Worth reading the link below as the current bosses of the music industry squeal about earnings which have declined totally due to the behaviour of label bosses.

It interested me that the current No1 single - streaming millions all over the world for weeks - has currently earned to date almost exactly the same as I earn each year from my personal back catalogue (sung or produced under various pseudonyms).

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55...lY8hag_4l4V01PNdwOyY

I'm assured by a friend still working in the industry that the track mentioned (by an ex Disney star like Britney and Justin) is earning millions through streaming and the industry is in a better state than ever before. My eyes tell me retailers appear to have disappeared but I suppose the millions who used to be employed in shops are now working for the streaming companies. The artwork, graphics, T shirts, collectibles etc must be far exceeded by the massive streaming income. But what do I know?

To me, it's the dull, grey, ordinary executives these days in the companies concerned who now realise they can keep a steady, if small stream of income by devoting everything to specialist sounds. So we see mass appeal deserted; the odd exception (Sheeran; Adele; One Direction; BTS) nowhere near as dominant as the stars of the past.

But, thanks to Surrey Police, aided and abetted by Max Clifford, I'm no longer a significant part of the music industry. And I'm now 76. So what do I know?

JK2006 wrote:
I'm assured by a friend still working in the industry that the track mentioned (by an ex Disney star like Britney and Justin) is earning millions through streaming and the industry is in a better state than ever before. My eyes tell me retailers appear to have disappeared but I suppose the millions who used to be employed in shops are now working for the streaming companies. The artwork, graphics, T shirts, collectibles etc must be far exceeded by the massive streaming income. But what do I know?

To me, it's the dull, grey, ordinary executives these days in the companies concerned who now realise they can keep a steady, if small stream of income by devoting everything to specialist sounds. So we see mass appeal deserted; the odd exception (Sheeran; Adele; One Direction; BTS) nowhere near as dominant as the stars of the past.

But, thanks to Surrey Police, aided and abetted by Max Clifford, I'm no longer a significant part of the music industry. And I'm now 76. So what do I know?

It's a shame what's happening.

Streaming always sounds so shit compared to CD or vinyl. The adverts on Spotify and Youtube are so flipping annoying I deleted both off my devices and again shit quality.

I still go to the second hand record shops ( when we are not trapped indoors) and they vary from the good to extremely over priced.

I am thankful for Discogs.

As a consumer GM (aren't we all?) shops need to give us better reasons for going there. Experts. Artwork; sleeves; t shirts; banners. Cheaper. Clever variety (older stuff). Events to attract us in person as opposed to online. Yet online presence too. Adapt and succeed.

JK2006 wrote:
As a consumer GM (aren't we all?) shops need to give us better reasons for going there. Experts. Artwork; sleeves; t shirts; banners. Cheaper. Clever variety (older stuff). Events to attract us in person as opposed to online. Yet online presence too. Adapt and succeed.

There's a wonderful record shop in Weymouth, merch is displayed at the window the staff are knowledgeable on obsecure heavy metal to underground hip-hop. They even accept telephone orders and you will get records in a few days. I always go to record stores if I see one when I am working in any city or town.