Universal betting on lower prices to boost CD sales (Reuters) Music News - Yahoo! News - Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:37:39 GMT Reuters - Universal Music Group (UMG) is embarking on one of the most ambitious efforts yet to boost U.S. CD sales, with the test of a new pricing structure designed to sell most new releases by current artists at $10 or less at retail.

Bands explore promo potential of Chatroulette (Reuters) Music News - Yahoo! News - Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:17:10 GMT Reuters - In the promotional run-up to the April 13 release of its new album, Ohio experimental rock group Foxy Shazam tapped a curious outlet to promote the release: Chatroulette.

Music biz insiders say Sony-Jackson deal makes sense (Reuters) Music News - Yahoo! News - Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:39:04 GMT Reuters - The magnitude of Sony Music Entertainment's landmark recording contract with the estate of Michael Jackson raises an inevitable question: Is it a smart deal for the label?

Lady Gaga fires back in NY court at music producer (AP) Music News - Yahoo! News - Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:37:49 GMT FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2010 file photo, singer Lady Gaga performs in concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)

Independence pays off for salsa singer Manuelle (Reuters) Music News - Yahoo! News - Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:53:02 GMT Victor Manuelle of the U.S. kisses his award for 'Tropical Album of the Year, Male for 'Decision Unanime' backstage at the 2007 Billboard Latin Music Awards in Coral Gables, Florida April 26, 2007. REUTERS/Marc Serota

Songwriter Harrell expands his hitmaking business (Reuters) Music News - Yahoo! News - Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:33:14 GMT Reuters - Just three months ago, Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell was standing onstage at Los Angeles' Staples Center accepting the song of the year Grammy Award for Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" with co-writers Chris "Tricky" Stewart and Terius "the-Dream" Nash.

Barenaked Ladies bounce back after split with singer (Reuters) Music News - Yahoo! News - Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:22:10 GMT Reuters - There were double takes aplenty from sports fans attending the recent Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Was that really Canada's favorite quirky pop-rockers, the Barenaked Ladies, busking on Robson Street? There's been plenty of upheaval for the band in the past couple of years, but surely things weren't that bad.

"College" kid outdoes rap stars in digital sales (Reuters) Music News - Yahoo! News - Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:18:13 GMT Reuters - The name "Sam Adams" mainly has been associated with several American historical figures and a popular Boston beer -- until now.

British singer Laura Marling learns to "Speak" up (Reuters) Music News - Yahoo! News - Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:16:51 GMT Reuters - When Laura Marling first emerged from the U.K. alt-folk scene, she was a painfully shy, if precociously talented, 17-year-old. But her second album finds her growing in confidence, as a person and a songwriter.

Aretha Franklin does "own thing" with new album (Reuters) Music News - Yahoo! News - Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:54:18 GMT Reuters - As Aretha Franklin celebrates her 68th birthday this month, she shows no sign of slowing down.