1. U.S. Register of Copyright Says Music Licensing 'Complicated & Broken,' Can It Be Fixed?

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT What could be done to resolve some of the most troublesome, long-running issues in the music business today? That's what a U.S. House hearing on copyright reform on March 20 valiantly tried to address. The lone witness, U.S. Register of Cop ...

  2. The Price of Mobile Music Around the World

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT   The great hope of the music industry is that subscription services will allow record labels and publishers to tap into the music appetite of every smartphone-toting person on the planet. Connecting to consumers through mobile phones has great ...

  3. Samsung's Media Picture Now In Focus, Doubles Music Team

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Tucked inside the recent Broadway-inspired spectacle that surrounded Samsung's unveiling in New York of its next-generation Galaxy S4 phone was a preview of the company's media play: Samsung Hub. The Korean technology juggernaut sees m ...

  4. My Day: Bobby Rosenbloum, Co-Chairman at Atlanta Entertainment & Media Practice, Greenberg Traurig

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT What's it like to be a power lawyer in the music business? Lots of travel and little sleep, says Atlanta-based attorney Bobby Rosenbloum, who has negotiated deals on behalf of Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and other tech companies throug ...

  5. The Deal: AEG Comes Off The Block

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT WHAT: Anschutz Entertainment Group, the global sports, entertainment and venue conglomerate owned by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz, went on the block last September for an asking price of up to $8 billion. With a portfolio of live venues on ...

  6. Executive Turntable: Beats Electronics, Sony, Nickelodeon, Harry Fox Agency, Island Def Jam, BMG

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT   Record Companies Sony Music Entertainment names Liberty Lucken VP of sales at Epic Records and Lise Brende VP of reporting for analytics and research, U.S. sales. Lucken was senior director of sales for Sony Music's Amazon team, and Brend ...

  7. Further Dealings: Rolling Stones in Australian, eMusic + KNFB Reading, Hastings Entertainment

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT A deal for Australian promoter Paul Dainty and Virgin Music to promote an 18-date North American Rolling Stones tour has fallen through, and on March 19 AEG Live stepped in to promote the shows, sources say. The Stones will still roll, and an an ...

  8. Good Works: A Life-Changing Symphony at Notas de Paz

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT In the Bellavista neighborhood of Cali, Colombia, the children have no form of transportation or fancy shoes. Their parents are usually maids and messengers. They live in homes classified as strata 1 and 2--the poorest of the poor--with tin roof ...

  9. Opinion: The Portrait of the Artist As A Young Tech Company

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT 1 0 1 2 0 It's no secret that some labels are getting leaner in terms of the services they provide artists. Many artists and managers are experimenting with building their own support teams, hiring third-party firms out of pocket and even making inve ...

  10. On The Road: Augmented Reality of Rock Marketing

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT By downloading a new augmented reality app and then pointing your mobile device at various spots in Bon Jovi's Because We Can tour program, a whole new world springs to life. Music starts to play, a guitar-wielding soldier begins to march, ...

  11. The Long Re-Tail: Study Suggests a $2.6 Billion Artist-Fan Experience Business

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Older record labels sold just music, but modern labels should sell both music and "experiences." So says a Nielsen study released at South by Southwest that estimates the industry could generate additional revenue-totaling between $450 ...

  12. Questions Answered: Gary Overton, Chairman/CEO of Sony Music Nashville

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT What did you wake up thinking about this morning? All the great new music coming out later this year. I'm still getting congratulatory calls and emails from the VIPs in radio and media who came to our boat show at the Country Radio Seminar, ...

  13. T&E Report: Stockholm

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT BROWSE  After the United States and Britain, Sweden is the third-largest exporter of music in the world. Yet a single act still looms staggeringly large in its pop mythology, and in April, ABBA--which is estimated to have sold more than 400 mill ...

  14. New Swede Sensations: First Aid Kit, Amanda Mair, Junip & Cazzette

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Sweden is an endless font of interesting new music, and offers a Northern European alternative (i.e., the music is distinct from U.S. and British trends) to the sounds coming out of Los Angeles, New York and London. As such, there is never a wan ...

  15. Gear: Lumineers Producer Ryan Hadlock's Northwest Sound Emporium

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Ryan Hadlock was 8 years old when Eric Clapton asked to borrow his Fender Champ guitar amp for a session. The guitarist had come to his parents' Bear Creek Studio in rural Woodinville, Wash., to record guitar parts for Lionel Richie's ...

  16. SXSW 2013: The Brand Winners

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT If South by Southwest 2012 was a branding blockbuster, then SXSW 2013 was its sequel--but bigger, noisier and with a few extra characters. While there wasn't a clear winner like American Express' exclusive, card-member-only Jay-Z conce ...

  17. Brett Alperowitz's SXSW Battle Plan: 'Each Day Was Seven Pages'

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT 6 0 0 0 0 "This was my first South by Southwest in 13 or 14 years. The first time I went, everyone just hung out at the convention center and you could probably name all of the bands that were playing. Now it's so massive, I can't get my he ...

  18. SXSW 2013: The Digital Downside

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT What would happen if artists stopped suspending disbelief and pursued career paths based on pure logic? We might have a lot fewer musicians at South by Southwest for one thing, judging from a panel on artist revenue streams. The problem is there ...

  19. The Billboard Cover Story: John Mayer

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT "No one wants to cut into a singer's throat--that's the last resort." Michael McDonald, longtime manager of John Mayer, is explaining the singer/songwriter's decision to put his precious vocal cords under the scalpel. It ...

  20. New Vocal-Strain Treatments Giving Artists Something To Sing About

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT All the people we love with 'whiskey voices,' they have that sound for two years," John Mayer says. "After that, they start singing everything an octave lower." In fact, artists now utilize every treatment available to p ...

  21. Special Feature: Joan Sebastian's Songs of Home

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Mexico's beloved songwriter has triumphed amid personal tradegy. If the life of Joan Sebastian were told in song, the lyrics would recant the story of a great Latin music talent who has seen more than his share of drama. The musical tale wo ...

  22. Special Feature: Joan Sebastian's On The Roots of His Creativity

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Joan Sebastian wears many hats, having written some of the most eloquent love songs in the Latin songbook. How does he do it? A conversation with the Mexican master of romance. Your new album is titled "13 Celebrando el 13" (13 Celebra ...

  23. Danish Metal Band Volbeat Eye Breakthrough Success With Radio Buzz, Nonstop Touring

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT In the speed-of-light world of YouTube and Twitter, can slow and steady still win the race? Boosted by relentless road work and a recent trio of rock radio hits, Danish metal group Volbeat--which is gearing up to release its fifth album, "O ...

  24. Dawes Continues Classic Rock Revival Mission With New Album, Rising Single, Opening Bob Dylan Slot

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT When it comes to compliments, Taylor Goldsmith is impressively modest. The lead singer and songwriter of California rock quartet Dawes doesn't want to hear that the band's the most talented, the coolest or sexiest. "When someone h ...

  25. Road Work: Austra, Danny Brown, Darius Rucker, Flying Lotus

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Shootin' moves: Detroit rap phenom Danny Brown has added a swing of solo dates following a U.S. tour supporting "Harlem Shake" hitmaker Baauer. Booked by Joshua Dick of the Agency Group, the tour will begin at Blind Pig in Ann Arb ...

  26. Country Single Review: "Get Your Shine On" Florida Georgia Line

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Florida Georgia Line "Get Your Shine On" (3:42) Producer: Joey Moi Writers: Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins Publisher: Big Loud Shirt Republic Nashville Nashville duo Florida Georgia Line rapidly became a ho ...

  27. Live Review: Atoms for Peace in New York

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Artist: Atoms for Peace Venue: Le Poisson Rouge, New York Date: March 14 While on sabbatical from Radiohead, Thom Yorke and his supergroup Atoms for Peace made its U.S. debut at Le Poisson Rouge, running through a continuum of electro-splotched ...

  28. Single Reviews: Michael Buble, Matt Hires, Ace Hood, Surfer Blood & Carlos Vives

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Rock Surfer Blood "Demon Dance" (3:16) Producer: Gil Norton Writer: Surfer Blood Publishers: Various Warner Bros./Kanine Records From a lyrical perspective, Surfer Blood's latest indie shout-along is the band's darkest, headi ...

  29. App Review: Concert-Capturing Music Fans Unite Through Vyclone

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Vyclone is an iOS and Android video app that offers performers and fans an interesting twist on the concert-capturing experience, making it easy for multiple users to collaborate on live-show footage. The app automatically looks for clips shot f ...

  30. Country Album Review: 'Based on a True Story...' Blake Shelton

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Between his role as a mentor on NBC's "The Voice," which helped net his first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2011, and being married to Miranda Lambert, Shelton's life certainly seems charmed. "Based on a True Story...&qu ...

  31. Album Reviews: Eric Clapton, Lady, Kasey Musgraves, The Staves, Marnie Stern, Devendra Banhart

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Folk The Staves "Dead & Born & Grown" Producers: Glyn Johns, Ethan Johns Atlantic Records Release Date: March 19 The harmonies are the main attraction on British sister trio the Staves' full-length debut. The act offers an ...

  32. Happening Now: Rapper/Singer Future's So Bright

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Future is quickly becoming your favorite artist's favorite collaborator. The Atlanta rapper/singer appears on four singles on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart this week: Lil Wayne's "Love Me," which sits at No ...

  33. Happening Now: Britt Nicole Goes for 'Gold'

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT A year after its initial release, "Gold," the inspirational title track to Britt Nicole's third album (Capitol/Sparrow), is enjoying a revival in new territory for the young Christian singer: pop radio. The single is Nicole's ...

  34. Bubbling Under: Frank Turner, Dustin Tavella, Drake White, Viajero

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Frank Turner Turns Heads British rocker Frank Turner is approaching his first airplay chart ink, as the rollicking "Recovery" (Xtra Mile/Polydor/Interscope) gains below Alternative and Triple A. The track previews his fifth studio albu ...

  35. Over The Counter: Bon Jovi Bows at No. 1; Bowie's Best 'Day' Ever

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Bon Jovi scores its fifth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 as "What About Now" debuts with 101,000 sold in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It's the act's third straight studio album to debut at No. 1, followin ...

  36. SXSW 2013: Punks on Broadway, Elsewhere Led Music Doc Pack

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT Last year, "Big Easy Express" rolled out of South by Southwest (SXSW), played the Los Angeles Film Festival and then upended the traditional release schedule, playing online prior to theaters. The on-the-road concert doc--headlined by ...

  37. World's Greatest Songwriters Struggle With Tricky Process to Reclaim Works

    March 20, 2013 4:30 PM EDT While master-recording rights reversions to artists is a relatively new phenomena that has made headlines in recent years, song copyright reversions have long been a quiet fact of life for music publishers. But many in the publishing business ha ...

  38. AEG: No Sale,Tim Leiweke Out

    March 14, 2013 7:55 PM EDT After six months of deal talks, Phil Anschutz wasn't satisfied with bidders' offers, yet Leiweke's surprise exit raises new questions. With Anschutz Entertainment Group off the block and the subsequent resignation of the sports an ...

  39. The Billionaire's Bet: How Len Blavatnik Could Usher Money Back To Music & Trigger A Gold Rush

    March 14, 2013 7:55 PM EDT Len Blavatnik's recent investment in Beats Electronics' upcoming music service is making waves in the music world, and not just because the billionaire has been spending hundreds of millions of dollars in the sector. It's also bec ...

  40. The 'Conan' Bump: Data Says Late-Night Cable TV Show Best Bet for Boosting Sales and Social

    March 14, 2013 7:40 PM EDT On the heels of his ratings-topping appearance on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," Justin Timberlake chose to extend his run on the late-night TV circuit with a weeklong gig on the network's "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.&qu ...

  41. Universal Pictures Planning to Repeat 'Pitch Perfect'-esque Success

    March 14, 2013 7:30 PM EDT "Pitch Perfect," the little soundtrack that could, has achieved a level of success that has Universal Pictures taking a harder look at how it handles the release of soundtracks. What was once an album that no front-line label was inter ...

  42. The Band Perry, The Billboard Cover Story: Band On A Run

    March 14, 2013 7:25 PM EDT Faux smoke is billowing and Beyonce music is pumping as siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry, collectively known as the Band Perry, glam it up for the camera inside a Nashville-area photography studio. Despite the fact that it's almost 5 ...

  43. The Band Perry: All In The Family

    March 14, 2013 7:25 PM EDT Country music has a strong tradition of blood-born musical chemistry that dates all the way back to the Carter Family and continues up to and beyond the Band Perry. Now the Perrys are helping birth another new family trio: the Henningsens, who c ...

  44. Lollapalooza Brazil: Four Brazilian Bands To Watch

    March 14, 2013 7:10 PM EDT It's not just about the international lineup at Lollapalooza Brazil--the festival also offers a chance to hear some of the best bands in Brazil when it touches down at Sao Paulo's Jockey Club. Headliner Planet Hemp leads a list of home ...

  45. T&E Report: Sao Paulo

    March 14, 2013 7:10 PM EDT SEE  While still wrought with contradiction--relatively high crime rates, but exceedingly warm and friendly locals--21st-century Sao Paulo is one of the most thrilling cities in the world. And Brazilians love their rock'n'roll, as evid ...

  46. Over The Counter: Luke Bryan Nets First No. 1 Album

    March 14, 2013 3:10 PM EDT His 'Spring Break' set is one of few single-act compilations to top tally in SoundScan era Country star Luke Bryan logs his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 as his new release, "Spring Break...Here to Party," debuts ato ...

  47. Gear: Gold From Michael Knox' Treasure Isle

    March 13, 2013 9:30 PM EDT Jason Aldean producer merges country and arena rock at old-school Nashville studio A few miles and a couple of light years from downtown Nashville, past the old Tennessee State Fairgrounds and the venerable Mrs. Grissom's Salads factory, on ...

  48. Happening Now: Afrojack Makes A New 'Friend'

    March 13, 2013 9:15 PM EDT One of dance music's biggest stars has expanded his business with an eye on further mainstream success. Grammy Award-winning producer Afrojack has signed an exclusive worldwide deal with Universal Music Group, clearing the way for Island Re ...

  49. Ashley Monroe's 'Like a Rose' Pairs Analog Sound With Digital Marketing Push

    March 13, 2013 9:15 PM EDT Ashley Monroe's new solo album, "Like a Rose," may sound like a traditional country project, but Warner Music Nashville took a different route to promote it, bypassing country radio in favor of online exposure. The strategy helped ...

  50. Battle Plan: Jimi Hendrix's "People, Hell and Angels"

    March 13, 2013 9:15 PM EDT 4 MONTHS AGO  After plans for "People, Hell and Angels" were first hatched in early 2012, Sony's Legacy Recordings and Experience Hendrix announced the release on Nov. 26, the day before what would have been Hendrix's 70th bi ...

Pages