Tommy S. & the SoundExchange dude

THE COLLECTOR: Wanna know what the guy who runs SoundExchange looks like? If the answer is yes, that’s a strange desire, bunky. Nonetheless, we can grant your wish: Here’s SoundExchange President Michael Huppe cracking up with industry legend and New Music Seminar founder Tommy Silverman just before the pair gave opening remarks yesterday at the beginning of this year’s NMS. Immediately thereafter, Silverman turned serious, moderating the State of the Industry panel featuring Pepsico Global CMO Consumer Engagement Frank Cooper, Clear Channel President John Sykes and VEVO CEO Rio Caraeff. Later in the day, the bible’s Bill Werde moderated with debaters including DigSin CEO Jay Frank and Dean of American Rock Critics Robert Christgau. We're told the debate's real winner was the audience, to whom tequila was served. Let this be a model for all industry events henceforth. (6/11a)