Ticketmaster, the nation’s forerunner in concert ticket distribution, and Live Nation, a new but increasingly powerful ticketing service, have threatened to merge and become “Live Nation Ticketmaster,” defeating Live Nation’s original purpose as a competitor. Luckily, the government seems to be doing what it’s meant to and lawmakers of all political persuasions stepped forward yesterday, urging the Justice Department to view the merger with “great skepticism.” The Chairman of the Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Subcommittee, Senator Herb Kohl, has expressed concerns about the merger stifling competition in the entertainment industry and potentially violating vertical integration laws. The concerns seem particularly valid in light of recent Ticketmaster “mishaps” involving Bruce Springsteen concert tickets. Luckily it looks like government officials, Republicans and Democrats alike, don’t like paying an $8.00+ service charge on concert tickets either. Where are Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam when you need them? (via RS)

Never to shy away from posting what feels like a Smashing Pumpkins news-related item every week, The Tripwire (via HipstersUnited.com) reports that Jimmy Chamberlain has officially quit the Smashing Pumpkins.
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The latest episode in the ongoing drama of the Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger starts today, as the Senate Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights takes begins its official hearing. In simpler terms: the poo could potentially be hitting the fan, and you get to watch it all live on the internet.
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It already seemed like just about nobody was happy about the Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger, except Ticketmaster and Live Nation. But now the newly formed Live Nation Entertainment Inc. is facing a lawsuit filed by its shareholders, who ain’t too happy, either.
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With all the recent buzz about a possible merger between Ticketmaster and Live Nation, we found Billboard Magazine’s annual listing of the top earners in music even more intriguing than usual. It seems the majority of those millions come directly from touring and ticket sales, leaving us wondering just what’s at stake for artists and fans in this possible merger?
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