“Oh The Irony!” Michael Related Stories

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Sony Group Offers EU Concessions For EMI Unit Buy

Published March 28, 2012 by MJ WAS A CUTIE PIE

Source: Reuters

Administrator Note: If you didn’t catch what was trying to say before in the previous article, this article will make it clearer. Cutie Pie ♥

(Reuters) – A Sony-led group has offered concessions to EU regulators in a bid to gain approval for its proposed acquisition of record label EMI’s music publishing business, the European Commission said on Tuesday.

Sony, with Blackstone Group, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Development Co., Raine Group and movie mogul David Geffen trumped rival BMG for EMI Publishing, whose catalogue includes songs such as “New York, New York” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”.

The European Commission said on its website it would now decide by April 19 whether to clear or block the deal. It did not provide details of the concessions, in line with its policy. The previous deadline was April 2.

Sony is now the fourth player in music publishing, behind Vivendi’s Universal Music Group, EMI and Warner Music. Citigroup is selling EMI, having taken control of the group when its previous owner, private equity group Terra Firma, defaulted on borrowings from the investment bank.

Sony’s consortium is expected to cite existing strong competition in the music publishing business and also collecting societies’ pricing power as part of its arguments to EU regulators.

It will also cite the growing presence of online music distributors such as Apple, Amazon and Spotify.

Impala, a trade organization representing Europe’s independent music companies, has called on the commission to block the deal, saying it would give Sony excessive power and would result in an overly concentrated market.

Last Friday, the EU watchdog opened an in-depth investigation into Universal’s bid to buy EMI’s recorded music business, citing concerns about the combined group’s potential high market share and increased market power.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Rex Merrifield)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/27/us-sony-emi-eu-idUSBRE82Q0FU20120327

Major Record Labels As Dinosaurs?

Published March 28, 2012 by MJ WAS A CUTIE PIE

Source: Forbes – By Richard Busch

Administrator’s Note: Maybe I am missing it, but I do not see how the author is tabulating the US versus global sales of Thriller based on the links below. I do not see the separation and I would think that it would be higher for the US market. I will look more into this later on my own. In spite of this, I am posting the article because of the content of the information. It clearly shows the direction that the music industry is heading and who will be in control of all the worlds’ music and theatrical venues. Cutie Pie ♥

On June 25th, 2009 Michael Jackson was found dead at his Los Angeles home. The artist created, along with master producer Quincy Jones, the biggest selling album in history, 1982’s Thriller. By 2009, the album has sold 29 million copies in the United States of America, and is estimated to have sold over 65 million copies worldwide. During 1983, Thriller held the #1 position on the Billboard charts for 37 weeks. It was truly the mark of the superstar at the top of his appeal. The 1980s became the decade of the blockbuster album. During the decade 84 albums sold more than 5 million copies, and 19 albums pushed past the 10 million selling barrier. A music business model was born.

The past 11 years have seen a vast decrease in the number of blockbuster albums. In 2000, the biggest selling album of the year was N’Sync-No Strings Attached, selling 9.94 million copies, and 18 albums sold over 3 million copies. Nine years later, the biggest selling album of the year was Taylor Swift’s Fearless, selling 3.2 million copies. In the same year, the third biggest selling album of the year the Michael Jackson greatest hits compilation, Number Ones, selling 2.36 million copies. In the past four years, no more than five albums per year have sold more than 2 million copies in a year. In 2011, despite the blockbuster success of Adele’s album 21, with 5.82 million copies sold, 21 was only one of three albums to sell more than 2 million copies. By contrast, in 1999, the year Napster began operating, 24 albums sold over 2 million copies in the United States.

The outpouring of emotion shown after the announcement of Jackson’s death showed the across-the-board appeal of a true cultural phenomenon, one which went hand-in-hand with the media and technological advances of the time. Television had a profound influence in creating a national unity in fandom, allowing the country to simultaneously be outraged or enthralled by Elvis Presely’s swiveling hips on the Milton Berle Show, to curiously get the first sight of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, to catch the video Michael Jackson’s performance at the Motown 25 special in 1983 or see the video premier of “Material Girl” by Madonna on MTV in the 1985. The Internet, however, has allowed consumers greater ability to create their own personal media environments. With 100s of television stations and 1000s of blogs and websites, it’s getting tougher to court the mainstream.

From the 1960s on, the LP album gave the music industry a main product to push, and business was good. In the 1990s the widespread acceptance of the Compact Disc format gave a giant boost to the music industry in album sales. By 2007, over 200 billion CDs had been sold worldwide. But sales of the long playing album have decreased dramatically. In 2000, U.S. consumers bought 785.1 million albums; in 2011, that figure was down to 330.57 million. In 2000, the ten top-selling albums in the U.S. sold a combined 60.4 million copies; in 2011, the top ten sold just 20.2 million copies.

While accounts of the “death of the music industry” have been greatly exaggerated, no one can deny that the music industry is experiencing major changes. For decades the industry relied on a business model of selling massive amounts of copies of a few albums to finance the high-cost of producing records, plugging songs to radio, and overcoming the losses from their other projects. Record companies used the clout of having access to recording studios and access to airplay on the radio to their advantage in contract negotiations with artist which leveled their risk intake of the enormous costs and influence needed to both produce and push a record.

In a typical record label contract, the record label pays all of the initial costs to make the record, including the studio costs, the hiring of additional musicians, engineers, and producers. These costs, however, are considered advances against the income due to the recording artists, known as a royalty. Any other costs paid out by the record company need to be recouped before the artist makes any money off sales of the album. The multiple categories that are typically included in this arrangement include video production costs, marketing costs, radio airplay costs, packaging costs, costs of returns from music retailers, promotional copies or “free goods”, etc. This sets up a system where everyone, from the producer to the publisher, gets paid before the artist does. The typical royalty rate for an artist is a percentage of the wholesale price of records sold and is around 9-12%. Because the rate is based on the “wholesale price” of the record, any record which is discounted, either because of bargain sales or record clubs, will not count toward the artist’s royalty payments at that rate. This royalty system can also run in between albums, where an artist’s successful album will net no royalty payments for the artist until losses from an earlier unsuccessful album are recouped. In this type of contract the artist gives up the rights to their copyright in a sound recording in exchange for the opportunity to record and have a record released. These agreements will only exist as long as the artist finds it in their best interests to do so.

Over the past decade, technological changes for recording music in a digital, instead of analog, format, along with digital distribution on the Internet, are changing the costs of producing and releasing records, thereby changing the dynamics of the relationship between artists and their labels.

Because of digital services such as iTunes, which is now the biggest selling music retailer in the world, consumers have a greater ability to purchase single songs for a range of $.89-$1.29 rather than have to purchase an album. The shift from consistently
selling millions of $15 albums to selling singles for $.99 a song is a factor that makes it harder for a major corporation to see the music business as profitable. Lower overhead becomes key.

Along with the change from an album-formatted to a single-dominated marketplace, there are also new models of selling music that threaten to cut out some of the profits that music labels used to rely on. Audiences accustomed to downloading music for free are now moving to streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify and Youtube for their music fix, services which provide consumers an option to listen to a vast array of content from their computer and cell phones whenever they choose without first purchasing that content. Music pay subscriptions have been around for years, and may provide a new, potentially less profitable, model that labels will have to contend with. It will be seen which of these models, whether consumers purchasing singles, streaming websites, lower pricing models, or music pay subscriptions, will dominate the marketplace, but it is likely that whatever happens, consumers will have more of an upper-hand than in the past on how they will shape the way they purchase content; and these changes will likely lead to lower revenues.

Copyright infringement will have to be factored into any realistic business model. In a 2005 Pew Internet & American Life Project survey, it was estimated that 36 million Americans have illegally downloaded music or video content. The mainstreaming of this infringement also means that an audience exists that is used to getting songs for free. This is an audience that needs to be convinced in the value of buying music. That means that new marketing strategies such as giving away songs, streaming full albums before release dates, contests, etc. will need to be utilized to court a generation of former Napster users. This, along with the other Internet realities, leads to decreased revenue stream as well.

Amid the doom and gloom, however, there is still money to be made. The public’s demand for music content is still high. Musicians will still need tours to be booked, their products to be pushed, and their legal needs attended to. A different sort of music industry will survive. However, the existence of this demand is becoming increasingly fragmented, as more and more artists and albums are produced and consumed each year. In 1999, 43,000 albums scanned at least one copy according to Soundscan; last year, 76,875 albums scanned at least one copy.

Companies need to rely on selling a plethora of content and having a small enough overhead to profit on albums selling 10,000 copies, instead of multi-million sellers, to cover their expenses. Catering to a diverse and more segmented niche audience is going to be the key to building a market. A fragmented marketplace is a business model that is not suited to the conglomerate corporations, which are publicly traded on the stock market. After the 2011 sale of EMI to Sony Music and Universal Music Group, there are now three major music companies, which, in turn, are each owned by international conglomerate holding companies. The conglomerate organizations own other business as well, such as movie studios, telecommunications companies, electronics manufacturers, chemical manufacturers, and real estate companies. The major labels in the 70s-90s became experts at mainstream marketing in the days of a singular medium of either radio stations or, in the 1980s, MTV. In the music scene of today there are multiple subgenres and blogs catering to niche audiences on the Internet, 500 cable channels, satellite radio, Internet radio, countless blogs, etc. Massive corporations are not built for this type of promotions, but a smaller record label, a small marketing firm or a motivated artist are.

To meet these market needs, a new exciting business model has emerged where entrepreneurs and small businesses supply needs that the major companies cannot. These companies handle promotions, distribution and marketing for independent labels and artists. They provide services so independent labels don’t have to do everything in-house, allowing these labels to compete through services that were once only available by signing exclusive deals with major-label conglomerates.

One success story of this new business model is Thirty Tigers, based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Thirty Tigers provides independent artists assistance with distribution, marketing, promotion, management and publicity. As far as distribution, Thirty Tigers pooled their collective artists to negotiate like a label with physical and digital distribution powerhouse RED. This allows artists to receive widespread distribution that they would have only previously received by signing away the rights to their recordings with a record label. In exchange, the company keeps a percentage of the wholesale value of goods being distributed.

For other services, such as management or publicity, Thirty Tigers charges either a monthly retainer, or a negotiated percentage of profits. The artists have the freedom to leave this arrangement if it does not work for them, without being held to a long-term deal, such as a multi-album deal which major labels typically have artists sign, and without a contract buy-out.

Thirty Tigers has worked with such artists as Elizabeth Cook, The Avett Brothers, Those Darlins, North Mississippi Allstars, Drive-By Truckers and Beth Nielsen Chapman.

Just as the movie business adjusted to the “threat” of television and video recording systems and thrived, a more stable industry model will come into place to deal with the new business realities that exist in the age of the Internet. Companies such as Thirty Tigers, which allow artist to retain their rights to their recordings, which have relatively low overhead, which answer only to themselves and not stockholders of international corporations, and which have mastered marketing to specific niche markets that meet the unique talents of their artists, may hold the key for an industry where entrepreneurs, smaller companies, and independent labels thrive.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/richardbusch/2012/03/27/major-record-labels-as-dinosaurs/

£160million Worth Of Michael Jackson’s Back Catalogue Has Been Stolen

Published March 4, 2012 by MJ WAS A CUTIE PIE

Source: Daily Mail

Gone: Michael Jackson’s entire back catalog has been stolen

Michael Jackson’s entire back catalog4 has been stolen by internet hackers.

Sony music suffered its second major security breach in a year, with thieves targeting songs and unreleased material by the superstar singer.

It’s alleged they downloaded more than 50,000 music files, worth £160million, in the biggest ever cyber attack on a music company.

The news comes just a year after Sony paid £250million for the seven-year rights to the songs following Jackson’s death.

The contract with Jackson’s estate also allowed them to release 10 new albums, including material from studio sessions produced during the making of some of the star’s biggest albums.

The singer, who died in June 2009 at the age of 50, had recorded unreleased duets with artists ranging from the late Freddie Mercury and Black Eyed Peas singer Will.i.am.

The king of pop: Jackson, pictured in 1999, had his song rights partially sold to Sony

In April the details of 77million gamers were stolen after Sony’s Playstation Network was hacked. The breach cost Sony £106million and hugely damaged their reputation.

The attack on the Jackson files occurred shortly afterwards but has not been revealed until now.

The hack was discovered during routine monitoring of social networking sites, Jackson fan sites and hacking forums

A source close to the company said: ‘Everything Sony purchased from the Michael Jackson estate was compromised.

‘It caused them to check their systems and they found the breach. There was a degree of sophistication.

‘Sony identified the weakness and plugged the gap.’

The hack has compromised the work of other artists managed by the firm, including songs by Jimi Hendrix, Paul Simon, Olly Murs, the Foo Fighters and Avril Lavigne.

The source added that the second breach happening so soon after the first ‘would have made investors and artists think, ‘What other part of Sony isn’t secure?”

Last night Sony admitted there had been a security breach and that the Michael Jackson material had been stolen but refused to say how much the hackers downloaded.

A source within the company said that although the Jackson estate had been told about the hack the company did not have to make the knowledge public as there was no customer data involved.

They added that computer experts had traced the hack to the UK by examining a ‘fingerprint’ allegedly left behind.

The Serious Organised Crime division took up the case and two men appeared in court last week charged with offenses under the computer Misuse Act.

They denied all charges and were remanded on bail.

Don’t know for sure if this is true, but how ironic for Sony if it is. I hope it does not hurt Michael’s estate in the long run.

Donny Osmond Enchants Fans With Tales Of Michael Jackson

Published February 10, 2012 by MJ WAS A CUTIE PIE

Source: The Examiner – By Jackie Kass

Donny Osmond appeared on The Dr. Phil Show yesterday and he enchanted fans with tales and stories about his good pal, Michael Jackson. The talented singer has been a star for almost five decades and he talked openly about his childhood, career, triumphs, and struggles. The candid interview was an intimate look at Donny Osmond and how he has survived unimaginable highs and crushing lows throughout a long lived career.

During an interesting chat with Dr. Phil, Donny Osmond explained that he and Michael Jackson met and became friends when they were both 13 years old. After presenting an American Music Award together, the two decided that they were hungry, so they piled into Donny’s limo and ordered tacos from a nearby Jack in the Box. The two opened the moon roof, stood up and enjoyed their tacos while cruising the Sunset Strip. “That’s one of my best memories of Michael. We both laughed our heads off,” Donny told Dr. Phil.

Michael Jackson and Donny Osmond remained friends throughout the years. Before Thriller became a hit, the two met up and Michael played a demo of “Thriller” for Donny, who instantly knew it would be a huge hit. Because his own career was floundering, Osmond asked his pal for some advice to get it back on track. Michael Jackson advised Donny to change his name because it was poison and squeaky clean. Interestingly enough, Osmond released his album “Soldier of Love” with no name attached to it. It was a hit and months later Donny revealed his identity. That album got Donny’s derailed career back on track.

Donny Osmond revealed interesting parallels between his life and Michael Jackson’s life.

Both teen idols were very young when they were pushed to the forefront with big expectations.
Both families had nine children.
Donny and Michael were the 7th child in their respective families.
Donny and Michael’s mothers share the same birthdays.
Michael’s mom plays the clarinet, Donny’s mom played the sax.

The two child stars had so much in common that they remained friends throughout their lives. Donny Osmond was crushed when he learned about his friend’s death. He said to Dr. Phil, “When he went off to superstardom, the pressures of the business got to him.”

Osmond is now busier than ever. He won Dancing with the Stars, currently has the #1 hit on the country charts, produces his own radio show, and performs nightly in Las Vegas with sister Marie. He credits his energy to a supplement called Protandim. “It’s my fountain of youth,” he explained.

Towards the end of the show, Dr. Phil surprised Donny Osmond by bringing Stevie Wonder on stage. Right before the big surprise, Donny told Dr. Phil that Stevie once offered him the following advice, “Never let your fear be bigger than your faith.” Osmond said that’s how he tries to live his life. Stevie Wonder and Donny Osmond performed a very entertaining medley of their hit songs. It was a wonderful and memorable TV moment.

http://www.examiner.com/tv-in-national/donny-osmond-enchants-fans-with-tales-of-michael-jackson-video

Here’s a little extra Michael story that I threw in of Donnie’s:

Administrator’s Note: I used to crush on Donnie Osmond too when I was young. I have always been drawn to the youngest child of the popular family singing groups from back in the day like Foster Sylvers and Tony DeFranco. I’m really telling my age here! But none of them entranced me like Michael did. I wish that Michael and Donnie had stayed in touch more in the last years of his life. Donnie was the friend that Michael needed, especially since they had so much in common. Much love to all of them. ♥

Opinion: Thriller Was The Worst Thing That Happened To Michael Jackson

Published February 10, 2012 by MJ WAS A CUTIE PIE

Source: Star Pulse – By Brad Washington

Before pop superstar Michael Jackson’s death in June of 2009, his name was more of a draw as his association with global popularity first, his social and physical demise second, and his music and artistry third. In the wake of his passing, his music was suddenly revived to pre-1993 status as people sang along and played his memorable hits such as Remember The time, Billie Jean, Off The Wall, etc. His classic album Thriller began to be played like it was 1983 again and the album itself began to fly off the shelf, with its latest certification of 29 million sold certified just weeks after his death. But even before his death, the blockbuster album was regarded as his only true magnum opus, which in my opinion is a slap in the face to the incredibly musically gifted Jackson.

Originally limited to songwriting due to his experiences with Motown’s The Corporation/Hal Davis, Jackson proved that he could be a legit song architect when he penned number ones such as Don’t Stop til You Get Enough from his 1979 adult solo debut Off The Wall and Billie Jean of course from Thriller.

But he was only responsible for the composition of three songs on Off The Wall, and four on thriller, but yet we build his artistic legacy from only those two albums more specifically Thriller? Seriously?

Because of the enormous success of Thriller, Jackson’s Bad album is constantly overlooked as one of the best put together and well-crafted pop albums ever made, and the Dangerous and HIStory albums were each fresh and up to date sound that saw Jackson’s artistry and creative vision continue to increase. But it’s never the case with critics because to them Thriller was his Omega.

An interesting fact of his overlooked artistry post-Thriller is from Bad-HIStory he wrote/co-wrote every track except seven songs. To make an even more valid point, he also co-produced (even written and produced songs like They Don’t Care About Us and Stranger in Moscow credited solely by himself) each song from the three albums.

Thriller is of course undeniably a classic, but can’t we really say it’s his best work when Rod Temperton, Quincy Jones, Steve Porcaro, etc. were successful participants to why the album was a success and immortal.

Yes Off The Wall is an R&B/Pop classic, and yes Thriller changed the landscape of music and how a pop record is made, but it also helped create unrealistic goals for Jackson to accomplish, although the albums sold extremely well, each album that followed Thriller was dismissed as a flop in contrast to Thriller. It’s so disappointing that we forget that Bad/Dangerous sold 30 and 32 million globally (eight million and seven million in the U.S.). We forget that on Bad he was the first artist to achieve five number ones. We forget on the Bad album he co-wrote nine of the 11 songs and co-produced the entire album. We forget Dangerous provided four top ten pop records in which he wrote/produced on all four of the records. We as music lovers forgot about his music before he died, and now are forgetting that his artistry grew AFTER Thriller.

Thriller didn’t just make Jackson try to achieve 100 million records for each album, it made him the poster of 1980’s, his album as the “source of validation” you know what good music is, even though grooves like “Leave Me Alone” “Black or White” “Liberian Girl” “The Way You Make Me Feel” and even later on “Earth Song” are musically one of his most strongest arrangement-wise songs he’s ever made. So while you make your argument that Thriller is of-all-end-all Michael Jackson, just know Jackson at its artistic peak is post dark-skin. Just saying.

Photo Credits: PRN / PR Photos

http://www.starpulse.com/news/Brad_Washington/2012/02/09/thriller_was_the_worst_thing_that_happ

Administrator’s Note: Michael was destined for greatness, but the process can sometimes be very cruel and unfair. But he made a tremendous difference in the world and and in me. He will always have a very special place in my heart. I love you Michael. ♥

Wonder Where You Learned That Move? Paris Jackson Copies Her Father Michael’s Famous Dance Step On The Softtball Field

Published January 15, 2012 by MJ WAS A CUTIE PIE

Source: Daily Mail

Her father was famous for his inspiring and innovative dance moves including the much admired Moonwalk.

And Paris Jackson today resembled the King of Pop as she balanced on her toes, Michael Jackson style on the softball field.

While catching the ball, the 13-year-old looked like she was bringing out one of her late father’s special tiptoe stand dance move.

Busting a move: Paris Jackson’s tip toe stand on the softball field today resembled her late father Michael’s famous dance move

And Paris also seems to have her father’s focus, as she looked to be concentrating hard on the game.

The teenager is particularly sporty, and last year became the only female member of her school’s flag football squad.

And the aspiring actress will soon be making her acting début in film series Lundon’s Bridge And The Three Keys.

Family affair: Prince Michael, Blanket and Paris, pictured last year, will all be remembering their father at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

Meanwhile, her father’s memory lives on, and it was recently revealed that Paris and Prince, as well as younger brother Blanket, nine, will be placing their father’s shoes and famous sequinned glove into the cement outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on January 26.

A statement announcing the news read: ‘The Grauman’s Chinese Theatre forecourt is one of the most photographed tourist sites in the world, annually attracting as many visitors as the Taj Mahal in India and the Prado Museum in Madrid.

‘The Grauman’s hands and footprints ceremony is rich in tradition and provides the four million plus people a year who visit the site an up close look at the hand and footprints of Hollywood’s most notable talents

Couple Have Seven Biological Children, Have Adopted 27 More

Published November 20, 2011 by MJ WAS A CUTIE PIE

Source: Evansville Courier and Press

Administrator’s Note: This story is ironic in so many ways. First of all, the father in this story’s name is actually Michael Jackson. Secondly, it deals with loving and caring for unwanted children, some with special needs and would have mostly likely not had a chance to live in a loving home. As we know, children were Michael’s heart and passion. Third, our Michael wanted to have a large family with many children. I truly believe that in this uncanny way, Michael has gotten his wish through the twin Jackson family. May God always bless them for their big hearts of love. They are my new found heroes. ♥

Photo by Kyle Grantham, The Evansville Courier & Press – 2010 Kyle R Grantham – 2010. Michael Jackson and his son Robert share a laugh during family dinner on a recent Thursday night. Michael and Mary-Jo Jackson have adopted 27 children over the years from all over the world, in addition to raising seven biological children.

“A little girl on a beach stops to save a starfish (one of many on the beach) by throwing it back into the ocean.

“An old man passing by comments that she is wasting her efforts with so many others on the beach: One person could not make a difference, he told her.

“The little girl bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea.

” ‘I made a difference to that one,’ she said.”

This is a story Michael Jackson tells to describe his philosophy.

“That story epitomizes what we do,” Jackson said, to explain why he and his wife, Mary-Jo, have 20 children living in their home in Evansville’s historic district.

“And that’s not all of them,” Mary-Jo said. Since their marriage 40 years ago, she has given birth to seven and the couple has adopted 27 children, for a total of 34.

That’s a lot of starfish.

The couple and their tribe moved to Evansville last summer from upstate New York for Michael’s job as an engineering manager at Mead Johnson Nutritionals.

“We talked a lot about having a large family before we got married,” Mary-Jo said. “It was something we both wanted.”

“But to be honest, I always figured we would have four or five,” Michael said. “To me, that was a large family, as I only have one brother.”

After “The Original Seven” (as they are called on the family website, www.onehugefam ily.com) were well on their way to adulthood, the Jacksons decided to branch out.

Initially, they looked into becoming foster parents but were turned down.

“We were told that seven children (in the house) was too many (to qualify to foster any more),” Mary-Jo said.

Undaunted, they began researching adoption possibilities. “We were looking for special needs children,” she said. “Our seven had been normal.”

International adoption became the most productive path. In 1994, the Jacksons went to Russia and came home with Bryan.

Four months later, they went back and brought Rachel home.

Bryan was 3, spoke no English and had been born with a malformed leg. He needed an amputation and a prosthesis, Mary-Jo said. The Jacksons adopted him, brought him into their home in Minneapolis and had his medical needs addressed.

Bryan, now 21, is receiving job-search services through the Vocational Rehabilitation Center; Rachel, now 22, attended culinary school and lives in Vermont.

The Jacksons were just getting warmed up.

“Once I saw the children in the orphanages, I knew that we couldn’t stop at adopting just one child,” Michael said.

Their latest adoption was finalized July 7.

The kids are so used to new additions to the family that “if a visitor comes to our house with a child, our younger ones want to know if we are adopting,” Mary-Jo said.

The Jacksons would consider adopting more, “but with 20 kids in the house, no one is willing to give us any more,” she said, a little wistfully. “An orphanage is no place for a child.”

By the numbers

The Jacksons’ 27 adopted children include: Eleven from Russia; two from Kazakhstan; one each from Serbia, China, Vietnam and Korea; two from Romania; three from Bulgaria; and five from Texas (including one native Texas “good ol’ boy”).

The Texans are “re-adoptions,” Mary-Jo said, explaining that sometimes well-meaning adoptive parents become overwhelmed by the special needs of their children and end up having to surrender them.

All of the Jackson children are enrolled in school: Four are at Reitz High School; one is at Harrison High School; one attends the EVSC Technical Institute; there is one each at Helfrich Park Middle School, West Terrace Elementary School and Glenwood Leadership Academy; five attend Christ the King Elementary School; and six are at Memorial High School.

The Jacksons are Roman Catholic, but the parochial school system is not set up to handle some of the special services some of the children require, Mary-Jo said, adding that “both school systems have been fantastic to us.”

Faith and Values

“We are leading very intentional lives. Very intense lives,” Mary-Jo said.

“Our faith is very strong and I don’t think we would be where we are now if we didn’t have faith in God’s ability to give us all the strength we need,” Michael added.

The Jacksons worship at St. Mary Catholic Church in Downtown Evansville, within walking distance of their home.

Donna Leader, a volunteer at St. Mary’s, said “to see them in church is amazing; two of them say Mass in sign language the older children look after the young ones; Mom and Dad sit in a pew in front of them they all act like adults.”

The Rev. Steve Lintzenich, pastor at St. Mary’s, said: “They are a lovely family; it is exciting to have one family fill two pews. They sit up front they are well-disciplined, well-churched children so alive Michael and Mary-Jo show great example in bringing those children to faith.”

Discipline and organization

“Being consistent and fair are major keys to running our household,” Michael said.

There are daily and weekly assigned chores, he added. The children know there always are consequences to their behavior (no dessert; missing out on activities) it is important that both parents stay on the same page with that, the Jacksons agree.

Learning to share is critically important.

“We always come from the point of view that everything we teach the children is part of the information they need to be successful adults in our society,” Michael said.

Logistically, the only way the family with 20 kids in school can stay on track is by remaining highly organized. A really big bulletin board helps, Mary-Jo said. “I’d be lost without it!”

The family gets around in two large vans and a sedan.

Mary-Jo does “99 percent of the cooking the kids get breakfast and lunch at school, but we try to eat supper together as a family every night,” she said.

“I shop for food about twice a week; I scour the ads what’s on sale is what we eat there’s a lot of pasta and casseroles, fruits, vegetables, we have a salad every night and I love to bake, so we have dessert,” Mary-Jo said.

Photo by Kyle Grantham, The Evansville Courier & Press – 2010 Kyle R Grantham – 2010. KYLE GRANTHAM / Courier & Press Bryan (from left), Colin and Kevin listen to their mother, Mary-Jo Jackson, along with their sister and Mercy, right, during dinner.

Photo by Kyle Grantham, The Evansville Courier & Press – 2010 Kyle R Grantham – 2010. Photos by KYLE GRANTHAM / Courier & Press The Jackson family children gather for dinner around a table that stretches through two rooms in the Jackson home.

Clothes are hand-me-downs: “Our kids think new clothes come in black plastic bags,” Mary-Jo quipped. “We save everything.

“We do get new clothes for the older kids so they can fit in with their peers, but thank goodness for school uniforms!”

The family’s 6,600- square-foot house has eight bedrooms and 3½ baths.

“You have to be in high school to take a morning shower, otherwise you shower at night. Some of the littlest ones take their baths before dinner,” Mary-Jo said.

Kids older than 16 do their own laundry, at prescribed times. Mary-Jo averages two loads a day for the rest of the family.

Michael and Mary Jo both are 60, but retirement is not in their vocabulary. Their youngest is only 8 and given the chance, Mary-Jo said, they’d be happy to adopt more.

The Children

Sara Norwood, 37, is the second-oldest of seven children born to Michael and Mary-Jo Jackson; she now lives in Florida.

She was a sophomore in college when her parents began talking to their children about adopting Bryan, the first of 27 children who eventually joined the family fold,”But I was only home for vacations and during the summer.

“I was a little surprised, initially; they showed us a picture of Bryan in the orphanage. I remember a photo of a little boy without a leg that they said they were going to bring home.

“But it was an abstract concept. It was a lot different when he got here.”

Norwood said she was not really surprised when, four months later, Rachel showed up: “We were told there was going to be more than one, but I don’t think any of us ever expected more than 20.”

Sara’s sister, Erin Thornton, 29, of Fort Wayne, is number six of the “Original Seven” children in the Jackson family. She was in middle school when her parents decided to adopt Bryan: “It was a huge family moment; we were all very involved,” she said.

As the months and years passed and the number of children steadily increased, the entire family took it in stride. “I am very proud to be a part of this family,” Erin said. “Our lifestyle growing up made me want a handful of kids so they can experience a little of what I had growing up.”

“Anyone I encounter says, ‘Oh my gosh, your parents are amazing,’” Erin said. “And all I can do is agree.”

Michelle Duggar Pregnancy News (Updated 12/11/11 Michaelle Has Miscarriage)

Published November 8, 2011 by MJ WAS A CUTIE PIE

Source: SheKnows Entertainment – By Caroline Goddard

It’s 20 kids and counting for television’s most famous humongous family. Michelle Duggar announced today that she is pregnant again! Think you have your hands full with your family? What if you had to deal with 19 kids? How about 20? The Duggar family is getting ready to do just that.Michelle Duggar announced this morning on Today that she is expecting the family’s 20th child.

“We are so excited,” 45-year-old Michelle said.

“I was not thinking that God would give us another one, and we are just so grateful.”

At three-and-a-half months, Michelle says she has had no health issues so far and is actually in the best shape of her life since she’s been working out regularly for the last year. “I’m really in better shape than I’ve been in 20 years,” she said.

The family patriarch Jim Bob couldn’t be more thrilled about the news.

“Michelle and I both feel like some of the most blessed parents in the world. Our children are so sweet… we are so grateful to God.”

“We didn’t want to stop on an odd number,” he joked.

The Duggar’s decision to have another baby is a controversial one, as their last baby, Josie, was born nearly four months premature due to severe pregnancy complications including preeclampsia. While Josie is now a healthy toddler, some question whether it is smart or safe for Michelle to go through another pregnancy.

The Duggars don’t seem very concerned, though. Michelle and Jim Bob will find out the gender of the baby around Christmas, which is due in April.

Watch the Duggars make their big announcement on Today:

http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/846659/michelle-duggar-is-pregnant-again-for-the-20th-time

Administrator’s Note: Wow! This truly amazing! I did a post a while back called “The Duggars: Would This Be Michael’s Dream Family?” As we all know Michael wanted many children. I wondered how his life would have been if he had met a woman like Michelle. I saw today that she is expecting her 20th child! My God, this couldn’t be me, but I am happy for them and I wish her a healthy and long term pregnancy!

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Michelle Duggar Resting at Home, Plans to Name Child Inspite of Miscarriage

Source: People.com – By Alicia Dennis (December 9, 2011)

During a routine check-up Thursday, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar received the heart-wrenching news that their 20th child no longer had a heartbeat and Michelle’s pregnancy had ended.

“Our doctor said it was wise to let this miscarriage happen naturally,” says Michelle, 45, who is resting at home. “And so that is what we are going to do.”

The reality television stars of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting are parents to children Joshua, 23 (who is married to Anna, 23 and has two children, Mackynzie, 2 and Michael, 4 months), twins Jana and John-David, 21; Jill, 20; Jessa, 19; Jinger, 17; Joseph, 16; Josiah, 15; Joy-Anna, 14; twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah, 12; Jason, 11; James, 10; Justin, 8; Jackson, 7; Johanna, 6; Jennifer, 4; and Jordyn, 3, and weathered youngest daughter, Josie’s premature birth on Dec. 10, 2009.

Michelle’s doctor recommended that she allow the miscarriage to occur without using medications that cause her uterus to contract, due to the cut that her emergency Cesarean for Josie created.

“I am resting and I have felt good physically, which is strange,” says Michelle, who was 19 weeks and 1 day into her pregnancy when the miscarriage was diagnosed (the baby measured at 16 weeks).

After giving birth to oldest son Josh, Michelle and Jim Bob, 46, suffered her first miscarriage when Michelle got pregnant while taking oral birth control. She has previously said it was one of the reasons the couple no longer chooses birth control.

“We named that baby Caleb even though we didn’t know if it was a boy or girl because that miscarriage was early,” she says. “We will name this child and will know that we will see those children again someday in heaven.”

Their daughter, Jill, 20, has been studying to become a midwife and had listened to the baby’s heartbeat on Nov. 25, Michelle says. “She’s been taking notes and keeping good track,” says Michelle. “On Dec. 3, I felt a little uncomfortable but I thought it was just something I’d eaten. It could have been the beginning of something going wrong. I had my blood drawn yesterday, and it showed that my progesterone levels had dropped so something was not right [with the pregnancy].”

She says Jim Bob and the children are making sure she’s resting. “The kids are mothering me now,” she says. “Jill just brought me some food and they are taking good care of me.”

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20552365,00.html

The Duggars: Would Michael’s Dream Family Be Like This?

Published May 14, 2011 by MJ WAS A CUTIE PIE

Administrator’s Note: As we all know, Michael loved children and wanted a large family with lots of kids. Unfortunately he did not fully get his hearts’ desire. The TLC Channel has a TV show about the Duggars. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have raised 19 children (all their own) in this modern age. I enjoy watching their show. It is amazing to me how they do it because I don’t know if I could. Whether or not you agree with their beliefs or the reason why they had so many children, you have to admire all the love, patience and guidance that they are giving to them. There are so many kids in the world that don’t have this in their lives. They do everything together.

I got to wondering if Michael could have met a woman like Michelle, would his life be similar to theirs. He loved God and tried to follow what the bible taught. I could see him doing this if he were not famous. I could see him living on a farm with lots of children and animals around. With the right woman, he may done it while famous, but it would have been extremely hard hiding them from the media. Maybe he would have quit show business and settled down for married life and family.

If you don’t know about the Duggar’s, I have included some information about them below.

About The Duggar Family

Michelle Duggar married July 21st, 1984. At that time, they chose to use the birth control pill. They thought, “We don’t want children right now. We can’t afford them. We want children in our timing, when we’re ready.” Four years later they decided to have their first child. Then, Michelle went back on the pill, but she conceived and had a miscarriage. At that point they talked with a Christian medical doctor and read the fine print in the contraceptives package. They found that while taking the pill you can get pregnant and then miscarry. They were grieved! They were Christians! They were pro-life! They realized that their selfish actions had taken the life of their child. They prayed and asked God to forgive them, and to teach them to love children like He loves children. They asked God to bless them with as many children as He saw fit in His timing. Right after that Michelle got pregnant with twins! To date they have been blessed with 19 children.

God has opened many doors for them to share that children are a blessing from the Lord! To date they have been featured on five Discovery Health & TLC documentaries entitled, “14 Children and Pregnant Again!”, “16 Children and Moving In!”, “Raising 16 Children!”,“On The Road With 16 Children!” & “Duggar’s Big Family Album”. They have appeared on numerous National and International TV shows including The Early Show, The Today Show, The View, Fox & Friends, Italian Public Television, KBS (Korean Broadcasting System), Discovery Home & Health (UK & Australia), Jimmy Kimmel Live, Fox News Network, CNN, MSNBC and others. They have done countless interviews with radio talk show hosts around the world including NPR, AP Radio, CBS Radio, FOX Radio and others. They have appeared in various magazine and newspapers including Parents, New York Times, Dallas Morning News, Chicago Tribune, Ladies Home Journal, People and many others. From the United States, Canada, Korea, Japan, China, India, New Zealand, Australia, France and Germany. They have recently completed work on their first book, The Duggars: 20 and Counting! The Duggar’s desire is to make Christ known and for others to see that the Bible is the owner’s manual for life.

As a family project the Duggars built a 7000 sq. ft. home debt free! Both Jim Bob and Michelle are licensed real estate agents.They often host and facilitate the Jim Sammon’s Financial Freedom Seminar. Jim Bob served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003 and was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2002.

Welcoming our First GrandDuggar, Mackynzie, and precious new addition Josie!

Our new grand-daughter Mackynzie Renée arrived October 8, 2009 to our oldest son Josh and his wife Anna and we are enjoying being grandparents for the first time! We are so grateful for this new grand-addition to our family and the Aunts and Uncles are so excited for Josh and Anna!

We would like to thank all of those who have prayed for our family the past few months and have sent encouraging emails. Our nineteeth child who was due on March 18, 2010, ended up being born three and half months premature after Michelle developed pre-eclampsia. Josie Brooklyn Duggar was born December 10, 2009, at 25 weeks, 4 days gestation. She weighed only one pound and six ounces. Little Josie spent almost the first 6 months at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. As the days and weeks have passed, we have relied on our faith in God, the prayers & support of friends & family, combined with expert medical care to help Josie grow and become healthy. We are pleased to report that she is now at home with the rest of our family and doing very well. She is now over one year and 18 pounds and counting!

We are enjoying the new phase of life, and as grandparents, look forward to what God has in store for us in the years to come! Psalm 127 says, “Lo children are a heritage of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward.” We believe that each child is a special gift from God and we are thankful to Him for each one.

We have enjoyed hearing from thousands of families that have emailed us over the past several months and we regret that we have not been able to respond to everyone. We appreciate the words of encouragement and what a joy to hear from many who are seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ and yet others who desire to train up their children to follow God with their whole heart! Dr. S.M. Davis’ DVD messages have helped us raising our children, with a variety of topics on family relationships that can be a blessing to every family. Whether you are having conflicts in your marriage, dealing with a rebellious young person or just looking for solid principles to build a Godly family we encourage you to visit Dr. Davis’ website.

What do you think? Is this how Michael would have lived if his circumstances in life had been different?

Cutie ♥ ♥ ♥