What can we learn from RIAA

For those of us who really are interested in perusing careers in the music industry, we have to pay attention to the associations that are working on our behalf. RIAA is one of those associations.  RIAA stands for Recording Industry Association of America. The members are the record labels that produce, create, manufacture and distribute most of the music produced in the US. The RIAA supplies lots of information about the music industry to professionals, fans and parents as well However for this post we will focus on the area of statistics and what that means to the music industry professional.

What Can We Learn From Music Business Top Earners Lists?

On March 9, 2012 Billboard posted what they called Music’s Top 40 Money Makers 2012.  Apparently for at least the last three years they have posted top earners in the industry with a description of how their money was made.  The data that was used to configure the possible incomes of these artists were basically airplay, record sales and tours.  What was not so simple is the general math that was used to estimate how much money was made. However it is very interesting to see, according to Billboard, who are the moneymakers and what that could mean towards trends and popularity among music fans.