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Backbeat: Magnum Party With Natasha Bedingfield Kicks Off Billboard Awards Weekend at Body English
May 19, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | bbma2012 | Branding | Rock & Pop
As Billboard’s second annual Battle of the Bands wound down last night (May 18), Magnum Ice Cream kept the Billboard Music Awards energy revved up with its private party—featuring Natasha Bedingfield—at Hard Rock Hotel club Body English. » Full Story
Donna Summer's Album Sales Surge, Despite Lack of Availability
May 19, 2012 – Record Labels | Retail | Chart Alert
Despite how nearly half of the late Donna Summer's studio albums are off the market, the diva's catalog is due to make waves on the Billboard charts next week. » Full Story
Donna Summer Dominates Social Networks After Death
May 18, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Chart Alert
Donna Summer died on the morning of May 17 and many people reacted by taking to the Internet and online music services. » Full Story
Tenacious D, 'Glee' and Garbage Headed for High Debuts on Billboard 200 Chart
May 18, 2012 – Record Labels | Retail | Chart Alert
While it seems that Adam Lambert is on the verge of his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart with Trespassing, a number of other acts are set to debut in the top 20 next week, including Tenacious D, Garbage, and the 'Glee' cast. » Full Story
Radio Remembers Donna Summer: Songs Get Huge Airplay After News of Singer's Death
May 18, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Digital & Mobile
From Sirius XM to her hometown of Boston, radio celebrates the late Queen of Disco. » Full Story
1230459-u2-bono-apple-ad-200-133.jpg Business Matters: Bono Will Make Maybe $10 Million, Not $1.5 Billion, From Facebook's IPO
May 18, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
Contrary to widespread reports in the media, Bono is not about to rake in $1.5 billion on Facebook's IPO today. He is a managing director for a private equity firm -- Elevation Partners -- and may be set to make around $10 million on the sale. Elsewhere, Amanada Palmer's Kickstarter hits $750K, and Nathan Hubbard takes to Twitter to talk Ticketmaster fees. » Full Story
Spotify, BandPage Win, Slick Rick Performs at SoundCtrl's FlashFWD Awards
May 18, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile
At 7pm on a rainy Tuesday evening right in the middle of Internet Week NY, tech entrepreneurs and music enthusiasts alike filed into the Gramercy Theater to attend the 3rd annual FlashFWD awards show. Presented by SoundCtrl, a NYC-based event platform for the convergence of music and digital media, in conjunction with Fuse and Pepsi, FlashFWD aims to recognize companies and individuals who have made significant innovations in the music industry. » Full Story
Rock Hall Blames Voters for Donna Summer Snub, Calls Omission an 'Error'
May 18, 2012 – Record Labels | Rock & Pop
It's a topic that's tough to avoid when discussing the accomplishments of Donna Summer, who died Thursday of cancer: Why is the legendary singer not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? The chairman of the Hall's nominating committee today called the omission "regrettable." » Full Story
Bubbling Under: 'Next' Up for Emeli Sande: U.S. Success
May 18, 2012 – Record Labels | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Chart Alert
Each Friday, Billboard presents "Bubbling Under," a weekly look at new and noteworthy acts making their way toward Billboard chart success. Up this week: Emeli Sande, Gavin Creel, A$AP Rocky and Rhett Walker Band. » Full Story
facebook 5 Reasons Why Facebook Won't Spend its IPO Money on the Music Business
May 18, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
After raising $6.84 billion in its initial public stock offering, Facebook will have more than enough cash on hand to acquire a major music company or two. A major music publisher or record label can be had for a few billion dollars. Same goes for a major concert promoter or digital music service. But don’t hold your breath. » Full Story
Shazam To Offer Free, Exclusive Download of Usher's 'Climax' During Billboard Music Awards
May 18, 2012 – Record Labels | bbma2012 | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile | Branding | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
During Sunday's night's telecast of the Billboard Music Awards on ABC (8:00 p.m. EDT), Shazam will offer viewers a free and exclusive download of Usher's hot chart-topping single "Climax" remixed by Diplo. The track, from Usher's forthcoming Looking 4 Myself (June 12, RCA Records), has been No. 1 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop chart for the past five weeks. » Full Story
Chart Moves: Keane & Karmin's Albums Debut, Pitbull's Not-Quite Career-Spanning Hits Set Arrives
May 18, 2012 – Record Labels | Retail | Chart Alert
Carrie Underwood held on to the No. 1 slot on the Billboard 200 while Adele climbed back to No. 2, Keane and Karmin debuted, and Damien Rice made a surprise re-appearance on the chart. » Full Story
Donna Summer - In Memoriam: There Will Always Be a You
May 18, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Retail | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Michael Paoletta for ten years was Billboard's esteemed dance/electronic music editor. He not only interviewed Donna Summer (and her producer Giorgio Moroder) on several occasions, but grew up with and was inspired by Summer's seminal music, meteoric success and sustained stardom. As such, there may be no better person to help put her greatness and loss in perspective. » Full Story
BBC 6 Radio Has Highest Numbers Two Years After Nearly Getting Axed; Digital Radio Up 5%
May 18, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile
Listenership to BBC 6 Music, the UK's BBC digital alternative station, grew to a record high last quarter, attracting an average weekly audience of 1.45 million, according to the latest RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research) figures. Digital radio listening grew 5% year-on-year with a weekly reach of 23.5 million people. » Full Story
Warda, Legendary Algerian Singer, Dies in Cairo at 72
May 18, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
The Algerian singer Warda, "the Algerian Rose," whose sultry voice and range helped make her one of the giants of Arab song, has died. She was 72. Along with Lebanon's Fayrouz and Egypt's late Umm Kalthoum, Warda was one of the legendary singers of the Arab world, with a voice that has been described as both sweet and powerful. » Full Story
Jermaine Paul Vs. Javier Colon: 2012's 'The Voice' Winners Not As Chart-tastic as 2011
May 18, 2012 – Record Labels | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile | Branding | Rock & Pop
Songs performed on the May 7 live-performance season finale of NBC's "The Voice" debut on the top 50 of the Hot Digital Songs chart – but the impact is less than after last year's coronation episode. » Full Story
Facebook's IPO is One of World's Largest
May 18, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Branding
Facebook finds out today just how much status updates, puppy photos and billions of "likes" are worth on Wall Street. Facebook's stock is set to begin trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market today, the day after the world's definitive online social network raised $16 billion in an initial public offering that valued the company at $104 billion -- more than Amazon.com, Kraft, Walt Disney and McDonald's. » Full Story
Business Matters: Critics of Universal-EMI Merger Still Lining Up, But Outcome Still in Doubt
May 17, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
The proposed acquisition of EMI's recorded music division by Universal Music Group is expected to see a rocky road ahead, though not everybody is lining up against the merger. Elsewhere, Pandora continues to be lumped in with social media companies despite facing very different operating challenges. » Full Story
2012 Billboard Music Awards -- Now With More Social Media
May 17, 2012 – Record Labels | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile | Branding | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
After a banner 2011 with record TV ratings, the Billboard Music Awards are back this Sunday, May 20th live on ABC at 8/7c. This year, social media will play an even greater role with on-air integration, free downloads, celebrity tweets (hashtag #BBMA - not just for the famous), ticket giveaways, and much more. » Full Story
MTV Tr3s Looking For Next Big Latin Act in 'Dame Un Break' Competition
May 17, 2012 – Record Labels | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile | Latin
MTV Tr3s is looking for the next big music act in the "Dame Un Break" competition which will give aspiring Latino artists a chance to compete in an online battle of the bands campaign on Ourstage.com, network officials announced. » Full Story
Live Nation Logo Live Nation Finalizes Settlement In Decade-Long Ticket Pricing Lawsuit
May 17, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management
A long-running dispute over whether Live Nation and former parent Clear Channel engaged in anticompetitive conduct in the promotion and pricing of live music concerts could be headed for some resolution as lawyers for the company and a class of nationwide plaintiffs told a California federal court that they were finalizing a global settlement agreement that would lead to the dismissal of various claims that span back a decade. » Full Story
Backbeat: Rolfe Kent Receives Career Achievement Honor at BMI Film and TV Awards
May 17, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | TV & Film
Composer Rolfe Kent composed a poem with the help of his staff for his acceptance speech for the Richard Kirk Award at the BMI Film/TV Awards, where execs from Clear Channel, Lionsgate, AIM Broadcasting, and the Disney Channel among others were on hand to dish out awards. » Full Story
Adele, PJ Harvey, Lana Del Rey Win at 57th Ivor Novello Awards
May 17, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Global
Adele took home two awards, Lana del Rey won Best Contemporary Song, PJ Harvey was handed the Album Award for "Let England Shake" and Ed Sheeran won Best Song Musically & Lyrically at the 57th Ivor Novello Awards, which are organized jointly by BASCA, the British songwriters and composers’ association, and collecting society PRS for Music. » Full Story
spotify Spotify Raising Funding at $4 Billion Valuation: Report
May 17, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Branding
Music subscription service Spotify is reportedly raising money at a $4 billion valuation with Goldman Sachs set to invest $100 million and the round fetching as much as $220 million. A $4 billion valuation would put Spotify in the upper echelon of music companies valued higher than WMG, Pandora and Live Nation. » Full Story
Donna Summer's Enduring Billboard Chart Successes
May 17, 2012 – Record Labels | Chart Alert
Donna Summer may have been referred to as the Queen of Disco, but her Billboard chart hits weren't confined to the so-called "disco era" of the late 1970s. While she earned a string of smash singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the '70s -- many produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte -- she continued to chart hits on into '80s, '90s, '00s and '10s. » Full Story
Tributes For Donna Summer: Questlove, Nile Rodgers, Sheila E., George Clinton, More React
May 17, 2012 – Record Labels
Donna Summer died this morning after a battle with cancer at the age of 63. Her fantastic success as the 'Queen of Disco' saw her hit the Billboard Hot 100 32 times, including 14 No. 1 hits. Tributes have been coming in from the music community, and we've compiled a few below. » Full Story
Donna Summer, 'Queen of Disco,' Dead at 63
May 17, 2012 – Record Labels
Donna Summer, the 'Queen of Disco,' died today of cancer. She was 63. » Full Story
Jay Boberg Appointed Chairman of INgrooves Fontana Parent Isolation Network
May 17, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Executive Turntable
Boberg replaces Vincent Freda as chairman of the board of Isolation Network, as Freda was appointed Chief Operating Officer in April. » Full Story
Jason Aldean Leads Country Songs, Luke Bryan and Brantley Gilbert Crack Top 10
May 17, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Chart Alert | Country
Jason Aldean claims his seventh leader on Country Songs -- his first in almost a year -- as “Fly Over States” (Broken Bow) stacks 37.9 million impressions (up 2.4 million) and steps 2-1 on the audience-ranked chart. » Full Story
Breaking: Purple, Red, Yellow Wiggles Leaving Multi-Platinum Aussie Band
May 17, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | TV & Film | Branding | Rock & Pop
Three members of the children's music quartet The Wiggles will be hanging up their colorful outfits and leaving the Australian band this year, with the Blue Wiggle the lone original member left dancing. The band has sold more than 23 million DVDs and 7 million CDs worldwide, and its TV shows are broadcast in more than 100 countries, according to The Wiggles' website. » Full Story
Facebook GM Vs. Ford: Companies Ask If Advertising on Facebook Pays?
May 17, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Branding
Responding to extraordinary demand, Facebook said Wednesday that it would sell more stock in the company's initial public offering. But ahead of the IPO, a debate emerged between two of the nation's largest automakers: Does it pay to advertise on the social network? General Motors and Ford have a different take on the social media site's  marketing effectiveness. » Full Story
Chuck Brown, The Godfather of Go-Go, Dead at 75
May 16, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | R&B/Hip-Hop
Chuck Brown, the gravelly voiced Go-Go music legend and leader of Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers widely known as “The Godfather of Go-Go," has died at the age of 75. » Full Story
adam lambert Adam Lambert Headed for No. 1 on Next Week's Billboard 200 Albums Chart
May 16, 2012 – Record Labels | Retail | Chart Alert
The Good News: Adam Lambert is vying for his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart next week. The Bad News: His "Trespassing" set may only sell around 70,000 to 80,000 copies, the smallest sum at No. 1 on the chart since last August. » Full Story
Train.png Train's 'Drive By' Completes Trip to Hot 100's Top 10; Gotye Hangs On at No. 1
May 16, 2012 – Record Labels | Rock & Pop | Chart Alert
The song, Train's first single off new album "California 37," pulls into the chart's top bracket, completing the longest climb to the top 10 this year while Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" featuring Kimbra holds onto the No. 1 spot. » Full Story
Scooter Braun Talks Schoolboy-Universal Deal: 'Lucian Grainge Doesn't Want to Embrace the Old Business'
May 16, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Billboard.biz caught up with Scooter Braun (also known by legions as "Justin Bieber's manager") at the Third Annual FlashFWD Awards on the same day his Schoolboy Records announced a label and distribution deal with UMG Chairman Lucian Grainge. Here the 30-year old entrepreneur discussed avoiding complacency, dominating the Hot 100 (thanks to Bieber, The Wanted and Carly Rae Jepsen) and the music execs he most admires. » Full Story
Nas, Missy Elliott, Wiz Khalifa Headline Rock The Bells; Bone Thugs to Reunite
May 16, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | R&B/Hip-Hop
The annual hip-hop summit Rock The Bells revealed its lineup on Wednesday (May 16), and while Nas, Kid Cudi and Wiz Khalifa top the 2012 bill, the big news is the promised special performances by Missy Elliott and the reunited Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. » Full Story
Breaking: Clear Channel Buys WFNX/Boston
May 16, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Rock & Pop
It's the end of an era, as one of the country's first Alternative stations -- and one of the last independently owned outlets in a top 10 market -- is being sold to Clear Channel. The programming is rumored to be transitioning to either country and western or Spanish language talk radio. » Full Story
Pitbull, Ester Dean, Benny Blanco Share Writer Honor At BMI Pop Awards
May 16, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing
It was a big night for singer/songwriter Ester Dean at last evening's 60th annual BMI pop awards, as she was named co-songwriter of the year alongside Benny Blanco and Pitbull. Carole King also received BMI's Icon Award. » Full Story
Barry Manilow On Highest Charting Since the 1970s, Dick Clark's Friendship, How to Write Hits
May 16, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels
Barry Manilow has had a long and successful career as a songwriter, putting 25 tracks on the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 since the 1970s, and he spoke to Billboard about his chart successes, friendship with the late Dick Clark, his charity work, and how to write a hit song. » Full Story
Carrie Underwood's 'Blown Away' Album Nabs Second Week At No. 1
May 16, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Rock & Pop | Chart Alert | R&B/Hip-Hop
Carrie Underwood holds at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a second week, with "Blown Away" selling another 120,000 copies (down 55%, according to Nielsen SoundScan). It's Underwood's third No. 1 album, but first to spend more than a week at the top. » Full Story
Budweiser InBev Partners with Will.i.am on Playable Vinyl Magazine Ad
May 16, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Branding | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Budweiser has released a vinyl single that's quite a bit cooler than your average 7-inch. To promote its partnership in Brazil with Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am, the Anheuser-Busch InBev brand pressed his new song "Great Times" into a vinyl magazine advertisement playable on any turntable. » Full Story
ABC Announces Two Country Music Shows 'Nashville,' 'Malibu Country' With Reba McEntire (Video)
May 16, 2012 – Record Labels | TV & Film | Branding | Country
At ABC's upfronts this week, the network announced two new country-music based programs: "Friday Night Lights" a musical drama starring "Friday Night Lights" Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere as a rising singer; and “Malibu Country” starring country singer Reba McEntire as a recently separated country singer who moves her family (including her mom played by Lily Tomlin) to California to jumpstart her music career. » Full Story
Facebook Boosts IPO Shares By 25 Percent
May 16, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Branding
Facebook says 25 percent more shares will be sold as investors clamor for shares in the year's hottest stock offering. The social networking behemoth said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that about 421 million shares will be sold, up from 337 million under its earlier plans. » Full Story
Shooter Jennings, AEG and Paradigm Execs to Talk Touring at Billboard Country Music Summit Panels
May 16, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Country
A pair of sessions will examine the role of touring in the country music business at the 3rd Annual Billboard Country Music Summit, June 4-5 at the newly-renovated Cannery Ballroom in Nashville. The list of panelists includes Live Nation's Brian O'Connell, TMG/AEG's Ali Harnell, singer/songwriter Shooter Jennings, Ryman Auditorium's Sally Williams, WME's Rob Beckham, Paradigm's Curt Motley and CAA's Marc Dennis. » Full Story
Marianas Trench Leads Drake, Justin Bieber With Seven Noms in Canada's MuchMusic Video Awards
May 15, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile
Pop band Marianas Trench has emerged with seven nominations for the 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards, topping other nominees such as Drake, Justin Bieber, Nickelback and Simple Plan. The annual awards will be broadcast live June 17 at MuchMusic, housed inside the Bell Media building in downtown Toronto. » Full Story
Universal Music Group Q1 Revenue Up 9.1%, Credits Madonna, Nicki Minaj, Gotye, Van Halen Releases
May 15, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Universal Music Group revenues increased 9.1% to $1.28 billion in the first quarter of 2012. Earnings before interest, taxes and amortization (EBITA) grew 47% to $90.8 million. Parent company Vivendi attributed revenue growth in part to a strong release schedule that included albums by Madonna, Nicki Minaj, Van Halen, Gotye, Lana Del Rey and Germany’s Unheilig. » Full Story
Web Trends: Jay-Z Backs Barack Obama's Support of Gay Marriage
May 15, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Indies | Rock & Pop | Dance | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
See what else is trending in music today including Jay-Z follows Barack Obama in supporting gay marriage, Bonnaroo announce schedule, and a new album from Beach House. » Full Story
God Mode, One of Frenchkiss' First Nine Distributed Labels, Lines Up More 2012 Releases
May 15, 2012 – Record Labels | Indies
The God Mode label was launched casually in 2009 with Mr. Dream’s four-song 7”, “Mr. Dream Goes to Jail,” but they’ve grown more serious about the enterprise over the past few months and have releases from Yvette, the Sleepies and Matt Fasano planned for later this year. » Full Story
Sony Corp Logo Sony Closes Indiana Distribution Center, Lays Off 226
May 15, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Global | Legal & Management | Retail
Sony plans to cut 226 jobs from its Fishers, Ind. distribution center. » Full Story
Whitney Houston to be Honored at Billboard Music Awards With Tribute by Jordin Sparks & John Legend
May 15, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | bbma2012
Whitney Houston will be honored with the Billboard Millennium Award in a tribute performed by Jordin Sparks and John Legend at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday (May 20), it was announced Tuesday. Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and sister-in-law, Pat Houston, will make a special appearance to accept the award in her honor. » Full Story
Warner Music Group Warner Music Group Revenue Slipped 8% in Q1
May 15, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing
Warner Music Group revenue slipped 8% in the first three months of 2012 to $628 million from $684 million in 2011. » Full Story
Meet EDM's Power Trio: Atlantic's Craig Kallman, Astralwerks' Glenn Mendlinger, Interscope's Dave Rene
May 15, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Indies | Retail | Branding | Dance
Since the decline of "electronica" in the late 1990s, EDM has been an indie label's business. But now that it's big again, the majors are back -- but infiltrating a scene that prides itself on its independence can be tricky business. Meet the three major players who've pulled it off: Atlantic's Craig Kallman, Astralwerks' Glenn Mendlinger and Interscope's Dave Rene. » Full Story
Facebook Considered a Fad By Half of America, Views Divided by Generation (Poll)
May 15, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding
Half of Americans think Facebook is a passing fad, according to the results of a new Associated Press-CNBC poll. But in the run-up to the social network's IPO, half the people surveyed say they think Facebook is a good bet with those under 35 being the most interested in the massive social network's stock offer. » Full Story
Justin Bieber Manager Scooter Braun, UMG's Lucian Grainge Team Up for Label Deal
May 14, 2012 – Record Labels | Rock & Pop
Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge and Justin Bieber manager Scooter Braun will announce a global distribution deal for Braun's Schoolboy Records -- which includes Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen and the Wanted – later this week, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. » Full Story
Teyana Taylor Signs to G.O.O.D. Music
May 14, 2012 – Record Labels
Teyana Taylor, better known to most music fans as the voice behind some of the hooks on Kanye West's Grammy-winning album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, will again be linking up with Mr. West after signing to his G.O.O.D. Music imprint, a subsidiary of Island Def Jam. » Full Story
It's Official: Britney Spears, Demi Lovato Confirmed As 'X Factor' Judges
May 14, 2012 – Record Labels | TV & Film
Following months of speculation, Fox has finally announced that Britney Spears and Demi Lovato will be judging the second season of Simon Cowell's singing competition show, "X Factor." Both pop stars appeared at Fox's Upfronts presentation in New York on Monday (May 14) for the big reveal. » Full Story
Sony Sued as Songwriter Alleges Alabama Stole His Song, Label Didn't Collect Royalties
May 14, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Global | Legal & Management
Australian singer-songwriter Allan Caswell is alleging in a lawsuit that the band Alabama stole its 1982 chart-topping hit, "Christmas in Dixie," from the song he penned as the theme for the 1980s Australian television soap, "The Prisoner," yet as both artists are signed to Sony, the company would be "suing itself." » Full Story
Coachella 2013 Returning For Two Weekends With Increased Ticket Prices
May 14, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Indies | Branding | Rock & Pop | Dance | R&B/Hip-Hop
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will once again dip into two separate weekends in 2013, after successfully debuting the six-day model -- with the same lineup for each weekend -- in 2012. There will also be an increase in ticket prices with a three-day general admission wristband selling for $349. » Full Story
Katy Perry Set to Perform at Billboard Music Awards
May 14, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | bbma2012
Katy Perry is the latest addition to a growing list of superstar performers taking the stage at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, which airs live May 20 on ABC at 8 p.m. ET from the MGM Grand Arena. » Full Story
Jay-Z on the Budweiser 'Made in America' Fest, Putting New Music On Hold
May 14, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Branding | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
After announcing his new Budweiser and Live Nation sponsored festival in Philadelphia, Jay-Z took time to speak to Billboard about creating the fest, Jack White's "insanity," and putting new music on hold to hang out with Blue Ivy Carter. » Full Story
Music Attorney Paul Marshall, Who Repped EMI, PolyGram, Atlantic & More, Dies
May 14, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management
Paul Marshall, the legendary music attorney who brokered some of the most significant transactions the music industry has ever seen over his fifty-plus years in the entertainment law business, died May 10 in Aventura, Florida. He was 83. » Full Story
Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood to Perform at CMT Awards
May 14, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Country
Carrie Underwood, who leads all CMT Awards nominees with five nominations, will be joined by Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, the Zac Brown Band, and Little Big Town at the 11th annual show June 6 in Nashville. » Full Story
glee square tout 'Glee' Moves to Thursday; Britney Spears, Demi Lovato 'X Factor' Announcement Expected
May 14, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | TV & Film
“Glee” is being moved to Thursday from Tuesdays where it will follow “The X Factor” in the fall and “American Idol” in the spring. Fox Broadcasting held off on confirming reports that Britney Spears and Demi Lovato would be joining Simon Cowell and Antonio “L.A.” Reid as judges on “X Factor this season. » Full Story
How Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used To Know' Became an Unlikely No. 1 Dance Hit
May 14, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Branding | Rock & Pop | Dance
Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know," featuring Kimbra just hit No. 1 on the Billboard's Dance Club Songs and Dance/Mix Show Airplay charts while leading the Hot 100 the past four weeks and Alternative for ten  -- the first track to ever top all four tallies. Question is, what do dance radio programmers like about a remixed rock song? » Full Story
Keane, Rita Ora Top U.K. Music Charts
May 14, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
East Sussex melodic rock quartet Keane scored their fifth consecutive No. 1 on the U.K. album chart yesterday with “Strangeland” (Universal Isand). London starlet Rita Ora debuted atop the singles survey with “R.I.P.” (Roc Nation/Columbia/Sony Music Entertainment), which follows her chart-topping guest appearance on DJ Fresh’s  “Hot Right Now” in February. » Full Story
German Pirate Party Wins Fourth State Election
May 14, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Global | Legal & Management
The Pirate Party, once portrayed as a radical fringe group of Internet hackers and copyright thieves, on Sunday proved beyond doubt there are a political force to be reckoned with, claiming their fourth-straight victory in German state elections. » Full Story
Jay-Z Headlining, Curating Live Nation's 'Budweiser Made In America' Music Fest in Philly
May 13, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Branding
Jay-Z and Budweiser are expected to announce Monday their partnership to bring a two-day music festival, “Budweiser Made In America,” to Philadelphia over Labor Day Weekend. Jay-Z will headline as well as curate the lineup for the event, which is produced by Live Nation » Full Story
Donald 'Duck' Dunn, Bassist With Booker T. and the MGs, Stax, Dead at 70
May 13, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Bass player and songwriter Donald "Duck" Dunn, a member of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame band Booker T. and the MGs and the Blues Brothers as well as a studio musician for the legendary Stax studios who played with countless musicians including Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Jerry Lee Lewis and later in Los Angeles Rod Stewart, Neil Young, Eric Clapton and others, has died in Tokyo. He was 70. » Full Story
Silversun Pickups, Tank, Karmin and Keane Aiming for Top of Billboard 200
May 11, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Carrie Underwood's "Blown Away" may find itself at No. 1 for a second week on the Billboard 200 albums chart, fending off Adele's "21." Industry sources suggest Underwood's fourth album will sell between 95,000 and 110,000 by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, May 13. » Full Story
Business Matters: Doing More With Less - A Key Theme at NARM 2012
May 11, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Retail
The theme at NARM’s Music Biz 2012 conference was forced austerity. “We’re doing more with less,” one major label executive said when asked how his company was doing. Also, investors and analysts have reacted positively to Live Nation’s first quarter earnings. The company’s shares rose 6.6% Thursday and another 0.7% Friday. And MP3tunes.com has filed for bankruptcy, but that won’t stop EMI from proceeding with its lawsuit against the company, according to CNET. » Full Story
Senate to Hold Antitrust Hearings on Universal-EMI Deal
May 11, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management
A U.S. Senate panel will hold a hearing on Universal Music Group's pending acquisition of EMI's recorded-music division. The move adds another step to the complex regulatory review of the deal. » Full Story
110488-russell_simmons_serena_williams_POTW_617_409.jpg Web Trends: Serena Williams Is A Rapper
May 11, 2012 – Record Labels | Indies | Rock & Pop | Dance | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
Serena Williams's rap song, Zooey Dechanel's new Braodway role, and more -- see what else is trending in music today. » Full Story
Photos: Usher Honors Rico Love; Melanie Fiona Raises the Roof; Jacob Luttrell, EMI Win Big at SESAC Awards
May 11, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
At SESAC’s 16th annual Pop Music Awards, the top honors went to Songwriter of the Year Rico Love, Song of the Year winner Jacob Luttrell (for his work on Enrique Iglesias’ "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)," and Publisher of the Year EMI Foray Music. But the most buzzed-about moments of the night involved Usher  -- who made a surprise appearance to present Love with his award – and Melanie Fiona, who raised the roof with a stellar rendition of the Love-penned "4:00 am." » Full Story
Village People.png Village People's Victor Willis Speaks Out on Recent Copyright Victory, Trademark Lawsuits
May 11, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management
Victor Willis, the songwriter and original lead singer of the Village People, fresh off a victory earlier this week in a battle to terminate his share of a copyright to the band's hit songs, including "YMCA," has scored a second victory in an unresolved battle to cancel the music publisher's trademark rights to "Village People." » Full Story
Q&A: eMusic CEO Adam Klein on How Subscription Services Help His Download Business @NARM
May 11, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Branding
You couldn’t swing a dead cat at the NARM convention without hearing a conversation about subscription services. Most people have a “wait and see” attitude about upstart companies like Spotify with both paid and free streaming services. eMusic CEO Adam Klein seems to have made up his mind, however – and he likes them. » Full Story
Samsung Acquires mSpot, Cloud-Based Service Provider
May 11, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile | Retail
Samsung Electronics has announced it is acquiring mSpot, Inc., a mobile cloud-based content service provider. The acquisition will allow users of Samsung devices to access digital content, including music, video and radio. » Full Story
Billboard Country Summit to Wrap With Radio Block
May 11, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Country
The vital role of radio in country music will be addressed in the closing sessions of the Billboard Country Summit through “On Air: the Radio Block,” sponsored by Sony Music Nashville with two sessions that take a hard look at issues facing that sector. » Full Story
Bubbling Under: Cher Lloyd 'Back' for the First Time
May 11, 2012 – Record Labels | Chart Alert
Each week, Billboard presents "Bubbling Under," a look at new and noteworthy acts making their way toward Billboard chart success. Up this week: Cher Lloyd, Callaghan, Leah LaBelle and Andy Gibson. » Full Story
Photos: Katy Perry Comments on Universal-EMI Merger While Accepting NARM Award
May 11, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management
The NARM Music Awards took place in Los Angeles last night, and as previously announced, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry were big winners at the gala. Perry also made waves during her acceptance speech with a comment directed at the still-pending merger of Universal and EMI, saying "You haven't taken us down yet, Universal!" after receiving her award. » Full Story
Backbeat: Eva Mendes, Regional Mexican Crooner Espinoza Paz Star in 'Girl in Progress'
May 11, 2012 – Backbeat | Record Labels | TV & Film | Latin
Regional Mexican crooner Espinoza Paz has a cameo in Patricia Riggen's new film, "Girl in Progress," starring Eva Mendes, Matthew Modine, Cierra Ramirez, Patricia Arquette, and Eugenio Derbez, with the stars congregating at the Four Seasons in L. A. recently for an interview. » Full Story
Billboard's 40 Under 40: Cast Your Nominations Here!
May 11, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Publishing | Global | Indies | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Who do you think are the rising young executives under forty years old who are driving the music business forward? Billboard's new Power Players special feature "40 Under 40" will identify these individuals -- and we invite our readers to offer their nominations online here. Make your voice heard here. » Full Story
Deezer Signs Worldwide Licensing Deal With Merlin
May 11, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Indies | Digital & Mobile
Streaming service Deezer has signed a global licensing deal with independent rights agency Merlin which will bring labels, including Warp, Yep Roc, Epitaph, Tommy Boy, !K7, Merge, Koch to the digital platform. Meanwhile, in an interview with .Biz, Merlin CEO Charles Caldas stated his vigorous opposition to the EMI-Universal merger. » Full Story
Usher, 'The Voice's Juliet Simms, Coldplay Move Up Hot 100
May 11, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | TV & Film | Retail | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
While Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know," featuring Kimbra made Hot 100 history, other artists had their own chart milestones. The Voice's runner-up Juliet Simms and her rendition of "It's a Man's Man's World," Usher's smooth "Climax" and Coldplay's Paradise all impacted this week's tally. » Full Story
mp3tunes MP3tunes.com Files for Bankruptcy
May 11, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
MP3tunes.com announced Thursday that it filed for bankruptcy in San Diego, according to multiple media reports. The company, founded by former MP3.com founder Michael Robertson in 2005, had been battered with lawsuits from EMI since 2007. » Full Story
Global Retail, Labels Plan For Record Store Day 2013 at NARM
May 10, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Rock & Pop
While this year's Record Store Day was a resounding success, retailers and labels met in a townhall meeting to figure out how they can make next year's event even bigger. Labels and retailers from around the globe gathered at NARM to discuss everything from lack of product available to issuing exclusive items from big-name artists. » Full Story
Business Matters: @NARM Royalties Are Getting Messier; Can the Problem Be Fixed?
May 10, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail
Digital music has record labels and artists swimming -- some may say drowning -- in a sea of data. The NARM panel “Commerce vs. Royalties: Fitting a Square Peg in a Round Role” had the panelists and audience pondering exactly how to fix the mess. Also, Facebook has announced an upcoming app store called App Center -- but it’s not what you think. App Center does not sell apps that run on the Facebook platform. » Full Story
SoundCloud Gets A Redesign: We Take the Beta Version for a Test-Drive
May 10, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile
Faster, better-looking, and with an indispensable set of new features, the next version of SoundCloud's web app debuted online Wednesday at 10 a.m. PST to 10,000 invited beta testers. » Full Story
Web Trends: Against Me! Singer Comes Out as Transgender
May 10, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Indies | TV & Film | Rock & Pop | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
See what else is trending in music including reporting on Tom Gabel's transgender identity annoucement, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker's Emergency Surgery and up-and-coming MC Kitty Pryde. » Full Story
Danish Music Industry Hosts SPOT Festival, Looks to Invade Germany
May 10, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Retail
The Viking invasions of over 1,000 years ago changed the map of Europe. Now, a different sort of invasion has been launched from Denmark. This year’s annual SPOT festival had neighboring Germany in its sights, with seminars, networking sessions, breakfasts and live shows specifically aimed at the 140 German delegates attending the event. » Full Story
spotify New Spotify Apps Dive Into Online Dating Via Listening Preferences
May 10, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile
There's a new matchmaker in town -- actually, two. The latest round of Spotify apps -- Tastebuds.fm and Fellody -- offer to help people find romance through music. » Full Story
Facebook Announces New App Center
May 10, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Branding
Facebook has announced a new App Center on its Developer Blog which it describes as both a place for people to discover social apps and a vehicle for developers to promote and build upon their apps. The post, written by Facebook engineer Aaron Brady, also announced the introduction of paid apps and a mobile version of the new platform. » Full Story
kenny rogers Kenny Rogers Signs Long-Term Deal With Warner Bros.
May 10, 2012 – Record Labels | Country
Warner Bros. Records and Kenny Rogers and Warner Bros. Records officially announced today that the singer has signed a long-term deal with the label. He spent many years with the label earlier in his career, beginning in 1967. » Full Story
Live Nation Logo Live Nation's Q1 Report: Ticket Sales, Net Loss Up
May 10, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile | Branding
Through April 30, 2012, Live Nation concert ticket sales are up 23% over the same period in the prior year, with North America up 25% and International up 19%, according to financial reports disclosed Wednesday.  Live Nation’s growing stake in the robust North American concert business helped boost ticket sales by more than 30% for the period. » Full Story
Sony Reports $463 Million Music Profit While Parent Corp. Posts Record $5.7 Billion Loss
May 10, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Retail
Sony Corp. racked up a record annual loss of $5.7 billion in its fourth straight year of red ink while Sony posted an operating profit in music of $463 million for the year on sales of $5.5 billion. The label's best-sellers included Adele's "21" and Beyonce's "4." » Full Story
Tech Types Tackle TV-Music Tie-Ins at NARM
May 10, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding
Turning living rooms into virtual record stores guided by television shows and ads is just a few technological clicks away from becoming a reality. How to get there was the subject of a fascinating NARM panel which included Audible Magic''s Jay Friedman, Ted Cohen of TAG Strategic and NPD Group's Russ Crupnic. » Full Story
Iris Exclusive: The Orchard Acquires IRIS Distribution
May 9, 2012 – Record Labels | Indies | Retail
The Orchard has acquired fellow digital distributor IRIS Distribution, bringing further consolidation to the digital distribution marketplace, according to an email apparently addressed to IRIS-distributed labels from that company's co-founder and president Matt Laszuk. » Full Story
Business Matters: @NARM - Ready or Not, Brands and Music Are BFFs
May 9, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding
Brands are getting more involved with music. That may not always be a good thing, but it’s a trend that isn’t going to reverse course. “Bands and Brands 2012: Who’s in Charge?” may have been one of the most important panels at NARM, a conference typically associated with retailers and record labels. And one metric stands out in Live Nation’s first-quarter results released Wednesday: revenue per concert. Revenue from concerts declined 0.1% to $448.7 million from $449.3 million in the first quarter of 2011. » Full Story
NARM's Jim Donio Details Organization's Future Plans, Presents Awards at Conference
May 9, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Indies | Digital & Mobile
In the last six years NARM has had to transform itself to "coincide and anticipate the needs and the reshaped profile of the evolving music industry,” the organization's president Jim Donio, said at the beginning of his address this morning at the Century City Hyatt Plaza. He then proceeded to enumerate many of the initiatives NARM has launched in order to keep itself relevant for the industry, before presenting awards. » Full Story
INGrooves CEO Robb McDaniels Says Sustainable Industries Will Come Back at NARM Music Biz 2012
May 9, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile
In the opening keynote Q&A at the NARM “Music Biz 2012” convention, being held in Los Angeles this week, Robb McDaniels, founder and CEO of Isolation Network, reminded the music industry that every sustainable industry has its ups and downs, but most eventually come back. » Full Story
adele Adele's '21' May Return to No. 1, Just in Time for Mother's Day
May 9, 2012 – Record Labels | Indies | Rock & Pop | Chart Alert
Adele's "21" album has never left the Billboard 200 chart's top 10 in its entire 63-week run. And now it's looking like it has the chance to return to No. 1 for a 24th week. » Full Story
Inaugural Women's Music Summit With Meshell Ndegeocello, Kaki King, Melissa Auf Der Maur, Marnie Stern Announced
May 9, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Branding
The Music Masters Camp Series has announced it is adding a Women’s Music Summit to its musician programs with a roster that includes Kaki King, Meshell Ndegeocello, Melissa Auf der Maur and Marnie Stern. The inaugural event is slated for August 27-31 at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY. » Full Story
<p>jermaine-paul-the-voice-200.jpg</p> Web Trends: Watch The Crowning Of 'The Voice' Season 2 Winner
May 9, 2012 – Record Labels | Indies | TV & Film | Rock & Pop | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
See what else is trending in music including reporting on Tom Gabel's transgender identity annoucement, Justin Bieber's live performance of "Boyfriend" on "The Voice" finale, Azealia Banks release information, and new music from Beach House. » Full Story
RCA Records Promotes Adrian Moreira to Senior Vice President, Promotion
May 9, 2012 – Record Labels | Executive Turntable
RCA Records today announced that they would be promoting Adrian Moreira to SVP, promotions, moving him from his previous post of SVP, adult music at the label. » Full Story
NARM Announces New Board Members
May 9, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail
NARM announced today its slate of new officers at the organization's annual convention, with Brent Muhle, Craig Pape, and John Trickett coming on board, and Rachelle Friedman re-elected as the organization's chair. » Full Story
Gotye's 'Somebody' Makes History -- First Song to Top Hot 100, Alternative and Dance Club Songs
May 9, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Global | Retail | Rock & Pop | Chart Alert
Gotye makes history in a few different categories, as "Somebody That I Used to Know" is the first song to top the Hot 100, Alternative and Dance Club Songs charts, and becomes the longest-reigning No. 1 song by a soloist on Alternative at ten weeks. » Full Story
SiriusXM Launches Latin Grammy Show
May 9, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile | Latin
National Latino Broadcasting (NLB) is launching a daily radio show on SiriusXM produced jointly with the Latin Recording Academy and centering on the Latin Grammy Awards and its nominated and winning artists. » Full Story
voice Life After The Voice: The Future Plans For The Final Four
May 9, 2012 – Record Labels | TV & Film
After the season finale of season two of The Voice, Billboard.biz caught up to the four finalists on the red carpet and talked future plans, new albums, and life after The Voice. » Full Story
MTV's Van Toffler on How the Beastie Boys Revolutionized Music Videos
May 9, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | TV & Film | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
MTV Music Group President Van Toffler, who spent countless occasions in the presence of the Beastie Boys, explains how the band revolutionized the music video format. Here he deconstructs four of their landmark videos honestly assessing the "acting" in "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (to Party!)" and placing the impact of "Sabotage" on par with Michael Jackson's "Thriller." » Full Story
Live Nation Buys EDM Entertainment Company Cream Holdings Ltd, Owner of Creamfields Festivals
May 9, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Dance
Live Nation today acquired Cream Holdings Limited, a pillar of the EDM entertainment scene, which also gives Live Nation the exclusive rights to Creamfields Festivals, which have been held all over the world since the company's launch in 1998. » Full Story
Carrie Underwood's 'Blown Away' Debuts At No. 1 With Best Country Sales In Months
May 9, 2012 – Record Labels | Chart Alert | Country
Carrie Underwood easily trounces the competition this week as her fourth album, "Blown Away," debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 267,000 sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. » Full Story
Pete Tong on Ibiza's International Music Summit & Keeping The EDM House In Order
May 9, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Global | Retail | Dance
Long-standing BBC Radio 1 DJ, Pete Tong has been at the forefront of electronic dance music (EDM) for over twenty years. Speaking exclusively to Billboard.biz, Tong discussed how IMS has grown, why the explosion of dance music in North America is set to last and how EDM patrons "can't be doing illegal s--t" if they want to attract big money sponsors and investment. » Full Story
Exclusive: Frenchkiss Label Group Announces First Distributed Labels: ATP, White Iris, Underwater Peoples, More
May 9, 2012 – Record Labels | Indies | Digital & Mobile
Frenchkiss, which announced the formation of the Frenchkiss Label Group earlier this year, has announced the first nine labels joining the fold: ATP Recordings, Cavity Search, Cult, God Mode, Holiday Friends, JAXART, Pendu Sound, Underwater Peoples and White Iris » Full Story
Vince Gill On Going Indie
May 9, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Indies | Country
For the first time in nearly 30 years, Vince Gill, the Country Music Hall of Fame member doesn't have a record deal. He got signed by a label in 1983 and had been on the MCA Records roster since 1989. » Full Story
Business Matters: NARM Embraces Big Data -- Will Big Data Reciprocate?
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Retail
Big Data invaded the NARM conference on Tuesday afternoon. The music industry at large is certainly interested in harnessing big data to work smarter. But is it ready for big data? And did legal injunctions against LimeWire have any impact on consumer behavior? Nielsen Entertainment senior VP of analytics and client relations David Bakula gave a presentation at NARM on a Nielsen research project that tackled the question. » Full Story
Stevie Wonder to Receive Icon Award at Billboard Music Awards
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | bbma2012 | TV & Film | R&B/Hip-Hop
This year's Billboard Icon Award is going to legendary singer, songwriter, musician and producer Stevie Wonder. The honor will be presented at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, which airs live May 20 on ABC at 8 p.m. ET from the MGM Grand Arena. » Full Story
Henry Mancini Heirs Seek Over $1 Million in Unpaid Profits, Termination of EMI's Rights to 'Pink Panther Theme'
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | TV & Film
EMI Music could lose its grip on one of the most famous pieces of film music ever created -- "The Pink Panther Theme," written by the late Henry Mancini for the 1963 film, as his publishing company filed a claim at the American Arbitration Association that seeks more than $1.35 million in unpaid "net profits" on music for The Pink Panther film. » Full Story
Lyor Cohen Shares Memories of Beastie Boy Adam 'MCA' Yauch
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | R&B/Hip-Hop
Warner Music Group's Lyor Cohen worked extensively with Adam Yauch and the Beastie Boys early in their career and particularly during their meteoric rise to fame in 1986 and 87.  He took the time on Monday to share some memories of Yauch, who died on Friday after a long battle with cancer, and those days with Billboard.biz. » Full Story
Village People.png Village People's Victor Willis Wins Huge Rights Reversion Case Over 'YMCA'
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management
A California federal judge has given Village People original singer Victor Willis a big victory in a case that has been closely followed in the music industry. In the ruling, Willis will retain the rights to mega-hits such as "Y.M.C.A." which was previously published by Scorpio Music and Can't Stop Productions. » Full Story
Bruce Springsteen's Enduring Effect on the Country Charts Influences Two Top 10 Singles
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | Rock & Pop | Country
Meet the new Boss. Same as the old Boss. He’s just taken on a different context. Bruce Springsteen, the most prominent rocker of the 1980s, is now a symbolic fencepost in modern country, with his songs influencing multiple tracks hitting the top of the country charts. » Full Story
Facebook Breaks Up With Grooveshark on Eve of IPO
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Branding
With its initial public stock offering days away, Facebook has deleted the official page and app of Grooveshark, the music streaming service currently in litigation with the four major labels over its alleged use of unlicensed music. Facebook is partnered with many of Grooveshark licensed competitors. » Full Story
rdio logo Rdio Hosts Hack Day For In-House Team, Produces RSS, Shazam Apps
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile
At its San Francisco headquarters, Rdio recently held its first-ever hack day -- a marathon event where coders build stuff that works, fast. Most hack days are open to the public, but Rdio's was a strictly in-house affair, with engineers from the streaming music service setting aside their regular work to focus on building their "dream features" using Rdio's API. » Full Story
Queen Manager Jim Beach on EMI-Universal Deal: EMI Shouldn't Be Owned by a Private Equity Firm
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
Jim Beach, manager of U.K. rock band Queen, has spoken out in support of the proposed Universal-EMI merger in a letter published in the British newspaper The Times on May 5. » Full Story
Universal U.K Partners With Liam Gallagher's Pretty Green Clothing Label To Open Virtual 'Shop-Front' Record Stores
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding
Launching May 24, Universal Music U.K. is to partner with British fashion company Pretty Green – the clothing label and retail chain set up by former Oasis, now Beady Eye singer Liam Gallagher – to host a U.K.-wide chain of virtual shop-front record stores, whereby customers can use their smart phones to scan and purchase a range of vinyl albums displayed in shop windows. » Full Story
Auditioning for 'The Voice': One Contestant's Experience
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | TV & Film
Ahead of tonight's season finale, New York-based singer/songwriter Sarah J takes us through the process, from signing up to singing ... and awaiting the judge's verdict. » Full Story
Paul Simon, Yo-Yo Ma Share Sweden's Polar Music Prize
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | Classical | Rock & Pop
Singer-songwriter Paul Simon and cellist Yo-Yo Ma have won the 2012 Polar Music Prize, Sweden's most prestigious award for musicians. Simon and Ma will receive 1 million kronor each and an invitation to the prize ceremony in Stockholm Aug. 28. The award was founded by the late Stig Anderson, manager of Swedish pop group ABBA. » Full Story
Beastie Boys' Mike D on Adam Yauch's Passing: 'World Is In Need of Many More Like Him'
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | R&B/Hip-Hop
The third pillar of the Beastie Boys rap triumvirate Mike Diamond, AKA Mike D, posted a statement on the Beastie Boys Facebook page on passing of Adam "MCA" Yauch whom he referred to as his "closest friend, band mate and really brother." The statement was posted along with a picture of MCA on the Madison Square Garden scoreboard. » Full Story
CTIA Wireless Assoc. Kicks Off Annual Trade Show With Mobile Wallets
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding
CTIA Wireless, the U.S. cellphone industry's annual trade show that starts Tuesday, is drawing heavy participation not just from the cellphone industry, but from MasterCard, Visa, and other companies in the business of moving money around. » Full Story
Bebo Valdes Proposed for Spain's Prince of Asturias Prize
May 8, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Jazz | Latin
Spanish pop singer Miguel Bosé and Academy Award-winning director Fernando Trueba are among supporters of a proposal to honor Grammy winning Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés with Spain’s prestigious Prince of Asturias Award. Past winners include Bob Dylan and Paco de Lucia. The campaign was started by Barcelona's gladyspalmera.com. » Full Story
beatles The 'Mad Men' Beatles License Cost $250,000 (Report)
May 7, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | TV & Film
AMC's "Mad Men" has a hard-earned reputation for historical accuracy, and it turns out that production studio Lionsgate is more than willing to finance that. The company reportedly shelled out as much as $250,000 to license the Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows" for last night's episode "Lady Lazarus." » Full Story
ShareMyPlaylists Launches iOS App For iPhone, iPad
May 7, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
ShareMyPlaylists.com has announced the launch of a new music discovery iOS app based around its curated Spotify playlists. Since its launch in 2009, ShareMyPlaylists has published over 87,000 curated Spotify playlists. Amongst its more noted playlist creators: tech titan Sean Parker and Belgian-Australian singer-songwriter (and current Hot 100 chart-topper) Gotye. » Full Story
Jim McCrary, Former A&M Records, 'Tapestry' Photographer, Dies
May 7, 2012 – Record Labels
Jim McCrary, who was behind the camera for hundreds of album covers including Carole King's iconic Tapestry, but who soured on rock photography following an encounter with a young Michael Jackson, died last month at age 72. » Full Story
Shakira Shakira Lines Up $30 Million Deal With Live Nation (Report)
May 7, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels
Shakira is taking cues from Madonna and Jay-Z: she'll forgo standard music-industry convention and issue her records through Live Nation and her former label, Sony, the New York Post reports. » Full Story
Backbeat: Five Finger Death Punch To Headline Tresspass America Tour
May 7, 2012 – Touring | Backbeat | Record Labels
U.K. magazine Metal Hammer is sponsoring the inaugural Trespass America tour, which was announced April 24 at a press conference held at Hollywood’s Key Club. Headlined by rising metal act Five Finger Death Punch the summer tour contains 25 dates. » Full Story
Kimbra Is First '90s-Born Woman to Top the Billboard Hot 100
May 7, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Rock & Pop | Chart Alert
The 22-year-old is just third soloist born in the ‘90s to reign overall, following Sean Kingston and Soulja Boy in 2007, as "Somebody That I Used To Know" maintains its No. 1 position for a third week. » Full Story
Sainsbury's, UK's Third-Largest Supermarket, Launches Music Download Store
May 7, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding
Sainsbury’s, the U.K.’s third-largest supermarket, has launched a music download store. Sainsbury's Entertainment website offers a catalog of over 2.3 million tracks with song prices starting at £0.89 ($1.44) and the majority of chart albums costing £6.99 ($11.29). » Full Story
Marina & The Diamonds Debut At No. 1 On UK Album Charts
May 7, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Marina and the Diamonds debuted at No. 1 on the U.K. album chart yesterday with sophomore album “Electra Heart” (679/Atlantic/Warner Music). Tulisa, known as a member of pop/R&B band N-Dubz and as a judge on “The X Factor,” went straight to the top of the singles survey with “Young” (All Around The World/Universal Island). » Full Story
German Pirate Party Scores Third Election Win
May 7, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile
Germany's Pirate Party, which calls for copyright law to be radically reformed or abolished, has won a third victory in state elections. The Pirates took 6 seats with 8.2 per cent of the popular vote in state elections in the small Northern state of Schleswig-Holstein on Sunday. » Full Story
Burt Bacharach & Hal David To Be Honored by President Obama
May 7, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will honor songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David, a duo whose pop melodies and lyrics regularly hit the charts in the 1960s and early 1970s despite competition from more socially revolutionary performers. » Full Story
Beastie Boys' Adam 'Ad-Rock' Horovitz On Adam Yauch's Death
May 6, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | R&B/Hip-Hop
Adam Yauch's Beastie Boys band member Adam Horovitz, aka Ad-Rock, has taken to the band's blog to express his feelings and thank fans for their support in the wake of Yauch's death on Friday. "I'm glad to know that all the love that Yauch has put out into the world is coming right back at him," Ad-Rock posted. » Full Story
More Tributes To Beastie Boy Adam Yauch: Eminem, Chuck D, Jay-Z, Madonna, Others
May 6, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
As sad news of Beastie Boy Adam Yauch's passing spread across the globe, tributes from both music superstars and the music industry he so influenced and inspired continued to pour forth. Here Eminem, Chuck D, Jay-Z, Madonna, Q-Tip, Def Jam's Joie Manda, Santigold and others expressed their condolences and gratitude to the great MCA. » Full Story
 
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