Rough Economy Is No Match for New Country Albums
Taylor Swift has already sold 800,000 copies of her new CD. And I think they all came from the Wal-Mart by my house.
I was one of those insane shoppers who woke up last Friday (Nov. 28) thinking it might be fun to get some shopping done. Not real shopping. Just see-what's-out-there shopping. Like window shopping, if Wal-Mart had windows. I knew what Wall Street was predicting: retailers would lose money all winter long. I did see an overall sense of desperation coming from the greeters and their circulars (XBOX 360 for $199! iPod Touch for $227! Sunbeam Mixmaster for $88! Hungry Hungry Hippos for $5!), but I was mostly interested in how the economy was going to affect music sales this season. And what I determined is, it's not going to affect them much at all.
Based on my slightly amateur research, the music department at the Wal-Mart in Darien, Ill., seems relatively untouched by the worst economic fallout in decades. While other departments were pretty quiet for a black Friday, the CD displays were the definite hot spots. Shoppers were especially grabby by the country CDs. The Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Trace Adkins and Sugarland displays were all in need of restocking by the time I got there.
And that made me feel very Christmas-y inside because I like the fact that music remains one of those indulgences you can still afford. You may have to cut back on concert tickets and high-end MP3 players, but the music itself is still a sweet deal. (If you could get your hands on them, most of those country CDs were under $10.) I was able to snag one of each for the country fans on my gift list. It felt good to know I'm sharing all that fantastic music and stimulating the economy one CD at a time.
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King says:
Who cares?
KAREN K says:
Im glad to hear that at least music is still affordable–but yet each time I go to the grocery store produce has climbed yet higher (never thought I’d see the day that a stalk of celery was $3.59 and up) and it seems my favorite cup of coffee continues to rise (I now buy extra when I find it on sale) I noticed too not only is music selling but also people are still hitting the movie theaters (something my husband and I stopped doing when we went and the tickets were $8.00 a piece) and spending millions on going to movies that will be on dvd’s in less than 4 months!! I just wish I knew where they were all finding the money to purchase music and movies because we have a hard time just paying rent, utilities, food and medical???
Someone must be using some creative financing at the present state of our economy!!!
rolltidefan says:
I am with king, WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hotelmotel says:
I’m sure a lot of people care - especially those who work in the music industry and might lose their jobs if music stops selling. And music buyers sure care to get cheaper CDs.
CDs are pretty cheap now. Lunch at a decent sandwich shop costs around $9.00 and a CD around $10-12. A few years ago the same lunch was $7.25 and the same CD $14-15. (Although the Borders book store near me still sells some CDs for $18 dollars or more.)
But CDs are definitely a much better deal today than even 5 years ago. I think thats a small glimmer of good news for consumers.
NotGood says:
A Cheap CD is a Cheap CD –Do you think they counted all the ones that all the Radio stations gave away as sales hummmm
Kevin says:
Music industry people just don’t want to lose their bmw’s and big home’s that all of you idiots paid for.. while most of you are living in a dump.
Kevin says:
But, hey, atleast you got your Taylor Swift cd.
NotGood says:
Nope no Taylor CD for me!!! no matter how cheap they are
RedMaZ says:
Pop Country CD’s selling at Redneck-Mart? Imagine that? Hold me back!
King says:
Blhahahahahhaha
Ham says:
Darn all the grinches are out with their gloomy, mean comments.
sjsjs says:
I don’t know why people feel the need to always post rude comments. If you don’t like the post - you don’t comment. If you do - you comment NICELY. I enjoy almost all of the posts here, and if I don’t then I do not comment. Simple as that.
star says:
i got my taylor swift cd and faith, julieane cds too!!! they all rock!
CJ says:
gloria I am with you. She is cute and writes kids songs good but she should be on Disney. Her voice does not cut it. If you shut your eyes and listen. Not good! Just our opinion not bashing.
Deb says:
I bought my Taylor CD’s and happen to love her voice. To each their own. :)
luvncountry says:
No MLD, mine & Gloria’s post was more likely deleted because
Alison doesn’t like us bashing RedMaz bashing Pop country. Pretty hypocritical since Red can’t say ANYthing NICE about artists on these blogs. What’s up with that Alison? See, Red has feelings, but the artists don’t, that’s why we can bash THEM all we want. I don’t expect this post to last either.
Go ahead and bash Taylor though, that’s allowed apparently.
RedMaZ says:
I see another person conveniently picking and choosing my replies to suit their needs. Please don’t turn another blog into all about RedMaz. Give it a rest and stay on topic.
luvncountry says:
But it IS all about you- all-knowing, all down about pop country (I think you secretly like the attention, but don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone).
In regards to THIS blog, I put all my fave choices on a Christmas list & handed copies out to family members. It’s a win-win proposition…I don’t pay ANY $ and I get some, (or even just one) of what I already know I like/want. I can’t wait to see whose new CD I get to listen to next.
RedMaZ says:
Well there certainly is no secret about YOU giving me attention. Whether I want it or not.
luvncountry says:
Oh, I’ve read enough other blogs to know I am not the ONLY one annoyed with your disdain for pop country, but that’s ok.
Now on to more important matters, like WHICH CD will I get in my stocking? Will it be Costner’s, Kellie’s, Darius Rucker’s, I forgot all who I put on my list. That’s makes for a REAL surprise.
Alison Bonaguro says:
Now don’t go bashing me, too! I do not have the authority to monitor the comments. That comes from a higher power.
luvncountry says:
Sorry Alison. I don’t know that I could bash the REAL “higher power.” lol
CaT says:
Well, to be honest…I don’t buy CD’s that are all about boys nor do I buy CD’s that put sex in country. These are more for pop/rock.