INDUSTRY CHATTER: Ex-Capitol head Hale Milgrim isn’t...

INDUSTRY CHATTER: Ex-Capitol head Hale Milgrim isn’t the only one being considered for the job at Disney-owned Hollywood Records. Among others: Jeff Ayeroff and Jordan Harris, the team that headed Virgin Records’ U.S. company until being let go last month. Insiders report that Milgrim and the Ayeroff/Jordan team have been interviewed by Disney executives. But with Peter Paterno’s official resignation, more names are expected to surface in coming weeks, and given Disney’s unpredictability since entering the record business, insiders say anything could happen. . . .

MCA Records’ A&R; department shuffle finally appears to be settled. Out are longtime A&R; head Paul Atkinson and East Coast staffers Bruce Dickinson and Jill Johnson, with Raoul Roach departing as head of black A&R; after a six-week cup of coffee. Also gone from MCA’s embrace is Uptown Entertainment A&R; exec Sean (Puffy) Combs, whose ears were key to the success of Mary J. Blige, Father M.C. and Heavy D. & the Boyz. In are senior VP Michael Rosenblatt, who will work with senior A&R; exec Ron Oberman, and black music A&R; exec Andre Fischer, the husband of Natalie Cole. . . .

Pendulum Records, whose roster includes the valuable Digable Planets, is moving from the Elektra family to the EMI Records Group. ERG has bought 50% of the company and will begin distributing its product this month.