January 2007

There are several different political decisions recently that will affect the entertainment industry worldwide. Two of the most important I will discuss today.

The first is the landmark ruling which set important legal and political precedents worldwide. The European Union's Court of First Instance has overturned the European Commission's 2004 authorization of the Sony/BMG music merger. Basically the European Commission gave the "go ahead" for the Sony BMG merger creating the world's second largest music company and putting 80% of the worldwide music market into the hands of four media conglomerates. This was despite widespread industry objection and previous market assessments that further concentration could not be tolerated. Mergers do not take into account the economic, social or cultural specifications of individual markets creative sectors. Independent Music Publishers And Labels Association, (Impala), an international association whose members are 2,500 independent music production companies and which had participated in the procedure before the Commission, applied to the Court of First Instance for annulment of that decision. The Court of First Instance granted the applicant's request that the action be dealt with under an expedited procedure.

The Court of First Instance has annulled the Commission's decision.

This decision effectively canceled the proposed merger of EMI and WARNER and set a new precedence within the industry. Finally there is a victory for Independent labels, publishers and music. Independents now have a chance, albeit a small one, to market, manufacture, promote and sell their music internationally without the major labels taking over the entire marketplace.

We all are aware of EBS or the Emergency Broadcast Service that is used by broadcasters in times of critical danger situations. Now President Bush has signed an executive order that the Emergency Alert System whose primary goal is to serve the president of the United States as a means to address the nation in times of national emergency, be made available to radio, television broadcasters as well as individual cell phones and pda's. While participation in national EAS alerts is mandatory for broadcasters, state and local EAS participation is voluntary.

EAS came under scrutiny from public warning experts following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington in 2001. EAS was not activated by local officials in either city on Sept. 11. Most EAS experts agree that little has been done to improve the infrastructure of the current public warning system.

Critics of EAS say the system is half-finished and needs to embrace new technology to alert more people in times of emergency. They point to technology like personal digital assistants, satellite radio, cellular telephones, the Internet, and smart TVs and radios that turn themselves on when an emergency message is sent.

Reverse 911, a computer-driven telephone system that makes selective emergency notifications in predefined geographic areas, also is viewed by some as a way to supplement the current efforts of radio, television and cable broadcasters when it comes to public warning.

The FCC, the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency fill key leadership roles within EAS. However the Homeland Security Agency is the ultimate source of dissemination and reception of information.

The telephone is fast becoming a one-stop shop for entertainment downloads and communication, via voice or Internet. Personal Data Assistants now have telephone capabilities; Internet access and TV download potential plus iTunes MP3 download functions. My question becomes "What will the government do with direct access to everyone's cell phone, TV, pda, etc...?"

Life never ceases to amaze me and neither does Las Vegas. One of the benefits of living here, is the rekindling of friendships of those who pass through that you have not seen in a long time...So be it with Linda Wills. Some of you may remember this petite "bundle of energy" that worked for many years in this industry. I remember her as the Northeast Regional for Schwartz Brothers.

Added to her credit...Linda was Northeast Regional for SBK Records...Business Manager for Dougie Fresh and National Promotions Director for Uno Melodic Records (Roy Ayers) So between her and another young lady name Noel Houston (worked as Butterballs assistant at WDAS/Philadelphia)..It took them coming to Vegas for me to see another piece of action in this town.

Now I am talkin' bout Prince's 3121 Jazz Cuisine. Could not believe that I was going to a club at 3AM. Now just picture this...The 3121 Jazz Cuisine is a restaurant, but at the bewitching hours of two in the morning, it changes into a plush, intimate, classy JAZZ CLUB. This is a Friday & Saturday night thing..After Prince's show this magical evening commences to turn to the wanderlust of MY kind of music...JAZZ. The band gets the audience in the grove...Michael Phillips/Sax (Hidden Beach)...Josha Dunham/Bass Guitar...Cora Durham/Drums...Greg BoyerTrumbone...Lee Hogan/Trumpet...and a young lady we will just call Shelby sets the pace for what is to come! And I said to Shelby.."Is your mama's name Mamie???"

Now you just have to go there with me...! Before my life is done and over...If I could find some more professional people at radio stations like Mamie J - WNAA RADIO/North Carolina State University, I will have considered the 30 year effort of radio promotions more than just "blowin' up the phone" promoting musical projects. Mamie is a pleasant, professional, friendly and helpful person, who is the key to getting the Program/Music Director D'Cherie Lofton. Now with that being said...no wonder SHELBY, her daughter...radiates that same kind of energy while performing with Prince as she belted out "Sweet Thing" in a way that Chaka would have to pay attention. A beautiful, Chocolate chip, gifted and talented young lady...a must see and hear on her web site..www.myspace.com/shelbyblackgypsy...AND be sure to watch SHELBY with Prince at the SUPER BOWL!!!!!!

Now, Prince, does grace 3121 Jazz Cuisine with his presence...close enough to touch, even I dared not!!!! He mingles, plays, sits with the audience, plays...sits...speaks to various folks..plays... and the night goes on. Now I am "Pissin' in high cotton" (did I say that???). Not only am I enjoying the entertainment, I had a chance to meet and greet Oscar Joyner, President of Reach Media, Inc/Dallas, the son of the infamous Tom Joyner

Listening to "Friday the Thirteenth" by Thelonius Monk...and many other familiar songs of that era, reminded me of the times I use to sneak into Birdland in NYC (yeah!, I did it...seeing Art Blakely and the Jazz Messengers, Lee Morgan and Billie Holiday!!!)

Now, I could go on about this memorable evening, it had to be...I can't remember when the last time I brought my butt home and it was daylight!!!!

WHAT: Your Test Is Your Ticket, Atlanta! is an entertainment-driven HIV-testing initiative that will test, teach, and treat participants. Each person that is tested will receive one complimentary ticket to the AIDS: "Know Your Status" concert featuring Verity recording artist Deitrick Haddon, Gospocentric recording artist Byron Cage, Lead Role recording artist Crissy Collins and other special guests. Free HIV/AIDS testing available Monday through Saturday until February 6 at Our Common Welfare located at 3423 Covington Drive; Suite E; Decatur, Georgia 30032. Testing hours are 8:30AM - 7:00PM.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 7, 2007 7:30PM

WHERE: Victory Church 1170 North Hairston Road Stone Mountain, Georgia 30088

WHERE: Victory Church 1170 North Hairston Road Stone Mountain, Georgia 30088

WHY: HIV/AIDS has become an epidemic in the African-American community. African-Americans make-up an alarming 40% of all new HIV/AIDS cases!

Strategic Partners and Strategic Alliances NAACP - National Office Our Common Welfare Dekalb County Board of Health OraSure Technologies (HIV/AIDS testing kit manufacturer) Congressman-Elect Hank Johnson (D-Ga)

About World Music International, Inc. President/CEO Econuel Ingram is a twenty year, bottom-line marketing and sales strategist. Today, Ingram utilizes the entertainment knowledge that he has amassed in a philanthropic way through his nonprofit organization WORLD MUSIC INTERNATIONAL, LLC. WMI is dedicated to the development of a wide array of revenue generating entertainment products that support the fight against HIV/AIDS in the United States and the Diaspora through testing, teaching and treating.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Denyse Parks - 404-259-0222 or DMPARKS01@aol.com...Trania Jones -678-228-7806 or ctrania@charter.net or Econueli 404-731-6465...econueli@yahoo.com