WMG’s CEO Addresses Promise and Problems of Streaming, How Vinyl Spun Its Way Back From Near-Extinction, and More in This Week's Labels Digest

TOP STORIES 'A Great Alternative': Warner Music Group's CEO Addresses Promise and Problems of Streaming  Warner Music Group CEO Stephen Cooper made a rare move for a label head during last week's yearly earnings call, directly addressing the royalty chasm dividing the streaming debate. Executive Turntable: Def Jam, Atlantic, Republic, and More  A list of moves and shakes across the music business, including iHeartMedia, Cashmere Agency, Mute USA, Columbia Records, and many more. Corner Office: Republic Records Honchos Monte & Avery Lipman Discuss Jennifer Lawrence's 'Hunger Games' Smash and Defend 'The Voice'  The 2014 market-share leaders on maintaining dominance, defending 'The Voice' and finding tomorrow's breakout: "You can't rush hits." The True Story of How Vinyl Spun Its Way Back From Near-Extinction  The notion that vinyl records would reignite passion for music seemed far-fetched back to 2006. So, what happened to make it the fastest-growing physical format? Record Store Day. Van Morrison Signs With RCA For 35th Studio Album, Due Early 2015  Van Morrison will release his as-yet-untitled 35th studio album on RCA Records in early 2015, the label confirmed Tuesday. The set will be a follow-up to 2012’s Born To Sing: No Plan B, which was released via Blue Note and debuted and peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200. Ardent Studios Founder John Fry Dies at 69  The great record producer worked closely with Big Star, and his studio hosted sessions for the likes of Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, ZZ Top, R.E.M., Stevie Ray Vaughan and Al Green. G.O.O.D. Music Signs Former Kanye West Backup Dancer Kacy Hill  Kacy Hill has signed to G.O.O.D. Music, the label founded by Kanye West in 2004. Previously, Hill worked as a model for American Apparel and a backup dancer for Kanye on his Yeezus tour. Taylor Swift No. 1 on Artist 100 Chart, J. Cole Debuts at No. 2  Swift reigns for a ninth week, while Cole launches fueled by album sales. Publishing Briefs: Nettwerk Buys Stake in Ten Ten Music Group, BMG Chrysalis Inks Hasbro Deal, Greg Kurstin Re-Ups With Sony/ATV  Billboard's Ed Christman rounds-up all the big news in the music publishing world. Selena Gomez Officially Signs With Interscope  The pop singer shared the news through her Instagram account on Saturday (Dec. 13) by showing a photo of her face next to what appears to be a contract.