2020 SUPER-REGIONAL CANCELLED, WILL “VIRTUAL MEETINGS” BECOME THE NEW NORMAL? • NEW “ED SULLIVAN SHOW” ARCHIVE NOW AVAILABLE

Steve Earle performed on

NONCOMM Thursdays on June 4th

Virtual meetings have matured during the Covid-19 era. In some situations they may replace in-person conferences because of the convergence of a number of factors.

Even before the pandemic, video conferencing had become less costly, easier to navigate and have improved audio and video. In-person conferences have become so expensive that many people can’t afford to attend them. Users have quickly become more adept at using the platform. And then, there is the sense of urgency and purpose.

The raw passion we’ve seen expressed by the participants in virtual meetings such as NONCOMM Thursdays is contagious (no pun intended). We thought about this while watching and listening to Steve Earle perform on a recent webinar. His emotion and sincerity were so “in the moment” that it became an unforgettable experience.

Video conferencing doesn’t replace the value of face-to-face communication, but it is has proven to be a valuable in these unusual times.

Though we don’t know the details, PRPD is said to be looking at options including a Zoom-based “virtual conference.” We hope they will do this because it will make the PRPD Content Conference available to more people in the biz.

Abby Goldstein, CEO and Executive Director of PRPD will announce PRPD’s plans on Monday, June 25^th. We will keep you informed about their plans.

Meanwhile, the Public Radio Regional Organizations (PRRO) Super Regional Meeting, originally scheduled for early October in Denver, has been cancelled. Last Friday, Super Regional Executive Officer, Georgette Bronfman sent a notice that the meeting has been cancelled. She said in her message:

With much careful thought about the health and welfare of attendees caused by COVID-19, the Public Radio Regional Organizations made a hard decision to postpone the 9th Annual Super-Regional Meeting. We are pleased to announce that the next Super- Regional Meeting will take place on November 15-17, 2021 in Denver.

But no one knows if it that will happen. Covid-19 appears to be with us until a vaccine is perfected. The actions by science-deniers to “open up” the country at any cost means the virus will continue to stalk in the shadows. If so, this means ongoing paranoia of large in-person gatherings will continue indefinitely and make conference planning difficult.

NEW ED SULLIVAN ARCHIVES NOW AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE

Folks looking for historic comfort food should be aware that performances on the Ed Sullivan Show by The Beatles, Smoky Robinson, the Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash and many, many more are now available on YouTube [link].

According to a report from Reuters [link], a trove of videos from Sullivan’s show, are now available. 

Universal Music recently purchased the global digital rights for segments from the show and make them available via online video.

Universal says they plan to release thousands of high-resolution performances from the Ed Sullivan Show catalog over the next three years, with at least one new video posted daily.

Sullivan’s show on CBS was one of the most watched television programs from1948 to 1971. The show had a huge impact on popular culture. It is estimated that 50 million people saw The Beatles in their premiere American performance on February 9, 1964. Now you can see it here.

The Ed Sullivan archive also includes video of vaudeville acts such as talking Italian mouse Topo Gigio [link].

We will sign off today with one of our favorites in collection:  

The Rolling Stones Gimmie Shelter on November 18, 1969.