September 30th, 2026
Christmas Music Begins Playing In Stores
In 32 Days!!!
You read that right! If you have a holiday release that you'd like to get played overhead in retailers this season, then the time is NOW to sign up for the 11th Annual What's In-Store Music Holiday Program. The first note of Christmas music will be heard playing overhead on November 1st and it only grows from there. Over the years major artists and indies have taken advantage of this unique opportunity. Not only do we get your song played thousands of times during the busiest shopping season of the year, but our weekly holiday newsletter is also sent to all Mediabase radio stations reporting holiday music. Over the years we've had more than one programmer discover a new holiday favorite from the program.
We accept, classics, covers, and original arrangements. As a matter of fact, in the past, it has been the original selections that have shined through and risen to the top. Past participants in the program include The Eagles, Smokey Robinson, The Pretenders, Goo Goo Dolls, Miley Cyrus, SIA, Dolly Parton, TRAIN, Alanis, and tons more. Programmers are already well into curating their playlists, all we need to do now is add the new music coming in for the first time to the program. If you want to ensure your song is loaded and ready to go on day one, you will want to get it to us in the next two weeks. Of course, we can accept songs well into the season, so if your release comes out later, don't worry, we can still accommodate you. Use the blue button to look at our holiday deck, then, use the red button to upload your song today.
Debuts
This week's What's In-Store TOO chart debuts.
AJ McLean
#17 "Into Your Heart"
Whipped Cream
#28 "2 u"
Re-enter the chart
Whipped Cream
#31 "collide"
Re-enter the chart
Newly Added to The What's In-Store Music Holiday Edition Spotify Playlist
Laura Bryna
"Wishlist"
for KING & COUNTRY
"Little Drummer Boy"
Click the banner to stream on your favorite platform!
Featured Artists
Hudson Stone
Talk
DRMAGDN
Dynamite
On Wildfyre Records
Yulee
Love All Over Me
Liamani
One Beat Away
On Walt Disney Records
Kylie Cantrall
"Perfect Princess"
This week’s Behind The Song takes us into the magical world of Disney’s Descendants: Wicked Wonderland with Kylie Cantrall and “Perfect Princess.” The song, performed primarily by Cantrall and Malia Baker, introduces us to Red and Chloe as they navigate a very different world after changing the past. Written by Mitch Allan, Chantry Johnson and Michelle Zarlenga, “Perfect Princess” captures the pressure, expectations and sometimes hilarious complications that come with suddenly finding yourself living the picture-perfect princess life. Released in June 2026 as the first song from the film’s soundtrack, the upbeat pop number brings together several of the movie’s characters while setting the stage for another adventure in Wonderland.
Video of the Week:
Momo Boyd, Trevor Jackson & Smino
"Gotta Be Us (Be The People)"
On The Move
Keep an ear out for these terrific songs playing overhead in stores everywhere.
Hudson Stone
"Talk"
AJ McLean
"Into Your Heart"
Out & About
with Annabel Gutherz
on September 24, 2026 at Revolver Recordings in Westlake, California
Last week, we were so grateful to be among the fortunate few to hear the first seven songs from the forthcoming debut album by Canadian artist Annabel Gutherz. The occasion was a listening party and acoustic performance at Revolver Recordings in Westlake, California.
We had a chance to say hello to Annabel before things got underway, and this girl is a pistol! She was engaging, quick-witted, and thoughtful, terrific attributes for a performer.
The crowd clearly enjoyed the songs, with enthusiastic applause between tracks, but when Annabel got up to sing, the room really came alive. Her unique and powerful voice jumped right out at you, and she had everyone mesmerized from the first note to the last.
You could also tell that this project has been a real labor of love for everyone involved. Annabel took the time to thank the people who have been working alongside her, giving each of them sweet little nicknames along the way. It was obvious how much the music and the people behind it mean to her.
It was a great night from start to finish, and I'm really looking forward to the release of the album, which is coming soon!
A big thank-you to our friend David Helfant for inviting us and introducing us to this exciting new artist. I have a feeling we'll be hearing a lot more from Annabel Gutherz!
Have a great week,
Scott Emerson
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