Children's, classic music vie for drug store shelf space

Drug Store News, March 15, 1999

Drug chains offer convenience music shopping--especially for children's audio, classics and nostalgic favorites, and occasionally for music to match a consumer's mood. Here's a look at some new offerings:

Since 1940, decades before interactive computer games, kids have enjoyed "Pat the Bunny" with its textured pages featuring a soft bunny. Now, the "Pat the Bunny Sing With Me" is slated to arrive in stores in May on CD ($9.98) and cassette ($6.98).

Walt Disney Records is releasing two new titles in March, "Mannheim Meets the Mouse" (Mannheim Steamroller's version of popular Disney songs) and "Radio City Kid Jams," a contemporary collection of Radio Disney's most requested hit songs on CD. Coming in May are three titles to tie in with Walt Disney's upcoming full-length animated feature, including "Tarzan," "Tarzan Read Along" and "Tarzan Read and Sing Along."

Sony Wonder, which offers a wide selection of children's audio, will offer "Singin' in the Bathtub" with John Lithgower and his guitar. The new album evokes the swing musical style of the '30s, '40s and '50s with witty lyrics ($13.98 CD; $9.98 cassette).

Another contender for space in drug chains is Page Music. Page, which counts Eckerd among its customers, is offering promotions this year such as a "Natural Settings Collection" for Easter, "The Art of the Motorcycle" for Father's Day and a new "Walton's Reunion Album" for Christmas. Other 1999 promotions from Page include the "Elvis Platinum Plaque Collection" and "Yanni & John Tesh--The Endless Dream."

Unison Music offers three new audio titles with big-name recognition, including two CD titles in the series "Titanic/Music on Board" ($9.99 each). The first, "First Class Entrance," includes string and piano pieces likely to have been played on the ill-fated ocean liner; the second, "Party Below Deck," features Irish party music of the era, which was likely to have been played in steerage. Also available is "Great Songs of Broadway" ($7.99 cassette, $9.99 CD) with new arrangements of favorite Broadway tunes.