What's Out Next

July 19, 2006

Skpe Me At: moviecapitalceo!

In the days before cell phones became standard, everyone would go all goo-goo eyed over a portable phone. Now that cell phones are common place and the quality of service has barely improved, people are looking for an alternative to talking on their cells or regular phones.

The newest, hip thing (to use an old expression) is Voice Over Internet Protocol, or telephone services through the internet. Leading the advertising movement in VOIP is Vonage, with television commericals on nearly every channel and pop up and banner ads galore. But the real innovator is Skype, and as recently shown by their 10 Billion minutes sold, and they're doing really well.

Skype offers free computer to computer calls from anywhere in the world with their software. Just plug in a microphone and speakers, sign up for an account after downloading Skype (the software) and you're ready to go. How does Skype make any money? They make it possible to call real phone numbers (land line and cells alike), and sell minutes in chunks of 10 Euros. Calls to almost every country in Europe and North America, plus Australia, are only 1.7 Euros a minute, while rates are nearly as low for other countries. The amazing thing is that while it costs you 1.7 Euros to call out from your computer, no matter who you are calling, it counts as a local call for them.

The other way two ways Skype makes money are selling phone numbers and voicemail. When you have a SkypeIn number, your friends who don’t have Skype, can call a regular phone number and you will receive the call on your computer. Skype sells these numbers at 10 Euros per 3 months, or 30 Euros per 12 months. Voicemail is also availible but is free with the purchase of a SkypeIn subscription.

Since we last reported on Skype, our dear friends at eBay just purchased them for 2.6 Billion Dollars. Next? I have agressively used Skype for expanding my network of contacts in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Our suggestion at What's Out Next is that you visit the Skype page, download the free software and start the magic!

While those people who still haven't used a cell phone and shirk the internet, Skype and other VOIP services may just be a Bicycle Race, but it's more than that, it's what's out next!

Posted by mitchsantell at 02:14 PM

July 10, 2006

Digital Music Sales Fuel Music Biz!

According to the Hollywood Reporter, "Physical album sales continued to decline in the U.S. during the first six months of 2006, down 4.2% in comparison to the same period last year.

However, Nielsen SoundScan figures through the week ending July 2 indicate that digital sales might loft the business as a whole. Sales of digital albums soared 126% during the first half of the year, while digital tracks rose 77%.

Looking at the entire sales picture -- comprising physical albums, digital albums and digital tracks -- overall sales to date this year have actually gained about one-tenth of a percentage point over the first six months of '05.

A total of 270.6 million physical albums sold domestically through the end of June, representing a drop of 12 million units from last year's six-month total of 282.6 million.

Digital albums improved by 8.2 million units, with 14.7 million units sold since January versus just 6.4 million units in the first half of 2005. Digital tracks gained by 122 million units; 281 million tracks were sold in the first six months of the year versus 158 million in the same period last year.

The top-selling title of the year so far is Walt Disney Records' "High School Musical" soundtrack, which has shifted 2.6 million copies to date. Disney's Lyric Street imprint also accounts for the No. 2 release, Rascal Flatts' "Me and My Gang," which is just shy of 2 million units."

The demand and the shift is here.. We say that with all these changes going on it's a wild world!

Posted by mitchsantell at 05:12 PM

July 06, 2006

artistShare is "Experience vs. Product"

Brian Camelio may be onto something big with his company aritstShare. Why? Because for the very first time in the history of the Grammies, an arist...her name is Maria Schneider, won a this world class award without ever pressing a CD. Think about it.....for me as a person who has been around this business since the age of six, this is a big thing!

Over the years the consumer has always "felt the music" upon the realease of a new album. In the case of Brian Camelio and his venture artistShare patrons participate in the "creation and creative process" of the product. It's a great idea.

Back in the days (circa 1996) when I was partnering with world class record producer Nik Venet, we always noticed that the people who invested in the music project were very fascinated by the process. When Nik started working with Linda Rondstadt in the early 1960's to produce Different Drum I am very positive that there was a real passion in developing Linda the same way that artistShare developed Maria Schneider. The difference is that the "audience" through financial contributions was able to participate in the creative. I am sure that Nik is smiling right now as the music industry is moving toward A Different Drum.

Posted by mitchsantell at 09:45 PM

June 28, 2006

Missing Luther Vandross!

Back on July 1st last year the world lost what J Records Chairman Clive Davis described as "the best male R&B Singer in the world! In the world of contemporary music, there are just a handful of superstars whose first name alone brings instant recognition. Check Aretha, Whitney, Mariah, Diana and Dionne. But when it comes to male vocalists, the list is far shorter. One name towers above the rest in any discussion on black male singers whose impact and influence has been unparalleled. Say the name 'Luther' and record buyers the world over respond immediately. The fact is, Luther Vandross will remain even after his recent passing, the pre-eminent black male vocalist of our time. The five-time Grammy winner, whose cumulative global sales top over 25 million copies continues to set a standard that few can match.

Luther Vandross was one great artist with two personalities. There was the "fat Luther" and the "thin Luther." Throughout his 30 year career his weight moved up and down from 320 pounds to 190 pounds and back again! The Vandross family had been plagued by health problems. In addition to Luther losing his father at an early age, Luther's three other siblings died before he did.

His final album, Dance With My Father, in 2003, was his first to debut at Number One and earned four grammies. According to Smokey Robinson "there are vocalists and there's Luther!"
How did we know that when Luther released "Dance With My Father," it would not be his "next chapter," it would be his "last chapter." We miss you man!

Earlier today I saw the last picture taken of Luther Vandross at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey. Out of heartfelt consideration to his family and because of our respect for him as an artist we decided to not post it on the site. Instead, we decided to leave you with two of my favorite Luther tracks... Stop To Love and the See Me!

Some people make music and it changes people. Luther wrote, produced and sang music that forever changed the music business. The music buyers, the executives and other star talent. God bless you Luther, you are one smooth dude! We won't ever forget you!

Stop to Love and See Me are both from the 1986 release of Give Me a Reason!

Posted by mitchsantell at 01:43 AM

June 24, 2006

Please, Just a Cheeseburger, Fries and Shake!

Did you know that every 24 hours over 600,000 new web sites are launched representing millions of words, thousands of graphics and huge amounts of media content.

We are all analog people in a digital world! Have you noticed the acceleration over everything? Art Bell of Coast-To-Coast calls it "The quickening!" At What's Out Next we call it progress.

Thank you everyone this week for all the wonderful emails about the show! Want to know a secret of why you love it? We actually produce it like a real radio show, not some guy (Sorry Adam Curry) who records a daily dose from the dashboard of his car or the bathroom at Carl's Jr.

We have so much to report in the upcoming days and weeks that we decided (just for a night) to stop the presses! Yes, I say yes and just go out for a Cheeseburger, Fries And A Shake! Let's just rock around the clock and party until the shakes come home!

I'll part tonight with a story about Marty's Music. This is the store my Dad opened with his Dad in 1956 in West Covina. The store was not even open yet with hundreds of boxes on the floor. A young couple excited that a new record store was opening knocked on the glass. My Dad opened the door and said with a big grin on his face "May I help you?" The young man asked for Rock Around The Clock. My Grandfather Martin Santell turned to the young couple and said "Thank you for asking but we are not open yet and we have no way of knowing what box your request is in." My Grandfather then picked a miscellaneous box and opened the top of it. Guess what record was right on top? You guessed it! Rock Around The Clock. My Dad and my Grandfather took that as a sign of success. It was for over 20 years.

Posted by mitchsantell at 04:02 PM

June 23, 2006

The last year, my 49th Birthday!

Today, 49 years ago at 6:57 AM, yours truly was born. This is a very exciting year for our entire team at What's Out Next as we get ready to launch our new company Movie Capital Limited in Auckland New Zealand.

Since our entire team is under a non-disclosure agreement I can't give you the details but what I can say is that I have waited my whole life for this week!

Since my son Michael James Santell is the Chairman of the new company I wanted to honor and support him in taking over my duties next year while I am off in New Zealand. Also, to my parents, Richard and Rickie Santell, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. While my Dad passed away in September of 2004, I'll never forget you Dad and please know you play a huge role on my home team each and every day.

The shot of my folks was from 1965 during my Mom's 10th year Hamilton High School Reunion. My Dad used to say, I fell in love with your Mom the first time I met her.

Of course, Michael claims that the whole sixties trip was like a strawberry field. You know what I say? It's only love! I love you Michael and I am so proud of you. At 19, you have taught your old man some great lessons. Just know that me and Mom are here for you always! It's all good. I get a peaceful easy feeling that Michael will be there for me the way I was for my DAD! God bless you son.

Posted by mitchsantell at 03:04 PM

June 19, 2006

Charlie Chaplin, Master Composer!

Back in 1943, actor Charlie Chaplin, age 54, marries 18-year-old Oona O'Neill, daughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill. Chaplin had a habit of marrying younger women--his first three wives were also teenagers when he married them. The couple spent most of their marriage outside the United States after being denied re-entry to the United States by immigration officials in 1952. Chaplin, an English citizen, was suspected of communist ties. The couple did not return to the United States for 20 years. Instead, they settled in Switzerland, where they raised eight children.

One of Mr. Chaplin's most amazing gifts was the beautiful music he composed for his films. We tip our What's Out Next! hat to you Charlie. Sometimes to look at What's Out Next, you have to look at what came before. Every time I see Charlie Chaplin or hear his music, it simply makes me smile!

Posted by mitchsantell at 01:49 PM

June 06, 2006

Billy Preston, 5th Beatle Dead at 59!

The first time I met Billy Preston, I was only 17 years old. I had the great fortune to sing with Billy in a gospel group for 2 1/2 years and was able to experience his magic.

According to the press today, here is the official story:

Billy Preston, the exuberant keyboardist who landed dream gigs with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and enjoyed his own series of hit singles, including "Outta Space" and "Nothing From Nothing," died Tuesday at 59.

Preston's longtime manager, Joyce Moore, said Preston had been in a coma since November in a care facility and was taken to a hospital in Scottsdale Saturday after his condition deteriorated.

"He had a very, very beautiful last few hours and a really beautiful passing," Moore said by telephone from Germany. "He went home good."

Preston, who had battled chronic kidney failure, had undergone a kidney transplant in 2002, but the kidney failed and he has been on dialysis treatments ever since, Moore said earlier this year.

Known for his big smile and towering afro, Preston was a teen prodigy on the piano and organ, and lent his gospel-tinged touch to classics such as the Beatles' "Get Back" and the Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knocking?"

He broke out as a solo artist in the 1970s, winning a best instrumental Grammy in 1973 for "Outta Space," and scoring other hits with "Will It Go 'Round In Circles," "Nothing From Nothing" and "With You I'm Born Again," a duet with Syreeta Wright.

From my view, I will miss Billy, his amazing smile, and the fact that this guy was a class act.

Better yet, I'll let Billy share his thoughts in his own words now!

Posted by mitchsantell at 03:44 PM

June 01, 2006

Music: Spirtual vs. Religion?

When the Beatles broke up like most baby boomers, I was depressed? Of the four Beatles, Harrison was known for being the most spirtual. There is a joke at our house and it goes like this.....(question).....

....Do you know the difference between being spirtual and being religious? Answer? If you are religious you are afraid of "going to hell, if you are spirtual, "you have already been through hell!"

In the new book beautifully written by Joshua M. Green, you get to experience the spirtual and musical journey of George Harrison. If you want to know what George felt like after the breakup of the Beatles? My take is that if you have never heard it, go out and buy a copy of the newly re-mastered "All Things Must Pass." The three album set would become George's answer to the world. A awesome representation of who George was at that time.

The power of George's music is still with us today thanks to his last release prior to his passing called "Brainwashed."

What touches me most and our team at What's Out Next is the last picture taken of George. We miss you man and all we want is peace and love!

Posted by mitchsantell at 01:12 PM

May 31, 2006

First, There Is A Moutain!

In 1969 at the ripe of 12 years of age, I remember my Dad bringing this record into Marty's Music. Donavan: the man, the legend! This guy sounds as cool in 2005 as in did in 1965. The guy is a legend and according to John Lennon, "Donovan is as important and influential as Bob Dylan and we are ... listen, the man's a poet."

With all the changes going on the music business, all I can say is that first there is a business model and then there isn't! Everyone is scrambling for the final answer. Who will win? I think the consumer....because when we want our music we want it now and we won't wait! For us at What's Out Next our take is There is a mountain!

Posted by mitchsantell at 06:04 PM