They just called me from "Marketplace".  They wanted some quotes on the new Michael Jackson album. You know it will sell because of pent-up demand, because he died, because it’s the fourth quarter, but that’s not why I’m writing this. Almost two years ago, I got a phone call from Laura Sydell, asking me to […]

Every week, the Haggler in the "New York Times" responds to customer complaints.  Usually the accused enterprise makes a lame excuse and makes the customer whole.  Still, there are unreachable companies, and unrealistic consumers, those who believe they’re entitled to the product for free, to be treated like royalty. It’s tough dealing with the public.  […]

Mayer Hawthorne. Did he kill someone?  Did someone kill him?  Then why is he featured in both today’s "New York Times" and "Los Angeles Times"?  HE MUST BE PROMOTING A NEW ALBUM! Once upon a time I tolerated Mayer Hawthorne.  Now I hate him.  And his handlers and the media complicit in this charade. Used […]

We had an election in the music industry, the incumbents lost.  The public gave the thumbs-down to the major labels, Live Nation and a ton of the acts.  But just like in the real world, the only ones hurt were the little people, the acts themselves.  Who got famous, but in most cases didn’t get […]