Industry News
TV & FILM
michael-mcdonald Doobie Brothers' Michael McDonald Files Royalty Lawsuit Against Warner Music Group
May 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management
King & Ballow’s Richard S. Busch continues his assault upon the major label tradition of paying standard artist royalties for downloads instead of a 50% licensing royalty. The attorney has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Doobie Brothers singer Michael McDonald against the Warner Music Group in the U.S. District Court of Middle Tennessee in Nashville. » Full Story
Pearl Jam to Headline Jay-Z's Made in America Festival
May 21, 2012 – Touring | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Pearl Jam will be joining Jay-Z at the Made in America Music Festival. The rockers will headline one night of the Philadelphia event, set for Sept. 1 and 2 at Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Fairmount Park. » Full Story
Singer/songwriter Robi 'Draco' Rosa Signs With SESAC, Preparing New Album
May 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Rock & Pop | Latin
Latin Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/producer Robi 'Draco' Rosa has signed with SESAC. His impressive, multi-faceted career includes membership in the boy band Menudo and alt-rock band Maggie's Dream, co-writing Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca" and Sisqo's "Thong Song'" and an upcoming duets album that includes Calle 13, Tego Calderón, Ricky Martin, Juanes, Rubén Blades, Maná, Marc Anthony and Shakira. » Full Story
Business Matters: Triton Media Helping Pandora Seem More Like a Radio Company
May 21, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile | Retail
Pandora is now being measured by Triton Digital, giving it information it can provide to advertisers that speaks the same language as terrestrial radio companies, allowing Pandora to sell to more easily to advertisers. Elsewhere, Hastings is the latest company to blame low quarter earnings on the weak CD release schedule, and the Financial Times thinks Sony undervalues Sony Music and Pictures. » Full Story
Spotify to Launch in Australia and New Zealand Tuesday
May 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile
Spotify will launch in Australia and New Zealand Tuesday, giving the leading on-demand music service its first presence outside Europe and the United States and its 14th  and 15th overall markets. The service’s catalog will have 16 million tracks in each country. » Full Story
How To Improve Music Discovery and Sales On TV: A Billboard Special White Paper
May 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | Indies | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile | Retail
This special Billboard white paper was undertaken as a joint project among Billboard, NARM’S DigitalMusic.org division and TAG Strategic towards developing steps to improving music discovery on TV. The content is based on a session at the National Assn. of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) conference, Music Biz 2012, titled “Music & TV: Enabling Discovery for the Connected Consumer” that was organized by DigitalMusic.org and TAG Strategic.   » Full Story
Backbeat: Billboard Music Awards' Raging Afterparty, With Stevie Wonder, Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, Far East Movement, More
May 21, 2012 – Touring | Backbeat | Record Labels | bbma2012 | Legal & Management
For many decades, Billboard has been known for its sober and succinct analysis of the music business and its related personalities and activities. By that metric, the official 2012 Billboard Music Awards afterparty at 1OAK in the Mirage absolutely raged. » Full Story
2012 Billboard Music Awards: .Biz Behind the Scenes
May 21, 2012 – Backbeat | Record Labels | bbma2012 | Legal & Management
It’s one thing to be backstage at a show where extremely famous people are bustling in and out a few feet away from you – most of us in The Business are jaded enough not to be overawed by that. It’s another thing to have it happening while giant fake clouds, grand pianos, hoop dancers, ninjas and people in horse costumes or riding fluorescent bicycles are racing past, usually at breakneck speed. » Full Story
Justin Bieber, Usher, Chris Brown Generate Most Social Activity During Billboard Music Awards
May 21, 2012 – Touring | bbma2012 | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile | Branding | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, Katy Perry and Jordin Sparks generated the most Twitter activity during the broadcast of Sunday night’s Billboard Music Awards, according to differing analysis by two different social media measurement companies. » Full Story
Tim McGraw Signs With Big Machine Records
May 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Country
Big Machine Records has signed Tim McGraw to a worldwide recording deal, adding the country superstar to Big Machine Label Group's already star-filled lineup of artists that includes Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Reba McEntire, and Martina McBride, among others. Big Machine is distributed by Universal Music Group. » Full Story
AEG Live Leads Bidding for UK's HMV Live (Report)
May 21, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Global
AEG Live is leading the race to acquire HMV’s profitable live division, according to a reports. AEG Live has been granted preferred bidder status to purchase the HMV-owned Mama Group, which trades under the name HMV Live and comprises 13 U.K. venues » Full Story
Joel Tennbaurm.jpg Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Joel Tenenbaum's Appeal of $675K Fine For Illegal Music Downloading
May 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
The Supreme Court has refused to take up a Boston University student's constitutional challenge to a $675,000 penalty for illegally downloading 30 songs and sharing them on the Internet. A federal judge called that unconstitutionally excessive, but the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston reinstated the penalty at the request of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Brothers Records Inc. and other record labels represented by the RIAA. » Full Story
Wiz Khalifa, Robin Thicke On Robin Gibb, 'Duets,' and Wedding Plans
May 21, 2012 – Record Labels | bbma2012 | TV & Film
Wiz Khalifa and Robin Thicke stopped by to speak to Billboard.biz backstage at last night's Billboard Music Awards, and shared thoughts on Robin Gibb's death, Thicke's new television show "Duets," and whether Wiz and fiancee Amber Rose have concrete wedding plans yet. » Full Story
From The Archives: Robin Gibb Q&A
May 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management
While many are mourning Robin Gibb for his immense work with the Bee Gees, the musician also served an important role as president of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), where he fought for copyright and intellectual property law. Last June he sat down with Billboard.biz during the World Copyright Summit in Brussels to talk about his work. » Full Story
Jasper Donat On Music Matters 2012: Troy Carter, Growing Asian Touring Market, Music Publishing In 53 Countries
May 21, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Publishing | Global | Legal & Management | Indies | Digital & Mobile
Music Matters 2012, the music industry one-stop covering “all that matters” (as their catchphrase declares) in the Asia Pacific region, kicks off its second year in Singapore this week (after six in Hong Kong). Billboard.biz spoke to Jasper Donat, Music Matters president about this year's speakers (Lady Gaga's manager Troy Carter, producer Bob Ezrin, AEG's John Meglen), the growing Asian touring market and "publishing, publishing, publishing." » Full Story
Bee Gees Rank Third for Most Hot 100 No. 1s in History
May 21, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Chart Alert
The trio racked up nine Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles -- more than any other group in history save for the Beatles (with 20) and the Supremes (12). Of their chart-topping hits, their biggest is "How Deep Is Your Love," which reigned for three weeks in 1977 and spent 33 weeks on the chart » Full Story
Bee Gee Robin Gibb Mourned and Hailed in Britain
May 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
One day after he succumbed to cancer, Bee Gee Robin Gibb was both mourned and hailed in his native Britain Monday as a master musician whose interests went far beyond the recording studio by a host of people, incuding former Prime Minister Tony Blair and the BBC's Paul Gambaccini » Full Story
Keane Holds Off Tenacious D Atop UK Album Charts; Rita Ora Has No. 1 Single
May 21, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Sunday’s new U.K. sales data from the Official Charts Company showed a second week atop the album chart for Keane’s “Strangeland” and on the singles survey for “R.I.P.”  by Rita Ora featuring Tinie Tempah. The album top ten also included debuts from Tenacious D, Ren Harvieu and Garbage. » Full Story
Jordin Sparks, Scooter Braun, Cherry Tree's Martin Kierszenbaum: Ten Things You Didn't See at the Billboard Music Awards:
May 21, 2012 – Record Labels | bbma2012 | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
As much as happened onstage at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards -- even more transpired backstage: Scooter Braun, for example, had to shuffle between clients Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen and the Wanted; Katy Perry and Zooey Deschanel being separated at birth; and Cherry Tree's Martin Kierszenbaum talks about LMFAO's forthcoming tour and a new Robyn recording. » Full Story
Columbia, Interscope, Universal Republic Artists Top Billboard Music Award Winners List
May 21, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | bbma2012
The label competition to rack up wins at the Billboard Music Award Show tonight turned out to be a two-horse race between Sony Music Entertainment and the Universal Music Group. » Full Story
LMFAO on Winning Six Billboard Music Awards, Michael Jordan Comparisons
May 20, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | bbma2012 | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
LMFAO, who won six 2012 Billboard Music Awards, discussed winning their first major music awards, compared their performances to Michael Jordan and throw their weight behind a Denver student who was kicked out of school for playing their music. » Full Story
Adele Tops Billboard Music Awards, Hot Performances By Justin Bieber, Jordin Sparks, Stevie Wonder, More
May 20, 2012 – Record Labels | bbma2012 | Retail | Rock & Pop | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
Adele had another one of those nights at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday, taking home a whopping twelve awards including Top Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album during an evening of scorching performances by the likes of Katy Perry and Justin Bieber, a tribute to the late Whitney Houston, and a once-in-a-generation Icon Award for Stevie Wonder. » Full Story
Billboard Music Awards: The Winners List
May 20, 2012 – Record Labels | bbma2012
Adele was the biggest winner at tonight's Billboard Music Awards, taking home twelve trophies off the strength of her Grammy-winning album 21 and singles such as the chart-topping "Rolling in the Deep," while LMFAO were also big winners and Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder were honored with the Millenium and Icon Awards respectively. » Full Story
Jason Derulo Talks Performing Post Neck Injury, New 'American Idol' and Coke Promotion at Billboard Music Awards
May 20, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Branding | R&B/Hip-Hop
Backstage at the Billboard Music Awards, Jason Derulo let Billboard in on his upcoming first performance since his neck injury, a new promotion with Coke and "American Idol" called Perfect Harmony and his plan for performing dangerous moves in the future. » Full Story
Robin Gibb of The Bee Gees Dies
May 20, 2012 – Record Labels
Robin Gibb, one-third of the Bee Gees, has died today after a series of health issues. He was 62. » Full Story
2012 Billboard Music Awards Weekend Diary: Kelly Clarkson, Usher, Diplo & More
May 20, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | bbma2012
The days and nights leading up to tonight’s 2012 Billboard Music Awards have been action-packed: This diary recaps performances or rehearsals from and/or encounters with Kelly Clarkson, Diplo, Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Natasha Bedingfield, Usher and a pile of friends of .Biz old and new. The awards air tonight on ABC at 8 p.m. #BBMA » Full Story
Backbeat: Usher Previews New Music at Pre-Billboard Music Awards Private Dinner
May 20, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | bbma2012 | R&B/Hip-Hop
RCA’s urban promotion department hosted a dinner last night’s (May 19)  celebrating the release of Usher’s upcoming album, "Looking 4 Myself." The intimate gathering of prominent urban radio programmers during Billboard Music Awards weekend was reminiscent of what many might call the radio and record industries' "good old days." » Full Story
Watch the 2012 Billboard Music Awards Livestream From Backstage, Red Carpet HERE
May 20, 2012 – Record Labels | bbma2012 | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile | Rock & Pop | Dance | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
Tonight, Sunday, May 20, Billboard.biz will host a livestream of the Billboard Music Awards beginning at 6:30 p.m. EDT, with red carpet arrivals hosted by Julie Brown where you can see the likes of Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood, Usher, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and many others -- plus a large swath of the music industry. Then, a live feed at 8:00 p.m. from backstage will give viewers an unprecedented and candid look at one of pop music's biggest nights. » Full Story
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
Patent Pending Win Battle of the the Bands, Will Perform on Billboard Music Awards
May 19, 2012 – Touring | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Rock & Pop
With pop-punk hooks, fist pumps aplenty and some fancy footwork, Patent Pending, an impossibly high energy "rag-tag bunch jerks" from Long Island, NY, earned a golden ticket to perform at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday (May 20, ABC at 8:00 p.m. EDT) after besting five other acts to win the Battle of the Bands showdown. » Full Story
Watch the Billboard Battle of the Bands (Live Stream)
May 18, 2012 – Touring | bbma2012 | Indies
The Billboard Battle of the Bands begins at 8 pm (PT) with six of the country's best and most talented unsigned acts as voted on by Billboard readers. Check out the live stream right here. » Full Story
2012 Billboard Music Awards to Feature Tributes to Donna Summer and Beastie Boys' Adam 'MCA' Yauch
May 18, 2012 – bbma2012 | TV & Film | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
The 2012 Billboard Music Awards, airing Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC, will feature tributes to the Beastie Boys’ Adam “MCA” Yauch and Donna Summer, co-executive producer Richard Beckman told Billboard.biz in an expansive interview about the show. » 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
Live Nation Ticket Sales Up 25% YTD; Diverse Touring Line-Up Drives Numbers, $4 Beers Await Fans
May 18, 2012 – Touring | Legal & Management | Branding | Rock & Pop | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
Live Nation Ticket Sales are up 25% year-to-date thanks in part to a strong lineup of tours that touches on virtually every genre: Roger Waters, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Radiohead, Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Nickelback, Aerosmith, Toby Keith, Tom Petty and others are helping the world’s largest promoter and amphitheater operator rebound after an industry downturn in 2010. Plus, there's the $4 beers...     » 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
Van Halen Postponing Tour Dates Due To Fatigue, Sources Say
May 18, 2012 – Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
Though rumors are flying as to why Van Halen pulled the plug on the final 30 dates of the band’s current tour, according to a reliable source close to the tour, the premature ending is not due to illness, injury, internal strife or lagging ticket sales. Rather, “fatigue” is the culprit, according to the source, who adds that that the dates are being postponed, not cancelled. » 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
Ryan Seacrest's Bieber-Off Helps Cimorelli Make Social 50 Chart Gain
May 18, 2012 – Digital & Mobile | Chart Alert
Ryan Seacrest's official Web site recently launched a Bieber-off contest, in the hopes of finding the best fan-created cover of "Boyfriend." Popular YouTube coverband Cimorelli (comprised of six sisters) have jumped in with their own rendition and have made it past the first Bieber-off cutoff along with MattyB and previous Social 50 resident Tyler Ward. » 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
Jennifer Lopez on the floor video Chart Moves: Jennifer Lopez's 'Dance Again' Rebounds, 2Chainz's 'No Lie' Debuts on Hot 100
May 18, 2012 – Digital & Mobile | Rock & Pop | Latin | R&B/Hip-Hop
As previously reported, Train's "Drive By" chugs into the Billboard Hot 100's top 10 in its 18th week, marking the longest ascent to the top 10 this year, while Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" (featuring Kimbra) spends a fifth week at No. 1. Let's see who else keeps on rolling -- or gets derailed -- on this week's chart. Click through for more. » Full Story
Van Halen Postpone Over 30 Tour Dates without Explanation
May 17, 2012 – Touring | Rock & Pop
Van Halen's 2012 reunion has hit a snag -- the final three months and 31 dates of the group's North American reunion run have been abruptly postponed. Although the band has yet to release an official statement or explanation for the postponement, a rep for the group confirms the unexpected touring news. » 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
Doug Dillard Doug Dillard, Banjo Great Who Crossed Genres, Dies at 75
May 17, 2012 – Country
The bluegrass, folk and country rock worlds are in mourning today with the death of banjo player Doug Dillard at the age of 75. A spokesman told AOL's country blog, The Boot, that Dillard died Wednesday in Nashville following a lengthy illness. » Full Story
Pavarotti Pavarotti Manager Herbert Breslin Dead At 87
May 17, 2012 – Classical
Herbert Breslin, the hard-driving manager who helped propel Luciano Pavarotti to international fame during the 36 years they worked together, has died, his wife said Thursday. He was 87. » 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
Fool's Gold Launches 'The Goldmine,' Premium Digital Subscription Service
May 17, 2012 – Touring | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Branding
Brooklyn-based independent label Fool's Gold announced today it is launching a premium digital subscription service called The Goldmine. The new service will provide access to new Fool's Gold music as high quality 320 mp3 / WAV downloads, plus extras, including: back catalog selections, exclusive content (remixes, a cappella tracks, DJ sets), merch discounts, priority access to events, and “other surprises the Fool's Gold braintrust decides to cook up.” » 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
Google Unveils 'Knowledge Graph,' Providing Vital Info Alongside Search Results
May 17, 2012 – Digital & Mobile | Branding
Google is introducing a new tool, designed to make its search engine smarter. The new feature debuted Wednesday draws from a Google-built database of more than 500 million people, places and commonly requested things to provide a summary of vital information alongside the main search results. » 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
WME Logo Norah Jones Agent Joe Brauner Joins WME
May 16, 2012 – Touring
Joe Brauner has joined WME as an agent in the music department, bringing with him longtime clients Norah Jones and Amos Lee. Brauner was previously a music agent at CAA. » Full Story
Wisin-y-yandel Latin Urban Duo Wisin & Yandel Score 'Unplugged' Special on MTV Tr3s
May 16, 2012 – TV & Film | Latin
On the heels of a major summer tour with Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias, Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel have also signed on to appear on their own "Unplugged" special on MTV Tr3s, according to a spokesperson for the cable network. » 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
Yep Roc Label To Celebrate 15 Years With 3-Day Concert With Nick Lowe, Robyn Hitchcock, Jon Doe, Others
May 16, 2012 – Touring | Indies | Branding | Rock & Pop | Country
The indie label Yep Roc Records announced it will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a three-night birthday party in October at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, N.C. featurung artists from throughout the label's history, including Nick Lowe, Robyn Hitchcock and John Doe. Yep Rock is also offering "Premiere Fan" bundles, which includes access to a Yep Roc recording session with Chris Stamey and Scott McCaughey. » Full Story
Myxer Gets Millionth Install, Plans Bigger Facebook Integration, to Bring Social Listening to Mainstream
May 16, 2012 – Digital & Mobile
Myxer, long known for its sales of ringtones, wallpaper, and other relics of the pre-smartphone era, impressed us with its plan for its group-listening app, Myxer Social Radio. Myxer founder Myk Willis told Evolver.fm that Myxer will see its millionth install this week, which is nothing to sneeze at. » 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
AEG logo 133 Anshultz.png AEG Live Predicting Big Sales for Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez/Enrique Iglesias, 'American Idol' Tours
May 16, 2012 – Touring | TV & Film | Rock & Pop | Latin
AEG LIVE President/CEO Randy Phillips says his company is looking at a strong 2012, based on tours already on sale and those teed up for later in the year. Highlights include Enrique Iglesias with Jennifer Lopez, and Wisin & Yandel, American Idols Live!, Kenny Chesney with Tim McGraw and Justin Bieber for a tour that begins in the fall. » 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
Backbeat: Chris Perez Charms Fans, Features New Music During Grammy Museum Showcase
May 16, 2012 – Touring | Backbeat | Legal & Management | Latin
Grammy award-winner, and widower of the late Selena, Chris Perez performed new music at the Grammy Museum and spoke about his plans for the future during a showcase attended by industry execs and fans who won tickets to see his intimate show. » 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
Black Sabbath's Bill Ward Pulls Out of Reunion Gigs Over Contract Terms
May 16, 2012 – Touring | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
Bill Ward will not be joining Black Sabbath for this year's performances, the band's original drummer confirmed in a letter to fans on his website. The lengthy, emotional note said that he had only been asked to participate "minimally" and on a trial basis. He said he didn't want to "risk not being able to play Download or Lollapalooza" festivals. » Full Story
Steve Jobs Aaron Sorkin to Write 'Steve Jobs' Movie for Sony
May 15, 2012 – TV & Film | Digital & Mobile
Scott Rudin is producing the biopic about the polarizing Apple co-founder. » Full Story
spotify Business Matters: Facebook Says Spotify Has Hit 20 Million Users; Spotify Says It Ain't So
May 15, 2012 – Global | Digital & Mobile
Spotify has reached 20 million monthly active users, according to a count seen at Facebook. But Spotify is sticking with its latest publicly released numbers of 10 million active users and more than three million paid subscriptions. Speaking of Spotify, the company is going back to the future with a promotion aimed at university students in the United Kingdom. And Senzari reportedly has raised $1 million from “investors in both Miami and Silicon Valley » 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
Univision, Telemundo Announce Competing Television Programming in Upfronts
May 15, 2012 – TV & Film | Latin
Competing Spanish-language networks Telemundo and Univision announced several musical additions to their programming during their upfronts this week in New York. » 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
The Roots' ?uestlove on His Foodie Biz, Cocoa Puffs on the Beastie Boys Tour, Fried Chicken Battles
May 15, 2012 – TV & Film | Branding | R&B/Hip-Hop
Turns out Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, the Roots drummer, "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" Musical director and studio drummer extraordinaire, is also a foodie. The multi-hyphenate recently launched his ?uest Loves Food company, a line of Love's Drumsticks, and formed a partnership with Chef Graham Elliot. Here, ?uestlove discusses his eating experiences while on tour with the Beastie Boys, his fried chicken battle with Momofuku's David Chang, and how cooking contests are a lot like MC battles. » Full Story
hmv logo HMV Looks to Grow Ticketing Division by Partnering With Ticketmaster U.K.
May 15, 2012 – Touring | Retail
Troubled U.K. entertainment retailer HMV has teamed with the British arm of Ticketmaster as it looks to expand its ticketing operations. » Full Story
MTV Tr3s Schedules New Shows, "Unplugged" and "Making the Video" Specials
May 15, 2012 – Global | TV & Film | Latin
MTV Tr3s executives have announced plans for new programs including a reality show by singer/actress Dulce Maria, "Unplugged" shows and "Making the Video" specials, according to network officials. » 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
David Clark Leaves Fuse, Re-Joins MSG Media As EVP Sales
May 15, 2012 – Digital & Mobile | Executive Turntable
David Clark, former general manager of Fuse, is joining Madison Square Garden Media as executive vice president of integrated sales. Mike Bair, president of MSG Media, will continue his oversight of Fuse as the network searches for a new executive. » Full Story
Will.I.Am, Giorgio Moroder, Danny Tenaglia Added as International Music Summit Speakers
May 15, 2012 – Touring | Global | Dance
Will.I.Am is the latest big name to be added to the International Music Summit's impressive and growing list of keynote speakers, while Giorgio Moroder will also be on hand and Danny Tenaglia will be video confererencing in from Manhattan to speak about his career. » Full Story
Ultra Music Co-Founder to Debut UR1 Festival During Miami's Art Basel 2012
May 15, 2012 – Touring | Indies | Dance
UR1 Music Festival is going to try to shake up the concept of what a festival can be when it debuts this December 8-9 in Miami, bring the music and art community together for two days during Miami's Art Basel 2012. » Full Story
Poison Bret Michaels Settles Lawsuit With Tony Awards Over Head Injury
May 15, 2012 – Legal & Management | TV & Film
Bret Michaels and organizers of the Tony Awards have settled a lawsuit filed by the rocker after a 2009 incident in which he was hit in the head with a set piece and suffered injuries that he claimed contributed to a brain hemorrhage that nearly killed him. » 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
Lady Gaga Denied Permit For Indonesia Stadium Concert Following Protests
May 15, 2012 – Touring | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
Lady Gaga will have to cancel her sold-out stadium show in Indonesia following protests by Islamic hard-liners and conservative lawmakers, who said her sexy clothes and dance moves will corrupt the youth. A national police spokesman said Tuesday that the permit for her June 3 "Born This Way Ball" concert has been denied. » 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
muve Exclusive: Muve Music Adds TuneCore, the Orchard and CD Baby
May 15, 2012 – Digital & Mobile
Muve Music, the music subscription of Cricket Wireless with 600,000 subscribers across the U.S., has added the catalogs of TuneCore, the Orchard and CD Baby. The deals will more than double Muve Music’s catalog to over 10 million tracks. » Full Story
 
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