Month: September 2006

[b]Pop King’s planning his return[/b] By Chris Lee, Times Staff Writer MICHAEL JACKSON has kept a low profile of late: He lived in self-imposed exile in Bahrain after his June 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges, then moved to Ireland in May. But now, according to several people who have recently met with him, the King of Pop, 48, has started work on his comeback. Early word is that he’s shifting away from the R&B lite that characterized his last few albums toward a more urban sound. Talent manager Charles “Big Chuck” Stanton traveled to Ireland earlier this month with his nephew, hip-hop producer Ron “Neff U” Feemster — who has worked with Eminem and 50 Cent and is one of the track masters behind R&B phenom Ne-Yo’s hit album, “In My Own Words” — after Jackson sought out Feemster’s services. Not sure what to expect, they say they encountered a musically focused and creatively fired-up Jackson. “He’s ready to take over the world,” Stanton says. “He’s got some hot records. Will.i.am did one, Teddy Reilly. We’re giving Michael a lot of edgy street records. He’s putting melodies to some hard party records.”

[b]Lawyer says Michael Jackson, ex-wife settle child custody battle[/b] LINDA DEUTSCH Associated Press LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson and his ex-wife, Deborah Rowe, have settled their lengthy legal battle over custody and visitation rights for their two children, her lawyer said Friday. “We’re still dealing with the details but it addresses all of the disputes between the parties,” said attorney Marta Almli. “I can’t say anything about the terms of the settlement but I don’t think it would have happened if both parties didn’t agree it was appealing to both of them.” She declined to give details on whether the settlement involves monetary payments to Rowe and visitation rights with the children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince Michael, and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson. “It is the settlement of all the issues,” Almli said. Jackson’s lawyer, Michael L. Abrams, did not immediately return phone calls from The Associated Press. He told The Daily Journal, a legal newspaper, “My client is very satisfied with the results. Hopefully (Jackson and Rowe) can both get on with their lives now and be through with this litigation.”

There was a story origination from an Irish source which claimed that “sources” say Michael Jackson wanted to build a

[b] Michael Jackson and Sony search for unsigned acts online[/b] 20 September 2006 Sony ATV, a partnership between Michael Jackson and Sony have partnered with Sony’s phone company, Sony Ericsonn to create a new promotional space for breaking new and developing artists called ‘M-BUZZ’. Is the ‘M’ for Michael? who recently travelled around Kinsale in Ireland, potentially house-hunting in an area famous for it’s reclusive celebrity residents. Even more interesting is the shift from “signed” artists towards “un-signed” artists. More and more audience are shifting from what they are told to like by the industry to what they truly like, recommended by friends or found online. “Sony/ATV Music Publishing is always looking for new and compelling ways to promote our artists and song writers,” said David Hockman, Chairman and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. NewsCorps MySpace, BT’s Digital Music Awards, Coca-Cola iTunes and others are also looking at new and emerging entertainment artists. What will this mean for the future of the music industry? Has it finally woken up to the fact its audience has moved on, even if they havent? Will Robbie Williams need to get a mortgage?

[b]Jackson Custody Dispute Goes Public[/b] Wednesday, September 6, 2006 By Jessica Garrison Los Angeles Times LOS ANGELES — Starting Wednesday, Michael Jackson will figure in another legal circus — this one centering on attempts by Los Angeles Superior Court officials to show that celebrities and other rich people can’t buy special treatment from the legal system when they have business disputes or want to get divorced. For years, Jackson’s custody battle with ex-wife Deborah Rowe seemed to illustrate the opposite point. Despite the media firestorm that accompanied the pop star when he was tried and acquitted last year on child-molestation charges, he managed to keep the custody dispute largely out of the public eye. He did so by hiring a private judge — a service that celebrities and rich people regularly use.

[b]Onetime Jackson accuser claims his father attacked him[/b] [i]Jackson’s accuser wins trial over charge against father[/i] September 5, 2006, 1:30