“Posh Spice” Victoria Beckham and soccer star hubby David Beckham are the parents of a second son, whose Shakespearean name was a surprise after much speculation. Romeo was born by Caesarean section and weighed 7 lbs, 4 ounces, said David Beckham, adding that the pop singer mother and son were …

Jazz great Hampton gone: There was more than musical magic on stage that day in 1936 when Lionel Hampton joined Benny Goodman in a Manhattan ballroom — it was a breakthrough in American race relations. Hampton, a vibraphone virtuoso who died Saturday, broke a barrier that had kept black and …

Good show for a good cause: Africamix festival coordinator Augustine Kamalan, announced today the musical line up for the Africamix Festival Atlanta that will be held on October 12 – 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Grant Park. “The net proceeds from this two day alcohol free family …

The Film Music Network Los Angeles Chapter Presents A Special Presentation: GHOSTWRITING: A Candid Look at the Benefits, Hazards and Traditions of One of the Industry’s Best Kept Secrets Tuesday, September 10, 2002 – 7:30pm The Sportsmen’s Lodge 12833 Ventura Blvd (at Coldwater Canyon) Studio City, CA RSVP by email …

The Guardian says youngsters are buying singles even if adults aren’t: Olivia Beaumont marches purposefully around Oxford Circus HMV. Her hand clutches a £20 note. Her brow is furrowed in steely determination. She clearly takes her role in this small social experiment very seriously indeed. Olivia is nine years old, …

Economist Stan Liebowitz has been in the news lately for his study, analysis and interpretation of data regarding whether or not MP3s are harming record sales. See this post for background. Now Liebowitz is making his new study available on a preliminary basis with this introduction: …I should point out …

Copy Fights: Can Politicians or Entrepreneurs Best Protect Intellectual Property? PANEL DEBATE Thursday, September 19, 2002 11:00 a.m. (Luncheon to follow) Featuring Rep. Howard Berman, D-California; Gigi Sohn, Public Knowledge; Phil Corwin, Butera Andrews; and Troy Dow, Motion Picture Association of America. The Cato Institute 1000 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, …

Here’s a fascinating exchange between a pair of indie label guys who want to do the right thing in terms of artist contracts. Good will counts for a lot: I represent an indy record label that has always tried to offer artist-friendly terms in its recording deals. We’re in the …

Aaron Hawkins has a sweet little analysis of Sting’s cover of Hendrix’s “Little Wing” from the classic …Nothing Like the Sun album: In addition to his work with Miles Davis (including the indispensible Sketches of Spain), Gil [Evans] and company helped out on what I still consider to be the …

Vivendi busts move and itself: — Media and entertainment giant Vivendi Universal is selling its money-losing Internet venture and several French magazines, chipping away at its troubled empire to help pay off massive debts. The French conglomerate, whose financial problems prompted the ouster of flamboyant chairman Jean-Marie Messier in July, …