A&R CUTS AT ISLAND/IDJMG - According to some postings on the Velvet Rope, Island/IDJMG U.S. has cut some folks (and their hefty salaries) from the staff -- Rob Stevenson and his whole Stolen Transmission label (& staff), Paul Pontius, and Greg Thompson are all out. Yikes. Merry X-Mas, guys. While the money Island is saving on paying these guys could get Third World countries out of debt, layoffs before the holidays blow.

Rumors of SonyBMG and Universal also going through big cuts in January, right after what will more than likely be a shite holiday season for music sales. Ho Ho Ho!