GNR Considers Exclusive Retailer

The saga of the oft-rumored-to-be-near-completion Guns N’ Roses release, Chinese Democracy, continues as Billboard reports that GNR’s management company, Front Line Management, is in negotiations to release the album through an exclusive retailer-a la such recent smashes as the Eagles’ Long Road Out of Eden (sold only through Wal-Mart) and Ricky Skaggs’ The High Notes (Cracker Barrel).

The saga of the oft-rumored-to-be-near-completion Guns N’ Roses release, Chinese Democracy, continues as Billboard reports that GNR’s management company, Front Line Management, is in negotiations to release the album through an exclusive retailer-a la such recent smashes as the Eagles’ Long Road Out of Eden (sold only through Wal-Mart) and Ricky Skaggs’ The High Notes (Cracker Barrel). The move comes as yet another signal that our 14-year wait for the album might finally be coming to an end, and every American might be one step closer to a free Dr. Pepper.

The head of Front Line, Irving Azoff, has long championed the exclusive retailer model, most recently paving the way for Wal-Mart’s acquisition of Long Road Out of Eden. If he, Axl, and label Interscope agree on a deal-likely with Walley World-it will represent another blow for smaller retailers in a year where they have already lost AC/DC’s upcoming release to the retail giant. Still, Billboard reports that no party has officially confirmed any of the negotiations, and sources indicate that a conventional release has not yet been taken off the table.

So yet again, it seems that all we can do is wait. Luckily, we have those nine leaked tracks from this summer to enjoy in the meantime, and the prospect of some free Dr. Pepper and rockin’ tunes on the horizon to look forward to. Stay tuned to Americansongwriter.com as the saga continues…