MBN: THE MONTE BUBBLES NETWORK

The Pussycat Dolls Release Live DVD

DVD Also Includes Hit Videos and Interviews

 Nov. 30 Multi-platinum pop superstars The Pussycat Dolls will release their first live concert DVD on December 5, 2006. The Pussycat Dolls -- Live from London was filmed in late summer 2006, and features all of their hits including "Don't Cha," "Stickwitu" and "Buttons." The DVD also features all six of the PCD music videos, backstage footage and candid interviews with the girls.

The Pussycat Dolls started their pop takeover of the world in fall 2005 with the release of their debut album PCD. Since then, the album has sold over 2.3 million copies in the U.S. and more than 5 million copies globally, on the strength of five Top 10 hit singles. Earlier this year, they won an MTV Music Video Award for Best Dance Video for their scorching "Buttons" video. The Dolls will return to the road in February 2007, joining Christina Aguilera on her U.S. tour.

Source: Interscope Records

Warner Bros. Records Teams With Stickam(TM) for Next Generation Live Broadcast From the Set of Jamie Kennedy's New Music Video

Kennedy Takes Behind-The-Scenes To New Level of Interactivity With First Fully Participatory All Day Broadcast Event

 -- For the first time ever, Warner Bros. Records and Stickam(TM), the Internet's most powerful video communications player, are teaming up to provide fans the unique experience of being able to watch the making of Jamie Kennedy and Stu Stone's latest music video all day on Saturday December 2nd in New York City. The two stars are filming the music video for their Internet hit "Circle Circle Dot Dot" from their album and MTV show "Blowin' Up."

Kennedy and Stu Stone, along with the director and cast, will provide real-time, behind-the-scenes access to the shoot using Stickam's breakthrough technology. Far more immersive than a traditional live broadcast or Webcast, the "Circle Circle Dot Dot" event brings viewers closer to the action than ever before by allowing them to dynamically interact with Kennedy and Stone using Stickam's revolutionary video chat tools. The technology also allows fans to see how a music video is shot, the entire process, uncensored.

Fans can logon to http://www.stickam.com/ and http://jkssrecords.com/ this Saturday and will have access until the production wraps for the day. The video is being directed by Wormseye Films.

"The social networking generation is all about being hands-on, whether it's designing their own t-shirts online, meeting up with friends on the fly through location-based, cell phone tools or keeping track of their favorite bands on a second-to-second basis," said Hideki Kishioka, CEO of Stickam. "The traditional concept of a live broadcast with a passive viewing audience is becoming increasingly outdated for this group, which places a huge premium on instant interactivity. We are extremely pleased that Warner Bros. and Jamie Kennedy have chosen Stickam to create this breakthrough, behind-the- scenes broadcast and anticipate a great response."

With over 200,000 users, Stickam(TM) is one of the Internet's fastest growing broadcasting and social networking Web sites. The site features free video chat for members and provides entertainers with a unique way to share their live performances or events with fans.

About Stickam(TM)

Stickam(TM) is the Internet's most powerful, free video communications player offering live streaming video and video conferencing with unlimited bandwidth. The download-free Stickam(TM) player allows consumers to easily add dynamic, live video to their personal Web pages, blogs and auction sites by simply cutting and pasting the Stickam(TM) HTML code into the appropriate area of the site of their choice. Consumers can also upload pre-recorded video, music and photos to their Stickam(TM) players for site visitors to access at their convenience. The video can be viewed by virtually anyone and will play on any operating system including Linux, Windows and Mac.

 Family Television Awards Honor Nine for Family Friendly Programming

Programs 'Everybody Hates Chris,' 'Numb3rs,' 'Dancing with the Stars,' 'Ugly Betty,' 'High School Musical,' 'The Ron Clark Story' Recognized and stars Tony Shalhoub, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Howie Mandel Honored

Awards ceremony to air on The CW Network December 12, 2006 at 9 p.m. EST

-- The Eighth Annual Family Television Awards was held Nov. 29 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and recognized honorees in nine categories for their contributions to outstanding family entertainment. The show will be televised on The CW Network on Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 9 p.m - 10 p.m. with Stephen Collins and Haylie Duff of 7th Heaven co-hosting.

The Family Television Awards are the only awards recognizing outstanding programming for family viewing. The awards are given by the members of the Family Friendly Programming Forum and selected by the members of the Association of National Advertisers. The 40+ major national advertisers that participate in the Forum are taking positive steps to increase family friendly programming choices on primetime television. Their mission is to support and promote the development of "family friendly" television across all programming genres between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., when adults and children are most likely to watch television together.

  2006 Family Television Award honorees include:    Drama: "Numb3rs" (CBS)   Comedy: "Everybody Hates Chris" (The CW)   Reality: "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC)   Reality/Game Show Host: Howie Mandel "Deal or No Deal" (NBC)   New Series: "Ugly Betty" (ABC)   Actor: Tony Shalhoub "Monk" (USA)   Actress: Jennifer Love Hewitt  "Ghost Whisperer" (CBS)   TV Movie/Drama: "The Ron Clark Story" (TNT)   TV Movie/Musical: "High School Musical" (Disney Channel)  

The Family Television Awards Show is being produced by dick clark productions for the seventh consecutive year. Allen Shapiro and Barry Adelman are the executive producers, and R.A. Clark is the producer.

"Our mission is to support and promote the development of 'family friendly' television across all programming genres during the primetime hours when children and adults are most likely to watch television together. Working with our network partners, in eight short years we have achieved our goal of ensuring that there is always at least one show that families can watch during primetime every night of the week," said Kaki Hinton, co-chair of the Family Friendly Programming Forum and vice president, advertising services, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.

Stars appearing on the Awards program on December 12th include: Emily Procter (CSI Miami); America Ferrera (Ugly Betty); Jennifer Love Hewitt and Camryn Manheim (Ghost Whisperer); Howie Mandel (Deal or No Deal); Rob Morrow, David Krumholtz and Judd Hirsch (Numb3rs); George Lopez, Constance Marie (The George Lopez Show); Angus T. Jones (Two And a Half Men); Drew Lachey and Emmitt Smith (Dancing with the Stars); Mark Steines (Entertainment Tonight); Kristen Bell and Enrico Colantoni (Veronica Mars) and Beverley Mitchell (7th Heaven).

Additional information about the Family Television Awards and other initiatives of the Family Friendly Programming Forum can be found at www.ana.net/family.

The Family Friendly Programming Forum comprises the following companies: Allstate Insurance Company, American Family Insurance, BellSouth Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Campbell Soup Company, Domino's Pizza, Inc., Enterprise-Rent-A-Car Company, FedEx Corporation, Ford Motor Company, General Mills, Inc., General Motors Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, Hallmark Cards, Inc., H&R Block, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg Company, Kraft Foods, Inc., Liberty Mutual Group, Lowe's Companies, Inc., Masterfoods USA, McCormick & Company, Inc., McDonald's Corporation, Merck & Co., Inc., Nestle USA, Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., PepsiCo, Inc., Pfizer Inc, Schering-Plough Corporation, Sears, Roebuck and Co., Sprint Communications, State Farm Insurance Companies, The Coca-Cola Company, The Gillette Company, The Home Depot, Inc., The J.M. Smucker Company, The Procter & Gamble Company, Tyson Foods, Inc., Unilever United States, Inc, Verizon Communications, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Wendy's International, Inc.

The CW Network, which is owned jointly by CBS Corp. and Time Warner, Inc., consists of a six-night, 13-hour primetime lineup including Monday through Friday nights from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. (ET/PT); Sundays from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. (ET/PT); Sunday from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (ET/PT) outside of prime time as well as a Monday-Friday afternoon block from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (ET/PT) and a five-hour Saturday morning animation block. Altogether, the network programs 30 hours a week over seven days. For more information, visit www.cwtv.com.

Starz InBlack's Edgy 'B Side' Turns Up the Heat as the Late Night Series Returns for Season 2

Weekly Show Features Cool Celebrities, Uncensored Music Videos and Exclusive, Provocative, Programming

Season 2 of 'B Side' Premieres at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT, Monday, December 4th

Starz InBlack's weekly hot, late-night half-hour original series, "B Side" returns for a second season at 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT) Monday, December 4th. "B Side" features an eclectic mix of non-stop-crazy programming, including, original shorts, uncensored music videos, provocative animation and edgy comedy.

Returning as the show's hosts is the unlikely duo: the smooth-talking and strictly animated "B" and the very foxy and sexy Melyssa Ford ("BET Style").

"Every week, you'll hear and see something new and different on the "B Side" said Che Che Mata, senior vice president, creative services, Starz Entertainment. "This show explores everyday life, politics and social issues in an unconventional and always entertaining way. Our viewers will see program features that will surprise them and it's only on Starz InBlack."

  Here's a sample of featured programming vignettes on "B Side:"   * Exclusive original content including lifestyle segments and interviews     with celebrities, athletes and musicians.      -- A special two part feature with actor, director, writer, composer,        producer and editor Melvin Van Peebles interviewing political        prisoner Herman Bell.     -- The very opinioned "Street Corner Philosopher" tells it like it is        with his out-there opinions and perspectives on the latest events and        issues.  This brother keeps it real, sharing his thoughts on topics        most people think about, but do not have the courage to say out loud,        including pimps and ho's and John Mark Karr.     -- "3-Minute Spotlight" features unique people answering a string of        provocative questions in just three minutes.  You will definitely        want to hear what they have to say.     -- "The Professionals" showcases interviews with very interesting        professionals, such as Snoop Dogg, Xzibit and comedian Katt Williams.        One show features Beverly Hills plastic surgeons who share their        expert opinions on procedures such as the "booty enhancement" and        celebrities like Countess Vaughn ("The Parkers") who have experienced        the procedure and love the results.     -- "Cavi Whip" is where you get the skinny on how to outfit, pimp-out        and customize a ride.  You will hear from those who can afford        vehicles that include 20 -- yes 20 televisions -- and cost north of        $300,000.     -- Fresh, uncensored animated series, "How in the Hell Did I Get There"?        which focuses on one guy's bi-racial world.     -- "Kittie Litter" features the latest celebrity gossip about Russell        and Kimora, Whitney and Bobby, Star Jones and more.    * Raw, uncensored and underground music videos.  See the latest uncensored     music vides from artists, including Ice Cube, G-Unit, 50 Cent and     "Underground" segments that feature musicians including, T-Kash and     Silkee.  

Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie service provider operating in the United States. It offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz(R) and Encore(R) brands with approximately 14.9 million and 26.6 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000 movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services including Starz HD, Starz On Demand and Vongo(SM). Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation that is attributed to Liberty Capital Group.

Nicole Kidman Tops The Hollywood Reporter's Annual Actress Salary List; Reese Witherspoon Comes in at No. 2

 Nov. 30  Today The Hollywood Reporter released its fifth annual list of the 10 highest-paid actresses on HollywoodReporter.com, ahead of its 15th annual Women in Entertainment Power 100 issue being released on Dec. 5.

Risk-taking has paid off in 2006 for Nicole Kidman, who nabbed a career best salary for Warner Bros. Pictures' planned August release "The Invasion" after a string of daring choices. Kidman takes over the top spot bringing in $16 million - $17 million per film. Reese Witherspoon, on the heels of her Oscar win for "Walk the Line," moves up to No. 2, followed by Renee Zellweger, both earning $15 million per picture.

This year, Kirsten Dunst makes her first appearance on the list commanding $8 million - $10 million per film while Halle Berry, after falling off last year, rejoins the group at No. 6.

Julia Roberts, who has topped the list since its inception, is not included this year because she did not star in a live-action film released in 2006.

  The complete 2006 list is as follows:   1.  Nicole Kidman          $16 million - $17 million   2.  Reese Witherspoon      $15 million   3.  Renee Zellweger        $15 million   4.  Drew Barrymore         $15 million   5.  Cameron Diaz           $15 million   6.  Halle Berry            $14 million   7.  Charlize Theron        $10 million   8.  Angelina Jolie         $10 million   9.  Kirsten Dunst          $8 million - $10 million   10. Jennifer Aniston       $8 million     2005   1.  Julia Roberts         $20 million   2.  Nicole Kidman         $16 million - $17 million   3.  Reese Witherspoon     $15 million   4.  Drew Barrymore        $15 million   5.  Renee Zellweger       $10 million - $15 million   6.  Angelina Jolie        $10 million - $15 million   7.  Cameron Diaz          $10 million - $15 million   8.  Jodie Foster          $10 million - $12 million   9.  Charlize Theron       $10 million   10. Jennifer Aniston      $9 million     2004   1.  Julia Roberts         $20 million   2.  Cameron Diaz          $20 million   3.  Nicole Kidman         $15 million   4.  Reese Witherspoon     $15 million   5.  Drew Barrymore        $15 million   6.  Halle Berry           $14 million   7.  Sandra Bullock        $12 million - $15 million   8.  Angelina Jolie        $12 million - $15 million   9.  Renee Zellweger       $12 million   10. Jennifer Lopez        $12 million     2003   1.  Julia Roberts         $20 million   2.  Cameron Diaz          $20 million   3.  Nicole Kidman         $15 million   4.  Reese Witherspoon     $15 million   5.  Drew Barrymore        $15 million   6.  Halle Berry           $14 million   7.  Sandra Bullock        $12 million - $15 million   8.  Angelina Jolie        $12 million - $15 million   9.  Jennifer Lopez        $12 million   10. Renee Zellweger       $10 million - $12 million     2002   1.  Julia Roberts         $20 million   2.  Cameron Diaz          $20 million   3.  Drew Barrymore        $15 million   4.  Jodie Foster          $15 million   5.  Reese Witherspoon     $15 million   6.  Sandra Bullock        $12 million - $15 million   7.  Angelina Jolie        $12 million - $15 million   8.  Nicole Kidman         $12 million - $15 million   9.  Jennifer Lopez        $12 million   10. Renee Zellweger       $10 million  

Publishing Dec. 5, The Hollywood Reporter's 15th annual Women in Entertainment Power 100 special issue will identify and rank entertainment's most powerful female executives. From motion picture, TV, music and other areas of the industry, these women are recognized as having the power to change the direction of their company and affect the future of the business.

The Hollywood Reporter is a unit of VNU Business Media based in New York.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Ronan Keating's Country Soul
By Peter Cronin

© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

Looking at Ronan Keating's career trajectory - from boy band heartthrob to multi-Platinum selling solo artist - "Country" may not be the first word that comes to mind. But a look (and a listen) below the surface of this Irish-born singer's prodigious output reveals a serious and multi-faceted artist who, through his songwriting and song choices and his massive popular appeal, has emerged as a major international voice for Country Music.

"There's a great relationship between Irish music and Country Music, and I grew up listening to Country," Keating said. "All the TV shows showed American Country artists, and my parents loved the music, so I was engrossed in it as a child and it just stuck with me. There is a part of my soul that is Country Music, and that's why it comes out in what I do."

Keating was 14 years old and working in a Dublin shoe store when he beat out 300 auditioning hopefuls to become a member of Boyzone. The band, cast in the mold of the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync, experienced phenomenal success in the '90s. Each of their four albums shot to the top of the UK charts, and they landed all of their 16 singles in the Top 3. While Boyzone occasionally hinted at Country, covering songs such as Anne Murray's "You Needed Me," for example, Keating's stylistic leanings became clear from his first solo single in 1999, a cover of the Keith Whitley and Alison Krauss classic, "When You Say Nothing at All." His self-titled debut sold more than 4 million copies, establishing Keating as a star. In 2002, he released his sophomore album, Destination, leading with "If Tomorrow Never Comes," a chart-topping cover of the Garth Brooks smash from 1989.

"My version is not as Country as Garth's," Keating said. "Even 'When You Say Nothing at All,' I turn it into more of a contemporary pop song. But those roots are there, and you feel them. You don't have to be a Country fan to appreciate those songs."

Through his carefully considered, artfully rendered covers, audiences from London to Lisbon to Paris have come to appreciate the lyrical and melodic virtues of contemporary Country Music, and his songwriting has even taught America's Country artists a thing or two about what constitutes a hit. Back in 2001, Keating pitched one of his compositions, "The Long Goodbye," to Brooks & Dunn, who subsequently took the song to No. 1.

"That was a brilliant feeling," Keating said. "It was great for me as a songwriter to be recognized in that part of the world."

If his stardom hasn't yet caught on in the U.S., Keating seems to have the rest of the globe pretty well covered. "All Over Again," the first single from his latest album was a duet with acclaimed British folksinger Kate Rusby, and Keating recently recorded new versions of the song in Italian, French, German, Portuguese and Chinese. Keating partnered with American Country star LeAnn Rimes for another hit duet and video, 2004's "Last Thing on My Mind."

"Ronan is one of my favorite people in the world," Rimes said. "He is such a genuine, kind hearted man. I absolutely loved working with him. He has a very smooth, passionate voice that makes you believe everything he sings."

With the video of their duet in heavy international rotation, Rimes was invited to Switzerland to headline Country Night Gstaad Festival in 2004. Keating joined her to perform their hit song and was invited back to headline this year's event in September. 

COUNTRY DVDS: Position, Promote and Profit
By Edward Morris

© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

Keith Urban's "Livin' Right Now" DVD has sold more than 130,000 copies since its release in September 2005. But high production costs, limited means of promotion and uncertain prospects of sales continue to restrict the number of concert DVDs record labels make available to Country fans. More common - and less costly - are the DVD compilations of the artists' previously released music videos.

Montgomery Gentry's "You Do Your Thing: The DVD," which collects six of the duo's videos, was certified Gold (for the sale of 50,000 units) within two months of its release in April 2004. Urban's "Video Hits" DVD - also a six-pack - was declared Platinum (100,000) 20 months after it debuted in February 2004.

Bill Kennedy, VP of Sales for Capitol Records Nashville, said that the Urban concert DVD, which was shot at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, is the only one of that type that his label has done lately. "And it has met all of our expectations for sales and in what we want to accomplish concerning Keith's exposure," he noted.

"Besides getting to the core fan base you can use that footage for other things," Kennedy continued. "In Keith's case, where you have a great performer - the 2005 CMA Entertainer of the Year - you want to capture that and give fans a chance to purchase something [visual] so they don't have to get it via some other avenue [such as being] bootlegged." (Technology has gotten to the point that fans can surreptitiously tape and sell entire concert performances.)

Kennedy said he thought Capitol artists Trace Adkins and Dierks Bentley were "pretty close" to being eligible for their own concert DVDs. "There's a lot that goes into it," he explained. "You end up shooting more than one [show], and it takes a while." Although production, editing and licensing costs of concert DVDs vary widely, Kennedy estimated, "as a general rule, if you're going to do a concert DVD, you'd want to sell from a low end of 50,000 copies to a high end of 100,000."

Capitol has released two music video-based DVDs on Adkins since 2004.  The first has gone Platinum (100,000) and the second has reached Gold status, (50,000 units) according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Urban, the 2006 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year, is one of the hottest acts in Country Music, so it follows that his DVD would sell well. But is there a rationale for producing such a DVD on a new act that has no name recognition or on an older artist who has long since fallen off the charts? And how will the DVD be financed?

The PovertyNeck Hillbillies is a seven-man band from the Pittsburgh area.  Beginning in 2002, the band built such a large regional following that it was able to secure a number of deep-pocket sponsors, notably 84 Lumber, Cricket mobile phones and Coors Light beer. Last year, Pittsburgh public television station WQED brought the Hillbillies into its studio and taped a live performance. The show became a part of WQED's programming, a special offered to other PBS stations and a DVD for sale to fans.

In 1997, singer Don Williams took a TV crew with him to record one of his concerts in Zimbabwe, a country where he has a large and intensely devoted following.  Initially, Williams, who was last on the charts in 1992, sold VHS copies of "Into Africa" at his shows. In 2004, his label, Intersound/Compendia, released "Into Africa" as a DVD. Afterward, Robert Pratt, Williams' manager, negotiated a deal to have the show syndicated nationally to PBS stations.

In recent months, WNPT, Nashville's public television outlet, has aired both "PovertyNeck Hillbillies Live" and "Into Africa," a strong demonstration that concert DVDs, if properly licensed for broadcast, can find audiences for artists well beyond their regular fan base. 

Harmon McBride, WNPT's Program Director, said that WQED sent him a copy of the Hillbillies DVD and asked him to consider broadcasting it. "I thought the program was good and I thought the group was good," he reflected.  "PovertyNeck Hillbillies Live" was syndicated to other PBS stations by NETA. The band's label, Rust Records, licensed the DVD from WQED to sell in a package with the band's debut album. The Williams show came to WNPT as part of a larger package of programs that WLIW/Long Island, was offering for syndication.

"The aim [of broadcasting "Into Africa" on PBS] was to show the American people that they have an artist who has such a massive following in another country," Pratt said. "We're doing a number of projects with PBS during the course of the year - some concerts with Don in various parts of America. They will air the 'Africa' video prior to the concert in the local area." The DVD will also be offered for sale as part of the PBS tie-in.

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage's DVD, "Ragin' Live," has been edited down to an hour and is being syndicated to PBS stations, McBride said.  Jointly sponsored by Vincent's label, Rounder Records, and Martha White Flour, the DVD was filmed during a live performance at Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis. 

Whether concert or compilation, one of the primary purposes of a DVD is to convey a feeling of intimacy between artist and fans. One of the best current examples of this is "Gretchen Wilson Undressed," a simulated post-concert jam session shot at Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, W.Va. It should also be noted that the "Rascal Flatts Live" DVD, released in September 2003 went double-Platinum in March 2004. Toby Keith has scored two Gold and one Platinum DVDs, all video compilations. 

There are several bluegrass concert DVDs available, including "Telluride Bluegrass Festival" (shot at the 2003 event), Dolly Parton's "Live and Well" (shot at Dollywood in 2002), Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder's "Soldier of the Cross: The Concert" (filmed in 2003 at the Gibson Bluegrass Café in Nashville), the Platinum-selling "Alison Krauss & Union Station Live" (filmed at Louisville Palace in 2003), "A Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming" (recorded at Fisk University in Nashville in 2003) and "Bluegrass Journey: A Documentary" (released in 2003).

RECENTLY RELEASED COUNTRY ARTIST DVDs

Alison Krauss & Union Station / "Alison Krauss & Union Station & Union Station Live" / Rounder

Trace Adkins / "Video Hits" and "Video Hits 2" / Capitol

Chris Cagle / Video Hits" / Capitol

Glen Campbell / "In Concert" / Image

Johnny Cash / "Man in Black: Live in Denmark 1971" / Columbia/Legacy

Charlie Daniels Band / "CDB DVD Live" / Blue Hat/Koch

Cross Canadian Ragweed / "Back to Tulsa: Live and Loud at Cain's Ballroom" / Universal Records

Emmylou Harris and Mark Knopfler / "Real Live Roadrunning" / Warner Bros.

Faith Hill / "When the Lights Go Down" / Warner Bros.

Alan Jackson / "Precious Memories: Live at the Ryman" / ACR/Arista 

Waylon Jennings / "Nashville Rebel" / Bear Family

Toby Keith / "20th Century Masters - DVD Collection" / Mercury

Kris Kristofferson / "Live in Austin" / New West

Miranda Lambert / "Kerosene" / Columbia

Chris LeDoux / "Video Hits" / Capitol

Martina McBride / "Timeless" / RCA

Montgomery Gentry / "You Do Your Thing: The DVD" / Columbia

Neal McCoy / "LIVE!" / 903 Music

Tim McGraw / "Greatest Video Hits" / Curb

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band / "Farther Along" / Capitol

Dolly Parton / "Live and Well" / Sugar Hill

PovertyNeck Hillbillies / "PovertyNeck Hillbillies Live!" / Rust

Elvis Presley / "Elvis at the Hayride" / Louisiana Hayride

Rascal Flatts / "Rascal Flatts Live" / Lyric Street

Kenny Rogers / "The Journey" / Goldhill Entertainment

Minton Sparks / "Open Casket" / Ruckus/Emergent/RED

George Strait / "Somewhere Down in Texas" and "For the Last Time (Live from the Astrodome)" / MCA

Shania Twain / "Up Close and Personal" / Mercury

Keith Urban / "Livin' Right Now" and "Video Hits" / Capitol

Various Artists / "Bloodied but Unbowed: Bloodshot Records' Life in the Trenches" / Bloodshot Records

Various Artists / "Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall" / RCA

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage / "Ragin' Live" / Rounder

Webb Wilder / "Tough It Out!" / Landslide 

Gretchen Wilson / "Undressed" / Epic 

Billy Joel North American Tour Dates Announced For February - March 2007 All Dates Go On Sale Saturday, December 2, at 10am (EST)

Nov. 28 The legendary entertainer Billy Joel will perform a series of North American concert dates in February and March 2007 (see full itinerary following). Tickets for all dates will go on sale Saturday, December 2, at 10am (EST).

Currently in the midst of a concert tour of Australia, Japan, and Hawaii, Billy Joel continues breaking sales and attendance records around the world. "No American artist has performed to more Australians than Joel," wrote Australia's The Age (theage.com.au), "and over the next few weeks he will perform before another 100,000 people around the country." A review of Billy's concert at the Acer Arena in Sydney led with the observation that "According to his promoter, Frontier Touring, Billy Joel has sold more tickets for shows in the past 12 months than any other artist, including U2."

In April 2006, Billy Joel broke the Madison Square Garden record for the longest sequence of sold-out shows by a single artist. At the twelfth show of his sold-out run, Madison Square Garden celebrated the event in true New York style, raising a banner to the venue's rafters emblazoned with "#12," the number of Billy's consecutive SRO performances. As Billy's banner joined the ranks of the Rangers and the Knicks, the Bronx-born Long Island-raised show business icon became the first non-athlete ever to be honored with a "retired" number on the rafters of the Garden.

In June 2006, Columbia Records released 12 Gardens Live, a two CD collection of the hottest performances culled from Billy's record-breaking 12 sold-out concert run at Madison Square Garden. Produced by Billy Joel and Grammy-winning "Producer of the Year" Steve Lillywhite, 12 Gardens Live has been heralded by allmusic.com as " ... an unexpectedly compelling and entertaining listen ... his most enjoyable album in 20 years."

Billy's concerts are filled with greatest hits, personal favorites, musical surprises and more, never failing to prove why Billy's music endures through the decades, becoming ever more popular and vital with time. Having sold more than 100 million records over the past quarter century, Billy Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in the world.

Billy Joel North American Tour Dates

FEBRUARY

2/7: Jacksonville FL (Jacksonville Arena)

2/10: Orlando, FL (TD Waterhouse Centre)

2/12: Miami, FL (American Airlines Arena)

2/14: Columbia, SC (Colonial Center)

2/17: Greenville, SC (Bi-Lo Center)

2/21: Nashville, TN (Gaylord Entertainment Center)

2/23: Charlottesville, VA (JPJ Arena)

2/26: Birmingham, AL (BJCC Arena)

MARCH

3/1: Atlanta, GA (Philips Arena)

3/3: Raleigh, NC (RBC Center)

3/6: New Orleans, LA (New Orleans Arena)

http://www.billyjoel.com/

http://www.columbiarecords.com/

Source: Columbia Records

 Deck the Halls With Nick Jr. Family Magazine's Holiday Themed Issue - on Stands November 28 -

Featuring the 'Best Children's Books of 2006' December/January Issue also Includes Top Travel Destinations for 2007, Holiday Crafts and Recipes that Span the Globe, Revolutionary New Year's Resolutions and More!

Nov.28 With the holidays upon us, what better gift to give your kids than the gift of reading? The December/January issue of Nick Jr. Family Magazine, on stands November 28, features a list of the "Best Children's Books of 2006," the cream of the crop in literature for toddlers to tweens. Also included in this issue are travel ideas for 2007, international cookies and holiday recipes, crafts from kids of The Children's International Workshop in New York City, new ideas for New Year's resolutions, and more.

"This issue is about inspiring creativity, bringing families closer, and putting new twists on traditional ideas during the holiday season," said Freddi Greenberg, Editor in Chief of Nick Jr. Family Magazine. "With features like the 'Best Books,' 'Little Ambassadors' and others, we hope to put a fresh spin on the holiday season."

The "Best Children's Books of 2006" were selected by a panel of six of the nation's most respected librarians and reading specialists including best-selling author Jon Sciezska, and Newbery and Caldecott Medal committee members. Categories such as "Best Bedtime Books," "Best Bilingual Books," "Best Series" and "Best Young Chapter Books" are divided according to age and reading ability, including selections for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and beginning readers. Also included are family read-togethers.

Among the "Best Children's Books of 2006" are works by authors such as Laura Numberoff (When Sheep Sleep), Jabari Asim (Whose Toes Are Those? and Whose Knees Are These?), Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Best Best Friends), Chris Raschka (Five for a Little One), Susan Middleton Elya (Bebe Goes Shopping), Karen Ehrhardt (This Jazz Man), Kate DiCamillo (Mercy Watson Fights Crime), Lori Ries (Aggie and Ben: Three Stories), Mo Willems (Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!), and Anne Isaacs (Pancakes for Supper).

The December/January issue also names the top new family travel destinations for 2007 which include: Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont; La Costa Resort and Spa in California; Coco Key in Boston; Hershey Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania; Cypress Valley Canopy Tours in Spicewood, Texas; Jamestown Settlement in Virginia; and Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas cruise.

Readers will also find creative ideas for holiday craft creations and recipes with an international flair from preschoolers in New York City (37 countries are represented); gift suggestions that can support developing nations; new ideas for New Year's resolutions that you will keep; and an off-screen look at actress Tea Leoni, who lets readers in on her secret to juggling work, family, looking good and her work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, in the "Starring Mom" feature.

About Nick Jr. Family Magazine

Nick Jr. Family Magazine, now in its seventh year, is the fastest growing magazine in the Parenting category. Published nine times a year, it is distributed to preschools across the country and is also available at bookstores and newsstands and via subscription. Nick Jr. Family Magazine builds on the strength of the Nick Jr. brand to provide today's busy parents of kids ages 0-11 with the latest information on child development, news and family products, as well as the simplest creative activities and ideas for spending time as a family. Nick Jr. Family Magazine has won numerous awards from the Association of Educational Publishers, including Periodical of the Year and the Golden Lamp Award. The magazine has been featured on ADWEEK's Top Ten Hot List in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Nick Jr. Family Magazine has a circulation of 1.15 million and a total audience of 5.0 million.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, in its 27th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one rated basic cable network for eleven consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA and) (NYSE:VIA.B) .

1 Million Gamers Worldwide Say Hello to Sierra Entertainment's Scarface:

 The World Is Yours Tony Montana's Epic Return to Miami Was the #1 Game in North America for the Month of October

Nov. 28 -- Vivendi Games' Sierra Entertainment division is proud to announce that Scarface: The World Is Yours, the blockbuster video game based on the 1983 classic film from Universal Pictures, has sold more than 1 million copies worldwide at retail stores.

Scarface: The World Is Yours was created through a licensing agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group.

"We are very appreciative of the outstanding retail and gaming community support in North America, Europe and Australia," said Pascal Brochier, president, global retail, Vivendi Games. "This support pushed the game to #1 in North America while exceeding our expectations in Europe and beyond."

In the month of October, the world was truly Tony's. In addition to the success of Scarface: The World Is Yours, Tony's game for the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, Scarface: Money. Power. Respect., claimed the top spot on the PSP system in North America. According to sales data from The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service, during the month of October:

* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Game in America

* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Console Game in America

* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 PlayStation(R)2 Game in America

* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Xbox(R) Game in America

* Scarface: Money. Power. Respect. was the #1 PSP Game in America

Source: October 2006 Video Game Software Sales. The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service

"We are thrilled with the fantastic response to Scarface: The World Is Yours," said Bill Kispert, VP Interactive, Universal Studios Consumer Product Group. "We know that the character, the mythos, and the brand of Scarface is one that fans are extremely passionate about. The teams at Sierra Entertainment and Radical Entertainment took that to heart -- showing immense respect for both the nuances and the explosive elements of the source material, while also adding to the license's mythology. This is a great example of how interactive entertainment can extend a franchise, and we love that fans feel the game has done Tony proud."

Scarface: The World Is Yours presents a sequel storyline that asks "What if Tony Montana survived the mansion shootout?" The game plunges players deep into the seedy underbelly of 1980s Miami as the one-and-only Tony Montana. Players are challenged to re-enact the climactic mansion shoot-out from the original film, but in the game the player has the opportunity to help Tony fight his way out of the mansion and survive. As Tony, the player must then rebuild his fallen empire and seize vengeance on his enemies.

Video game critics have praised Scarface: The World Is Yours for its thrilling gameplay, the authenticity to the classic Scarface film and the game's Hollywood-level production values.

* " ... the best open-world game to date." -- Vibe Magazine

* " ... it nails down the movie's atmosphere and Tony's attitude

perfectly." -- AOL Games

* "Scarface does Montana right." -- Washington Post

Scarface: The World Is Yours is now available worldwide for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Xbox(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC. Scarface: Money. Power. Respect., a unique game designed specifically for the PSP system that combines turn-based strategy gameplay with real-time combat, is also now available.

For more information about Scarface: The World Is Yours, please visit the game's official Web site at www.scarfacegame.com.

About Universal Studios Consumer Products Group

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG) is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies as well as building brand recognition of the extensive catalogue of NBC Universal properties. Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a unit of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

About Vivendi Games

Vivendi Games (www.vivendigames.com) is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is the leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPG) category, holds leading positions in the PC, console, handheld and mobile games markets, and is an emerging player in casual online games. Vivendi Games' two principal studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, headquartered in Irvine, CA, the creator of World of Warcraft(R), Diablo(R), StarCraft(R), and Warcraft(R); and Sierra Entertainment, headquartered in Los Angeles, which includes Radical Entertainment, Swordfish Studios, High Moon Studios, and Massive Entertainment. Sierra's IPs include Crash Bandicoot(R), Spyro The Dragon(R), Empire Earth(R), SWAT(R), Darkwatch(TM), Timeshift(TM), Ground Control(R) and Leisure Suit Larry(R). Vivendi Games is also home to Vivendi Games Mobile, publishing games for the mobile market, and Sierra Online, dedicated to publishing casual games for online play and distribution on all platforms. Vivendi Games maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Ludlum Entertainment. The company has 16 offices around the world conducting business in 75 countries.

"Scarface: The World Is Yours" interactive game (C) 2006 Vivendi Games, Inc. Scarface is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All Rights Reserved. "PlayStation", "PS" Family logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo(TM) may be required (sold separately). Microsoft, Xbox and the Xbox logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or in other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Source: Sierra Entertainment

Happy Feet: The IMAX Experience Taps Another Strong Box Office Performance

 In IMAX(R) Theatres Digitally Re-Mastered IMAX DMR(R) Version Of Happy Feet Achieves Highest Grossing Second Weekend Ever In IMAX(R) Theatres

Nov. 28 IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that Happy Feet: The IMAX Experience carried momentum from its record breaking opening weekend with a strong performance through the Thanksgiving holiday, posting the highest grossing second weekend ever in IMAX(R) theatres for a DMR release. On 79 IMAX(R) screens, the film contributed an impressive $2.25 million of the film's weekend total of $37 million, from Friday, November 24 through Sunday, November 26. The cumulative domestic IMAX total now stands at approximately $6 million, with the film's overall domestic total now over $100 million.

Happy Feet: The IMAX Experience also played in three international locations and is scheduled to open in several more key locations in the coming weeks, including this week in Buenos Aires, Argentina and throughout Mexico.

"We are thrilled that The IMAX Experience(R) and Happy Feet have resulted in another strong weekend," said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. "This performance reinforces the fact that audiences' appetite for IMAX event films continues to grow, and we are confident that Happy Feet: The IMAX Experience will deliver healthy box office returns throughout the holiday season."

"Happy Feet" is set in the great nation of Emperor Penguins, Deep in Antarctica, you're nobody unless you can sing - which is unfortunate for Mumble, who is the worst singer in the world. He is born dancing to his own tune... tap dancing. Mumble's mom, Norma Jean, thinks this little habit is cute, but his dad, Memphis, says "it just ain't penguin." Besides, they both know that, without a Heartsong, Mumble may never find true love. Leaving home, Mumble meets the Adelie Amigos, led by Ramon. The Adelies invite Mumble to party with them in Adelie Land, where Mumble seeks the counsel of Lovelace the Guru, a crazy-feathered Rockhopper penguin who will answer any of life's questions for the price of a pebble. Together with Lovelace and the Amigos, Mumble sets out across vast landscapes and, after some epic encounters, proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy Miller production, in association with Animal Logic Film. A George Miller film, "Happy Feet" features the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving and Anthony LaPaglia. The film also features the tap dancing of Savion Glover. "Happy Feet" is directed by George Miller, who also co-wrote the screenplay with John Collee, Judy Morris and Warren Coleman. The film is produced by Doug Mitchell, George Miller and Bill Miller, with Zareh Nalbandian, Graham Burke, Dana Goldberg, and Bruce Berman executive producing. The music is composed by John Powell.

About IMAX Corporation

Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies and the newest distribution window for Hollywood films. IMAX delivers the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX(R) 3D, and IMAX DMR technology. IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) makes it possible for virtually any 35mm film to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences. As of September 30, 2006, there were 280 IMAX theatres operating in 40 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at www.imax.com.

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include the timing of theatre system installations, the mix of theatre systems shipped, the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses on film production and distribution agreements, the performance of films, the viability of new businesses and products, including the transition to digital systems, and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format and general commercial exhibition market. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and in the subsequent reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, scheduled to be filed on November 9, 2006.

Source: IMAX Corporation

'Must Have Done Something Right,

' First Single From Relient K's Upcoming Album, Available November 28th at All Digital Retailers MP3 Download of Single Plus Bonus Track Available at www.relientk.com; Five Score And Seven Years Ago, the Follow-Up to Relient K's Third Consecutive Gold Album, Due Out March 6th

Nov. 28 On November 28th, Gotee/Capitol Records will release "Must Have Done Something Right," the ebullient first single from Relient K's upcoming album, Five Score And Seven Years Ago. The single will be available at all digital retailers. The single plus a bonus track, "Fallen Man," will also be available as an MP3 file for $0.99 direct from the band's website -- www.relientk.com. "Fallen Man" will not appear on the forthcoming album. The same single plus bonus track will be available on iTunes.

A higher quality 320kbs MP3 download of "Must Have Done Something Right" plus the bonus track will also be available for $1.25 via the band's website.

Despite three consecutive Gold albums, a Grammy nomination and two Top 20 singles ("Be My Escape" and "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been"), Relient K may be pop-punk's best-kept secret. "We're still under the radar, nobody knows who we are," says lead singer/guitarist/pianist Matt Thiessen gleefully. The band has long had a strong internet presence -- 2004's mmhmm debuted at #1 on the internet chart (and at #15 on the Billboard 200) and Relient K currently has upwards of 360,000 myspace.com friends.

Five Score And Seven Years Ago -- the title is both a reference to the album being the band's fifth in seven years and a nod to Lincoln -- presents 14 slices of life as only Relient K could render it, beginning with "Plead the Fifth," an "eyewitness" account of Lincoln's assassination from a bogus conspirator and concluding with the 11-minute, 115-track tour-de-force "Deathbed," told by an end-stage cancer patient who has mercifully not lost his sense of humor. "The Best Thing" and "Must Have Done Something Right" are fueled by an infectious exuberance while the hard-edged "Devastation And Reform" captures our innate aptitude for doing something wrong, despite our best intentions.

Relient K -- comprised of Thiessen, lead guitarist Matt Hoopes, drummer Dave Douglas, bassist John Warne and Jon Schneck (guitar, banjo, and bells) -- recorded most of Five Score And Seven Years Ago in Los Angeles with producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, The All-American Rejects). Three tracks were completed thereafter in Nashville with Mark Townsend, who produced each of the band's previous works, including their initial demo. Guest artists include Switchfoot's Jon Foreman. Five Score And Seven Years Ago will be released on March 6, 2007.

Bow Wow's 'Shortie Like Mine' is Nation's #1 Rap Record 2nd Week Running Multi-Platinum Hip-Hop Icon's New Single Is #1 On Billboard Monitor Urban Mainstream AND Rap Charts

Nov. 28 The multi-platinum hip-hop icon Bow Wow is enjoying his second week of chart-topping success as "Shortie Like Mine," the first single from his eagerly-awaited fifth studio album, The Price of Fame, maintains its #1 slot on the Billboard Monitor Rap Chart while zeroing in on #1 on the Urban Mainstream chart.

Bow Wow's new album, The Price of Fame, is slated for release on Tuesday, December 19.

Produced by Bow Wow's long-time collaborator Jermaine Dupri and featuring the American R&B superstar Chris Brown, "Shortie Like Mine" is blowing up nationwide hitting millions of radio listeners in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Boston, Denver, Chicago, Sacramento, Portland, Orlando, Fresno, Knoxville, Washington DC and more.

"Shortie Like Mine" has been played more than 4 million times on Bow Wow's MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/bowwow). A video for "Shortie Like Mine" has been lensed in Los Angeles by acclaimed video and film director Bryan Barber (OutKast, "Idlewild") and addresses the burgeoning phenomenon of online social networking.

The Price of Fame is the first new studio album from Bow Wow since July 2005 when his RIAA platinum-certified Wanted debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and generated the smash singles "Let Me Hold You" (featuring Omarion) (#1 Rap, #2 R&B/Hip-Hop, #4 Hot 100) and "Like You" (featuring Ciara) (#1 Rap, #1 R&B Hip-Hop, #3 Hot 100).

Bow Wow -- whose film credits include "Like Mike" (one of the 50 Top Grossing films of 2002), "All About The Benjamins" (2003), "Johnson Family Vacation" (2004) and "Roll Bounce" -- may be seen in "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" as well as in an upcoming episode of "Smallville."

Bow Wow first burst on the scene back in 2000 -- under the wing of super producer Jermaine Dupri -- with his debut album, Beware of Dog, which went on to sell more than three million copies while solidifying his status as an authentic hip-hop heartthrob.

Bow Wow took his brand of rap to the next level with 2001's Doggy Bag, hitting the road in support of his multi-platinum sophomore CD with the sold-out "SCREAM Tour II," wowing fans all over the country with hits like "Take Ya Home" and "Thank You."

With his third album, 2003's Unleashed, Bow Wow became more directly involved with writing and producing his music, creating a collection directly from the heart, conveying a more personal overview of life from Bow Wow's perspective.

He is the youngest musician to open the Grammy Awards, is the first "kid" to be included in Vanity Fair's prestigious annual music issue (October 2001), and entered "The Guinness Book of World Records" as the youngest solo rapper to hit #1 on the U.S. charts.

With numerous hit singles, platinum-plus albums, sold-out tours, starring roles in hit films, and a place in "The Guinness Book of World Records" already on his resume, Bow Wow continues to prove that he's the 100% real deal with the indisputable goods: a bona fide superstar blessed with talent, tenacity, and a deep connection to his audience.

Source: Sony Urban Music/Columbia Records