THE BAR-RED ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (BREG) REPORT!!!

By:  B. Brown --- BAR-RED ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (BREG)


Exciting things are happening for BREG affiliated artists!!!

Last week, TAVARES STEPHENS --- http://www.tavaresstephens.com --- Tavares had a great performance with The National Coalition of Black Aviators in Atlanta, GA!


FLI UNIVERSITY (F.U.) --- http://www.fliuniversity.com --- F.U. has been in the studio with rising superstar producer F.K.I. twice in the past two weeks creating amazing hooks for upcoming hit songs!!! F.U. is performing at Onyx tonight (9/25/13) for DJ Krunch's Birthday Bash & Live Broadcast from WVEE 103.3 FM Atlanta, GA, plus an early kick-off event for BET Weekend in the "A"!!!  They will also be performing at KBC's 2013 BET Awards Gifting Suites Day Event on Friday, 9/27/13!!! Their new songs "Do You" & "Night Shift" are buzzing in the "A" and their video for "Ms. Good" is getting peoples' attention!!!


KEEYEN MARTIN --- http://www.keeyenmartin.com --- is in the process of preparing for the next release of his KFeenix Acoustic Music Video Series, his New EP, his "IndieGoGo" Campaign, The Alignment Concert Series and spot performance dates!!!


XTRATAINMENT RECORDINGS is setting up the national release of one of America's musical treasures --- THE FIVE BLIND BOYS OF MISSISSIPPI, newly renamed THE MISSISSIPPI BLIND BOYS!!! New music and a new live show are on the way!!! Checkout this link ... http://youtu.be/3_m4W94jdVM


TAFARI --- http://www.tafarianimalfolktales.com --- Tafari's Animal Tales From Africa takes kids on an amazing journey through Africa using folktales, movement and song. It’s a fun-filled, entertaining and educational 45-minute experience!  Africa is rich in the tradition of storytelling. Many tales give lessons about human nature, morality and responsibility.


Stay tuned in to BREG to find out what is going on with some of the top emerging artists in the music & entertainment business!!!

One Love!

Darius Rucker & Tiger Woods responds negative comments!!!

Thoughts By:  B. Brown (BREG)

Yes, we think the world has progressed so much, but incidents keep occuring to let us know that we haven't progressed as much as we may think!

1st, Sergio Garcia (Golfer) says that he "would invite Tiger Woods over to his home, and then serve him 'Fried Chicken'." Is this guy kidding? Well, the answer is no. He immediately apologized and even held a press conference today to try and save his endorsements.

Sergio actually had people texting & calling in to Sports Talk Radio Stations asking what was wrong with what he said. So if we have people in 2013 that don't understand the stereotype of 'Fried Chicken' being associated with Black people (oh yeah, African-Americans), then we have to be aware of the fact that racism and ignorance is alive and well! I do not believe it's going anywhere soon.
The one good thing is that Tiger is the bigger man and basically said that the whole situation is sad and that he and Sergio just need to focus, talk about and play golf. That's it. Good move by you Tiger!



Now my man Darius Rucker (Country Artist; Former frontman of Hootie & The Blow Fish) received a racist tweet from someone saying that he "should leave country music to the white folk." Wow!!! Then the coward actually deleted their Twitter account. I hope people were blasting this person for their outright racism! Darius replied, and let the person know that he was having it, and that's what's up! At some point and time, you have to stand up for yourself! Darius, keep making those country music hits!!! Black, white, yellow, purple and blue people love your music brother!!!

We all have to learn how to KEEP IT MOVING!!!
Checkout the article below in reference to the racist tweet directed towards Darius Rucker.

One Love!!! 

Darius Rucker Fires Back at Racist Tweet

By Wendy Geller | Our Country – Mon, May 20, 2013 12:02 PM EDT

 

Photo: Jerod Harris

 

Given his remarkable success in the genre, it's safe to say that most country fans enjoy Darius Rucker's music. However, the Grand Ole Opry member was the target of a racist tweet over the weekend that, understandably, set off his ire.

 

"@dariusrucker Leave country to the white folk," read the tweet, from a user identified as @pqkullman (the account has since been deactivated).

Rucker responded with "WOW. Is this 2013 or 1913," adding "I'll take my Grand Ole Opry membership and leave your racism."

The original tweeter did not engage in further discussion; however, several fans chimed in with their thoughts on the matter. When one fan asked Rucker why he bothered to retweet comments from racists, Rucker noted, "So the world can see them."

Another fan said, "Bet he wouldn't say that to Nelly's face." Rucker replied with "Wouldn't say it to mine either."

He concluded with this final statement: "If any hater thinks I care what u think. I don't make music for u. So don't listen."

Rucker had recently been receiving mixed reviews, many quite negative, for his cover of the Bob Dylan-penned "Wagon Wheel," as originally performed by Old Crow Medicine Show. The cover is the second single off his album True Believers, which will be released Tuesday.

Rucker, who initially forged his career in music as frontman for pop outfit Hootie & the Blowfish, has notched numerous accolades in the world of country in addition to his Opry membership, which he received in October 2012. His first country single in 2008, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," made him the first African American to hit the top of the country chart since Charley Pride in 1983. He followed that by scoring the New Artist honor at the Country Music Association Awards, as well as four more No. 1 hits.

HU Authors & Speakers Academy - *Special Discount Price from BREG!!!

HU AUTHORS & SPEAKERS ACADEMY at the Georgia World Congress Center on Saturday, May 4, 2013!!! --- 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW, Room C203, Atlanta, GA - Downtown Atlanta)

The HU AUTHORS & SPEAKERS ACADEMY is for anyone that has... (or wants to start) a business, wants to write a book, wants to get paid to speak, or otherwise monetize their expertise. If you are serious about changing your life and the lives of others, the HU Authors & Speakers Academy is your opportunity to "Learn & Earn!!!"

- Saturday, May 4, 2013 --- 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM

- Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Downtown Atlanta, Room C203
BREG has *Special Discounted Price tickets for $299.00 instead of the Regular Priced $399.00 tickets.

Contact me directly at 678.883.BREG (2734); info@breg1994.com

One Love!


PROMO VIDEO: http://www.slideshare.net/hustleuniversity/hu-authors-and-speakers-cademy

PICS FROM LAST HU ACADEMY: http://www.slideshare.net/hustleuniversity/hu-authors-speakers-academy-1-photos

VIDEO TESTIMONIES: http://hustleu.org/upcoming-events/hustle-u-academy/

*Special Discounted Price Tickets for $299.00 (Regular Price $399.00) for The Authors & Speakers Academy on Saturday, May 4, 2013!!!

Holiday Season Album Sales! See who's selling!

Thoughts By:  B. Brown --- BREG (Entertainment Consulting with a Vision!)

"It's Christmas time in Hollis Queens/Mama cooking chicken and collard greens ..." Shoutout to Run-DMC.

It's that time of the year when the big boys & girls release their albums for the Holiday Season to maximize sales of their albums as gifts.

As we all have been observing, CD sales have dropped over the years as digital downloading has risen greatly! However, there are a few major artists still moving major units!!!

Checkout the artists below pushing units!!!

Week Ending Dec. 23, 2012. Albums: Swift Is First Since The Beatles

By Paul Grein | Chart Watch – Thu, Dec 27, 2012 10:57 AM EST

The Top Five: Taylor Swift’s Red holds at #1 for the sixth week in its ninth week (276K). It has ranked in the top two the entire time... T.I.’s Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head debuts at #2 (179K). This is his sixth top five album… Bruno Mars’ Unorthodox Jukebox dips from #2 to #3 in its second week (178K)… One Direction’s Take Me Home holds at #4 for the third week in its sixth week (177K). This is its sixth week in the top five… Michael Buble’s Christmas drops from #3 to #5 in its 19th week (148K). This is its 13th week in the top 10.
The Second Five: Rod Stewart’s Merry Christmas, Baby dips from #5 to #6 in its eighth week (113K). This is its eighth week in the top 10… Phillip Phillips’ The World From The Side Of The Moon holds at #7 for the second week in its fifth week (98K). This is its fifth week in the top 10…Mumford & Sons’ Babel jumps from #11 to #8 in its 13th week (93K). This is its eighth week in the top 10… 12-12-12: The Concert For Sandy Relief debuts at #9 (82K)…Now 44 rebounds from #12 to #10 in its seventh week (80K). This is its third week in the top 10.
Four albums drop out of the top 10 this week. The Game’s Jesus Piece dives from #6 to #37…Blake Shelton’s Cheers, It’s Christmas drops from #8 to #16… Alicia Keys’ Girl On Fire drops from #9 to #12…Lady Antebellum’s On This Winter’s Night dips from #10 to #11.


Blink-182’sEP Dogs Eating Dogs debuts at #23. It’s the band’s second EP, following 1996’s They Came To Conquer…Uranus. That one didn’t chart. (As a dog lover, I think the album cover and album title, well, bite.)…Essential Now That’s What I Call Christmas vaults from #113 to #25, thanks to a 99 cent sale at Amazon.MP3. The album has sold 571K copies since its release in 2008. This is its highest ranking to date. Its previous peak was #31.
Chief Keef’s Finally Rich, the rapper’s first studio album following five mix-tapes, debuts at #29. I don’t know what he means by “finally.” The kid is only 17.

Today's New Music Industry - The Reality!!!

Thoughts By:  B. Brown - Bar-Red Ent. Grp.

Well, here you go rap artists, singers, etc. When you read the article below, you will see the non-reality of going from your couch to MTV/BET. The truth is that it actually never happened that way for the overwhelming amount of artists that ever existed. It is usually a long road to stardom and financial success in the music business, but now it is even harder because of the way music is distributed.

I just read a report yesterday that talked about a major established artist selling gold (500,000 units) and that was good! That used to be unheard of; a major established artist would always sell multi-platinum (1,000,000+) unless something went terribly wrong with the marketing, promotions & selling of the album.

When you read the article below, pay attention to some of the myths that it clears up. A lot of artists believe they can do it themselves, but every business usually requires a team of people to get things done, and those people need to be competent along with having some kind of budget to record, mix, master, market & promote. Distribution is the easiest part thanks to digital distribution (iTunes, Rhapsody, eMusic, etc.).

Becoming popular (locally, regionally, nationally and/or internationally) is the key to digital/physical sales, shows/tours, endorsements, etc.

Checkout the article below, and let me know what you think.

One Love!

The Reality of the New Music Business

June 21, 2012 By davekusek 13 Comments

The raging debate set off by one Emily White, an NPR intern and the eloquent retort from Dave Lowery about the generational shift in thinking about the music industry has been widely reported this past week in The New York Times, NPR, Los Angeles Times, Techdirt, Hypebot, Lefsetz, the Huffington Post. and countless other places. Here is a rather chilling synopsis from my friend Paul Resnikoff of Digital Music News that everyone should read.

“I’m not sure I’ve experienced anything quite like this.

Because David Lowery didn’t just touch a nerve this week, he may have single-handedly crushed years of post-physical, ridiculous digital utopianism. In one crystallizing, cross-generational and unbelievably viral rant.

And after a decade of drunken digitalia, this is the hangover that finally throbs, is finally faced with Monday morning, finally stares in the mirror and admits there’s a problem. And condenses everything into a detailed ‘moment of clarity’…

(1) No, artists can’t simply tour and sell t-shirts.

It doesn’t work. In fact, shockingly few indie artists can pull this off, except for those developed at some point by the major labels (ie, Amanda Palmer) or a serious group of professionals. Most of the others that are managing to squeak out a living on the road are doing it with great difficulty and are working non-stop.

(2) The recording is now effectively worth $0; its surrounding ecosystem has collapsed.

Some people buy CDs. Less purchase vinyl. iTunes downloads are still increasing. But averaged across all formats and personal valuations, the recording has effectively become worthless. And that has had drastic repercussions for the music industry, and the lives of otherwise creative and productive artists.

(3) Spotify is not a beneficial solution for artists. Certainly not right now, and quite possibly, never.

Will Spotify ever put a meal on an artist’s table? That’s extremely speculative. Sure, it might eventually mimic Sweden-like penetration in the US. But that is not happening right now; it’s not a fair solution for artists right now. Instead, it is shuttling people like CEO Daniel Ek towards stratospheric riches, fattening major labels, and potentially giving Goldman Sachs bankers another joyride.

(4) Kickstarter will mean something to artists in the future, but only to a relative few.

Amanda Palmer may hold the world record for a long time, but there will be other Kickstarter stories. Some will come out of nowhere, most will involve previously-established artists, particularly those already developed by a major label or similar entity. This will not replace the vast financing once offered by recording labels.

(5) DIY is rarely effective, and almost always gets drowned by the flood of competing content.

It doesn’t matter if you’re singing directly into the ear of your prospective fan. Because they’re listening to Spotify on Dre headphones while texting and playing Angry Birds. Some can cut through, but most cannot without serious teams, serious top-level marketing and serious media muscle. Justin Bieber ultimately needed the machine, no matter how beautifully his YouTube story gets spun.

(6) Sadly, most artists are worse off in the digital era than they were in the physical era.

Actually, we have David Lowery himself to thank for this realization. Because the implosion of the recording has impacted nearly every other aspect of music monetization (though certainly not music creativity itself.) And its replacement is generally a fraction of what a ‘lucky’ artist could expect in an earlier era.

Again, all great for fans like Emily White, but not so great for everyone else.

(7) Younger people mostly do not buy music; they do buy hardware and access.

They gravitate towards free digital content, and occassionally pay for things like concerts when they have the money. Emily White isn’t a fourteen year-old, she’s a young adult that probably doesn’t want the morality trip. And neither does anyone else – regardless of the generation.

(8) Older people buy less music than before; they more frequently buy hardware and access.

If you really want to sell a marked-up bundle, make another Susan Boyle. It’s still a market that doesn’t revolve around free music and constant fan contact. But older people file-trade, they stream, they steal and they buy less than before.

(9) Google is a major part of the problem.

Lowery is right. Google is not interested in protecting content creators; their interests lie elsewhere. Copyright is a nuisance to them, unless it involves their own code and algorithms. In fact, anything beyond the DMCA erodes their ability to serve customers, remain competitive, and make money. Which is why the Pirate Bay is one of the ‘hottest’ searches, and why adding ‘mp3′ to any artist search produces pages and pages of results.

(10) You (we) are a major part of the problem.

Just because it’s legal, doesn’t mean it’s helping musicians. It’s not file-trading, but the payouts on Spotify, Pandora, Turntable.fm, or whatever else are shockingly low. It’s a rounding error, towards 0. The paradox is that music fans are living in abundance, while artists are barely getting scraps.

(11) Google, the ISPs, and hardware manufacturers have won.

It doesn’t matter how brutal the war with Hollywood becomes; how many Dotcom mansions get raided. Music fans aren’t going to start buying albums again; in fact, beyond the playlist, the concept of pre-packaged bundling will become increasingly foreign to newer generations.

It’s not about who’s right, it’s now the world the entire music community lives in.

(12) Everyone lies about stealing.

I’ve only heard a few people actually admit to file-trading: my close friends, Bob Lefsetz, and Sergey Brin. If you have an iTunes collection of more than a few thousand songs, you’ve almost certainly swapped, torrented, or swapped hard drives in your life. And almost everyone has a collection of a few thousand songs.

(13) Mass-marketed, ‘lottery winner’ style successes will continue.

Niches are available and sometimes responsive; more often, top-down mass marketing wins. And most musicians are playing extremely bad odds.

(14) This ISN’T the best time to be in the music industry.

Conferences like MIDEM make money off this sort of Kool-Aid optimism. But I work in the music business right now; I was at a major label in the late 90s. And the reality is that this is the greatest time ever for fans, but definitely NOT the best time for those trying to make money from those fans. And as David Lowery so darkly described, it can be one incredibly depressing trip for even a ‘successful’ artist.

That’s the reality we now live in, and we have Emily White and David Lowery to thank for making it obvious.”

 

And thanks to Paul at Digital Music News for encapsulating the issues so clearly.

American Idol moves toward lower payouts for contestants!!!

Thoughts by: B. Brown (Bar-Red Entertainment Group - BREG)

Happy Memorial Day everyone! This is the day we remember and celebrate everyone that has given their lives for us, their fellow Americans! Thank you for your service, bravery and dedication!

As for the music industry, the article below discusses how "American Idol", one of the biggest ever talent contests, is changing its Advance Payment Structure to its finalists.

As the industry changes, we must all make adjustments to stay relevant and generate significant income. That is the challenge!

Aspiring artists must first understand that there is nothing free in this business or any other business for that matter. So when you sign a recording contract, best believe the advance (money) you receive when you sign will be recouped in some form or fashion. You as an artist, must understand how you get paid, how much you get paid and when you get paid. You must have basic knowledge of what is going on industry wise so that you will know how to move forward properly.

Album sales are down, but Single sales continue to thrive! That's something to keep in mind while creating new music. Understand that your 1st deal may not be your best deal, but it may allow you to get into the music business in major way.

When you do receive that 1st big check, budget out how you may live as long as possible on that money instead of spending it immediatley and being back in your original financial condition or worse. We've seen it a kazillion times!

Congratulations to Phillip Phillips from the great state of Georgia, but I believe Joshua Ledett is the true American Idol. I believe he is one of the best vocalists in the history of the show! So if the Advance Payment Structure is being adjusted, I would invest my money with Joshua. The article mentions that this year's finale was one of the lowest in history, well that's because Joshua wasn't in the finale. Not only does the payment structure need to be adjusted, but the voting process has to be adjusted because if you keep letting the American public supposedly vote for the winner, and the best singer doesn't win, the viewing numbers will continue to go down drastically!!!

Artists, always handle your business and know what's up!

One Love!  

'Idol' moves toward lower payouts for runners-up

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY | Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Coming in second on "American Idol" may still be a path to superstardom, but it no longer offers guaranteed paychecks worthy of the next pop idol or rock star.

Wednesday night's runner-up, 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez, doesn't have a definite shot at producing an album and could be paid as little as $30,000 in advances for recording singles, according to the "Idol" contract she and other Season 11 contestants signed earlier this year.

The agreement appears to be the first time in "Idol's" history that producers are not offering the show's runner-up an album deal that in previous years came with a guaranteed advance of at least $175,000, an Associated Press review of the Fox show's contracts reveals.

The analysis covers eight of "Idol's" 11 seasons during which contracts filed for contestants under the age of 18 were available. The contracts were reviewed by judges in accordance with a California law that requires at least 15 percent of a minor entertainer's earnings be set aside for their benefit once they reach adulthood.

The reduced royalty advance covers the period immediately following the show. In addition to recording new music, the series' winners and finalists are obligated to perform in a concert tour and lend their likeness to a Walt Disney World Resort attraction in Florida.

If Sanchez is given an album deal following the show, she will receive the same $175,000 bonus that Lauren Alaina was paid after placing second in the show's 10th season. But 19 Recordings Inc., which has the option to handle the albums and recordings of Idol contestants for several years after they appear on the show, has replaced a guaranteed album deal for the runner-up with a staggered "Development Period" that requires less music and pays out less in advances.

Sanchez could be paid as little as $30,000 if she is asked to perform four single songs, or $60,000 if she records an "EP" of between four and 10 songs.

Representatives for 19 Recordings Inc. and "American Idol" producer FremantleMedia declined comment. They also have not disclosed which recording deal would be offered to Sanchez.

"It makes sense. You can't continue to offer the same sorts of rewards and incentives when the program was averaging 25 to 30 million (viewers), and (now) the finale is barely breaking 20 million," said Northwestern University assistant professor Max Dawson, who teaches a course on reality television. Wednesday's finale was the lowest-rated final show for "Idol" in its history.

"These contracts don't pay off," he said, contrasting the long list of "Idol" alumni who have been dropped by record labels with those who have thriving careers. "It seems like the successes that people like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have had are the flukes."

He noted that the recording industry has shifted toward single song sales in recent years, and even established artists are struggling to sell full albums. "I wouldn't be surprised, quite frankly, if this is the direction they head with the winners," Dawson said.

Buyers purchased nearly 1.3 billion single songs last year as opposed to 331 million albums, said Dave Bakula, Nielsen's senior vice president of analytics for SoundScan. He noted that there have been some successful "Idol" runners-up, but producers appear to be giving themselves more flexibility with how they develop artists in different genres.

"Idol" winner Phillip Phillips will receive the same $300,000 advance given to last year's winner, Scotty McCreery, upon completion of his first album, according to the contracts. Finalists who placed third and lower could receive deals to record singles, EPs or full albums, with the lowest advance amounting to $24,000 if they complete their commitment to record up to four single songs.

Higher advances are paid if 19 Recordings agrees to produce more albums, with Phillips eligible to receive up to $800,000 for a six-album deal.

The advances are paid and later deducted from the singer's song royalties.

"As the music industry is changing, it makes sense for 'Idol' to change as well," Dawson said.

Despite the contract reductions, there are more opportunities for recent "Idol" contestants to earn money than their predecessors. Phillips will be paid $200,000 for his Disney attraction work and Sanchez will rake in $50,000 for her appearances. Both are also set to get a cut of merchandise profits.

No matter what recording deal Sanchez is offered, she already has heavyweight Hollywood representation. In March, a judge approved a deal in which she will be represented by Creative Artists Agency for future television, personal appearance and other employment deals.

HAPPY NEW YEAR from BAR-RED ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (BREG)!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR from BAR-RED ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (BREG)!!! 2011 was a great year and at the same time presented some challenges. We THANK all of the individuals, organizations and companies that did business with us in 2011, and we thank GOD for bringing us into 2012!

BREG is excited about the opportunities that are coming forth in 2012, and we look forward to helping our current clients and new clients reach their goals and objectives.

In 2012, look for awesome things from Nu Strata Music Group, Chipped Up Entertainment, X-tratainment Inc. & Hustle University! Artists that are bringing new music, live performances and videos in 2012 include Spade Kosta, Da Bad Habbitz, Grizz, Blushe, Chief Scrill, Lady X, Magnem P.I. & Jay L. Also look for new e-books for your Kindle (click on this Amazon.com link) directly from BREG.

We must address our youth of today that are still killing each other at an alarming rate. BREG is looking forward to the day when the tv is turned on and there are no reports of a young person killing another young person. Parents and adults, it is on us to love, teach & discipline our children so that they will love themselves first & foremost and learn to respect & love others. That way they won't believe it is ok to just end another person's life. What actually happens is that two (2) lives are destroyed. The person that has been murdered and the person that goes to jail. Think about it, it's a lose-lose situation. Young people have a responsiblity too! Do not take education for granted because it is your best option for bettering whatever situation you are currently in, and education will bring about positive opportunities for you. You have the ability to understand what is wrong and what is right. Think before you talk, and definitely think before you act; and you will save yourself and your family a lot of heartache and unwanted problems. Believe in yourself, you can do it and have a successful life! 

On the political scene, there will be Local, State and National Elections taking place this year with the Presidential Election being the highlighted election. Do your research on the candidates and make the best decision that you can make for you and your family.

So as you have read, BREG is very excited about 2012 and we look forward to connecting with exciting people, organizations and companies this year and beyond! One Love!!!


Yours Truly,

B. Brown

@BREGBrown

Facebook.com/BREGBrown