Carey tops radio airplay stats for 2005

Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, Kelly Clarkson and Ciara were the big winners on radio last year.

The final airplay statistics for 2005 show Carey’s chart-topping “We Belong Together” as the runaway song of the year, reaching 56 percent more listeners than runner-up “Let Me Love You” by Mario. Carey also had the No. 6 song of the year, “Shake It Off.”

50 Cent notched four songs in the top 20, led by “Candy Shop.” Clarkson and Ciara each had three appearances.

Grammys for gramps

David Bowie, blues pioneer Robert Johnson and the late comedian Richard Pryor are among the recording artists slated to receive lifetime achievement honors during next month’s Grammy Awards.

Eric Clapton’s ‘60s rock group Cream, country singer-songwriter Merle Haggard, opera vocalist Jessye Norman and ‘50s folk quartet the Weavers also are due to be honored.

Sony broadens boundaries

Sony Music has teamed with the founder of a gay cable network to form a record label geared toward developing gay, lesbian and transgender recording artists.

Music With a Twist plans to employ talent scouts nationwide to find emerging artists who have generated a buzz in the gay community.

Bigger bite of Korn

Hard rock band Korn has formed a partnership with Live Nation Inc. that gives the concert promoter a stake in all aspects of the band’s business, including album sales, publishing and merchandising.

Concert promoters typically only get a cut of ticket sales.

“This deal allows them to focus not just on selling concert tickets but on fully investing in the Korn brand,” a band spokesman said. “We believe this venture will pave a new way of doing business for musical artists in the future.”

Stripes silenced

Because of singer-guitarist Jack White’s “acute vocal cord problem,” the White Stripes postponed four scheduled tour dates in Japan this weekend.

“As part of his treatment, the doctors have instructed Jack not to speak or sing for the next two weeks,” said a message on the band’s Web site.

The Stripes plan to resume their tour Friday in New Zealand.