OUTKAST, EVANESCENCE AMONG THOSE TURNING GRAMMY WINS INTO RETAIL KA-CHING

Especially when it’s combined with an on-air performance, as last week’s Awards show winners and participants showed sales boosts ranging anywhere from 25% to 150%. That, combined with the releases of the new Norah Jones and Kanye West albums, as well as the always-robust Valentine's Day weekend, should result in a healthy week for record retailers.

Tower Records’ Kevin Hawkins, bemoaning the fact Jimmy Sturr didn’t show up to collect yet another Grammy for Best Polka Album, was instead assuaged by this year’s sales boosts: "In the past, there were most often one or two clear-cut winners that took off from the telecast. This year, it’s more spread out among a lot of titles. A bunch of records are going to see nice bumps. There wasn’t one title that really took us by surprise that we’d have to chase all week."

Leading the way was Album of the Year winners OutKast, whose one-week total could rise a full 100%, from 110k to 220k, based on early reports from retailers around the country.

The other big winner was Best New Artist Evanescence, whose Wind-up debut, Fallen, is rising, with a sales total up from 100k to a possible 200k, which would be another 100% boost.

Five-time Grammy winner Beyoncé also showed a 100% increase, on target to double this week’s 49k total to an estimated 100k.

Multi-winner Warren Zevon saw a significant bump in sales, especially at Amazon.com, with trends showing him possibly tripling his weekly total of 6k to 15-20k. In addition, the home DVD of his VH1 special hit stores yesterday and is bound to be boosted by the touching Grammy-night tribute to the late singer/songwriter.

Other sales spikes look to be registered by nominated performers Black Eyed Peas (12k to 25-30k), Pop Collaboration with Vocals winner Sting (12k to 25-30k), Vandross tribute performer Alicia Keys (60k to 80-85k), Song of the Year multi-winner Luther Vandross (20k to 50-60k), Rock Album winners Foo Fighters (4k to 10k), Alternative and Rock Song recipients the White Stripes (13k to 35-40k) and Sarah McLachlan (40k to 65-70k), who performed with Alison Krauss.

Added Hawkins: "Obviously OutKast and Beyonce are both seeing big spikes. But Evanescence and Alicia are looking to double their sales as well. Sarah McLachlan is way up with a number of titles down the chart seeing major gains, like White Stripes, Warren Zevon, Black Eyed Peas, Sting, Foo Fighters and, of course, Luther."

Mark Pearson gathered the research for this piece.