... Anti-pirate pioneer wins recognition At Midem '89, the international music industry's annual market held in Cannes, Nesuhi Ertegun was named Midem's Man Of The Year. Almost 200 of the world's most influential recording and lishing bosses toasted the wide spread success of the man's marathon 15-year crusade against piracy. His legendary campaigns against the rock V pop bootleggers and ...

... Taking a perverse route to Chicago MARTI FELDMAN was famous, not just for his eyes, but because he had the invaluable ability to see the funny side of things. Now it looks as if this trait has been passed down the family. Niece Suzanne Reiss is planning to do away with the stuffy approach to open ing nights, and has a scheme for her own which she hopes will bring a few smiles. Reiss launches ...

... New West End musical gets the silent treatment By MICK GREEN AT A TIME when many of the well-known musicals are closing in the West End, Mark Sexton, the producer and leading entertainer in Cross Country, took a break from rehearsals to explain why the first totally country music spectacular to be seen in London's West End has opened with more secrecy than an MI5 tribunal. For more than ...

... Big Band and Bell THE BBC BIG BAND is making two public concert appearances this month, the first being on February 17 at the Brenrwood Centre in Essex, which will be recorded for broadcast on Radio 2. Madeline Bell is guest star. A week later the band will be at Ilford Town Hall in aid of the Noonans Syndrome Society, with Lee Gibson as vocalist. On both occasions Barry Forgie will be the ...

... Golden dinners MICHAEL DENISON and Dulcie Gray, who are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their marriage this year, are being honoured with dinners from two organisations. The Green Room Club has them as principal guests at its dinner at the Saville Club on February 12, when Peter Aldersley will be in the chair and Tony Leaney and his Band play for dancing. On April 16 a host of friends and ...

... Southport coup RUSS ABBOTT'S spectacular variety show will return to Southport later this year, and the town's tourism officer, Phil King, believes it to be a major coup. Southport and Manchester are the only North- West venues included on his November tour and it is five years since he played in Southport. The comedian is expected to play before 17,000 people in his twice nightly five day ...

... A storm in a car park THEATRE bosses in York are keeping close watch on a car park ing row between two local councils which could affect attendances at matinee shows. The city's Theatre Royal is caught in the middle of the dispute betwen York City Council and Ryedale District Council following the former's decision to charge Ryedale residents extra for parking in York. Ryedale says the ...

... Cliff's seeing stars SAWAS CLUB at Usk, which won the Club of the Year Award last year only two years after it opened, has signed Cliff Richard to appear for five nights in April and there will be a Royal Gala to be attended by HRH The Princess Royal in July. George Sawa, in addition to build ing a 26- bedroom motel on the site and forming an agency to book cabaret for other venues, is ...

... Blackout threat for Gracie's museum A UNIQUE Gracie Fields museum collection in the entertainer's home town faces shutdown, and the shock to her worldwide fans comes just as museum officials have secured hundreds more career souvenirs of the one-time film and record superstar. Curator Michael Pitman is now arranging shipment of the new material from her villa home in Capri to the museum in her ...

... Catch the Lotis DENNIS LOTIS is making a series of Saturday night appearances at the Wellington Club, Knightsbridge up to and including March 25. He is accom panied by the Des James Group. ...

... Same time next year? AFTER the huge success of the Terry-Thomas Benefit evening at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on April, 9 the organisers Richard Hope- Hawkins and Jack Douglas want to make it an annual event to help other Parkinson's Disease suf ferers. Douglas has already hired the London Palladium for next year's show which, it is hoped, will feature a half British and half American line ...

... Short lease of life for Dominion THE Apollo Leisure theatre chain has been awarded a short term lease on the threatened Dominion site in Tottenham Court Road. Major tenants Rank agreed to a new deal which leaves everyday running of the venue in Apollo's hands in the same week that Rank's own lease came up for renewal. The proprietor of the theatre Saveflex Ltd wants to demolish the prime West ...