plus: EMusic.com's new deals. Bill Monroe auction.

The Recording Industry Association of America announced on Thursday (12/20) that the album that sold the most copies this year was Shaggy [ tickets ]'s "Hotshot." The album has sold 5.5 millions copies since January.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has released "A Las Vegas Tribute to Frank Sinatra," which, in addition to familiar Sinatra standards, includes a previously unreleased song, "It's Time for You."

According to an Oct. 11 transcript of "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer," that song is the centerpiece of an ad campaign designed to increase Las Vegas tourism following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The theme of the campaign is "It's Time for You to Get Back to the Business of Living."

Online music service EMusic.com announced that it has signed licensing and digital distribution deals with OM Records (Juan Atkins, Ming & FS), Olympia (classical), JSP (Buddy Guy, Professor Longhair), Minty Fresh (the Cardigans, Veruca Salt), Checkered Past (Spanic Boys, Ass Ponys) and Emperor Norton ("The Virgin Suicides").

The estate of Bill Monroe is auctioning off more than 500 items--including mandolins and stage costumes--that belonged to the bluegrass legend, according to published reports. The auction is scheduled for Friday and Saturday (12/21-22) at the Country Music Hall of Fame. EBay.com will also hold a Monroe auction on Saturday.