RHINESTONE COWBOY RANDY JONES & GLEN CAMPBELL

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THE GLORIOUS CORNER

Story By: G. H. HARDING
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Tim McGraw



MONEY MONEY MONEY --- Everyone knows we are in the era of declining album sales, but it's is hard to fathom just how into the red it has gotten.


To date, no album that has been released in 2014 has made it to Platinum status, indicating sales of over one-million units. As of now, only the soundtrack from Frozen, released in 2013, has sold more than one million copies this year.


Albums are making it to Gold level (500,000 units sold) including eleven released this year including Michael Jackson's Xscape and the 70's infused Guardian's of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix, Volume 1.


Where there is a lot of gold and platinum being awarded is in singles (aka individual track downloads). For veteran artists, much of this action is in country music with Tim McGraw, alone, receiving four platinum singles in the last three months.


Continuing sales of older tracks is also moving some over the thresholds, including Fishin' in the Dark by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band which was released on June 1, 1987 and has just received its platinum certification, and the Mighty Mighty Boss Tones' The Impression That I Get which has gone gold.


The big news, though, for older albums is that Fleetwood Mac's Rumours (released in 1977) has been given its twentieth platinum certificate, indicating sales of over twenty million units. That moves it into a tie for eighth place with Shania Twain on the list of the biggest selling albums of all-time in the U.S. The current Top ten are:


1. Their Greatest Hits - Eagles (29 million)

2. Thriller - Michael Jackson (29 million)

3. Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin (23 million)

4. The Wall - Pink Floyd (Double) (23 million)

5. Greatest Hits Volume 1 and Volume 2 - Billy Joel (Double) (23 million)

6. Back In Black - AC/DC (22 million)

7. Double Live - Garth Brooks (Double) (21 million)

8. Come On Over - Shania Twain (20 million)

9. Rumours - Fleetwood Mac (19 million)

10. The Beatles (Double) (19 million)



Interesting to note, there’s no Taylor Swift; Katy Perry; Beyonce; or, event U2 in the list. Says vet-music biz gunslinger David Salidor, who operates his own PR/Mgmt. firm in Manhattan and L. A., “The business has swung from a singles market; to an album market; and, now back to a singles one. But, a good song is still a good song. The real money right now is in the live-arena … from heritage-type acts to Katy Perry. Radio remains the #1 forum to launch a new song and artist. Good music will always be here; but, the way one obtains it today is a bit different. Think of all the different platforms one now has for their music. In a way, the music business has never been better. ”



WHICH WITCH IS WHICH --- With a twitch of the nose and a little bit of magic, the beloved Bewitched is coming back. The comedy series, which ran from 1964 through 1972, is being revived and reformatted in a new take; and, the lucky winner is NBC.



This new series will center around Daphne, the granddaughter of Samantha Stephens (played by Elizabeth Montgomery in the original series) and the daughter of Tabitha Stephens (played by Lisa Hartman in the spin-off series in 1976).



Daphne is to be a single twentysomething witch who has always used her magical powers to conjure herself the perfect life, our source confirmed, but, the witch runs into a bit of trouble when she discovers she can't conjure up true love. Isn't that always the case?



The original series followed Samantha Steven, a witch who marries an ordinary man (Dick York, then Dick Sargent) and tries to live a magic-free life.



In 2005, Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell starred in a Nora Ephron remake that failed to enchant viewers.



Me, I always adored Agnes Moorehead on this show. I wonder if there'll have her character Endora?

Glen Campbell




ONE MORE FOR GLEN --- Glen Campbell's bittersweet final recording, “I'm Not Going to Miss You," has struck a chord with fans, sending the singer into the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time in 33 years.



The track was recorded during Campbell's final recording sessions at a time when he was already suffering the effects of Alzheimer's disease, an illness that has now advanced enough that Glen can no longer record or tour. It comes from the soundtrack of the new documentary Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me; which is released today.



Debuting next week at number 90, the song actually has already charted better than his last Hot 100 single, 1981's “I Love My Truck,” which peaked at 96. Earlier that same year, his “I Don't Want to Know Your Name” went to 65. It's his 38th Hot 100 entry, including five top ten hits:



Wichita Lineman (1968 / #3)

Galveston (1969 / #4)

It's Only Make Believe (1970 / #10)

Rhinestone Cowboy (1975 / #1)

Southern Nights (1977 / #1)


Randy Jones




CLOSING NOTES --- Speaking of Glen Campbell - Thursday night, in rainy Manhattan at downtown Aleo restaurant, Randy Jones, from The Village People, serenaded Glen Campbell’s daughter with his version of her father’s “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Fete was for her new book, written with Mark Bego, called Life With My Father Glen Campbell (Overlook Press) ...



We lost Oscar De La Renta this week; even after designing the wedding dress for George Clooney's bride earlier this month. 50 nears on the fashion scene ... an amazing run. I had the pleasure of meeting him once and was immediately charmed by his gracefulness and charm. Rest easy Oscar ...



Have you seen the trailer yet for the next Avengers movie-coming in 2015. Its terrific, but James Spader, as the villain-Ultron is awesome. Someone posted of his charms "No actor projects intelligence and subtle power in his voice the way Spader does." Couldn't have said it better myself. Take a look.



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