Live Nation World: Nickelback has signed a deal with Live Nation for recordings, touring, merchandise and other rights. Nickelback has signed more than 26 million record worldwide. Live Nation has struck deals with Shakira, Madonna, U2, and Jay-Z.

Signings: Cartel has left Epic Records to sign with Wind-Up Records. Wind-up Entertainment President Ed Vetri shared, “In the continuing evolution of the music industry, Wind-up has been and continues to be a leader in developing a business model that forms true artist partnerships and provides for long term development. We believe that bands like Cartel, and deals like this, are the future of this business. We are excited to begin working with a group that has proven hard work, great songwriting, and a commitment to touring provides the basis for a long term career. We are excited to be in business with Cartel, and look forward to building on their already sizeable fan base.”

Madison, Wisconsin based metal band Luna Mortis have signed to Century Media Records. Legal is Ben McLane and management is Neil Sheehan.

Folk rock artist The Avett Brothers have signed to American/ Columbia Records and have begun working on a new full length album with Rick Rubin.

ADA; New President: Warner Music has named Mitchell Wolk as the new president of its independent distributor, ADA.

Sirius, XM Merger Deal Almost Finalized: Sirius Satellite Radio acquisition of XM Satellite Radio may be finalized this month and cleared by federal regulators.

New Music Label: The New York Times featured Jermaine Dupri and his new label which is funded by pharm company Proctor and Gamble. These big corporations are entering the music business to promote their products. Read more here..

Mercy #1: Duffy has both the best selling album and single of 2008 in the UK. Following Duffy’s single ‘Mercy’ is Nickelback’s single ‘Rockstar’.

More Changes at EMI: More executive changes at EMI, for instance, Veteran exec JF Cecillon is out as President and Billy Mann, EMI Chief Creative Officer based in New York, will assume the additional role of President.

Idol News: Contestants who didn’t make the top 24 cut are elgible for American Idol Season 8. You can only think that the Idol crew is starving for new talent but can’t seem to find any

Trends: Album sales continue to decline, in fact sales are down by 11% in the first half of the year. CD’s have fell at a rate of 16% due to big box retailers limiting their shelf space. That’s not suprising being that the first half didn’t produce a break out star.

Producer News: ZZ Top has signed to Rick Rubin’s label American Recordings, and Rubin will be producing the record as well.

Producer Mutt Lange who brought you AC/DC’s Back in Black and Def Leppard’s Pyromania will be producing the new Nickelback record. Mutt will no doubt eliminate those corporate rock tones and replace them with the much need gritty rock n roll sounds.

David Bendeth will be producing the new Breaking Benjamin record and Red Handed who recently signed to Virgin.

Better Than A Van: Touring artists are seeking alternate ways to save money due to rising gas prices. Here is a tip for touring artists – check out the site www.betterthanthevan.com that offers a community of free places for bands to stay while touring.

Recommended Show: Without Tomorrow performing at Universal City Saddle Ranch (Hollywood) July 5th and The Knitting Factory (Hollywood) July 9th. Listen to the track Break Free.

Shining Through: Did Shinedown re-write Metallica’s Unforgiven? We think so. Check out the track What A Shame. Let us know what you think…

Live Nation World: Shakira who has a strong international draw has signed to Live Nation. The deal is supposably worth 70 to 100 million and she owes Epic 3 more albums. Nickelback is close to signing with Live Nation as well according to Fox.

Piracy Crackdown: 26-year-old Daniel Dove faces 10 years in prison and will be sentenced on September 9, 2008 for copyright infringement. Daniel and his posse uploaded copyrighted material including games, movies, and music to EliteTorrents (internet piracy site).

TRL: Unsigned band, Settings, will appear on MTV’s TRL TODAY at 3:30 Eastern.

The European Union is attempting to rewrite the rules on royalty collection. The new plan gives royalty collection societies 90 days to terminate their monopolies. Currently, each country has it’s own collection society, which handles all of the licensing, royalty tracking and payout. They have flat per minute airtime fees that apply to every artist and songwriter, no matter what label they belong to. The European Union is looking to end this system, stating the current set up lacks efficiency. Artists, represented by the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance (ECSA), fear the new competition will allow a few major corporations to rise to the top, driving down fees for the authors. Artists are threatening to pull their music off radio stations.

Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Meiko has signed with MySpace Records/DGC, who will release her debut album later this summer in partnership with Lucky Ear Music (Meiko’s own indie label). The talented artist’s recent self-release was a #1 Folk Album on iTunes, with over 200,000 song downloads, regular airplay on tastemaker KCRW-FM, and key placements in prime-time TV shows including “Grey’s Anatomy”. For more information, contact Mike Savage

Multiple Senators have written letters to FCC chairman, Kevin Martin, regarding the XM/Sirius satellite merger. Concerned about a monopoly and taking advantage of customers, they are asking that all new satellite receivers also receive over-air HD radio. They would prefer the merger not go through at all, but are willing to make a concession if free HD radio is included, and more than 20% of channels are reserved for minority and non-commercial programming. (FMQB)

The FTC’s civil suit against Burn Lounge rages on, with promoter Scott Elliott settling his tab. Unable to pay the full $117,710.69 judgment, he’s getting away with a $20,000 fine.

Pearl Jam sold out the 2,800-capacity Beacon Theatre in New York last night, raising $3 million for the Robin Hood foundation. Some fans paid over $2k for good seats. I guess it can still be done, afterall.

Rikki Rocket found not guilty of rape. Congratulations?

Boy George was denied a US visa and was forced to cancel his North American tour while he awaits trial for wrongful imprisonment. A 28 year old man has accused Boy George of chaining him up in his London loft and threatening his life.

Travis McCoy of The Gym Class Heroes was arrested for assaulting a fan who yelled the N-word at the artist during a Warped Tour performance. “I’m sorry. But when someone calls you something that offensive and that disgusting, you have to bash their head in with a microphone,” McCoy said of the incident. No word yet from Al Sharpton.

-AJ