Arch MUSIC NEWS for 1/29/13

Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -

Eric Clapton will have new music to play on his upcoming tour. And the guitarist will release his 21st studio album, “Old Sock,” on his own label. He’s inked a deal with Surfdog to distribute the disc, which he’s issuing through his own Bushbranch Records. Clapton is the latest high-profile artist to sign with Surfdog, which also works with Brian Setzer, Glen Campbell, and Dave Stewart.  ”Old Sock” will be released on CD and as a two-disc vinyl set. “Old Sock” is expected to be released on March 12th, two days before Eric launches his tour in Phoenix on March 14th.

Rush fans can now lull their little ones to sleep with the soothing sounds of “Fly By Night,” “Tom Sawyer,” and “Limelight.” The Canadian band is the latest act to see their biggest songs adapted for the infant crowd with the release of “Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Rush.” According to the Rockabye Baby website, for the instrumental remakes “guitars and drums are traded for soothing mellotrons, vibraphones and bells, and the volume is turned down from an eleven to a two.” Other songs on the 12-track set include “Working Man,” “A Farewell to Kings,” and “Closer to the Heart.” “Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Rush” arrives in stores today.

New York senator Chuck Schumer is apparently still seething over Beyoncé‘s lip syncing scandal at President Obama’s inauguration last week. Schumer, who organized and hosted the event, reportedly got testy when asked about the controversy at a Sunday press conference, saying he had yet to hear from the singer. The New York politico told the “New York Post,” he had not heard from the singer, “before, during or after,” adding, “She did not talk to me at all. I didn’t say any words to her period.” Schumer says he had no idea Beyoncé was lip syncing the National Anthem because he only saw her from the back. He and other inauguration planners are weathering embarrassment over the singer’s decision to use a pre-recorded tape. Some have even blamed Schumer for the controversy.

Taylor Swift has inked a new endorsement deal with Diet Coke, one Coca Cola described on Monday as a “long-term partnership with the superstar.” The company says Taylor will be incorporated into “all key marketing efforts for the brand.” According to “AdAge,” the details of making Taylor the new face of Diet Coke are still under wraps, but the site speculates that the partnership will go beyond basic advertising. The deal appears to be Coca Cola’s answer to the 50-million dollar deal that Pepsi made with Beyonce last month. Taylor has plenty of experience as a brand ambassador. She’s helped sell products for companies like Target, Sony, CoverGirl and Elizabeth Arden in the past.

YouTube has removed 156 million views from Lady Gaga‘s official account. It’s nothing personal – just the result of a routine “de-spamming” of the video sharing website. Although the number of views struck from the Mother Monster’s account seems large, the site says it’s just a part of their process. Last month, YouTube’s view count report showed the site had reduced the play counts of many major label artists by a total of two billion views. At the time, YouTube administrators told “Billboard” they were simply using new technology to adjust the numbers to take into account views that resulted from being automatically played without intervention, or pop-under videos that viewers may not have actually watched.