Sound Bites: Neil Young, Napster, Santana

ByABC News
April 24, 2001, 1:35 PM

April 19 -- Young, Mellencamp to Aid Farms Again

Farm Aid co-founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp will all perform at this year's annual benefit, set for Sept. 29 in Noblesvile, Ind. Farm Aid has raised more than $15 million for farm organizations within the United States over the past 16 years. More artists will be added to the lineup throughout the summer. Last year's show also featured country artists Alan Jackson and Travis Tritt, as well as a surprise musical appearance from then-second-lady Tipper Gore.

Global Music Sales Fell in 2000

World music sales dropped by 1.3 percent in the year 2000, according to a study by International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. In a statement, the organization president reported, "We saw the first evidence of the impact of free online music, as well as the damage being done by unauthorized CD copying." However, overall album sales were up most of the decline was in the singles market, which dropped 14 percent worldwide and 46 percent in the United States. The IFPI blamed file-sharing sites such as Napster for this decline though, according to the April 14 issue of Billboard, the U.S. recording industry is causing the slump by releasing fewer commercial singles.

Santana Introduces Shoes, Hats, Ties

If residents of San Francisco notice an increase in the number of women whose footwear "radiates rhythm, passion, and energy," it may be because their feet are shod in Carlos a new collection of shoes introduced yesterday by rock star Carlos Santana. The Mexican-born musician launched his collection of women's shoes as well as a line of hats and ties at Macy's department store in San Francisco.