LENNYBEERBLOG:
IT'S BUSINESS TIME

First of all, thanks to all of you who took the time to respond to last week's entry on ways to proceed to the future and kick-start our ailing business. There will be answers as long as people continue to enjoy music, and it's ridiculous to assume they don't or won't. One of the most provocative emails came in from music industry vet Alan Elliott. To check out his response click here.

One consistent thought espoused by Rick Rubin in his recent N.Y. Times article and reiterated in most of the feedback was the need to search for greatness, to let artists develop and grow while we search for the technological guidelines that will limit piracy and work toward a system of delivery and payouts that is universally fair. So let's address some positives for the year in music.

This week's incredible sales response to the brilliant Kanye West album does shine a light through the darkness. Kanye's Graduation is clearly a Grammy Best Album contender in a year dominated by incredibly talented women. Amy Winehouse, Feist, Colbie Caillat, Chrisette Michelle, Brandi Carlisle, Lily Allen, A Fine Frenzy, Taylor Swift, Paramore and Flyleaf offer female-driven music that are musts for this year's best of lists.

And as for who will grab the other four Best Album Grammy nods, we'll take, in addition to Kanye, Ms. Winehouse, the amazing new Springsteen E Street Band album and Feist (aided in needed visibility by the brilliant and ubiquitous new iPod Nano commercial) for four of the slots. With contenders for the fifth among Gwen Stefani, Once, Hairspray, Reba McEntire duets, Nelly Furtado, Paul McCartney, John Legend and Taylor Swift.

Tell us your prognostications or continue the dialogue about all you can eat subscription services at [email protected].