Music Vids Shrink as $$$ Fade

Recording will raise money for Haiti earthquake relief

(NEWSER) - The 25th anniversary remake of "We Are the World" made its debut during the Olympics opening ceremonies last night, and blogger Sgt. Tibs of Chicago Now thinks it generally hits the mark. "Singers that made me go 'Wow!': Celine Dion and Jennifer Hudson," he writes, and "Usher following Michael Jackson may have been my favorite part." This time around, the video is raising money for Haiti earthquake relief. Check it out in the video gallery. More»

(NEWSER) - At last, a little peace and harmony between the music industry and the tech world. YouTube and Universal Music announced a deal today to create a new website called Vevo.com to show music videos, CNET reports. It will launch later this year, with YouTube—and parent company Google—providing the technology and Universal providing the talent. More»

For a $15 investment, you'll own a piece of Patrick Wolf's music

(NEWSER) - The British indie musician Patrick Wolf thinks fan involvement is the future of the music industry, and he's willing to put their money where his mouth is, NME reports. Fans who sign up through the website Bandstocks.com will be able to help fund Wolf's album—and earn perks like premium tickets and limited-edition albums in the process. More»

Coalition aims to give UK bards more control over copyright

(NEWSER) - Dozens of British rock stars have joined together to form an organization that seeks more control over the music they create, the Guardian reports. The manifesto of the Featured Artists' Coalition calls for bands to have much more say over copyright—one of the issues that spurred founding members Radiohead to leave their label EMI last year and release a “pay what you can” album online. More»

Long-awaited duet may finally be recorded

(NEWSER) - The long-awaited duet between Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake may finally see the light of day. The New York Post reports that the former teeny-bopper couple will collaborate on a track for Spears’ next album, due out at the end of '08. It's the second go-round for the duo: Timberlake offered his Midas touch to a mid-breakdown Spears last year, but she never showed up at the studio to record the track. More»