The Cowsills In Magazines

MGM in Top Shupe With `Tomorrow's Sound' Music Module Presentation Device, Cowsills Convention Highlights

BARBADOS, WEST INDIES "The Shape of the Sound of Tomorrow" provided MGM Records with a thought -provoking and sales -stimulating theme at the label's first 1968 distributor sales meeting and product presentation here at the Barbados Hilton, Jan. 9-12.

Special highlights were the introduction of a new audiovisual presentation device called the MGM Music Module and the live performance of MGM's hit group, the Cowsills, who sang selections from their LP, "We Can Fly." Key MGM executives attending were led by company's President, Mort L. Nasatir.

The convention program was geared to allow distribs as much music leisure time as possible, while still getting in the necessary work sessions.

Cocktail, Product Kick-off

Activities kicked off with a cocktail reception and product presentation on the evening of Tuesday (9), followed by a gala dinner. Wednesday (10) was given over to morning and early afternoon sales meetings and a special cocktail party in the evening honoring the music trade paper representatives in attendance. The rest of the stay in Barbados MGM distribs were on their own.

The product presentation, which encompassed all of the linesproduced or distributed by MGM's Community of Labels was shown via a new audio visual technique. The Music Module was designed by Acy R. Lehman of the W. H. Schneider Agency, and built and programmed by 1492 Productions and Dave Green at MGM's Engineering Department. Advertising Manager Jack Maher produced. The Module stands 14 feet high and is 22 feet long. It is a fully automated, selfcontained audio-visual unit that operates on commands given from tape.

New, Old Stars Mixed

The Sound of Tomorrow theme was carried out in album product throughout the presentation. A strong and equally balanced roster of established stars and new talent were exhibited on all labels. New product on MGM by Eric Burdon, the Cowsills, Sandy Posey and Johnny Tillotson was introduced along with hard-hitting product from three new rock groups from Boston : Ultimate Spinach, Beacon Street Union and Orpheus. Wayne Newton's first album for the label and two more new entries, Jerry Lanning and Gloria Loring, plus a classical - rock album by Cy Coleman.

On Verve, established hit performers like the Righteous Brothers, Arthur Prysock, Cal Tjader, Gary McFarland and Johnny Smith and Frank Zappa were balanced by the introduction of new artists with original ideas in sound like Pat Williams and Jerome Richardson, new rock artists and ideas like Harumi and the Appletree Theatre on Verve Forecast and a new Brazilian sound by Marcos Valle.

Big DGG Release

Deutsche Grammophone comes in with one of its most powerful releases with a lineup of the nine Bruckner Symphonies in a special package, Dietrich Fischer Dieskau, Von Karajan, Martha Agerich and a new Hans Werner Henze three record set. Heliodor also has its most important release: Fricsay, Furtwangler, David and Igor Oistrakh and John Sebastian.

Kama Sutra introduces two new acts, Anders 'n' Poncia and the Nickel Bag, while also showing "Everything Playing" by the Lovin' Spoonful.

The Cameo -Parkway organization is represented by a new album by the Ohio Express on Cameo; Chris Bartley on Vando and Bunny Sigler on Parkway. Other Metro Group product was detailed in releases on Music Factory, Spring and Poppy.

Posters Feature MGM Artists

NEW YORK - Artists associated with MGM Records community of labels are featured in a new series of one - sheet posters which capture the modern feel of today's graphics. They were shown to distributors at the company's Barbados convention.

The posters are done in one and two colors and are most unusual in design. Art work was designed by the W. H. Schneider Agency for the MGM Advertising Department at the request of the sales wings of the various label group.

Artists featured in posters on the MGM label are Herman's Hermits, Eric Burdon and the Animals, the Cowsills, Every Mother's Son, David Hemmings, Ultimate Spinach and the Beacon Street Union. On Kama Sutra, the Lovin' Spoonful is featured.

The Righteous Brothers, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention and the Velvet Underground are featured on the Verve label. While on Verve Forecast, James Cotton, the Hombres, Janis Ian, Richie Havens and Tim Hardin are prominent.

MGM's Mancini Pays Debt to Cowsills

BARBADOS - MGM's Frank Mancini paid off 'his debt to the Cowsills whereby he said that if their record went to No. 1, he would be dunked!

The debt was paid the evening of Jan. 9 when he was thrown into the pool here during label's convention-with all his clothes on. Mancini says he's prepared to pay the debt again on their next release.

Money Music

Hottest New Instant Hits: Temptations (unreal in sales) ; Marvin Gaye; Cowsills (fantastic) ; Herman's Hermits; Spanky; Jay & Techniques.

Fantastic New LP: Cowsills-Has about five singles.

Cowsills' Concert Tears Up Town Hall, NYC: John Cowsill is only 11, but his percussion work wowed NY Times critic Alfred G. Aronowitz who said, "He is destined for stardom. Young John truts across the stage singing with all the carisma of a James Cagney playing George M. Cohan. He drums with all the style of a Gene Krupa, but with half the reach. He has fantastic talent in the twirl of his drumstick."

Schroeders on Extensive European Business Tour

Aaron and Abby Schroeder took off on Jan. 12 on an intensive business tour of the A. Schroeder Music Corporation's European offices. The trip will include stopovers in London, Paris, Berlin and Rome as well as participating in the MIDEM gathering at Cannes and the San Remo Festival.

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With the recent signing of hitmaker Tony ("Lazy -Day," "98.6") Powers as an exclusive writer, the Schroeder organization in the New Year looks to the selective expansion of its staff. Powers has had his first two compositions, written in collaboration with staff writer Neil Sheppard, recorded by the Cowsills.

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Juke Box Top 25

#23 We Can Fly Cowsills - MGM K13886