• Rapper Fat Joe has signed a deal with Virgin Records, a label that has not had the greatest success with urban music over the years. (Billboard.com)

• Today it was announced that John Breeder, President and Chief Operating Officer of Handleman Company, resigned his position effective immediately. The company line: "It became clear in the past several days that John believed that continuing to meet his obligations as President would conflict with his own personal interests," and the company "reluctantly concluded that an immediate separation was the only prudent course to serve the interests of Handleman's customers, employees and shareholders." (Press Release)

• National Public Radio plans an early 2007 launch of NPR Music Online, a download site that will offer music and video from programming that spans 35 years. (MarketWatch)

• The Country Music Association announced the the newest inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame: Harold Bradley, Sonny James and George Strait. The formal induction will take place during the November 8th CMA Awards. (Press Release)

• MiG, one of the three finalists on the "Rockstar: INXS" reality series, has signed a deal with Universal Music Classics. His album, due out in January, will be released on Decca and will have at least a few covers ("A Kiss From A Rose," "Life on Mars," "Wrapped Around Your Finger," "Wake Me Up When September Ends"). No joke. (People.com)

[music jobs] The Beggars Group & Matador Records is seeking a Paralegal