Billboard News

Not Happening: Any Outdoor Concert in Irene's Path (Dave Matthews, ZZ Top, Afro-Punk Fest)
August 26, 2011 – Touring | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Mean Irene is wreaking havoc on just about every musical happening up and down the East Coast this weekend, including a Dave Matthews Band concert festival -- DMB Caravan -- on Governor's Island in NYC and several small festivals in the area. » Full Story

Backbeat: Secretly Canadian Hosts 6th Annual Label Distribution Summit
August 26, 2011 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Indies | Digital & Mobile | Branding
Last weekend, Secretly Canadian hosted its 6th annual Label Distribution Summit, inviting representatives from labels distributed by SC -- Jagjaguwar, Dead Oceans, Sacred Bones and Hometapes among them -- as well as distributors (iTunes, Record Store Day and independent shops like Grimey's and Landlocked Music). » Full Story

Backbeat: Melanie Fiona Launches First Grammys @ Canada House Showcase In L.A.
August 26, 2011 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Retail
Two-time Grammy nominee Melanie Fiona launched the first Grammys @ Canada House showcase in Los Angeles on Aug. 24 at the home of David Fransen, Consul General of Canada. Among the guests in attendance were James Leach, SESAC VP, writer/publisher relations and Ramona Wright, publisher of Wiles Magazine. » Full Story

Sony Music Mexico Signs Singer/Songwriter Lila Downs
August 26, 2011 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | Latin
Songstress Lila Downs, formerly on Blue Note, has signed a recording contract with Sony Music México and plans to release her next album in October. Her 2004 album "Una Sangre/One Blood" received a Latin Grammy and she received a nomination for her 2008 "Shake Away," also named a top ten album by the World Music Organization. » Full Story

Popkomm & Reeperbahn Festivals May Help Invigorate Germany's Declining Music Markets
August 26, 2011 – Touring | Record Labels | Publishing | Global | Legal & Management
Two music trade festivals coming to Germany in September may help invigorate the country's declining music market: Popkomm in Berlin and the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg. Billboard spoke to Ralf Kleinhenz, managing director of Popkomm; Regine Haschka, CEO of Seedlab; Detlef Schwarte, festival organizer; Philip Ginthör, CEO of Sony Music GSA; and more about the festivals. » Full Story

Michael Jackson Tribute Organizers Cite Sour Grapes, Misinformation From Fan Clubs, Jackson Brothers
August 26, 2011 – Touring | Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
As preparations continue for the upcoming Michael Jackson tribute concert featuring Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Smokey Robinson, the show's organizers have been forced to go on the defensive after numerous Jackson fan clubs and two of the singer's brothers have publicly condemned the tribute. » Full Story

Katy Perry, Lady Gaga Hits Banned by China From Music Sites to Preserve 'Cultural Security'
August 26, 2011 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
China's Ministry of Culture has ordered music download sites to delete songs by Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, the Backstreet Boys and other pop stars within two weeks or face punishment. The ministry said the rule was meant to preserve China's "national cultural security." Foreign music acts are believed to receive special scrutiny after Bjork shouted "Tibet!" during a 2008 Shanghai concert. » Full Story

Fleetwood Mac Could Tour, Record Again Says Lindsey Buckingham
August 26, 2011 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
Fleetwood Mac could be back on the road soon. Lindsey Buckingham says the band is considering another tour and even recording a new album in the near future. » Full Story

Backbeat: Amy Lee Attends EMI Canada's Evanescence Listening Party
August 25, 2011 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Retail | Rock & Pop
Amy Lee was on hand for an invitation-only playback of five new Evanescence songs at Toronto's Liberty Studios on August 22. The EMI Music Canada-hosted event was attended by about 30 people, including: Paul Shaver, EMI VP, marketing and promotions; Ricardo Martinez, DMDS; Ken Witt, EMI Music Canada; Tracey McNamara, Telus; Alan Mamaril, HMV; Alan Cross, broadcaster and Neil Morrison, CFOX. » Full Story

Australia's Great Southern Blues Festival Canceled But Aussie Festival Industry Still Growing
August 25, 2011 – Touring | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
Australia's Great Southern Blues Festival is the third major festival to cut its losses in 2011, following Soundwave Revolution and Funk N Grooves. But the demise of those three events doesn't presage Australia's festivals market sliding off a cliff. » Full Story

Ortiz, Paz and Hernandez Are Top Contenders For Billboard's Inaugural Mexican Music Awards
August 25, 2011 – Record Labels | Publishing | Global | Legal & Management | Latin
Gerardo Ortiz, Espinoza Paz and Larry Hernandez, a trio of young acts with bicultural appeal and heavy online presence and following, are the lead contenders for the first annual Billboard Mexican Music Awards (Premios Billboard de la Música Mexicana), which will air on the Telemundo Network in October. » Full Story

Kenny Cheseney Reschedules Concert In Advance of Hurricane Irene
August 25, 2011 – Touring | Legal & Management | Country
A Kenny Chesney concert scheduled for this weekend in New England has been rescheduled for safety reasons. Chesney was to perform Sunday at Foxboro's Gillette Stadium but will instead appear at the same venue on Friday. » Full Story

Simon Cowell Breaks Silence on 'X Factor' Lawsuit, Slams 'Idol' Creator
August 24, 2011 – Legal & Management | TV & Film
Simon Cowell has some choice words for American Idol creator Simon Fuller: Keep your hands off "The X Factor." Cowell is finally responding to the lawsuit filed in July by Fuller against Fox and producer Fremantle claiming Fuller is owed an executive producer credit and millions of dollars in fees from the Cowell-produced "X Factor," which bows in the U.S. in September. » Full Story

Frank DiLeo, Michael Jackson's Former Manager, Dead at 63
August 24, 2011 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
Frank DiLeo, who helped guide Michael Jackson career path to become the King Of Pop died today due to complications from heart surgery in March. He was 63. Earlier in his career DiLeo worked at Epic Records with such artists as Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Ozzy Osbourne and Gloria Estefan. He would later open his own firm, DiLeo Entertainment Group in Nashville. » Full Story

Backbeat: Sony Music Latin Spanish Singer/Songwriter Beatriz Luengo debuts in L.A.
August 24, 2011 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Branding | Latin
Sony Latin Music artist Beatriz Luengo performed her first showcase in Los Angeles during a label presentation to introduce the Spanish singer to media and members of the industry. In attendance were Patricia Flores, AEG Live/Goldenvoice; Yotuel Romero; Nir Seroussi, Sony U.S. Latin; Rebeca Leon, AEG Live/Goldenvoice; Delia Orjuela, BMI and Marissa Lopez, BMI. » Full Story

Bjork, Domino Records' Laurence Bell To Receive AIM Independent Music Awards
August 24, 2011 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | Indies | Retail | Branding
The Association of Independent Music (AIM) announced today that Björk and Domino Records founder Laurence Bell will receive special Independent Music Awards. Björk has been nominated for more than a dozen Grammys and received numerous accolades for her work while Bell's Domino Records is home to such acclaimed artists as Animal Collective, Four Tet, Dirty Projectors, Franz Ferdinand, Pavement (U.K.), The Kills and Arctic Monkeys. » Full Story

Q&A With Placido Domingo, IFPI Chairman, Opera Star
August 24, 2011 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
The legendary Placido Domingo, the man who helped introduce classical music to the masses as one of the Three Tenors and whose state honors include the U.S.' Presidential Medal of Freedom, takes time out to explain to .Biz, why his chairmanship of the IFPI, the global music industry trade body, will underpin everything he has achieved and help ensure a future for all talented artists -- whether they sing rap, heavy metal or arias. » Full Story

Pukkelpop Music Festival Fatalities Lowered To Four From Five Then Raised Again (Updated)
August 24, 2011 – Touring | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
The Mayor and public prosecutor for the Belgian town of Hasselt yesterday announced four people instead of five had died as a result of severe storm that hit the Pukkelpop music festival on Aug. 18 after an investigation revealed one casualty died as the result of an incident several hours before the squall hit. Today (Aug. 24), however, it was announced that one of the injured concertgoers has died. » Full Story

Facebook To Allow Users To Pre-Approve Photo Tags
August 24, 2011 – Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
Drunken revelers and bad hair day victims rejoice: Facebook will now let you decide whether your friends can attach your name to a photo before it is circulated. » Full Story

Sean Paul, Others Remember Joel Chin, VP Records' Slain Director of A&R
August 23, 2011 – Touring | Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management
On August 16, VP Records' Director of A&R Joel Chin, 35, was fatally shot as he left his car next to his home in Stony Hill, St Andrew, a few miles north Kingston, Jamaica. Here, many in the music industry, including Sean Paul, who credits Chin as really "knowing what was happening in the streets" reflect on Chin's vast contributions to the music he so loved. Chin will be celebrated at the upcoming Reggae Rhythm and Blues concert on September 4 at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, NY. » Full Story

What The Split Decision on the EMI vs. MP3Tunes Case Means For The Music Biz (Update)
August 23, 2011 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
A federal court today rendered a split decision of sorts in the closely-followed lawsuit against music locker MP3Tunes by EMI Music Group. The ruling could have many ramifications for both the music inudstry and digital music services in how they conduct business going forward. » Full Story

Business Matters: SXSW 2011 Had $167 Million Impact on Austin
August 23, 2011 – Touring | Global | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile | Rock & Pop
A new study puts the financial impact of 2011 South By Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Conferences and Festivals (SXSW) at $167 million. Also, iTunes give it away, give it away give away the new Red Hot Chili Peppers' album for free; and Japanese labels sue a YouTube downloading site. » Full Story

Amy Winehouse Toxicology: Family Says No Illegal Drugs Were Found
August 23, 2011 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Retail | Rock & Pop
Amy Winehouse had no illegal drugs in her system when she died, and it is still unclear what killed the singer, her family said Tuesday. The family said in a statement that toxicology tests showed "alcohol was present" in the singer's body but it hasn't yet been determined if it contributed to her death. » Full Story

Michael Jackson Fan Clubs Demand Tribute Concert Cancellation
August 23, 2011 – Touring | Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Branding | Rock & Pop
A group of Michael Jackson fan clubs across the world have banded together in an open letter to event organizers, asking for the cancellation of a Michael Jackson tribute concert scheduled for Oct. 8 in Wales. » Full Story

Backbeat: The Merge Summit 2011
August 23, 2011 – Touring | Backbeat | Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
The third annual Merge Summit, focusing on the integration of faith and entertainment, took place over the weekend in LA. The event was hosted by Merge founder/chair Holly Carter, who is president/CEO of Relevé Entertainment and summit co-chair Robi Reed, VP of casting & talent at BET Networks. Panelists represented EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music, CAA and more. » Full Story

Museke Online African Music Awards Slated For September
August 23, 2011 – Record Labels | Publishing | Global | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile
A third pan-African music awards event, the Afrotainment Museke Online African Music Awards (Moamas), is flexing its muscles and acting as a platform for introducing music and artists from the continent to a broader audience, featuring over 30 categories covering Africa and the Diaspora. » Full Story

Seventh Person Dies From Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse
August 23, 2011 – Touring | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop | Country
A cheerleading coach from Ohio has died from head injuries she suffered when a powerful storm toppled a stage at the Indiana State Fair, making her the seventh person to die in the tragedy, the Marion County coroner's office said. » Full Story

Secretly Canadian, Jagjaguwar, Dead Ocean Co-Founders Launch Fort William Artist Management
August 23, 2011 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Indies | Branding
Ben Swanson, Chris Swanson and Darius Van Arman, the co-founders of the Secretly Canadian, Jagjaguwar and Dead Oceans labels, have joined with manager Ami Spishock to launch Fort William Management. The company already represents indie artists Grizzly Bear, Bowerbirds, Sondre Lerchem Dreamers of the Ghetto, Department of Eagles, CANT, JBM, Menomena and Jens Lekman. » Full Story

U.K. News Round-Up: Amy Winehouse Foundation Returns Checks; Liam Sues Noel; 'The X-Factor' Returns
August 22, 2011 – Touring | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Today's news from across the pond: Amy Winehouse's father Mitch has to return charity checks because of a "dick head who stole our foundation name," Oasis' Liam Gallagher is suing his brother Noel who claimed he canceled a show because he was hung-over and also cared too much about his clothing label; and the new U.K. X-Factor without Simon Cowell--but with Kelly Roland and Take That's Gary Barlow--remains a ratings success. » Full Story

Karen Kwak Named Exec. VP/Head of A&R at Island Def Jam; Keith D'Arcy named VP at Universal Publishing
August 22, 2011 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Retail | Branding | Rock & Pop | Executive Turntable | R&B/Hip-Hop
Island Def Jam named Karen Kwak the new Executive V.P/Head of A&R. Kwak previously worked at Motown, Arista, and LaFace Records. Universal Music Publishing has appointed Keith D'Arcy VP of Catalog Marketing and Special Projects. He previously worked for JSM Music, Bates Worldwid, Sacred Noise, EMI Publishing and Sony BMG. » Full Story

How Eddie Vedder and Other Musicians Helped Free the West Memphis Three
August 20, 2011 – Legal & Management | TV & Film | Rock & Pop | Country
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder was among the supporters of the West Memphis Three to witness their release from prison at the Craighead County Courthouse in Arkansas on Friday. For years since the three men's controversial conviction, Vedder has been advocating for their release along with other musicians including Natalie Maines, Supersuckers and Henry Rollings. » Full Story

Pukkelpop Death Toll Rises to Five, Organizers Cancel Festival
August 19, 2011 – Touring | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
The death toll rose to five and 75 injuries as a result of a fierce storm that hit the Pukkelpop music festival in Belgium yesterday causing three stage tents to collapse. At 5.00 a.m. this morning, organizers decided to cancel the rest of the festival out of respect for the victims. » Full Story

Sixth Person Dies From Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse
August 19, 2011 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management
Family members say a 22-year-old college student is the sixth person to die from injuries suffered when a stage collapsed at the Indiana State Fair last weekend. » Full Story

Meet Billboard's 2011 Latin Power Players
August 19, 2011 – Touring | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Branding | Latin
For the second consecutive year, leaders of the Latin music industry are honored with a Billboard Power Players report that recognizes this vital and important part of the music industry. The executives profiled here once more reflect the strength of the Latin music industry amid challenging times. » Full Story

PIAS Partners With Proper Music Following Sony Warehouse Fire
August 19, 2011 – Record Labels | Publishing | Global | Legal & Management | Indies | Retail
Less than two weeks after the London Sony DADC warehouse fire that destroyed 3.25 million units of its stock, PIAS is back in business. Effective immediately, PIAS will partner with London-based Proper Music to resume distribution of the 150 labels affected, which includes Domino, Warp, One Little Indian, the Beggars Group, Matador, 4AD, Rough Trade and many others. » Full Story

Stage Collapses at Pukkelpop Festival in Belgium, At Least Three Dead, Scores Injured (Update)
August 18, 2011 – Touring | Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
At least three people died and scores of others were injured today when a stage collapsed as a result of storms at the Pukkelpop festival in Belgium, according to the Associated Press. The accident happened just before the Smith Westerns, a rock band from Chicago, were to take the stage. Organizers have put the remainder of the festival on hold for the time being. » Full Story

U2 To Donate $7.2 Million To Irish Music Education
August 18, 2011 – Global | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
U2 has announcd it is providing five million euros (about $7.2 million) though 2015 to help fund music schooling for Irish children. The news comes in the wake of the massive government cuts in spending. » Full Story

Elaborate Outdoor Concerts Amp Up Safety Concerns, Calls For Regulation
August 18, 2011 – Touring | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
As the multi-billion-dollar outdoor concert business has evolved from simple canopied stages to productions with 20 tons of equipment, experts point to the Indiana State Fair's fatal stage collapse and similar accidents as reason for caution — and regulation. "It's the Wild West when it comes to standards and guidance and consistency," said Paul Wertheimer, founder of Crowd Management Strategies. "People from place to place can do whatever they want." » Full Story

Beatles Online Film Short Backs U.K.'s Music Matters Anti-Piracy Campaign (Watch)
August 18, 2011 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile | Rock & Pop
The Beatels estate has pledged its support for the U.K.'s anti-piracy campaign Music Matters by sanctioning a special animated short film set to their recordings. » Full Story

Village People Singer's Copyright Fight Could Change Music Industry
August 18, 2011 – Record Labels | Publishing | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop | Country | R&B/Hip-Hop
A lawsuit to determine whether the original lead singer of the Village People has a right to terminate copyright grants on 32 songs may influence the road ahead for many songwriters, publishers, and record labels. » Full Story

Game Will Not Face Criminal Charges For Tweet Jamming Sheriff's Emergency Phone System
August 18, 2011 – Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | R&B/Hip-Hop
The Game will not face criminal charges after a tweet from the rapper's account incited a telephone flash mob that jammed the emergency phone system at one of the busiest stations of the Los Angeles County sheriff's department. The Game later said it was a "joke gone wrong." » Full Story

Joel Chin, VP Records Director of A&R, Murdered In Jamaica
August 17, 2011 –Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management
Joel Chin, 35, the Director of A&R for VP Records, was fatally shot in front of his Stony Hill, St Andrew home a few miles north of Jamaica’s capital Kingston last night. Chin is responsible for signing some of reggae’s most successful acts to the label including Beenie Man, Wayne Wonder and Sean Paul. » Full Story

Business Matters: Rhapsody, MetroPCS Partnership Excludes Warner Music Group
August 17, 2011 – Radio | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile
As the Rhapsody-Metro PCS partnership once again proves, there’s never a guarantee all four majors will share the same sentiment about a music service. Also, Dar.rm is like Tivo for Internet radio, Rob Levine's "non-politically correct opus" and Musician Coaching. » Full Story

Skrillex Announces Launch of OWSLA Label
August 17, 2011 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Dance
American dubstep artist Skrillex today announced the launch of his new OWSLA label with manager Tim Smith and Biz 3 publicists Kathryn Frazier and Clayton Blaha. The label's first releases are from Bristol's Koan Sound, North Carolina newcomer Porter Robinson, singer/songwriter Alvin Risk and San Francisco-based M Machine. » Full Story

National Music Publishers' Assoc. Resolves Copyright Lawsuit With YouTube
August 17, 2011 – Publishing | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile
The National Music Publishers’ Association has resolved its copyright infringement lawsuit with YouTube. Although exact details are not yet being made available, the NMPA said in a statement that thanks to the resolution "music publishers will have the opportunity to enter into a license agreement with YouTube and receive royalties..." » Full Story

Leona Lewis Settles Court Dispute Over New Single
August 17, 2011 – Legal & Management | Rock & Pop
Leona Lewis and her record label have settled a high profile legal dispute with Swedish dance music producer and DJ Avicii over the singer’s new single, “Collide.” » Full Story

Backbeat: Beyonce Addresses Dad, Sony Execs at Masterful Second Roseland Show
August 17, 2011 – Touring | Backbeat | Record Labels | Legal & Management | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Beyonce may have brought the house to a frenzy during the second night of her four-night-stand Tuesday at New York's Roseland Ballroom, and she addressed her former-manager father and Sony execs as well as fans from the stage. » Full Story

Johnny Gill's Twitter Rants Against Record Exec Could Set Defamation Precedent
August 17, 2011 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Branding | Rock & Pop | R&B/Hip-Hop
Many of the big issues involving alleged Twitter defamation still need judicial guidance. Will a record executive's lawsuit against former New Edition singer Johnny Gill be the case to do it? » Full Story

Lady Gaga's 'You and I' Video Leaks Before MTV Special (Watch)
August 16, 2011 – Record Labels | Legal & Management | TV & Film | Digital & Mobile | Rock & Pop
Lady Gaga was all set to premiere her Nebraska-filmed "You and I" video this Thursday (Aug. 18) at 7:49 p.m., during an MTV special entitled "MTV First: Lady Gaga." Those plans, however, have changed, thanks to a leak of the video that appeared on, among other outlets, Perez Hilton earlier this afternoon. » Full Story

Sugarland Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse: Could Lives Have Been Saved?
August 16, 2011 – Touring | Legal & Management | Country
As the Indiana State fair reopened Monday, investigators and the families of the dead and injured were still seeking answers to hard questions: Was the structure safe? Why were the thousands of fans not evacuated? Could anything have been done to prevent the tragedy? » Full Story

Amazon's Sales Tax Fight Inspires Calls For Boycott
August 16, 2011 – Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | Retail
A coalition of nonprofit groups is calling on customers of Amazon.com Inc. to cancel their accounts unless the Internet retailer stops resisting a California law that requires more online retailers to charge a state sales tax. » Full Story

Brandon Creed Appointed to A&R Post at Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown
August 15, 2011 – Record Labels | Legal & Management
Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown announced today that Brandon Creed, manager of Bruno Mars, will be serving as an A&R consultant to both companies. He will report to Barry Weiss, chairman & CEO of both companies. » Full Story

Sugarland Stage Collapse: Indiana State Fair Organizers Thought They Had More Time
August 15, 2011 – Touring | Legal & Management | Country
Organizers at the Indiana State Fair didn't think the storm that caused 60 to 70 mph winds resulting in the collapsed stage that killed five would roll in so quickly. Some meteorologists, however, believe there was ample warning and the event should have been evacuated earlier. » Full Story

BPI Establishes Fund for Indie Labels Impacted By London Riots
August 15, 2011 – Record Labels | Global | Legal & Management | Indies | Rock & Pop | Dance
U.K. music trade body the BPI has set up a fund to help indie labels impacted by the burning of a Sony warehouse last week during the London riots. Several labels including One Little Indian and Ninja Tune have delayed releases while artists such as Noel Gallagher and Massive Attack expressed dissenting opinions on the rioters. » Full Story

Indiana State Fair to Honor Dead Before Resuming
August 15, 2011 – Touring | Legal & Management | Country
The Indiana State Fair is reopening Monday for the first time since a strong gust of wind on Saturday night caused a deadly stage collapse before Sugarland's set, but first pausing to honor and remember the five people killed in the accident. » Full Story

Game May Face Charges After Tweet Incites Flash Mob To Call Sheriff's Office
August 15, 2011 – Legal & Management | Digital & Mobile | R&B/Hip-Hop
L.A. County prosecutors are deciding whether to press charges against The Game, after a tweet from the rapper's account incited a telephone flash mob that overwhelmed the emergency phone system at a sheriff's station. The Game claims a friend was using his phone. » Full Story

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