Hutchinson: Euro Societies Misuse U.K./U.S. Royalties

MIDEM was abuzz Sunday following an address by John Hutchinson, chief
executive of the U.K.'s MCPS/PRS Music Alliance, during which he accused
continental European collection societies of using Anglo-American royalties
"to line the pockets of their own members." He cited German body
GEMA as "notable among the societies to do this." MCPS/PRS has
in the past complained about the level of "cultural deductions"
taken by GEMA and other European societies from the royalties they collect
for Anglo-American writers and publishers. Such deductions are used to
promote local repertoire. Said Hutchinson: "British and American composers
have provided a latter-day Marshall Plan for European composers."

Timing of payments also is an issue. Hutchinson said that in the digital
arena, a turnaround of two days between music use and payment to author
is "a proven concept," contrasting this with some cross-border
transactions within Europe that, he said, could take up to two years.

A GEMA spokesman said the society had no reaction to Hutchinson's comments.

-Jeff Clark-Meads, Cannes

In other news from MIDEM:

Ahmet Ertegun, MIDEM 98's man of the year, yesterday received France's
Order of Arts and Letters medal, one of the country's highest cultural
honors. French culture minister Catherine Trautmann described the Atlantic
co-chairman/co-CEO as "a universal ambassador of music."

-Emmanuel Legrand, Cannes

French terrestrial TV network M6 is to launch a 24-hour cable and satellite
music channel in March. Managing director Alexis de Gemini says M6 Music
will be a "100% music channel," with clips, live concerts, magazine
programs, and its own chart feature. M6 Music will initially be available
to an estimated 2 million homes via satellite, with 1 million cable households
to follow a month later. M6 currently devotes 30% of its programming to
music.

-Dominic Pride, Cannes


Carl Perkins Dead At 65

Rockabilly legend Carl Perkins died yesterday in Jackson, Tenn., following
a series of strokes in November and December. He was 65. The hard-luck
singer recovered from carotid surgery last summer and had defeated throat
cancer.

Perkins in 1956 wrote and recorded "Blue Suede Shoes," which
quickly topped the charts and became Sun Records' first million-seller.
On the verge of stardom, Perkins and his band were en route to New York
for an appearance on the "Perry Como Show" when an automobile
accident fractured his skull. From his hospital bed, Perkins saw Elvis
Presley perform "Blue Suede Shoes" on television.

Perkins eventually achieved musical recognition-the Beatles, for example,
acknowledged his influence and recorded his songs-but commercial success
eluded him.

-Chet Flippo, Nashville


Sony Music Sweden MD To Step Down

Sten af Klinteberg, managing director of Sony Music Sweden, is to step
down after 20 years heading the company and its CBS Records predecessor.
He will stay on as a consultant. Sony has not named Klinteberg's successor,
but it is understood to be someone from "a media company" rather
than the record business. Klinteberg, 56, joined CBS in 1970 and was named
MD of the Swedish company in 1977. He was also responsible for the Skivakademien
record stores acquired by the company in 1989. An accomplished pianist,
Klinteberg will keep his recording deal with Sony.

-Mark Solomons, London


Ware Named MCA VP

Cassandra Ware has been named VP/marketing director at MCA Records.
The appointment follows the recent restructuring of MCA's R&B department,
in which three employees, including the president and VP of marketing,
were let go (Bulletin, Dec. 16, 1997). Ware, who last served as VP/GM of
Ruthless Records, is based in MCA's L.A. offices, where she reports to
senior VP of sales and marketing Jayne Simon.


Amazon.com Preps For Music Sales

Leading online bookseller Amazon.com is recruiting staffers for its
planned move into music sales. The Seattle-based company hopes to begin
its online music retail operation this year, according to a spokesperson,
and is hiring music writers, editors, and vendor-relation staffers. The
publicly traded company, which bills itself as "Earth's Biggest Bookstore,"
had net sales in the third quarter of 1997 of $37.9 million, with a customer
base of 940,000.

-Carolyn Horwitz, N.Y.


Report: Fifield To Stay As EMI Chief

Jim Fifield, president/CEO of EMI Music, has extended his tenure with
a new multi-year pact, according to yesterday's Daily Variety. The move
would end months of speculation about Fifield's future (Bulletin, Nov.
21, 1997). EMI could not be reached for comment.


RCA's Turner Exits

Dale Turner exits RCA Label Group in Nashville after 14 years with the
company. His position of VP/RLG promotion has been eliminated.

-Phyllis Stark, Nashville


French Gov't To Consider Price-Fixing By Labels

French culture minister Catherine Trautmann announced yesterday at MIDEM
that she is to consider a plan under which retailers would have to comply
with prices fixed by record companies. Trautmann pointed to the success
of a similar arrangement for books, introduced in France 17 years ago,
which she said had broadened consumer choice. Jean-Michel Fava, president
of independent labels' body UPFI-which has lobbied for the move-welcomed
the announcement. "Our efforts during the past months have not been
in vain," he said. Meanwhile, PolyGram France president Pascal Negre,
who is also president of collection society SCPP, is down-playing the idea.

"I'm not sure this is what the industry needs. Indie labels are flourishing
in new genres-our real problem is the protection of our rights." Major
labels have in the past been reluctant to support fixed retail prices.
Trautmann also renewed her call for a lower VAT rate on records.

-Emmanuel Legrand, Cannes


NARAS To Produce 'Profiles'

The National Academy Of Recording Arts & Sciences announced plans
yesterday to produce a series of 50 one-hour TV programs on Grammy Award
winners and nominees. The series, titled "Grammy Profiles," is
the first of its kind to be produced by NARAS. "Grammy Profiles"
will combine archival footage from the award show with new interviews and
musical demonstrations. The series is being co-produced by Cossette Productions,
with WAVE Entertainment contributing financing and handling the international
distribution.

-Craig Rosen, L.A.


Junior Kimbrough, Blues Artist, Dies

Blues singer/guitarist David "Junior" Kimbrough died Saturday
in Holly Springs, Miss., after suffering a stroke. He was 67. Little known
until the early '90s, juke-joint operator Kimbrough mastered a unique style
of modal blues, and recorded three widely acclaimed albums for Oxford,
Miss.-based Fat Possum Records. He appeared in Robert Mugge's 1992 documentary
"Deep Blues," based on a book by Kimbrough's producer, the late
Robert Palmer.

-Chris Morris, L.A.


Hui To Be Named To Key MTV Asia Post

MTV Asia is expected to announce the appointment of Harry Hui as senior
VP/GM of MTV Mandarin, the label's pan-China service. He is currently VP,
Asia/Pacific, at Warner/Chappell Music (HK) Limited. MTV is thought to
have been attracted to the American-educated, Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking
Hui by his previous experience as director of business development at computer
supplies company Avery-Denison.

In other news from MTV Asia, Sunil Lulla has been promoted from GM,
creative, to VP/GM at MTV India.

-Geoff Burpee, Hong Kong


TVT Expands With L.A. Office

New York-based independent label TVT Records will Feb. 1 open an office
in West Hollywood, Calif. The site will be staffed by West Coast promotion
director Kerry Marsico, national urban promotion director Jae Scott, and
Southwest sales and marketing manager Todd McIntosh; the label plans to
add A&R, promotion, and publicity staffers in the coming months. TVT
also has regional offices in Boston and Chicago.


Cliffie Stone Dies

Cliffie Stone, 80, a pivotal figure in California country music, died
Jan. 16 in Santa Clarita, Calif., after suffering a heart attack. During
the '40s, Stone hosted the influential L.A.-based "Hollywood Barn
Dance" radio show and the "Hometown Jamboree" TV show. In
1946 he became head of Capitol's country & western department; he also
recorded for the label as a vocalist. Stone managed Tennessee Ernie Ford
for a decade. He also ran a booking agency and several publishing companies
and produced for such labels as Uni and Tower.

-Chris Morris, L.A.