Former Spitzer Prostitute Pursuing Career in Music: Ashlee Dupree

from nypost.com

NEW YORK  —  Now that she's done singing about Eliot Spitzer, Ashley Dupre is taking steps to get a real music career under way.

An insider tells the New York Post's Page Six that the former high-end prostitute has signed a manager to help guide her career.

Her manager, Chris Lighty, has handled 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott. Dupre's earlier dreams of getting into show business got somewhat interrupted by her other career choices.

Digital sales surpass CD sales at Atlantic Records

from efluxmedia.com - By Davie Barret

 

Atlantic Records has come out with an almost shocking, but somewhat predictable, statement recently, declaring that they get most of their revenue from digital sales, rather than from sales of CDs. This might be the crossroad every record company has feared since the digital music files have come out a decade ago.

It has always been a question of "when" rather than "if" digital sales will surpass traditional compact discs. Atlantic Records has declared that they get most of their revenue from digital music stores, like iTunes , and from selling ringtones for cell phones. The major record company has stated that this is a milestone that no other company has yet reached, as most than half of their winnings come from the digital, rather from CDs.

On the other hand, analysts don't think that overall, digital music will surpass CD's by the end of 2011 and that Atlantic's statement is really a thing other record companies should take in consideration.

This is important as the change to digital is unavoidable and preparations must be made. This transition poses some problems in terms of how much the record companies will profit. Until now a CD contained a full album, several songs, which the buyer purchased when paying for the CD. With digital music, the consumer has the option to choose what songs to pick, making prices, inevitably, drop.

Solutions can be found of course, like concentrating more on concert tickets and tour merchandise and even promoting bands and artists through the Internet and other new media mediums.

Dita Von Teese sizzles on December cover of German Playboy

from getback.com - By Amy & Nancy Harrington

Burlesque star Dita Von Teese is baring it all for the December issue of German playboy.

Posing in stockings and suspenders, as well as PVC boots, the star certainly lives up to her sex symbol status.

Arkansas man sues McDonald's over nude photos of his wife

from nydailynews.com

If you have naked photos of your wife on your cellphone, be sure to keep it safe.

That's sound advice a man in Fayetteville, Arkansas failed to heed.

Phillip Sherman mistakenly left his cell phone behind at a local McDonald's, and now he and his wife, Tina Sherman, are suing the fast food joint for $3 million after nude photos of her that were on the phone found their way to the Internet.

According to the lawsuit, Phillip forgot the phone in July and was assured the employees would keep it safe. However, the naked pictures of Tina ended up online, and the Shermans are blaming the workers at the McDonald's restaurant.

The couple is seeking damages for suffering, embarrassment and the cost of having to move to a new home.

No Doubt to return for 2009 tour

from news.bbc.co.uk

No Doubt are to reform for a tour in 2009 as they put the finishing touches to their first studio album in seven years.

The group, led by Gwen Stefani, revealed the tour plans in a live chat on their website.

Stefani said it would be "so inspiring to get out there and play all those songs again".

The group have not played live since 2004 and their last studio album was 2001's Rock Steady.

"I have cabin fever. Maybe we should play some shows or something," guitarist Tom Dumont said in the conversation.

Stefani answered: "I think we should go out now. I don't think we should wait. Pack up the babies and get a bunch of nannies."

No Doubt have been in the studio on and off throughout 2008, but Stefani's participation has been limited since giving birth to her second son in August.

Since the group's last album, Stefani has released two critically-acclaimed solo albums, while the other members have pursued solo and session work as well as producing.