THE VINYL RECORD MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AND THE VINYL ALLIANCE JOINT STATEMENTThe Vinyl Record Manufacturing Association (VRMA) and the Vinyl Alliance have joined forces to voice their combined concern to Luminate’s upcoming changes to reporting methods for independent physical retailers.  This fall Luminate, the entertainment industry’s preeminent data and insights company and Billboard’s data partner, announced that starting week one of 2024 data on physical sales (vinyl, CDs, and cassettes) will reflect a direct representation of those reported from indie retailers in the United States and Canada which have agreed to participate in their new program. Historically and currently, these sales are algorithmically determined due to the very small number of record stores contributing to the weekly sales activity acting as the representative base for the entirety of the Indie Retail market segment.  This change is a dramatic departure from the current practice and one that will unfairly minimize numbers creating a seismic change in providing true insight into the importance and scope of both physical media and independent retailers and their impact on the makeup of the music business landscape. The joint statement from the VRMA and Vinyl Alliance is as follows.

“We at the VRMA and the Vinyl Alliance are committed to both accurate data and reporting.  With less than 5% of independent physical retailers currently reporting directly to Luminate, the data collected will be a grossly inaccurate representation on the sales of physical products, and therefore the overall size and strength of the industry. There will be an immediate break between the market reporting by the RIAA and the IFPI, both important and globally recognized industry organizations. Reviewing current data, the overall US physical market reporting could be reduced by as much as 40% in units and by 35% in value in retail dollars. This break from the historic measurement process will have many consequences, most notably the decimation of market share currently held by Independent Retail. This reduction will have an immediate effect, and the downward perception of the value of the market will reverberate around the globe. We agree that accuracy is the goal and with the proper amount of time dedicated to onboarding an expansive list of new Independent Retail reporters we will arrive at the desired destination - an accurate measure of the market confirming the most popular artists in any given chart week.”

The sale of Vinyl Records has seen continual growth year-over-year for the past 16 years. Last year, in 2022, was the first time in over 30 years that vinyl record sales surpassed the sale of CD’s.  In the U.S. Vinyl sales YTD for 2023 in the United States, as reported by Luminate, are up 18.4% from the previous period (39.5M units vs.33.3M units). There are currently fifty-two pressing plants in the US that are conservatively producing 193,550,000 record discs per year.  Globally, the annual number is 360,180,000, with close to 200 plants targeted to be online by the first quarter of 2024.

“The continued growth in vinyl sales was the impetus for starting the Association, says VRMA President and Chief Creative Officer of Hand Drawn Pressing’s Dustin Blocker.  “This new reporting would be a widely imprecise reflection of the popularity of physical products and the strength of the industry as a whole, with the potential to have a large ripple effect on not just pressing plants but the entire vinyl value chain. We have over 50 members from across the industry which include half the pressing plants in the United States, but also audio companies, plating, mastering, print, packing, technology, record labels, and, of course, record stores, all of whom would be affected.”

Says Michael Kurtz, co-founder of Record Store Day and Vinyl Alliance member, "The most devastating thing that any corporation could do to an artist, a record label, a vinyl manufacturer, or a record store is to take away the sale of an album. All of the resolve of the artist, all of the passion of the artist, all of the efforts to bring the artist’s creation to their fans by their record label, vinyl manufacturer, and distributor, all of the hard work by the record store to support the artist, all of it, are all zeroed out by Luminate and Billboard with this change. It will not increase accuracy in reflecting sales, but only create more doubt of the legitimacy of Billboard’s charts.

ABOUT THE VRMA

The VRMA is a professional trade association of independent businesses committed to the craft of vinyl record manufacturing through collaboration, advocacy, standardization, and education. The association serves to advocate and promote the vinyl record manufacturing industry while providing the latest and most accurate information to the industry at large. The association offers a forum for member companies to engage in ongoing discussions and provide external communications concerning various issues and opportunities related to other new technologies that may emerge. 

ABOUT THE VINYL ALLIANCE

The Vinyl Alliance is a global industry group committed to the future of the vinyl record business. The Alliance unites prominent players from across the global vinyl record value chain to exchange knowledge and work together to jointly address issues facing the industry. Vinyl Alliance members include record labels, manufacturers, materials and component suppliers, retailers, printers, and many others. Together, Vinyl Alliance members work to strengthen vinyl’s position in the recorded music market and advocate for vinyl records as a premium listening experience with unique cultural significance.

Joint Statement Of Tom Petty Family & RR AuctionRR Auction and the family of the late Tom Petty announce that all concerns regarding the recent offering of personal clothing and items of the rock star have been resolved without litigation.

The Petty family is grateful that RR Auction facilitated the safe return of the items, which have been returned to the Petty family's secure archives, and there is currently no belief RR Auction committed or knew of any wrongdoing regarding the disputed ownership of the items.

To show their gratitude, the family has agreed to a select few of the belongings to be offered for auction through RR Auction. The family supports the upcoming sale and verifies the authenticity of the items to be offered.

From Spotify’s 1,500+ layoffs and CFO exit to Enrique Iglesias’ nine-figure deal… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe biggest stories from the past week – all in one place
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On Tuesday, Paul Vogel, CFO of Spotify, cashed $9.3m in shares – 24 hours after his company confirmed 1,500 layoffs. Tonight, Daniel Ek has announced Vogel is out.News comes three days after Spotify announced worldwide layoffs affecting 17% of its workforce
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3rd Annual ASCAP Foundation Holiday Auction Kicks Off Online(Photo credit: Lester Cohen/ Getty Images for ASCAP; L-R Snoop Dogg, shoe artist Frankie Zombie and Dr. Dre.)

Top musical talent is coming together to help support the next generation of songwriters and bring music education to young people as part of the third annual Holiday Auction for The ASCAP Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting music creators. In the past year alone, ASCAP Foundation programs benefited more than 300,000 people, including 60,000 students from 700 schools. 

A range of A-list artists and songwriters from all corners of the music world have contributed items for bid including hip-hop icons Dr. Dre + Snoop Dogg (signed, custom Air Force Ones designed by Frankie Zombie) and Big Daddy Kane, pop stars such as Olivia Rodrigo, Selena Gomez and Reneé Rapp, renowned DJs Steve Aoki and Martin Garrix, indie luminaries Cigarettes After Sex and mxmtoon, rockers Travis Barker (Blink-182), Tenacious D, Papa Roach, Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi guitarist) Chicago and Josh Klinghoffer (former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist), songwriting legends like Paul Williams, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Desmond Child and Poo Bear, social media sensations Laufey and Paul Russell (“Lil Boo Thang”), country hitmakers Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton, Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, Jordan Davis and Carly Pearce, Broadway and film titan Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Prince of Egypt) and many more.

The auction takes place online at www.ascapfoundation.org/auction23 from today through December 14.

“We could not be more excited that the Holiday Auction is becoming an annual tradition for The ASCAP Foundation,” said Nicole George-Middleton, The ASCAP Foundation Executive Director. “It has been incredible to see the donations pour in from ASCAP’s top members as we work together to raise funds to support future music creators. It is truly a one-of-a-kind auction for music fans, and we thank our supporters from the bottom of our hearts for their generosity.”

The items on auction include autographed guitars, vinyl, handwritten lyrics, original song compositions written for the winning bidder, VIP tickets to awards shows, concerts and sporting events, meet and greets, personalized videos and more.

Additional donors include the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Gibson Guitars, the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, DJ Flict and Los Angeles Football Club, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and acclaimed film and TV composers such as Natalie Holt (Loki), Michael Giacchino (Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Batman) and Lorne Balfe (Mission: Impossible films).

More information on auction items can be found at www.ascapfoundation.org/auction23. Bidding is open now.

About The ASCAP Foundation

Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their development through music education, talent development and humanitarian programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants, scholarships, awards, recognition and community outreach programs. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and from music lovers throughout the United States. www.ascapfoundation.org.

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Shazam hits 300m monthly active users worldwideApple acquired Shazam for $400 million in 2018
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Curious about The John Lennon Songwriting Contest?In honor of John Lennon, The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is an international songwriting contest that began in 1997 to give songwriters an opportunity to express themselves, gain recognition, and get their music heard. The JLSC is made possible by Yoko Ono Lennon.

The contest is open to everyone. Enter your original songs in any of the 12 Categories: Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop, Country, Jazz, R&B, Children's, Folk, World, Latin, Electronic and Gospel/Inspirational.

You don't need a professional recording. Entries will be judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics (when applicable).

Each year, judges select 72 Finalists and 24 Grand Prize winners. The Grand Prize winners compete for the 12 Lennon Awards, one of which will be selected "Song of the Year." Click here for a complete list of prizes.

George Clinton, Prince Royce, 311, and Flea are some of the members on our Executive Committee of Judges. Meet the Judges

Proceeds from the contest help support the non-profit John Lennon Educational Tour Busmobile recording studio which is dedicated to providing young people with opportunities to create original music and digital media.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO ENTER

CONTEST DEADLINE ALERT!

Entries for Session II must be received by December 31st!

Enter your original songs to compete for the enormous 2023 prize list which includes pro gear like Genelec 8030C monitors, an Apogee Duet 3, a pair of Epiphone guitars, Audio-Technica studio mic + headphones, Avid Pro Tools, hot plugins from SSL, Apogee/Clearmountain, and Universal Audio, as well as Reason+ and so much more - including the $20,000 CASH prize for Song of the Year.