Vevo’s original series "GO Shows," which features live performances by surprise artists, has struck a sponsorship deal with Starburst that will make the program available exclusively at the candy’s Facebook page for its first 24 hours.

A partnership announced today between The Echo Nest and Twitter makes it simple to incorporate the immediacy of tweets into a recording artist’s app, preserving the all-important data identifiers along the way.

Today’s Nielsen Company & Billboard’s 2011 Music Industry Report reveals that digital music sales accounted for an eyelash over half (50.3 percent) of all sales, marking the first time digital overtook physical.

Soulful British sensation swept Spotify's year-end charts, appearing in more country-by-country top tens than any other artist. It's not too surprising, since her album "21" ended the year having sold more than 5 million copies, a feat no U.S. album has achieved since Usher in 2004.

Time is running out to submit ideas for the second midem hack day, an event that will give participants 48 hours to come up with new applications for the music industry.

Personalized radio service Pandora is turning its recently launched live concert series into the foundation for an online hub. Both the free live performances and their Pandora Presents online extension are made possible by sponsorship, which at least initially comes from Budweiser.

Guest author Wayne Rosso explains why he thinks NARAS giving a special Grammy to Steve Jobs is just “a cynical public relations stunt by an industry seeped in hypocrisy.”

Buoyed by success, Grey Goose Entertainment has renewed its Rising Icons series, again working with @radical.media but this time emphasizing its Facebook page and adding Vevo as a distribution partner.