MBN The Monte Bubbles Network

April 4

Nitti Signs Label Deal With Warner Bros. Records

 April 04, 2007 -- Warner Bros. Records is pleased to announce it has signed a label deal with Grammy-nominated producer Nitti for his label Playmaker Music. Under the deal, Warner Bros. Records will market, promote, and distribute new artists that Nitti, who was previously a staff producer for Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings, signs to Playmaker Music.

An in-demand hip-hop producer who is known for a distinctive production style that features a high-tempo, snap-like beat, Nitti has produced a string of chart-topping singles, including Yung Joc's blockbuster "It's Goin' Down," Boyz In the Hood's "Dem Boyz," Eightball's "Stop Playin' Games," Gucci Mane's "Go Head," Ali and Gipp's "Hard in the Paint," Sunny V's "F You Pay Me," and T.I.'s most recent single "Where They At." The Decatur, Georgia-born producer also has album cuts on Young Jeezy's "Thug Motivation 101," Young Dro's "Best Thang Smokin'," and "Lights, Camera, Action," from Atlanta's Young Capone's forthcoming album.

"I've been producing beats and making music my whole life," says Nitti, "and I feel that Warner Bros. understands and appreciates what I have to offer as a producer and musician. I look forward to a truly successful venture for everyone."

Nitti has also crafted beats for a variety of best-selling rappers, including Nelly, Bow Wow, and Ludacris. A multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, keyboard, and drums, Nitti, whose mother was a program director for a local gospel radio station, credits a church background in Decatur for his unique take on hip-hop rhythms. "Gospel taught me how to listen to melodies and arrange songs," he says. "My music is real street and clubby. It's hard, but at the same time, it makes you want to move."

Nitti has been nominated for several awards including a 2007 Grammy for "Best Rap Song" for "It's Goin' Down," two BET Hip-Hop Award noms for "Producer of the Year" and "Track of the Year" (which he won), and a Southern Entertainment Award for "Producer of the Year."

For more information about Nitti, please visit www.myspace.com/rickflaire.

Mar 31

R.E.M. Announce First Live Shows in Two Years to Take Place in Ireland in July

R.E.M. has announced a special five-night residency at Dublin, Ireland's fabled Olympia Theatre to take place June 30th, July 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th, enabling the band -- singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, and bassist Mike Mills -- to test out brand-new songs for their upcoming 14th studio album.

"Returning to Dublin for our live rehearsal this summer provides the great start we need for our next album's work," says Stipe. "I intend to hit the ground running." Mills says the band chose the Olympia, a historic music hall built in 1879, because of all the great shows they've seen there over the years: "From the Waterboys to Lou Reed. I am thrilled to play at this wonderful venue, and in front of some of the best fans in the world," he says.

The shows -- which are R.E.M.'s first since their memorable concert in London's Hyde Park in July 2005 -- coincide with the recording of the new album, which will take place in Dublin, Vancouver, and the band's hometown of Athens, GA. Grammy Award-winning producer Jacknife Lee, best known for his production work on U2's "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," as well as albums by Snow Patrol, The Hives, Kasabian, Aqualung, and Bloc Party, will be at the helm. Lee, who met with the band in Athens in February, calls R.E.M.'s new material "some of their most exciting and visceral yet."

The album will be the Grammy-winning band's first studio album since 2004's "Around the Sun." In September 2006, R.E.M. released a two-disc retrospective, "And I Feel Fine... The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982-1987," which featured songs from the band's early years on indie label I.R.S.

Earlier this month R.E.M. were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame with former drummer Bill Berry. Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, who presented the band at the ceremony in New York City, called their music "truly all-encompassing."

Tickets for the Dublin shows are available now at www.remhq.com or in person at the Olympia Theatre box office starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 31st.

www.remhq.com

 Mar 29

The CW Network drama "ONE TREE HILL" has often offered its fans unique opportunities to interact with its characters and their storylines outside of traditional television viewing. The show's latest effort to reach viewers takes the cast and crew from their North Carolina set to the small town of Honey Grove, Texas. Everyone knows that a good mix of music is the key to any road trip's success. "The Road Mix," the third soundtrack of "ONE TREE HILL," will be released on Tuesday, April 3 on Warner Bros. Records.

An upcoming episode of "ONE TREE HILL" follows Lucas (Chad Michael Murray), Peyton (Hilarie Burton), Brooke (Sophia Bush), Nathan (James Lafferty) and Haley (Bethany Joy Galeotti) as they take a 20-hour road trip from the fictional town of Tree Hill, North Carolina, to the real town of Honey Grove, Texas, (pop. 1,746) to find their friend Mouth (Lee Norris). The episode airs on Wednesday, May 9 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET).

In December 2006, "ONE TREE HILL" producers launched a national contest that allowed viewers to submit videos about why the show should shoot an episode in their hometown. Loyal fans in Honey Grove won the opportunity to appear in an upcoming episode (May 9) of the series.

"When we decided to travel to Honey Grove, we knew we'd need a great road mix for the journey. This soundtrack is just that -- a representation of some of the best songs and artists we've featured on 'One Tree Hill,'" says creator and executive producer Mark Schwahn. "The show has a strong musical heritage, and this mix makes me proud."

The new "ONE TREE HILL" soundtrack CD, "The Road Mix," will feature original tracks from Gym Class Heroes and Tyler Hilton, along with songs from The Wreckers, Dashboard Confessional, Lupe Fiasco, Band of Horses, The Honorary Title, Kooks, Jose Gonzalez, The Constantines, Iron & Wine/Calexico, Lucero, Songs: Ohia, The Weepies, La Rocca and Mother Love Bone.

Music has always played a fundamental role on "ONE TREE HILL," both within the show and in real life. Music artists such as Gavin DeGraw (who sings the show's theme song "I Don't Want To Be"), Sheryl Crow, Jimmy Eat World, Lupe Fiasco, The Wreckers and Fall Out Boy have all appeared as themselves on the series, performing in one of the show's two fictional venues: Club Tric and Karen's Café. And in a case of art imitating life imitating art, two series characters embarked on a successful real-life multi-city tour in the summer of 2005 with Tyler Hilton and Bethany Joy Galeotti performing in support of the first soundtrack album. The second album, "Friends with Benefits," was created to accompany a storyline dealing with breast cancer, with proceeds benefiting the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

"ONE TREE HILL" airs Wednesday (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET on The CW). The series was created by Mark Schwahn and is executive produced by Schwahn, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins and Joe Davola. "ONE TREE HILL" is a Tollin/Robbins Production in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Mar 28

SECONDHAND SERENADE Named "MTV Discover & Download Artist"; Band Now Featured on Yahoo! "Who's Next?" and AOL "Breakers" Online Competitions

"Vulnerable" Video to Air on Fuse TV's "OVEN FRESH" and Added to MTVU; SECONDHAND SERENADE Confirms "2007 Couch Tour" With Monty Are I

Indie phenomenon SECONDHAND SERENADE -- who is acoustic singer/songwriter JOHN VESELY -- was named "MTV Discover & Download Artist" and the video for "Vulnerable" -- lensed by Frank Borin (Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Dani California") -- will be airing on Fuse TV's "OVEN FRESH" next week. "OVEN FRESH" airs Monday through Friday at 7:00 AM Eastern Time and the audience will be able to vote for their favorite video online at http://fuse.tv/tv/ovenfresh/index.php. The video has also been added to mtvU.

SECONDHAND SERENADE was also selected to compete in Yahoo! Music's popular "Who's Next?" program which highlights up-and-coming artists set to make a big impact. Voting runs through March 28 at: http://music.yahoo.com/promotions/whosnext/. At the same time, JOHN is a featured on AOL Music's "Breakers," whereby he's competing with 11 other new artists including Amy Winehouse, Hellogoodbye and Landon Pigg. To vote, click on http://music.aol.com/franchise/breakers-2007/morrison-landon-pigg-secondhand-serenade

SECONDHAND SERENADE just launched a leg of special U.S. tour dates in support of the debut CD "Awake." These shows include the "2007 Couch Tour" with Monty Are I, whereby the two acts will give a few select fans in the tour markets an added treat by visiting their home to perform a few songs, hang out and eat pizza. Fans can enter this contest at www.myspace.com/secondhandserenade by explaining why they feel the groups should come to their house. Later this spring, SECONDHAND SERENADE will play New Jersey's Bamboozle festival.

"Awake" was released by Glassnote Records on February 6 and has already moved almost 20,000 copies. JOHN's mix of extremely heartfelt music and poetic lyrics has caused a strong reaction with fans. This underground buzz and word-of-mouth propelled him to reach and stay at the top unsigned artist position on MySpace for four months. SECONDHAND SERENADE has now reached over 18 million plays on MySpace, an incredible feat for an indie artist just now signed by a label. The Glassnote Records album -- distributed and marketed through ILG (Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group) -- features two additional songs not on the original album and debuted on Billboard's Heatseekers chart at No. 16.

Recently, Rolling Stone featured SECONDHAND SERENADE in the magazine's new artist "Breaking" section and also scored #3 in the magazine's year-end reader's poll for "Best MySpace Artist."

SECONDHAND SERENADE is teaming with esteemed producers Butch Walker and Danny Lohner to produce his next full-length album. The new album -- which will feature a full band -- will be released at the end of the summer.

For current tour dates and to see and hear SECONDHAND SERENADE, visit: www.myspace.com/secondhandserenade, www.purevolume.com/secondhandserenade.  

 Mar 27

Ashley Tisdale's Debut Album Soars with ShoZu Phone Videos

Warner Bros. Records Puts Singer on Map with Low-Cost Mobile-to-Web Viral Marketing Tool

 Ashley Tisdale, the 21-year-old actress whose debut album for Warner Bros. Records bowed at #5 last month, has become the first performing artist to make the charts on her freshman outing with the aid of an Internet-enabled camera phone. The strategy hatched by the record label has turned Tisdale into a YouTube star and helped drive over 65,000 first week sales of her "Headstrong" CD. Ashley's first single, "Be Good To Me" is currently climbing the Top 40 radio chart, with Z100 (NYC) leading the pack.

Using a handset equipped with one-click image uploading technology from ShoZu Inc., Tisdale has created and posted dozens of personal behind-the-scenes videos that have generated more than 6.7 million YouTube views at an average of 225,000 views per clip. Her YouTube channel has ranked #4 in the music category for months and is the #5 most-viewed of all channels this month.

Tisdale has used the ShoZu phone to chronicle everything from dressing room interviews to a panic over losing her keys, scenes from the album release party, and a live performance of the song "He Said She Said," all with a girl-next-door demeanor that has endeared her to legions of teenage fans. She has also documented her experiences on tour with "High School Musical," the Disney production that began with a television movie in which she also had a role.

"Ashley understands the power of posting video directly from her phone and her ShoZu phone is a natural fit for her personality" said Jeremy Welt, VP New Media, for Warner Bros. Records. "While the original goal was to use ShoZu to deal with her busy schedule, her ShoZu video clips became one of the main ways we built anticipation for her solo debut."

"Anyone can use our image uploading service to share images from their mobile phones with a click, but Ashley Tisdale has proved that a superstar can use it to help build a career," said Jen Grenz, Global Partner Marketing Director for ShoZu. "It's a new way to keep your fan base interested, and it provides two critical benefits -- intimacy and immediacy -- that fit right into today's culture of celebrity and 24x7 connectivity."

Tisdale is among of a group of artists that Warner Bros. Records has equipped with ShoZu-powered phones to enhance the use of the mobile channel in their street marketing efforts.

ShoZu's Share-It service enables users to upload photos and video clips captured on their camera phones with fewer clicks, at higher resolution and to more Web destinations than any other method. Users also have the unique ability to add titles or tags after uploading, exchange comments between Web and phone, and upload any image to multiple destinations for a single data fee. Current destination options include online communities such as YouTube, Buzznet, Flickr, Kodak EasyShare Gallery, MSN's Windows Live Spaces, Textamerica, Webshots, Pikeo and Moblog.uk; personal blogging sites Blogger, TypePad and WordPress; citizen-contributed photojournalism sites such as CNN, the BBC and Scoopt; and any FTP or email address.

ShoZu also offers a "ZuCast" media delivery service that provides automated, zero-click delivery of videos, photos, music, games, news and other user-selected content directly to the mobile phone. ShoZu's proprietary data replication technology allows files to be downloaded invisibly in the background without the need for users to open a mobile phone browser, perform complex multi-click navigation sequences, wait for pages to load, interrupt phone calls, start over in the event of a dropped connection, or sync to a PC.

Both services are available on nearly 153 handsets, including Symbian, Java, Microsoft Windows Mobile and BREW devices.

About ShoZu

ShoZu is a mobile media service that enables consumer and media companies to interact with customers on their mobile phones through fast, easy exchange of multimedia content and web-based services. The company's patented technology allows consumers to download and upload photos, videos, music, text and other digital content to and from the handset without the need to open a mobile browser, wait for pages to load, interrupt phone calls, start over in the event of a dropped connection, or sync to a PC. Services include innovative ZuCasts that deliver content to the handset automatically, one-click uploading of camera phone images and video clips to community websites and other destinations, and two-way mobile-to-web messaging and interactivity. For more information, visit http://www.shozu.com/aboutus.

Mar 12

J*DaVeY Signs to Warner Bros. Records

Warner Bros. Records is pleased to announce that it has signed the uniquely hip talent, J*DaVeY to an exclusive recording contract. After several opening gigs for Prince, J*DaVeY, the Los Angeles-based duo (Miss Jack Davey and Brook D'Leau) have returned to the studio to gear up for the eagerly awaited album, title TBD, slated for a 2007 release.

"It's simple, we are a post hip-hop electronic new wave funk punk jazz band," says Brook. Adding Jack, "And we're glad that Warner Bros. Records had the vision and guts to follow through on two quirky kids who make unconventional pop hits."

Combining Hip-Hop, Soul, and New Wave, Jack and D'Leau break typical music barriers by transforming themselves into Electro-Soul carriers of futuristic "Funk-Punk" sounds. Similar to their non-conformist influences, the "urban Eurythmics" believe that music takes on many forms, and there are no limitations of expression -- to create one's identity means drawing outside the lines.

"We are so proud and excited to be working with such a unique and talented artist. There is nothing on the WBR roster or for that matter on the planet that sounds like J*DaVeY," says VP of A&R, Craig Aaronson. Adds fellow A&R representative, Tick, "When we saw J*DaVeY live we knew it was special. The group crosses all genres and knows no boundaries. From their influences to their material, a guy named Brook and a girl named Jack would start a party we all haven't been to in a long time."

And to their success, J*DaVeY's music has been licensed for episodes on the popular television drama "CSI: New York," Snoop Dogg's latest film "Bossin' Up," and the HBO series, "Entourage." Their demo songs, which were first leaked in cyber-space, are being played on radio stations in The States, as well as overseas by way of popular and award-winning radio personalities Gilles Peterson, Benji B, and Berry King.

The launch of their website has provided the group with a supportive fanbase, averaging 100,000 hits per month. And with no full album to date, the group has already received coverage in major music publications such as The Fader (May/June '05), URB Magazine (March '06), Xlr8r (March '06), YRB (January '07) and the COVER of BPM Magazine (January '07). Prepare yourself for a sneak peak into a new approach to music, yet to be discovered by most.

Music Video for "Mr. Mister": http://youtube.com/watch?v=536v6jOZrmo

http://www.jdaveybaby.com/

http://www.myspace.com/jdavey

Mar 9

Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group (ILG) Signs Minneapolis-Based Rhymesayers Entertainment

Multi-Faceted Agreement Will Provide Hip-Hop Label With Marketing, Distribution and Sales Services

March 09, 2007 -- Warner Music Group Corp.'s (NYSE: WMG) Independent Label Group (ILG) today announced an exclusive agreement with Minneapolis-based Rhymesayers Entertainment. Pioneers in the Twin Cities music scene, Rhymesayers was founded in 1995 by Sean Daley and Brent Sayers and has grown to become one of the country's most successful independent hip-hop labels. With an extensive roster of locally and nationally recognized artists including rising stars Atmosphere, MF DOOM, P.O.S., Mac Lethal and Brother Ali, whose second full-length album "The Undisputed Truth," hits stores on April 10th. This partnership represents the latest renowned independent label to join the ILG family, which already includes Ferret Music, Rap-a-lot and Swisha House/Swisha Blast Records.

Effective immediately, Rhymesayers will have the ability to utilize various aspects of ILG's extensive network of sales, promotion and marketing resources to further promote its stable of cutting-edge artists. WMG's Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) will primarily handle distribution with select titles being distributed by WEA Corp. Launched as a testament to WMG's commitment to supporting rising artists and entrepreneurs in the independent music community, ILG is comprised of WMG's Asylum Records, East West Records and Cordless Recordings.

In making the announcement, Todd Moscowitz, President of ILG and Asylum Records, said, "Sean Daley and Brent Sayers have been visionaries in the vibrant Twin Cities hip-hop music scene. We are excited to bring them and Rhymesayers into the ILG family to help them further develop and support their impressive roster of artists as well as collaborate on future projects."

Brent Sayers, President & Co-Founder of Rhymesayers Entertainment, added, "More than our desire to be independent, Rhymesayers first and foremost has always wanted to be in a position to help our artists reach their individual goals and aspirations. ILG understood that and has provided us with an extremely unique opportunity to do this. Under this new deal, we can remain as independent as we have ever been while utilizing individual select services as needed. Additionally, if desired and warranted, we have the potential to upstream artists to a WMG label while still playing an integral role in the artists' career. Working with ILG and WMG will allow us to grow like never before and all of us here at Rhymesayers are extremely excited about this new partnership."

About ILG

Independent Label Group (ILG) is composed of Warner Music Group's Asylum Records, Cordless Recordings and East West Records.

Asylum Records is designed to provide full promotion, marketing and sales support to urban, independent music labels and artists. Asylum Records is distributed by WEA Corp., Warner Music Group's U.S. sales and marketing company.

Cordless Recordings is a different kind of record company designed to take advantage of the latest online and mobile technologies. Cordless is not bound by past practice and is free to continuously reinvent itself in response to new opportunities. At Cordless an artist can develop in a supportive, lower-risk environment.

East West Records provides full promotion, marketing and sales support to rock artists. East West affiliated labels are distributed by the Alternative Distribution Alliance, Warner Music Group's leading distributor of independent record labels in the U.S.

Mar 5

Lucille Ball Collection Debuts on DVD from Warner Home Video June 19

 Mar. 5, 2007 On June 19, Warner Home Video will showcase a different side of the "First Lady of Television" with the release of the Lucille Ball Collection. Those who 'love Lucy' may be surprised to learn that Ms. Ball had nearly 20 years of big-screen credits prior to launching the TV show that made her a household name, and WHV will debut on DVD five of the films she made from 1940 through 1974: Critic's Choice, Dance Girl Dance, Du Barry Was a Lady, The Big Street and Mame. In addition, Best Foot Forward will be available separately for the first time nationally. All the films will include special features such as Oscar(R) nominated vintage short subjects, featurettes and classic cartoons. Packaged as a collectible gift set, the five-disc Lucille Ball Collection will sell for $49.92 SRP, with individual titles and Best Foot Forward available for $19.97 SRP.

Critic's Choice (1963)

Tossing inspired throwaway lines right and left, Bob Hope is New York theatre critic Parker Ballentine, who loves writing pointed reviews that close insufferable plays. But there's a new show in town - by his redheaded wife (Ball). Is it bad?

Dance, Girl, Dance (1940)

Judy (Maureen O'Hara) is a serious dancer, willing to suffer for her art, but while her friend Bubbles (Ball) loves to dance, she's equally interested in paying the rent. To do that, she swaps her ballet shoes for a G-string...and turns patrons' fantasies into dollars as burlesque sensation Tiger Lily White.

Du Barry Was A Lady (1943)

Ball plays the glamorous nightclub chanteuse May Daly, who's transformed into Madame Du Barry opposite Red Skelton as King Louis XV. This is a fabulous and fun musical comedy from Hollywood's Golden Era.

The Big Street (1942)

Lucy plays haughty nightclub singer Gloria Lyons, a gold digger who doesn't have time for anyone without money, including Little Pinks (Henry Fonda), the busboy who adores her. All that changes when Gloria is paralyzed after a mobster knocks her down the stairs, and she's forced to see what and who really matter.

Mame (1974)

Lucille Ball stars as a high-living grande dame who's outlandishly eccentric and, when suddenly faced with raising an orphaned nephew, fiercely loving. Veterans of the New York stage original join her: Beatrice Arthur, Jane Connell, choreographer Onna White and director Gene Saks.

Best Foot Forward (1943)

Ball portrays herself as the attention-seeking glamour girl who accepts an invitation to the prom from a Winsocki Military Institute cadet as a publicity stunt. Costars June Allyson, Nancy Walker and Tommy Dix recreate their Broadway roles, and Harry James and his band play at the prom to make this a snappy frolic 

Paramount Home Entertainment & Warner Home Video Join to Celebrate 'The Duke's' 100th Birthday

John Wayne: American Hero, Icon, Legend Unprecedented Initiative, Led by Rio Bravo, The Cowboys, and True Grit, Includes Collection of 48 Films

Mar. 5, 2007 Warner Home Video (WHV) and Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) will join forces on an unprecedented initiative to honor the great John Wayne on May 22 -- the week that would have been 'The Duke's' 100th birthday. The studios will pool their DVD sales and marketing resources, digging into their vast libraries for a total of 48 Wayne popular classics. The lead titles in the promotion are Rio Bravo in both a Two-Disc Special Edition and Ultimate Collector's Edition, The Cowboys as a Deluxe Edition and True Grit as a Special Collector's Edition.

WHV also will debut the John Wayne Film Collection, a six-disc set (also available individually) featuring six films never before on DVD: Allegheny Uprising, Reunion in France, Tycoon, Without Reservations, Trouble Along The Way and Big Jim McLain. A total of 34 Wayne films are now available from WHV.

PHE has a total of 14 Wayne titles on DVD, highlighted by an all-new Special Collector's Edition of True Grit along with three DVD collections: the John Wayne Century Collection, which features 14 films including The High And The Mighty Special Collector's Edition, Island In The Sky Special Collector's Edition, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Shootist and Big Jake; the John Wayne Western Collection, which features nine films including Hondo Special Collector's Edition, McLintock! Special Collector's Edition, El Dorado and Rio Lobo; and the John Wayne Adventure Collection, which features five films including The High And The Mighty Special Collector's Edition, Island In The Sky Special Collector's Edition and In Harm's Way.

PHE orders are due April 10; WHV's order due date is April 17. Please see end of release for complete pricing and list of titles from both studios.

To further heighten visibility, TCM (Turner Classic Movies) will feature the actor in the month of May, inspiring current and new fans by broadcasting the indelible images Wayne created on film.

Said George Feltenstein, WHV's Senior Vice President Theatrical Catalog Marketing, "This unprecedented teaming of Warner Home Video and Paramount is a true testament to the power of Wayne's enduring appeal. By joining forces we're able to bring greater importance and attention to the 100th birthday, which benefits both retailers and consumers alike."

"John Wayne continues to be an American icon and we're very pleased to be teaming with Warner Home Video to celebrate his film legacy in a way that is befitting of The Duke," said Michael Arkin, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Paramount Home Entertainment.

The Man

The man who became the embodiment of the great American Western hero was born Marion Robert Morrison in Winterset, Iowa. John Wayne first worked in the film business as a laborer on the Fox lot during summer vacations from U.S.C., which he attended on a football scholarship. He met and was befriended by John Ford, a young director who was beginning to make a name for himself in action films, comedies and dramas. It was Ford who recommended Wayne to director Raoul Walsh for the male lead in the 1930 epic Western The Big Trail, and, although it was a box office failure, the movie showed Wayne's potential.

For the next nine years, Wayne worked in a multitude of B-Westerns and serials in between bit parts in larger features. Wayne's big break came in 1939, when Ford cast him as the Ringo Kid in the adventure Stagecoach. Wayne nearly stole the picture from his more seasoned co-stars, and his career as a box-office superstar began. During his 50 year film career, Wayne played the lead in 142 movies, an as yet unsurpassed record, and was nominated for three Academy Awards(R), winning the Best Actor award in 1970 for his performance in True Grit.

The Films

True Grit: Special Collector's Edition (PHE)

This classic cinematic masterpiece features Wayne in a larger-than-life performance as the drunken, uncouth and totally fearless one-eyed U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn. The role won him his only Academy Award(R) for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the age of 63 after 40 years of making films, and Wayne himself said that it was "my first chance to play a character role instead of John Wayne." Called "one of the most delightful, joyous and scary movies of all time" (Roger Ebert), True Grit is a glorious adventure and American odyssey lead by Wayne, whose screen presence fully embodies his status as a star and legend. Directed by prolific filmmaker Henry Hathaway, the film also features enchanting performances by Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall and Strother Martin.

Bonus features:

-- Commentary by Jeb Rosebrook, Bob Boze Bell and J. Stuart Rosebrook

-- True Writing

-- Working with the Duke

-- Aspen Gold: Locations of True Grit

-- The Law and the Lawless

-- Theatrical trailer

Rio Bravo: Special Edition and Ultimate Collector's Edition (WHV)

Director Howard Hawks lifted the Western to new heights with Red River. He does it here again, capturing the legendary West with a stellar cast in peak form. Wayne is Sheriff John T. Chance, a small-town lawman enlisting the help of a ragtag team to hold a murderer in jail until the state marshal can arrive. On one side is an army of gunmen dead-set on springing the murderous cohort from jail. On the other are Chance and his two deputies: one a recovering drunkard (Dean Martin), the other a crippled codger (Walter Brennan). Also in their ranks are an unseasoned, trigger-happy youth (Ricky Nelson) and a woman with a past (Angie Dickinson) - and her eye on Chance. Rio Bravo will feature a new digital transfer from restored picture and audio elements.

DVD Special Features:

Disc One

-- Remastered feature film

-- Commentary by John Carpenter and Richard Schickel (Renowned director Carpenter and film critic Schickel explore how this legendary Western was an extension of Hawks' own personality and why it's considered such an influential classic today)

-- Wayne trailer gallery

Disc Two -0-

    -- The Men Who Made the Movies: Howard Hawks (1973 documentary)      -- Two All New Featurettes:          -- Commemoration: Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo          -- Old Tucson: Where the Legends Walked 

Ultimate Collector's Edition includes everything in the Rio Bravo Special Edition plus the following collectible memorabilia:

-- Press book

-- Dell comic book

-- Lobby cards

The Cowboys: Deluxe Edition (WHV)

This deluxe edition has been newly restored and remastered, and features a new cast/director featurette. The Cowboys gave Wayne one of his juiciest roles as a leather-tough rancher who, deserted by his regular help, hires 11 greenhorn schoolboys for a cattle drive across 400 treacherous miles. When the dust settled, Wayne had given one of his best performances. "In The Cowboys," Rex Reed wrote, "all the forces that have made him a dominant personality as well as a major screen presence seem to combine. Old Dusty Britches can act." Co-starring the equally memorable Roscoe Lee Browne, Colleen Dewhurst and Bruce Dern, The Cowboys was directed by Mark Rydell (On Golden Pond).

DVD Special Features:

-- Commentary by Mark Rydell (Director Rydell discusses how he helped his young, inexperienced cast work with screen legend Wayne)

-- The Cowboys: Together Again

-- The Breaking of Boys and the Making of Men

-- Theatrical Trailer

Allegheny Uprising (WHV)

Only months after his Stagecoach breakthrough, John Wayne brings his one-of-a-kind line readings and presence to the real-life role of colonial man of action James Smith. The place is Pennsylvania a decade before the American Revolution. Joined by like-minded frontiersmen, Smith intercepts trade shipments, besieges forts and risks the certain-death charge of treason against the king. Another Stagecoach alumna joins the Duke: Claire Trevor, playing a fiery barmaid eager to join the scrap against the redcoats.

Special Features:

-- The Bill of Rights (1939 WB short)

-- Land of the Midnight Fun (1939 WB cartoon)

Big Jim McLain (WHV)

All 6'4" of John Wayne plays the title role, a federal agent ferreting out subversives in Hawaii. Rallying to the cause are co-stars Nancy Olsen and Veda Ann Borg. And 6'7" James Arness (whom Wayne would later recommend to star on TV's "Gunsmoke") is McLain's war-hero partner, Baxter. The documentary-style story moves swiftly, with good-natured humor peppered throughout. Pre-statehood Hawaii locales range from elite resorts to a Shinto temple and from the sunken remains of the battleship Arizona to a Molokai leper colony.

Special Features:

-- So You Want to Enjoy Life (1952 WB short)

-- The Super Snooper (1952 WB cartoon)

-- Theatrical Trailer

Reunion in France (WHV)

John Wayne is in straight-up heroic mode as a fugitive RAF pilot on the run from the Gestapo, and Joan Crawford (in haute couture despite the war) is Michele, the spoiled, high-society Parisian who discovers her own patriotism as she helps the airman escape his Nazi pursuers. This glossy, briskly paced thriller also stars Philip Dorn as Michele's fiance, an industrialist she suspects of collaborating with the Germans.

Special Features:

-- We Do It Because (1942 MGM short)

-- War Dogs (1943 MGM cartoon)

-- Theatrical Trailer

Trouble Along The Way (WHV)

This sports comedy-drama is directed by Michael Curtiz (Casablanca). John Wayne tackles the role of Steve Williams, a former top football coach who has been banned from the major conferences for his inability to conform and is making ends meet as a bookie. When he receives a call from likable Father Burke (Charles Coburn) with an offer to establish a football program - fast - in a last-ditch effort to save his tiny St. Anthony's College from bankruptcy, Williams sees it as a way to prove to a Children's Court officer (Donna Reed) that he's a fit parent as he fights for custody of his 12 year old tomboy daughter. Of course, there's bound to be Trouble Along the Way.

Special Features:

-- So You Think You Can't Sleep (1953 WB short)

-- Muscle Tussle (1953 WB cartoon)

-- Theatrical trailer

Tycoon (WHV)

A tumultuous love story (with co-star Laraine Day), a dynamite supporting cast, horizon-spanning location filming and brilliant Technicolor make Tycoon exciting entertainment. But the biggest thrill is watching Wayne as a bold, bare-knuckled railroad honcho high above an Andean gorge in a breathless grand finale that involves a half-built bridge, an onrushing wall of water, and a locomotive with the Duke at the controls.

Special Features:

-- Hollywood Wonderland (1947 WB short)

-- Red Hot Rangers (1947 MGM cartoon)

Without Reservations (WHV)

Claudette Colbert and Wayne are a double delight in this playful, romantic comedy. Colbert plays Kit Madden, a novelist who's heading to Hollywood to turn her bestseller about a handsome pilot into a film. On the train she meets a real-life marine pilot (John Wayne) and thinks he's the perfect man to portray her screen hero... except he thinks the whole thing is "a lot of hooey." Their comedic rapport becomes more captivating with one misadventure after another as they make their way cross-country. Adding to the fun are surprise walk-ons from stars like Jack Benny, Cary Grant, Louella Parsons playing herself, and director Warner LeRoy.

Special Features:

-- I Love My Husband, But! (1946 MGM short)

-- Holiday for Shoestrings (1946 WB cartoon) -0-

     COMPLETE INFORMATION ON JOHN WAYNE 100TH BIRTHDAY PROMOTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------                         Streets: May 22, 2007            WHV Orders due April 17; PHE Orders due April 10                         WARNER HOME VIDEO TITLES ----------------------------------------------------------------------                    RIO BRAVO TWO-DISC SPECIAL EDITION                           Catalog #: 114534                               $20.97 SRP                  RIO BRAVO ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S EDITION                           Catalog #: 115839                               $39.92 SRP                        THE COWBOYS DELUXE EDITION                           Catalog #: 114535                               $19.97 SRP                        JOHN WAYNE FILM COLLECTION                           Catalog #: 114539          $49.92 SRP Collection; $12.97 SRP Individual Titles                   All Titles Not Rated Except As Noted ----------------------------------------------------------------------          Allegheny Uprising                   Big Jim McLain        Run Time: 80 minutes               Run Time: 90 minutes                B&W                                 B&W          Catalog #: T7864                   Catalog #: 114533 ----------------------------------------------------------------------         Reunion in France                 Trouble Along The Way        Run Time: 99 minutes               Run Time: 110 minutes                B&W                                 B&W          Catalog #: 79735                   Catalog #: 114536 ----------------------------------------------------------------------               Tycoon                      Without Reservations       Run Time: 129 minutes               Run Time: 101 minutes               Color                                B&W          Catalog #: T7865                   Catalog #: T7866 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Additional Warner Home Video titles currently available:

John Wayne/John Ford Film Collection (also available as single titles)

-- The Searchers

-- Stagecoach

-- Long Voyage Home

-- Wings of Eagles

-- Ft. Apache

-- 3 Godfathers

-- She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

-- They Were Expendable

John Wayne Legendary Heroes Collection (also available as single titles)

-- Blood Alley

-- McQ

-- The Sea Chase

-- Tall in the Saddle

-- The Train Robbers

Triple Features

-- Ride Him, Cowboy/The Big Stampede/Haunted Gold

-- Telegraph Trail/Somewhere in Sonora/The Man From Monterey

-- Operation Pacific/Flying Leathernecks/They Were Expendable -0-

The Searchers Ultimate Collector's Edition Operation Pacific Flying Leathernecks Chisum Cahill, US Marshall The Green Berets 

-0-

                 PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT TITLES ----------------------------------------------------------------------                  TRUE GRIT SPECIAL COLLECTOR'S EDITION                           Catalog #: 120774                               $19.99 SRP                               Rating: G                      JOHN WAYNE CENTURY COLLECTION                           Catalog #: 123034                               $99.99 SRP                      JOHN WAYNE WESTERN COLLECTION                           Catalog #: 123054                               $74.99 SRP                     JOHN WAYNE ADVENTURE COLLECTION                           Catalog #: 123044                               $42.99 SRP 

John Wayne Century Collection (PHE)

This phenomenal box set includes 14 classic films starring John Wayne, including the new Special Collector's Edition of True Grit and four additional Special Collector's Editions. The films in the collection are:

-- The High And The Mighty Special Collector's Edition

-- Island In The Sky Special Collector's Edition

-- True Grit Special Collector's Edition (Rating: G)

-- Hondo Special Collector's Edition

-- McLintock! Special Collector's Edition

-- The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

-- The Shootist (Rating: PG)

-- Big Jake (Rating: PG-13 for Western violence)

-- Donovan's Reef

-- In Harm's Way

-- Hatari!

-- Rio Lobo (Rating: G)

-- The Sons Of Katie Elder

-- El Dorado

John Wayne Western Collection (PHE)

A terrific set of some of Wayne's greatest Westerns, this collection includes the following films:

-- True Grit Special Collector's Edition (Rating: G)

-- Hondo Special Collector's Edition

-- McLintock! Special Collector's Edition

-- The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

-- The Shootist (Rating: PG)

-- Big Jake (Rating: PG-13 for Western violence)

-- Rio Lobo (Rating: G)

-- The Sons Of Katie Elder

-- El Dorado

John Wayne Adventure Collection (PHE)

An exciting set of some of Wayne's greatest adventures, this collection includes the following films:

-- The High And The Mighty Special Collector's Edition

-- Island In The Sky Special Collector's Edition

-- In Harm's Way

-- Donovan's Reef

-- Hatari!

With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.

Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B), a global entertainment company that produces and distributes filmed entertainment through the Paramount Motion Picture Group. PHE is responsible for the worldwide sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS, PBS and Hasbro and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.

Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change.

Feb 28

Ex-Cons and Crime Bosses Like You've Never Seen Them...Enter the Dragon, The Dirty Dozen Arrive April 17 on Warner Home Video's Blu-ray Disc

 Feb. 28, 2007 Two action-packed Warner Home Video classics will explode in high definition on home theater systems April 17 with the Blu-ray Disc debuts of Enter the Dragon and The Dirty Dozen. Enter the Dragon stars Bruce Lee in his most popular film in America. The Dirty Dozen was nominated for four Academy Awards(R) (winning one for Best Sound Effects) and the theatrical mega-hit remains a milestone among ensemble action flicks. Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Ernest Borgnine, Telly Savalas and Donald Sutherland starred. All bonus materials on the Standard Definition version will be included on the high definition versions and will be available for $28.99 SRP. Both titles are also available on HD DVD for $28.99 SRP.

Bruce Lee, who starred in Enter the Dragon, was one of the greatest martial arts/action stars in the history of film. In this, his signature and most popular film, Lee plays an intelligence agency recruit who goes undercover as a Karate tournament contestant to infiltrate a drug trafficking ring.

The Dirty Dozen

Lee Marvin portrays tough-as-nails Major John Reisman, assigned to command a squad of misfits on a suicide mission against Nazi brass on the eve of D-Day in occupied France. Jim Brown, Trini Lopez, George Kennedy, Clint Walker and John Cassavetes (nominated for a supporting actor Oscar(R)) also star in the macho cast directed by Robert Aldrich.

Warner Home Video HD DVDs and Blu-ray Discs offer resolution six times higher than standard definition DVDs, as well as extraordinarily vibrant contrast and color and beautifully crisp sound. The new formats also provide a higher level of interactivity, with instant access to extra features via a seamless menu-bar where viewers can enjoy features without leaving or interrupting the film.

With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.

Warner/Chappell Music Announces Exclusive, Worldwide Publishing Agreement With Microsoft Music Publishing

February 28, 2007 -- Warner/Chappell Music, the publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE: WMG), and one of the world's largest music publishers, and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) announced today a worldwide music publishing administration agreement, whereby Warner/Chappell will claim, administer and license music compositions owned and controlled by Microsoft, including the award-winning compositions for: Bungie Studios' blockbuster, Xbox and Xbox 360 video games, Halo®: Combat Evolved and Halo® 2, as well as Age of Empires®, Fable®, Kameo™: Elements of Power™ and other video game franchises.

As part of the agreement, which is the first music publishing administration agreement Microsoft has entered into for its catalogs, Warner/Chappell will claim and register Microsoft-owned copyrights in all territories worldwide, as well as identify and develop new synchronization, performance and other music publishing opportunities for the Microsoft music publishing catalogs.

The Microsoft music catalog administered by Warner/Chappell will include several thousand compositions, including those which have been released as part of the extensive library of video games published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment console. The agreement also includes music in future video games to be published by Microsoft Game Studios, including the upcoming Halo 3 release.

In making the announcement, Ed Pierson, Executive Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs, Warner/Chappell Music, said, "Warner/Chappell is proud to partner with a technology leader like Microsoft and delighted to be the worldwide publisher for the company's video game music catalog. We're confident we can develop and identify some exciting and unique new licensing opportunities for these well-known game compositions."

"We have developed a large library of video game music and are excited to make it available for placement beyond games," said Ed Ventura, Senior Director of the Franchise Development Group in the Interactive Entertainment Division. "By partnering with Warner/Chappell, we can continue to extend the value and experiences for our music and also inspire and give further recognition to the composers who are dedicated to working on video games."

About Warner/Chappell Music

Warner/Chappell Music is WMG's award-winning global music publishing company. The Warner/Chappell Music catalog includes standards such as "Happy Birthday To You," "Rhapsody in Blue," "Winter Wonderland," the songs of Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin, as well as the music of Dido, Dr. Dre, Eric Clapton, Green Day, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Nickelback, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow, T.I. and others. Warner/Chappell Music is a leader in creating innovative strategies for marketing and promoting its songwriters and their music. The company's extensive catalog makes it a natural first stop for A&R executives and record producers, feature film and television production companies, and others looking to record or license some of the world's greatest music.

Microsoft, Age of Empires, Elements of Power, Fable, Halo and Kameo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Feb 27

Maverick Records will release the soundtrack to "Death Proof" -- Quentin Tarantino's half of the new exploitation movie double feature "Grindhouse" -- on April 3rd, three days before the two films hit theaters on April 6th. The second film, "Planet Terror," was directed by Robert Rodriguez. In between the two features, trailers advertising fake films, directed by Eli Roth and Rob Zombie, among others, will be shown.

"Death Proof" follows Austin's hottest DJ, Jungle Julia (Sydney Tamiia Poitier) as she sets out into the night to unwind with her two friends Shanna (Jordan Ladd) and Arlene (Vanessa Ferlito). Covertly tracking their moves is Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell), a scarred rebel leering from behind the wheel of his muscle car, revving just feet away.

The soundtrack includes classic songs from the '60s and '70s, such as "Jeepster" from British glam rock band T Rex, "Staggolee" from San Francisco blues band Pacific Gas & Electric, "Down In Mexico" from doo-wop legends The Coasters, and "Good Love, Bad Love" by Stax R&B legend Eddie Floyd. It also features a haunting composition, entitled "Paranoia Prima," from legendary Italian film score composer Ennio Morricone. The songs are interspersed with dialogue voiced by the actors including Russell, Rose McGowan, Eli Roth, and Michael Bacall.

The music perfectly captures the feel of the exploitation films that became popular in American cinema in the late '60s and '70s. With their explicit sex and excessive violence and gore, the films were mainly shown in inner-city theaters, called "grindhouses," usually as back-to-back double features. "I grew up watching those type of movies and I loved them," Tarantino says in "Grindhouse: The Sleaze-Filled Saga of An Exploitation Double Feature." "The whole grindhouse experience, where you would see two horror films in these low ghetto theaters. Robert and I had the idea to actually do this film that is closer to a grindhouse ride and recreates the experience in one movie and in the best possible version ever presented."

To watch teaser trailers and get more information about "Grindhouse," please visit www.grindhousemovie.net.

The track-listing for the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's "Death Proof" is as follows:

"The Last Race" -- Jack Nitzsche

"Baby, It's You" -- Smith

"Paranoia Prima" -- Ennio Morricone

"Planning & Scheming" -- Eli Roth & Michael Bacall

"Jeepster" -- T Rex

"Stuntman Mike" -- Rose McGowan & Kurt Russell

"Staggolee" -- Pacific Gas & Electric

"The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)" -- Joe Tex

"Good Love, Bad Love" -- Eddie Floyd

"Down In Mexico" -- The Coasters

"Hold Tight" -- Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich

"Sally and Jack (From the Motion Picture "Blow Out")" -- Pino Donaggio

"It's So Easy" -- Willy DeVille

"Whatever-However" -- Tracie Thoms & Zoe Bell

"Riot In Thunder Alley" -- Eddie Beram

"Chick Habit" -- April March

Feb 22

Warner/Chappell Music, the publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE: WMG), and one of the world's largest music publishers, today announced a series of worldwide publishing agreements with Reuben Koroma, Ashade Pearce and Francis 'Franco' John Langba, members of the 12-person, critically-acclaimed Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars. Under these agreements, Warner/Chappell will administer new compositions, as well as the catalog of songs by Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars' primary writers.

In making the announcement, Ed Pierson, Executive Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs, Warner/Chappell Music, said, "We are extremely proud to be associated with this group of amazing individuals whose remarkable experiences are told so eloquently and passionately through their music. Their lives and music are truly inspirational, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Warner/Chappell family."

"This is a wonderful, life-changing opportunity for the members of Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars," said the band's manager, Mike Kappus of The Rosebud Agency. "The partnership with Warner/Chappell Music helps the band follow their dream of spreading their music and message around the world while having an immediate and ongoing impact on the lives of the band and their community who truly need the help."

Founded by Reuben Koroma and Franco Langba in 1996, the 12-member band is comprised of a diverse group of Sierra Leonean refugees including a 19-year-old rapper and a 50-year-old rhythm guitar player. Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars' music is a unique blend of traditional West African melodies, reggae, and classic rhythm & blues.

As refugees in their adopted country of Guinea, the group got its start by crafting homemade instruments and playing shows for fellow refugees in camps throughout Guinea and Sierra Leone to deal with the trauma of civil war.

Filmmakers Zach Niles and Banker White featured the group in their 2006 critically-acclaimed documentary, "Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars." The film follows the band over the course of three years as they make their way from the refugee camps back to Sierra Leone.

The group's debut album, "Living Like a Refugee" (Anti/Epitaph Records) was released in 2006 and distributed through WMG's Alternative Distribution Alliance.

In 2006, the band completed tours of the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and headlined Summerstage in New York's Central Park. Their song "Ankala" was recently featured in the film "Blood Diamond" set during Sierra Leone's civil war. Most recently, the band performed at the 2007 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

About Warner/Chappell Music

Warner/Chappell Music is WMG's award-winning global music publishing company. The Warner/Chappell Music catalog includes standards such as "Happy Birthday To You," "Rhapsody in Blue," "Winter Wonderland," the songs of Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin, as well as the music of Dido, Dr. Dre, Eric Clapton, Green Day, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Nickelback, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow, T.I. and others. Warner/Chappell Music is a leader in creating innovative strategies for marketing and promoting its songwriters and their music. The company's extensive catalog makes it a natural first stop for A&R executives and record producers, feature film and television production companies, and others looking to record or license some of the world's greatest music.

http://www.montebubbles.net/blog9/2007/01/warner_brothers_news.html