Right now I’m taking a class on the history of the recording industry. About half of our time is spent talking about the current state / downward spiral of the gargantuan. It’s awesome. Because most of the people who will read this will probably be interested in what I’m learning I have come to share.

A few recent happenings that signify a shift in the industry:
1. Radiohead releases it’s album, “In Rainbows”, online with a pay-what-you-want model. You’ve probably heard about this one already but some things that you might not know are: Radiohead hasn’t really released any sales data yet. Probably because they’re too busy burning the extra money they have just for kicks. Also, their CD went straight to #1 when it was released in hard copy. Proof that you can make free music online work for you.
2. Madonna signs with (no, not a label) a concert promoter. That’s right, folks. Who needs the big labels? Not Madonna … or anyone, really. While no specific details of distribution methods have been released she will likely make a deal with Wal-Mart, Target, and the like.
3. Paul McCartney signs with the Starbucks label. In a slap to the face that gets more vicious every day, the industry loses one of the greatest songwriters of the past 50 years … to people who make coffee.
4. The Eagles ink a direct release deal with Wal-Mart for their most recent album. What you might not know is that deal led to “Long Road Out of Eden” being the #3 top seller in America for 2007 with 2.6 million units sold.

Basically, everything is changing. Walmart is likely going to cut back their CD shelf space in 2008 by 30% (with other major retailers to follow, presumably). Labels are laying people off left and right because they aren’t changing their business models and trying to fight a losing battle against the digital revolution. The music industry as we know it will be dead shortly.

While it sounds like a grim, depressing, and terrible thing it’s actually not. What this means for the average consumer is that your music selection is going to grow exponentially - from old releases becoming available for the first time in a while to new artists springing up everywhere (including your neighborhood). Essentially, we are seeing the end of the “rock star”. There will still be some nationally known acts being promoted but everyone will turn to their niche rather than just accepting what’s being shoved down their throat.

Also, sometime in the next few years, I predict that radio will come back to the people. Right now Clear Channel owns like ALL of the radio stations in America. No offense, but only people with personalities and tastes more bland than vanilla listen to that kind of radio. It’s not good. It’s corporate manufactured garbage that isn’t being played because the DJ likes it or the industry respects it. It’s on the air because the labels think (they really have no idea, they’re just guessing) that you will like it. Music for the lowest common denominator. College radio stations, though often forced to play everything but the top 40, have programming created by students who (for the most part) are still passionate about what they listen to. Other stations, like WXRY in Columbia, are still pursuing the dream and playing what they actually like.

It’s a great time to be involved in music. But it’s scary too. Any comments, ideas, opinions, observations, etc. you’d like to share are more than welcome. Just out of curiosity, how do you get your music these days?

SUGGESTED READING:
- Our teacher signed us up for a free newsletter from Steve Meyer called “Disc & Dat”.  It can be a little lengthy but his rants at the beginning are priceless.
- Something that Mr. Meyer linked to from his newsletter: “The 7 Most Unforgivable Grammy Award Snubs of All Time” is hilarious.  The person who wrote the article is totally pissed and it makes for very entertaining reading.