DOT COM ALL YE FAITHFUL

SHOCKING LINE-UP
Who cares about the Fall TV lineup when shockwave has announced its new schedule? The site has given Madonna's "Music" a special treatment, combining Flash animation with MP3 audio compression. It also allows viewers to edit the video from a choice of four endings. On Wednesday (9/27), shockwave will launch "Stainboy," an animated series from celluloid creep Tim Burton. The series, which is based on a character from Burton's book macabre The Melancholy Death of Oysterboy & Other Stories, features music from Danny Elfman. Shockwave nixed plans to air the Burton-directed claymation video of the birth of Madonna's son, proving they do have some taste.

YOU'VE GOT MUSIC
Tired of Meg Ryan's perky image on in-flight movies? BMG and Continental Airlines are giving an alternative to watching romantic comedies. The companies are getting ready to debut their joint multi-media music program, Continental Airwaves. The program will feature behind-the-scenes concert footage, interviews and music videos. In addition, the program will also be screened on http://www.click2music.com/ as well as Continental's Web site. On another note, Ryan has reportedly sent a demo tape to BMG containing her and new significant other Russell Crowe's renditions of the theme songs to all her movies.

WELCOME TO NEVER NEVER LAND
BMG Distribution has added to its New Media Team. Matthew Newell has been named Director, New Media Development; Kevin Clement is Senior Director, New Media Operations and Wendy Schlesinger has been appointed Vice President, New Media Applications. Each will report to Vice President, Business Development and Associated Labels Sami Valkonen: "Matthew, Kevin and Wendy each play a vital role in developing, operating and implementing BMG Distribution's New Media business initiatives. Their wealth of experience will undoubtly serve as an invaluable asset to BMG. Now, we'll be able to produce our remake of 'Peter Pan' with a full cast."

CALLING ALL DIGITAL PIRATES
Digital piracy investigators NetRecovery Solutions has launched an Internet assault against illegal downloads. For two weeks, the service will scour the Net for bootleg MP3 music files. NetRecovery will then notify the ISP and host provider of all pirated files. According to CEO Jerry Wallace, various record labels have signed up for the service. The company has not revealed which labels are utilizing its services. NetRecovery Solutions has not yet revealed how it will deal with the offending downloaders, but sources say Wallace bears a striking resemblance to the Child Catcher from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."

SUPER DEAL
TVT Records has struck a deal with Supertracks to deliver its digital music catalog to e-tailers. TVT's roster includes Sevendust, Snoop Dogg, the Connells, Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes, Nashville Pussy and Guided By Voices. The label was a digital music innovator, being the first to make its entire catalog available for free downloads. Supertracks' inventory already includes titles from EMI Recorded Music as well as the Emusic catalog. Said Supertracks Chief Marketing Officer Adam Sexton: "We just love saying 'We've got Nashville Pussy for sale.' Yee haw!"

HOODOO VOODOO?
Guitar Center and iCAST are giving unsigned bands a chance to play the Voodoo Music Festival 2000 10/28 in New Orleans. The companies are sponsoring a "Land Your Band At Voodoo" contest, which will give the lucky winner the opening slot on the lineup, which includes Eminem, Stone Temple Pilots, Cypress Hill, Guster and Counting Crows. The winner will receive a trip to New Orleans, VIP passes and a $2,500 Guitar Center gift certificate. To register, go to www.icast.com/landyourband. Said iCAST CEO Joe Fleischer: "iCAST's Land Your Band program presents a unique opportunity for undiscovered musicians and has proven itself as a means to discover and promote new talent. Speaking of talent, do you think any of the bands will flash me for beads? It is the Big Easy... or is that just me?"

SHOTGUN WEDDING?
Liberty Digital's DMX Music is merging with AEI Music Network. Together, the companies will create an international, multi-media music entertainment network that will supply commercial-free music programming via the Internet, satellite and broadband. The merger, which is expected to be finalized by 12/21, will give Liberty Digital the majority shares of the company. AEI Chairman/CEO Michael J. Malone will become Chairman of the Board, while DMX Music President/CEO Lon Troxel will be named President/COO of the new entity. The company's CEO has yet to be announced. Said Liberty Digital President/CEO Lee Masters: "The combination of Michael Malone, an icon in the business music industry, and his global vision with DMX Music's pioneering digital and Internet technologies will establish a company primed for significant market impact. As for the other guy, he always brings homemade brownies to the office on Fridays."

A FEAT OF OLYMPIC PROPORTIONS
Guess Britney Spears is not so "Lucky" now. The Olympics have knocked the pop tart from atop her perch as the most-searched topic by Lycos users this week. While the games took the top spot, Dragonball, Halloween, Spears, Big Brother, NFL, football, tattoo, Napster and Pokemon rounded out the Top Ten. For the full list of this week's Lycos 50, go to http://50.lycos.com.

I WANT TO BE A COWBOY
Cowboy Junkies are the latest band to embrace MP3.com. The Canadian alt-rockers artist page features live versions of original songs and an exclusive interview. Said singer Margo Timmins: "We've always believed if people could hear our music, they hopefully would like it, whether it's on the radio, at somebody's dinner party or downloading it, however they hear it." The band plans to record only songs with "cowboy" in the title; including Thin Lizzy's "Cowboy Song," Speedbuggy's "Cowboy Town" and Roy Roger's "Cowboy Ham And Eggs."