LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: Although the show was in no way positioned as a farewell concert to Davis, he certainly couldn't hope for a bigger good-bye, should he leave Arista as is expected when his contract expires June 30.

Davis has been mum on his negotiations with BMG, which plans to put LaFace Records co-founder Antonio "L.A." Reid in as president of Arista. However, Davis spokesman Howard Rubenstein confirms that the nature of Davis' talks with BMG now "focus on a new venture," not on remaining at the label he started 25 years ago.

"I'm not going to comment that Arista isn't an option," says Davis. "I've got the happiest choice of considering very substantial offers. You couldn't ask for the wonderful choices I have, and I'll be making that choice. BMG has weighed in, every other company and other people have [weighed in]. It's really just a matter of evaluating everything in the most positive light. It's all really happy options at this time."

Reports have swirled that Davis is looking for $300 million to finance the label. In addition to BMG, he is rumored to have talked with Universal and Sony, as well as some non-music entities. However, a source says that "it's not possible with the numbers he wants" to go to a company that doesn't already have a distribution system in place. The source also notes that while Davis is getting very strong offers, he will probably not get a commitment for $300 million, as well as for some artists from the label with whom he makes his new deal.

Davis declined to comment on when he would announce his plans, adding, "I'm not going to deal with it piecemeal. I'm in a very fortunate position. We're having our biggest sales, our biggest profits in history. From Santana to breaking new artists to [my] Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award to the NBC special, it's a great time for me, and I'm going to make the best decision that I can."

According to sources, BMG's buyout of the remaining portion of LaFace it did not already own has been completed, and Reid will be in place July 1. Although sources say Reid does not want to move into Arista's existing space on New York's 57th Street, the lease on that space does not expire for some time. Reid did not return phone calls.

Also churning is the fate of Arista/Nashville, since the departure of its head, Tim DuBois, earlier this year for Gaylord Entertainment. According to sources, the label will become part of RCA Label Group, which is expected to change its name to BLG (short for BMG Label Group), under the direction of Joe Galante.


IN RELATED NEWS, LaFace co-founder Antonio "L.A." Reid tipped his hand about his rumored move to become president of Arista Records. As he addressed the BMG audience on April 13 to introduce LaFace artist Pink, he commented on the tremendous show Arista's Angie Stone had performed the night before. "We're excited about that," he said, hesitated, and continued, "I'm being a bit premature when I say that, but we'll get past that."