News …

Radiohead named artist of the year at BT Digital Music Awards – Brand Republic

It’s goodbye Sony BMG, hello Sony Music Entertainment Inc. As Bertelsmann concludes sale of its half to Sony – Associated Press

Royalty rates may go up, but online songs are expected to stay priced at 99 cents per – BusinessWeek

If you ever have a face-to-face with Nick Cave, remember not to call him an “art rocker.” – The Globe and Mail

Does pop culture block musical curiosity in the young? Bypass this link if you’re not interested in learning more – The Herald U.K.

Rolling Stone’s Jann Wenner still not gathering moss – The Sydney Morning Herald

Views …

Tina Turner in Kansas City – “Turner will turn 69 in November, but after watching her whip a sold-out arena into a frenzy, that number loses all context.” – The Kansas City Star

Rancid in Los Angeles – ” … might look like the Sex Pistols and sound like the Clash, but live, the quartet has more in common with a rap crew.” – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Joan Osborne in the Bluegrass State – ” … delivered 90-minutes of blues-based rock, soulful blues or rocking soul – take your pick – all of it enriched by a gritty voice that was powerful yet capable of serious nuance.” – Louisville Courier-Journal

T.I. in NYC – “He was indefatigable, breezing through two dozen songs, from old hits (including a fierce ‘U Don’t Know Me’ and a temperamental ’24’s’) to ‘Paper Trail’ cuts, mostly not lingering much past the first chorus.” – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Keane in London – “The forthcoming third album, Perfect Symmetry, isn’t all as adventurous, but on its first live outing it had enough surprises and potential future hits to win Keane a new army of fans.” – The Times Online U.K.

Neil Diamond at the Hollywood Bowl – ” … it was during intimate new material, not the usual staples, when he shined most at first of four local shows.” – The Orange County Register

They Say It’s Their Birthday … (Or so says Associated Press)

Leon Rausch (Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys) is 81

Don McLean is 63

Jo-el Sonnier is 62

Annie Leibovitz is 59

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike & the Mechanics) is 58

Sting is 57

Greg Jennings (Restless Heart) is 54

Phil Oakey (The Human League) is 53

Freddie Jackson is 50

Robbie Nevil is 50

James Hunter is 46

Bud Gaugh (Sublime, Eyes Adrift) is 41

Gillian Welch is 41

Kelly Willis is 40

Dion Allen (Az Yet) is 38

Tiffany is 37

Lene Nystrom is 35

LaTocha Scott (Xscape) is 35

Mandisa is 32