Columnist Joe Delaney: More thoughts on taped performances dispute

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001 | 8:27 a.m.

Rogers' death, the passage of time since the date of the actual recordings, the release of a compilation CD and the fact that the taped performances came into the possession of Rogers' stepson, does not right the original wrong.

Caesars Palace, the stars represented on the CD, the musicians who accompanied the stars and, subsequently, Concord Records and its subsidiary, Neon Tonic Records, were and are subject to the recording agreement in effect at the time the tapes were recorded with the American Federation of Musicians.

As we understand it, the musicians who performed in support of the stars in question were never notified ... They were compensated for that evening's performance ... In addition to prior notification, they would also be entitled to separate compensation at AFM union recording scale for each 15 minutes of recorded music.

Since most of the stars' performances were for at least one hour, the musicians would be paid for each 15 minutes of recorded music or, at least, four sessions ... The present rate would be approximately $330 per musician for each 15-minute session ... The proper rate would be the one in effect at the time the tapes were recorded.

What makes this compilation disc so costly is that nine artists are represented ... This makes it nine performances with four recording sessions per performance, or 36 sessions with between 18 and 44 musicians per session at the going rate at that time ... This would bring the total cost of the musicians alone for the compilation disc to approximately $350,000, a low figure.

This would entitle Neon Tonic Records to release a CD by each of the artists on the compilation CD containing a one-hour total of recorded music from those sessions in the future ... Economically, it would have made much more sense to release individual CDs by each of the nine artists, paying for only four sessions per CD, then come out with the compilation CD, with the sessions now paid for.

All of this could become moot if the matter goes to trial ... Since there was an existing recording agreement covering all of the companies and individuals involved, it would seem obvious that the proper way to right the original wrong is to follow the AFM recording agreement to the letter ... We will do our best to keep you informed.

Star-policy rundown

It's David Brenner, 8 p.m. and Amazing Johnathan, 10 p.m. (Golden Nugget); Mac King, afternoons, Clint Holmes, evenings (Harrah's); Society of Seven (LV Hilton); Tom Jones, plus Rick Springfield starring in "EFX Alive" (MGM Grand); and Siegfried & Roy and Danny Gans in separate theaters (Mirage).

Plus Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Rita Rudner (New York-New York); Debbie Reynolds (Orleans); Julio Iglesias (Paris); Scintas (Rio); Michael Holly (Sahara); Wayne Newton (Stardust); Frankie Avalon-Steve Rossi (Suncoast); Rick Thomas (Tropicana) and Melinda, First Lady of Magic (Venetian).

Congratulations, Wayne Newton, a worthy successor to Bob Hope as the USO's Celebrity Circle chief, heading an executive committee that includes Bill Cosby, Tom Hanks, Quincy Jones and Paramount Studios head Sherry Lansing ... His first tour is set for Nov. 12-19, following the Nov. 11 all-star fund- raiser at Mandalay Bay.

"The Second City" at the Flamingo Las Vegas would be our first choice for a comedy night out ... For jazz, Thursday is special with Marv Koral and th All-Stars; Carl Fontana, Gus Mancuso, Bob Badgley and Pat Sherrod ... Fridays it's Pogos with Irv Kluger & Co. and Mondays, Don Menza and Friends (Riviera) ... Weekday afternoons, try Sorta Dixie Jazz Band (Gold Coast).

The aforementioned Mancuso, an LV musical legend, will be honored for Excellence in the Arts at the 22nd annual Governors Awards in the Arts and Humanities, on Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m. at the County Government Center.

Congratulations, Nevada Ballet Theatre, on its 30th Anniversary, with a gala dinner and performance of "Don Quixote," honoring Nancy and Kell Housels on Friday, plus an 8 p.m. performance Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday in the Rio's Samba Theatre ... The formation of Nevada Dance Theatre, now NBT, was first announced on my KLAV-AM radio program, then aired live from the Landmark hotel, now a parking lot ... See you Friday.