Cowell and Sony forge rights deal

The deal covers all of Cowell's music and TV productions, as well as future projects including new TV shows.
"Simon Cowell is arguably the most important creative force in popular music television and pop music in the world," said Sony BMG's Tim Bowen.
"We are incredibly proud to have extended our relationship with him."
Cowell is responsible for bringing artists, including Westlife, Five and most recently Il Divo, to Sony BMG UK over the course of their 15-year working relationship.
"BMG has been my home for the last 15 years," said the producer and TV personality. "I am incredibly excited to be working with one of the most talented and visionary companies in the world."

"American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino served a day as a juror

"American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino served a day as a juror in Mecklenburg County (N.C) Superior Court but was let go when the trial dragged on.Barrino, a resident of Charlotte, N.C., was chosen Wednesday to sit on a jury hearing a motor vehicle negligence case, the Charlotte Observer reported.But by the end of the day, it was clear the trial would not wrap as quickly as expected and Judge David Lee and the attorneys involved excused the superstar juror so she could sing in a New York charity concert Thursday night, the newspaper said.

Canadian Idol heartthrob, Rex Goudie releases Under the Lights

Canadian Idol heartthrob, Rex Goudie. Under The Lights, the debut album from the Newfoundlander ("Sexy Rex" to his fans) comes hot on the heels of the first CD from recent Idol winner Melissa O'Neil. Clearly this will be an epic battle between a teenager singing adult contemporary material and a 20-something doing exactly the same. Who will win? Does anyone care? Find out in Top Of The Charts next week.

'American Idol' runner-up releases album

"American Idol" runner-up Bo Bice had plenty of help making his first album.
Bice's "The Real Thing," which comes out Tuesday, features songs by Jon Bon Jovi and Nickelback's Chad Kroeger, as well as reigning Grammy Award-winning Producer of the Year John Shanks. But Bice says he's confident "The Real Thing" is an accurate representation of his music.
"I'm real proud of the way this album turned out," says Bice, 30, who co-wrote two songs on the album as well as the bonus tracks on the DualDisc version of "The Real Thing." "I think it shows a pretty good example of what I'm about in different styles of music, whether it was a little bit rocky, full-out alternative or a little bit of pop or even my singer-songwriter stuff."
Bice came in second to "American Idol" champ Carrie Underwood in May. He's been working on "The Real Thing" since then, alternating studio time with appearances on the annual "American Idols Live" summer tour.
Bice plans to tour on his own in 2006.