Tellin' It Like It Tis by Gary "G Ball" Ball

CEO of The Blues/Soulvine
and Operations Manager of
WLBM FM Radio105.7 FM
The Maxx

TELLIN IT LIKE IT Tis - By G. Ball

Recently I read an article about how the music industry is seeing double digit declines in CD sales. It seems the major labels are hoping that artists like Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and Britney Spears can rebound the industry from these sagging sales. Now that makes me wonder what the independent labels of the Soul/Blues and Southern Soul industry have planned to increase the sales in this industry. If I’m not mistaken it’s been quite sometime since we’ve seen a CD sell over 200,000 copies in the Soul/Blues, Southern Soul industry. The last CD that I remember selling that many copies was Sir Charles Jones “Love Machine”. Every time I talk to a rep their complaining about the sagging sales. Now let’s stop for a minute and see what could be causing these low sales. First off could one of the major causes be the BOOTLEGGERS? Could it be lack of airplay? Could it be servicing radio stations with a single instead of the complete CD? Maybe it could be that listeners don’t want to buy the CD at retail price when all they have heard is just one track from it? Perhaps another is reason maybe that some companies don’t care about the quality of music they put out? Some companies feel that buy servicing radio stations with singles they can make a hit by having every station playing the same song. Once again I have to ask can the public go out and just buy that single. In the old days 45’s were sold as singles, but not many companies today sell singles. This means these Gestapo tactics of having every station play the same song aren’t working because the sales are still low. Believe it or not there are a lot of talented artists in this industry, but having talent is one thing marketing that talent is something else. When record companies issue singles to radio stations instead of the full CD that really is hindering the sales. I know the record companies are saying if they do that the CD
will be dead in three months, and with some of these wanna be PD’s and MD’s
that are suppose to be in control at some of these stations I would have to agree (I’ll deal with that subject in another issue). When a station plays a single generally by the time the second single is released most folks have forgotten about the first single, so you have to ask yourself what you gained. Sure there are some cases where a company will service a station with a single but within 60 days the company will send the complete CD. This foolishness of making every station play one song will have to stop if the sales are to increase otherwise the Post Office will be the only one to benefit from these Gestapo tactics. That’s it until the next issue when I’ll be “Tellin It Like It Tis”.

Congratulations to Senator “Timeless Wonder” Jones winner of the Jackson Music Lifetime Achievement Award. There seems to be a growing problem in this industry. The problem is a lack of RESPECT for RADIO. It appears that for some unknown reason there are some labels and artists that feel they can force every station to play the same song buy just sending out a single instead of sending the CD. This shows that these labels and artists have no respect for PD’s or MD’s. If I’m not mistaken the job of a PD or MD is to decide which songs do and don’t receive airplay. When these labels and artists try and force every station to play the same song their actually saying is play this or play nothing. Besides what happens if the single doesn’t work in a certain market? Let us not forget each single takes up space, it doesn’t make since to have to look through a bunch
of singles to find one song when a jock can just pull the CD and play the song. I remember when I started in radio there was such a thing as a 45 single and LP’s, radio stations back then played singles because the public could by a single. Times have changed singles are sold to the public now; if a person hears a song they like they have to buy the complete CD to get it. As I’ve stated before adults aren’t going to buy a complete CD at today’s prices just for one song. So guess what happens the neighborhood bootlegger gets the business and with these thieves (Bootleggers) getting more aggressive with their illegal sales that really hurts the music industry sales. Enough said.
Well I’m sure that everyone has heard about what happened between Lee Parker and T.K. Soul, now I’m not going to say who was right and who was wrong in that case because I wasn’t there. What I am going to say is this artist was supposed to perform recently at an outdoor concert that I recommended him for. The gentleman that was promoting this concert sent the deposit as instructed and the contract was signed. A few days prior to the concert the promoter spoke to this artist’s band leader and told him the rooms they requested were reserved and gave him the name of the hotel. Keep in mind nothing was mentioned about this artist wasn’t going to perform, the day of the concert this artist didn’t call the promoter he just didn’t show. This in my opinion was very disrespectful and unprofessional. I’ve heard from various sources this artist is saying he didn’t
show because he didn’t get the deposit well I know for a fact the deposit check was made out to T.K. Soul. I guess this gent forgot there is something known as a canceled check.
I remember in the old days if an artist gave you their word they would perform, you could bet they were going to be there. Of course times have changed and I guess some folks word means NOTHING. If I’m not mistaken in this country when artist accepts a deposit and signs a contract then doesn’t show that’s known as a Breach of Contract. It’s because of stunts like that many people won’t by tickets in advance for a concert. Enough said. That’s it for me until the next issue when I’ll be Tellin It Like It Tis.

Our condolences go out to the family of actor/comedian Carl Wright (Soul Food, Barbershop 1&2, Big Mama’s House). Carl thanks for the memories, you’ll be missed my friend.
Happy Birthday wishes go out to the legendary Vernon Campbell (station manager KTLR Radio) hope you have many more. As you know June is Black Music Month the time of the year when we reflect on this great music and the artists who perform it. Over the years Black Music has gone through many changes, but thankfully artists like Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Bobby Bland, B.B. King, Walter Jackson, Big Mama Thornton, Tyrone Davis, Lou Rawls, James Brown, Ben E. King, Otis Redding, The Temptations, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, The Four Tops, Millie Jackson, Joe Simon, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Tyrone Davis, Junior Parker,
Lowell Fulsom, Ray Charles, George Clinton, Johnnie Taylor and many others all had a part in giving the world some of the greatest music that has with stood the test of time.
This was the kind of music that you could sit and listen to hours unlike a lot of the music of today. I not sure just what the problem is but one thing is for sure “There Is a Problem with Black Music Today”. There was a time when Black Music carried a message in it; the songs were about love, life, and just being happy in general. Sure some of the songs had sexual undertones in them but they were nothing like some of the stuff we hear today Stand Up In It, Let Me Put The Head In It, Everything I Eat Begins With P, Make It Talk these song are nothing more than TRASH, yes you heard me right I said they were TRASH because that’s exactly what they are. The people that write produce and sing these are doing nothing but degrading Black Music. There are a lot of talented artists, writers and producers in the Soul, Southern Soul or Soul/Blues industry (whichever name
you prefer) that refuse to have their names associated any of this vulgar trash and I commend them for that. It’s time to put a end to all this vulgar stuff and get back to the basis of making music. Sure I know the artists that sing this crap will say singing this crap pay’s the bills. Well if my memory isn’t playing tricks on me I don’t ever remember Johnnie Taylor, Tyrone Davis, Joe Simon, Al Green, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, or any of the legendary entertainers from back in the day singing trash like you hear today. Furthermore I don’t ever remember Motown, Stax or Philly International releasing any crappy songs like those of today. The point I’m making is with all of the talent that is in this industry do you really have to resort writing, producing, singing and distributing this TRASH.
For those of you that are guilty of creating this garbage, now’s the time for you to clean up your act. After all you the number one reason you’re in this business is to Make Music. If you to create trash then maybe you should become a sanitation worker. Enough said. Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dad’s. That’s it for me until the next issue when I’ll be Tellin It Like It Tis.

As you all know by now Don Imus was fired by CBS and MSNBC for the racial remark he made in regards to the Rutgers Women’s Basketball team In the mist
of the public outrage there were some people that felt Imus was treated unfairly
because what he said was no worse than the Rap Artists using the N word or calling women Hoes. First off let’s deal with the Rap Artists that use the term “Hoes” when they are referring to women. These idiots don’t really understand what they are actually saying when they use this term, so allow me to explain it to them.

Unless they where hatched a woman gave birth to them so when they choose to
refer to women as “Hoes” they are actually calling their own mother a HOE. These young brothers and sisters are always talking about being disrespected, but what they fail to realize is “if you don’t respect yourself, nobody else will”. If you want to be respected, you have to give respect in order to receive it. I understand that Rap Music is suppose to be a form of music that this younger generation uses to express themselves, but there is a BIG difference between expressing yourself and being disrespectful. I don’t ever remember hearing the Sugarhill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Ko Mo De or Grandmaster Flash disrespect women or themselves. Those gentlemen were the pioneers of Rap Music and believe me they sold some records back in the day. without being vulgar or using profanity. As for these artists using the N word, if they took the time to read about Black History they would know that a lot of Black People have died because of that word.

I remember hearing Professor Michael Eric Dyson on the news give Bill Cosby a public thrashing for saying that Black Parents will spend a hundred dollars on a
pair of gym shoes rather than buy Hooked on Phonics. Personally I agree with Bill
Cosby, there are some artists in the Rap industry today that can’t hold a decent
conversation. That’s one of the reasons why their vocabulary is so limited and they have to resort to using the N word and calling women Hoes. As for Mr. Imus CBS and MSNBC have fired him at least that’s what they want the public to believe, but you can bet he’ll be back on the air because in Corporate Radio they aren’t interested in morals or ethics the ratings are what count. If you paid close to this incident the only reason Imus was let go was because of the sponsors. CBS and MSNBC both have very lucrative contracts with Imus and you can bet they aren’t going to pay out millions of dollars and not get anything in return. This firing is nothing more than a smoke screen designed to quiet the public outrage. You can bet somewhere somehow Imus will be back on the airways.

Enough said until next time when I’ll continue Tellin It Like It Tis.

Our condolences go out to the families of Soul Music Legend Luther Ingram and Songwriter Rich Cason (Malaco Records) these brothers will truly be missed.
Recently the Copyright Royalty Board voted to increase the royalty rates 140% over the next 4 years. I agree that songwriters and publishers should be paid for their work, but lets face facts artists do receive royalties from the sales of their CD’s. In other countries the performer and the songwriter are paid from the royalties, but not in the United States. If I’m not mistaken internet stations and radio stations that broadcast their programming on the internet pay a fee for this service that is provided by a streaming company and the royalties are included in that fee. Now all of a sudden the Copyright Royalty Board members want to set some RIDICULAS rates claiming that these stations are making a bundle of money through advertising various products and services on their web sites.
Internet broadcasting like anything else has it’s flaws, but at the same time this type of broadcasting gives more exposure to the music especially Soul/Blues and Southern Soul which receives limited airplay on some traditional radio stations. By music receiving this added exposure that means there is a greater possibility for more sales. Which brings up the question when music is played in the various clubs across the country do the club owners pay royalties ? No because most of the times the jocks by the music then they are hired by a club owner to play , then the club owners charge an admission fee. The club owners are making money from the music that’s being played in their clubs and aren’t paying royalties. Is this fair?
According to this new ruling webcasters will be required to pay every time a listener hears a song played at a rate of .08 cent that would retroactive from the start of 2006. The rate is expected to increase to 19 cent per song by 2010 as if increasing the fee weren’t bad enough, webcasters will also be required to pay $500 for every channel they operate. In my opinion this is outrageous most webcasters aren’t really operating a business and those that are generally just make enough to cover their operating expenses, now keep in mind a lot of these webcasters buy the music that they play because most major labels don’t service them with product. What the board fails to realize is the problem isn’t with webcasting the problem is File Sharing the folks that do file sharing are downloading music then sharing it with their friends and aren’t buying
or paying any royalties for doing this. Which really isn’t anything new to the music industry because every since the CD Burner was created the record labels have been dealing with the dreaded BOOTLEGGERS which cost the industry millions of dollars every year. It seems as if the Copyright Royalty Board is trying to penalize webcasters for helping create another outlet for music to be heard. If I’m not mistaken this is America the Land Of Opportunity if it isn’t someone should tell Bill Gates he can’t operate Microsoft and be sure to tell Apple they can’t manufacture the Ipod any longer.
I truly wonder if the members of this board have stop to think about the impact that this ruling will have on the industry? When I speak of the industry I’m not just referring the web broadcasters, what about the companies that provide the streaming, what about the various companies that manufacturer and sell the various types of web casting software . The board members should remember the old saying “Some Money Is Better Than None Money”.
Enough Said. Now that’s Tellin It Like It Tis.

CD REVIEWS

The 4th Southern Soul CD Various Artists Hep’ Me

Following the previous releases of Southern Soul CD’s the architect
of Southern Soul Senator “Timeless Wonder” Jones continues to out
due himself. This CD contains tracks by Johnny Adams, Bobby Powell, The Love Doctor, Sir Charles Jones and Terry Wright. Let there
be no doubt this compilation CD has winner written all over it. From
the first to the last track you’ll enjoy The 4th Southern Soul CD.
Rating ****

21 Karat Fatback The Fatback Band Southbound

To say this CD is a jewel would be a understatement. As you know
The Fatback Band was one of the funkiest bands of the 70’s and 80’s.
Brother Bill Curtis and his crew kept the dance floors packed with
tunes like “Backstrokin, King Tim and I Like The Girls” just to name
a few. Now you can have all those hits on one CD which contains
some of this groups greatest hits. If you loved the funk sound then you
are going to love 21 Karat Fatback. Rating ****
 

Recently I read an article regarding the FCC fining several major broadcasting companies for accepting PAYOLA. It would seem that everyone thought this was a dead issue in the broadcasting industry, but apparently it isn’t. For some unknown reason the powers that be at some of these major record labels thought they could disguise this nasty animal in the form of promotional gifts for listeners that really ended up in the hands of station employees in return the labels product got plenty of airplay.

In an effort to put payola out of the industry forever the FCC handed down a $12.5 million fine to four of the largest radio broadcasting corporations in the US they are Clear Channel Inc., CBS Radio, Entercom Corp and Citadel Broadcasting Corp. The FCC also required that these companies give 4,000 hours of air time to small record companies and local artists. Which brings up the question why would record labels have to pay to have their music played? If you think about it if a record company doesn’t send a station their product how are they going to get sales? If a radio station does have any music to play then how are they going to draw listeners? The whole situation makes no sense unless you look under the table, and when you do you’ll see what I’ve been saying all along there is a conspiracy by the major record labels against Soul/Blues music.

Every sense these big broadcasting corporations started buying up Black radio stations it’s been getting harder and harder to get a Soul/Blues song played on the air in regular rotation. Oh sure some of these stations will play Soul/Blues music on the weekends but not in regular rotation. Most of your big cities have been robbed of hearing a lot of good quality music because the people in charge at these powerhouse stations are too busy accepting PAYOLA. Personally I applaud the FCC for handing down that type of fine. Now some of you may think that I’m player hating, but I’m not. There are some of us in this industry that still have morals and ethics unlike the thieves at these corporations that give the industry a bad name. That is one of the primary reasons why Soul/Blues music doesn’t get played in regular rotation on any of these corporate owned stations. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again “there is a conspiracy by the major record labels against Soul/Blues music”. These scoundrels will do anything with in there power to keep this music oppressed. There are a lot of talented artists in the Soul/Blues industry but for some unknown reason these major labels would rather pay radio stations to play some garbage than to give these talented folks a chance to be heard. My friend Senator “Timeless Wonder” Jones recently wrote and produced a song for the Love Doctor that describes the mentality of the executives at these major record companies, the name of the song is “STUPID”. Enough said.

That’s it for now be good to yourself until the next issue when I’ll continue, “Tellin It Like
It Tis”.

CD SPOTLIGHT
A Family Affair James Brown
Brownstone

The Godfather of Soul James Brown left a legacy of music that will
live forever. On this CD Soul Brother No. 1 combines forces with the
legendary producer Henry Stone to create a musical masterpiece that
is filled with the classic sounds that only James could deliver. Not
only does James display his talent but he also exposes the talents of
his daughters which really makes this “A Family Affair”. Rating ****

Love Bomb Wilson Meadows

The title of this CD says it all. From start to finish Wilson delivers
these tracks in unique soulful manner. Being no stranger to the Soul/
Blues music scene this gent is adding a new meaning to the term
“Smooth Soul”. In my opinion this CD is some of Wilson’s best work.
It makes no difference if you are a fan or not once you give this CD a
listen you’ll agree this is a. “Love Bomb” . Rating ****

Our condolences go out to brother Eddie Thomas (former Vice President Curtom Records and founder of The Dogs of War Record Pool, Chicago) and family , his son Alvin was called home to Soul Heaven. A.T. will really be missed.

There seems to be a major problem brewing between radio stations and artists regarding the artists RIDER. First thing lets clear the air so there is no misunderstanding not all artist have a rider, but for those that do and try to get radio stations to accept them pay attention. Radio stations are not CONCERT PROMOTORS, most stations try to provide entertainment for their communities and maybe make a dollar or two for the stations and with the prices that some artists charge there’s nothing but a couple of dollars left. For some unknown reason all of a sudden there are some artists that what stations to pay their air fare. Well guess what ”that’s not going to happen”. It’s time that radio stations draw the line it’s bad enough that we have to furnish rooms I guess next they’ll want the stations to pay for their meals.

Radio stations play these artists songs to help generate sales for their CDs. When
a station has a artist perform that is also helping the artist by giving he/she or
them exposure. Many artists have gotten work through being exposed at a radio
station function. I can remember when Joe Simon, Buddy Ace Tyrone Davis, Joe
Tex, Johnnie Taylor, Z.Z. Hill (just to name a few ) would perform for a station and never once asked a radio station to accept a rider and a lot of these legends performed for a percentage of the door. Sure I know someone is saying that times
have changed because there aren’t a lot of radio stations that play Soul/Blues
music.

 If you stop and think about it that’s another reason for you to work with
Radio. Maybe your EGO is so HUGE that you feel you don’t need radio, well surprise, surprise radio stations don’t sing for a living and in the words of my
good friend Vernon Campbell “Jocks get to pick who’s going to be on our shows”.
Right now somebody’s ego is telling them “If they want to see me they got to
accept my rider”, guess what you ‘re wrong again. Myself and Vernon Campbell
have formed a coalition to “STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS” of artists wanting a radio station to accept a rider. The choice is yours if you want to work “Drop The
Rider”, If you don’t want to work “Make Sure You Have Cable or Satellite TV” because you’ll be setting at home for a long long long time. End of story.
Ladies have a very Happy Valentine’s Day. That’s gonna do it until the next time
when I’ll just keep “Tellin It Like It Tis”.

Happy New Year to everyone. Our condolences go out to the family of James Brown, Soul Brother #1 will be missed. As we begin 2007 there is an issue that I must address. That is being serviced with singles instead of the complete CD. If you think that I’m going to get on the labels you are 100% WRONG, instead I’m going to get on these people that are pretending to be a PD or MD. Yes you heard me right I said pretending, just because you attended a broadcasting school or got a degree in college doesn’t make you a PD or MD. Don’t misunderstand me there’s nothing wrong with getting formal training but along with that training you need to have some Experience (I’m talking about more then just a couple of years )in radio before you step into a PD or MD slot.

Believe it or not those of us that have been around this business for years are being penalized for what some of these inexperienced PD’s, MD’s and Jocks are doing. Now perhaps you’re wondering what is G. Ball talking about ? Ok I’ll explain when a label services a station with a CD these inexperienced individuals try to play the hits all at one time which means in 30 to 60 days the CD is dead. Well guess what it doesn’t work that way, most CD’s consist of at least 10 songs, most of the time the labels will tell you which song they are working. I know you’re going to say that song may not work in your market, we all know that every song doesn’t go over in every market. And as a PD or MD you should know what song will work in your market but just because that song won’t work in your market doesn’t mean you should go through the CD playing all the song you think will work in your market. You should keep in mind the there’s “NO EXPERATION DATE ON MUSIC” it won’t spoil and it diffidently won’t sour. People love to hear good music and if your audience never heard the song before how are they going to know if it’s old or new? A CD can last for a year if you work it right. Sure I know that doesn’t apply to every CD because on some of them it’s hard to find one song, but you must keep in mind the reason labels send product to radio stations is to generate sales. If you kill a CD in 30 to 60 days how many sales do you think were generated? In my opinion not very many. Sometimes it can take 6 months or longer for a CD to start generating sales. You must remember everyone doesn’t listen to at the same time, the more you play a song the better the chances are of it being heard which means there’s a greater chance of selling that CD. I know somebody is saying that’s the way they did in the Old Days, just remember if it wasn’t for the PD’s & MD’s that came from the Old School where would you be? Now until the next issue that’s “Tellin It Like It Tis”.

CD Reviews

Throw Back Days Mel Waiters
Waldoxy

After having a couple of mediocre CD Mel Waiters is back with a
monster CD that is sure to propel him to the top of music charts across
the country. When you listen to this CD it will take you back to the
days of the juke joints and Friday Night Fish Fries. Mel has out done
himself of this one. If you love Soul Music then this is a must have
CD. Rating ****

Forever Glenn Jones Shanachie

This soulful crooner is back with a new CD filled with R& B Classics.
I’m always leery when artists cover a classic song. Well I have to say
that Glenn has done an excellent job on this CD . Even though the
songs are classics the vocals are all preformed in Glenn’s unique style.
Get you a copy, put it in the CD player then sit back and enjoy these
classic R&B songs that you will cherish “Forever”. Rating ****