>>> The offcial SXSW showcase lineup has been announced...finally.
>>> Entertainment industry trade publication Variety opened free access to its web site and launches a digital edition.
>>> Starbucks is releasing a CD of music created by its staff.
The Week In Review:
- EMI is floating a proposal that would have it selling downloads of it's catalog as DRM free mp3's.
- Rick Rubin to co-chair Columbia Records.
- Indie music is being re-centralized as labels band together in associations and fans flock to MySpace and other aggregators.
- Quarterly earnings reports show distributor Navarre's sales dropping 2.3%, Warner Music Group profits dropping 70% causing a drop in stock prices and Napster's revenues rose but profits were cut by half.
- News, new strategies, and trends in touring were all part The Concert Industry Consortium in LA this week (news round-up). Ozzie used the occasion to announce that tickets to this year's Ozzfest would be free.
- Check out our weekly roundup of hip hip news from ProHipHop.com.
