Doobie Brothers' Michael McDonald Files Royalty Lawsuit Against Warner Music Group
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 9:55pm
Doobie Brothers' Michael McDonald Files Royalty Lawsuit Against Warner Music Group
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Publishing Industry News, May 21, 9:55pm
Doobie Brothers' Michael McDonald Files Royalty Lawsuit Against Warner Music Group
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Legal Management Industry News, May 21, 9:55pm
The Latest! Spotify, Parking, McGraw, Pearl Jam, FB, Supreme Court...
These are the stories we're tracking late in the day. Check back for more late-evening and early-morning developments, and send tips to news@... Read more...
Digital Music News: Top Stories, May 21, 9:39pm
Pearl Jam to Headline Jay-Z's Made in America Festival
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Touring News, May 21, 8:58pm
Sony Music Entertainment: The Largest Record Label In the World...
That's according to the latest marketshare tallies from Nielsen Soundscan, for the most recent week. And in the 'mine is bigger than yours' world of the major label, this means everything. Read more...
Digital Music News: Top Stories, May 21, 7:42pm
Singer/songwriter Robi 'Draco' Rosa Signs With SESAC, Preparing New Album
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 6:08pm
Singer/songwriter Robi 'Draco' Rosa Signs With SESAC, Preparing New Album
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Publishing Industry News, May 21, 6:08pm
Business Matters: Triton Media Helping Pandora Seem More Like a Radio Company
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Retail Industry News, May 21, 5:48pm
Business Matters: Triton Media Helping Pandora Seem More Like a Radio Company
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 5:48pm
Business Matters: Triton Media Helping Pandora Seem More Like a Radio Company
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - News, May 21, 5:48pm
Spotify to Launch in Australia and New Zealand Tuesday
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 5:00pm
Spotify to Launch in Australia and New Zealand Tuesday
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - News, May 21, 5:00pm
How To Improve Music Discovery and Sales On TV: A Billboard Special White Paper
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Retail Industry News, May 21, 4:45pm
How To Improve Music Discovery and Sales On TV: A Billboard Special White Paper
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Publishing Industry News, May 21, 4:45pm
How To Improve Music Discovery and Sales On TV: A Billboard Special White Paper
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - News, May 21, 4:45pm
How To Improve Music Discovery and Sales On TV: A Billboard Special White Paper
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 4:45pm
How To Improve Music Discovery and Sales On TV: A Billboard Special White Paper
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Legal Management Industry News, May 21, 4:45pm
How To Improve Music Discovery and Sales On TV: A Billboard Special White Paper
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Indies Industry News, May 21, 4:45pm
Backbeat: Billboard Music Awards' Raging Afterparty, With Stevie Wonder, Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, Far East Movement, More
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Touring News, May 21, 2:31pm
Backbeat: Billboard Music Awards' Raging Afterparty, With Stevie Wonder, Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, Far East Movement, More
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 2:31pm
Backbeat: Billboard Music Awards' Raging Afterparty, With Stevie Wonder, Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, Far East Movement, More
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Legal Management Industry News, May 21, 2:31pm
Facebook Just Flopped. So What Does That Mean for Spotify?
If Facebook is flopping on Wall Street, what does that mean for the vast ecosystem of Facebook-dependent models? Like Spotify, which is about to get puffed into the stratosphere by Goldman Sachs? Read more...
Digital Music News: Top Stories, May 21, 2:00pm
2012 Billboard Music Awards: .Biz Behind the Scenes
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 2:00pm
2012 Billboard Music Awards: .Biz Behind the Scenes
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Legal Management Industry News, May 21, 2:00pm
Justin Bieber, Usher, Chris Brown Generate Most Social Activity During Billboard Music Awards
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Touring News, May 21, 1:35pm
Justin Bieber, Usher, Chris Brown Generate Most Social Activity During Billboard Music Awards
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - News, May 21, 1:35pm
Justin Bieber, Usher, Chris Brown Generate Most Social Activity During Billboard Music Awards
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Branding Music News, May 21, 1:35pm
Tim McGraw Signs With Big Machine Records
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 1:00pm
Tim McGraw Signs With Big Machine Records
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Legal Management Industry News, May 21, 1:00pm
AEG Live Leads Bidding for UK's HMV Live (Report)
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 Read more...
Billboard.biz - Touring News, May 21, 12:05pm
AEG Live Leads Bidding for UK's HMV Live (Report)
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 Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 12:05pm
Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Joel Tenenbaum's Appeal of $675K Fine For Illegal Music Downloading
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - News, May 21, 11:48am
Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Joel Tenenbaum's Appeal of $675K Fine For Illegal Music Downloading
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 11:48am
Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Joel Tenenbaum's Appeal of $675K Fine For Illegal Music Downloading
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Legal Management Industry News, May 21, 11:48am
Wiz Khalifa, Robin Thicke On Robin Gibb, 'Duets,' and Wedding Plans
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 11:30am
From The Archives: Robin Gibb Q&A
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Publishing Industry News, May 21, 11:06am
From The Archives: Robin Gibb Q&A
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 11:06am
From The Archives: Robin Gibb Q&A
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. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Legal Management Industry News, May 21, 11:06am
Music Matters' Jasper Donat: 'It's All About Turning Your Business Into a Game'
Music Matters 2012, the industry one-stop covering “all that matters” (as their catchphrase declares) in music, entertainment, technology and media in the Asia Pacific region, is back for its second year in Singapore, after six in Hong Kong. Billboard.biz spoke to Jasper Donat, Music Matters president and co-founder of Branded Ltd., about the conference. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 10:45am
Jasper Donat On Music Matters 2012: Troy Carter, Growing Asian Touring Market, Music Publishing In 53 Countries
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." Read more...
Billboard.biz - Touring News, May 21, 10:45am
Music Matters' Jasper Donat: 'It's All About Turning Your Business Into a Game'
Music Matters 2012, the industry one-stop covering “all that matters” (as their catchphrase declares) in music, entertainment, technology and media in the Asia Pacific region, is back for its second year in Singapore, after six in Hong Kong. Billboard.biz spoke to Jasper Donat, Music Matters president and co-founder of Branded Ltd., about the conference. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Publishing Industry News, May 21, 10:45am
Music Matters' Jasper Donat: 'It's All About Turning Your Business Into a Game'
Music Matters 2012, the industry one-stop covering “all that matters” (as their catchphrase declares) in music, entertainment, technology and media in the Asia Pacific region, is back for its second year in Singapore, after six in Hong Kong. Billboard.biz spoke to Jasper Donat, Music Matters president and co-founder of Branded Ltd., about the conference. Read more...
Billboard.biz - Touring News, May 21, 10:45am
Jasper Donat On Music Matters 2012: Troy Carter, Growing Asian Touring Market, Music Publishing In 53 Countries
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." Read more...
Billboard.biz - Publishing Industry News, May 21, 10:45am
Jasper Donat On Music Matters 2012: Troy Carter, Growing Asian Touring Market, Music Publishing In 53 Countries
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." Read more...
Billboard.biz - Legal Management Industry News, May 21, 10:45am
Jasper Donat On Music Matters 2012: Troy Carter, Growing Asian Touring Market, Music Publishing In 53 Countries
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." Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 10:45am
Jasper Donat On Music Matters 2012: Troy Carter, Growing Asian Touring Market, Music Publishing In 53 Countries
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." Read more...
Billboard.biz - News, May 21, 10:45am
Jasper Donat On Music Matters 2012: Troy Carter, Growing Asian Touring Market, Music Publishing In 53 Countries
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." Read more...
Billboard.biz - Indies Industry News, May 21, 10:45am
Bee Gees Rank Third for Most Hot 100 No. 1s in History
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 four weeks in 1977 and spent 33 weeks on the chart Read more...
Billboard.biz - Record Labels Industry News, May 21, 9:05am
Bee Gee Robin Gibb Mourned and Hailed in Britain
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 Read more...
Billboard.biz - Legal Management Industry News, May 21, 8:54am