Bernadette Bascom: Helping Children Find Their Voice

MEMPHIS TN (IFS) -- Rock Legend, Bernadette Bascom's new power by helping a chosen few find their voice.  Already winning a Daytime Emmy for her unique services to children and adults with autism, Bascom continues to lay ground work all over the country. -- KHS
 
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- More than 400,000 people are living with Down syndrome in the U.S. One in 88 children has autism. One in five children will be diagnosed with a mental illness. Many of these children find it difficult to make friends and make their way in life. Now, a music legend is helping these kids find their voice and find out just how special they really are.

Bernadette Bascom is all love. She loves kids, and she loves her music. The R&B legend has shared the stage with Elton John and Stevie Wonder. 

 

“It’s turned me into a woman who really respects the power of music,” Bernadette told Ivanhoe.

 

Now, Bernadette is combining both her passions to form The Music Project. She calls them differently-abled and teaches them how to sing.

 

“Open your jaws, short words and breathe,” Melissa Sprague, from The Music Project, told Ivanhoe.

 

“Use your core if you want to sing something,” Stephanie Routh, from The Music Project, told Ivanhoe. 

 

“I’ve learned to open my voice more,” Jay Trippett, from the The Music Project, told Ivanhoe.

 

Bernadette teaches them how to love themselves. 

 

“They’ve never held a microphone before, never had anyone applaud them for anything. That’s big,” Bernadette told Ivanhoe.

 

“It’s wonderful to see another mentor come in and show they are capable of doing some pretty powerful things,” Cole Caplan, from The Music Project, told Ivanhoe.

 

“Her confidence has spiraled way up,” Judy Paulozzo, a mom, told Ivanhoe. 

 

Bernadette has taken her show on the road, helping troubled teens find their way through song. She now hopes to take the music show to the national level, helping teenagers across the country.  She’s also working on a reality TV show, spotlighting kids who aren’t perfect in Hollywood’s eyes but are perfect to her.

American Idols' on the Charts In Rapid Succession - It's Been Along Time

'American Idol' on the Charts: Things Are Looking Up for Kelly, Carrie and Phillip

8:00 AM PDT 8/15/2013 by Fred Bronson 

 

In a week when most "Idol" songs hold their positions or fall, three show champs rebound on the Billboard 200. Also: Mandisa has the second-longest running Christian Digital No. 1 of 2013.

Fox

THREE FOR THE MONEY: It’s not the best week for Idols on the charts. While a few titles are on an upswing, many singles and albums hold in place or are falling. But it’s a different story on the Billboard 200 album chart, where winners from seasons one, four and 11 rebound with their current releases.

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Highest-ranked among the three is Phillip Phillips, whose The World from the Side of the Moon climbs 61-57 in its 38th week. Next up is Carrie Underwood, whose Blown Away finds new strength with a move of 86-71 in its 67th week. Then comes Kelly Clarkson’s Greatest Hits: Chapter One, which rises 98-86 in its 38th week.

There’s one more Idol on this chart: Fantasia, whose Side Effects of You slides 106-120, even though her single “Without Me” (featuring Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliott) continues to advance on other charts. The song is up 10-8 on Adult R&B, 37-35 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and 61-59 on Hot 100 Airplay.

PHOTOS: 'American Idol': Randy Jackson Through the Years

While World and Blown Away re-surge on The Billboard 200, they are not enjoying upward movement on two genre charts. On Top Rock Albums, World holds at No. 14 and on Top Country Albums, Blown Away slips 14-15, but earns a bullet for increased sales over last week.

HER REIGN CONTINUES: No one is able to overcome her lead, so Mandisa rules the Christian Digital and Christian/Gospel Digital Songs charts for a fifth week in a row with “Overcomer,” the title track from her forthcoming album. “Overcomer” is now the second-longest running No. 1 of 2013 on the Christian Digital tally. The only song with a longer stay in pole position this calendar year is “Gold” by Britt Nicole, with 14 non-consecutive weeks on top.

The song that holds the record for the longest run at No. 1 on this chart is by another Idol. Kris Allen’s “Live Like We’re Dying” led the list for 24 straight weeks in 2010.

STORY: 'American Idol' Phillip Phillips Releases 'Gone, Gone, Gone' Video Amid Family Drama

Mandisa and Allen are two of four Idols who have occupied the penthouse of the Christian Digital Songs chart. Carrie Underwood’s “How Great Thou Art” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel” both had one-week reigns and Colton Dixon’s “Never Gone” and “You Are” were also both No. 1 for one week each.

STILL ‘GONE’: Phillip Phillips’ “Gone, Gone, Gone” continues to advance on the Adult Contemporary chart. This week, its journey takes it to the runner-up spot, with a move of 4-2. That means it’s a strong possibility that “Gone” will repeat the success of its predecessor, “Home,” and head up this survey just seven days from now.

The song in the way? That would be Pink’s “Just Give Me a Reason” (featuring Nate Ruess), which is on top for the seventh week.

BITS AND PIECES: Carrie Underwood’s current single, “See You Again,” debuts at No. 38 on the Ringtones chart…Australian Idol Guy Sebastian re-enters two Billboard charts with “Battle Scars,” his collaboration with Lupe Fiasco. On Rap Digital Songs, the track returns at No. 3 and on R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs, “Scars” reappears at No. 39.

Twitter: @Idol_Worship

THREE FOR THE MONEY: It’s not the best week for Idols on the charts. While a few titles are on an upswing, many singles and albums hold in place or are falling. But it’s a different story on the Billboard 200 album chart, where winners from seasons one, four and 11 rebound with their current releases.

Highest-ranked among the three is Phillip Phillips, whose The World from the Side of the Moon climbs 61-57 in its 38th week. Next up is Carrie Underwood, whose Blown Away finds new strength with a move of 86-71 in its 67th week. Then comes Kelly Clarkson’s Greatest Hits: Chapter One, which rises 98-86 in its 38th week.

There’s one more Idol on this chart: Fantasia, whose Side Effects of You slides 106-120, even though her single “Without Me” (featuring Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliott) continues to advance on other charts. The song is up 10-8 on Adult R&B, 37-35 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and 61-59 on Hot 100 Airplay.

PHOTOS: 'American Idol': Randy Jackson Through the Years

While World and Blown Away re-surge on The Billboard 200, they are not enjoying upward movement on two genre charts. On Top Rock Albums, World holds at No. 14 and on Top Country Albums, Blown Away slips 14-15, but earns a bullet for increased sales over last week.

HER REIGN CONTINUES: No one is able to overcome her lead, so Mandisa rules the Christian Digital and Christian/Gospel Digital Songs charts for a fifth week in a row with “Overcomer,” the title track from her forthcoming album. “Overcomer” is now the second-longest running No. 1 of 2013 on the Christian Digital tally. The only song with a longer stay in pole position this calendar year is “Gold” by Britt Nicole, with 14 non-consecutive weeks on top.

The song that holds the record for the longest run at No. 1 on this chart is by another Idol. Kris Allen’s “Live Like We’re Dying” led the list for 24 straight weeks in 2010.

STORY: 'American Idol' Phillip Phillips Releases 'Gone, Gone, Gone' Video Amid Family Drama

Mandisa and Allen are two of four Idols who have occupied the penthouse of the Christian Digital Songs chart. Carrie Underwood’s “How Great Thou Art” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel” both had one-week reigns and Colton Dixon’s “Never Gone” and “You Are” were also both No. 1 for one week each.

STILL ‘GONE’: Phillip Phillips’ “Gone, Gone, Gone” continues to advance on the Adult Contemporary chart. This week, its journey takes it to the runner-up spot, with a move of 4-2. That means it’s a strong possibility that “Gone” will repeat the success of its predecessor, “Home,” and head up this survey just seven days from now.

The song in the way? That would be Pink’s “Just Give Me a Reason” (featuring Nate Ruess), which is on top for the seventh week.

BITS AND PIECES: Carrie Underwood’s current single, “See You Again,” debuts at No. 38 on the Ringtones chart…Australian Idol Guy Sebastian re-enters two Billboard charts with “Battle Scars,” his collaboration with Lupe Fiasco. On Rap Digital Songs, the track returns at No. 3 and on R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs, “Scars” reappears at No. 39.
Twitter: @Idol_Worship

Bing Crosby Records "White Christmas," Best-Selling Single of All Time (1942)

White Christmas (song)
White Christmas, 1995 re-release CD album cover

"White Christmas" is an Irving Berlin song reminiscing about an old-fashioned Christmas setting. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the version sung by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide.[1][2][3][4]

Accounts vary as to when and where Berlin wrote the song.[4] One story is that he wrote it in 1940, poolside at the Biltmore hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. He often stayed up all night writing — he told his secretary, "Grab your pen and take down this song. I just wrote the best song I've ever written — heck, I just wrote the best song that anybody's ever written!"[5]

The first public performance of the song was also by Crosby, on his NBC radio show The Kraft Music Hall on Christmas Day, 1941 and the recording is not believed to have survived.[4][6] He recorded the song with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers for Decca Records in just 18 minutes on May 29, 1942, and it was released on July 30 as part of an album of six 78-rpm songs from the film Holiday Inn.[4][6] At first, Crosby did not see anything special about the song. He just said "I don't think we have any problems with that one, Irving."

The song initially performed poorly and was overshadowed by the film's first hit song: "Be Careful, It's my Heart".[6] By the end of October 1942, however, "White Christmas" topped the "Your Hit Parade" chart. It remained in that position until well into the new year.[6] (It has often been noted that the mix of melancholy — "just like the ones I used to know" — with comforting images of home — "where the treetops glisten" — resonated especially strongly with listeners during World War II. The Armed Forces Network was flooded with requests for the song.[6])

In 1942 alone, Crosby's recording spent eleven weeks on top of the Billboard charts. The original version also hit number one on the Harlem Hit Parade for three weeks,[7] Crosby's first-ever appearance on the black-oriented chart. Re-released by Decca, the single returned to the #1 spot during the holiday seasons of 1945 and 1946 (on the chart dated January 4, 1947), thus becoming the only single with three separate runs at the top of the U.S. charts. The recording became a chart perennial, reappearing annually on the pop chart twenty separate times before Billboard magazine created a distinct Christmas chart for seasonal releases.

Following its prominence in the musical Holiday Inn, the composition won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. In the film, Bing Crosby sings "White Christmas" as a duet with actress Marjorie Reynolds, though her voice was dubbed by Martha Mears. This now-familiar scene was not the moviemakers' initial plan; in the script as originally conceived, Reynolds, not Crosby, was to sing the song.[6]

The familiar version of "White Christmas" most often heard today is not the one Crosby recorded in 1942. He was called to Decca studios on March 18, 1947, to re-record the track; the 1942 master had become damaged due to its frequent use. Efforts were made to exactly reproduce the original recording session, and Crosby was again backed by the Trotter Orchestra and the Darby Singers.[5] Even so, there are subtle differences in the orchestration, most notably the addition of a celesta and flutes to brighten up the introduction.

Crosby was dismissive of his role in the song's success, saying later that "a jackdaw with a cleft palate could have sung it successfully." But Crosby was associated with it for the rest of his career. Another Crosby vehicle — the 1954 musical White Christmas — was the highest-grossing film of 1954.
Sales figures

Crosby's "White Christmas" single has been credited with selling 50 million copies, the most by any release and therefore it is the biggest-selling single worldwide of all time. The Guinness Book of World Records 2009 Edition lists the song as a 100-million seller, encompassing all versions of the song, including albums.[3][4] Crosby's holiday collection Merry Christmas was first released as an LP in 1949, and has never been out-of-print since.

There has been some confusion and considerable debate on whether Crosby's record is or is not the best-selling single in the world, due to a lack of information on sales of "White Christmas," because Crosby's recording was released before the advent of the modern-day US and UK singles charts.[8] However, after careful research, Guinness World Records in 2007 concluded that, worldwide, Crosby's recording of "White Christmas" has, in their estimation, sold at least 50 million copies, and that Elton John's recording of "Candle in the Wind 1997" has sold 33 million, making Crosby's recording the best-selling single of all time.[1] However, an update in the 2009 edition of the book decided to further help settle the controversy amicably by naming both John's and Crosby's songs to be "winners" by stating that John's recording is the "best-selling single since UK and US singles charts began in the 1950s," while maintaining that "the best-selling single of all time was released before the first pop charts," and that this distinction belongs to "White Christmas," which it says "was listed as the world's best-selling single in the first-ever Guinness Book of Records (published in 1955) and - remarkably - still retains the title more than 50 years later."[9]
Historic influence

"ItsRanked" ranked Crosby's "White Christmas" as the number one Christmas song on its Top 40 Christmas Songs of all time.[10] In 1999, National Public Radio included it in the "NPR 100", which sought to compile the one hundred most important American musical works of the 20th century. Crosby's version of the song also holds the distinction of being ranked #2 on the "Songs of the Century" list, behind only Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow," as voted by members of the RIAA.[11] In 2002, the original 1942 version was one of 50 historically significant recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.

The recording was broadcast on the radio on April 30, 1975, as a secret, pre-arranged signal precipitating the U.S. evacuation of Saigon (see Fall of Saigon).
Original introduction

Irving Berlin's opening bars are often dropped in recordings, but are included on A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector, sung by Darlene Love, and on Barbra Streisand's A Christmas Album.[5]
The sun is shining, the grass is green,
The orange and palm trees sway.

There's never been such a day
in Beverly Hills, L.A.
But it's December the twenty-fourth,—
And I am longing to be up North—
—Verse dropped from original version[12]

This opening verse was also included on country singer Collin Raye's version of the song, as featured on his 2004 album, Christmas: The Gift. British band Keane's version of the song also included this introduction, but with changed lyrics to give the song a melancholic feeling:
The sun's been hiding, the streets are gray,
The rain has been falling down.

Seems everyone wears a frown
for Christmas in London town
It reminds me each time I roamed.
I'm longing to be back home
—Keane version of the introduction
Other versions

In 1942, Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra (with Bob Carroll on lead vocal) released a version of the song that reached number 16 on Billboard magazine's pop singles chart.[13]

Also in 1942, Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra (with Garry Stevens on lead vocal) released a version of the song that reached number 18 on Billboard magazine's pop singles chart.[14]

Also in 1942, Freddy Martin and his Orchestra (with Clyde Rogers on lead vocal) released a version of the song that reached number 20 on Billboard magazine's pop singles chart (this same version charted on the Billboard pop singles chart again in December 1945, reaching number 16).[15]

In 1944, Frank Sinatra released a version of the song (with backing orchestration by Alex Stordahl) that reached number 7 on Billboard magazine's pop singles chart (this same version charted on the Billboard pop singles chart two more times: in December 1945, reaching number 5, and in December 1946, reaching number 6).[16]

In 1946, Jo Stafford (with backing vocals by the Lyn Murray Singers and backing orchestration by Paul Weston) released a version of the song that reached number 9 on Billboard magazine's pop singles chart.[17]

In 1947, Eddy Howard and his Orchestra released a version of the song that reached number 21 on Billboard magazine's pop singles chart.[18]

In 1947, Perry Como (with backing orchestration by Lloyd Shaffer) released a version of the song that reached number 23 on Billboard magazine's pop singles chart.[19]

In 1948, the R&B vocal group The Ravens released a version of the song that reached number 9 on Billboard magazine's Rhythm & Blues Records chart in January 1949. Their version was released as the flip-side of a single that included their version of "Silent Night".[20]

In 1949, country singer Ernest Tubb (with female backing vocals by The Troubadettes) released a version of the song that reached number 7 on Billboard magazine's Country & Western Records chart.[21]

On July 15, 1952, singer Eddie Fisher with Hugo Winterhalter's orchestra & chorus recorded a version of the song at Manhattan Center, New York City, New York. The song was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-4910 (in USA)[22] and by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10779 and JO 420.

Also in 1952, Mantovani and His Orchestra released a version of the song that reached number 23 on Billboard magazine's pop singles chart.[15]

In 1954, The Drifters released a cover version of the song that showcased the talents of lead singer Clyde McPhatter and the bass of Bill Pinkney. Their recording of the song peaked at number 2 on Billboard's Rhythm & Blues Records chart in December 1954 (it also returned to the same chart in the next two years). In December 1955, "White Christmas" became the Drifters' first of 34 singles to register on the mainstream Billboard Top 100 singles chart, reaching number 80.[23] For decades, the Drifters' version of the song was primarily heard on R&B radio stations, getting little exposure elsewhere. The song received a boost in the early 1990s,[citation needed] when it was prominently featured in the film Home Alone during a scene in which the lead character Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is applying his father's aftershave while mouthing the lyrics. Radio stations formats as diverse as oldies, adult contemporary, Top 40, and country began playing the Drifters' version of the song, which was also featured in the 1994 film The Santa Clause.

In 1957, Elvis Presley recorded the song for his first holiday album, Elvis' Christmas Album.

In 1961, Mitch Miller included the song on his album Holiday Sing Along with Mitch. Instead of the lyrics, Miller printed a disclaimer on the album cover stating "The publisher assumes everyone knows the lyrics to this song!"

In 1963, Andy Williams recorded a version of the song that was included on his first holiday album, The Andy Williams Christmas Album. This version of "White Christmas" was also released as a single, and reached number 1 on Billboard's special, year-end, weekly Christmas Singles chart (the B-side of the single contained Williams's version of "The Christmas Song"). This same version of "White Christmas" charted again on Billboard's Christmas Singles chart again in 1967, reaching number 22.

Also in 1963, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles recorded the song for their holiday album, Christmas with The Miracles.

Also in 1963, Jimmy McGriff recorded the song for his holiday album, Christmas with McGriff.

In 1964, Doris Day recorded the song for her holiday album, The Doris Day Christmas Album.

In 1965, The Supremes recorded the song for their holiday album, Merry Christmas.

In 1966, Dean Martin recorded the song for his holiday album, The Dean Martin Christmas Album.

In 1967, Barbra Streisand's version of the song, recorded for her first holiday album A Christmas Album, contains the seldom-heard verse.

In 1968, Otis Redding's version of the song was released as a single (posthumously), and reached number 12 on Billboard magazine's special, year-end, weekly Christmas Singles chart in December of '68.[20]

Also in 1968, Lana Cantrell released a version of the song on the various artists holiday album, Christmas Day with Colonel Sanders. This version was later included on other various artist Christmas albums.

Bob Marley recorded the song with The Wailers; this version later appeared on his compilation album, Destiny: Rare Ska Sides from Studio 1.

In 1984, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton recorded a version of the song for their holiday album, Once Upon a Christmas.

In 1989, New Kids on the Block recorded a version of the song for their holiday album, Merry, Merry Christmas.

In 1991, Marco T. La Voz del Rock and Roll in Colombia recorded the song for his album Pequeño Pueblo de Belen is an Elvis cover in Spanish.

In 1992, Michael Bolton covered the song for his non-holiday album, Timeless: The Classics. This version of the song reached number 73 on Billboard's Hot 100 Airplay chart in January 1993.[24]

Also in 1992, Garth Brooks covered the song for his first holiday album, Beyond the Season. This version of the song reached number 70 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in January 1995.[25]

Michie Tomizawa, as Sailor Mars, covered the song on the holiday album, Sailor Stars Merry Christmas!.

In 1998, Martina McBride covered the song for her holiday album, White Christmas. This version of the song charted twice: reaching number 75 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in December 1999, and number 62 on the same chart in December 2000.[26]

In 2000, Linda Ronstadt recorded the song for her holiday album, A Merry Little Christmas.

In 2003, Bette Midler covered the song for her non-holiday album, Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook. This version of the song reached number 15 on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart in December 2003.[27]

In 2004, Dionne Warwick recorded the song for her holiday album, My Favorite Time of the Year.

In 2004, Tina Sugandh recorded the song for the Columbia/Sony film Christmas With the Kranks with Indian/Bollywood elements added to the song.

In 2005, the song was covered by Westlife and was included on their single, When You Tell Me That You Love Me.

In 2006, the song was covered by Twisted Sister featuring Doro Pesch and was released on their holiday album, A Twisted Christmas, with German/English lyrics.[28]

In 2007, Taylor Swift recorded the song for her holiday EP, Sounds of the Season: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection.

In 2008, Al Jarreau recorded the song for his holiday album, Christmas.

Also in 2008, Rick Astley sang it at the DR Christmas Show.

In 2009, Andrea Bocelli recorded the song for his first holiday album, My Christmas. The song debuted at No. 30 on the Portuguese Singles Chart; it spent the following two weeks at No. 19, then rose to No. 18 in its forth week, before reaching No. 16 in its fifth week.[29] The song also debuted at No. 7 on the Hungarian Singles Chart.[30]

Also in 2009, Boy George recorded a cover of the song that was released as a single in digital download format.

Stiff Little Fingers covered the song as part of their "Silly Encores" B-Side, and it also appeared on their USA release album, Hanx!.

In October 2010, Argos released an advert appearing to show Crosby beatboxing to the tune of the song.
Notes and references
^ a b Guinness Book of Records, 2007 Edition, page 187
^ Guinness Book of Records, 2008 Edition, page 181
^ a b Guinness Book of Records, 2009 Edition, pages 14, 15 & 169
^ a b c d e Roy J. Harris, Jr. (December 5, 2009). "The Best-Selling Record of All. 'White Christmas' and the reasons it endures". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2009-12-06. "It was a peaceful song that became a wartime classic. Its unorthodox, melancholy melody—and mere 54 words, expressing the simple yearning for a return to happier times—sounded instantly familiar when sung by America's favorite crooner. But 67 years after its introduction, some still are surprised to learn that Bing Crosby's recording of the Irving Berlin ballad "White Christmas" became not only the runaway smash-hit for the World War II holidays, but the best-selling record of all time."
^ a b c White Christmas
^ a b c d e f John Mueller (1986). Astaire Dancing - The Musical Films. London: Hamish Hamilton. pp. 204, 425. ISBN 0-241-11749-6.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 139.
^ "RIAA News Room - The American Recording Industry Announces its Artists of the Century - Nov 10, 1999". Recording Industry Association of America website. RIAA. 1999-11-10. Retrieved 2010-02-08..
^ Guinness Book of Records 2009 states that "Candle in the Wind 1997" is the "best-selling single since charts began"; however, not of all time. Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" is still recognized as the best selling single of all time, but since it was released prior to the start of many charts, its sales prior to the 1950s are estimated. John's 1997 song has sold the most copies when looking at copies sold since charts began, as verified in Guinness World Records. ISBN 1-904994-37-7. See also: Guinness Book of Records, 2009 Edition, pages 14, 15 & 169 [1]
^ Top 40 Christmas Songs (Lyrical) - ItsRanked!
^ "New song list puts 'Rainbow' way up high". CNN. March 7, 2001.
^ Guinness Book of Records, 2008 Edition, page 181
^ a b Guinness Book of Records, 2009 Edition, pages 14, 15 & 169
^ a b c d e Roy J. Harris, Jr. (December 5, 2009). "The Best-Selling Record of All. 'White Christmas' and the reasons it endures". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2009-12-06. "It was a peaceful song that became a wartime classic. Its unorthodox, melancholy melody—and mere 54 words, expressing the simple yearning for a return to happier times—sounded instantly familiar when sung by America's favorite crooner. But 67 years after its introduction, some still are surprised to learn that Bing Crosby's recording of the Irving Berlin ballad "White Christmas" became not only the runaway smash-hit for the World War II holidays, but the best-selling record of all time."
^ a b c White Christmas
^ a b c d e f John Mueller (1986). Astaire Dancing - The Musical Films. London: Hamish Hamilton. pp. 204, 425. ISBN 0-241-11749-6.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 139.
^ "RIAA News Room - The American Recording Industry Announces its Artists of the Century - Nov 10, 1999". Recording Industry Association of America website. RIAA. 1999-11-10. Retrieved 2010-02-08..
^ Guinness Book of Records 2009 states that "Candle in the Wind 1997" is the "best-selling single since charts began"; however, not of all time. Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" is still recognized as the best selling single of all time, but since it was released prior to the start of many charts, its sales prior to the 1950s are estimated. John's 1997 song has sold the most copies when looking at copies sold since charts began, as verified in Guinness World Records. ISBN 1-904994-37-7. See also: Guinness Book of Records, 2009 Edition, pages 14, 15 & 169 [1]
^ Top 40 Christmas Songs (Lyrical) - ItsRanked!
^ "New song list puts 'Rainbow' way up high". CNN. March 7, 2001.
^ White Christmas piano solo, Hal Leonard
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 42. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 59. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 47. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 58. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 59. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 41. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 29. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 55. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 62. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ RCA Victor Records in the 20-4500 to 20-4999 series
^ CD sleeve: Billboard Greatest Christmas Hits (1955 - Present), 1989 Rhino Records Inc.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 22. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 23. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 48. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts (1920-2004). Wisconsin: Record Research Inc.. p. 49. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.
^ laut.de | Twisted Sister - "A Twisted Christmas" (CD-Kritik)
^ "White Christmas-bianco Natale" on acharts.com
^ "White Christmas-bianco Natale" Hungary Top 10, Week 51/2009

Emeli Sandé is an English-born Scottish singer

Emeli Sandé’s “Clown”: A Song About Selling Out to the Music Industry? Emeli Sandé’s video “Clown” is simple, subtle and artistic but nevertheless conveys a very clear and disturbing message about the music industry and those that rule it. Is “Clown” about Emeli Sandé “selling her soul” to the elite? We’ll look at the meaning of the song and music video. Emeli Sandé is an English-born Scottish singer whose album Our Version of Events became the best selling album of 2012 in the UK. With three number one singles and widespread critical acclaim, Sandé is set to win a slurry of awards in 2013 and possibly more recognition “across the pond”. Did her recent success come with a hefty price tag? Judging by the message conveyed in her single Clown, yes, yes it did.

SDC Radio Networks' "Music In Action" award

MEMPHIS TN (IFS) -- SDC OmniMedia Group's SDC Radio Networks' "Music In Action" award for the Top 50 Songs of 2012.  

SDC Radio Networks Top 50 Songs of 2012

MEMPHIS TN (IFS) -- SDC Radio Networks, which includes KDTN Radio One, SDC Radio One, PSP Radio One, Hitsteria Radio One, SDCOG Radio One and StarMedia Radio's combined playlists with the Best of the Best from listeners requests. The combined Top 50 Songs of 2012 was featured on KDTN BlogTalk Radio.

The show was divided up into eight segments of thirty minutes, with approximately 6 to 8 songs each. The start of each show featured the countdown, with the Number #1 song of that shows segment.

The last show featuring the top five songs of the playlist, including two new songs from up and coming artists,  Power Ads - Songs for 2013 Giulia Millanta - Outta Here; Tiamirria - Last Laugh.

The artists and their music comes to SDC Radio Networks through a variety of sources that include but not limited to -- Ubetoo.com; Whotune.com; Musik and Film Records, SoundClick.com; MusicSubmit.com; RadioDirectX.com; Airplay.com; AirplayDirect.com; Amazon.com; Billboard.biz;  FMBQ.com and CMJ.com; emails to: sdcinternetics@msn.com; snail mail: SDC Radio Networks, 2380 Parkway Place, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38112-2500.

   

SDC RADIO NETWORKS 

TOP 50 SONGS OF 2012

1.  Steve Holy - Brand New Girl friend
2. RG Ingersoll featuring Dianne Anderson - Thousand Shadows
3. rude vox row - Pay day Blues
4.Teddy B with Kita - Shopping Spree
5. Jena Johnson - Living In Love In New York City

====================================
Power Ad - Songs for 2013
#### Giulia Millanta - Outta Here
#### Tiamirria - Last Laugh
====================================

6. Bernadette Bascom - Fire
7. Detroit City Mob - Where I'm From
8. Dominic Gaudious - Tongue of the Ocean                                                            
9. Lee Rogers - Love For A Love
10. BabyFace & Mariah Carey - Everytime I Close My Eyes
11. LA Carpool - Do It Again
12. Hangin' with  Stoogie - It Ain't Me Babe
13. Teisha Marie - Ask Me If I Care
14. DC Da Messenger - Feel It
15. RG Ingersoll and Dianne Anderson - Hideaway
16. Dr. John E. Bell - All I Want
17. Eli "Paperboy" Reed - Am I Fooling Myself
18.  Beanpole  - Breakdown 
19. Elle Maze - Red Lights
20. Adrianna Freeman - Will Not Be Your Tennessee
21. Amy Barbera - Paint Me A Butterfly
22. L.A. Carpool - One Night Together
23. Skinny Bitches - Everything's Cool
24. Phil Common - Falling Out Of Love Again
25. Madeleine Bagger - Naturally
26. Jameel Jahmay  - Ready 2 Serve U/Find Love
27.  Elliot Matsu - Killing With Swords
28. Melanie Rose Dyer - The Long Way Around
29.  Fallon Cush - Honey Honey
30. Michael Macri - Postcard From Venice
31. Jamie Rumley - Someday                                                                                            
32. Daniel Smith - Sometime's Love
33.  Jason Green - The Old Man
34. Zoe Alpert of Special Guests - Apathy
35.  Melanie Rose Dyer - First Time In Forever
36.  Dweller-X - I Don't Wonder 
37.  Rozanne Gewaar - Girl From Chicago
38. Fate Strikes Twice - Bad Ass Mutha
39.  Doug Briney - More Than Just A Farm
40.  White Fort  - Can't Stop The Signal
41.  Zodiac Death Valley  - Hail Hail December
42.  Stephane Zelou - Millionaire Girl
43. Retromeca -Anonymous
44. Megan King  - A Place Where We Belong                                                        
45. Honor Society - Kaleidoscope
46. Bianca K - When The Moon Comes Up
47. Leo Bowers - It's Alright
48. Urbansnake - Dirty Drug
49.  Luna Blanca - Freedom in Your Soul
50. Life Tragic - Easy Enough
   

Sony Music acquires EMI Publishing rights of Kenneth Howard Smith

HOLLYWOOD CA (IFS) -- Sony Music has acquired all of the publishing rights from EMI Music of Kenneth Howard Smith and Russell G. Ingersoll's songwriters catalog.  Smith and Ingersoll collaborated on many songs as writers and artists at Motown Records in the 1970's and 1980's.  Smith's production of Cardella DeMilo's "Gimme Whatcha Promised Me" from Paul and Linda McCartney's MPL Communications on their small company, with Lee Rogers new release for the D-Town label after twelve years; Lee's Motown record.

Smith is presently hosting a radio talk show on KDTN Radio One in Memphis TN.  Smith's new CD/EP is entitled "Wild Plums" with just five (5) songs.  Not to inspired about songwriting these days, this is a special request recording for one of his fans.  Smith has been more interested in radio and television broadcasting.  He started out in that medium when he was a student at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, California working with Don Imus at KUTY-AM in Palmdale, California.  He has always had a love for computers, microphones and the airwaves.  Smith current publishing rights belong to Keristene Music (BMI).

"Wild Plums" by Smith, new CD/EP
release November 2012

One song has been released from the "Wild Plums" CD/EP called, "I Can't Breathe (Without You)".  A little toxic love song that Smith wrote about love and missing a love that you did not know you counted on so much.  Not quite a reflection song, as Smith's catalog of love songs as in the past with the lyrics of Linda Lou Kestin his one time writing partner for over thirty (30) years.  As Smith puts it, he had recordings way before Kestin and he shall have recordings after Kestin too.

Smith who uses songwriting to keep his soul and mind at ease, just so happens to get a couple of well played recordings out of the situation from time to time.  Not real magic, just soul exercise. From time to time, Smith starts a new chapter of his book "Vinyl Knights: Kenneth Howard Smith" a series on ups and downs in the music business.  Below is a peep into the book, chapter 11:

Kenneth Howard Smith, Genius or Derelict?

©1986-2012 SDC OmniMedia Group
Published by SDC/Vollintine Books  

Not to much is known about Kenneth Howard Smith, born in 1948 in Bakersfield, California, to parents Berry Jerry and Rillie Louise Smith who owned and operated the Bakersfield Monaco Inn and grocery store.

Kenneth was the third born of the family, but the first child to live as his older brother and two sisters died from early childhood infantile births.  It took approximately seven years after the death of his younger sister for little Smith to come into this world.

In between those seven years, the Smiths marriage broke up and Berry had a daughter with Marguerite Brown, who gave birth to Emma Jean Smith-Brown. 

Re-marrying Mr. Smith again, five other siblings were born to the Smith family after Kenneth that included Theodore, Brenda, Wanda, Clyde and Sandra.  Emma Jean with the nick name of “Baby May” was adored and loved by her younger brothers and sisters and visited with her all of the time, even spending the summers at her Los Angeles home.

As the years progressed forward, young Kenneth remembers the times when their father worked part-time at an up and coming television station with the call letters KERO-TV Channel 10 that was located in a barn at the home of West coast Country and Western pioneer Cousin Herb Henson.

Herb Henson, known as Cousin Herb, was a country music performer and television host on KERO-TV, channel 10 (now 23) in Bakersfield, California. He is the first cousin once removed of musician Jeff Tweedy.

Cousin Herb Henson was a pivotal figure in the development of country music's Bakersfield sound—his weekday television variety program, The Trading Post, was a showcase for acts including Buck Owens, Spade Cooley, and Merle Haggard, the latter dubbing Henson "the Ralph Emery of Bakersfield." Born in East St. Louis, IL, on May 17, 1925, Henson was a self-taught pianist and sometimes comedian who arrived in California via Union Pacific railcar sometime in the mid-'40s. After picking cotton in the fields of the San Joaquin Valley, he landed a job making door-to-door laundry pickups for a company operating out of the Fresno area.

Mr. Smith was one of the stage hands and janitor, and would help setup the bands for the broadcast and clean up the place after the broadcast.  During these times, young Kenneth was introduced to the would be new kings of the west coast country music scene, like Lee Talley, Spade Cooley, Buck Owens, Bonnie Owens, Merle Haggard, Porter Wagoner, Tommy Sands, Glen MacArthur and a very young Dolly Parton.

Berry’s other job was a heavy duty equipment operator at the Edwards Air Force Base Rocket Engineering site.  He did not have a high school degree; Mr. Smith was given the pay grade, but not the job as he managed a mop and broom to support his family.  Mr. Smith however, did receive many merit achievement awards and bonuses  for his design and development of many of the “slings” and moving apparatus platforms for delivering rocket parts across the country.

As the drive from Bakersfield to Edwards on a daily bases was long, as there were not freeways at the time, he and Mrs. Smith decided in would be better to move closer to his job site.  So the family in 1956 up and moved to the little town of Lancaster, California, and then across the Kern County line to Rosamond.

As the family settled in to the Rosamond area, Mr. Smith would occasionally take a couple of the children to his job on the weekend to see where he worked and meet some of the people he worked with.

After the decision to build the facility had been made, contractors experienced with rocket engine development were solicited for the proposed test station design plan. These contractors included Curtiss-Wright Corporation; North American Aviation; N. W. Kellogg Company; Reaction Motors; and Aerojet Engineering Corporation (AEC), a subsidiary of Aerojet General Corporation, which had been formed earlier by GALCIT scientists. Because the type of large-scale static test stand required for the test facility had no precedent, the use of an engineering subsidiary of a rocket manufacturer promised the best possible results for construction of the test facilities (TetraTech 1997).

 In 1947, the Air Materiel Command, through its Rocket Branch, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) contracted with AEC for the design of the rocket engine test stands and auxiliary facilities at Muroc Army Airfield (Renamed Edwards AFB in 1949) (U.S. Army Air Force 1948; U.S. Air Force 1964a). AEC was the logical choice to advise the Corps. Since Aerojet's inception as a spinoff of GALCIT, it had concentrated on rocket research and development, whereas competing contractors at the time were multidisciplinary organizations and aircraft manufacturers.

 In 1952, ERETS was activated. Its primary mission was "to accomplish research, development, and static testing of experimental and production rocket power plants, and to provide authorized contractors and other Governmental agencies with facilities and engineering assistance in research, development, and testing of experimental rocket power plants". Rocket Branch personnel performed liquid rocket propellant servicing operations for aircraft and provided engineering and consulting services to AFFTC activities using rocket engines and their components.

It's true. Back in 1948, military personnel were working on a rocket sled experiment at the Muroc Army Air Field (now Edwards Air Force Base) in California. They strapped a chimpanzee into the sled and sent the vehicle down a railroad track at an extremely high speed to measure the g-forces and deceleration effects that occurred during the trip.

After the test, researchers were dismayed to find that the sensors used in the harness's restraining clamps had returned no measurements. Edward Murphy discovered that his assistant had installed the sensors incorrectly, with each one wired backwards.

"If that guy has any way of making a mistake, he will," Murphy complained. His colleagues quickly dubbed the saying "Murphy's Law."  The complaint soon morphed into the law we know today: "If anything can go wrong, it will."

Murphy's Law was popularized during a press conference by John Paul Stapp, the U.S. Army colonel and flight surgeon who headed up the program on which Murphy worked. Responding to a question about why no one had been seriously injured in rocket sled testing, he said engineers always took Murphy's Law into consideration when evaluating what could go wrong.

One large hangar that Mr. Smith worked in was filled with a computer that was wall-to-wall and it was called an ENIAC.

ENIAC - Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer was the first electronic general-purpose computer. It was Turing-complete, digital, and capable of being reprogrammed to solve a full range of computing problems.

ENIAC was designed to calculate artillery firing tables for the United States Army's Ballistic Research Laboratory. When ENIAC was announced in 1946 it was heralded in the press as a "Giant Brain". It had a speed of one thousand times that of electro-mechanical machines, which was unmatched by mechanical computers. This mathematical power, coupled with general-purpose programmability, excited scientists and industrialists. The inventors promoted the spread of these new ideas by conducting a series of lectures on computer architecture.

ENIAC's design and construction was financed by the United States Army during World War II. The construction contract was signed on June 5, 1943, and work on the computer began in secret by the University of Pennsylvania's Moore School of Electrical Engineering starting the following month under the code name "Project PX". The completed machine was announced to the public the evening of February 14, 1946 and formally dedicated the next day at the University of Pennsylvania, having cost almost $500,000 (approximately $6,000,000 today). It was formally accepted by the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps in July 1946. ENIAC was shut down on November 9, 1946 for a refurbishment and a memory upgrade, and was transferred to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland in 1947. There, on July 29, 1947, it was turned on and was in continuous operation until 11:45 p.m. on October 2, 1955.

ENIAC was conceived and designed by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert of the University of Pennsylvania. The team of design engineers assisting the development included Robert F. Shaw (function tables), Jeffrey Chuan Chu (divider/square-rooter), Thomas Kite Sharpless (master programmer), Arthur Burks (multiplier), Harry Huskey (reader/printer) and Jack Davis (accumulators). ENIAC was named an IEEE Milestone in 1987.

Young Kenneth’s experience with seeing this larger then life machine in its’ last days as young child with men and women in white lab coats with “oven” mittens would go from computer cabinet-to-cabinet changing out burned out vacuum tubes.

The name computer would resonate with young Kenneth for the rest of his life.  During his days in junior high school, Smith had the opportunity to take up wood shop.  One day while making a lamp, he placed the router on the wrong part of the wood and caused a large smoke cloud in the shop, and was asked to leave the shop and go enter into another class during anything, but stay away from the wood shop. 

Smith was very disappointed after this rejection.  So, his mother entered him into the bookkeeping and accounting classes, where he learned to type and do bookkeeping.  At first, he was upset with this idea, but upon entering the class, he was the only boy in the class among 20 girls.  From here, he joined the school newspaper and became one of its editors and publishers.

As Rosamond had no high school, all of its students went to Antelope Valley High School.  This is where Smith in his spare time,  he was in a rock band called “Al and the Altones”, then started his own group, “The Gents” which would work with Glen MacArthur in Palmdale, California at his recording studio and record company called “Glenn Records”, where Smith learned the recording end of the studio business working with Merrell Fankhauser and his group “Merrell and the Exiles”.  Later on Smith joined The Clouds (aka The Telestars) with the Martinkovic Brothers touring around the Southern California area.

As young Smith entered the halls of Antelope Valley College in 1967, working on the student newspaper, his job was to keep the mailing list up to date.  This was his gateway into computing and working with the college’s IBM mainframe, and learning how to program.

Smith’s interests in music continued with his up-start band “Purple Olive” that created several local area hit recordings with “Proud Mary Sunshine”, “Journey To The Center of Your Heart” and “Mary Beth”.

It did not take long for the Vietnam War to catch up with Smith as he transferred to the University of California; Santa Barbara only to find the school had been closed do to a bombing of the administration and Bank of America building on campus, which canceled his scholarship and upped his draft number.  Doing this transition to the University, Smith was also in the ROTC program.  The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is a college-based program for training commissioned officers of the United States Armed Forces. ROTC officers serve in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

With the school closed, Smith was drafted by the U.S. Army to flight helicopters, as then Governor Ronald Reagan canceled all of the student deferments at Santa Barbara, leaving Smith with a 1-A status.

Smith had married Irene Joanne Tarbell, his record producer and music publishing general manager, with their plans drastically changed, Smith wanted to head for Canada, but was talked out of it by his mother, and he decided to join the Air Force. 

After a couple of days of negotiations with the Air Force as to what his duties were going to be, his rank upon entering, as he was in ROTC and where he was going, Smith found himself on a air plane headed for Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas  for basic training.

After military service in several different fields, from writing technical documents for the C-5 Galaxy transport; foreign countries with varied duties from Postmaster, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, working with the American Consul General in Bangkok, Thailand; NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Office-In-charge) Khoko Air Station, Northern Thailand; Loading cargo master and finally Triage medical tech at Norton Air Force Base, California, Smith was discharged from military service to his country.

One thing that all of these positions had in common were working with computers.  Smith found himself programming and maintaining these new machines at the local company level for the squadron.  Smith was a quick study by experience and because of this; he advanced steadily up the latter in rank and responsibilities. 

Yet, Smith found himself to be disgruntled as been passed over for Officers Candidate School while in the military.  It all started with a letter written to then President Richard Nixon, asking why he was always passed over.  He was given over six tests for OCS, but each time, he somehow would miss passing the grade by one (1) point; always getting a 69% grade on these tests.  Being in military, it was this thing about the “chain of command” that he failed to adhere too.  For this, Smith was punished and kept out of the officers ranks.

While in the US Air Force Reserves, Smith attended the California School of Law, in Santa Monica, California.  One of his fellow students and study partners was none other then Robin Cranston, son to then US Senator Alan Cranston.  Smith and Cranston were at his father Beverly Hills home, with the senator at the house.  Smith so happened to mention his situation to the senator about getting passed over for an officer's appointment in the regular Air Force, which Smith just wanted to inject  as a “laughing” point. 

As the requirements for getting into any law school, one must have a college degree.  Since Smith was a good student at the law school, and he helped Robin with his homework and studies, the senator wasted no time in securing him a commission in the California Air National Guard as a 2^nd Lieutenant. 

It was a dream comes true, even with the California Air National Guard .  Smith helped with Senator Cranston’s re-election by maintaining bulk contributors’ mailing lists and other donor databases.  However, this too would come crashing down, as Senator Cranston some time and months later, would be entangled in the Savings and Loan Wars that would build to both Smith and Cranston's careers crashing down.  Smith's commission would later be rejected and he dismissed from the Guard.

Cranston was reprimanded by the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics for "improper conduct” after Lincoln Savings head Charles Keating's companies contributed $850,000 to voter registration groups closely affiliated with the senator.

Keating had wanted federal regulators to stop "hounding" his savings and loan association. Although the committee found that "no evidence was presented to the Committee that Senator Cranston ever agreed to help Mr. Keating in return for a contribution," the committee deemed Cranston's misconduct the worst among the Keating Five. Cranston decided against running for a fifth term while he battled prostate cancer.

While attending school with Robin, Smith would also be invited to celebrity parties in Malibu, Palm Springs and homes of every star Robin had anything to do with as he was also a movie producer with a lot of credits, including one with the late Dorothy Stratton, that hot Playboy Bunny who was murdered by her husband.

During law school, Smith who continued to write and record from time to time and got signed with ABC Music Publishing as a demo producer for their songwriting division.  During this period of time, he met Lee Rogers and Jimmy Holliday.  Rogers was riding high on the RnB charts with his Loadstone Records release of “Love Bandit”, while Holliday was at the Billboard Number #1 position with “Put A Little Love In Your Heart” by Jackie Deshannon. 

ABC Records promotions department had this record called “Margaritaville” by this new singer named Jimmy Buffett.  This record was one of those that did not fit the record charts on any station.  It was the height of the Disco music, and it was to pop for country, too white for the RnB stations, not pop enough for the Top 40 stations.  It was just an egg completely out of its shell and nobody wanted to play it at all.

Smith needed some extra money for child support and paying the rent. West coast promotions department needed someone to promote this record up and down the California coast.  Smith was given three boxes of 100 - 45 RPM singles, some hotel and gas money and off he went to work this record.  It took Smith four weeks going from San Diego, going back ad forth across Southern California, up to Bakersfield and up to Oregon crossing into Idaho, Montana, Utah and Nevada.

One of Smith’s famous record promotion stories starts in Bakersfield at KERN Radio, where Smith had pulled into the station’s parking lot early in the morning before the drive time on air personality was there waiting for the station to go live, the DJ was late and drove up to the station, unlocking the doors, he rushed inside to play the National Anthem and the local news.  Smith with several records in his hand entered the station right behind him.  Calling out to the DJ, Smith had a couple of cups of hot coffee in his hand, and as the DJ came running back from flipping the transmission switches to go live and returning to the control room, Smith handed him a cup, and said “Good Morning”.  The DJ took the cup and off to the microphone he went –live.   After the opening and the local and national news, the DJ signaled Smith to come into the control room.

On the air, he opened up the microphone telling everyone that it was a record promotions guy standing in his control room with some records, and that he had brought him a hot cup of coffee that he needed so very much, and that he was going to talk to him in a few minutes and see what he was pushing.  It’s 5:30am the sun is not even up yet, and Smith is all ready on the air in Bakersfield.

Smith tells the DJ that he has this single by a new artist named Jimmy Buffett, and wants to know if he could give it a couple of spends.  The DJ tells him that he will give it a listen and to place it on the pile of records on the wall.  Smith turns to the wall, and sees his worse nightmare, a stack of records in six rows over three feet high still in their mailing envelopes.

Smith looking at the unopened records, turns to the DJ and asks him to play his record live on the air, and if he gets just one listener that votes against it, then he will pull it and call it a day.  The DJ taking a sip from the coffee tells Smith, he could do that and takes the single, placing it on the turntable. 

Within one minute of the songs introduction, the switch board lights up, all twelve lines.  Now it’s been a full two minutes into the song, the lights are still flashing.  The first caller is asked, if it’s a smash or trash?  Ten callers like the song so far and vote’s it a smash.  By this time, the last caller votes against it calling “Margaritaville” trash.  And as Smith promised the DJ he could pull the record if he got one vote against it.  To Smith’s a surprise, the DJ plays the record again, and off the microphone tells Smith that he’s going to ad the single to his playlist.  Since KERN Radio was a Billboard reporting station, this gives “Margaritaville” a leg up and the rest is history.

It was no mistake that this record was given to Smith, because several years earlier, he was a Disc Jockey at KUTY-AM in Palmdale, California while attending Antelope Valley College.  With his duties as the Director of Publicity on the board of the Associated Student Body, Smith had great success with groups like Three Dog Night, A Group Called Smith, Steppenwolf as he was instrumental in the college promotional of Mercury Records’ Flying Bear Tour, with Lynn County, Buddy Miles Express/Experience, Sir Douglas Quintet, Rick Derringer’s group the McCoys and Harvey Mandel.

The little radio station from Palmdale was in the circle of gold, with its signal carrying deep into the heart of the San Fernando Valley and North Hollywood.  It was the 17^th logical station site to get your record played in Los Angeles City limits that generated lots of record sales.

Smith who started out as the college’s activities announcer on Mutual Broadcasting Systems, quickly moved into the position as the most requested on air personality for the college circuit.  Don Imus was at KUTY and liked Smith’s warm delivery.  It was not to long that he was spending more of his time at the station, as Imus was giving him lots of on air time for the college and Smith’s group, Purple Olive.

On of the pert’s of being on the Associated Student Body and on the air, Smith got the chance to have a personal relationship with the Polodor Brothers, both Don and Richard.  Don Podolor worked in record promotion and booking, while his older brother was the record producer for the Monkees, Fountain of Youth, Three Dog Night and Janis Joplin.

Smith was one of the first people to get demo copies of the artists completed records, and one of the times was Three Dog Nights’ “Joy To The World” with Smith being the first DJ to premiere the single on KUTY weeks before anyone else got a copy.  Other firsts, included Rick Nelson’s “Garden Party”,  Ike and Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High” and Smith’s last promotional effort when he returned to the Antelope Valley from the Vietnam War was, "Rhinestone Cowboy"  a song written and recorded first by Larry Weiss in 1973, and most famously recorded by American country music singer Glen Campbell. The song enjoyed immense popularity with both country and pop audiences when he released it in 1975.  

Motown Records.  It was also at this time, that he obtained his first personal computer, a Sinclair from England and later a Toshiba C/PM machine that was just disk based.  The first real personal computers were still on the planning stages and it would be years until they reach the market place.  

-TO BE CONTINUED -

EU to Clear Sony's EMI Deal
European Approval Expected for Group's $2.2 Billion Purchase of Music Publisher


By ETHAN SMITH

European antitrust regulators are expected Thursday to approve a plan by a Sony Corp.-led investor group to buy EMI Group Ltd.'s huge music-publishing division for $2.2 billion, according to people familiar with the situation.

Approval by the European Commission, the European Union's executive arm, would represent a victory for Sony, removing the possibility of a longer review of the deal's antitrust implications. Such a review could add several months to the process.

Getty Images

Beyoncé, one of EMI's songwriting artists, at the 2011 MTV Awards.


The approval is conditioned on Sony selling off certain music-publishing assets, the people familiar with the situation said. Sony initially proposed selling a more limited number of assets, but only won approval after offering to sell more, according to one of the people.

Sony and its financial partners are expected to sell off three of EMI Music Publishing's catalogs and one of Sony's, all comprising older compositions. Those include Virgin Music Publishing's songs in the U.K., the U.S. and Europe, as well as Famous Music's catalog of U.K. compositions. In addition, the company is expected to sell the publishing rights to works by a handful of contemporary song writers.

A European Commission spokesman declined to comment.

The pending approval was reported earlier by the Financial Times.

Citigroup Inc. C +0.85% is in the midst of separate sales of EMI Group's two main
components: EMI Music Publishing and EMI Music, its recorded-music operation, which Vivendi SA's VIV.FR +0.03% Universal Music Group is planning to buy for $1.9
billion.

Sony is a minority partner in the consortium that also includes the estate of Michael Jackson; Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Development Co.; Jynwel Capital Ltd.; Blackstone Group LP's BX -0.12% GSO Capital Partners; and billionaire
entertainment mogul David Geffen.

Citigroup made the EMI deals in November, after taking control of the storied British music company following an ill-fated leveraged buyout.

Because the buyers of both parts of EMI's business are already large players in their industries, the deals are being reviewed by the European Commission and its U.S. counterpart, the Federal Trade Commission. Both regulatory bodies want to make sure the deals don't lead to undue reductions in competition.

The FTC music-publishing review is continuing, as are reviews in both the U.S. and Europe of the recorded-music deal.

Music publishers own and administer copyrights of songs' melodies and lyrics, and collect royalties when the songs are sold or performed publicly. Recorded-music companies, by contrast, own specific recordings and distribute them on CDs, online and to other outlets.

The proposed EMI acquisition would make Sony the world's largest music publisher by market share, according to an investor presentation reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. The two companies combined represented 31% of the global publishing market in 2010, ahead of the 23% controlled by Universal Music Publishing, according to the presentation. The 31% figure doesn't take into account the current asset-sale proposals.

Impala, a coalition of mostly European independent record companies and music publishers, released a statement Wednesday questioning the significance of Sony's proposed asset sales.

"We need to see the full decision but we find it difficult to imagine these remedies will make any significant difference to Sony's market power," the statement said. "This makes the outcome on Universal/EMI all the more important."