RUMOR MILL
Monday, September 17, 2001
ATTEMPT AT NORMALCY
Stores Are Open, But It’s Not Business As Usual.
As incidental as it may seem, stores are open and music is selling. Here’s what the market is doing during our first official week in the new world:
All radio formats continue to reflect the impact of last Tuesday’s nightmare and are not adding any music this week. Labels are readjusting release schedules accordingly. At presstime, it was expected that radio would resume its regular add procedure next week.
That said, consumers appear to be seeking some comfort in music stores. Roc-A-Fella/IDJ’s Jay-Z (which clearly looks like it will emerge as the #1 album this week), Roadrunner/IDJ’s Nickelback, Elektra’s Fabolous, Atlantic’s P.O.D., Virgin’s Mariah Carey and Columbia’s Bob Dylan are all poised for possible Top 10debuts.
"Clearly, sales are impacted by what’s happened," said one top retail executive. "And clearly, it’s not the time to concern ourselves about it."
