Record industry 15

Recording Industry

Chapter 15

Recording History

1877 Edison invents cylinder recording 1887 Emile Berliner patented

gramophone, 1890 first lateral-cut disks, 1893 formed United States Gramophone Company

1894 1st commercial recording 1901 Victor Talking Machine Co.

History cont.

1917 1st Jazz Recording 1924 Bell Labs invents electrical

recording process: range 100-5,000 Hz 1930s Great Depression, Sales Drop

90%, Jukebox growths helps industry 1939 Decca markets low cost 35 cent

recording

History cont. 1942-45 AF of M strike Late 1940s one-stops (distributors with all

labels); Independent Labels grow 1948 33 1/3 RPM record & 45 RPM born 1950s TV takes over, Radio stations fire

live bands & use recorded music. 1953 - Les Paul perfects multi-track

recording machine

History cont

1955 Columbia Record Club 1957 Rack Jobbing begins 1958 Stereo introduced. Listening booths

disappear. 1960s NARM National Association of

Record Merchandisers. Major labels begin to reclaim market.

History cont.

1970s - Independent Producers grow. 16-24 track recorders & synthesizers

1980s - Disco bust, MTV & Video Clips, CDs

1990s - DAT approved, internet begins to effect distribution.

2000 - MP3s, Napster, iPod, iTunes

Major Labels

“their own distribution system” Own manufacturing facilities, lower costs Well financed international corps. Can sign more artists for more money Can promote at $100,000 per single 1 in 5 recoup Can ride out continued losses

Independent Labels

Must rely on various distributors, money slow in returning up the pipeline

Closer to street level, release new styles earlier than majors

Can serve a niche market with loyal following

Specialty Labels

Specific demographic - classical (Nonesuch & Deutsche Grammophon), Folk & ethnic (Folkways)

DIY - Do It Yourself. Sell from the stage or a web site

Major Labels

Universal Music Group - 29.59% Sony/BMG - 28.46% Warner Music Group - 14.68% EMI Music Group - 9.91%

Universal

Interscope/Geffen/A&M Island Def Jam Music Group Motown Universal Music Nashville Universal Records Verve Music Group Universal Classics Group

Universal cont

Universal Music Enterprises Universal Music Latino Island Records Group (UK) Mercury (UK) Polydor (UK)

Sony Arista Records BMG/Classics BMG Heritage BMG International Companies Columbia Records Epic Records J Records Legacy Recordings

Sony cont RCA Records RCA Victor Group RLG Nashville Sony Classical Sony Music International Sony Music Nashville Sony Wonder Sony Urban Music

Warner Music Group

Asylum Records Atlantic Records Group East West Warner Bros. Records Inc Warner Music International Warner Strategic Marketing

EMI Music Group Angel Records Blue Note Records Capitol Records US Capitol Records Nashville EMI Latin EMI Christian Music Group Narada Priority Records Virgin Records America

Administrative Structure

Executive (CEO, COO, CFO, General Manager) - Lawyers or Producers

A&R (Artist & Repertoire) - sign talent, listening to demos, visiting clubs & showcases. After signing guide project through

Structure cont.

Distribution/Sales - get product into stores and one-stops

Marketing - Radio Promotion (visit stations, appearances, interviews, etc.), Video Promotion, Publicity (manage media coverage, articles & interviews), Advertising (ads in national and trade press, etc.) ,

Structure cont.

Creative Services (design products, album art, posters), Production Dept (oversee various steps), Product Manager, Special Products (licensing requests, repackaging back catalog)

Structure cont.

International Dept - foreign sales and affiliates

Business & Legal Affairs - copyrights, contracts, etc.

Accounting - royalties, budgets, reports Publishing Affiliates - all companies have

a BMI & ASCAP publisher

Trade Associations

NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences - Grammy Awards

RIAA - Record Industry Association of America

NARM - National Association of Record Merchants