Country Artists Victorious In Domain-Name Lawsuit

A federal judge has ruled in favor of 27 country music artists in their joint lawsuit
against a "cybersquatter" who registered their names as Internet domain sites
(Bulletin, April 7). Judge Manuel L. Real ruled yesterday in U.S. District Court in Los
Angeles in favor of Tim McGraw and the artists who joined his lawsuit against Los Angeles
businessman Jim Salmon. Lawyers for McGraw say that since a summary judgment was granted
before the case went to trial, they will not seek damages, which they had estimated at
$7.5 million, although they will seek attorneys' fees from Salmon. The domain names revert
immediately to the artists. McGraw's lawyers cited domain-name protection based on
statutes regarding trademark infringement, the right of publicity, and unfair competition.

-Chet Flippo, Nashville


Music Boulevard Inks Deal With Disney, ABC Web Sites

Online store Music Boulevard has completed a deal to be the exclusive music retailer
for Disney.com and ABC.com. Under the arrangement, the Disney site will link to a new
"Disney Music at Music Boulevard" boutique; ABC.com will start a music feature
based on network specials such as the American Music Awards, the "In Concert"
series, and the World Music Awards, all linked to Music Boulevard. The deal also includes
an agreement with ABC Radio Networks in which Music Boulevard will develop co-branded
versions of the online store for each affiliate radio station's Web site.

Music Boulevard, owned by online entertainment company N2K, already has Internet
alliances with America Online, Ticketmaster, Netscape, AT&T, and others.


Boosey/Fischer Deal Done

In a deal involving two companies started in the 19th century, U.K.-based Boosey &
Hawkes Music Group has finalized its acquisition of Carl Fischer Music Publishing in New
York. In addition to buying the Carl Fischer assets from the family of the late Walter
Connor, Boosey & Hawkes has bought back the family's 40% stock interest in Boosey
& Hawkes. Charles Abry, president of Carl Fischer since October 1998, will be a member
of the company's new board. In addition to publishing and folio releases, Carl Fischer
runs a distribution organization and two retail shops, in New York and Chicago.

-Irv Lichtman, N.Y.


Rounder Stays Indie On Some New Titles

In the wake of Rounder Records' recent distribution deal with Mercury Records, John
Virant, president of the Cambridge, Mass.-based label, has revealed that some new Rounder
releases will continue to go through independent distribution. These releases will be
handled by Rounder's current distributor, Distribution North America (DNA) in Woodland,
Calif., and Bayside Distribution in West Sacramento, Calif.-both of which are expected to
keep a piece of Rounder's catalog business, too (Bulletin, June 25). DNA GM Jim Colson
says details for distribution of some new titles are being finalized; Bayside COO Mark
Viducich says he has been told that his company will distribute new Rounder releases not
handled by Mercury.

-Chris Morris, L.A.


Unisphere Changes Name To Wicklow

Unisphere, Paddy Moloney's joint-venture label with BMG Classics, has changed its name
to Wicklow, the town in Ireland where the Chieftains leader lives and works. The change
follows a series of legal battles with EMI's world music label Hemisphere.


Crave Restructuring Appears Imminent

Meetings are continuing at Sony Music Entertainment about the restructuring of Mariah
Carey's Crave Records, and announcements about the changes could come as early this week,
according to a source. Meanwhile, a Sony spokesperson would not comment on a report in the
New York Daily News that former Motown president Andre Harrell is in talks to become
president of Crave. Other sources say current Crave president Rick Bisceglia will be
moving to a senior executive position at Sony's Epic Records.


Artist Developments

Rod Stewart and a nine-piece band kick off a North American tour July 15 in Hartford,
Conn. The tour, produced by Stiefel Entertainment with SFX, hits 38 cities through Sept.
18.

Alanis Morissette's follow-up to the multiplatinum album "Jagged Little Pill"
will be released Nov. 3 on Maverick/Warner Bros.


Czech Band Plastic People To Play First U.S. Concert

Historic Czech band the Plastic People Of The Universe will play their first U.S. gig
July 18 at New York's Irving Plaza. The band was formed in the fall of 1968 as the Soviets
took over Czechoslovakia, and its members' ultimate imprisonment for their outspoken
resistance to Communism became a unifying factor to the Czech artistic underground.
Plastic People were active in their homeland until 1987. Last year, they reconvened,
releasing an album, "1997," on local label Globus International, and touring in
the Czech Republic and Austria.

The U.S. concert is a benefit for Tamizdat, a New York-based nonprofit organization
looking to bridge the indie music of Eastern Europe with the West. The Plastic People are
seeking a U.S. distribution outlet for their albums and may plan additional dates in the
territory in the fall.

-Carolyn Horwitz, N.Y.


Sir George Martin's 'Life' Moves Over To MCA

Sir George Martin's all-star album, "In My Life," which features a selection
of Beatles songs as interpreted by a variety of music and film stars, including Phil
Collins, Celine Dion, Jeff Beck, Jim Carrey, Sean Connery, and Robin Williams, will be
released Oct. 6 by MCA Records in the U.S. The album, which is the acclaimed producer's
final recording, had originally been scheduled for release on EMI-Capitol Entertainment
Properties (E-Prop). It was issued March 23 in the U.K. on the Echo label.


Rocker, Promoter Get Label

Former Stray Cats bassist Lee Rocker and concert promoter Bill Hardie have launched
Hootenanny Recordings, an Americana music label based in Laguna Beach, Calif. The label
will be distributed only in the U.S. by Alternative Distribution Alliance. The first
release, "Hootenanny Compilation," is due July 7 and features tracks from the
Reverend Horton Heat, the Paladins, X, and the Blasters. Other releases in late 1998 will
be from Hot Rod Lincoln and Russell Scott & the Red Hots.

Hardie, of 98 Posse Productions, stages the annual swing/rockabilly-oriented Hootenanny
Festival in California.

-Carla Hay, N.Y.


Country Hall Of Fame Honors Elvis, Tammy

Musicians Elvis Presley, Tammy Wynette, and George Morgan and former Grand Ole Opry and
Opryland USA executive E.W. "Bud" Wendell have been named the 1998 inductees
into the Country Music Hall of Fame. They will be formally inducted during the 32nd annual
Country Music Assn. Awards ceremony, to be telecast live from the Grand Ole Opry House in
Nashville on Sept. 23.

-Chris Morris, L.A.


RCA Ups Robinson

Lou Robinson has been promoted to RCA's VP of video promotion/marketing; he was
national director of video promotion. He continues to report to senior VP of national
promotion Ron Geslin.


Columbia Ups Guidry

Columbia has promoted Demmette Guidry from VP of marketing for black music to senior VP
of the division. He reports to Columbia black music president Michael Mauldin in New York.


WASP Leaves Tour

CMC International band WASP has pulled out of its North American tour with Iron Maiden
because, according to a statement, WASP wants to finish its next album. The tour launched
June 26. WASP's album and a tour are expected next year.


Sweet Soul Tour Set

The Honey Nut Cheerios Sweet Sounds of Soul tour-with Earth, Wind & Fire, the Isley
Brothers, and the O'Jays-will hit 30 U.S. cities beginning Aug. 7 in Wallingford, Conn. A
$3.99 CD with three hits from each group will be offered on the backs of packages of the
cereal.


Bettie Serveert Drummer Exits

Bettie Serveert drummer Berend Dubbe has quit the band to pursue other interests,
according to sources in Amsterdam. The Dutch rock quartet, which is signed to Matador,
just released a live Velvet Underground tribute disc, "Venus In Furs," in the
Benelux via indie label Brinkman. Matador representatives were unavailable for comment.

-Bradley Bambarger, N.Y.