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Phillip Phillips Wins 'American Idol' Season 11
May 23, 2012 – TV & Film | Rock & Pop
Phillip Phillips is the winner of "American Idol's" 11th season, beating out 16-year-old vocal powerhouse Jessica Sanchez for the title and bragging rights. Phillips, a 21-year-old singer-songwriter from Leesburg, Ga., is the fifth male singer in a row to go home with the Idol glory. » Full Story

Justin Timberlake Making Music Return with 'The Devil in the Deep Blue Sea' Score
May 23, 2012 – TV & Film
Justin Timberlake will compose the score, his first, for the film "The Devil in the Deep Blue Sea," according to The Hollywood Reporter. The New Orleans-set drama will feature Jessica Biel (Timberlake's fiancé), Chloe Moretz and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and is expected to start shooting in the fall. » Full Story

John Mayer Going for Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart
May 23, 2012 – Record Labels | Christian/Gospel | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Rock & Pop
John Mayer's new album "Born and Raised" is heading for No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart next week. Industry sources suggest it could sell around 220,000 to 240,000 copies by week's end on May 27. The new Billboard 200 chart's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of May 30. » Full Story

Pandora Beats Guidance for Quarter, Raises Guidance for Fiscal Year
May 23, 2012 – Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
Pandora Media pleased investors by beating estimates for its fiscal first quarter revenue and increasing its guidance for the fiscal year. Revenue grew 58% to $80.8 million, easily beating the company’s guidance of $72 million to $75 million. » Full Story

Michael Rapino, Perry Farrell Added to Insomniac's EDMBiz Conference in Las Vegas
May 23, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Global | Dance
Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino and Lollapalooza founder/Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell are among the latest big names to be added to Insomniac's EDMBiz Conference, set for June 5-7 in Las Vegas in the buildup to the city's Electric Daisy Carnival. » Full Story

Donna Summer's Album Sales Skyrocket 3,277% Following Death
May 23, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
The late Donna Summer impacts Billboard's music charts this week, following her death on May 17. Billboard's new sales charts reflect only four days since Summer's passing, but in that time the Queen of Disco had four albums enter the Billboard 200 up 3,277% from the week before; and 187,000 song downloads (up from 4,000) topped by "Last Dance" and "On the Radio.” » Full Story

Business Matters: Is Vevo Considering An IPO?
May 23, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile
Vevo is seeking new investors to help fund its international expansion, according to two reports -- and one claims the video streaming company is considering an initial public stock offering. Also, mobile-first social apps could be hurting YouTube; and Flurry, a new social startup, is launching with partners Live Nation and BandPage. » Full Story

ICM Finalizes Equity Firm Buyout, Excludes Former CEO Jeffrey Berg
May 23, 2012 – Global | Legal & Management
International Creative Management has finalized its deal to buy out majority owner Rizvi Traverse Management and has formed a new partnership structure for the agency, the company said Wednesday. Control of the firm will now rest with its agents and executives. » Full Story

Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne on Attempt at Record For O Music Awards, 'Great' Relationship With Warner Bros.
May 23, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Rock & Pop
When the Flaming Lips set out to break Jay-Z’s world record for most live concerts in multiple cities in 24 hours as part of MTV’s O Music Awards on June 27th, it will probably look like a scene straight out of “The Magical Mystery Tour.” » Full Story

Music Apps For the Summer Time -- Last.fm Festivals, Blog DJs, Chart Playlists, More
May 23, 2012 – Touring | Digital & Mobile | Retail
As the thermometer consistently tops 70 degrees here in New England, it's safe to say summer is coming in. For music lovers, that means music festivals. This week's batch includes Last.Fm's Festivals app, designer playlist apps, and chart-based apps that allow you to stream some of the most popular music on the U.S. charts. » Full Story

Carly Rae Jepsen Jumps to No. 1 on Digital Songs, No. 2 on Hot 100
May 23, 2012 – Radio | Record Labels | Chart Alert
The pick-up line anthem ascends to No. 1 on Hot Digital Songs, but couldn't unseat Gotye for No. 1 on the Hot 100. On the Hot 100, the song claims top Digital and Airplay Gainer honors. » Full Story

The Great GoogaMooga Fest to Refund 'Extra Mooga' Tickets Amid Attendee Backlash
May 23, 2012 – Touring | Legal & Management | Retail | Branding | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Complaints against the inaugural Great GoogaMooga festival, held in Brooklyn last weekend, said the event was marred by impossibly long lines, nonexistent cell phone service, food and drink running out, and a breakdown of the wine and beer tent payment system. Now the fest's promoter, Superfly Presents, is issuing full refunds for the $250 'Extra Mooga' tickets (general tickets were free). The event included performances by the Roots, Hall & Oates, Fitz & The Tantrums, James Murphy and others. » Full Story

Adam Lambert Scores First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With 'Trespassing'
May 23, 2012 – Record Labels | Rock & Pop | Chart Alert
For the first time, one "American Idol" replaces another at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 as Adam Lambert's "Trespassing" debuts atop the list with 77,000 sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. His arrival bumps last week's leader, Carrie Underwood's "Blown Away," down to No. 3 (54,000; down 55%). » Full Story

What to Expect from Pandora's Earnings Release Today
May 23, 2012 – Radio | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
Look for continued, strong listener growth to be the theme when Pandora Media reports its fiscal first quarter earnings today after the end of the trading day. The company’s shares are down 30% to $9.98 since first fourth quarter earnings were released March 6. » Full Story

Fool's Gold's Nick Catchdubs on The Goldmine, Indie Label's New Premium Digital Service (Q&A)
May 23, 2012 – Indies | Digital & Mobile | Retail | Branding | Dance | R&B/Hip-Hop
Fool’s Gold, the Brooklyn-based indie label, just launched The Goldmine, a premium digital subscription service. Here, label co-founder Nick Catchdubs explains the service's genesis; the challenge of translating the label's physical retail experience to digital ("you're not going to see A-Trak"), and how the Holy Ship! cruise inspired the first release. » Full Story

Surreal 'Holy Motors' Film With Kylie Minogue Receives Rapturous Cannes Reception
May 23, 2012 – Global | TV & Film | Rock & Pop
The most rapturous audience reception at the Cannes Film Festival has gone to "Holy Motors," a disorienting, whirling dream of a movie by French director Leos Carax. Starring Denis Lavant as a man who adopts a dozen wildly different personas during a long Paris day, the film includes surrealist scenes, tender moments, pop star Kylie Minogue and bonobo monkeys. » Full Story

Richard Lom promoted to VP at SBS Entertainment
May 23, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Executive Turntable | Latin
Richard Lom has been promoted to VP of SBS Entertainment, the live entertainment and management arm of media company Spanish Broadcasting System. » Full Story

Mercury Prize Announces New Venue, Live Gigs, Broadcast Partner
May 23, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | TV & Film | Branding | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
The U.K.'s Barclaycard Mercury Prize has announced a number of significant changes for it upcoming Nov. 1 awards: This includes a new location, a series of gigs featuring nominees for the prestigious award and a new television partner in Channel Four after the BBC hosted the awards for the past fifteen years. » Full Story

Lady Gaga Tweets Indonesia 'Born This Way' Show Still Up In The Air
May 23, 2012 – Touring | Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Rock & Pop
Lady Gaga is as confused as anyone about whether she'll be allowed to perform in Indonesia with protests, censorship and permits clouding the situation. And the superstar's tweets on the matter didn't clear things up. » Full Story

Business Matters: Pre-release File Sharing Helps Album Sales, Says a Study. So Why Not Replicate This Legally?
May 22, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Retail
A study by an assistant professor at North Carolina State University posited that file sharing before an album's release date helped boost sales for established and popular artists, rather than hurt them. So, how can the music industry take advantage of this data in a legal way? Elsewhere, Facebook's stock dropped again, and opinions differ as to its value. » Full Story

Premios Juventud VIP Tour to Feature 3BallMTY, Luis Enrique, Others
May 22, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Latin
3Ball MTY, Jerry Rivera, Larry Hernandez, Luis Enrique, Plan B and Sensato will perform as part of the 2012 Premios Juventud VIP Tour. The series of private concerts leading up to “Premios Juventud," will kick off June 7 in Miami and hit five cities. » Full Story

Kanye West, Beyonce, Jay-Z Lead BET Award Noms; Samuel L. Jackson Tapped As Host
May 22, 2012 – Record Labels | R&B/Hip-Hop
It's a family affair at the upcoming BET Awards: Kanye West has the most nominations with seven, while his mentor, Jay-Z, earned five, and Jay-Z's wife, Beyoncé, received six. Samuel L. Jackson will host the July 1 award show. » Full Story

'Polka King' Eddie Blazonczyk Dies At 70
May 22, 2012 – Record Labels
Grammy Award-winning polka great Eddie Blazonczyk, who began playing the lively music in the 1950s and went on to earn the nickname "Polka King" after starting his own band and label, has died. He was 70. » Full Story

Sony Music Unlimited, More Open Than Ever, Takes the iOS Plunge on Friday
May 22, 2012 – Record Labels | Digital & Mobile | Retail
Sony Music Unlimited is dipping into the iOS, expanding its service to Apple's iPhones from its previously Android-only model. It's service, which contains over 15 million songs, can also be synched across all Sony devices. » Full Story

Billboard Music Awards Win Night for ABC Among Key Demographic
May 22, 2012 – Touring | TV & Film | Branding | Rock & Pop | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
Sunday night’s Billboard Music Awards won the night for ABC among adults 18 to 49, according to fast affiliate numbers from Nielsen Media Research. The three-hour telecast was watched by 7.4 million total viewers, with a 2.7 share rating in the 18-to-49 demo, enough to handily beat NBC’s finale of “The Celebrity Apprentice” (5.6 million viewers, 1.6 share of 18-to-49-year-olds.) » Full Story

Michael Jackson's 'Bad' Turns 25; Epic/Legacy to Release 3-CD, Concert DVD Box Set This September
May 22, 2012 – Record Labels | Retail | Rock & Pop
Epic/Legacy Recordings will be re-releasing Michael Jackson's iconic 1987 album "Bad" as part of a 3-CD, 1-DVD box set with remastered tracks, unreleased demos, and the first DVD of Jackson's July 16, 1988 performance at London's Wembley Stadium ever released. » Full Story

Dwight Yoakam Announced For Billboard Country Music Summit
May 22, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Country
Grammy-winning country star Dwight Yoakam, an artist who has transcended the country music genre to become a multi-slash innovator, entrepreneur and actor, will be the Superstar Keynote Q&A at the 3rd Annual Billboard Country Music Summit, set for June 4-5 at the Cannery Ballroom in Nashville. He joins a growing slate of announced BCMS attendees, including Luke Bryan, Willie Nelson, Shooter Jennings, Thompson Square and CAA's Rob Light. » Full Story

Jamaican Artist Busy Signal, With Top 10 Album on Reggae Charts, Arrested on Extradition Warrant
May 22, 2012 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management
Jamaican sing-jay Busy Signal was arrested on May 21 in Kingston by members of the Fugitive Apprehension Team on a provisional extradition warrant; he had abandoned his European tour after learning that an extradition warrant was issued for him by the United States Government on a conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine charge. » Full Story

CAA's Rob Light to Take Part in Executive Q&A at Billboard Country Music Summit
May 22, 2012 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Branding | Rock & Pop | Country
Rob Light, head of the Music department, a partner, and Managing Director of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), will sit with veteran Billboard live entertainment writer Ray Waddell for an in-depth discussion at the Billboard Country Music Summit at the Cannery Ballroom June 4-5. CAA's Nashville's roster includes Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Shania Twain, Alan Jackson, Shooter Jennings, Kings of Leon, Brantley Gilbert, Martina McBride, My Morning Jacket, Trace Adkins, and Willie Nelson. » Full Story

Exclusive: Starbucks To Release 'Cafe Con Musica,' Nacional Records Latin Alt Compilation
May 22, 2012 – Record Labels | Indies | Retail | Branding | Rock & Pop | Dance | Latin
Starbucks, which rarely carries Latin music in its stores, has partnered with Latin indie label Nacional Records to release an exclusive compilation of Latin alternative music. “Café con Música" will feature such Nacional artists as Aterciopelados, Diego García, Ana Tijoux and Nortec Collective and will be available only at Starbucks beginning June 19. » Full Story

Hip Hop Hall of Fame Finds NYC Home
May 22, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Retail | R&B/Hip-Hop
Organizers say the Hip Hop Hall of Fame Museum has found a home in midtown Manhattan, which will reportedly include a restaurant, arcade, concert lounge, television studios, marquee, community and corporate rooms and gift shop. An awards show will return to television in November that will be broadcast from the Apollo Theater. » Full Story

Rusty Walker, Country Radio Hall of Famer, Dead at 59
May 22, 2012 – Radio | Country
While the average country music fan might not have been familiar with the name Rusty Walker, there were few figures more beloved in the industry than the veteran programmer and consultant. Walker, who died Monday, enjoyed a long an illustrious radio career both behind the mic and helping others program stations to record successes all from his perch in Iuka, Mississippi. » Full Story

Alliance Entertainment Acquires Audiolife
May 22, 2012 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Branding
Alliance Entertainment has acquired Audiolife in a move to expand its direct-to-consumer fulfillment business. Audiolife's clients include such artists as Paul McCartney, Beastie Boys, Eminem and Leann Rimes as well as companies like Topspin, ReverbNation and LMFAO’s Party Rock clothing. » Full Story

Whitney Houston's Final Recording 'Celebrate' Released (Listen)
May 22, 2012 – Record Labels | TV & Film | Branding | R&B/Hip-Hop
Whitney Houston's final recording is being released. The song "Celebrate," a duet between Jordin Sparks and Houston from the "Sparkle" soundtrack, comes just after Sparks performed a heart-wrenching performance of "I Will Always Love You" at Sunday night's the 2012 Billboard Music Awards. » Full Story

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, Jordin Sparks, 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

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

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

Robin Gibb Q&A as President of CISAC
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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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, 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 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

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

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

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 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'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 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

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