WHEELS & DEALS: MOTTOLA ADDS LOHAN, ARISTA TAPS FENSTER

CASABLANCA SCORES: The derby for heavily pursued teen-film star Lindsay Lohan ended last week as the young starlet signed with veteran music exec Tommy Mottola through the revived Casablanca label under Universal Music. The teen actress, who is merely 17 (and far too old for us to date...just kidding. No really, we were just kidding), was the focus of several major labels, which courted her intensely for several months. The deal is rumored to be in the seven-figure range. Wonderers wondering if the rising film star will have as successful singing career as her Disney counterpart Hilary Duff. And rumor has it that Hilary's camp (i.e. her mother/manager) threatened not to record another album for Hollywood Records if they tried to pursue Lohan. Hmmm. We'll report more tabloid drama as we hear them... Longtime music exec/artist manager Michael Rosenblatt has a new act that's been perking weasel ears. The Rosenblatt-repped Augustana has been showcasing their talent for a number of labels on the West Coast. The groups demo was produced by Stephen Short and reportedly has radio-ready singles. Will the band be quickly taken off the market?... The David Christiansen/Steve Sessa-repped Avion is now on label showcase alert. After continued action at Hot AC radio, the band had showcased for several labels last week with more to continue this week. Word on the street is that two suitors are talkin' deal. Meanwhile, the group garners another five adds this week on the Hot AC panel... Rumor has it that the Tom Sarig-repped Against Me! has several offers on the table with the deal numbers reportedly in the high six figures. However, is the band thinking about staying on their indie-label home?... BLIND ITEM OF THE WEEK: Which rock manager who reps a big, multi-platinum selling act is planning to make a change soon? And what will the change entail? And who has he been meeting with? Inquiring minds want to know... The Gloria Butler-repped Apartment 26 is out of their Atlantic deal with completed record in hand. Check it out... The Eddie Applebaum/Monika Tashman-repped Morningwood has signed with Andy Slater and Ron Laffitte atCapitol Records... The Dave Holmes/Darin Harmon-repped Rilo Kiley has signed a deal with Warner Bros. Records. The Echo Park-based group will release their next record on their own Brute/Beaute label and will be distributed by the Bunny... Former Island Def Jam A&R exec Jeff Fenster lands at Arista as Sr. VP of A&R... Finally, have fun on the 4^th and remember not to blow your hand off when playing with fireworks... BUZZIN: The Ponys and Brent Roam... Hit me up: [email protected]