• U.S. ringtone revenues will be about $600 million this year. One expert sees the growth of MP3-playing phones as a hinderence to ringtone growth, but a Warner Music Group exec disagrees and predicts healthy growth and continued use as a pre-album release buzz-builder. (CNNMoney)

• Hits covers the story of how the payola probe has scared radio programmers from adding some new artists to playlists. The LA Times had an article on this over the weekend, but Hits doesn't even mention Charles Duhigg's story. C'mon, Hits, how about a tip of the hat, a nod, a thank you? (Hits)

• MySpace is having another contest for unsigned bands, this one for the movie "John Tucker Must Die." The winner will get a $10,000 recording budget and a chance to appear in the movie soundtrack. You know, these kinds of contests really miss the big picture. Bands don't need videos, more money for recording, etc. What they could really use is a better manager. The contest that gives away a contract with a really solid manager is a contest that will really do something for an unsigned band. (Digital Music News)

• Online playlist site Webjay was bought my Yahoo last year, and it's still linking to much unauthorized content by big name artists. (Billboard)

• Music Choice is adding Universal Music Group content to its library. (MarketWire)

• A hint of things to come for "American Idol" contestants? Gareth Gates, who used the British show "Pop Idol" to get a recording contract and four #1 hits, has been dumped by Sony BMG. (Irish Examiner)

• Bands love MySpace. "Talk about the world's best promotion for a band," said the guitarist for Epic's Quietdrive. (Star Tribune)