Latino acts, fans move into US mainstream (Reuters)

March 5, 2006

Reuters - Marcos Hernandez barely speaks Spanish. He grew up listening to Barry Manilow, the Temptations, Michael Jackson and U2. And on his debut album, "About Me," he sings soulful R&B -- in English.

Buzz band takes legal action over religious tag (Reuters)

March 5, 2006

Reuters - Rock act Mute Math is so frustrated at being branded a Christian band by Warner Music Group's Christian outlet Word Records, it has taken matters into its own hands, self-releasing its debut album February 1.

Adkins' booty romp bumps album sales (Reuters)

March 5, 2006

Reuters - Trace Adkins' booty-shakin', tongue-in-cheek country jam "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" has become the darling of Music City -- and beyond.

Label's questionable email raises eyebrows (Reuters)

March 5, 2006

Reuters - Rock band Hawthorne Heights and rising R&B star Ne-Yo are expected to vie for the top of next week's Billboard 200.

UK government helping bands conquer America (Reuters)

March 5, 2006

Reuters - Buoyed by the recent American success of such acts as Coldplay, James Blunt and Franz Ferdinand, the British music industry is once again focusing its energy on the U.S. market. And the music community here has found an important ally: the government.

Apple's MP3 lead faces legal, technical challenges (Reuters)

March 5, 2006

A customer tries an iPod at the Apple Store on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, November 25, 2005. Apple Computer maintains upwards of 60% market share in MP3 player sales and in February crossed the 1 billion songs plateau for sales at its iTunes Music Store. But as its power grows, so grows the list of potential threats to its dominance. REUTERS/John GressReuters - For Apple Computer, life at the top of the digital music heap is not all it is cracked up to be.


Pearl Jam takes out aggression on new album (Reuters)

March 5, 2006

Reuters - Pearl Jam wears its emotions on its sleeve on its self-titled eighth album, which will be released May 2.

Geldof Honored by Hometown of Dublin (AP)

March 5, 2006

Live Aid founder and Live 8 co-producer, Bob Geldof of Ireland, poses for photographers during a photocall in Cannes, southern France, in this Jan. 23, 2006 file photo. Geldof, the singer who has won international acclaim for humanitarian efforts, received the 'freedom of the city' award Sunday, March 5, 2006 from his hometown _ an honor that permits him the rarely exercised right to graze sheep in the city's central park. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, file)AP - Bob Geldof, the singer who has won international acclaim for humanitarian efforts, received the "freedom of the city" Sunday from his hometown — an honor that permits him the rarely exercised right to graze sheep in the city's central park.


Young Muslims Find Pop-Star Role Model (AP)

March 5, 2006

AP - The audience, mostly young Muslim women in veils, clapped, swayed and sang along as Sami Yusuf belted out a love song. The object of his adoration? Muhammad, the prophet of Islam.

Several People Hurt at Punk Concert Riot (AP)

March 5, 2006

AP - Rioting broke out Saturday night at British punk band concert, injuring several people and destroying two police cars, officials said.

More Sex Tape Red Tape for Stapp (E! Online)

March 5, 2006

If nothing else, Scott Stapp and Kid Rock's joint release is 
 generating lots of billable hours for attorneys.E! Online - If nothing else, Scott Stapp and Kid Rock's joint release is generating lots of billable hours for attorneys.


Rappers Three 6 Mafia to Make Oscar History (AP)

March 5, 2006

Oscar producer Gil Cates, left, talks with Crunchy Black, DJ Paul, Juicy J and Frayser Boy of the rap group Three 6 Mafia, during rehearsals for Sunday's 78th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, Friday, March 3, 2006. Three 6 Mafia are nominated for an Academy Award for best song for 'It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp' from the film 'Hustle and Flow.' The group will also perform the song during the 78th Academy Awards telecast making it the first rap song ever performed at the Oscars. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)AP - Hookers and hustlers populate the gritty corner of 7th Street and North Memphis. A seductive brunette gyrates against a street lamp. A fight breaks out between two would-be johns. Nearby, in a shabby room soundproofed by cardboard drink holders, a few locals with hip-hop dreams try out their new rap song.