Music rights group BMI to honor singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson as a music icon

October 8th, 2009 Rap trio N.E.R.D. has added a feminine touch to its line-up - unknown female singer RHEA.

October 7th, 2009 Warner Music Group appoints Cavallo to new postNEW YORK — Warner Music Group Corp. said Tuesday that it named music producer Rob Cavallo to the newly created role of chief creative officer.

October 2nd, 2009 Eminem's music publisher, Apple settle disputeDETROIT — Apple Inc. and the music publisher for Eminem have settled a lawsuit over the digital downloading rights to many of the Detroit rapper's songs.

September 20th, 2009 Pop star FERGIE has been hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit over allegations she stole her song VOODOO DOLL from a track recorded by little-known reggae group GROUNDATION. The singer and her Black Eyed Peas bandmate will.i.am, who produced and co-wrote the 2006 tune, are being sued by record bosses at Grounded Music.

September 17th, 2009 Miller, Fogerty honored at Americana Music AwardsNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Buddy Miller won four awards and veteran John Fogerty received a special honor Thursday night at the eighth annual Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Show.

September 16th, 2009 Toby Keith voted songwriter/artist of the decadeNASHVILLE, Tenn. — County music star Toby Keith has been voted songwriter/artist of the decade by the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

August 31st, 2009 Peter Gabriel, Abreu accept Polar Music PrizeSTOCKHOLM, Sweden — Peter Gabriel, founder of the rock group Genesis, and Venezuelan composer Jose Antonio Abreu are sharing this year's Polar Music Prize. The musicians received their awards, worth 1 million kronor ($141,300) each, at a ceremony in Stockholm on Monday.

August 28th, 2009 Hitmaker THE-DREAM can now add record label hotshot to his resume - he has been appointed vice president of Island Def Jam Music Group. The singer/songwriter, who has worked with Mariah Carey, Ciara and Mary J.

August 25th, 2009 Jerry Lee Lewis to release new singleLOS ANGELES — Jerry Lee Lewis is releasing his first country CD since the 1970s later this year, which will feature several tracks written by Kris Kristofferson. The first single, "Mean Old Man," will be released by Shangri-La Music and be available for download Tuesday.

August 18th, 2009 Universal Music Group cuts deal with BigChampagneNEW YORK — Leading recording company Universal Music Group says it has entered into a long-term contract to use the services of online music measurement company BigChampagne Media Measurement in North America. Privately held BigChampagne will provide an analysis of songs and listening patterns from millions of users of social networks and online services such as Apple Inc.'s iTunes and Yahoo Music.

July 29th, 2009 Kristinia DeBarge not saying goodbye anytime soonNEW YORK — Most teenagers daydream about several career paths in life, but 19-year-old Kristinia of the R&B clan the DeBarges says there's only one thing she ever considered doing. "I don't really know anything else besides singing," said the daughter of James DeBarge, the keyboardist of the 1980s Motown group DeBarge and ex-husband of Janet Jackson.

July 8th, 2009 Bertelsmann, KKR plan JV for music rights mgmtFRANKFURT — Bertelsmann AG, Europe's biggest media company, said Wednesday it plans to start a joint venture with KKR & Co., the private equity fund, that will focus on music rights management. In a statement, the privately held Bertelsmann said it will own 49 percent of the venture and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.

July 4th, 2009 LONDON - The Dutch pension fund ABP is set to benefit from the surge in the sale of Michael Jackon's music after his death. ABP owns the rights to a number of the late King of Pop's songs.

July 2nd, 2009 LONDON - Michael Jackson has left behind a mass of unreleased recordings that did not make it onto the records said the former chairman and CEO of Sony Music Tommy Mottola, the former chairman and CEO of Sony Music, which owns the distribution rights to the singer's music, confirmed there were stacks of previously unheard Jackson songs that might be repackaged and released in future. "There are dozens and dozens of songs that did not end up on his albums.

May 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Supermodel Christie Brinkley wants singer John Mayer to date her daughter Alexia. The American beauty admits she's quite fond of the singer/songwriter herself but insists her "cougar days" are over when it comes to dating toyboys.