XM-Siruis, Done Deal: The FCC formally approved the merger of XM-Sirius satellite radio. This means millions subscribers will be able to receive programming from both services.

New Music: The Ropes, a new wave NYC female fronted act just released their album ‘What They Do For Fun’ on iTunes. Listen to ‘What They Do For Fun‘ and ‘I Don’t Like to Get Dirty‘.

Recommended Listening: No Room To Breathe by There For Tomorrow. Our next favorite track is Pages. The new EP will be released August 5th via Hopeless Records. The lead singer Maika looks like Gerard Way from My Chem, but at least they have some good songs.

Signings: Wind-Up has signed the South African rock band Civil Twilight. Their track “Human” appeared on CBS’ Without a Trace and ‘Letters From The Sky’ was featured for the season finale promo of Terminator: The Sara Connor Chronicles on FOX. The band’s debut is expected to be released in late 2008.

Breakout: Miley Cyrus is expected to sell near the 400k range with her new release. Some compare the growth of her franchise to Elvis’s in his heyday.

New Myspace Partner? MySpace is about to launch a new music service and is said to be partnering with Amazon to handle all music ecommerce transactions. Sources also say Apple and Rhapsody are also bidding for the business but a Finale decision hasn’t been made.

Buzzing: Kasper The K an unknown and unsigned Kentucky rapper is buzzing in the hip hop community. The track Whatchagondo which samples Obsession by the 80’s new wave act Animotion is finding its way on several top 40 radio stations. Kasper from the K was also chosen for the soundtrack on the newly released “MX vs. ATV Untamed” for the XBOX360, alongside Nickelback, The Used, and My Chemical Romance. He also has “fan-made” dance videos on YouTube totaling 500,000+ views.

New Music: Copper an unsigned Knoxville band have put up two new tracks on their myspace titled Overrated and Call To Action. Their track Broken Sky can be heard on multiple active rock stations.

Rolling Stones Signs With Universal: Rolling Stones left to EMI to sign a deal with Universal. The band has signed a long term global deal and the new recordings will be released under UMG’s Polydor label. The Rolling Stones were the top-earning music act last year, according to a list compiled by Forbes.com. There is no question that the Rolling Stones are one of the most important bands in music history,” Universal Music Chief Executive Officer Doug Morris said in the statement.

Yahoo! Music Store is Dead: As of September 30th the Yahoo Music Store will be officially closed. Read this about backing up your music files.

Recommended Show: This World Fair at The Viper Room @ 9PM (7/25/08)

The Vinyl Boom: The Oregonian has an article titled ‘Will oil prices sink the vinyl record boom?‘ that discusses the possible price increase of vinyl due to higher petroleum prices.

Sirius and XM: The FCC have reached a tentative deal to approve the merger of Sirius Satellite Radio and XM. The companies are valued at $7.5 billion combined.

Myspace Finding New Ways to Make Money: Myspace will be launching a new music service that allows myspace members to listen to free streaming music as well as purchase song downloads, ringtones, T-shirts and concert tickets.

Warner Stock Media Stock: Warner had the best performing media stock says the NY Post. “As of yesterday’s close, WMG shares are up 34 percent year-to-date while the stock of every other company in its peer group is down.” “The music industry’s bottoming is evidence that media stock valuations can get too low,” said Laura Martin, senior media analyst at Soleil Securities.

War On Piracy: A groundbreaking deal between the music industry and broadband companies that will prevent illegal downloading will be unveiled today according to the Financial Times. The biggest service providers that represent 90% of the broadband industry have signed a memorandum that will commit them to working towards a “significant reduction” in illegal file-sharing. “The service providers will send letters to 1,000 prolific illegal downloaders a week under a three-month trial.” The net neutrality activists must hate this..

New Music: Listen to Tonight and My Heart Your Hands by Dommin. For fans of Type O Negative, Depeche Mode, Danzig, and HIM. The LA four piece just signed to RoadRunner. The band released an LP in 2007 titled ‘Mend Your Misery’ which was produced by Logan Mader, best known as a former member of the heavy metal bands Machine Head and Soulfly. Veteran A&R rep Monte Conner signed the band to the label and was quick to express his excitement, saying, “Dommin comes across as very fresh and unique in today’s landscape. Kristofer Dommin is their secret weapon. His vocals are absolutely compelling, and this is especially evident live where you can feel the power, passion and emotion of every word he sings.”

This band is a KOAR favorite as they have seperated themselves from the mediocrity by creating songs that can bring about memories while challenging new artists to expand their boundaries.

Rock Refugees: Rolling Stone mag has profiled 10 people who have left the music biz. Check it out here.

New Music: Emphatic, an unknown band from Omaha, is finding their way on Billboard Heatseekers Chart. Currently they are being produced by 116, a partnership between Matt Noveskey of Blue October and Chuck Alkazian. Listen to the track Goodbye Girl.

Who says the CD is Dead? Kid Rock sold 73k this week, Up 20% from last week. The kid has 0 digital sales as he doesn’t have his music on iTunes. This is incredible and proves that the right song trumps everything. Also, O.A.R. had their biggest debut to date with 33k copies sold.

more sales…

Disturbed ‘Indestructible’ 28,496
3 Doors Down ‘self titled’ 19,916
Shinedown ‘Sound of Madness’ 13,134
Metro Station ‘self titled’Â 11,782
Saving Abel ‘Saving Abel’ 7,023