HALIFAX – Canadian Heritage picked the Juno Awards as the spot to launch a new web site for those in the music biz, called "Music is My Business!"
The site is designed to assist users as they work within the Canadian music industry, said Bev Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, in a release.
"As the 21st century begins, the development of new technologies is changing the environment and marketplace. This innovative site will allow artists and music-lovers to find a wealth of interesting and practical information about the ever-evolving Canadian music industry," she explained.
The web site will enable users to study the music industry’s various revenue streams. For example, it will explain how funds are distributed after the sale of a ticket to a live performance, the broadcast of a piece of music on the radio, or the request of an original musical work by a film producer. The site will also discuss what rights are involved with different transactions and who holds those rights.
"Music is My Business!" is completely accessible to the visually impaired, as well. The site was designed and created by Michel Normandeau, a former member of legendary Quebec rock group Harmonium, who currently works for the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Minister Oda also announced a national contest designed to create a soundtrack for the site. Contestants have until September 15 to submit their original compositions.
The winning entry will be selected by a jury co-chaired by Gilles Valiquette, a Quebec-based writer-composer-performer, and Terry Kelly, a visually impaired writer-composer-performer, originally from Halifax. The winning musical work will be announced in fall 2006, and its creator will receive a $10,000 contract.
