iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Live music continues to trend, tragically, towards being the privilege of the wealthy. A weekend pass to Woodstock in 1969 cost $18. That was expensive for the time. With inflation that = $163 today. You’d have to quadruple that to get to the $649 general admission 1st weekend cost of Coachella.

001

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

She didn’t write most if any of her hit songs. And she recorded for Jive-Zomba who had notoriously aggressive deals for their young artists. Hard for me to see how she would own many if any rights to actually sell.

000

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Hah. I definitely appreciate the sentiment and the shout out. I’m not positive, but I think this one is actually a little different. I don’t think she actually sold them rights. I think she only sold them her future royalties for her artist share.

110

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

It is standard. Whatever artists want to sign away or sell is their business, literally and figuratively. But press releases full of talk about integrity and legacy protection reek of hypocrisy.

110

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Spoken like a true Yankees fan 😂

110

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

But hey, UMG was estimated to have paid $145 million for the catalog. Once a deal like that is done, money needs to be made back. Id expect more of these uses in the future. And to iconic writers still holding onto your catalogs: sellers beware. Your music may be next to be sandwiched in bullshit.

010

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

The world has real problems, and I don’t think these uses are any of them. But… it’s just corny. These songs are the soundtracks to peoples’ lives. And now Sweet Caroline is rewritten as "Ham… touching ham…touching cheese…touching you.” It’s hard to argue uses like this aren’t legacy cheapening.

130

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

And just like Genesis and Concord, there were quotes from Diamond and several UMG execs about legacy, integrity, etc. I re-read to make sure but ultimately found nothing about sandwich spreads.

110

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

The Suoer Bowl ad that hurt my heart the most tho was Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” being interpolated/rewritten as “Sweet Sandwich Time” for a Hellman’s mayonnaise commercial. Diamond sold his entire catalog to Universal Music Group, also in 2022. www.universalmusic.com/universal-mu...

universalmusic.com

UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP ACQUIRES NEIL DIAMOND’S COMPLETE SONG CATALOG AND ALL MASTER RECORDINGS - UMG

Worldwide Agreement Encompasses Global Hits Such As “Sweet Caroline,” “Red Red Wine,” “Solitary Man”, “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Song Sung Blue,” “Love on the Rocks” and “America”. Deal unites legend’s iconi...

220

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

To say the least, these quotes from longtime Collins’ manager about trusting Concord to protect the legacy, and from Concord, about the importance of protecting the legacy, are suddenly aging poorly as of the last couple of hours.

220

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Liquid IV used Phil Collins’ great “Against All Odds” ad the soundtrack for singing toilets. People are.. unimpressed. But Genesis, Collins et al sold a massive chunk of their catalog to Concord in 2002, including master and publishing rights for the song. concord.com/news/concord...

concord.com

Concord Acquires Musical Works and Recordings of Tony Banks, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford, Including Their Participation in the Genesis Catalogue - Concord - News

Concord has purchased the publishing and recorded music catalogues of Tony Banks, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford, as well as the publishing and recorded

122

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Questionable song licenses in commercials are nothing new; famously Sony licensed the Beatles anti-war anthem All You Need is Love to help sell Luvs diapers in 2007. But I do think this Super Bowl is a referendum on all the catalog sales the last few years. And tastelessness is winning.

160

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Also: definitely an important and strategic choice to give Best New Artist so much airtime. New stars are the lifeblood of the biz and the Grammys have a role to play in creating them.

081

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

And while I didn’t think her performance tonight was above and beyond, Olivia Dean is just such a radiant, seemingly effortless star. Reminds me of young Whitney in a lot of powerful ways. #grammys

140

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

I didn’t go into the Grammys a particular fan of Lola Young. But she bodied that vocal performance during the Best New Artist segment. I thought Leon and Alex also really elevated themselves.

140

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Public service announcement: www.saylaufey.com

020

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

I don’t agree with your politics but appreciate your participation here.

010

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

The right may or may not be watching — I wouldn’t completely assume one way or another. But all sides of the political spectrum are chattering about this today. And I think that’s a win for both SNL and Wallen. No one will stop watching SNL because of this. But some will be reminded it exists.

010

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Your anger, however justified, does not change facts. Saying that no one is the south knows who Morgan Wallen is is absurd. He sells our arenas and stadiums in the South, and all over America, and is one of the top 2-3 streaming artists in likely every state in the south.

100

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Some friends just want to be outraged at Wallen, but if that’s what you seek, you’ll find it on other accounts. I try to just analyze music biz news from a business perspective, objectively, without bias, agenda or clickbait. I hope that’s useful for you. Sign up for my email (in bio) if so.

120

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Why is everyone a winner with the Wallen walk off? Wallen shared “Get me to God’s country” on his IG story shortly after, presumably away from the (in his world) godless liberals of NYC & SNL & earns major love from his base. SNL enjoys everyone buzzing & sharing SNL clips for 24 hours. No loser.

120

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

During that time, the only artist who outperforms Wallen is Swift, who’s been the inarguable Biggest Artist in the World during that period. Drake is about even with Wallen but Wallen is trending up & Drake is trending, well, Kendricked. He has been 4th the last 2 years; Wallen has been 2nd.

100

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Here is Wallen’s placement the last four years on Bilboard’s year-end artist chart, which is primarily a streaming+touring equation: 2021: 5th 2022: 5th 2023: 2nd 2024: 2nd www.billboard.com/charts/year-... #music

billboard.com

Top Artists

Ranking is based on an artist's chart performance on the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard 200 and Boxscore touring revenue.

110

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

I see a lot of “why did SNL even book him?” in response to Morgan Wallen abruptly walking off stage after last night’s show. The answer is simple: he’s one of the most popular artists in America and has been for at least 4 years. This is a ratings no-brainer, and it ends up a win for all involved.

320

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Honestly struggling with social media in these times. How do I post about the music business, while still urgently communicating that like, trans rights are human rights, climate change is real, DEI doesn’t cause plane crashes, Nazis should be punched in the face, etc. Anyone else feeling this?

160

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

People want to know who Kendrick is bringing out at halftime. I want to know what he’s going to say to Donald Trump.

120

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Probably my favorite Madonna album. Producer William Orbit did such an amazing job of synthesizing all of the electronic sounds that were exploding in music at that time, and turning them into something that was both poignant and pop.

110

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Madonna’s become a bit of a caricature the past decade or so. Loved going back to listen & be reminded how much incredible music she released, and how important it was to so many people. Not in order: Crazy for You What it Feels like for a Girl The Power of Good-bye Live to Tell Ray of Light

250

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

I had so many technical issues trying to create an account and log in to Hangout that I literally gave up and deleted the app.

010

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

I’m at 799 followers. Would love to get that to a round number. Any 99,201 of you want to jump on?

030

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Also, for the love of god, can we stop giving rock Grammys to undeniably iconic but also undeniably irrelevant-to-contemporary-music acts? Idylls had the best rock album last year, period. They lost in once category to the Beatles and in their other to The Stones. Cmon.

010

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

The Grammys got a lot right, but I think Nashville will feel justifiably slighted. Yes, some will bristle at the Beyonce Country Album win—Country radio never really played it. But also, country just had so few moments on stage and some of those felt forced ie Lainey doing Quincy.

110

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

I also thought Chappell’s speech calling for labels to support artist healthcare was awesome: specific, heartfelt, and something that theoretically could be doable. I saw some say she should have addressed politics or global healthcare, but IMO that’s a PR move and not actual activism.

100

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Big winners of the night were Doechii (who also stole the Clive Grammy party stage one night earlier) and Chappell; Best New Artist was maybe the most competitive category of the night.

130

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

I thought the best subplot was the Grammys righting past wrongs. That’s what The Weeknd set was about, and to some extent Beyonce’s Album win. And def why they changed the language of the winner announcement to note that awards were the choice of “13000 voting members” or whatever.

100

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Final Grammy thoughts: they did a phenomenal job under a very difficult set of circumstances. Making an awards show deferential to fire victims but also fun TV while getting the big awards right is no small feat. I’ve been a critic of the Recording Academy at times but they stuck the landing here.

170

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Thanks Michael. Nice to see you on here! Go listen to some Spotify top hits playlists. 😅

010

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Grammys basically had one job to do re Album of the Year and they did it. A subplot tonight was the Academy settling all family business so to speak. That’s what Weeknd performance was and it’s definitely a big dynamic of Beyonce’s AOTY. youtu.be/NjY4tx4ZTJc

youtu.be

settled all family business

YouTube video by sonny coleone

140

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Also not telecast: 7500 industry people waiting for an Uber.

051

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

The artists’/VIP section was here for Charli

010

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

“DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift.” Alicia Keys saying what sadly, urgently needs said.

011

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

For those keeping score at home, Record of the Year just went to the song that Drake is suing UMG for as defamation.

002

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

So good they liked it twice? That is weird. Just went to the live video and it’s at 4K views but 10k likes. #grammys

100

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Gaga spoke up for trans people and Shakira for immigrants. Both powerful. But I understand folks wishing more artists were more fired up to speak about what’s happening in this country. These are the early scary days of something must never be normalized.

141

Reposted by Bill Werde

Alex Mallett @almalbass.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Agreed. Grammys can signal their values (and I think they are through performances like Chappell Roans and proudly talking about diversity, gender equity, and LGBTQIA initiatives), but major artists can/should be more direct about what’s happened to this country in the last 2 weeks.

121

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

I guess? If Chappell spoke about Trump I don’t think she would have accomplished anything other than PR. She has a real shot at making a difference for artists’ health care.

110

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

It’s amazing how much better “we are the world” aged compared to “do they know it’s Christmas.”

120

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

I just said as much. But I also don’t think any of us are one choice under a microscope.

000

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

It’s a lot to expect anyone to have processed the last two weeks enough to stake one’s career and reputation to making highest profile public remarks. I’m not sure I’d be ready to do that. I’m not sure I wouldn’t.

100

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Either/both. Artists more than Academy. Just because they mean so much more

100