Industry News
TV & FILM
Bubbling Under: 'Life' Begins for Yuna
June 22, 2012 – Record Labels | Indies | Rock & Pop | 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: Yuna, Atlas Genius, Parmalee and OMG Girlz » Full Story
Juanes, Ruben Blades Set For L.A. Philharmonic Americas & Americans Fest
June 22, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Latin
The Hollywood Bowl is set to draw Latin music fans this summer when Juanes, Juan Luis Guerra and Rubén Blades perform at Los Angeles Philharmonic Music Director Gustavo Dudamel’s Americas & Americans Festival. » Full Story
European Union to Reject ACTA Treaty
June 22, 2012 – Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
European lawmakers put another nail in ACTA’s coffin Thursday, insuring that the controversial anti-counterfeiting treaty will most likely be fail to pass the European Parliament. » Full Story
Anatomy of a Synch: How Caveman's 'My Time' Landed in the 'I Love New York' Campaign (and 6,000 Taxis)
June 22, 2012 – Legal & Management | Indies | TV & Film | Branding
How Caveman’s “My Time” came to grace New York State’s new $5 million “I Love New York” TV (and taxi) campaign goes back to a stalking last summer of Caveman's manager Jonathan Pardo by a very enthusiastic and determined music licensor who usually doesn't A&R; bands. » Full Story
Sirius Satellite radio SiriusXM Canada Requests Reduction In Financial Contribution For National Content
June 22, 2012 – Radio | Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
Toronto-based satellite radio service SiriusXM Canada is asking The Canadian Radio-Television Commission to significantly reduce its financial contribution to the development of Canadian content. SiriusXM Canada will have paid $52 million for Canadian content development since 2005, according to documents filed with the regulator. » Full Story
Universal To Respond To EU Letter of Objections By July 3 (Report)
June 22, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Global | Legal & Management
Universal Music Group’s response to the European Union’s regulatory commission letter of objections to its proposed merger with EMI will require a response by July 3, according to a report today. EU regulators filed a 194-page letter of objections with UMG earlier this week.  » Full Story
Spotify, Bon Iver, Arcade Fire Take Home First Ever Libera Awards
June 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Branding
Bon Iver's self titled release took home the award for Independent Album of the Year (presented by Official.fm) and the Arcade Fire's "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)" won Independent Video of the Year at the first ever Libera Awards, capping off A2IM's seventh annual Indie Week with its first award show. » Full Story
Music Execs Debate Promise and Threats of Universal-EMI Merger at Senate Hearing
June 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Retail
Some of the music industry’s top music executives painted various pictures of the Universal Music Group-EMI merger at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing Thursday afternoon. It was a rare opportunity to see well-known executives queried and occasionally grilled by elected officials about a mega-merger that could have far-reaching implications. » Full Story
KCRW Becomes First U.S. Radio Station With a Spotify App
June 21, 2012 – Radio | Digital & Mobile
Santa Monica’s popular radio station KCRW has partnered with streaming music service Spotify to deliver the first US radio collaboration with the service, called the “KCRW Music Mine for Spotify.” » Full Story
Video: Troy Carter Talks Lady Gaga in Asia, Social Media, Investing In Tech at Music Matters Conference
June 21, 2012 – Touring | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
Lady Gaga's manager Troy Carter was the keynote interview at the Music Matters showcase in Singapore. Carter, who is the founder and CEO of the multidimensional artist management company Atom Factory Inc., spoke about Gaga in Asia, establishing relationships with international territories, life after labels, and how his company, which admits to having a “a really weird, loose structure,” is getting involved in tech world. » Full Story
EMI-Universal Merger: Labels Gave $500K to Senators Probing Anti-Trust Claims
June 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management
Updated: More than half of the eight-member subcommittee deciding the merger's fate have taken significant campaign donations from the two music industry giants. » Full Story
Radiohead Postpones European Dates After Stage Collapse
June 21, 2012 – Touring | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
Following the collapse of a Toronto stage and the subsequent death of crew member Scott Johnson, Radiohead has decided to postpone a slew of upcoming European tour dates. » Full Story
This Week In Music: Clear Channel's Julie Pilat on How to Program a Station Well
June 21, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Dance
In the latest installment of This Week In Music, Topspin’s Ian Rogers talks with Clear Channel’s Julie Pilat about her start in the radio industry, programming radio and EDM artists. » Full Story
Backbeat: Rock Photographers Henry Diltz, Bob Gruen, More Showcase Tina Turner, Tupac Photos in L.A.
June 21, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Rock & Pop
A new photographic installment titled “Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955-present," storied rock photographers such as Henry Diltz, Bob Gruen, Lynn Goldsmith and Norman Seeff showcase legendary photos of the likes of Tina Turner, Alice Cooper, the Ramones, Tupac, and more. » Full Story
TuneIn Exclusive: TuneIn Adds Fox News, Bloomberg and More
June 21, 2012 – Digital & Mobile
Online radio service TuneIn has announced partnerships with more than 20 major broadcasting companies that will add 600 stations to its existing directory of over 50,000 AM/FM and Internet-only broadcasts. » Full Story
toronto Weight, Time Constraints May Have Contributed to Radiohead Stage Collapse
June 21, 2012 – Touring | Legal & Management
Weight and time constraints might have played a part in Saturday’s stage collapse at Toronto’s Downsview Park that killed Radiohead drum tech Scott Johnson when the top of the structure came crashing down prior to the gates opening to fans.  “The crew had just a few hours to install the lights, cameras and speakers,” CBC News reporter Jeff Semple said. » Full Story
Donna Hilley, Former Sony ATV Nashville CEO, Dead at 65
June 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Country
Donna Hilley, who spent 31 years at Sony/ATV Nashville -- eventually becoming the company's president and CEO -- and was one of the most prominent female publishing executives in country music, died Wednesday [June 20] of an extended illness. She was 65. » Full Story
RIAJ New Japanese Law Could Mean Jail Time for Illegal Downloaders
June 21, 2012 – Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
Japan’s Parliament has added teeth to a law originally passed in 2010 to assess stiff penalties to illegal downloaders: Those found with pirated music or movie files could face up to two years in prison and a fine of 2 million yen ($24,995). » Full Story
lil wayne sxsw tout Lil Wayne Scores 100th Hit on Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs Chart
June 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Retail | Chart Alert | R&B/Hip-Hop
The rapper becomes just the third act in the 70-year history of Billboard's R&B; charts to reach the magic number. » Full Story
Universal's EMI Deal Approved By New Zealand Regulators
June 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management
Universal’s proposed acquisition of EMI Music has been approved by the New Zealand Commerce Commission – the first jurisdiction in the world to do so. The decision arrives on the same day that UMG Chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge and EMI Group CEO Roger Faxon are to appear before the Senate antitrust subcommittee arguing in support of the proposed $1.9 billion merger. » Full Story
Guest Post: Jay Frank on NPR's Emily White Vs. David Lowery: Is Stealing Music Really The Problem?
June 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding
Once again, the issue of stealing music and its moral/financial/ethical arguments are dredged up. And once again, most people miss the overall point, causing the collective issue to dig a deeper ditch while those who've moved past it (i.e.: major labels) are busy raking in the dough in the new music business. » Full Story
Highlights From Azoff, Grainge, Bronfman Testimony in Today's Universal-EMI Senate Hearing
June 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management
At 1:30 p.m. today, the head of Universal Music Group and EMI will appear before a Congressional hearing to argue for the proposed sale of EMI's music catalog to Universal. Here are three excerpts from testimony expected to be given as part of the hearing. Billboard.biz will be live-blogging and live-tweeting the hearing starting at 1:30 p.m. » Full Story
The Changing Role of A&R; and 'The Dark Arts of Record Making' at New Music Seminar
June 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
The New Music Seminar brought together heavy A&R; firepower Tuesday with Universal Republic's Avery and Monte Lipman, RCA's Peter Edge, Atlantic's Craig Kallman, Downtown's Josh Deutsch, S-Curve's Steve Greenberg and Jagjaguwar's Darius Van Arman discussing their early influences, proudest signings and the changing role of A&R; - a practice moderator Ron Fair called "the dark arts of record making." » Full Story
sesac Joey Montana, EMI Foray Win Big at SESAC Latina Awards
June 21, 2012 – Publishing | Latin
Joey Montana, the up-and-coming pop/urban act signed as an artist to Capitol Latin, won the songwriter of the year award at the SESAC Latina 2012 Music Awards, which took place June 20 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles.  » Full Story
Amanda Palmer Partners With U.K. Indie Cooking Vinyl For European Album Release
June 21, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Global | Indies | Branding
Singer-songwriter Amanda Palmer has signed a distribution and label services deal with U.K. indie Cooking Vinyl for the European release of her new studio album “Theatre Is Evil.” ]Palmer recently made music business history when she raised $1.2 million in 30 days from crowdsourcing platform Kickstarter to manufacture, distribute and market the album and tour. » Full Story
A2IM Day Two Tout A2IM's Indie Week Day Two: Label Execs Warn About Getting Digital Transactions In Order
June 20, 2012 – Record Labels | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Retail
While digital distribution is taking over the majority of sales in the music industry, label executives attending day two of A2IM's indie week were warned that they need to deal with the back-room aspects of technology to handle the volume of transactions that occur in the digital space, as well as making sure the corresponding data is correct. » Full Story
Katy Perry to Launch Her Own Record Label
June 20, 2012 – Record Labels | Retail | Rock & Pop
At the age of 27, Katy Perry has already sent 11 singles to the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and sold 3.7 million albums to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan. She's been an actress and will soon be hitting the silver screen with the July premiere of her 3D movie, "Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D." » Full Story
Justin Bieber, Kenny Chesney Headed for Top Two on Billboard 200 Chart
June 20, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Chart Alert
Justin Bieber's just-released Believe album has all but locked-up a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200 chart next week, likely surpassing 2012's current debut champ and debuting at his highest marker ever. » Full Story
Exclusive: Montgomery Gentry Album to Be Sold at Buffet Inc. Chains, Benefit Military
June 20, 2012 – Record Labels | Retail | Branding | Country
Buffets, Inc., the Greer, SC-based chain that includes Ryan’s, Old Country Buffet and other restaurants, will make its first foray into music by offering Montgomery Gentry’s latest album, Rebels on the Run. Proceeds from sales will benefit the Armed Services YMCA. » Full Story
Business Matters: Lobbying, Spending Heat Up Before Universal/EMI Senate Hearing
June 20, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management
Stakeholders have been spending and strategizing ahead of Thursday’s Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Universal $1.9 billion acquisition of EMI Music’s recorded-music division and the eventual approval or rejection by the Federal Trade Commission -- here's a look at what they've spent. Also, the American Antitrust Institute says UMG/EMI merger would create a "highly concentrated industry." » Full Story
Live Nation's Million Tweets of Summer to Exchange Tweets For Tickets
June 20, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile | Retail
With prizes like concert cash, artist meet and greets, and 2013 Ultimate Access Passes, Live Nation’s #MillionTweets of Summer campaign promises to bring fans closer to the music in the coming months. » Full Story
Music Matters Report Shows Promise in Developing Asian Markets
June 20, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile | Retail
A new survey by Music Matters and Ipsos finds musically active people in several developing Asian markets are using the Internet to access audio and video with greater frequency than people in more developed markets. Asian markets that meet or exceeded the global average, include Indonesia, India, Hong Kong, Singapore and China. » Full Story
Carly Rae Jepsen, fun., Gotye Set Longest Hot 100 Streak of Rookie Chart-Toppers in 35 years
June 20, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding
Carly Rae Jepsen spends a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her first entry on the ranking, "Call Me Maybe." Following rookie chart-toppers Gotye and .fun to the top of the charts, the trio set the longest streak of No. 1s by lead acts making their first appearances on the list in almost 35 years. Which begs the question, is the changing digital music landscape and social media making it easier for new acts to rise? » Full Story
Wynter Gordon Preps Self-Released Four EPs (Listen To First Single Here)
June 20, 2012 – Touring | Classical | Indies | Rock & Pop | Dance | R&B/Hip-Hop
Wynter Gordon, a singer/songwriter best known for her club hits “Dirty Talk,” “Buy My Love” and her vocals on Flo Rida’s “Sugar,” is going the D.I.Y. route. Although still signed to current label, Gordon is prepping a self-released collection of four free EPs called “The Human Condition” — the first of which, “Doleo” is out July 9. » Full Story
youtube logo Google Moving to Shut Down Sites That Turn YouTube Videos Into Mp3 Clips
June 20, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
Google-owned YouTube has become a central viewing area for many music videos, lyrics videos, and user-uploaded cover songs, and now the company is threatening to sue a number of web sites that offer to convert the audio from videos into downloadable mp3s. » Full Story
Radiohead Producer Nigel Godrich's 'From the Basement' Series Goes 3D with The Shins, Feist, More
June 20, 2012 – Record Labels | TV & Film | Rock & Pop
Grammy winning record producer Nigel Godrich’s music series From the Basement is getting the 3D treatment for broadcast on 3net in the U.S. and Sky 3D in the UK, as well as a multiplatform 2D release on Crackle. The new season will include six, hour-long installments with artists including The Shins, Foster the People and Feist. » Full Story
Coachella Grosses More Than $47 Million
June 20, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Retail
The numbers are finally in for the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, which took place over two weekends for the first time this year, April 13-15 and April 20-21. The festival sold out quickly back in January, and the numbers are predictably staggering. » Full Story
Usher Scores Fourth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With 'Looking 4 Myself'
June 20, 2012 – Record Labels | Chart Alert | R&B/Hip-Hop
Usher secures his fourth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 as "Looking 4 Myself" debuts atop the list with 128,000 sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. » Full Story
A2IM's Indie Week Day One: U.S.'s Shrinking World Market Share, YouTube Helps Indies, Playing China
June 20, 2012 – Touring | Publishing | Global | Indies | TV & Film
In the opening day of A2IM's indie week, the organization tackled such important music biz issues as the U.S.'s shrinking share of the world music market; how to tour and distribute in China; the complexity of Pan-European licensing; how YouTube is working to grow revenue for the indie sector and more. » Full Story
Sean Parker: Universal-EMI Merger Is 'Good Thing for an Industry That Needs Leadership Willing to Drive Change'
June 20, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Branding
At yesterday's New Music Seminar, event founder and executive director Tommy Silverman's interview with Sean Parker, tech titan and Spotify board member, was rather sedate and predictable with two notable exceptions: Parker’s endorsement of the Universal Music Group-EMI merger and his embracing a “bundled download” option for Spotify. » Full Story
Martin Mills.png Exclusive: Beggars Group's Martin Mills On Testifying at Senate Universal-EMI Hearing
June 20, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Retail
In the back stairwell of a crowded Webster Hall amidst a bustling New Music Seminar, Billboard.biz spoke with Beggars Group Chairman Martin Mills before he is to testify at tomorrow's U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing on the Universal Music -EMI merger. Here Mills discusses his opposition to the merger, why going to Capitol Hill will be "a bit unusual' for him, why regulatory concessions aren't enough and what Beggars would be like without Adele. » Full Story
Pepsi and Billboard Join Forces for Summer Beats Concert Series
June 20, 2012 – Touring | Branding | Rock & Pop | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
Pepsi and Billboard today announced the first-ever “Summer Beats Concert Series” which will include three Twitter-enabled shows during the summer season featuring performances by Billboard chart-topping artists across multiple genres, marking another extension of Pepsi’s “Live for Now” global campaign. The series will kick off June 26 with a surprise performance in Los Angeles, followed by a Nashville concert and a major event in New York. » Full Story
rob zombie Exclusive: VH1 Classic, Rob Zombie To Host First-Ever Comic-Con Opening Party
June 19, 2012 – TV & Film | Branding | Rock & Pop
Comic-Con International has played host to many a zombie in its 40-plus-year history, but Rob Zombie will make a special musical appearance when he hosts the first-ever official Comic-Con opening night attendee welcome party. » Full Story
pearl jam Ex-Pearl Jam Management Exec Charged With Theft
June 19, 2012 – Legal & Management
A man who worked as the chief financial officer for Pearl Jam's management company has been charged with 33 counts of theft. » Full Story
Universal Music Group Receives Statement of Objections From European Commission Over EMI Deal
June 19, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Indies
Universal Music Group has formally received the European Competition Commission's Statement of Objections regarding its proposed purchase of EMI's recorded music department, a step the company had long expected. The objections will determine what concessions Universal will need to make if it is to meet the EC's regulatory requirements. » Full Story
Business Matters: Spotify Does Many Things Well, But Radio Isn't One of Them
June 19, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Branding
Spotify's announcement today that it is launching a free radio service for iPhone and iPad sent Pandora's stock into a bit of a tailspin before recovering by day's end. But after using Spotify's new radio service, Pandora may not have much to worry about... Also, Indiegogo, a crowdsource funding platform, raises funding; and the future of the music biz will be livestreamed on Thursday. » Full Story
Ocarina 2, Electric Boogaloo: Now It Teaches You To Play
June 19, 2012 – Digital & Mobile | Branding
Smule's Ocarina, one of the first mega-popular breakout music apps, has been updated to Ocarina 2 as a free for iOS devices, with a premium pack and an additional song pack each available for a buck as in-app purchases. Ocarina 2 has an ingeniously-designed teaching mode that can teach you how to play everything from "Theme from Zelda" to Justin Bieber's "Baby" and more » Full Story
Justin Bieber's 'Believe' Aiming for Year's Biggest Debut on Billboard 200 Chart
June 19, 2012 – Record Labels | Retail | Chart Alert
Justin Bieber's "Believe" album is on course to net the singer his best sales week yet -- and the biggest debut of the year. » Full Story
Vevo Logo New Without Curser What's Going on With Vevo's Numbers?
June 19, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile
Music video network Vevo has helped revolutionize online video, has been the subject of IPO rumors and is reported to be wooing investments from Google and Facebook. But exactly what investors would get is a bit fuzzy to outsiders. » Full Story
ACTA, European Copyright Legislation, Is Dead, Says Politician
June 19, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
ACTA is dead in the water, at least in Europe. That’s the opinion of Alexander Alvaro, a member of the European Parliament who has been active in defending civil liberties. Three of the European Parliament’s most influential committees have come out strongly against the U.S.-backed pan-national agreement, which would crack down on online copyright infringement. » Full Story
Backbeat: Bill Cosby Helms His Last Playboy Jazz Festival
June 19, 2012 – Touring | Backbeat | Record Labels | Jazz
Wearing a white shirt emblazoned with the phrases “30 ½ years” on the back and “thank you” on the sleeves, comedian Bill Cosby took his final turn as host of the Playboy Jazz Festival. And he made the most of his emcee swan song at the Hollywood Bowl, which also featured Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and Sheila E., among others. » Full Story
NMPA Inks Deal With Universal Music Group Over VEVO, YouTube Videos
June 19, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
Less than a week after the National Music Publishers’ Association annual meeting, when president and CEO David Israelite said the organization was chasing the major labels to pay indie music publishers for videos streamed on VEVO and Youtube, the NMPA has announced its first deal with a major, the Universal Music Group. » Full Story
National Public Radio Emily White's NPR Blog Post: What Do You Think? Let Us Know in the Comments
June 19, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Retail
On Sunday, 20-year-old NPR intern Emily White published a blog post in which she admits to having an iTunes library exceeding 11,000 songs, while only having bought 15 CDs in her lifetime. She calls for " one massive Spotify-like catalog of music" with a roayalty system that compensates creators. The post points up both a generational divide and the issue of creator compensation, and there has been no shortage of impassioned commentary around it. What do you think? Sound off (responsibly, please) in our comments section. » Full Story
toronto Radiohead's Ticker Tape Touring One of Four Companies Under Investigation In Stage Collapse
June 19, 2012 – Touring | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
The Ontario Ministry of Labour is investigating the roles of at least four companies involved in Saturday’s stage collapse in Toronto that killed Radiohead’s drum tech Scott Johnson, 33. This includes Optex Staging and Services, Inc; Nasco Staffing Solutions; Live Nation Ent. and Ticker Tape Touring which lists Radiohead as the company's current directors. » Full Story
Lyor Cohen on Music's Future: 'I Hate When A&R; Guys Tell Me Rock Is Dead'
June 19, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Branding
At the New Music Seminar Panel "Crystal Ball Movement: Music Business Visionaries Predict the Future” Warner Music Group CEO Lyor Cohen stole the show speaking on a range of topics, including: artist development, the over-valuation of internet fame, visiting Spotify's HQ in Sweden, not signing Tila Tequila and much more. » Full Story
Justin Bieber's Apollo Show Loses Power, Continues Unplugged (Video)
June 19, 2012 – Touring | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Rock & Pop
Justin Bieber played unplugged during his performance at the Apollo Theater on Monday, but it wasn't intentional. The singer was nearing the end of his show when the power for most of the stage instruments suddenly went out, said his manager, Scooter Braun. The show was being taped as part of an NBC special to air later this week. » Full Story
Songza Reaches One Million iOs Downloads in Ten Days, But Is It The Next Big Thing?
June 19, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Branding
The tech press loves next big things. Last summer it was Turntable.fm. Now it looks like Internet radio service Songza is this summer's next big thing in digital music. On Monday news spread that the service topped one million iOS downloads in just ten days, but is it really music tech's "Next Big Thing?" » Full Story
spotify Spotify Introduces Free Mobile Radio for iPhone, iPad
June 19, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
Spotify today introduced free radio streaming for iPhone and iPad users, making the site more directly competitive with online radio leader Pandora. Using internal data from Spotify’s database of 16 million tracks in the U.S., Spotify will create custom radio playlists based on track, artists, albums, genres or playlists themselves. » Full Story
Microsoft Unveils iPad-Competitor Tablet Computer Called the Surface
June 18, 2012 – Digital & Mobile
Set to be released in the fall, the device features a 10.6-inch HD screen, dual USB ports and a built-in stand. » Full Story
Willie Dixon, Doc Watson, Memphis Slim Footage Unearthed For New Documentary
June 18, 2012 – Record Labels | TV & Film
Folklorist Alan Lomax threw a house party at his New York City home in 1961 to fete the folk musicians -- Roscoe Holcomb, Clarence Ashley and Doc Watson -- in town for a concert thrown by the Friends of Old Time Music, and invited along Willie Dixon, Memphis Slim, and others. Footage of the party was never released until a new documentary premiering at the L.A. Film Festival. » Full Story
Label Execs Talk 'Decline of Record Business, Rise of Music Business' at New Music Seminar
June 18, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Global | Legal & Management | Indies
"The last ten years we've seen the decline of the record business, and now we're seeing the rise of the music business," said moderator Amaechi Uzoigwe of Official.fm at a New Music Seminar panel featuring independent label owners (Beggars' Martin Mills, Epitaph's Brett Gurewitz, Ultra Music's Patrick Moxy, Rostrum's Benjy Grinberg) facing off against major label digital execs (Warner's Stephen Bryan, Universal's Jon Vanhala and Sony's Dennis Kooker). » Full Story
sonos play:3 Business Matters: Sonos Lands $135 Million for the Future of the Digital Living Room
June 18, 2012 – Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Retail
A few music and technology companies have reached significant landmarks: Sonos has raised $135 million to help create its 'digital living room,' while Eventbrite passed $1 billion in sales and Sonza's iOs app reached one million downloads in just ten days. » Full Story
Electric Daisy Carnival Promoter Denies Responsibility For Two Deaths
June 18, 2012 – Touring | Legal & Management | Dance
Organizers of huge electronic music party in Las Vegas don't think the deaths of two revelers last week will threaten the event's future there. A spokesperson for Electric Daisy Carnival producer Insomniac, said her company goes out of its way to provide ample security and medical personnel, and was not responsible for the deaths. » Full Story
spotify How Spotify, SoundCloud Changed the Way Blogs Talk About Music at New Music Seminar
June 18, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Branding
Is Spotify killing the album review? That question and other issues like rights clearances and Mp3 hosting platforms were explored in a panel, “Music Blogs: Discovering The Best New Music,” at the New Music Seminar Monday. » Full Story
Carly Rae Jepsen Vs. Here's My Number So: The Business Of iTunes Near-Name Knock Offs
June 18, 2012 – Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Rock & Pop
What does it mean when fun.'s smash hit "We Are Young” covered by a group called Tonight We Are Young charts at No. 122 on the iTunes chart? Or Carly Rae Jepsen's summer smash "Call Me Maybe" covered by the SEO-savvy Here's My Number So sells 27,000 downloads? A muddled digital market where many consumers are likely not getting the music they pay for. » Full Story
Backbeat: Turbo Fruits Storm Knitting Factory, Ready New Album Produced by Spoon's Jim Eno
June 18, 2012 – Touring | Backbeat | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
Turbo Fruits stormed Brooklyn's Knitting Factory Saturday night, bringing a live show that produced an upset drum kit and more than a few mosh pits, later discussing their new album produced by Spoon's Jim Eno while hanging backstage with reps from Big Hassle Media and Manage This! » Full Story
Spider-man Turn off the Dark Producer Michael Cohl on 'How to Train Your Dragon,' 'Spider-Man Tours
June 18, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels
Now that Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark has conquered Broadway, lead producer Michael Cohl tells Billboard.biz that it is time to start planning to take Spidey to arenas around the world. » Full Story
Backbeat: Miles Davis' Forever Stamp Launches in U.S., France
June 18, 2012 – Backbeat | Record Labels | Retail | Jazz
Miles Davis and French singer Edith Piaf were both honored with Forever stamps June 12, which debuted simultaneously in the U.S. and France. Davis' son, daughter and nephew were in attendance, as well as Blue Note chief creative officer Don Was, SiriusXM program director Mark Ruffin, jazz bassist Ron Carter, and more. » Full Story
SoundExchange.png SoundExchange Top $1 Billion in Total Payouts, Surpasses $100 Million in Q1
June 18, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
SoundExchange, which collects and distributes royalties for non-interactive digital performances on behalf of sound recording copyright owners and performing artists, today announced it had paid out $1 billion in digital performance royalties to record labels and for the first time topped $100 million in a single quarter.   » Full Story
Wisin & Yandel's Clothing Line Hits Macy's; Telemundo Adds Mari Garcia-Marquez to 'Levantate'
June 18, 2012 – Record Labels | TV & Film | Retail | Branding | Executive Turntable | Latin
Los Líderes, the clothing line developed by Latin urban duo Wisin & Yandel in conjunction with designer Marc Ecko, will soon be available in Macy’s stores nationwide, while “Levantate,” Telemundo’s daily, three-hour morning variety show, has appointed Mari Garcia-Marquez as its executive producer. » Full Story
Radiohead 'Shattered' By Death of Drum Tech Scott Johnson in Stage Collapse
June 18, 2012 – Touring | Global | Legal & Management
Sunday, Radiohead drummer Philip Selway released a statement on the band's official website, saying the band was "shattered" by drum tech Scott Johnson's death in a stage collapse Saturday afternoon in Toronto. » Full Story
How David Guetta's 'Titanium' Became The Longest-Charting Dance Hit Since Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
June 18, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Rock & Pop | Dance
In its 28th week on Billboard's Dance/Club Play Songs chart, David Guetta's "Titanium," featuring Sia, passes Darude's "Sandstorm" to become the ranking's longest-running title in nearly 29 years. The last title to spend more time on the tally? Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album (yes, album; we'll explain...). » Full Story
Cheryl Cole's 'Call My Name' Is Top UK Single, 2012's Fastest Seller
June 18, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Global | Retail | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Gary Barlow’s Jubilee-inspired “Sing” project (Decca/Universal) started a third week atop the U.K. album chart yesterday as Cheryl Cole’s “Call My Name”  (Polydor/Universal) topped the singles chart and became the market’s fastest-selling single of 2012 to date. » Full Story
Carly Rae Jepsen Carly Rae Jepsen, Marianas Trench Win Big at MuchMusic Video Awards
June 18, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | TV & Film | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Justin Bieber protege Carly Rae Jepsen was the big winner at Canada's 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards Sunday night, picking up three trophies, including best video of the year for her breakout hit, “Call Me Maybe.” Vancouver rockers Marianas Trench were the other big multiple MMVA winners. » Full Story
toronto Updated: Radiohead Stage Collapse Under Investigation, Toronto Police Seek Witnesses
June 17, 2012 – Touring | Legal & Management
Toronto Police and emergency personnel are working to determine the cause of the stage collapse that killed one person and injured three at Downsview Park Saturday afternoon, just an hour before gates were scheduled to open for a Radiohead concert. “[We're] trying to determine exactly how that stage came down, and we’re urging any witnesses that were in the area to come forward,” Const. Tony Vella said. » Full Story
One Dead, Three Injured in Stage Collapse Before Radiohead Show in Toronto
June 16, 2012 – Touring | Legal & Management
A stage at Toronto's Downsview Park collapsed hours before a scheduled Radiohead concert, killing one person and injuring at least three. » Full Story
Rush Rush, Ed Sheeran and Josh Turner Heading for Top 10 on Billboard 200
June 15, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Rock band Rush, British newcomer Ed Sheeran and country star Josh Turner are all on track to debut in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart next week. As for No. 1, Usher is looking for his latest chart-topper with "Looking 4 Myself." The new Billboard 200's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of June 20. » Full Story
Cash Money Hires Radio DJ Greg Street to Work on Cash Money Records, Content
June 15, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Publishing
Cash Money Records co-CEOs and founders Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams announced that broadcast personality and radio DJ Greg Street will join Cash Money Records and Cash Money Content, the book publishing arm of the growing hip hop empire. » Full Story
Lucian Grainge, Roger Faxon, Irving Azoff to Testify at EMI/Universal Deal's Congressional Hearing
June 15, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Indies
Universal's Lucian Grainge and EMI's Roger Faxon, as well as Live Nation's Irving Azoff, will appear before the Senate antitrust subcommittee next Thursday to argue for Universal's purchase of EMI's recorded music catalog, while Warner's Edgar Bronfman Jr. and Beggars Group's Martin Mills will lead the opposition. » Full Story
dick clark ryan seacrest Ryan Seacrest Among Potential Bidders for Dick Clark Productions
June 15, 2012 – TV & Film | Digital & Mobile
A source confirms that American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest is interested in purchasing his late mentor's company, Dick Clark Productions. » Full Story
Chart Moves: Little Big Town's 'Pontoon' Makes Waves on Hot 100, Lumineers Hit Top 40 For First Time
June 15, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Rock & Pop | Dance
Some of this week's movers and shakers on the Hot 100 beyond Carly Rae Jepsen and Gotye's battle for No. 1, include Little Big Town's twangy "Pontoon," the folk rock stylings of The Lumineers' "Ho Hey," David Guetta's "Titanium"  featuring Sia and Justin Bieber's Hot Shot Debut. » Full Story
New Zealand High Court Orders Urgent Review of Megaupload Case
June 15, 2012 – Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
The U.S. government is fighting several procedural issues in the attempt to prosecute Kim Dotcom. One government lawyer says it might take years to complete the extradition process. » Full Story
Fans Push Reventon Super Estrella To Nearly Sell Out L.A. Concert In One Day
June 15, 2012 – Touring | Latin
Reventon Super Estrella, one of the most successful Latin radio-hosted concerts in the country, is celebrating this year's 15th installment in Los Angeles with eight longtime established Latin rock acts, including Café Tacvba, Enanitos Verdes and Julieta Venegas. They’ll perform on the same stage at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Aug. 10. » Full Story
Adam Zelinka Named SVP, Marketing and Product Development at UMG Distribution
June 15, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Retail | Executive Turntable
Universal Music Group Distribution named Adam Zelinka its new senior vice president, marketing and product development, announced UMGD president and CEO Jim Urie. » Full Story
From Ibiza Sonica to Rockola.fm -- The Best Spanish Language Music Apps
June 15, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile
A rundown of some of the best Spanish-language music apps, including Reggaeton 24-7, Ibiza Sonica, biit, and Rockola.fm » Full Story
Ne-Yo, Bob Seger, Bette Midler, Meat Loaf, Stevie Nicks Light Up Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony
June 15, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Rock & Pop | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
Among the diverse honorees for last night's 43rd annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction ceremony were Ne-Yo, Bob Seger, Bette Midler, Jim Steinman, Dan Schlitz and Gordon Lightfoot. Luminaries honoring the hit-makers, included Stevie Nicks, Swizz Beats, Valerie Simpson and Constantine Maroulis. » Full Story
Olly Murs.png Bubbling Under: U.K. 'X Factor' Runner-Up Olly Murs
June 15, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Global | Retail | Rock & Pop | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
Each Friday, Billboard presents "Bubbling Under," a weekly look at new and noteworthy acts making their way toward Billboard chart success. Up this week: Olly Murs, the Parlotones, Katie Armiger and Tex James. » Full Story
U.K. Retailer Tesco Buys We7, Digital Music Service Co-Founded by Peter Gabriel
June 15, 2012 – Global | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding
U.K. supermarket giant Tesco has acquired London-based digital music service We7 for £10.8 million ($16.8 million), which music legend Peter Gabriel owns a stake. The retailer is already one of the biggest seller of CDs. » Full Story
 
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