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For record labels, these are tumultuous times. Conventional record sales are down 16% from the same period last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and the major labels, giant retailers, and independent record shops all continue to downsize. But sales of music via the Internet are on a major upswing, with the potential for offsetting those losses: In 2006 music downloads were up 65%.

In a three-part mini-series, Soundcheck looks at how decades-old business models and distribution systems are changing, and the impact that is having on musicians, recording artists and consumers.

Your Label: Send us one paragraph describing what your ideal music label would look like. The winner will be interviewed on the air on March 28th.

The Majors

Soundcheck

March 28, 2007

Janis Joplin, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Michael Jackson are all part of the history of Columbia Records, one of the world's most legendary major labels. We cover its highs and lows with Gary Marmorstein, the author of "The Label: The Story of Columbia Records." His book draws on unique access to the company's archives -- memos, personal correspondence, recording contracts, sales reports and job sheets, and more.

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Niche Labels

Soundcheck

March 27, 2007

With every bit of evidence telling them that it makes no sense to manufacture CDs anymore, some tiny labels continue to produce them, and they find people who buy. We explore this phenomenon today with guests including Mac McCaughan, co-founder of the indie-rock label Merge Records; and Jeff Gauthier, who runs the L.A.-based jazz label Cryptogramophone.

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Beyond Labels

Soundcheck

March 23, 2007

"If you're just a record company in 2007, you're out of business," says Bob Duskis, who runs independent label Six Degrees Records. Duskis, and Gerd Leonhard, co-author of the book "The Future of Music," join us to discuss how record companies are evolving in the digital age.

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