Justin Timberlake Audio

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein 's 2007 recording of Bach's "Goldberg Variations" became an unlikely hit, topping the Billboard classical charts, reaching No. 3 on the Amazon charts, and for a time, leading iTunes in downloads. This summer she releases her follow-up CD, "The Berlin Concert," and tonight she performs at Le Poisson Rouge, the new concert venue in Greenwich Village. She performs live for us today in the studio.

Membership in a lighthearted vocal group is a fond memory for many college graduates. For others, including more than a few celebrities, a year or two in a cappella is something they'd rather forget. Mickey Rapkin , author of the book “Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory” and a senior editor at GQ magazine, explains why a cappella is a polarizing force -- one that might be going mainstream. Our blog : John Schaefer on a cappella groups. Tell us : Are you an alumnus or alumna of an a cappella group? How do you look back at your time in one?

It's a list that only Blender magazine could dream up: 25 of music's most reprehensible liars, cheaters, scammers, and shysters. Blender.com editor Mike Errico reveals the chief offenders. Our blog : John Schaefer on music villains

Like Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston, Madonna will spend 2008 attempting to reclaim the diva crown she once held. Her new album out today, "Hard Candy," is either the Material Girl's return to dance-pop form, or an aging star's sad trip down memory lane. (Either way, collaborators Justin Timberlake , Timbaland and the Neptunes are along for the ride.) We'll debate Madonna's relevance with Los Angeles Times chief pop music critic Ann Powers and Greg Kot , Chicago Tribune pop music critic and co-host of the radio program "Sound Opinions." Tell us : What do you think of Madonna? Is she a diva ... or done? Our blog : Find out what John Schaefer thinks of Madonna .

Some of the music industry's biggest names are involved in blockbuster deals: Jay-Z and Live Nation, MySpace and three music majors, and EMI and Google. You might think upheaval inside the music industry doesn't affect you, but think again. First, Eliot van Buskirk of Wired.com explains the impact on music fans. Weigh in : What do you think of the recent spate of music-business megadeals?

Music industry watchers have been obsessed with the future of hip hop ever since the genre's birth 30 years ago. But sales were down 30% in 2007 and superstars like 50 Cent have lost their luster. We talk about the future of hip hop with longtime MC Del the Funky Homosapien and New Yorker staff writer Kelefa Sanneh . Kelefa Sanneh's picks for bright spots in hip hop: Lil' Wayne, “Lollipop” The-Dream, “She Needs My Love” from Lovehate UGK (Underground Kingz) featuring Outkast, “Int’l Players Anthem” from Underground Kingz Tiny Tempah, “When I Was Young” from Room 147 Yo Gotti, "Walkin in Memphis"

For the past week, Soundcheck listeners have weighed in with their favorites in four Grammy categories. Today we announce the results of our online poll. Later, we ask professional poker player and music fan Matt Lessinger how he'll bet on the Grammys. And USA Today reporter and columnist Michael McCarthy explains why Grammy wagers are part of a growing corner of online gambling, proposition bets.

Love them or hate them, cell phone ringtones are here to stay. We'll look at the brief, lucrative history of the ringtone, from the best-selling selections to the most annoying. (Perhaps some ringtones make both lists...) We talk with Antony Bruno of Billboard magazine and Jeff Dodes of Zomba Label Group, home to pop-oriented Jive Records.

A new generation of producers is stepping out of the recording studio and into the limelight. Ann Powers , chief pop music critic of the Los Angeles Times, explains how the role of the producer is changing -- and why the new skill set recalls a different era.

Amy Winehouse, The White Stripes, and several other high-profile musicians have been canceling concert tours this fall. Today, Gary Bongiovanni, editor of the concert trade publication Pollstar, explains why cancellations occur and how concert presenters cope with them. We also speak with singer Nick Luca who ended up in the Emergency Room while on tour with John Doe (X), the result of undetected diabetes.