Music Distributors and Wholesalers

Secure music distribution for CDs and other music media through experienced wholesalers
By Marianne Moro Freelance Writer Music distribution has changed greatly since the advent of MP3s and digital media. With iPods, iTunes and other media changing the way consumers receive and listen to music, music distributors and wholesalers offer music in a variety of formats, including CD, vinyl and MP3.

Whether you’re an artist, talent manager, independent label, music store or other music oriented business, here’s what to consider when narrowing down the field to include only the appropriate music wholesalers to distribute your CDs (or to contact for CDs to stock in your store).

1. Some wholesale music distributors are affiliated with large record companies and feature big name artists as well as lesser known ones.

2. Certain CD distributors stock only physical CDs while others include vinyl, digital media and DVDs in their catalog.

3. Niche wholesale music distributors include companies that deal only in a particular type of music or artist, such as jazz, classical or rock.

Find music CD distributors that specialize in a particular musical genre

Music wholesalers often distribute music of a particular niche group, like film soundtracks, children's music, Christian music or jazz music. If you need to pinpoint a certain market, look at the following genre specific music CD distributors.
Try:  Contact World Distribution if you run a Christian retailer or if you play Christian music and want your CDs stocked by Christian music distributors. Contact Premiere Music for jazz and/or classical music distribution.

Locate music distributors and wholesalers for rock and indie CDs

Rock and independent music, along with urban music, are distributed in CD, vinyl and digital forms. Online music distributors for rock and urban music offer many distribution choices to give retailers, artists and consumers flexibility.
Try:  Check out IDN's music catalog for all genres from rap to EMO. IDN sells tapes, CDs and MP3s to increase consumer and retail options. Contact a company like Thompkins Marketing if you are an artist and need a full-service package from recording to distribution.

Choose music wholesalers that offer online CD or digital distribution as part of their package

Music distributors are aware that more people are choosing to download music online instead of purchasing music CDs, although many people still do both. Some music distributors can help you distribute music digitally while others offer CDs and music download services.
Try:  Join the Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA) to create your own label for online distribution. Choose CD Baby to distribute your CDs through a central showcase website, with your own webpage.

• If you are a retailer, check the names of music distributors on the back cover of the types of CDs you want to stock in your store and contact their local representative.