Friday’s Battle Cry: “Music News Day!”

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Album sales in the US were down 9.5 percent from last year, even though digital sales rose 45 percent and “overall music perchases,” which include albums, singles, digital tracks and music videos, were up 14 percent.

The Foo Fighters will perform with an “unsigned instrumentalist” as part of an American Idol-style contest at this year’s Grammy Awards. The “My Grammy Moment” competition is open to string, woodwind and brass players, one of whom will join Dave Grohl & co. at the ceremony February 10th.

Swedish singer-songwriter José González is planning a “green tour” of North America, partnering with a company called Reverb to provide biodegradeable catering supplies and offsetting the tour’s carbon emissions. Tour dates include NYC’s Highline Ballroom on 3/11, LA’s Wiltern on 3/25, and SF’s Fillmore on 3/27.

I’m not talking about Britney Spears.