Adele’s run at number 1 with her “30” album is over, at least for today.

Kelly Clarkson’s “When Christmas Comes Around” has overtaken it on iTunes and is number 1. “30” falls to number 2.

Clarkson’s album was pushed by her TV special last night which looked pretty good. It was an encore– repeat- and the numbers aren’t in yet, but it obviously had some effect on album sales.

Adele is also completely out at number 1 on the singles chart. “Easy On Me” has fallen to number 5 after two months. Adele has no follow up single so far from “30” to replace it. “Oh My God” is at 84, and isn’t coming back. Strangely, her “Water Under the Bridge” from 2015 is at number 54. I don’t know why.

Adele’s “30” album will have a little extra sales over the next two weeks but unless a second single can be cultivated, I think the novelty is over. Now she goes to Vegas, where ticket prices are between $1,000 and $30,000 depending on how crazy you are. That’s where she’ll make her money, playing to people who don’t have it.

Joni Mitchell’s all star concert is coming on January 30th and it’s going to be big. Joni is being celebrated by Musicares as their Person of the Year, which means a bunch of stars will assemble at the LA Convention Center in front of a glittering crowd of more stars and execs and fans (yes, you can buy tickets).

So far, Brandi Carlile and Jon Batiste, producers for the night have assembled quite a group. Two of Joni’s ex boyfriends will perform, James Taylor and Graham Nash. Carlile will also perform. They’ve also got Herbie Hancock, Leon Bridges, and Pentatonix,the Black Pumas, Jon Batiste, Maggie Rogers, and Mickey Guyton.

More will be announced later. I wish they’d get Judy Collins to sing “Both Sides Now.” But that probably won’t happen.

“We are crafting a once-in-a-lifetime evening in honor of Joni,” said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares, in s statement. “I thank each of these artists for lending their talents to celebrate Joni and her impact on the music community.”

The event will be produced by live event broadcast company Lewis & Clark, made up of Joe Lewis and R.A. Clark. Renowned American producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Mike Elizondo will also serve as Music Director for the 2022 Person of the Year gala. Tickets are available to purchase at www.musicares.org/person-year. For more information about MusiCares Person of the Year, please visit www.musicares.org or email personoftheyear@musicares.org.

If you’re in LA and you can be there, this is the event of a lifetime. And it’s quite a tribute to Joni, who’s fought her way back from illness and is thriving. (You can also get her new Archives, Volumes 1 and 2, from Rhino, not to be missed!)

BREAKING

From small things, mama, big things one day come.

Bruce Springsteen has reportedly sold the rights all his publishing, plus his master recordings, to Sony Music for $500 million.

It may be the most money ever for a solo act, although I’d wager that Paul McCartney could top that. Still, half a billion dollars is breathtaking. It’s about $200 million more than Bob Dylan got, for example. And no one else would be closer.

You know what that means. Everything from “Born to Run” to “Dancing in the Dark,” “Blinded by the Light,” “Fire,” the first two albums, plus “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” “Hungry Heart,” and so on. Not to mention “Born in the USA.” It’s the kit-and-kaboodle. The story broke in the trade paper, Billboard.

The deal makes Springsteen’s family financially independent forever. I’ve no doubt that the members of the E Street Band will be appropriately taken care of, as always. So will Bruce’s longtime managers. It’s the deal of a lifetime.

Springsteen’s music will be repurposed by Sony in every manner possible, from other artists covering his songs, to commercials like crazy. Get ready for “Glory Days” to be used for everything from Walmart to stain remover to hot dogs.

The sale is a bit of a blow to EMI Music Publishing, which has published Springsteen’s songs for decades. But this deal with Sony also includes the records, and Sony had the upper hand there since Bruce’s entire recording catalog is already there. He’s the rare bird who’s not made records for any other company in his nearly 50 year career. (EMI will be just fine, mind you.)

Now Bruce can have all the free Sony music equipment he wants, I guess.

More details coming…