Tag Archives: Bertelsmann Music Group

Clay Aiken – Music – 10 Years Ago

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Do any of you remember what the Music Industry Looked Like on September 11, 2001?  It’s only been 10 years, but the music world has made so many changes… can you remember?

The following is a list of some of the changes in the last decade.

  • There were 5 major labels: Warner Music Group, EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG), and Universal Music Group.
  • CDs accounted for 94.5 percent of overall recorded music sales, according to the RIAA.  Cassettes still accounted for roughly 2.5 percent of the total, LPs were roughly 0.2 percent, and album downloads were essentially nonexistent.
  • The labels were on their way to concluding their third-best year ever (the best being 1999).
  • The  iPod was still two months from being announced.
  • The iTunes Music Store was still about 20 months away.
  • Mariah Carey’s Glitter Soundtrack was released on September 11th.  The movie arrived at theaters a few weeks later.
  • The song  with the most spins on radio on September 11th was “I’m Real,” by Jennifer Lopez.
  • The top-charting country single was “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight” by Toby Keith.
  • Justin Bieber was 7 years old.  Justin Timberlake was 20.  
  • The  best-selling album on September 11th was the self-titled release from Aaliyah.  The singer had recently passed on August 25th, 2001.
  • Janet Jackson, Sade, Aerosmith, and Dave Matthews Band were dominating the live circuit.  U2 was preparing the North American leg of its Elevation tour, and actually planned the official announcement on September 11th.

When I see this list it makes me think that the technology of music has changed so much more than the artists.  All the mentioned artists except for Aaliyah, are still performing today.  However, the changes in the way we listen to music and the changes in the business of music are enormous.  It certainly makes you wonder what changes we will write about in another 10 years.  Thank you to Digital Music News for the list!

Please don’t forget to add your holiday song suggestions on September 9ths article.  The more responses, the more fun!!  Holiday music and Clay Aiken is the best partnership around.

Will you be attending the Gala in December?

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