A D V E R T I S E M E N T r EXPERIENCE THE BUZZ MA" 3 2003 56 NUMBER ONE SINGLES 32 PLATINUM ALBUMS COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME MEMBER COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR Congratulations, George. No wonder they call you "King" www.billboand.com www.billboerd.biz US $6.99 CAN $8 99 UK £5.50 99uS Y8.:9CtiN 18> MCA NASHVILLE #13INCT - SCII 3 -DIGIT 907 413124083434 MARI0 REG A04 000!004 s, 200: MCA Nashville 'lllllllliLlllllllulii llll IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIfII I MONTY G2EENIY 0027 l 3740 ELA AVE 4 P o 1 96 L7-Z0`_ 9 www.GeorgeStrait.co LONG BE.1CB CA 90807 -3 IC? "001160 www.americanradiohistory.com ATTENTION INDIE MUSICIANS! THE IMWS IS NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES. DISC MAKERS" Independent Music World Series In 2008, the IMWS will award over $250,000 in cash GOSPEL, METAL, and prizes to independent musicians. No matter HIP HOP, PUNK, where you live, you are eligible to enter now! JAZZ, COUNTRY, EMO, ROCK, RAP, Whatever your act is... REGGAETON, we've showcased your style of music. AND MANY MORE! Deadline for entries is May 14, 2008 2008 Showcases in LOS ANGELES, ATLANTA, CHICAGO, and NEW YORK CITY. VISIT WWW.DISCMAKERS.COM /08BILLBOARD TO ENTER, READ THE RULES AND REGULATIONS, FIND OUT ABOUT PAST SHOWCASES, SEE PHOTOS,AND LEARN ALL ABOUT THE GREAT IMWS PRIZE PACKAGE. CAN'T GET ONLINE? CALL 1 -888- 800-5796 FOR MORE INFO. i/, Billboard sonicbíds,- REMO `t¡' 0 SAMSON' cakewalk DRUM! Dc.!1/Watk4 Remy sHvRE SLIM z=rn EleCtronic Musicioo www.americanradiohistory.com THEATER TWEETERS CONCERTS CASH IN AT THE MOVIES >P.27 DEF JAMMED LIFE AFTER JAY-Z FOR THE ROOTS >P.41 POPPING THE BUBLE SHELTON COUNTRY COVER CONNECTS > P.47 A SING AND A PRAYER NEWS FROM GOSPEL'S BIGGEST WEEK >R9 AUTODIDACT `GRAND THEFT' CHANGES >P.24 THE MUSIC GAME >P.10 EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S SONY-BMG REPORT >P.22 www.americanradiohistory.com THANKS TO TORTH AMERICA Emma, Geri, Mel B, Melanie C, Victoria 24 Shows: Simon Fuller Cities: 18 Nicki Chapman & Everyone at 19 Entertainment Gross: $30,787,393 Jeff Frasco & CAA We're proud to have been part of it www.americanradiohistory.com Billlord ON THE CHARTS ALBUMS ARTIST / TITLE MARIAH CAREY / THE BILLBOARD 200 50 E=MCP YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND TOP BLUEGRASS 58 / MOUNTAIN TRACKS VOL l .'I MARCIA BALL / "' TOP BLUES 55 PEACE, LOVE 8 BBO P.O.D. / TOP CHRISTIAN 63 WHEN ANGELS & SERPENTS DANCE LADY ANTEBELLUM / TOP COUNTRY 58 I LADY ANTEBELLUM MARIAN CAREY! TOP DIGITAL 64 MC2 TOP GNARLS BARKLEY/ ELECTRONIC 61 4 ODD COUPLE MARVIN SAPP ! TOP GOSPEL 63 THIRSTY M831 TOP HEATSEEKERS 65 SATURDAYS -YOU TI MARIAN CAREY! UPFRONT FEATURES MUSIC TASTEMAKERS 65 E=MC2 7 WAX ON, WAX 41 `DOWN' BUT NOT OUT REGIONAL HEATSEEKERS 65 SOUTH ATLANTIC: TEDDY BRENT MOUNTAIN: DRIVE BY OFF Retailers 24 THE BIG BOUNCE Mainstream success TOP INDEPENDENT 64 THRICE / see mixed results remains elusive, but the F ALCHEMY INDEX, VOL 3 & 4 R 8 EARTH With sales in continued decline and ENRIQUE IGLESIAS / from Record rapping. TOP LATIN 60 EMI cutting 1,000 -plus jobs, a special Roots keep AS/OR Store Day. 42 Global Pulse MARIAH CAREY 1 report on how to discover new life TOP R &B /HIP -HOP 55 I E =MC2 13 On The Road after layoffs. 43 6 Questions: Clay Aiken TOP WORLD CELTIC THUNDER 64 CELTIC THUNDER THE SHOW 14 Digital 44 Now Hear This Entertainment 27 CINEMATIC FOR THE 45 Reviews SINGLES PAGE ARTIST /TITLE 15 Retail Track PEOPLE Want to sell more tickets 47 Happening Now ADULT CONTEMPORARY COLBIE CAILLAT / 53 BUBBLY 16 Latin for your sold -out arena show? Reach live SARA BAREILLES / 17 markets where you're unable to tour? Your ADULT TOP 40 53 The Indies IN EVERY LOVE SONG 20 Global friendly, neighborhood cinema can help. GEORGE STRAIT / ISSUE HOT COUNTRY 59 I SAW GOD TODAY 22 Legal Matters 6 Opinion HOT DANCE CLUB PLAY 61 / 23 Q &A: Robert 49 Over The Counter BREAK YOU 31 BAND OF BROTHERS BASSHUNTER FEAT. DJ MENTAL THEO'S... / 49 HOT DANCE AIRPLAY 61 Kraft The Neville Brothers celebrate three Market Watch NOW YOU'RE GONE 50 Charts MADONNA FEAT. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE / decades as the first family of funk. HOT DIGITAL SONGS 53 ON THE COVER: 4 MINUTES 67 Marketplace Photo illustration by UL WAYNE FEATURING STATIC MAJOR / HOT 100 52 Stephen Webster 68 Mileposts LOLLIPOP 37 WELCOMING THE WORL[ HOT 100 AIRPLAY 53 USHER FEATURING YOUNG JEEZY / 69 Executive Turntable, LOVE IN THIS CLUB South Africa's industry grows and Backbeat, Inside Track PRODIGY / HOT SINGLES SALES 54 THE LIFE looks forward to global spotlight. HOT LATIN SONGS MAMA! 60 SI NO TE HUBIERAS IDO MODERN ROCK SEETHER / 53 RISE ABOVE THIS POP 100 LEONA LEWIS / 54 BLEEDING LOVE POP 100 AIRPLAY LEONA LEWIS! 54 BLEEDING LOVE USHER FEATURING YOUNG JEEZY / HOT R &B /HIP-HOP 57 LOVE IN THIS CLUB USHER FEATURING YOUNG JEEZY / HOT R &B /HIP -HOP AIRPLAY 56 LOVE IN THIS CLUB 1H. HOT RAP WAYNE FEATURING STATIC MAJOR / SONGS 56 LOLLIPOP RAHEEM DEVAUGHN R &B'ADULT 56 WOMAN RHYTHMIC 56 RAY J 8 YUNG BERG SEXY CAN I HOT RINGMASTERS UL WAYNE FEATURING STATIC MAJOR / 14 LOLUPOP PAGE ARTIST / TITLE USHER FEATURING YOUNG JEEZY / HOT VIDEOCLIPS 54 " LOVE IN THIS CLUB TOP MUSIC MARIAH CAREY! VIDEO SALES 54 THE ADVENTURES OF MIMA THIS WEEK ON .biz ARTIST / TITLE HILARY HAHN / TOP CLASSICAL #1 SCHOENBERG: VIOLIN CONCERTOS ANDREA BOCELLI / TOP CLASSICAL CROSSOVER #1 VIVERE LIVE IN TUSCANY C[omidtttmirm MARIAH CAREY / TOP INTERNET #1 E MC2 MICHAEL BUGLE / AMUSA(, TOP JAZZ #1 FILIVI &T\/ CALL ME IRRESPONSIBLE DESERT HEAT RIENCIE HERBIE HANCOCK / TOURING (;ONFl= TOP CONTEMPORARY JAZZ #1 RIVER: THE JONI LETTERS Prince, the Verve, My Billboard's Touring The Hollywood Reporter VARIOUS ARTISTS TOP POP CATALOG #1 1 and & & I CAN UNIT IMAGINE: PLATINUM EOMON Morning Jacket Conference Awards and Billboard's Film TV BOB MARLEY / TOP REGGAE #1 Portishead raged in the unites promoters, agents, Music Conference brings FOREVER BOB MARLEY California desert at this managers, venue together composers, TOP DVD SALES ALVIN ANO THE CHIPMUNKS #1 year's Coachella festival, operators, merch directors and music TOP TV DVD SALES #1 BEN 10: RACE AGAINST TIME and Billboard was there to companies and production supervisors to discuss the soak it all in. For full pros for panels, cocktail role of music in film and TOP VIDEO RENTALS #1 THERE WILL BE BLOOD Coachella coverage, visit parties and an awards TV. Register at TOP VIDEO GAME RENTALS #1 5380: TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX VEGAS 2 jadedinsider.com. reception. billboardevents.com. MAY 3, 2008 I www.billboard.biz 5 www.americanradiohistory.com Billboard PUBLISHER HOWARD APPELBAUM GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TAMARA CONNIFF EDITORIALS COMMENTARY LETTERS EXECUTIVE EDITOR OPINION BILL WERDE EDITORIAL SENIOR EDITORS: Jonathan Cohen -Ieb -654 -55 .' Ann Donahue ;2:5525 -2292 SPECIAL FEATURES EDITOR: Thom Duffy 646 -6. 5-1 INTERNATIONAL BUREAU CHIEF: Mark Sutherland -44-207-420-055 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CONTENT AND PROGRAMMING FOR LATIN MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT: Lelia Cobo (Miami) 305- 361 -5279 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CONTENT AND PROGRAMMING FOR TOURING AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Ray Waddell (Nashvdlel 615- 321 -4245 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CONTENT AND PROGRAMMING FOR DIGITAL /MOBILE: Antony Bruno (Denver) 303-771-1342 SENIOR CORRESPONDENTS: Susan Butler K PublishIn ) 646 -654 -4646. Ed Christman (Re t : -4723, Paul Heine Radio) 646 -654 -4669 Gail Mitchell (R&B _ -'. Chuck Taylor n 646- 654 -4'29 Tom Ferguson (Dep.ry - CORRESPONDENTS: Ayala Ben- Yehude Mike Boyle Hillary Crosley (R &B/Hi; r - Cortney Harding - Kamau High (Branding) 646 -654 -5297 Mitchell Peters Ken Tucker _. INTERNATIONAL: Christie Eliezer I - Steve McClure Wolfgang Spahr (Germa -, Robert Thompson The New BILLBOARD.BIZ NEWS EDITOR: Chris M. Walsh GLOBAL NEWS EDITOR: Lars Brandie Olt --:. BILLBOARD.COM EDITOR: Jessica Letkemann ONLINE EDITORS: Mariel Concepcion Katie Hasty (&Ilbo - -- : 65-1--:. MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER: Rich Kaplinksi COPY CHIEF: Chris Woods Nashville COPY EDITOR: Christa Titus SENIOR COPY EDITOR, SPECIAL FEATURES: Wayne Robins The Digital Future Has Come To Roost For Country Music ASSOCIATE EDITOR, SPECIAL FEATURES: Evie Nagy < a':J) CONTRIBUTORS: Jim Bessman, Larry Blumenfeld, Fred Bronson, Ramiro Burr, Chuck Eddy, Juliana Koranteng, Kerr! Mason, Deborah Evans Price, Paul Sexton, Steve Traiman, Anastasia Tsloulcas BY JAY FRANK giving the fans who use these platforms tigious entertainer of the year honor at SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER: Kristine Tunzl DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY what they want. Videos are a must, as its annual awards show. In this age of CREATIVE DIRECTOR: JOSH KLENERT In Nashville, the conventional wisdom the majority of albums without them fail "American Idol" -type voting, this may ART DIRECTOR: Christine Bower SENIOR DESIGNER: Greg Grabowy PHOTO EDITOR: Amelia Halverson is a has been that radio the most impor- to penetrate substantial sales figures. not seem like big deal, but for Nashville CHARTS & RESEARCH tant vehicle to success. It's so pervasive Fans must be consistently nurtured, it is. Based on the early buzz this ACM DIRECTOR OF CHARTS /SENIOR ANALYST: GEOFF MAYFIELD U -- ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR: SILVIO PIETROLUONGO that I've never seen more artists thank which means six months per single may vote has created around the nominated SENIOR CHART MANAGERS: Raphael George (s Wade Jessen -grass. Country. radio at awards shows than I do in coun- quickly become the kiss of death. Swift artists, it appears to be a welcome change CHART MANAGERS: Bob Allen , Box s Keith Ca if eld i -,pirations. Digital ndtra Anthony Colombo i. k,Spotlight Recaps- Video). Mary DeCroce I Na Geoff Mayfield I Heatseekers, L A.).