Comments on: Carrie Underwood Joins the Five Million Club

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 05:15:30 +0000

Good article.
The amazing thing is that Shania is a massive icon and megastar on a global scale.
Her COME ON OVER album alone sold over 36 million worldwide. she had one album sell that much which is mind boggling.You will never see numbers like those again.
I would argue that the only true megastars were Shania and Garth Brooks with Shania taking it to a whole different level worldwide.

By: hellocaitlint

hellocaitlint — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 04:57:11 +0000

Paul,

I take your point. However, I do think it’s brave — in the context of their mega-sales — precisely because a lot of acts that sell that much are almost paralyzed in neutrality, afraid of any risks that might knock them off the pedestal. I realize they certainly don’t need any money but it’s refreshing to see they just might realize that too, and are willing to do something not fueled by money or popularity. (Especially in the age when pop starlets who are already multi-millionaires rake in $100k or more to host a party.)

No, I don’t think they’re America’s heroes, just brave for a musical group, especially three years ago. I actually think you and I agree more than disagree on this issue, maybe you take issue with the use of the word “brave.” Thanks for the response.

By: Paul W Dennis

Paul W Dennis — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 02:59:09 +0000

Good article. One thing that has changed about the CD industry now as opposed to 20 years ago, is that while the price of new CDs has risen, new CDs are often sold at lower prices than you could find back then. A typical new CD lists for $18.99 but the first week of release (sometimes later weeks as well) you can find it at $9.99 or $10.99 – sometimes Best Buy will list a new CD at $7.99. Twenty years the CD would list at $12.99 or $13.99 and the “discounters” would sell it for $11.99. Consequently, in both real and nominal terms, a lot of CDs are sold at lower prices than in the past. If you wondering why so many CDs have a great first and second week and then drop off sharply, it’s because consumers know that if they wait, the price escalates.

It really is unfair to compare to compare sales of the post CD era with those of the vinyl era. A huge percentage of people do most of their music listening while in their vehicle. Unfortuntaely, despit its superior sound, vinyl never was a viable option for play in an automobile, and cassettes have inferior sound and are less durable than either the CD or vinyl. A gold album in the 1970s may well have sold double platinum (or better) had the CDs been available at the time.

Kenny Rogers THE GAMBLER is an interesting story. Released during the most severe recession of the last 40 years (the Jimmy Carter “stagflation” recession) both the country and the record industry were in the doldrums. Released three or four years later, “The Gambler” single would have sold 4 million, rather than 2 million copies it actiually sold, and the album would have zoomed past its already lofty perch.

P.S. to the prior poster – bravery is when you take controversial stands BEFORE you’ve made the big bucks, not after the money has become so great that it’s essentially play money or ego money. The Chicks had the right to take whatever political stance they like, but by the time they did, they were already set for life, so bravery certainly wasn’t part of the equation, although principle may have been. I think that in the current environment, it takes more courage to support the war in Iraq than to oppose it.

By: hellocaitlint

hellocaitlint — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 23:52:31 +0000

Your country music knowledge of country music is humbling! Album sales, especially at this level, are always interesting (if sometimes poor) indicators of tastes and trends. I was pretty surprised to hear that Underwood had hit 5 million mark but I guess she’s got one of the best marketing machines behind her and the voice to run with it.

I like you term “mega-star.” The number for the Dixie Chicks, Twain, and especially, Brooks are staggering. It makes me realize how brave the Chicks really have been in terms of gambling with their image and “brand” (no matter what you think of their politics). They had a lot to lose.