The Rise of Cover / Tribute Videos

I’m guessing these ladies used their superstorm sandy down-time more productively than I did.

Vinyl Sales Up

While sales of compact discs and ringtones suffered double-digit declines last year, vinyl records enjoyed what appears to be an enduring resurgence in 2010, according to figures released Thursday by the Recording Industry Assn. of America. CD sales dropped 21%

iPad Meet the Album

Artists and record labels are rushing to develop iPad applications that revive and expand the idea of the traditional album and, they hope, entice fans to buy more than just a track or two. The Universal Music Group has teamed

Just Watch

How Shiz Gets Done in the Music Biz

The ‘viral sensation’ Greyson Chance was signed by American Idol judge Ellen DeGeneres. Chance uploaded a piano cover of ‘Paparazzi’ that went ‘so viral,’ though the effort was largely engineered and bolstered by DeGeneres herself. What’s next for the 12

RIP Main Street Records

iTunes now accounts for 28 percent of all music sales in the US, up from 4 percent from last year according to NPD Group. Amazon and Walmart are now tied for second at 12 percent apiece.

TV Colonizing the Web

Two great companion pieces from last week’s Economist on the surprisingly good state of television. I have an excerpt from one below and the second one, here, takes a more global perspective and offers great numbers from all around the

A YouTube Star Makes It Big

Susan Boyle is an example to file away for every conversation you have to have with clients about whether or not clicks online can actually turn into dollars somewhere down the line. The answer is most definitely yes. The show

U2’s Tour Overhead

I’ve found some numbers that help bring to life the enormous financial impact a single entertainment entity can have. U2 is currently out on the road, doing its worldwide thing. (Apparently Bono has time to do more than just rock

Mariah On Fi-yah

As music sales continue to drop like they’re not so hot throughout the industry, Island Def Jam Music Group is jamming on a new business model: integrating brands into artists’ CD booklets. The first deal, created for the Mariah Carey