Vivendi Universal Music Group To Buy BMG Music Group

Vivendi Universal Music Group has won the bid to buy Bertelsmann's BMG's Music Publishing Group for $2.1 billion. If approved by USA and European antitrust officials it will add 1 million copyrights to Vivendi's 1 million copyrights, making them the largest music copyright holder in the world.

Vivendi will still have copyright competition for songs played on the radio from Warner/Chapell and Sony/ATV. (Bertelsmann)

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Linny Boyette: Today Show Outside Audience Star

Update: Linny Boyette Died on Sunday, October 6, 2013

Every time the camera pans the audience of the 7-10 am "Today" show on NBC, Linny is always there - - cool as ever. He has been there everyday for 12 years except for illness and is retired from the U.S. Army.

 

He is 63, was born in Jamaica and raised in New York and London. He speaks with a deep British accent. We must admit that he has taken a unique path to fame.

AAEA President Norris McDonald was in the "Today" show audience and met Linny, left. Linny is cool with his fans.

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Governator Likes Hot Blood

So what did the governor of Cal - Lee - fornia mean when he said Latinas are 'hot?' Did he mean they are hot blooded? Hot headed? Or sexy hot? Probably all of the above. Some Latinos have complained that it is insulting to be considered hot headed. Point taken. But was Arnie giving a compliment here? He seemed to be saying that he likes the 'hot-ness' of Puerto Ricans with some 'black blood' in them.

He apologized. We think it was a Hollywood stunt. It is election season and very little is left to chance. Of course Virginia Senator George Allen is reeling from a monkey comment, but otherwise these campaigns are stage managed. Are we really to believe this tape accidently caught him mouthing about 'hot' Latinas and it just happened to leak. We're not buying it black farmer. And we are sure that Maria is questioning you about your admiration of that 'hot' blood.

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Krumping: Hip Hop Meets White Frat Beer Blast Dancing

Krumping is evidently the new dance thing. There always has to be a new dance thing for teenagers. Remember the 'Swim,' 'Watusi,' 'Twist,' 'Breaking,' 'Robot,' 'Electric Slide?' And we thought the 'Dog' had taken over. Krumping is Hip Hop dancing like a spastic clown. Reminds us of white guys ater 10 bears at a keg party. But hey, this is America and hybridization of culture has made for all types of expressions. Anyway, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Krumping

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Celebrity Fit Club & Hurricane Katrina

Celebrity Fit Club should have several shows in New Orleans and invite contestants from the evacuees. We know you noticed that many of the people, particularly some of the women, at the Superdome and the Convention Center had not missed a meal or a snack. New Orleans is known for its Cajun and Creole foods. Louisisna gumbo has nourished an obese population.

Hollywood reality could meet reality in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward. They should set up shop there and invite hundreds to participate in the show. It would also be a way to help evacuees to return if they win. And allow for hundreds of winners. Maybe $100,000 prizes. Some of the people would still not be able to lose the weight. Since "Survivor" is pimping the race theme, maybe they should have their next show in the Lower Ninth Ward too. Then all those Hollywood Limosine Liberals could donate a subtantial portion of their money to multiple evacuee winners to return to New Orleans. It will be a wet day in Hell before that happens.

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"Survivor" : More on the Racial Theme

There is a fine line between celebrating your race and taking it to that perverse place Hitler chose. But whites, blacks, Asians and Latinos should be proud of their races. Humans are competitive even to the point of war. Humans are violent even to the point of murder. But perversity and evil-doing are not unique to interracial and inter-ethnic conflicts. Man and woman's inhumanity to man and woman are not limited to race or ethnicity. So racial pride does not have to be evil. As Jim Greene wrote to the New York Daily News, "Competing by race is not racist; it's the same as the Irish cheering St. Patrick's Day, Puerto Ricans cheering their parade, Harlemites cheering Harlem Week, etc."

Well we celebrate race in our organization's name. Proudly so. And we clearly state in our goals that membership is open to anyone interested in working for improvements in the black community. There is one in virtually every city in the U.S. There does appear to be some politicking going on though because the New York City Council's Black, Latino and Asian Caucuses are assailing "Survivor." Don't they know it makes no sense for them to condemn CBS' racial theme when they created themselves using race and ethnicity.

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MTV Video Music Awards & the U.S. Open

By Norris McDonald. I went to the awards ceremony at Radio City Music Hall, its Red Carpet at Rockefeller Plaza and the U.S. Open on the same day. What a great day. Watched Nadal and Serena win in Arthur Ashe Stadium, left, and Layton Hewitt in the Louis Armstrong Stadium. The facility was named the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Always wanted to attend this event in Flusing Meadows, New York.

Radio City Music Hall did not have good acoustics. Maybe it wasn't designed for amped up rock and rap music. The stars were there: Beyonce, Cristina, JLo, Paris, Pink, Missy, Shakira, Fergie, Jessica and the guy stars were there too: Nick, Justin, Will I Am, Puffy, Jay, Rev Run, Russell, and more. I stayed at the Mayfair Hotel across the street from the Ambassador Theater where Usher was starring in "Chicago."

The Red Carpet was one block away from the side entrances of Radio City Music Hall. I think this takes away fun for the fans because police barriers keep them from roaming between both places. So the people standing outside the hall do not get to see the stars enter because they take a back entrance closer to Rockefeller Plaza. It was my first time at the awards and it was great. Free food and booze off the first floor lobby. The ladies really come out for this event. Lines just to stand outside stretched for blocks. Video screens set up outside. And an opportunity to rub shoulders with luminaries. Al Gore was there too. He is clearly campaigning for the presidency.

I hate to admit it but I had not heard of the following bands that performed or were recognized at the awards: The Killers, Panic at the Disco, The Raconteurs, AFI, and All American Rejects. My 14 year old son knew them all very well though. Does this mean that I am officially old? And Hype Williams is a genius. He received the Video Vanguard Award. I hope to work with him one day.

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