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If you don't know about [The Civil Wars] yet, it is time to WAKE UP and smell the favorite for Best New Artist honors at the upcoming Grammys.

ON RECORDS: TEN THINGS TO THINK ABOUT OVER THE HOLIDAY

Our Fearless Pundit and Editor-in-Chief Lenny Beer Gives You Some Trending Topics in the Music Biz to Ponder Over the Long Weekend

1. ADELE: The record that might save the music business continues to click away at 100k+ week after week. Could it reach five million in the U.S. by year's end? 10 million worldwide? Expect endless Grammy nominations to come and then a sales burst like we haven't seen since Norah Jones. This U.K. diva continues “Rolling” along.


2. L.A. REID:
The man with the Midas touch begins a new era at Epic Records. The also-ran label now becomes a lightning rod for signings, as the man who has brought us endless mega-hits is poised to strike again under the aegis of mastermind Doug Morris. Designer suits have just become a requirement at 550 Madison.


3. THE CIVIL WARS:
If you don't know about them yet, it is time to WAKE UP and smell the favorite for Best New Artist honors at the upcoming Grammys. This incredibly musical duo is reminiscent of everything good in beautiful songwriting, stunning harmonies and a live show that is just plain magic. Just ask one of their biggest fans, Adele, who had them open for her. Released on their own with no label deal, no distribution deal and the undying support of CMT’s Jay Frank and VH1’s Rick Krim, the album debuted at #1 at iTunes and just keeps chugging along on the oldest of viral engines—word of mouth.


4. THE PUBCOS:
Historically, the most stable part of the business has become a game of musical chairs that seems to have started with the exit of David Renzer at UMPG. Now Kenny McPherson, Jody Gerson, Tom Sturges, Evan Lambert, etc., have all been spun into play. And BMG/Chrysalis' Laurent Hubert is also a man to know. Curiosity should be quenched in the coming months.


5. PROMOTION IN MOTION:
Let's see now. Richard Palmese is exiting RCA and heading for where exactly? Motown's Todd Glassman is a man without a label, yet still in the UMG system. Joe Riccitelli has Jive and RCA and his own upward mobility. Peter Gray is about to take the reins overseeing Warner and Reprise, with changes afoot. IDJ's red-hot Erik Olesen is rumored to be a free agent, while Rick Sackheim is on the rise. Hmmm, gotta wonder how this will all play out this summer.


6. UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC:
Now new and improved, Monte and Avery's little hit engine that could now takes on new A&R sources from Cash Money and SRC, adds Tom Whalley, a revitalized internal talent team and lots more. Their potential is unlimited moving forward. Just call them the hottest brother duo since the Everlys.


7. STEVE BARTELS:
Longtime valued aide de camp of Clive Davis and most recently L.A. Reid, Bartels now steps out on his own and takes charge at IDJ. With a lot to live up to, he is a large personality in a very large container. Go Steve go.


8. THE EMI DERBY:
As best reported by our own I.B. Bad, the challenge is now on for Roger Faxon to find his own Len Blavatnik white knight, before the original strikes again and ends the dream. Greg Thompson and team have turned their roster into a hit parade including an all-time record of #1 hits from one album on the cusp for Katy Perry. A lot of good people have a lot on the line.


9. DANIEL GLASS:
In case you thought Phoenix and Mumford and Sons were flukes, think again. Glass knows what he is doing, and if you are not a believer yet, then check out his latest. Louisiana-based GIVERS (in all caps, yes in all caps) is the most infectious festival act on the circuit, and their first album is an instant classic with a first single that is going "Up, Up, Up." Be sure to listen, we know you will enjoy.


10. FOSTER THE PEOPLE
: A #1 Alternative single that Julie Pilat added to KIIS-FM out of the box? Yes, this unstoppable song is catching everyone's attention. Yes, real hits can start at Alternative radio; heck, real hits can start anywhere. Your “Pumped Up Kicks” are getting easier to find.

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Now 100% unlicensed!
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