January 8th, 2025
Independent Artists Shine
During The Holidays
Happy New Year everyone and welcome back. While you were enjoying your break, the 9th Annual What's In-Store Music Holiday Program was in full swing, with clients playing hundreds of thousands of times a week during the Christmas shopping season. As we look back on this year's class, it's hard not to notice a trend that continues year after year, independent acts have a home with In-Store play. Unlike commercial radio, playing it safe with almost exclusively, researched, familiar holiday classics and major-label pop product, independent artists can be heard as frequently as major-label artists in retailers during the Christmas shopping season. If the song works for the environment the retailer wants, it can be played. Some independent artists/songs who finished in the top 10 this year are Angela Predhomme's - Unplugged Christmas, Adelitas Way's - My Favorite Time Of Year, Sandy Bainum's - Sleigh Ride, and Donovan Darnell's - Sugar Plumb Fairy. None had major label marketing or promotion muscle and dollars behind them to promote their music. They just had great songs that fit a lot of preferred holiday environments, and they exploded. Indies, if you have holiday music you want to promote next year make sure you include us. We are planning special things for The 10th Annual What's In-Store Music Holiday Program. You will want to be a part of it. In the meantime, if you have any songs you'd like to get started for this year, use the submission button below and let us take care of the rest.
Walmart & Sam's Club Radio
Takeovers
Throughout 2024 What's In-Store Music facilitated Walmart and Sam's Club Radio Takeovers with Collective Soul, Judah & The Lyon, Mat Kearney, almost monday, and LOCASH. We finished up the year doing three Christmas takeovers with TRAIN, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and last but certainly not least, Dolly Parton! A Walmart and Sam's Club Radio Takeover is a prerecorded program where the artist becomes the DJ, taking over Walmart and Sam's Club Radio for an hour in every single store, club, and online at Walmartworld.com To learn more, use the link below or reach out to Scott Emerson at scott@whatsin-storemusic.com.
Collective Soul
Judah & The Lion
Mat Kearney
almost monday
LOCASH
Train
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dolly Parton
Newly Added to The What's In-Store Music Spotify Playlist
Seraphina
"Going Out Tonight"
Adrian Lyles
"Somewhere To Go"
The National Parks
"Caves"
From the Album "Wild Spirit"
What's In-Store Music Artists have been heard in these fine locations!
What's In-Store Music has added a new Spotify playlist called What's In-Store Music Hits The Gym. It features the fantastic artists and songs placed in the Planet Fitness program. Please enjoy responsibly.
Don't Believe In Ghosts
"Brooklyn Baby"
"'Brooklyn Baby' is for anyone who's ever taken a leap into the unknown or dreams of doing it. I was inspired to write this song by people I've known who left everything behind to move to New York City, chasing a dream with nothing but hope and determination. Working on this with my good friend and Grammy-winning producer Ken Lewis, who just won a Grammy for his work with Taylor Swift, was an incredible experience. Ken's background with artists like X Ambassadors and FUN helped us bring out the energy and emotion of the song, capturing that mix of excitement and uncertainty that comes with starting fresh. In his studio, we worked to create a sound that's both anthemic and intimate, using upbeat rhythms and lyrics that reflect the thrill of the journey. For me, 'Brooklyn Baby' isn't just about New York; it's an anthem for everyone who's brave enough to make that jump."
- Don't Believe In Ghosts
Submit Your High Energy Top40, Dance, EDM, Alternative, or Latin Dance Song
Here For The Planet Fitness Playlist!
DINER
"So Happy It Hurts"
On Saint & Citizen Music
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Video of the Week:
Max Rae
"Keep You Waiting"
Tommee Proffitt x Sam Tinnesz
x Beacon Light
"Fearless"
Out & About with Scott Emerson
on New Year's Eve 12/31/2024
Once the 9th Annual What's In-Store Music Holiday program finished on December 27th, the only ones around our house that weren't completely exhausted on New Year's Eve were Emily and Olivia. So, we made the executive decision to stay home and toss balls to them while waiting for the clock to strike 12. At the stroke of midnight, we were treated to an unexpected fireworks display right outside our back door overlooking the San Fernando Valley. It was perfect. We hope you all had a happy and safe New Year celebration doing what was perfect for you. Happy New Year everybody!
Have a great week,
Scott Emerson