Music Business Blog by Jason Feinberg

Today in my class over at Musicians Institute I talked about distribution and retail. One of the things we discussed was how Mom and Pop stores are sadly being crushed by the mega-music retailers like Best Buy. However, as a teacher, I made clear both sides of the argument.

Stores like Best Buy bring in massive quantities of product, allowing them to (theoretically) pass that on to the customer. They also practice the “Loss-Leader” concept – pricing something super low to get you in the store, then have you buy something else. Or, at minimum, create loyalty that when you are ready to buy something else (like a refrigerator) you will go back. Add to that the amazing promotional stance they hold with record labels, and you have a near unstoppable retail machine. And, the consumer gets the benefit through super cheap CDs.

Unfortunately this is sometimes at the cost of the independent record stores that cannot afford to price CDs so low. What seems to be a saving grace for smaller stores is specialization – offering a deep assortment of music in one or two specialized genres. Punk record stores have done it forever – selling music you can’t get elsewhere, or if you can get it elsewhere, adding a level of personal service and atmosphere that build up a loyal fan base.

So, I hope some of the cooler mom and pop stores out there take a hint and specialize. It’s real hard to compete in the retail world; especially if you don’t offer any incentive for people to shop with you…

Just a reminder – the Indie Bible has been updated – I use this book just about every single day and cannot suggest it enough. If you aren’t ready to hire us then you should definitely get this book and start promoting yourself for virtually free!

Click Here For More Info

Many of you don’t know this, but I have worked for Steve Vai for almost 4 years now. I am both a fan of his music and a fan of him as a person. He’s always entertaining and extremely interesting.

He has been nominated for a Grammy this year, and CBS did a video interview with him that is really worth checking out.

You can watch it HERE.

Ooooh, here are some gems… Some of these quotes are pure genius, some are relevant, and a few are a little ridiculous, but they are all worth reading.

“The whole music business in the United States is based on numbers, based on unit sales and not on quality. It’s not based on beauty, it’s based on hype and it’s based on cocaine. It’s based on giving presents of large packages of dollars to play records on the air.” Frank Zappa

“Modern music is people who can’t think signing artists who can’t write songs to make records for people who can’t hear.” Frank Zappa

“The hardest thing in the world to do in this business is start a band nobody’s heard of.” Tom Whalley, Interscope Records

“If we do our job…Music’s not black or white, it’s green.” Jim Caparro, PGD

“People don’t buy plastic and paper, they buy emotions.” Scott Young, Wherehouse Entertainment

Read More Here

Not music biz related, but oh well – The Sopranos starts in less than a month and a half!! March 12th, baby!

So here’s another contest OTMG is promoting:

Not a bad prize pack – a DW drum kit with Sabian cymbals valued at $20,000!

So please help us spread the word – email this link to your friends and musicians you know:

http://www.favorednations.com/bozziocontest/

Thanks, and stay tuned for MORE amazing contests and giveaways to come soon!