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40 Years Of Rolling Stone On One Disc

Posted by Sloane Kelley on April 19, 2007

Rolling Stone magazine will be offering every back issue of the 40-year-old publication on DVD starting this fall. Users will be able to search for every article and photo that has appeared in the more than 1,000 issues of the magazine.

The DVD, “Rolling Stone Cover-to-Cover: The First 40 Years,” will cost about $120, according to Reuters.

This is just one of several moves the magazine is taking in the tech realm. Rolling Stone is also expected to make a social networking move. Keith Blanchard, Wenner Media’s executive director for online media, recently told a group at NYU that the magazine would create a social network where music fans could interact through user-generated profiles and “Best Of” lists.

 
 
 
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Like Karaoke, But Better

Posted by Sloane Kelley on April 17, 2007

Brooklyn indie band Les Savy Fav is inviting fans to sing along on their next record. “Say what we say and don’t get paid” is what they’re calling the opportunity to take over vocal duties from the band's singer, Tim Harrington.

Les Savy Fav asks fans to call in and sing along with one of three new songs: “Nine Teen Ninety Nine,” “The World” or “Resent The Rent.” In case you want to practice singing before you dial, the songs can be listened to on the band’s website.

 
 
 
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Music For The Lakefront Masses

Posted by Sloane Kelley on April 13, 2007

The talent lineup for this summer’s annual Lollapalooza festival has been announced and it’s looking like an indie music fan’s dream. This August 3rd through 5th, Chicago’s Grant Park will be the spot to catch the reunited Stooges with Iggy Pop, Modest Mouse, Ben Harper, Kings of Leon, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Fratellis and festival headliner Pearl Jam. In all, 120+ bands are expected to play the outdoor show. For a full lineup, check the Lollapalooza website.

Also be on the lookout starting next month for the reincarnation of Lollapalooza’s Last Band Standing. Last year, this online battle of the bands drew 2,000 artist submissions and two of them ended up earning a spot on a Lolla stage.

Music fans will also be happy to note that tickets can be purchased online with no pesky service charge.

 
 
 
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Bringing Barry Home

Posted by Sloane Kelley on April 13, 2007

Barry Manilow fans rejoice! His performances at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel are no longer the only way to get a tase of the crooner. Manilow is joining a growing list of celebrities who have their own wine labels.

Manilow wine is made at various California wineries and comes in five varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Bottles are priced at $20 and $25 each and are available online.

The Wine Spectator offers Barry some wise advice—that it’s important to know what the wine is like, a reference to an incident in which Sir Cliff Richard denounced his own wine in a blind taste test.

 
 
 
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Hailing A Cab Online

Posted by Sloane Kelley on April 03, 2007

"I want to do for the taxi business what 1-800-flowers.com did for the flower delivery business," says Jason Diaz in a USA Today article. Diaz is the man behind 1-800-cab-ride.com, an online taxi booking service he started six months ago. 

Diaz, who’s also worked as a cab driver, has the service in 40 markets, including New York, San Francisco, Atlanta and Chicago. To book a cab, customers just go online and enter their pick up and drop off information within 10 minutes of the pick up time.

The service seems to be particularly suited for business travelers who can book their cab ahead of time online, just like they would with a rental car. Another bonus is that it eliminates the need to carry cash for the cab ride since customers use a credit card when booking. Online payment includes fare, tip, taxes and tolls.

Diaz sells the service to local cab companies by highlighting the potential for greater productivity and increased revenue. He says 60% of drivers' time is spent "doing nothing but waiting for the next ride, just hanging out."

Local operators keep most of the fare and pay 1-800-cab-ride.com fees for sending them business. In competitive big-city cab markets, the fares represent money the cab companies wouldn't otherwise get.

 
 
 
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