Friday’s Music 2.0 Briefing: From Majors To Minor, FCC Approves Clear Channel, EMI Exits IFPI & More

>  The Music Industry: From Major To Minor. "Last year was terrible for the recorded-music majors. The next few years are likely to be even worse." (The Economist)

> Investors and analysts are uneasy as the US Department Of Justice probes the proposed XM-Sirius merger. (ars)

> Reports have the FCC officially approving the sale of Clear Channel to Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners,

> EMI is expect to leave the international trade group IFPI. (Variety) Reports have EMI cutting funds to the RIAA soon as well.

> SonyBMG has dropped DRM giving catalog to Amazon first. (Hypebot)

> Offbeat electronics add to the fun at CES. (AP) Here’s video of a Taser weapon that plays mp3’s on OurDigitalMusic.com.

> MySpace has added an extensive Celebrity Channel.

> Veteran record producer David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman, Joe Jackson, Bryan Adams, Duran Duran, Tori Amos) has launched MusicProsHollywood providing guidance, to music creators.