Civil rights beacon, folk singer Odetta, dead at 77 (Reuters)

Reuters - Odetta, the deep-voiced folk singer whose ballads and songs became for many a sound track to the American civil rights movement, has died aged 77, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.

Akon 'fan tossing' trial postponed (Yahoo! Music)
Yahoo! Music - The trial of Akon, which was scheduled to begin yesterday (December 1) in Fishkill, NY, has been postponed until December 17.

Britney's Big Top Hits the Road (E! Online)

E! Online - Britney Spears is proving the adage that it's better to give than receive, with the 27 years young birthday girl bequeathing unto her fans not one but two gifts on her special day. Not only did Spears' second attempt at a comeback album, Circus, drop this morning, the singer has also unveiled, to great anticipation, the dates for her long-awaited North American comeback tour.

As music sales slow, digital market offers hope (Reuters)

Reuters - Ever since Apple's iTunes store launched in 2003, the digital music market has received an annual Christmas gift in the form of a sales boost, as consumers unwrap new iPods and gift cards for the holidays.

Latest Details on Travis Barker, DJ AM Reunion Gig (E! Online)

E! Online - More details on the Travis Barker-DJ AM reunion we reported last week.

Beyonce to perform at Essence Fest in New Orleans (AP)

AP - Beyonce is the first artist lined up for next year's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

Christian rockers Red guided by "Instinct" (Reuters)
Reuters - In an interesting clash of inspiration that combines "The Divine Comedy" and a highway accident, Red's sophomore album, "Innocence & Instinct," echoes the emotional ups and downs the Grammy Award-nominated rock act has experienced over the last two years.

Green Day speak about new 'powerpop' album (Yahoo! Music)
Yahoo! Music - Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong has hinted that their forthcoming new Butch Vig-produced album could take a "powerpop" direction.

American folk music legend Odetta dies at 77 (AP)

AP - Odetta, the folk singer with the powerful voice who moved audiences and influenced fellow musicians for a half-century, has died. She was 77.

Neko Case schedules "Cyclone" for March (Reuters)
Reuters - Neko Case will follow 2006's "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood," the best-selling album of her career, with "Middle Cyclone."