MUSIC NEWS

Report: Google Still Looking At "Music Beta" To Compete With Apple, Amazon   The New York Times this week reported that Google still is in serious negotiations with the major record labels to expand its cloud-based Music Beta streaming service and to open an MP3 store. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal claims only EMI is close to sealing a deal, with Universal, Sony Music, and Warner Music engaged in discussions but far from finalizing terms. Several major label executives have indicated that Music Beta talks have dragged out, in part, because they felt Google failed to properly address the labels' piracy concerns. "We want to make sure [Music Beta's web-based music storage] locker doesn't become a bastion of piracy," one senior-level label exec told the Times. A Google spokesperson declined to comment on the issue, but sources close to the story told both theTimes and the Journal that the company remains steadfast in its intent to expand its involvement in digital music beyond the initial beta version of its streaming service, which was introduced during the company's I/O developer conference in May. [Full story: Fierce Mobile Content] YouTube Set To Launch Music-Oriented Merchandise Store   Google reportedly is expanding YouTube into the music business by offering music downloads, artist merchandise, and ticket sales business via a new feature called the Merch Store. This means artists and their record labels will be able to sell their wares through the popular video community which sees approximately 800 million viewers per month, with many of them looking for their favorite music videos. Available merchandise will include band T-shirts, CDs and digital tracks, as well as tickets to upcoming concerts and special "experience packages," with YouTube taking a small cut of the profits. The Merch Store is expected to launch in the next few weeks and is designed to give artists a more influential presence through YouTube, which has proven to be a successful platform for many contemporary performers to expose their music. YouTube has not disclosed the exact percentage of each merchandise transaction it will take, while ticket sales will be handled in partnership with SongKick. [Full story: Gadget] Facebook's Zuckerberg Could Emerge As Music Industry "Rock Star" Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg [right], already considered a social media "rock star" in California's Silicon Valley, may be elevated to the iconic status of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs if his foray into the music world proves fruitful over the coming year. By allowing Facebook's 750 million-plus users to see what songs their friends are listening to, and then instantly click on those tracks through Facebook-integrated music services like Spotify, MOG, and Rdio, Facebook anticipates that people will discover new music they would be willing to pay for, either by subscribing to a streaming service, attending a concert, downloading tracks from iTunes, or perhaps even purchase a CD. "Facebook could be a tremendous outlet to supercharge people's awareness of these services," Rdio CEO Drew Larner told the San Jose Mercury News. "[This] could be the driver to get revenue moving in the right direction, so the music industry can move back toward where it was." Likewise, Aaron Ray, a partner with management company The Collective, said Facebook's involvement in music "definitely is going to be a huge benefit to artists, because the amount of conversations going on is going to increase substantially. That is definitely going to help new bands." [Full story: San Jose Mercury News] Clear Channel Names Brian Lakamp President Of Its Digital Unit   Clear Channel has announced that Brian Lakamp [left] has been named President of Clear Channel Digital, a new position that effectively replaces the post held by former EVP Evan Harrison, who departed in the fourth quarter of last year. Lakamp, who previously was executive vice president of Digital Media at Clear Channel, will oversee the company's digital strategy, which includes iHeartRadio, as well as the infrastructure, tools, and social media integration for its local stations' branded Internet properties. According to a company statement, he will "continue to work with key partners to develop cutting-edge tools and products for all of Clear Channel's radio, media, and entertainment properties." At the same time, Clear Channel has named Pablo Calamera chief technology officer of Clear Channel Digital. Calamera previously led the team that developed Thumplay's state-of-the-art digital music technology. [Full story: company statement] Live365 Partners With Roku To Develop Internet Radio Receiver   Live365 has partnered with Roku to develop an Internet radio receiver designed to deliver over 7,000 "human-curated" stations in 260 genres. "We are excited to bring the ultimate new music discovery experience to living rooms via Roku," commented Heidi Elgaard, Live365 Director of Marketing. "The thousands of broadcasters who personally program the music and talk stations on our network will also appreciate this opportunity with Roku to further expand their reach to the TV." Ed Lee, vice president of content acquisition at Roku, added, "Music is one of the growing areas of content we're adding to Roku. Live365 gives our customers high-quality streaming music and audio content on their TVs. It's a great addition to the growing entertainment collection available on Roku." [Full story: San Francisco Chronicle] Al Bell Introduces Joe Jackson To Arkansas Black Hall Of Fame   "By creating, developing, nurturing, and promoting the success of The Jackson 5, Joe Jackson not only is credited with launching one of music's most remarkable groups, but 'his poignant vision' embodies introducing and giving to the world two rare and gigantic once-in-a-lifetime music icons: Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson." With these words, Al Bell - chairman and CEO of Al Bell Presents and chairman of the Memphis Music Foundation - introduced Joseph "Joe" Jackson last Saturday night [Oct. 16] as Jackson was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. Citing Jackson's power and influence in the shaping of the global music and entertainment culture, Bell said Jackson "demands and commands respect when you want to get done those things other people say can't be done. I salute and honor you with the 'Lifetime Father Achievement of Excellence Award' as we induct you into the "Arkansas Black Hall of Fame." [Full story: Arkansas Black Hall Of Fame]