Signings: The saxophonist Kenny G has signed with Starbucks and Concord Records, which will release his “Rhythm and Romance” on Feb. 5. Also, Roadrunner Records has signed rock act Steadlur, they actually pulled off the cover ‘Cry Little Sister’ that comes off the Lost Boys Sountrack. Nice job!

Check out the article ‘If The Old Music Business Is Dead, What’s Next?’ that weighs in on what the next few years may hold including 360 deals, concert-promotions, iTunes-only one-off singles, artist subscriptions, etc.

Live Nation enters the ticketing business: Live Nation will launch a worldwide ticketing business beginning Jan. 1, 2009. Live Nation notes that the new ticketing platform will allow it to control customer data to create “enhanced ticket-based concert products,” and capitalize on expanded distribution channels and sponsorship opportunities.

The Eagles in Demand: We hear from from insiders that Virgin Megastore is purchasing The Eagles ‘Long Road Out Of Eden’ from Walmart and placing them in their key flagship stores. Does this mean the double album is being soundscanned twice? probably, but not enough to significantly spike sales.

In the age of MP3s, sound quality is worse than ever: The new issue of Rolling Stone Mag has an article “The Death of High Fidelity’ that discusses recording technology and how it has changed the way albums are produced, mixed and mastered -almost always for the worse. Rock producer David Bendeth says record labels ask the mastering engineers who work on his CDs to crank up the sound levels so high that even the soft parts sound loud. “They make it loud to get [listeners’] attention,” Bendeth says. Bendeth believes that relying too much on this effect can obscure sonic detail, rob music of its emotional power and leave listeners with what engineers call ear fatigue.

New Music: Check out the Canadian rock alternative act Die Mannequin. Musically it sounds like Joan Jett in her hey day and the band has Sum 41 dates lined up. Check out the track Do It Or Die.