UN-EQUITY (Items on Clint Black, Laura Bryna, Carolina Rain, Kevin Fowler, Blake Wise, ...

The Equity Music Group is "suspending" its operations pronto, according to The Tennessean , citing the economy.
"Our investors tried to find a way to keep the doors open at Equity, but with a struggling industry, an overall decline in discretionary spending by consumers and a total freeze on credit markets, the board of directors has been forced to make this difficult decision," Equity Records President Tim Wipperman said .
Last month, Equity's top artist, Clint Black, sued his manager , essentially over royalty issues and publishing rights, but also claiming that Charles Sussman had had him sign over million dollars in guarantees to Equity .
Further, Clint said that he was unaware that Little Big Town (Equity's biggest success, by far), had a provision in its contract that allowed their move to Capitol Records, which occurred earlier this year.
LBT's move to the big city was the undoing of Equity, according to Billboard.biz .
Meanwhile, around 15 employees are effected. Equity's current roster contains (contained?) Black, Laura Bryna, Carolina Rain, Kevin Fowler and Blake Wise.

Don't Forget to Remember to Watch Me: Carrie Underwood has been announced as a performer for the People's Choice Awards , where she's nominated several times . The 35th annual giving away of the thingies-chosen-by-people will be done January 7 on CBS.

Two Things I Love: Jo Dee Messina and cheese curds. So there's this .