Insiders suggest that the broadcasting giant gave an obscure singer major airplay to promote its pricey new market-research program... Is Clear Channel selling hit singles?

Rock stars and music-industry execs once ruled the earth, but now -- in terms of size and profit margins -- the music industry is becoming the book business (minus the literacy). Facing the Music(NY Mag) (thanks to L for the link)

Music bosses have unveiled a revolutionary new recording format that they hope will help win the war on illegal file sharing which is thought to be costing the industry millions of dollars in lost revenue. Link: Music Industry Unveils New Piracy-Proof Format: A Black, Plastic Disc With Grooves On It (Urbanreflex.com - thanks to S for the link)