Could Major-Label Money Taint Music Blogs? Buzznet recently acquired the music blogs Idolator and Stereogum. Universal Music invested into Buzznet in order to maximize exposure for their artists. Universal plans to license its catalog for full-song streaming and provide editorial content directly from artists who will participate as guest bloggers. While Universal Music may not save the day, music blogs need a shot in the arm. Generally, It’s been a harder time for music blogs as the tabloid and gossip industry is the preferred choice for pop culture.

New Music: Listen to Maybe in a Year & Rise and Fall by Carlotta.

American Idol Ratings Slip: “Idol” has slipped 7% in average total viewers (to 29.2 million, as of last week) compared with last season, according to figures from Nielsen Media Research. The ratings are still huge even though even if they were huger in the past.

Ratings Slip Due to the Lack of Talent? Idol contestant David Cook and his self-released album is on the charts and the current season isn’t even over. Cook auditioned in Omaha for “American Idol,” and is a friend of the multi-platinum selling artist Chris Daughtry. Some ask “what happened to “American Idol” simply being a competition for totally unknown or undiscovered artists?” Well maybe they need to go a step beyond the local yocals to find talent and maintain ratings..

Sparks Ignite: American Idol Jordin Sparks who is on the brink of stardom has been struck with a career-threatening throat injury that has forced her to cancel three shows over the weekend.

Study: Every other day it seems like we have a new study pertaining to illegal downloading. A new study says most music comes from friends or from peer-to-peer file-sharing and that 58% of music isn’t paid for in the US.

New Company Launch: Former Sony A&R executive Ben Goldman has launched a new company called Blackledge Music that will be distributed by Altlantic Records. His new signing are Josh Hoge, Tim Brantley and These Green Eyes.