By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The pop superstar Britney Spears has sold the rights to her music catalog to the independent music publisher Primary Wave. Unconfirmed media reports put the price tag for Spears’ catalog at approximately $200 million. Given Spears’ determination to stay out of the U.S. music industry at this point, the move isn’t that surprising. … [Read more...] about Britney Spears Sells Catalog to Primary Wave for Reported $200 Million
Music
Wasserman Talent Agency Faces Artist Backlash Over the Epstein Files
Pop Star Chappell Roan First to Leave the Wasserman Agency Photo caption: Casey Wasserman, seen here at his appointment at the White House to the Los Angeles Olympics task force, has apologized for emails he sent to Ghislaine Maxwell, long before her conviction for sex crimes related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian. By Gary … [Read more...] about Wasserman Talent Agency Faces Artist Backlash Over the Epstein Files
Gibson Partners With Keith Richards on Limited-Edition ES-355 Replicas
TLL Staff Gibson has announced a new partnership with Rolling Stones co-founder Keith Richards, unveiling two limited-edition recreations of his iconic 1960 Gibson ES-355 guitar. The collaboration introduces the Keith Richards 1960 ES-355 Collector’s Edition, Signed Guitar and Label, and the Keith Richards 1960 ES-355, Signed Label, both handcrafted by Gibson Custom in … [Read more...] about Gibson Partners With Keith Richards on Limited-Edition ES-355 Replicas
Johnny Cash Sues Coca Cola Under the ‘Elvis Act’
Image: Johnny Cash in a 1979 publicity photo for the CBS Television program The Johnny Cash Spring Special. Image credit: CBS Television. By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The estate of legendary singer Johnny Cash is suing top global brand Coca-Cola under a law named for another legendary singer, Elvis Presley. The Cash estate brought the suit under Tennessee's … [Read more...] about Johnny Cash Sues Coca Cola Under the ‘Elvis Act’
Warner Music Signs Groundbreaking Deal With AI Developer Suno
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Warner Music Group has mended fences with AI developer Suno, settling its lawsuit and announcing a major partnership. Warner and Suno say their collaboration will create new revenue streams for artists and establish mutually acceptable guidelines for the growing field of generative music technology. The deal also resolves previous … [Read more...] about Warner Music Signs Groundbreaking Deal With AI Developer Suno
Gibson Brings Back the Epiphone Grabber Bass with Green Day Legend Mike Dirnt
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Your average person may never have heard of the Epiphone Grabber G3, but for punk rock fans and bassists, the instrument is a legend. I'm one of those fans; as a former punk rock drummer and occasional bass player myself, Green Day remains my favorite rock band, and I play a lot of their music to this day. The Grabber is the source of the … [Read more...] about Gibson Brings Back the Epiphone Grabber Bass with Green Day Legend Mike Dirnt
AI ‘Musician’ Breaking Rust Hits Number One on Billboard Chart
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief An AI 'artist' known as Breaking Rust made history in November, as its song “Walk My Walk” hit number on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart. It is the first time an AI-created song has topped a Billboard chart, although it does not mean it was the most listened to country song in America. That honor goes to Morgan Wallen’s “I Got … [Read more...] about AI ‘Musician’ Breaking Rust Hits Number One on Billboard Chart
AI ‘Musicians’ Like Xania Monet Are Appearing on Billboard Charts
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The worst nightmare for musicians has come true, as AI 'artists' are now replacing them on Billboard charts. "AI music is no longer a fantasy or niche curiosity among internet sleuths; it’s here, and it’s already beginning to have an impact on Billboard’s charts," the music authority reported. "In just the past few months, at least six AI … [Read more...] about AI ‘Musicians’ Like Xania Monet Are Appearing on Billboard Charts
Notes.fm App Helps Artists Recover Unclaimed Music Royalties
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief A new app was just released with the promise it can help artists recover unclaimed, 'black box' royalties. The fintech music platform was founded by Tim Luckow, the co-founder of Stem, who says there are hundreds of millions of dollars worth of music royalties that go unpaid each year due to incomplete or incorrect data. Notes.fm uses … [Read more...] about Notes.fm App Helps Artists Recover Unclaimed Music Royalties
EA Games Unveils a Killer Music Playlist for Battlefield 6
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Electronic Arts has a major hit on its hands with the release of Battlefield 6, but it also hopes to have some musical hits with a new Battlefield playlist. Battlefield 6 was a record-breaking release for EA, with 7 million sales of the game in the first three-days. As the game accumulates millions of fans, EA is now taking the opportunity … [Read more...] about EA Games Unveils a Killer Music Playlist for Battlefield 6