Prince Marketing 101:

1) Have simulcast of Tour opener and charge $15 (a minimum of $4 more then an IMAX ticket price). GIVE AWAY CD.

2) Book a coast to coast tour (even hitting little rinky towns he hasn't played in years). Charge $5 to $15 above cost and GIVE AWAY A CD.

3) Release songs via download on website charge 77 cents a song.

4) Make entire CD project available to purchase from website (For those who didn't BUY it by going to the Theater or Concerts).

Now here's my question. I'd heard that Prince was looking for a major label to release this album by the summer. Prince had said whomever is most interested in the project will get the distributing deal; but, DOES HE REALLY NEED A MAJOR RECORDING LABEL TO BACK HIM? From the way I see it, Prince has this thing in the bag. This is the best effort of an artist owning, creating, marketing, and earning the full income of his product.

I've been wondering if what he gives away at the concerts is actually the same as what gets sold in the stores? Maybe he gives away an EP at the concerts, kind of a teaser for the actual album? Has it ever been clearly/difinitively stated that they will be the same CD?

From the way I see it, Prince has this thing in the bag.

FanofDaFascist said:

Far from it.

The only difference between THIS tour & the ONA Tour, is the free cd @ the end.

How will people go based on "MUSICOLOGY" when they won't hear it until AFTER they go to the show? AND if "Kiss", "Lets Go Crazy" never made them attend a concert 18-20 years ago, why would it move them NOW?

The same crowds who attended the ONA Tour will attend the "Musicology" tour.

FanofDaFascist said

For sure, but think that most fans won't be able to go to any of his concerts, either cause the tour does not hit their town, high ticket price or any other reason. Most potencial buyers wont get it via internet because there's a large population that aint got the internet yet. And a high percentage of those who got it, dont like buying online. And there's a whole lot of people (like me) who would not download it because....we like having it in it's box with its booklet and its original art!

So, I think he really needs to put the CD out in stores, he still needs a record deal. All his doing will make all the hardcore fans' money go directly to him, but what about those who live out the US or out of the tour's route? What about the mainstream audience? He's got to get his CD in stores. He'll make plenty of money out of his own distribution and will reach a broader audience with a major backing him, even though he makes less money out of those copies sold.