BMG, Trans Continental Sue Jive Over Rights To 'N Sync

In the latest move in a dispute that has been brewing since Jive Records announced it had signed RCA Records act 'N Sync (Bulletin, Sept. 15), the teen act's mentor Louis J. Pearlman, his Trans Continental Records, and RCA parent BMG Entertainment have filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against 'N Sync, Jive, and its parent Zomba Recording. The suit, filed yesterday, seeks $100 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages, according to a BMG spokesman, who confirmed a news report by MTV. The suit also asks the court to grant a preliminary injunction preventing Jive, Zomba, and the members of 'N Sync from using the name or releasing any recordings, and the return of the masters produced for the group's projected second album.
"We hope everyone will do the right thing so the group can be where it belongs, which is onstage, rather than in a court of law," says BMG in a prepared statement.
"It is absurd to think that now that the members of 'N Sync have been made rich and famous, they can just turn their backs on Mr. Pearlman and Trans Continental and go someplace else," says Michael D. Friedman, attorney for Pearlman and Trans Continental, in a prepared statement.
A Jive spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
Last week, attorneys for Backstreet Boys, in an apparent reaction to 'N Sync's label hop to Jive, sent a letter to the label declaring that Backstreet Boys' contract with Jive is void (Bulletin, Oct. 5).


U.K. Cos. Setting Up Digital Delivery Plan

Two British companies have teamed up to start a test digital-delivery program for the music industry, called Cranberry Grove. The venture is a partnership between Magex, the digital commerce unit of U.K.-based bank NatWest, and iGroup, which will provide host servers for the musical content. Chicago-based Internet company Tunes.com says it will provide touring and ticketing information for the venture via its RollingStone.com Web site. A Tunes.com spokesperson says the pilot will "test how consumers can get digital assets easily and securely."
The "digital pilot program" is open to music labels and distributors but not consumers. According to Tunes.com, the test is to begin this month.
Magex has incorporated its online payment and fulfillment technology with the digital-rights management systems of Santa Clara, Calif.-based InterTrust Technologies. The content will be accessible through MetTrust music players.
This test is unrelated to the digital delivery tests code-named Madison and Nigel, which are being undertaken by the music industry.
--Don Jeffrey, N.Y.


Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Set North American Dates

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young begin a 34-city North American tour, dubbed "CSNY2K," Jan. 24 at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Mich. The outing, presented by VH1 and promoted by TNA, supports the group's album "Looking Forward," due Oct. 26 on Reprise. An international tour will follow the North American dates, which run through April 19.
Performing with the foursome will be drummer Joe Vitale, bassist Duck Dunn, and keyboardist Mike Finnigan. The group's Graham Nash, currently confined to a wheelchair after breaking both legs in a boating accident, expects to be sufficiently healed in time for rehearsals.
The tour--the first by all four principals together in 25 years--"takes precedence" over their individual projects, Nash said at the tour's announcement yesterday in New York. "This is the mother ship," added Neil Young.
--Jim Bessman, N.Y.


RCA Spain Absorbs BMG's Zafiro Imprint

Madrid-based BMG Spain has merged its Zafiro Records imprint into RCA. Zafiro GM Blanca Salcedo has been named deputy GM of RCA Spain, replacing GM Sandra Rotondo, who exits. BMG Spain president JosE Maria Camara is serving as acting GM of RCA; he is expected to name a replacement in June 2000.


Industry Vets Forming Koch Nashville Label

Dixie Chicks manager Simon Renshaw and veteran promotion executive Nick Hunter are forming a Koch imprint in Nashville, to be called Audium Entertainment. Koch would not comment.
--Chet Flippo, Nashville


Coppola, MP3.com Link For TV Music

MP3.com's stock jumped 7.30% and closed at $46.8125 a share yesterday, following the company's announcement that it will provide source music to the Francis Ford Coppola television show "First Wave." Under the agreement, Peace Arch Productions, which produces the show, will select 30 songs submitted by registered MP3.com artists. "First Wave" airs on the Sci-Fi Channel.
--Eileen Fitzpatrick, L.A.


Web Firm Debuts Storage 'Lockers' For Music Files

A new Web-based music service that allows users to acquire, store, and manage digital music files launches today. Dubbed myplay, the service allows users to create a free private music "locker" on the Internet that will store, at launch, a total of 60-70 song files in any format. Songs can be added to the locker, which can be accessed via the Internet, by dragging the file into a "dropbox." When the file is opened, users can view liner notes, discographies, and other information through links with other sites. Content is provided through links with Emusic.com and Tunes.com. Registered users can also make and stream playlists to friends.
As a promotion, the service is offering free tracks from Kid Rock, Public Enemy, Chris Rock, Buckcherry, Aimee Mann, and others.
--Eileen Fitzpatrick, L.A.


House Of Blues Concerts To Kick Off With Blink-182

The first tour under the House of Blues (HOB) Concerts banner will be Blink-182's fall 1999/summer 2000 outing, which begins Oct. 29 at Bren Events Center in Irvine, Calif. House of Blues Entertainment acquired Universal Concerts this year, including its 20 venues and expansive North American concert promotion business, for $190 million (Bulletin, July 27).
The Blink-182 Loserkids Tour includes 16 theater/arena shows this fall and 34 amphitheater stops through spring/summer 2000. The outing is in support of Blink 182's MCA album "Enema Of The State." The tour was booked by Rick Bonde of the Tahoe Agency.
Local and regional promoters will be involved in the tour. "We're not doing this to cut out promoters," says HOB's Kevin Morrow. "Promoters that have a history with Blink deserve to be involved, and Blink is an act that wants to take care of the people that were with them in the beginning."
In addition, HOB.com will present Blink 182 as November's artist of the month, hosting a pay-per-view webcast, artist interviews, and a chat.
While Universal was not known for national touring, HOB has a history with tours such as Smokin' Grooves and Barnburner. Morrow says Smokin' Grooves will go out again in 2000 after a hiatus in 1999.
--Ray Waddell, Amusement Business


Who To Play Two Maryville Benefits

The Who--Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, and John Entwistle--will play concerts Nov. 12 and 13 at the Chicago House of Blues to benefit Maryville Academy, a charity for disadvantaged children. Eddie Vedder and Washington-based duo C Average are expected to open both nights. Tickets, priced at $300, go on sale Oct. 16.
This is Townshend's third benefit for Maryville; all proceeds from the shows and from his Platinum Entertainment album "Pete Townshend Live: A Benefit For Maryville Academy" aid the organization.


Emusic, Metal Blade Pact For Downloads

Download retailer EMusic.com has signed an exclusive agreement with Metal Blade Records and will begin offering downloads of the indie's catalog starting today. Tracks from the Goo Goo Dolls' "Ned" and "Hold Me Up" albums are available, as well as songs from Slayer's albums, "Alive Undead," "Haunting The Chapel," "Hell Awaits," and "Show No Mercy."
--Eileen Fitzpatrick, L.A.


Sputnik7 Offering Videos On Demand

Sputnik7.com has launched a video-on-demand service for material by "independent and progressive artists." The clips, available as free downloads with RealNetworks' G2 player or Microsoft's Windows Media player, are supplied to Sputnik7 by labels for promotional purposes. On the site now are Underworld's "Born Slippy," Expansion Union's "Playing With Lightning," Frontside's "LBP," and other clips. Sputnik7 also offers video and audio streaming channels and digital song downloads.


Mediaeval Baebes To BMG Classics U.K.

BMG Classics U.K. has signed female classical crossover troupe the Mediaeval Baebes. Formerly on Virgin Classics, the singers will tour the U.K. in November and December. The act will begin recording an album next year, with production by former Velvet Underground member John Cale.
--Dominic Pride, London


What's On

Lou Bega plays Leno tonight.

TNT airs highlights from NetAid tonight at 8 ET.

Daytime tomorrow: Rick Springfield (on Regis & Kathie Lee), Brian McKnight (Donny & Marie, the View).