1. George Strait, Demi Lovato's New Albums Bound for Top Three on Billboard 200

    May 17, 2013 9:12 PM EDT Country icon George Strait is heading for a No. 2 debut on the Billboard 200 chart next week with his new album, "Love Is Everything." Meanwhile, Demi Lovato's fourth studio effort, "Demi," is aiming for a No. 3 bow. Acc ...

  2. Taylor Swift Leads The Pack on Hot Tours

    May 17, 2013 5:37 PM EDT Taylor Swift is tops among the weekly tally of Hot Tours, leading the pack with $15.7 million in ticket sales revenue from 11 recent performances on her Red Tour. Included is the first stadium date on the North American tour leg that launched ba ...

  3. Daft Punk's 'Random' Album Headed For Big Sales Week, Aims For First No. 1

    May 17, 2013 2:38 PM EDT Daft Punk's new album, Random Access Memories , is heading for a big sales week and the act's first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Industry sources suggest the album, due out on May 21, may sell between 250,000 and 300,000 copies in ...

  4. Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’: A Timeline of the Global Teaser Campaign

    May 17, 2013 1:20 PM EDT It started with a Facebook post: Two helmets, one gold and one silver, halved and fused down the center, set against plain black. Then came the 15-second ad, aired during the March 2 episode of “Saturday Night Live”; its first appearance online ...

  5. Justin Bieber's 'Baby' With New Streaming Data Beats Out Elton John For RIAA's Top Platinum Single of All Time

    May 17, 2013 11:26 AM EDT Bieber's song "Baby" featuring Ludacris becomes the highest-certified single in history now that the RIAA incorporates on-demand streaming numbers into its Gold and Platinum certifications for digital singles. Elton John's do ...

  6. Chart Moves: Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines Makes Solo Debut, She & Him Bows on Cassette

    May 17, 2013 9:30 AM EDT This week on the Billboard 200 albums chart, the top three were all debuts , as Lady Antebellum, "The Great Gatsby" soundtrack and the "Now 46" compilation moved in. Lady A's latest, "Golden," gave the country ...

  7. Vicente Fernandez Breaks Record on Latin Albums Chart

    May 16, 2013 5:46 PM EDT Vicente Fernandez, currently celebrating his 45th year in the business with a farewell tour, breaks the record for most top 10s for a solo act on Top Latin Albums. His latest set, Hoy , enters at No. 3. The album becomes his 22nd top 10, breakin ...

  8. George Strait Scores 86th Hot Country Songs Top 10

    May 15, 2013 6:49 PM EDT George Strait edges closer to Eddy Arnold's record for the most top 10s in the 69-year history of Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, as "Give It All We Got Tonight" rises 12-10. The song is Strait's 86th top 10 on the ...

  9. Vampire Weekend Aiming for No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart

    May 15, 2013 6:34 PM EDT Rock band Vampire Weekend is winging its way to a second No. 1 album next week. Its new Modern Vampires of the City album, released yesterday (May 14), may sell around 120,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Sunday (19), according to i ...

  10. Sony's Music Unlimited Service Expands to Brazil

    May 15, 2013 3:30 PM EDT Sony Network Entertainment International’s Music Unlimited service is live in Brazil, according to a statement released today by the company. The cloud-based digital music subscription service is now available in 19 countries worldwide. The on-d ...

  11. Lady Antebellum Scores Third No. 1 Album, 'Gatsby' Debuts Strong at No. 2

    May 15, 2013 1:54 PM EDT Country trio Lady Antebellum earns its third No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart as its new Golden debuts with 167,000 sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album sold slightly better than initially forecast: A week ago, industry sources ...

  12. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis 'Hold' Atop Hot 100, Selena Gomez 'Get's First Top 10

    May 15, 2013 1:39 PM EDT Macklemore & Ryan Lewis'  "Can't Hold Us," featuring Ray Dalton, logs a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Selena Gomez scores her first top 10 with "Come & Get It" and Mariah Carey debuts at No. ...

  13. Third Man Records Announces Sun Records Partnership, Reissuing Johnny Cash, Rufus Thomas, Prisonaires

    May 14, 2013 4:32 PM EDT Third Man Records, the Nashville-based label and vinyl manufactory founded by Jack White, announced today a partnership with another Nashville-based label, Sun Records, in order to reissue the iconic label's vast catalog of classic, influen ...

  14. Billboard Music Awards Kick-Off Sunday With Prince, Madonna, Lil Wayne, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, More

    May 11, 2013 4:03 PM EDT 46 31 1 0 There is nothing small about this Sunday night’s Billboard Music Awards at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena airing live on ABC at 8 ET hosted by “30 Rock”’s Tracy Morgan. Just consider for a moment the sheer star power of  those appearing: li ...

  15. Chart Moves: Selena Gomez 'Get's First Hot Digital Songs Top 10; Arianna Drives Onto Hot 100; Florida Georgia Line Dominates Country Airplay

    May 10, 2013 3:47 PM EDT As previously reported , Macklemore & Ryan Lewis log an historic No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, as "Can't Hold Us" (featuring Ray Dalton) follows their "Thrift Shop" (featuring Wanz) to the top, making the ...

  16. Chart Moves: Fleetwood Mac Returns After 10 Years, Lindsey Stirling Hits New Chart High

    May 10, 2013 8:30 AM EDT 1 13 25 0 0 This week on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Kenny Chesney roped his seventh No. 1, as "Life on a Rock" arrived atop the list with 153,000 sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It was one of just two debuts in the top 10 this week, a ...

  17. What's Next for Randy Jackson After 'American Idol'? (Analysis)

    May 09, 2013 9:19 PM EDT 1 3 11 0 0 The goal of “American Idol,” a dozen seasons ago when it started, was to create stars out of unknowns. It did so for Simon Cowell, perhaps the most famous A&R man on the planet, who has surrounded himself with television and music projects ...

  18. Business Matters: What An Audio-Streaming Device and 3D Smartphone from Amazon Could Mean to the Music Biz

    May 09, 2013 8:46 PM EDT Amazon is developing a range of hardware products including an audio-only streaming device and a smartphone with 3D capabilities that does not require special glasses, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. The development of another ...

  19. Exclusive: On-Demand Streams Now Count Toward RIAA Gold & Platinum

    May 09, 2013 10:00 AM EDT In an uncommon move to tinker with the formula used to certify Gold and Platinum awards, the Recording Industry Association of America on Thursday announced it has started to incorporate on-demand streams towards its calculations for certifying ...

  20. NARM President Jim Donio Addresses 'Music Biz' Conference on the Future of Retail

    May 09, 2013 6:18 AM EDT With NARM president Jim Donio now enjoying his 25th anniversery with the organization, he kicked off the opening session for the "Music Biz," held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, by noting that NARM has revinvented itself many time ...

  21. Lady Antebellum Set for Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200

    May 08, 2013 6:20 PM EDT Country trio Lady Antebellum should nab its third No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart next week with Golden . Industry sources project the new release will sell around 150,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, May 12. The new ...

  22. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' 'Can't Hold Us' Tops Hot 100, Sets Chart Record

    May 08, 2013 1:15 PM EDT The act becomes the first duo in the chart's five-decade history to send its first two singles to No. 1. Plus, Florida Georgia Line's 'Cruise' sails back into the top 10 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis'  "Can't Hol ...

  23. Kenny Chesney Logs Lucky Seventh No. 1 Album On Billboard 200

    May 08, 2013 11:02 AM EDT Country king Kenny Chesney grabs his seventh No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart as Life on a Rock debuts atop the list. The set sold 153,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Among country acts with the most No. 1s on ...

  24. Glassnote Founder Daniel Glass Feted at Musexpo in L.A.

    May 07, 2013 10:12 PM EDT 1 0 12 0 0 “One of the great minds and great guys in the music business” is how talk show host Jimmy Kimmel introduced Glassnote Entertainment founder and fearless label leader Daniel Glass at the Hollywood Roosevelt on Tuesday morning (May 7). The occasi ...

  25. Panelists Dive Into Album Credit Ecosystem at NARM's Music Biz 2013

    May 07, 2013 9:47 PM EDT Panel: The Album Credit Ecosystem Moderator: Maureen Droney, The Recording Academy Panelists: Alison Booth, Sony Nashville Jon Maples, Rhapsody International Ivy Skoff, Recording and Soundtrack Music Production Coordinator Shane Tobin, The Echo ...

  26. Metadata Confusion Costing the Industry More than Money, Delegates Told at NARM ‘Music Biz’ Summit

    May 07, 2013 12:08 AM EDT Misspellings, multiple identities for a single artist, and multiple release dates are costing the music industry a lot of money and causing great confusion among customers, according to a day-long summit on metadata held at the NARM "Music ...

  27. Business Matters: How Netflix Reduces Piracy

    May 06, 2013 5:15 PM EDT There has long been three opinions about how to beat piracy; through legislation and enforcement, through better legal services, or both. Although piracy continues to exist as numerous new music services have launched, there’s no doubt consumers ...

  28. Morning Fix: Mariah Carey Debuts New Song, 'Boston Strong' Organizer Speaks, Rudimental Grabs Top Spot on U.K. Albums Chart

    May 06, 2013 9:01 AM EDT Get the Morning Fix Delivered To Your Inbox HERE PEPSICO CUTS TIES WITH LIL WAYNE FOLLOWING EMMETT TILL LYRIC CONTROVERSY PepsiCo is cutting its ties with Lil Wayne after the rapper made a crude reference to civil rights martyr Emmett Till in a ...

  29. Randy Rogers Band Aiming For Second Top 10 Album On Billboard 200 Chart

    May 03, 2013 5:48 PM EDT Randy Rogers Band is on course for its second top 10 album on the Billboard 200, as the country group's new  Trouble could sell around 20,000 to 25,000 -- so say industry sources. The country group's last set, 2010's  Burning the ...

  30. Chart Moves: PSY Tumbles On Hot 100; Sara Bareilles Previews New Album; George Jones Back On Hot Country Songs

    May 03, 2013 12:47 PM EDT As previously reported , P!nk's "Just Give Me a Reason," featuring fun.'s Nate Ruess, spends a third week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Who else makes noteworthy moves on the Hot 100 and other song charts this week?   -- ...

  31. Chart Moves: The Neighbourhood Debuts, Van Halen's '1984' Returns After 20-Plus Years

    May 02, 2013 8:22 PM EDT This week on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Michael Buble achieved his fourth No. 1 album with "To Be Loved," as the pop singer's latest started with 195,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Meanwhile, Fantasia scored ...

  32. George Jones Returns to Billboard Country Charts

    May 02, 2013 3:17 PM EDT 1 6 17 0 0 Legendary producer Billy Sherrill gets the last laugh on his dear friend and fellow Country Music Hall of Fame honoree George Jones, as "He Stopped Loving Her Today" soars back onto Hot Country Songs, some 33 years after Jones bet She ...

  33. George Jones' Album Sales Increase 1,002% Following Death

    May 01, 2013 5:30 PM EDT 1 3 27 0 0 The late country icon George Jones is remembered on the Billboard charts this week, following his his death on April 26. As Nielsen SoundScan's sales tracking week ended on April 28, Billboard's new sales charts reflect only three day ...

  34. P!nk Holds At No. 1 On Hot 100; Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Top Hot Digital Songs; Rihanna Rules Hot 100 Airplay

    May 01, 2013 2:27 PM EDT 'Just Give Me a Reason' claims a third week at No. 1 on the Hot 100, while Macklemore & Lewis log their second Hot Digital Songs leader and Rihanna scores a milestone No. 1 on Hot 100 Airplay. Plus, Icona Pop reaches the Hot 100� ...

  35. Chart Alert: Michael Bublé Tops Billboard 200; Fantasia Arrives At No. 2

    May 01, 2013 11:00 AM EDT As reported yesterday (April 30), pop singer Michael Bublé earns his fourth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 this week with the arrival of To Be Loved . The set sold 195,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Bublé's ...

  36. Michael Buble Scores Fourth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart

    April 30, 2013 8:00 PM EDT As predicted , Michael Buble earns his fourth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart with "To Be Loved." The Reprise/Warner Bros. Records set bows with 195,000 sold in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. "To Be Loved,& ...

  37. Universal Music Says Artist Privacy at Stake in Digital Royalties Dispute

    April 30, 2013 2:58 PM EDT In 2011, a proposed class action lawsuit was launched against Universal Music Group over digital income. The litigation from Rob Zombie and Rick James on behalf of themselves and others under the UMG umbrella seeks substantial damages from the r ...

  38. From SoundJam to 25 Billion Songs Sold: An iTunes Timeline on Its Tenth Anniversary

    April 28, 2013 2:31 PM EDT July 2000 Apple acquires SoundJam, the music management software that would become iTunes January 9, 2001 iTunes 1.0 music software is launched. It is available only for Mac users. 7 Ways iTunes Changed the Music Biz: Doug Morris, Jeff Price, Mo ...

  39. Chart Moves: Sarah Brightman, Olly Murs Make Top 20 Debuts on Billboard 200

    April 26, 2013 9:28 PM EDT This week on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Fall Out Boy replaced Paramore at No. 1, as the former's new "Save Rock and Roll" debuted with 154,000 sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. In the runner-up position, Kid Cudi bowed wi ...

  40. Fantasia, Phoenix Heading for Top Five on Billboard 200 Chart

    April 26, 2013 7:49 PM EDT Fantasia is heading for her third top 10 album, as "Side Effects Of You" is on course for a No. 2 bow next week on the Billboard 200 chart. The set, her fourth, could sell around 90,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on April 2 ...

  41. Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson Tour Tops Hot Tours

    April 26, 2013 6:03 PM EDT Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour soars to No. 1 on the weekly Hot Tours tally with ticket sales revenue reported from arenas in eight European cities. Combined grosses from 31 performances of the Cirque du Soleil touring production totale ...

  42. Chart Moves: Daft Punk Scores Biggest Hot 100 Hit, Black Sabbath Returns and More

    April 26, 2013 4:54 PM EDT As previously reported, P!nk's "Just Give Me a Reason" (featuring fun.'s Nate Ruess) spends a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Who else makes noteworthy moves on the Hot 100 and other song charts this week?   -- ...

  43. iTunes 10-Year Anniversary: 12 Best iTunes Ads

    April 26, 2013 2:37 PM EDT The iTunes Store launched on April 28, 2003, as an industry-supported alternative to combatting online music piracy, starting a revolution for companies and customers alike. Their first customers received a free download of The Fray's " ...

  44. What Is iTunes Today?

    April 26, 2013 11:22 AM EDT This article first appeared in the May 4, 2013 issue of Billboard magazine, which also features our cover story on Rod Stewart's return to rock, an in-depth look at the 10th anniversary of the iTunes Music Store, our incomparable charts and ...

  45. George Jones Was King of the Country Charts

    April 26, 2013 11:16 AM EDT 3 28 8 0 0 He may have been known as the Possum, but on Billboard's country charts, George Jones was a king. Jones passed away this morning at 81. Jones holds the record for the most entries on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart - 166 - from 19 ...

  46. Business Matters: The Importance of Apple's Ecosystem

    April 25, 2013 5:01 PM EDT It's no secret that Apple's ecosystem is vital to the company's success. Now two of the three ratings agencies agree. Because Apple plans to access the debt markets (it will allow the company to return cash to shareholders without ...

  47. Record Store Day Drives Vinyl Sales to Historic Peak in SoundScan Era

    April 25, 2013 2:40 PM EDT Thanks to Record Store Day (April 20), weekly U.S. vinyl album sales hit a historic high. A total of 244,000 vinyl LPs were sold in the week ending April 21, according to Nielsen SoundScan -- the largest one-week sum for vinyl albums since Sound ...

  48. Ten Years of iTunes: The Retailer's Biggest Songs and Albums (Listen)

    April 25, 2013 12:30 PM EDT This Sunday, the iTunes store will be celebrating its 10th anniversary, well atop of the digital retailer heap for a corresponding number consecutive years. Billboard.biz will be taking a closer look at the growth and ever-expanding importance o ...

  49. Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ Sees 597% Sales Increase after Boston Bombing

    April 24, 2013 9:50 PM EDT Music appears to be helping provide some measure of comfort to mourners in Boston and other regions following the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15 that killed three and injured approximately 180. Neil Diamond made an impromptu visit to Boston ...

  50. Michael Buble Bound For Fourth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200

    April 24, 2013 4:05 PM EDT Pop singer Michael Buble is heading for his fourth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. Industry forecasters suggest his just-released album, "To Be Loved," is on course to sell around 165,000-185,000 copies by the end of the tracki ...

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