Fox News Article

[Adam868]

On the front page of www.foxnews.com, there was this article!

 

For much of the 20th century, it was derided as the Spam of sounds, the pablum of music.

 

Yet in the 21st century, the South Carolina-based company that still calls itself Muzak has enjoyed some of the most profitable periods in its history, partly due to its willingness to change with the times.

 

"We don't have artists come in and do a light version of Led Zeppelin or whatever," Muzak spokeswoman Karen Vigeland said. "We use everything from Nirvana to Mozart to Britney Spears."

 

When people think of Muzak, they often think of tritely, re-recorded tunes like a lighter version of a Celine Dion song. But Muzak stopped commissioning re-recorded versions of popular songs 25 years ago. Today you're more likely to hear an original song by an original artist as you shop in the supermarket or wait for the dentist.

 

And while a lot of Muzak's clients still like "soft relaxing sounds," adult contemporary is only one of about 100 programs.

 

"Most now are requesting a pop music and rock sound, of Top 40 and radio hits," Vigeland said.

 

Current Muzak artists include Gwen Stefani, Aerosmith, The Allman Brothers, Marvin Gaye, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Run DMC, Kanye West, Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Ludacris, Beyonce, U2 and, of course, Celine Dion.

 

Muzak has also added more musical genres to its oeuvre, including more electronic music, acid jazz, urban programs and especially world music. (There are other re-recorded music companies that followed Muzak, but Muzak has about 60 percent of the market share.)

 

"Most people never gave a thought to why they were hearing Celine Dion or Neil Diamond," said David Allan, assistant professor of music marketing at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. "These were just the things you heard while you were shopping or working. Studies showed that it made the retail experience better for consumers.

 

It always makes me better to hear Celine!!!!!!!!

Edited April 5, 2006 at 12:27 AM by Adam868

[SuperLove4Celine]

Nice article, thanks for sharing!

 

And P.S....I too feel better when I hear our favorite girl singin' her heart out.

[keny]

That explains why I always here Celine in my local Safeway. It makes me wannabuy more.

 

 

On the front page of www.foxnews.com, there was this article!

 

For much of the 20th century, it was derided as the Spam of sounds, the pablum of music.

 

Yet in the 21st century, the South Carolina-based company that still calls itself Muzak has enjoyed some of the most profitable periods in its history, partly due to its willingness to change with the times.

 

"We don't have artists come in and do a light version of Led Zeppelin or whatever," Muzak spokeswoman Karen Vigeland said. "We use everything from Nirvana to Mozart to Britney Spears."

 

When people think of Muzak, they often think of tritely, re-recorded tunes like a lighter version of a Celine Dion song. But Muzak stopped commissioning re-recorded versions of popular songs 25 years ago. Today you're more likely to hear an original song by an original artist as you shop in the supermarket or wait for the dentist.

 

And while a lot of Muzak's clients still like "soft relaxing sounds," adult contemporary is only one of about 100 programs.

 

"Most now are requesting a pop music and rock sound, of Top 40 and radio hits," Vigeland said.

 

Current Muzak artists include Gwen Stefani, Aerosmith, The Allman Brothers, Marvin Gaye, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Run DMC, Kanye West, Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Ludacris, Beyonce, U2 and, of course, Celine Dion.

 

Muzak has also added more musical genres to its oeuvre, including more electronic music, acid jazz, urban programs and especially world music. (There are other re-recorded music companies that followed Muzak, but Muzak has about 60 percent of the market share.)

 

"Most people never gave a thought to why they were hearing Celine Dion or Neil Diamond," said David Allan, assistant professor of music marketing at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. "These were just the things you heard while you were shopping or working. Studies showed that it made the retail experience better for consumers.

 

It always makes me better to hear Celine!!!!!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Paulinha Dion]

Thanks for sharing with us !

[Céline's Blues]

Thanks for the article but I think it's far too generalizing to say Céline is this and that. Of course her music has a broad appeal and part of it is certainly qualifying as "muzak" but nonthelessbutstillofcourse one has to remember how versatile she as a singer is and surely not all of her songs fit into the same category. Her music is something between pop/ballads/soft rock/country and yes, with much emotion.

[Adam868]

I think the article is true though, it shows that people love listening to Celine type music and don't even know it. I work at a grocery store as a Cashier and always hear Celine!

[felixwhoals]

Thanks for sharing that article..

[george]

Celine's music RULESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.......way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[ZoraSourit]

Very nice article indeed! Thanks!