The end of the single on CD?

IT’S a shame that some record labels have decided to stop producing singles on CD and vinyl because of lack of sales. Many people have fond memories of going into their local music store and buying the latest releases. In the past, I have been told there were booths in record shops, where you could listen to a record before buying it. Music label Mercury Records has announced they are no longer going to produce singles on CD, because most of their singles sales are now on downloads. Artists such as Elton John, U2 and Arcade Fire are with the label. But the company will release discs for charity singles. People are downloading music now. This way of buying songs again offers you a brief chance to listen to a single or album before you purchase it. It is also a lot more convenient – as you don’t have to leave your own home. Meanwhile, for the first time in years you won’t be able to watch the first two days of The Masters live unless you have satellite television. The tournament will be live on terrestrial television from the weekend though. This year’s event will start on Thursday, April 7 and finishes on Sunday, April 10. It is good the BBC has not lost the whole event, but I hope next year the full coverage can return. This year will also be 25 years since Jack Nicklaus’s famous win at Augusta. He took his 18th Major (and last to date) in 1986 at the age of 46.