated city now in the whole United States.

Act like the huge city it is and get that health department really working to keep eatery's honest and the consumer safe from the vermen that lurks behind closed doors. That also goes for dust on ceiling fans and dirt around the tables. Ok, got it? Good.

Bill Maher Rocks!!

After a shakey first show of his return after hiatus, "Real Time with Bill Maher", atones for last weeks somewhat uneven program, mainly due to the writer's strike.
Really missed "New Rules" one of the daringly funny segments of the hour.

Tonight's episode was off and running from the beginning. You know, even though Bill's guests are a mix of celeb's, fairly known writers, editors, etc. his show is absolutely the best political show on the tube. Yeah, I know some of you are "Daily Show" freaks, but Jon Stewart is not Bill Maher. Period.

At least tonight a new star was born. Dan Savage, Bill's gay correspondent who brought more to the table than anyone. He was intelligent, and quite humourous, making good talking points and adding flavor.

So, even though last week was a bomb, this week made up for it in spades. As always, can't wait till next Friday. Ok, gotta go to bed. I have a radio show to do. G'night

Typical Friday night

As I wait for dinner, I am thinking about tomorrow's radio show. Why? I guess that's what every Friday for me is like.
It's what I live for. Entertaining people with music of all shades and kinds. The hardest thing is to get myself ready to
sleep. I awake at 4:00 am (I am a slow starter in the morning), and jump in the car to make the twenty minute drive to
KUPD in Guadelupe. Takes me two freeway's (the SanTan 202 and the 101), and then to Elliot. I go on air at 6:45 am.
See, so typical, so routine, but having said that, it's the "show" that inspires me the most. Now that our station is
streaming the internet, persons from all over the world are listening (especially the U.K., Germany, and France. As well
as the entire Phoenix metro area. The show is "Lopsided World Of L", and you can find the playlists on my website at


www.jlradio.com

(shameless plug) :-)