Briefly: Backstreet Boys-'NSync Contest? Gnutella, Stephen Malkmus, Sisquo, Pete Seeger

Miami radio station Y-100 is promoting a Backstreet Boys-'N Sync contest in which the winners will get to see the two groups perform together at London's Wembley Stadium. However, as of press time, the show, which is not mentioned on Wembley Stadium's website, could not be confirmed.

A recent study, reported by Reuters, concluded that 70% of MP3 file-sharing site Gnutella's users don't actually share files of their own. The problem with that, according to the study, is that those computers that offer files for sharing--not just on Gnutella, but on all file-trading sites--might not be able to handle the traffic and that the system might crash.

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Pavement's Stephen Malkmus has finished his Matador Records solo debut, CMJ reported. The album, due in early 2001, may be released under Malkmus' name or under the name of the Jicks, Malkmus' touring band.

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NBC has committed to a TV comedy pilot featuring Sisquo, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

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According to The Associated Press, folk musician Pete Seeger's banjo, which he had lost earlier this month, was returned by the man who found it on a road in New York State.

From staff reports, compiled by James Woster.