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"Yes, we got a little uptick. But the strength of the music was not reflected in the real sales that we should have had."

SONY BMG’S ANDREW LACK SEES CONTINUED INDUSTRY TROUBLES

Don’t Get Too Giddy Over All Those Grammys, He Tells the Associated Press; Tough Times to Continue
Sure, album sales increased by 1.6% last year after four years of shrinkage, but in some people’s minds—including that of Sony BMG CEO Andrew Lack—it wasn’t enough. And this year’s slow start isn’t terribly encouraging, either.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Lack pointed out that despite last year’s small rally, the significant problems that still confront the industry at large aren’t likely to be solved in short order.

“The industry has tough years in front of it," he said. "I don't think it's going to get suddenly much better. The industry has really been hurt, and it isn't because there isn't great music. This year is strong, and yes, we got a little uptick. But the strength of the music was not reflected in the real sales that we should have had.”

Speaking with the AP from SBMG’s post-Grammy party, where 28 Grammy wins by the likes of Usher, Alicia Keyes and Gretchen Wilson were cause to celebrate, Lack said, “I don't want to be a cold shower on a night when we are all celebrating, but the reality is the business is still really tough for us.”

He did have high praise for this year’s Grammy ceremony, however: “I think the audience at home probably saw the real music industry in a way that is unusual, because these awards programs can be a veneer, they can be a show. It transcended the production and you saw and heard artists and music and the continuum of music over the last 30, 40 years, in a way that was quite remarkable.”

And on the upcoming Supreme Court hearing of the Grokster case, he told the AP, “They're going to be looking at whether in fact, these services have really undermined basic principles in this country that have for 200 years protected artists, writers, producers. I think they're going to see it our way.”