Record Research new Rock Tracks book

Chartman wrote: After 12 years finally an update to one of my favorite books! My radio genre since the mid 70’s. Already purchased but deeply disappointed that Joel (or Paul) didn’t include the songwriters like they do in the Pop., C&W, and R&B books. I always wished RR would ask it’s customers what they wanted before announcing a new book. Say we are going to update the Rock book, what should we include? Bet many would have said songwriters but RR has never surveyed their loyal customers. Joel just does what HE wants. Still love him though and his continued success says volumes! Still waiting for the remaining Music Vendor and Cashbox charts to complete the collection. How about an Record World/Music Vendor R&B book? Hoping Fran is doing well.

First of all, I do appreciate all the support from our loyal customers over the years. We have done a few surveys over
the years and we do listen to feedback from our customers. Still, Joel is the boss and all final decisions rest with him.
Also, Fran is doing well.

If we had included the songwriters in the Rock Tracks book, you probably wouldn't see it for another year or so. All of
that information would have to be entered by someone - namely me, myself and I! It took me a few months to get caught up
with the actual chart research and I also have to enter all the other information like album, label, bios, trivia notes,
etc., etc. Not to mention the actual editing of the book, which I'll be lucky to finish by the end of the month so we can
have it in stock by late November.

As for a Music Vendor R&B book, it's very doubtful. The Music Vendor Country book did not sell enough copies to justify
doing the R&B (Country ALWAYS outsells R&B for us).

BTW, here's the link for the new Rock Tracks book, which is selling very strongly so far. Order now and save $15.

Rock Tracks 1981-2020

Edited by Paul Haney

I really like the format where "M" or "A" are on EACH line next to the peak.
I am only familiar with this sort of thing via the last Adult Contemporary / Adult
Top 40 where both charts were mixed, but only the AT40 entries got the "40"
peak designation - leading to entries that were very difficult to 'track'. This is
much clearer.

Since it does not seem as if we will ever see more genre
books from Cashbox or Record World, have you considered
doing a Comparison book instead for the Country and R&B
charts? A book that would have all the peaks for
Country or R&B songs that charted in Billboard, Cashbox,
Record World and R&R would definitely sell...according
to me at least! (I'm also hoping the next AC book will
include R&R and Record World data as well.)

Paul thanks for the reply. I hope 1959 surfaces in 2021.
If Apple and Disney can postpone a Let It Be 50th movie
and audio disc set you can post pone a 1959 Regional
Cashbox book!

Paul Haney wrote: If we had included the songwriters in the Rock Tracks book, you probably wouldn't see it for another year or so. All of that information would have to be entered by someone - namely me, myself and I! It took me a few months to get caught up with the actual chart research and I also have to enter all the other information like album, label, bios, trivia notes, etc., etc. Not to mention the actual editing of the book, which I'll be lucky to finish by the end of the month so we can have it in stock by late November.

I'm guessing you really needed the book to be on sale
quickly. Cash flow baby - or - bankruptcy.

After waiting 12 years, another 6-12 months would have
been worth the wait. I think you would agree that the
songwriters would have made the book much better and
is consistent with you adding the songwriters to the
C&W and R&B books.