• Although, American Idol suffered a slight rating slip, down just under 10%, it still dominated the evening by a long shot. Also, The press is beginning to swarm around the new Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, she gets her first stab by The New York Post.
• Are videogamers getting tired of playing rockstars? “Rock Band 2” and “Guitar Hero: World Tour” have sold well below expectations, trailing their 2007 editions by significant margins. Maybe it’s time for the tweens to invest in real guitars as the payoff could by much higher. (Variety)
• What are music fans watching on YouTube? Urban crossover and mainstream pop song garner the biggest views according to BigChampagne. For instance, Britney Spears’ Womanizer (4 million) and Lady Gaga’s Poker Face (3.35 million) held the top views for the week ending January 4th. (Digital Music News)
• Once again, Taylor Swift has dominated the chart with her new album Fearless, selling 71,527 copies. Now that Taylor has official star power, expect to see her make TV appearances. To illustrate, Swift will guest star in an upcoming episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
• Steve Jobs the CEO of Apple intends to take a medical leave. “During the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought,” says Jobs. Apple’s chief operating officer, Tim Cook, will take over Jobs’ responsibilities while he is on leave. (Breitbart)

The Times Square Virgin Megastore will close down in April. The future of the store has been in question since August 2007 when Virgin Entertainment Group was aquired by two real estate companies.

“The decision to close the store appears related to real estate and the value connected to the location. That executive was quoted as saying that Virgin pays only $54 per square-foot when the market rent in the area is about $700 a square foot.” (Billboard)

New Yorkers can still shop at Virgin in the Union Square location, but the status of that store is also in question.

Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You” debuted on New York’s Z100 yesterday. Clarkson attempted to take full creative control on her last record “My December” but clearly decided to turn back to her pop roots. Her new track which can be heard here was written and produced by Dr. Luke and Max Martin who also wrote Clarkson’s mega hit “Since U Been Gone” and Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl”. The official release date for the single was set for January 19th but was added earlier to coincide with the latest premiere of American Idol. Clarkson’s vocal range and performances continue to seperate her from the rest of the pack.

Check out this clip with Clive Davis, Dr. Luke, and oddly enough, Bill Maher. Clive Davis says he knows a hit when he hears it. Dr. Luke says he will craft a song and tailor it to a specific artist while Bill Maher says pop songs don’t make good poetry.

• Bono writes his first opinion column for the New York Times which can be read here.
• Jermaine Dupri who was president of Island Records left the company on Wendesday. “A source said, “After [his girlfriend] Janet Jackson’s album and tour bombed, he basically didn’t come back to work. He still collected a paycheck, but didn’t bother to do anything that he was supposed to do, like find artists, release records or actually show up. (New York Post)
• Kelly Clarkson decided on her album cover: i’m headed to london today for some album promo and i’m so freakin’ excited!! i’m ready for y’all to hear this album! i’m so proud of it!! i think it’s 4 more days and my first single drops at radio and i’m super super pumped!! we decided the cover of the album and just in case you haven’t seen it i’ll post it! it’s very colorful and they have definitely photo-shopped the crap out of me but i don’t care haha! whoever she is, she looks great ha! i’ve had so much fun with this album i really hope y’all dig it woohooooooooooo!!!! (Kelly’s Blog)
• Warner Music Group CEO Lyor Cohen recently talks with Billboard about hot topic issues such as pulling videos from YouTube, iTunes variable pricing, and 360 deals. (Billboard)
• Rapper Jim Jones has joined the independent label Koch Records as VP of Urban A&R. Jones said, “It feels good to know that the hard work has been recognized by the same people that have helped me get to this point in my career. They recognize that I’m not only an artist but a person that can smell talent and be able to mold a superstar.” (Billboard)

While we all contemplate on ways the industry can reinvent itself to survive in 2009, we can also look to see which bands will help in the survival of record labels and the industry itself.
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Fresh Signings: 2008 saw the signings of some less than stellar talent (Hyper Crush), but it also saw plenty of quality and talented artists receive deals from majors, some of which may have a big impact in the coming months.
Tamar is an Interscope signing with a song that could be 2009’s “Love Song” with her track “New Day”

Universal was also busy this past year and snatched up another talented female singer/songwriter in Erin McCarley who’s single “Pony (It’s Ok)” has already been featured in a Rhapsody commercial and as the year’s first iTunes free single of the week.
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Atlantic should see the release of Ryan Star’s long awaited major label debut “11:59”. A great singer who can write some great hooks; I expect a single strong enough to make a splash on the Hot AC and Top 40 charts, try “Right Now”.
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Virgin will see releases from power ballad rockers Adelitas Way and solid Virginia pop/punk band My Favorite Highway. Both are potential big time bands that bring a familiar sound to radio.
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Trying some things that are a bit less formulaic is what I hear as a meshing of the sounds MGMT and Mickey Avalon in another Universal act (stateside) – Iglu & Hartly hoping to establish themselves with a polarizing single called “In This City” that did well in the UK and looks to do the same at Alternative here in the early part of 2009.
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Some other notable signings to watch:

Cavo – WB signed these St. Louis rockers and sent them into the studio with David Bendeth to record their full length. Check out “Champagne”.
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Barcelona & Paper Route  are two more Universal signings that will see releases in 2009. Check Barcelona’s first single, “It’s About Time” & Paper Route’s “Are We All Forgotten”.
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Notables from Across The Pond:

Perhaps the band most likely to make a big name for themselves in the states this year is a band that has already experienced international success: The Script . Check singles like “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” & “Breakeven” as well as former iTunes free single of the week, “Before the Worst”.
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Glasvegas – one of the bigger UK buzz bands these days is Glasvegas. Their first single “Geraldine” will help get them noticed stateside in the new year.
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Alphabeat – “Fascination” – innocent pop hasn’t sounded this sweet for a long time. Hopefully a North American run opening for Katy Perry can help make a name for this Danish group.
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Closure in Moscow – Equal Vision could see their next Chiodos/Circa Survive type with these Australians.
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What To Watch For, Who May See Deals in the New Year:
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Neon Trees – Utah indie rockers with lots of potential – just signed to Mercury.
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Runner Runner – A band with radio friendly, surefire hits can’t stay unsigned for too much longer – check “So Obvious” & “Believe”.
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Settings – one of the most talked about unsigned bands of 2008 may get their chance at emo/synth rock glory in 2009.
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Middle Class Rut – Sacramento 2-piece who may make a name for themselves in the UK before they do so here.
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You, Me & Everyone We Know – a Warped Tour spot away from being well known.
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Dizzy Balloon – Young, bay area pop/rockers with a knack for head-bobbin’ melodies. Won Live 105’s Not So Silent Night local band competition in December and opened the big winter concert at Oracle Arena, check “Raise a Glass”.
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Also See: Holiday Parade & TV/TV

2009 will certainly see its share of hits and misses from the majors and indies alike, and everyone’s crystal ball will see a different set of breakout artists.

Soundcheck is written by Dallas Osborn who currently attends San Francisco State University and works on the Live 105 (KITS) Action Team.