Billboard Bits: Widespread Panic, Eminem, Brad Paisley.

Widespread Panic has signed an exclusive worldwide multi-album deal with Sanctuary Records. All albums released under the new arrangement will bear the Widespread Records imprint, established by the band earlier this year following its exit from Capricorn Records. "When musicians combine their talents in ways that feed and magnify a creative environment; that's the magic of playing in a band," WP vocalist John Bell said in a statement. "When you add to the mix a record label that recognizes its own unique abilities, as well as those of the artists, you get even more creative fuel -- that's what Widespread Panic and Sanctuary have in each other -- and this particular party is just getting started." The band's latest album, "Another Joyous Occasion," was recorded on the band's 1999 summer tour with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Released on the Widespread Records label, the set peaked at No. 9 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart and No. 161 on The Billboard 200 in June. It has sold 54,000 copies in the U.S., according to SoundScan. -- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

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Country star Brad Paisley has been formally invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The invitation was extended on Saturday night, after Paisley's 36th guest performance on the show. The artist's formal induction will take place on Feb. 17 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Paisley will also make an appearance there on Jan. 6 during the opening weekend of two months of shows at the former home of the Opry. Paisley's debut album, "Who Needs Pictures" (Arista Nashville), peaked at No. 13 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart in November 1999, and at No. 102 on the Billboard 200 in October 2000.

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Rapper Eminem and his wife have reconciled after filing for divorce. Kim Mathers and Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, asked a judge last Thursday to dismiss their divorce complaint. The couple, high school sweethearts who married in 1999, want what is best for their 5-year-old daughter, lawyers said. Eminem was arrested June 4 and accused of using an unloaded gun to hit a man reportedly seen kissing his wife in the parking lot of a nightclub. Prosecutors have offered to drop the assault charge if the rapper pleads guilty to a concealed weapons offense. (Associated Press) Copyright 2000 Billboard.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.