Bill Werde
@billwerde.bsky.social
Director, Bandier Music Business Program, Syracuse University. Publisher, https://www.fullratenocap.com
Public service announcement: www.saylaufey.com
April 4, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Public service announcement: www.saylaufey.com
I see a lot of “why did SNL even book him?” in response to Morgan Wallen abruptly walking off stage after last night’s show. The answer is simple: he’s one of the most popular artists in America and has been for at least 4 years. This is a ratings no-brainer, and it ends up a win for all involved.
March 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I see a lot of “why did SNL even book him?” in response to Morgan Wallen abruptly walking off stage after last night’s show. The answer is simple: he’s one of the most popular artists in America and has been for at least 4 years. This is a ratings no-brainer, and it ends up a win for all involved.
Honestly struggling with social media in these times. How do I post about the music business, while still urgently communicating that like, trans rights are human rights, climate change is real, DEI doesn’t cause plane crashes, Nazis should be punched in the face, etc. Anyone else feeling this?
February 22, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Honestly struggling with social media in these times. How do I post about the music business, while still urgently communicating that like, trans rights are human rights, climate change is real, DEI doesn’t cause plane crashes, Nazis should be punched in the face, etc. Anyone else feeling this?
People want to know who Kendrick is bringing out at halftime. I want to know what he’s going to say to Donald Trump.
February 10, 2025 at 12:37 AM
People want to know who Kendrick is bringing out at halftime. I want to know what he’s going to say to Donald Trump.
Madonna’s become a bit of a caricature the past decade or so. Loved going back to listen & be reminded how much incredible music she released, and how important it was to so many people. Not in order:
Crazy for You
What it Feels like for a Girl
The Power of Good-bye
Live to Tell
Ray of Light
Crazy for You
What it Feels like for a Girl
The Power of Good-bye
Live to Tell
Ray of Light
Into the Groove
Burning Up
Justify My Love
Hung Up
Vogue
—
Gimme your top 3-5 Madonna songs! No order, no ties, don't think too hard, we know it's your top picks for today and that might change: just go!
Burning Up
Justify My Love
Hung Up
Vogue
—
Gimme your top 3-5 Madonna songs! No order, no ties, don't think too hard, we know it's your top picks for today and that might change: just go!
February 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Madonna’s become a bit of a caricature the past decade or so. Loved going back to listen & be reminded how much incredible music she released, and how important it was to so many people. Not in order:
Crazy for You
What it Feels like for a Girl
The Power of Good-bye
Live to Tell
Ray of Light
Crazy for You
What it Feels like for a Girl
The Power of Good-bye
Live to Tell
Ray of Light
I’m at 799 followers. Would love to get that to a round number. Any 99,201 of you want to jump on?
February 4, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I’m at 799 followers. Would love to get that to a round number. Any 99,201 of you want to jump on?
Final Grammy thoughts: they did a phenomenal job under a very difficult set of circumstances. Making an awards show deferential to fire victims but also fun TV while getting the big awards right is no small feat. I’ve been a critic of the Recording Academy at times but they stuck the landing here.
February 3, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Final Grammy thoughts: they did a phenomenal job under a very difficult set of circumstances. Making an awards show deferential to fire victims but also fun TV while getting the big awards right is no small feat. I’ve been a critic of the Recording Academy at times but they stuck the landing here.
Grammys basically had one job to do re Album of the Year and they did it. A subplot tonight was the Academy settling all family business so to speak. That’s what Weeknd performance was and it’s definitely a big dynamic of Beyonce’s AOTY. youtu.be/NjY4tx4ZTJc
settled all family business
YouTube video by sonny coleone
youtu.be
February 3, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Grammys basically had one job to do re Album of the Year and they did it. A subplot tonight was the Academy settling all family business so to speak. That’s what Weeknd performance was and it’s definitely a big dynamic of Beyonce’s AOTY. youtu.be/NjY4tx4ZTJc
Also not telecast: 7500 industry people waiting for an Uber.
February 3, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Also not telecast: 7500 industry people waiting for an Uber.
The artists’/VIP section was here for Charli
February 3, 2025 at 4:46 AM
The artists’/VIP section was here for Charli
For those keeping score at home, Record of the Year just went to the song that Drake is suing UMG for as defamation.
February 3, 2025 at 4:02 AM
For those keeping score at home, Record of the Year just went to the song that Drake is suing UMG for as defamation.
So good they liked it twice? That is weird. Just went to the live video and it’s at 4K views but 10k likes. #grammys
The YouTube video of her speech currently has more likes than views. How about that for a ratio!
February 3, 2025 at 4:00 AM
So good they liked it twice? That is weird. Just went to the live video and it’s at 4K views but 10k likes. #grammys
Gaga spoke up for trans people and Shakira for immigrants. Both powerful. But I understand folks wishing more artists were more fired up to speak about what’s happening in this country. These are the early scary days of something must never be normalized.
February 3, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Gaga spoke up for trans people and Shakira for immigrants. Both powerful. But I understand folks wishing more artists were more fired up to speak about what’s happening in this country. These are the early scary days of something must never be normalized.
Reposted by Bill Werde
Agreed.
Grammys can signal their values (and I think they are through performances like Chappell Roans and proudly talking about diversity, gender equity, and LGBTQIA initiatives), but major artists can/should be more direct about what’s happened to this country in the last 2 weeks.
Grammys can signal their values (and I think they are through performances like Chappell Roans and proudly talking about diversity, gender equity, and LGBTQIA initiatives), but major artists can/should be more direct about what’s happened to this country in the last 2 weeks.
February 3, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Agreed.
Grammys can signal their values (and I think they are through performances like Chappell Roans and proudly talking about diversity, gender equity, and LGBTQIA initiatives), but major artists can/should be more direct about what’s happened to this country in the last 2 weeks.
Grammys can signal their values (and I think they are through performances like Chappell Roans and proudly talking about diversity, gender equity, and LGBTQIA initiatives), but major artists can/should be more direct about what’s happened to this country in the last 2 weeks.
I guess? If Chappell spoke about Trump I don’t think she would have accomplished anything other than PR. She has a real shot at making a difference for artists’ health care.
The speech was great, but a little tone deaf if following current politics. We crossed the threshold after this election. She is now preaching stuff we have 100% chance of never getting in her lifetime.
February 3, 2025 at 3:51 AM
I guess? If Chappell spoke about Trump I don’t think she would have accomplished anything other than PR. She has a real shot at making a difference for artists’ health care.
It’s amazing how much better “we are the world” aged compared to “do they know it’s Christmas.”
February 3, 2025 at 3:35 AM
It’s amazing how much better “we are the world” aged compared to “do they know it’s Christmas.”
Not a criticism of this Grammys as much as a request; I understand the focus is & should be LA. But can we also get a little heartfelt acknowledgment that American Democracy is circling the drain? I’m not looking for long speeches. But a little counter-normalization of Trump would go a long way.
February 3, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Not a criticism of this Grammys as much as a request; I understand the focus is & should be LA. But can we also get a little heartfelt acknowledgment that American Democracy is circling the drain? I’m not looking for long speeches. But a little counter-normalization of Trump would go a long way.
This Grammys seems to be hitting all right notes so far. Weeknd performance was a big healing moment, and in fairness, a testament to the work the Academy has done to be more inclusive and transparent. Weeknd said he would t be back in 2021. No accident Harvey was the one to bring him to stage.
February 3, 2025 at 3:07 AM
This Grammys seems to be hitting all right notes so far. Weeknd performance was a big healing moment, and in fairness, a testament to the work the Academy has done to be more inclusive and transparent. Weeknd said he would t be back in 2021. No accident Harvey was the one to bring him to stage.
That Chappell Roan acceptance speech was the real deal. One of the greatest bits of activism I’ve seen at the dozen+ Grammys I’ve attended. That’s how you use a platform. And that’s what speaking truth directly to power looks like. #grammys
February 3, 2025 at 2:44 AM
That Chappell Roan acceptance speech was the real deal. One of the greatest bits of activism I’ve seen at the dozen+ Grammys I’ve attended. That’s how you use a platform. And that’s what speaking truth directly to power looks like. #grammys
Reposted by Bill Werde
It was a wonderful moment.
what’s really touching at home is the commercials for Altadena businesses. classy move by the Grammys.
what’s really touching at home is the commercials for Altadena businesses. classy move by the Grammys.
February 3, 2025 at 1:50 AM
It was a wonderful moment.
what’s really touching at home is the commercials for Altadena businesses. classy move by the Grammys.
what’s really touching at home is the commercials for Altadena businesses. classy move by the Grammys.
Dunno how well it came through on TV but the Staples Center just went absolute ape shit with love for Doechii winning and every word she said. #grammys
February 3, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Dunno how well it came through on TV but the Staples Center just went absolute ape shit with love for Doechii winning and every word she said. #grammys
Unusual Grammy Week vibes. Between LA fires & rampant Trumpism, there’s an undeniable element of Nero fiddling while Rome burns. I guess I’ve landed on “the industry is people too, they work hard & should celebrate their artists & their work.” Also these events are raising millions for fire aid. 🤷🏻
February 2, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Unusual Grammy Week vibes. Between LA fires & rampant Trumpism, there’s an undeniable element of Nero fiddling while Rome burns. I guess I’ve landed on “the industry is people too, they work hard & should celebrate their artists & their work.” Also these events are raising millions for fire aid. 🤷🏻
Interesting debate with one of the very top music biz journalists last night at MusiCares: whether the decline in reading anything long form was a cyclical trend that would rebound, or the foreseeable future of society and info consumption. Sadly, I lean toward the latter. What say you?
February 2, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Interesting debate with one of the very top music biz journalists last night at MusiCares: whether the decline in reading anything long form was a cyclical trend that would rebound, or the foreseeable future of society and info consumption. Sadly, I lean toward the latter. What say you?
TikTok is back on. Thank god. I have spent the last 12 hours desperately and unsuccessfully searching for ways to purchase the $40 Dubai chocolate bar.
January 19, 2025 at 6:10 PM
TikTok is back on. Thank god. I have spent the last 12 hours desperately and unsuccessfully searching for ways to purchase the $40 Dubai chocolate bar.
Occam’s razor: if you were Russia or China a decade ago, unable to compete with America’s military, but feeling existentially threatened, what would you do? The answer would look a lot like how the last 8-9 years have played out.
January 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Occam’s razor: if you were Russia or China a decade ago, unable to compete with America’s military, but feeling existentially threatened, what would you do? The answer would look a lot like how the last 8-9 years have played out.