Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Follow the leader
Everybody's speculating on what Michael Jackson is going to do ... Dan Abrams is yelling at me on the Today show ... Random strangers are interviewed in the Freeport, Ill. Journal-Standard. So, I feel I must weigh in with my opinion.
I think that Michael Jackson is going to announce a major world tour in late 3rd quarter. He'll hit the road around Christmas with stops in Asia (Japan, South Korea, etc.). Then it's Europe for a series of sold-out shows. This will help him make some money - as long as the tour expenses are reasonable. After that, there could be a U.S. tour early in 2006 with shows in places like the Toyota Center, American Airlines Arena in Dallas, United Center in Chicago. It'll be a high-priced tickets at smaller venues, but a guaranteed sell-out. That's the way U2 and Prince did it. That's the way Michael will be encouraged to tour. Avoid the stadiums as the production costs are high and there are too many tickets to sell.
After he grosses more than $100 million on a world tour - he should be able to command $1 million per performance since he hasn't toured in years - there'll be a concert DVD and show on either HBO or another network. That'll put more money in the Jackson treasury.
After a blitz in 2006, Michael can retreat to Neverland or Paris or Minot.
One thing he needs to avoid is to releasing a new record. There's no market for it in America. No radio station will play it. Michael doesn't appeal to an 18-34 year old and the contemporary stations probably won't add it into rotation. The song might get some interest at itunes.com or a similar distribution system, but that's not enough to justify the expense.
Michael needs to stay with what's proven - his old songs and his live performances. Maybe even bring Tito, et. al. to the stage for a few special performances. Let them sing "ABC" and the other hits. There's equity in the old songs and a car wreck factor in attending the show.
Tomorrow - the Viacom divorce ... Now, more dancing with the stars - the #1 show in America.
-30-
I think that Michael Jackson is going to announce a major world tour in late 3rd quarter. He'll hit the road around Christmas with stops in Asia (Japan, South Korea, etc.). Then it's Europe for a series of sold-out shows. This will help him make some money - as long as the tour expenses are reasonable. After that, there could be a U.S. tour early in 2006 with shows in places like the Toyota Center, American Airlines Arena in Dallas, United Center in Chicago. It'll be a high-priced tickets at smaller venues, but a guaranteed sell-out. That's the way U2 and Prince did it. That's the way Michael will be encouraged to tour. Avoid the stadiums as the production costs are high and there are too many tickets to sell.
After he grosses more than $100 million on a world tour - he should be able to command $1 million per performance since he hasn't toured in years - there'll be a concert DVD and show on either HBO or another network. That'll put more money in the Jackson treasury.
After a blitz in 2006, Michael can retreat to Neverland or Paris or Minot.
One thing he needs to avoid is to releasing a new record. There's no market for it in America. No radio station will play it. Michael doesn't appeal to an 18-34 year old and the contemporary stations probably won't add it into rotation. The song might get some interest at itunes.com or a similar distribution system, but that's not enough to justify the expense.
Michael needs to stay with what's proven - his old songs and his live performances. Maybe even bring Tito, et. al. to the stage for a few special performances. Let them sing "ABC" and the other hits. There's equity in the old songs and a car wreck factor in attending the show.
Tomorrow - the Viacom divorce ... Now, more dancing with the stars - the #1 show in America.
-30-
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Summer Reading
It's been hot and dry in Houston for the last two weeks. It made me think about good summer reading. There's nothing better than grabbing a seat by the pool or in the pool and reading a good book.
Last summer's smash hit for me was Bleachers by John Grisham. I'm not a big Grisham guy, although I'm probably related to him. I'll read most of his books over time, but Bleachers surprised me at the depth of the story. It was a charming and touching story about growing up and growing older. It paints a picture and lets the reader make their own judgments about the characters. Grisham's brevity and conservative word count allows the reader to picture the protagonists and the town in their own mind without the descriptions that Grisham often uses in his thrillers. It's a book that'll probably take two or three days to read and definitely worth the time.
In 2003, the book of the summer was Robert Parker's Back Story. I could the president of the Spenser fan club and while this book wasn't one of his top 5, I'd still rank it with any good summer read. Hawk, Susan, and the others return for a light-hearted romp through Boston as Spenser unravels another mystery. Another 2-3 day read with pages that turn quickly.
2002's book is my all-time favorite read: Mystic River. Dennis Lehane's marvelous novel traces the life of three childhood friends touched by tragedy. It was turned into a major motion picture and as good as the movie was, the book is even better. Take the time to read it. As someone who's read more books than the ordinary American, this book is the tops. The other two of my top-3 of all-time: Parker's Pale Kings and Princes and Bright Lights, Big City.
One last note on summer reading, reading should not stop because the calendar strikes Labor Day. Reading, for fun, learning, or leering should be a regular event, not something that only happens during a week's vacation.
Must go, Dancing with the Stars promos are distracting me. Manu is the next NBA superstar. The Finals will be his coming out party.
-30-
Last summer's smash hit for me was Bleachers by John Grisham. I'm not a big Grisham guy, although I'm probably related to him. I'll read most of his books over time, but Bleachers surprised me at the depth of the story. It was a charming and touching story about growing up and growing older. It paints a picture and lets the reader make their own judgments about the characters. Grisham's brevity and conservative word count allows the reader to picture the protagonists and the town in their own mind without the descriptions that Grisham often uses in his thrillers. It's a book that'll probably take two or three days to read and definitely worth the time.
In 2003, the book of the summer was Robert Parker's Back Story. I could the president of the Spenser fan club and while this book wasn't one of his top 5, I'd still rank it with any good summer read. Hawk, Susan, and the others return for a light-hearted romp through Boston as Spenser unravels another mystery. Another 2-3 day read with pages that turn quickly.
2002's book is my all-time favorite read: Mystic River. Dennis Lehane's marvelous novel traces the life of three childhood friends touched by tragedy. It was turned into a major motion picture and as good as the movie was, the book is even better. Take the time to read it. As someone who's read more books than the ordinary American, this book is the tops. The other two of my top-3 of all-time: Parker's Pale Kings and Princes and Bright Lights, Big City.
One last note on summer reading, reading should not stop because the calendar strikes Labor Day. Reading, for fun, learning, or leering should be a regular event, not something that only happens during a week's vacation.
Must go, Dancing with the Stars promos are distracting me. Manu is the next NBA superstar. The Finals will be his coming out party.
-30-
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Welcome Back
I'm back and I promise to write on a regular basis. Things have been a little busy and most of my creativity has been zapped by my job. But, I don't want to make excuses. It's important to me that I write on a regular basis, so I've just got to make time.
Some random thoughts:
- Over the next few weeks, I'm going to work on a couple lists: the top 10 sportscasters of all-time and my top 10 restaurants.
- It's been popular to put Brett Favre into the broadcast booth after his career ends. I laugh everytime I read that. More on that coming up.
- I'm a big fan of the www.wonkette.com website. Yes, I lean liberal, but I am a capitalist. I'm also a sucker for satire.
- I read Conspiracy of Fools - the latest and probably best book on the Enron mess. If you want a snapshot of the Enron world that's written in novel style, grab it. I'm warning you, it's a long book, but not dry. Also, a marginal knowledge of finance and accounting will make the book even better.
- With the NBA Finals in progress, I'll take San Antonio in six for their third title in seven years. And, I have to agree with Richard Justice from the Houston Chronicle that San Antonio is the best franchise in sports. I've worked with sports organizations in a number of settings and markets and the Spurs are the best run operation I've been around.
- Stuart Scott and Michelle Tafoya will not make the top 10 sportscaster list.
- WGN in Chicago is a great radio station. On my drive to Destin in March, I was able to get the station along I-10 between Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. In Chi-Town over the weekend, I spent a lot of time with the station and WGN has that thing only the good stations got - it sounds like Chicago. There aren't many stations in the country that can say that - KMOX, WWL, WOAI, and WEEI. We try hard to make it work in Houston at KRBE, but with such a focused target, it's hard to reflect the entire city. WGN does and it doesn't matter how old the listener is - from age 15 to age 85.
- It's NBA Finals time, so Robert Horry will be returning to Houston soon ... We'll look for his call asking for Six Flags tickets. Insert your own observation here.
-30-
Some random thoughts:
- Over the next few weeks, I'm going to work on a couple lists: the top 10 sportscasters of all-time and my top 10 restaurants.
- It's been popular to put Brett Favre into the broadcast booth after his career ends. I laugh everytime I read that. More on that coming up.
- I'm a big fan of the www.wonkette.com website. Yes, I lean liberal, but I am a capitalist. I'm also a sucker for satire.
- I read Conspiracy of Fools - the latest and probably best book on the Enron mess. If you want a snapshot of the Enron world that's written in novel style, grab it. I'm warning you, it's a long book, but not dry. Also, a marginal knowledge of finance and accounting will make the book even better.
- With the NBA Finals in progress, I'll take San Antonio in six for their third title in seven years. And, I have to agree with Richard Justice from the Houston Chronicle that San Antonio is the best franchise in sports. I've worked with sports organizations in a number of settings and markets and the Spurs are the best run operation I've been around.
- Stuart Scott and Michelle Tafoya will not make the top 10 sportscaster list.
- WGN in Chicago is a great radio station. On my drive to Destin in March, I was able to get the station along I-10 between Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. In Chi-Town over the weekend, I spent a lot of time with the station and WGN has that thing only the good stations got - it sounds like Chicago. There aren't many stations in the country that can say that - KMOX, WWL, WOAI, and WEEI. We try hard to make it work in Houston at KRBE, but with such a focused target, it's hard to reflect the entire city. WGN does and it doesn't matter how old the listener is - from age 15 to age 85.
- It's NBA Finals time, so Robert Horry will be returning to Houston soon ... We'll look for his call asking for Six Flags tickets. Insert your own observation here.
-30-
