TuneCore debuts with Guitar Center programs

Music self-distribution service TuneCore debuted last week as part of a marketing program initiated by its partner Guitar Center Inc.

Guitar Center, which has invested in TuneCore, is promoting TuneCore's functionality and site at www.tunecore.com to its customers while including Guitar Center properties, online and in stores.

The company is also promoting TuneCore in its Buyers Guide - sent to 2.1 million people in April - and in e-mails, placement and banners within all Guitar Center properties, including GuitarCenter.com, MusiciansFriend.com and HarmonyCentral.com.

Guitar Center is offering TuneCore customers the ability to sell CDs in regional Guitar Center stores. In-store and on-line promotional vehicles for the artists will roll out in the next six months.

TuneCore's music distribution infrastructure is aimed at musicians who are looking to self-distribute music digitally. TuneCore claims to have helped customers generate more than $1.2 million from digital downloads in its year of live beta testing.

Musicians and labels using TuneCore get 100 percent of what all the stores and services pay and keep all rights and ownership of their music and master recordings. TuneCore is non-exclusive so musicians and labels are never locked in to any terms.

TuneCore's roster includes Frank Black, Ziggy Marley, MC Hammer and Izzy Stradlin.

An initiative offering customers a 10 percent discount off TuneCore will initially be available at Guitar Centers on the West Coast, with rollout nationwide to follow.