In This Issue:Red Bull Bedroom Jam comp, National Jazz Awards, GOYTE tops US Charts, Jagermeister Independent Music Charts, Big Sound 2012 announced, Pop Frenzy joins Co-Op, Jinja Safari sign with International booker The Agency Group, ARIA Charts, WAMi Award Nominees announced, Jeff Lang wins National Folk Recording Award, Ch V Buzz Artists segment going live, the Annual Record store gets under way, read Molly’s open letter to the public, The Entertainment Centre to be demolishes, Levon Helm dies aged 71, Arcadia signs endorsement deal with MYBROTHERSKEEPER and more…

INDUSTRY ON BOARD FOR RED BULL BEDROOM JAM

Ella Hooper (Killing Heidi/The Verses/Radar Radio & TV), Michael Parisi (Michael Parisi Management/Wunderkind), Dan Bessant (Program Director for Channel [V], [V] Hits and MAX), Chris Joannou (Silverchair) and Corbin Harris (Pro Skater/TV Host) have been confirmed to take part in the 2012 “Red Bull Industry Jam”, an online platform which aims at getting exposure for musicians aged 15 – 21. Entrants are expected to compete by climbing the “Buzz Chart” via a variety of social media tools that will help engage fans and build up a fan base.

Tom Sigelski, Culture Marketing Manager at Red Bull says, “This competition is about providing the tools that young musicians need in order to develop their career. We want entrants to make the most of the advice, guidance and opportunities we have on offer. However, these opportunities are only of value where the artists are prepared to work for it."

Fortnightly webcast winners with get a one on one mentoring session with Ella Hooper and Michael Parisi, and the final winner will receive a four part mentoring session “The Right Path” with Michael Parisi, focusing on organization, goal setting, and getting results. The finalist will also get a chance to play at an iconic venue, and record at the new Red Bull Studios in Sydney.

To enter head to www.redbullbedroomjam.com.au and submit a video recording of your original work, along with your artist profile.

ENTRIES NOW OPEN FOR NATIONAL JAZZ AWARDS

This year the Jazz Awards will focus on VOICE, searching for Australian Jazz vocalists up to 35 years of age. Finalists will be granted the opportunity to perform at Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues 2012 on 4th November, 2012.

Prizes for this year’s National Jazz Awards include:
- Winner will receive $10,000 and will be invited to record in-studio for ABC Classic FM’s Jazztrack With Mal Stanley and will perform as part of the 2013 Stonnington Jazz Festival
- Runner-up $5,000
- Third place $2,500

Closing date for entries is 1st June, 2012 so hurry along to www.wangarattajazz.com and register.

GOTYE TOPS THE US CHARTS

Goyte has joined the ranks of Men At Work, INXS, and Savage Garden all of who have experienced a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the USA.
“Somebody That I Use To Know” has had 5 million sales worldwide, and 500,000 of those copies sold in the U.S over the last week.

Gotye’s album “Making Mirrors” featured in the top 10 US Billboard 200 this week at #7, having sold over 1 million copies worldwide. The single has reached #1 on iTunes in 33 countries, not to mention the albums 3 x Platinum success in Australia.

JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC CHARTS

Jagermeister Singles Chart w/c 16th Apr
1. “Boys Like You” 360 feat. Gossling
2. “I love It” Hilltop Hoods feat. Sia
3. “100% No Modern Talking” Knife Party
4. “Somebody That I Use To Know Gotye feat. Kimbra
5. “Rattling The Keys” Hilltop Hoods

Jagermeister Album Chart w/c 16th Apr
1. “Drinking From The Sun” Hilltop Hoods
2. “Falling & Flying” 360
3. “Best Of” Sia
4. “Making Mirrors” Gotye
5. “Hits” Jimmy Barnes

BIGSOUND 2012 LAUNCHES: FIRST SPEAKERS & ARTISTS ANNOUNCED

The Southern Hemisphere’s global music conference is back again for 2012 at Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley Live Music Precinct from 12 – 14th September, 2012.

Key Speakers announced for the event include:

BEN LEE - ARTIST
BEN SWANK - THIRD MAN RECORDS
RENE CHAMBERS - SPOTIFY
ALY EHLINGER - C3 PRESENTS
DAVID JIMENEZ-ZUMALACARREGUI - HEART OF GOLD
MARK POSTON - EMI
CHARLES CALDAS - MERLIN
NICK FINDLAY - TRIPLE J
JESSICA DUCROU - VILLAGE SOUNDS
IAN HAUG -POWDERFINGER /PRODUCER
NICKY & BEN BERGER - BERGER MANAGEMENT
RICHARD MOFFAT - WAY OVER THERE
LISA HRESKO - CMJ
DAVID BRIDIE – ARTIST

Live event entertainment will come in the form of:

KATE MILLER-HEIDKE
VIOLENT SOHO
EAGLE & THE WORM
THE PAPER KITES
KING CANNONS
THE CAIROS
OLIVER TANK
KIRA PURU & THE BRUISE
THE TROUBLE WITH TEMPLETON
THE PREACHERS

Early bird tickets for the event are now available for $295 for Q Music members and $395 for non-members. The special includes access to the conference, after-parties, and live music events. So get in early at www.bigsound.org.au

JINJA SAFARI SECURE BOOKING DEAL WITH “THE AGENCY GROUP”

Soaring in popularity, Australia’s Jinja Safari have secured booking representation with international powerhouse The Agency Group. The Agency which has roots in the UK/Europe/Japan, USA, Canada & Australia/NZ market represent bookings for renowned artists like Foster The People, Gotye, Temper Trap, The Antlers, The Naked & Famous (just to name a few!). It’s safe to say that Jinja Safari is set to take on the world.

POP FRENZY JOINS CO-OP

Sydney’s indie music label Popfrenzy has announced its new partnership with label group Cooperative Music.

Established in 2003, Popfrenzy is one of the country’s leading independent record labels and touring and events agencies. The label is responsible for releasing international artists such as Best Coast, The Drums, and bringing Deerhunter, Blonde Redhead, Metronomy, and many fine tunes to our shores.
The Cooperative Music Australia is best known for its international marketing network, as well as being a multi-territory independent label group. Its roster of lables include Spunk, DFA, Transgressive, Communion, Bella Union, Heavenly Records, Lucky Number, Downtown, and many more.

ARIA CHARTS
ARIA Top 5 Albums w/c 16th Apr 2012
1. One Direction “Up All Night”
2. Cold Chisel “No Plans” (debut)
3. Adele “21”
4. Hilltop Hoods “Drinking From The Sun”
5. Skrillex ‘Bangarang’

ARIA Top 5 Singles w/c 16th Apr 2012
1. Carly Rae Jepsen ‘Call Me Maybe’
2. Nicki Minaj ‘Starships’
3. One Direction ‘One Thing’
4. fun. Feat. Janelle Monae ‘We Are Young’
5. EdSheeran ‘Lego House’

2012 WAMi AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Every year the WAMI awards showcase the diversity of musical talent in Western Australia. The 2012 nominees have just been announced, with San Cisco and Split Seconds both collecting 8 nominations. The full list of nominees can be seen at wam.asn.au/awards, with public voting now open at freezone.iinet.net.au/partners/wami-vote.

The WAMi Festival will take place in Perth from 26th May – 2nd June, culminating with the Awards Night on 2nd Jun at The Bakery. The Awards Ceremony will feature live performances from Eskimo Joe, John Butler, Mama Kin, and Dom Mariani & The Hurricane Fighter Plane.

Tickets for the WAMi Festival are now on sale from nowbaking.com.au

JEFF LANG WINS 12th ANNUAL NATIONAL FOLK RECORDING AWARD

Jeff Lang has been presented with the 12th Annual National Folk Recording Award by the National Film and Sound Archive, for his latest album “Carried in Mind”. Lang’s 14th studio album was recorded in Melbourne, and features the latent of Danny McKenna on drums, Grant Cummerford on bass and Garrett Costigan on Pedal steel.

The Award is presented to artists who have made a significant contribution to Australia’s sound heritage.

BASMENT DISCS RECORDS INDEPENDENT RECORD STORE DAY EVENTS - SATURDAY APRIL 21 2012

Basement Disc records in Melbourne are gearing up for another year of “Record Store Day”, with a number of special live in store performances to celebrate their love of music and support for Independently owned record stores around the world. Some of the artists on their bill for this year’s event include Lisa Miller, Chris Wilson, Jeff Lang, Charles Jenkins, Mikelangelo, Alison Perrier, The Catridge Family, Saint Jude and many more

If you’re in Sydney, or want to check out what’s happening at your local record stores this weekend check the official website for more details www.recordstoreday.com

ARCADIA SIGN ENDORSEMENT DEAL MYBROTHERSKEEPER!

Australian clothing label “MYBROTHERSKEEPER” have just penned an endorsement deal with Adelaide’s Arcadia. The clothing label has branched out from Sydney to Adelaide and caught onto the local act.

www.facebook.com/ArcadiaMetal
www.facebook.com/MyBrothersKeeperAdelaide

CH V BUZZ ARTISTS

Searching for new music nowdays usually means spending countless hours trawling through the internet or relying on friends to recommend what’s hot (or what’s not). Channel V have decided to make the process a lot easier by launching “V Buzz Artist” on 1st May, dedicated to sniffing out what’s worth listening to and bringing it to your living room.

Each month a new artist will be featured both on-air and online, and for the entire month their music videos will be on high rotation to give them maximum exposure. At vmusic.com.au you’ll find a dedicated feature pages with bios, previews, interviews, gig guides, photos, and downloads.

LEVON HELM DIES AGED 71

Levon Helm, the drummer of “The Band” has died after a long battle with cancer, aged 71.

The Band’s debut record “Music From Big Pink” is considered one of the greatest albums of all time, and their catalogue of records from ’68-77’, including The Basement Tapes featuring Bob Dylan, have inspired a whole generation of recording artists.

MOLLY’S LETTER TO THE PUBLIC AFTER RECOVERY

Molly Meldrum has composed an open letter to thank the public for their support during his 4 month period of rehabilitation, after a head injury which occurred on Christmas Day placed him in an induced coma.
Have a read of Molly’s letter which was published in the Sun Herald:
As you know, I've been out on the tiles a number of times. But never like this. My life changed forever when I fell off the roof on December 15 last year.

I can't say my life flashed before my eyes, but I have had plenty of time to reflect in the past few weeks, and I realise just how lucky I am.

It's lovely being in the TV Week Logies Hall of Fame; it's even better to be alive.

I've heard all the jokes:

What do Molly and St Kilda have in common?

They both can't stay at the top of the ladder.

It's just great to be able to laugh about it.

Every day is a new adventure.

The other day, the phone rang. "May I please speak with Molly?" the man said.

My friend Lizzie Joyce answered the phone because I was having a rest. She hates it when people don't identify themselves.

"Who's calling?" she demanded.

"It's Elton, Elton John."

Lizzie was a little fazed when she told me: "There's someone on the phone claiming to be Elton John."

It was Elton, and he sounded concerned. "What happened, dear?" he asked. "We were together at my concert in Melbourne and then I hear you're in a critical condition. Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," I replied, "just remember that song I'm Still Standing."

John and Roger from Duran Duran dropped in to see me, and then dedicated that night's show to me. John told the Rod Laver crowd: "We don't usually dedicate our shows, but we'll dedicate this one to Molly, who we love to death."

That meant a lot.

A week later, Adam Ant dedicated Ant Music to me at his Palace show and kindly said that Countdown broke him in Australia.

I've received emails from hundreds of people, including Madonna, David Bowie and Mick Jagger.

Kylie and Michael Buble sent cards and flowers.

Julia Gillard sent a card and called me. She's all class.

And Ted Baillieu dropped in to say hello. "You're a national treasure, Molly," Ted told me.

I don't think I am, but it was a lovely thing to say.

It's nice having famous friends, but the amount of support I've received from the general public has been truly overwhelming.

I'm not sure I deserve all this attention, but it has certainly boosted my spirits.

I've got bags of cards from people that I've never met.

Melbourne Storm put together a book featuring all the text messages that were shown at Federation Square.

St Kilda compiled a book with messages from the players, staff and supporters.

So many messages touched me, including this one:

Molly, you are sick. I feel sad. You need to get better very soon. Love from Bella, Age 4

People have sent candles, stuffed toys, and presents for Ziggy.

Billy Slater's beautiful wife, Nicole, painted a portrait of Ziggy, which now hangs proudly in my living room.

I wish I could reply to all the cards and messages, but it's impossible - it would take all year and I'd never get my book finished!

It's times like these you realise who your true friends are. I have so many people to thank, including my great mate and maintenance man Joe, who literally saved my life on that fateful day.

Joe rushed to my aid while my PA, Yael Cohn, called the ambulance.

Words cannot express how grateful I am to Yael. She was at my bedside every day, dealing with the media and updating my friends.

Looking after me is not easy at the best of times (though I was probably easier to deal with when I was in a coma).

To have Yael by my side during some dark days meant so much. She is the special woman in my life. I couldn't have got through it without her.

"Rock" has been a big part of my life, but my brother Brian has been a rock in another way.

A good mate recently said, "Brian is just like you, but without all the drama."

That's true. I couldn't have had a better bloke beside me during the tough times. Big thanks to Brian, his wife, Gillian, and my nieces.

My son Morgan flew home from China to be with me in hospital - and I think he enjoyed the fact that I couldn't yell at him or tell him what to do.

The support I've had from Channel Seven, Foxtel and MTV has been incredible.

My heartfelt thanks to David Leckie, Lewis Martin, Tim Worner, Graeme Hill and Ian Johnson at Seven; Brian Walsh at Foxtel, and Rebecca Batties at MTV. Hopefully I'll be back at work soon.

So many dear friends have continued to stand by me, including my manager, Mark Klemens; Michael and Sue Gudinski, Dannii Minogue, Gerry and Val Ryan, Michael Chugg and Mam, Peter and Anna Blunden, John and Renee Ribot, Jeanne, Heloise and the Pratt family; and Lindsay, Paula, Katrina and the Fox family.

Their support means so much.

And what can I say about the incredible doctors and nurses at the Alfred and the Epworth?

I must make special mention of my neurosurgeon Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld at the Alfred, and Professor John Olver, the medical director at Epworth Rehabilitation.

Simply, they put me back together. I will be forever grateful.

I take my hat off to the nurses. Whatever they're paid, it's not enough.

I'm thinking I could star in a stage production of The Wiz - Ziggy could play Toto, and I could be the Tin Man. I'm not sure who will play Dorothy.

It's great to be home. Thanks to all of my friends who have visited and cared for me. Special thanks to Damian Melder and his crew.

There's no place like home. But my good friends at the Egyptian Consulate in Melbourne have invited me to return to Egypt, and I can't wait to get back there.

And hopefully I'll soon be back in Phuket with my partner, Yan, catching up with our friend Angelica and her daughters, Sabrina and Georgia.

Finally, a big hello to all the patients in rehab at the Epworth. When you're in hospital, you realise just how easily accidents can happen and how it can be a long road to recovery.

You can't do it alone - you need the support of family and friends and wonderful medical people. My thoughts are with everyone who's in hospital.

Every year I'm blown away by the generosity of Victorians when they support the Good Friday Appeal.

This year I realised just how important our hospitals and medical people are - you never know when you might need them.

Please take care. Stay off the roof. And Go Saints and Storm! It's great to be able to see another footy season.

Love, Molly xo

SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER TO BE DEMOLISHED

Premier Barry O’Farrell has announced that the Sydney Entertainment Centre is going to be demolished as part of a billion dollar facelift for the Darling Harbour area.

The NSW Government is focusing on building a vibrant and accommodating convention, exhibition, and entertainment hot spot at Darling Harbour. This upgrade has come as a result of the estimated $150 million in economic benefits that NSW has lost out on over the last 2 year due to the size restriction of the current convention facilities.

The premiere estimates that the economic benefits for NSW, once the upgrade is complete, will be upward of $1 billion over 5 years.