Maybe this is the way it should be.Concord Music Group, which owns a variety of record labels and is home to prestigious artists like Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Chick Corea, Alison Krauss, Ben Harper, Arturo Sandoval, Booker T. Jones, Kenny G, George Benson, Steve Martin and Alejandro Escovedo, has opened up it's own brick and mortar record store.
The store, called Stax of Wax, is in the upscale Malibu Country Mart in Malibu, California, and features products from its various labels, although it pays tribute to the soul label of the same name.
Of course, this avenue isn't new, as labels over the years have owned their own record stores both in the US and the UK. In fact, Jack White's Third Man Records has had its own store in Nashville almost since the label's inception.
It does make a lot of sense these days though, even for major labels, although it's doubtful they'd get behind the idea. Label-branded record stores could control the inventory, promote the latest releases and add a presence in the community that it now lacks.
Just as many of the larger indie stores like Ameba offer artists a way to promote their work with in-store performances, a label store could also be a place for showcases to find new talent as well.
On a creative level it makes total sense, although it's hard to say if it works on a financial basis.
Either way, support you local record store. It's still vital to the success of the music business.
