HITS HIGH FIVE: A MOMENT TO PAUSE

It’s been a long week. Sadness lingers throughout the industry as we collectively try to focus on the future, help those affected by tragedy and create a better, safer tomorrow. Here’s a hushed HITS High 5.

Fifty-eight people were killed and more than 500 wounded after a lone gunman opened fire on the crowd during the Route 91 Harvest Festival on the Las Vegas Strip Sunday night. Maren Morris released a single less than 24 hours after the shooting, “Dear Hate,” to raise money for the people affected. Eric Church , who had performed at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, performed his powerful new song, "Why Not Me?" at the Grand Ole Opry on Wednesday.

Tom Petty died Monday at the age of 66, just a week after wrapping the 40th anniversary tour with The Heartbreakers. For several days, fans turned in droves to iTunes to connect with his music.

On the second day of his new job as Warner Music Group’s CEO of Recorded Music, Max Lousada made sweeping changes to Warner Bros. Records.

For the first time, YouTube streams will be factored into the determination of the bible’s Top 200 album chart. For starters, the industry is not interested in a tally of cat videos that use recorded music and, more importantly, the lack of a log-in increases the potential for manipulation and fraud.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has released its ballot. Radiohead and Rage Against the Machine are on in their first year of eligibility. Other first-time nominees are Kate Bush, Dire Straits, Eurythmics, Judas Priest, The Moody Blues, Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.