Tentative settlement reached in NY piracy suit (AP)
AP – Lawyers have reached a tentative settlement in a music piracy lawsuit filed by the recording industry against the children of one of its best-known opponents, both sides said Friday.

John Rich strikes chord with workingman’s blues (Reuters)
Reuters – John Rich, of country duo Big & Rich, has the current economic crisis and some greedy executives to thank for his new solo hit.

‘Idol’ finalists not fazed by lack of screen time (AP)

AP – Out of the first six finalists, “American Idol” viewers have seen the least of Kris Allen this season.

Lionel Richie still on the “Go” after 30 years (Reuters)
Reuters – “Hello” may be among Lionel Richie’s signature No. 1 songs, but for more than 30 years, the singer-songwriter hasn’t so much as paused for a “bye for now.”

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony suing for $5M (AP)

AP – Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have filed a federal lawsuit against the makers of high-end baby carriages over the unauthorized use of their images.

Depeche Mode debuts season-pass model on iTunes (Reuters)
Reuters – iTunes has long been a double-edged sword for the music industry — on one hand, it provided a model for selling digital music. On the other, the dominance of singles sales over album sales leaves a revenue gap that labels are still trying to close.

Live Nation-Ticketmaster Merger Would Transform Resale Market
Anxiety is running high among ticket resellers over the proposed merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster Entertainment.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs To ‘Blitz’ U.K.
Alt-rock act Yeah Yeah Yeahs will head to the U.K. for three shows in support of the release of new album “It’s Blitz!” on April 13 (Interscope/Polydor).

Kraftwerk To Headline Bestival
German electropop veterans Kraftwerk will headline Bestival on the Isle Of Wight on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Publishers dust off vintage songs for new audiences (Reuters)
Reuters – There’s no telling when lightning will strike a song.

This terrific compilation features basic to advanced lessons from some of Homespun’s most celebrated pickers. After Happy Traum gives an overview of flatpicking, you’ll become familiar with each instructor’s teaching and playing style and expand your own guitar technique, as you master several complete tunes.

Happy Traum – “Wildwood Flower” (new lesson)

Nick Forster – Texas style back-up for “Sally Goodin” (Country Swing Back-Up Guitar)

Russ Barenberg – “For J.L.” (The Flatpicker’s Guide to Better Playing)

Steve Kaufman – “Liberty” (Learning To Flatpick, DVD 3)

Dan Crary – “Arkansas Traveler” (Dan Crary’s Bluegrass Guitar Workshop)

Norman Blake – “Whiskey Before Breakfast “(The Guitar Of Norman Blake, DVD One)

Tony Rice – “Church Street Blues” (An Intimate Lesson With Tony Rice). “BUY NOW”