After what he called the "biggest commercial stiff" of his career, Bruce Hornsby has changed labels--from RCA to Columbia--and is releasing a new album called Halcyon Days in August. But welcome to the new era of music marketing: a pre-release single, "Gonna Be Some Changes Made," besides being played on radio stations, is available at the iTunes music store.

This is intelligent. It allows Columbia to double dip--Hornsby's fan base is unconditionally loyal, and thousands of people will both purchase the single and the album when it comes out. It also gives new listeners a chance to put something on their iPod right away.

"Changes" features Sting, just one example of the new album's all-star lineup. Eric Clapton and Elton John also appear. It's the logical next step for a pianist and songwriter that has teamed up with everyone from the Grateful Dead to Shawn Colvin, from Phil Collins to Pat Metheny, from Branford Marsalis to Bela Fleck and Bonnie Raitt. Now that Bruce has a competent recording company on his side, Halcyon Days should mark an exciting rebirth of his career.