How Nashville Star Got Jeffrey Steele Into Best Buy
The Internet and all its MP3s and videos and blogs have definitely changed the way people discover new music. But every once in a while, it happens the old-fashioned way: by watching TV. Like it did for Laura Greenspan, a buyer responsible for the country music assortment at Best Buy.
A longtime country fan, Greenspan was watching Nashville Star when she first noticed singer-songwriter Jeffrey Steele. She saw him judging and mentoring and even doing little clips of performing when he was working with the contestants. "He was so good, but he was the only one I didn't know much about, so I was curious. I went to his Web site and saw that he'd written so many of these country songs I loved," she said. "Then I went on Wikipedia to get some background on him, and went to Rhapsody to listen to the music." It was Steele's smoky and ragged voice singing Faith Hill's "When the Lights Go Down" that really clinched it for her. "To hear the actual songwriter sing the song, there are just so many subtle differences. And he had already produced this compilation CD of the hits he'd written for other artists. He was the tie that held those hits together." That CD, Gold, Platinum, No Chrome, More Steele: Greatest Hits Vol. II, features Steele on Rascal Flatts' "These Days," Trace Adkins' "I'm Tryin'," Montgomery Gentry's "My Town" and Tim McGraw's "The Cowboy in Me," among his other compositions.
So Greenspan sat down at her computer and e-mailed Steele asking him if there was any way Best Buy could get his CDs in the store. It took Steele about a day to get back to her with his answer: yes. "It's not as easy as ‘just send me a box of CDs,'" Greenspan admitted. But now, Best Buy has three of Steele's albums in stores and online. "We like to think we are a music store, and we want to take chances and explore newer artists. And we make those opportunities come to life." That's good news for Steele, and country fans everywhere.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
RedMaZ says:
Maybe you should let Greenspan know about the other 90% of today’s she may be not aware of(including country), unless you want me to do it? I will help.
Rick says:
Since most buyers hear the music they want to purchase on country radio, offering CD’s from a relatively unknown songwriter likely won’t generate much sales volume. Its still a nice thing to do though. If “Best Buy” wants something to generate publicity and sales, then they should try to accomplish the first time commercial CD release of Jeffrey’s “Somethin’ In The Water” album that’s sitting on a label’s shelf somewhere in Nashville. Its one of his better efforts by the way.
countryiscool says:
I’ve liked Jeffrey since back in his Boy Howdy days. Loved his song, “She’d give anything” (to fall in love). he was the only judge I liked on Nashville Star too. Too bad they can never come up with people that have staying power, with the exception of Miranda of course. A few others were around for a bit, then disappeared- the others were in the can the day after they “won” the title.
Linda says:
Anything that exposes less-known artists to a wider audience is a good thing, especially these days.
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Amy says:
Alison - This is the kind of blog - country fans want to hear about.
I like Jeffrey Steele - didn’t really know much about him prior to Nashville Star and he was on Gone Country as one of the songwriters.
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Mike Bement says:
Rick has stated here that Best Buy might really do some good for Jeffrey by releasing the unreleased Jeffrey album “Something In The Water.” I agree. Additionally, I think the unreleased Curb Jeffrey Steele album is even better. It is incredible. Perhaps Best Buy could release both albums.
MDB
daves country says:
first off i dont think hes an unknown songwriter . he is thee songwriter .with quite a following in the u.s. and europe!
he sells out shows everywhere he goes ,and the people who know him best are not the ones who follow the mega hits which hes written by the hundreds
but people who know good music most arent even country fans theyre rock and blues fans , he’s a pretty worthy blues guitarist and quite a vocalist . to see him on stage is the real talent .
ive seen him play blues ,scream rock and roll classics , sing high harmony with bluegrass bands . he has no limits he is an american treasure i wish someone would take notice of how original and uniquely american his talent is .
i loved that they released all 3 of his cd’ s because that diversity is truly what makes him who he is.
sony records will never release that album nor will curb and he will most likely have to wait years to be able to do it on his own due to contracts
the good news is he has so many songs unheard by the world that he would never have to write another so go best buy as long as people want a cd keep trying to sell them
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