Former soap star sues ABC

Michael Nader, former “All My Children” star, has sued ABC, claiming the network breached its contract with him. He is seeking $1.64 million in unpaid wages, $25 million in compensatory damages and $5 million for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Nader says ABC executives refused to let him return to his role as Dimitri Marick after he came back from a narcotics arrest and subsequent, drug rehabilitation. But they also refused to release him from his contract, which meant he could not work anywhere else, he claims.

Cohen Brothers, producer get deal

T Bone Burnett and Ethan Coen, makers of “O Brother, Where Art Thou,” along with the soundtrack’s producer, have landed a record label deal through a new label, DMZ Records.

The new label, which will be under the wing of Columbia Records, boasts Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Bono and the Coen brothers on its board of advisers.

The label’s first release will be from 75-year-old singer Ralph Stanley, a contributor to the “O Brother” soundtrack. Stanley, a country singer, won a Grammy.

But the label won’t just release “O Brother” carbon copies, said Burnett.

“We’re not going to concentrate solely on traditional American music. We’re going to do music that is good, music that will become traditional American music,” he said in a statement.

– News gathered by Bethany Kohoutek from the Associated Press