September 17th, 2025
The 10th Annual What's In-Store Music
Holiday Program
Is Officially Open For Business
It's time to submit your songs for the 10th Annual What's In-Store Music Holiday Program. That's right, it's time. Programmers are already hard at work, curating their In-Store Holiday Playlists and they've asked us to start sending music up for this year's program. Our holiday program has a little something for everybody, classics, covers, and original arrangements. This is a great opportunity for independent and major-label artists alike. But don't take my word for it, below are four artists who've participated in the past and are back again this year! Trust us, Train, Sia, V & Bing Crosby, and Donovan Darnell wouldn't be returning this year if they didn't feel the benefits. To learn more about it, click the blue button below, to submit your song, go ahead and hit the red one, but do it soon. Slots are filling up fast.
Train
"Shake Up Christmas"
Sia
"Santa's Coming For Us"
V & Big Crosby
"White Christmas"
Donovan Darnell
"Sugar Plum Fairy"
Submitting A Song
VS. Looking For Feedback
There seems to be some confusion when submitting a song with us, and we wanted to clarify it. When you fill out the submission form and hit submit, you give us the go-ahead to engage the music programmers and to place your song. This isn't the place to send it if you are seeking feedback. For that, you can email, Scott at Scott@whatsin-storemusic.com, and we'll be more than happy to review it and provide any recommendations to help ensure that when the time comes, we can get it successfully placed. We look forward to hearing what you've got and helping you expose it to the masses through What's In-Store Music.
Akon
"Never Really Mattered"
On KONVICT KULTURE
Debuts
This week's What's In-Store Music chart debuts.
IZ Divine
"Thinking About You" #29
Sarah Reeves
"Cloud Nine" #12
Chris Trapper
"Campfire Symphony" #55
Newly Added to The What's In-Store Music Spotify Playlist
Adrian Lyles
"Peace Of Mind"
Shekinah
"Shine Like Heaven"
Pete Muller
"New York In The Rain"
Loukas
"Soy Tuyo"
"As a producer and songwriter, I've had the honor of working with both Jason Mraz and members of the legendary Gipsy Kings. For years, I envisioned giving Jason's global hit I'm Yours a distinctive twist-reimagined in Spanish with a Gypsy Flamenco flair and a Mediterranean soul. But finding the right voice was everything.
That moment came one evening at a Gipsy Kings concert. A young singer from the same southern French region as the band took the stage, and I was instantly captivated. His name was Loukas-and his voice carried the unmistakable warmth and passion that define the Gipsy Kings' signature sound.
I approached him about collaborating, and the connection was immediate. Together, we adapted the lyrics into Spanish, staying true to the heart of Jason's original while weaving in the fiery rhythms of flamenco and the soulful essence of gypsy music. Once complete, we received the green light from the publishers to move forward.
We released the track through our label, Utonium Music, with distribution by Prisound and Virgin Music Group. The result is a vibrant, emotional reinvention of a modern classic. And the best part? Jason Mraz himself absolutely loves it."
- Josquin Des Pres, Producer
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On The Moves
Keep an ear out for these terrific songs playing overhead in stores everywhere.
DRÄGER
"Should I Love You"
Carly Ann Taylor
"Why Should I Worry (Remind Me Version)"
Elysia Marie
"Unicorns"
GoldCoast
"Angelena"
Newly Added to the What's In-Store Music Gym Program
Elysia Marie
"Unicorns"
Village
"Under The Sun"
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 What's In-Store Music Gym Program. Please enjoy responsibly.
Davis Mallory
"Honestly"
On Lion Boy Records
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Video of the Week:
Rhett Repko
"Don't Delay"
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Vic Latino
"Cielo"
$G1B Music LLC
Out & About with Scott Emerson At The 4th Annual Guitar Center Foundation Gala
At The Maybourne Hotel, in Beverly Hills, CA on September 11, 2025
What a treat! Last Thursday night, I was a guest of the Guitar Center Foundation for their 4th Annual Gala at the beautiful Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills. We were there to celebrate two music industry icons: John McBride, sound engineer extraordinaire and owner of Blackbird Studios in Nashville, received a lifetime achievement award, and legendary producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis received the Vanguard award for their unmatched contributions to music and education. The evening started with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a lovely dinner, an energetic auction, and award presentations. Martina McBride shared sweet stories about her husband, John, but it was surprise guest, Garth Brooks, who presented him with his award.
Before Jimmy Jam + Terry Lewis gave their thank-you speeches, we were treated to some of their work with live performances from among others, R&B veteran Johnny Gill and international sensation Estelle. The evening came to a climax when Morris Day & The Time, featuring Jimmy and Terry, helped everyone work off their dessert by bringing the crowd to their feet for a rousing version of their smash hit, Jungle Love. It was a perfect evening, enjoyed by all. Thank you to Guitar Center Foundation Board Chairman David Helfant and Croshal Entertainment owner and foundation board member, Fred Croshal, for letting me crash your party.
Have a great week,
Scott Emerson
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