(empo-utoobd) Q: Are we not Akon YouTube? A: We are AkonVEVO

I was involved in a Facebook conversation about such antiquated concepts as LPs, and in the course of the conversation I referenced my August 12, 2008 post about the Akon song "Lonely." The post includes the following text:

Universal Music has provided the video on YouTube. However, embedding is disabled, so you'll have to go here to see it.

But when I follow the link that I provided in the original post, YouTube presents the message

This video has been removed by the user.

The video, still non-embeddable, has been moved to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EEW-9NDM5k, which is labeled as part of "AkonVEVO."

I mentioned VEVO previously in this blog (in the context of YouTube's 2009 disagreements in Britain and Germany), but I haven't really talked about the WHY of VEVO. Luckily, Mashable posted something in December 2009 that made up for the shortcomings of my coverage:

VEVO will host most of YouTube (YouTube)’s music videos (85 percent of them, actually), including ones from EMI, Sony Music and Universal....

VEVO will manage all ad sales

- The music video site is focusing on getting rid of duplicate videos. If you have ever browsed YouTube, you’ll find that many music videos do, in fact, have duplicates.

- VEVO will not launch with HD. That will come out next year.

- Now this is awesome: VEVO includes synchronized and integrated lyrics.

But YouTube and the music companies didn't create VEVO out of an altruistic desire to provide synchronized and integrated lyrics to the people. No, the key words here are "duplicate videos" and "ad sales." Basically, the idea is to centralize videos in a central location so that YouTube and the music companies can control the ad revenue.

And there is also a vevo.com website. However, I don't know if I am allowed to register with it, since YouTube has seen it to permanently disable my account without explanation.

Oh, and you may not be allowed to register with vevo.com, either:

By using the Site, you represent, warrant and covenant that (a) you are 13 years of age or older and (i) reside in the United States of America, its territories and possessions (the “U.S.”) or (ii) reside in Canada and, if you are a minor, you have obtained your parent or guardian’s consent to use the Site in accordance with these Terms of Use; (b) your use of the Site does not violate any applicable law, rule or regulation; and (c) all registration information you submit is truthful and accurate and you shall maintain and promptly update the accuracy of such information. If you provide information that is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete, or VEVO suspects that such information is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete, VEVO has the right to suspend or terminate your registration (in whole or in part) and refuse any and all current or future use of the Site (or any portion thereof), in its sole discretion. If you reside in Canada, you further acknowledge and agree that the Site is operated exclusively from, and is being provided solely in accordance with, the laws of the United States. The laws of the United States may differ from those of Canada. Please ensure that you are comfortable with these differences before accessing and using the Site.

In other words, No Irish Need Apply. Or anyone from most other countries in the world, for that matter.

But if we're going to talk about Akon, we have to talk about Bobby Vinton. Bobby's website includes tour dates; here's what it says for Vinton's future dates:

May 8, 2010 Bryant, IN Bearcreek Farms
May 10 & 11, 2010 Oakbrook Terrace IL. Drury Lane Oakbrook
June 12, 2010 Las Vegas, NV Cannery Casino & Hotel
August 12, 2010 Plantsville CT, Aqua Turf Club The Flyer
August 14, 2010 FOXWOOD Casino & Resort Connecticut
August 26, 2010 Toronto, Canada Bandshell Park
September 25, 2010 Manistee, MI Little River Casino & Resort
November 12 & 13, 2020 Chandler AZ, Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino

I'm assuming the last one is a typo, but maybe he IS booked for a show ten years from now.

P.S. for those who noticed the significance of the post title - yes, Devo has been "Fresh" on my mind. And doesn't "Akon" look a little bit like "Akron"?

Here's a video of Devo performing "Fresh" at SXSW 2009. It's not on VEVO.