"My Hometown and I" suddenly became popular!

  Before the album was released, only Li Qian knew and believed it would definitely be popular, and there was only one Liao Liao who believed and hoped it would be popular. Similarly, there was only one Wang Jinglu who was nervously expecting something.

  Apart from this, even Li Jian's parents, who trusted him the most, just hoped that it would sell a little better and have a good reputation. Even Zhao Mei Feng, the producer who liked Liao Liang's voice the most, only hoped that the market performance of this song wouldn't be too bad after all, it was the second main hit of the album "Liao Liang".

  As for others... General Manager Zheng Changsheng, Art Director Du Xiaoming, Huang Yueqin, Lele and so on, although they have different thoughts, but in the end, no one thinks highly of this album and this song.

  But it's on fire!

  Even before Liao's second main song promotion tour started, there were already listeners calling the radio station to request this song! And afterwards, as Liao participated in various programs in major cities across the country, continuously promoting his second main song, the popularity and request rate of this song also rose sharply.

  Its impact on the sales of the entire album is still unknown before the sales data comes out, but just from Liao Liao's participation in the show, she suddenly feels that her fans have increased and they have all become more enthusiastic!

  As for Li Dad, who has been holding a radio recently, his greatest experience is: no matter which music station, or music channel, or music program you switch to, as long as it's a music broadcast program, it won't take a few minutes before listeners call in and request "My Hometown Love"!

  And just in this new week, when Li Dad rode his bicycle again in the streets of Jinan Prefecture, he found that many audio-visual stores were already playing this song on their large speakers!

  It was so sudden, many people were shocked for no reason.

  Even Li, who had hoped in his heart that the album would be a huge success and that his son's work would be liked by more people, was surprised for the first time when faced with this situation, and couldn't help but feel a little puzzled and a bit apprehensive.

  It's actually turned red!

  "My Hometown" is habitually classified as a folk song in the domestic music scene. So-called folk songs, between folk songs and folk ballads, are more inclined to popularize than folk songs, but more free-spirited than folk ballads. Moreover, at the beginning of the concept of popular music, it already had its first representative work - "The Great Wall Ballad".

  In the early 1980s, Liu Mingliang's song "Hometown Faraway" became a hit all over China. This kind of pure folk song that sang praises of one's hometown and reminisced about it, carried strong flavors of the era and thoughts of home and country, and triggered a huge wave of folk songs in the 1980s music scene. In that decade, Fei Xiang Band was at its peak, but what dominated the music scene was folk songs. Liu Mingliang himself sat firmly on the top spot of China's music scene with his series of classic folk song works! After him, there were the rise of Zhao Xinfu, the "King of Folk Songs", and Zhen Zhen's sudden appearance!

  Although even in the midst of that decade's folk music craze, it was still inevitable that there would be a mix of good and bad, with some excellent works and outstanding pieces, but more mediocre ones. Moreover, after several years of popularity, with the decline of creativity, Liu Mingliang began to shift towards more relaxing folk songs, Zhao Xinfu became increasingly focused on folk music, and Zhen Zhen started to fully explore American-style country folk, this genre of popular music that was distinctly flavored with Chinese characteristics rapidly declined.

  Since the 1990s, in this market, except for a few big masters who occasionally have one or two folk songs that can be listened to, almost no one dares to touch this category. Even in the early 1990s, there were musicians and music critics shouting "Folk is dead".

  In fact, the market trend is such that from Zhao Meifeng to Zheng Changsheng and others, they all expressed concern about Liao's insistence on making this song the second main hit of the album.

  But is folk really dead?

  Obviously not.

  The decade-long craze for folk songs may have encountered a cold winter, but it doesn't mean that folk songs are no longer loved by the audience. In fact, just like Americans love listening to country music, this genre filled with national characteristics and personal nostalgia, this strong desire to express oneself will never go out of style.

  Everyone has their own hometown love, everyone has their own old affection.

  It can be said that as long as music lives on, folk songs will never die!

  It can also be said that as long as a person is still alive, there will always be a hometown that belongs only to oneself in one's heart, and therefore, folk songs have an absolutely strong audience foundation!

  The reason why folk songs have declined is that musicians can no longer produce good works, and many ideas, melodies, and rhythms from folk songs have been incorporated into folk songs and ballads with similar styles, as well as popular songs.

  Moreover, the category of folk songs is indeed too difficult to produce masterpieces!

  In the time and space where Li Xian used to live, in the 30-year history of popular music, the truly classic folk songs that can be called "hall-level" are only a few.

  "Loess Plateau", "My Hometown in Dreams", "Sky Roaming", "Traveler's Lament"

  In this time and space, there are probably only a few folk songs that can reach this level.

  Undoubtedly, "My Hometown and I" is not only qualified to be among them but also second to none!

  So, in this similar time and space, it was on fire!

  …………

  The date was August 16th, ten days after Liao's listing.

  Monday morning.

  Zhao Changsheng had just made himself a cup of coffee after arriving at the company when his secretary came into the office with several documents.

  The one at the top is the record sales ranking from Dongguan Bookstore.

  He took the list, scanning it from top to bottom, but soon, when a familiar name caught his eye, Zhao Changsheng almost spat out his coffee!

  Liao Liao... Ninth place!

  4,386!

  What an international joke!

  The first week sold over a thousand copies, the second week rose or fell slightly, all normal, but... over 4,000!

  Zhao Changsheng lowered his head and looked down, and indeed, Shen Haimei, who was tenth last week, had been squeezed to eleventh place!

  He swallowed his saliva, put down the coffee cup, raised his head and looked at his secretary, asking: "Have you confirmed by phone? This data... is it correct?"

  The secretary seemed to be waiting for this question and hurriedly said: "The propaganda department doesn't seem to believe it either. When Manager Liu gave me this material, he specifically emphasized that he had already called Dongguan Bookstore to confirm it, the data is correct!"

  Zhao Changsheng nodded subconsciously and looked down again.

  That's right!

  Ninth place... That's right!

  Oh, right, Liao Liao... also correct!

  But... damn it!

  This is not 1,400 or 2,400, but more than 4,300 of his horses!

  How did it suddenly go so crazy?

  Before it went viral, he had listened to that album and didn't think it was that explosive!

  Is it selling well only in Dongguan Bookstore or is it popular all over the country? Is the so-called twenty-fold law of Dongguan Bookstore's bestseller list still applicable?

  If applicable, it's over 800,000 sheets!

  This is also too scary!

  So far, the highest single-week sales certified by the music association is 370,000 copies created by Liu Mingliang in 1987! There is only one example of over 300,000 copies per week. Sales exceeding 200,000 copies per week are considered top-notch, and among male singers, Liu Mingliang, Zhao Xinfu, Zhang Chang, and Hu Yang have all achieved this record. Among female singers, only one person has done it, her name is Zhen Zhen.

  Generally speaking, sales of over 150,000 copies per week is not uncommon. This means that in Dongguan Bookstore alone, weekly sales of 7-8 thousand copies can be achieved, which would guarantee a platinum record, and double platinum is also highly likely. Moreover, this would also mean being among the top tier in the domestic music scene.

  There are only about seven or eight male singers who have achieved this achievement, while female singers have only four: Zhen Zhen, He Runqing, Feng Feifei and Zhou Mei. Therefore, they will be collectively referred to as the Four Heavenly Queens, and they will become the top existence among female singers.

  While having over a million views in a week can be considered as top-tier second-line or quasi-first-line for male singers, it is absolutely first-line for female singers.

  For example, Shen Hai Mei, Sun Yue, and Yang Qianzheng have all achieved this result.

  And now, "Liao Liao" has actually sold 800,000 copies in a single week?

  Is it an accidental outbreak, or...

  Next week, will its sales shrink rapidly, or will it... continue to hold on?

  Of course, to maintain this sales volume, even if it drops slightly, as long as it can last for a few weeks, it will be enough to make Zheng Changsheng jump with joy. Liao Liao's position in the Jianghu will also be determined by this one battle. As for continuing to explode even more... he doesn't dare to think about it! Because everyone knows that a newcomer, first album... this is an event with a probability close to zero!

  With the thin printed paper clutched in his hand, countless thoughts surged up and down in Zheng Changsheng's mind.

  Excitement, anticipation, confusion, questioning, anxiety, frustration...

  He looked up and found that his secretary hadn't left yet, so he asked, "Anything else?"

  The secretary hastily said: "Just after work started, Manager Liu from the Propaganda Department had just left for a moment, and then there was a call from the Production Department. They asked if it was necessary to arrange the production plan for the second batch in advance."

  Zheng Changsheng hesitated for a moment and said, "This... let's wait a bit longer, I always feel that this result is not quite real! In that case, at 10:30 when the meeting starts, I'll personally tell the production department to drop it. Is there anything else?"

  Indeed there is still.

  The secretary surprisingly took out a newspaper and handed it over, saying: "Manager Liu from the Propaganda Department sent this over. He specifically instructed me to give it to you. He said there's an important music review on it."

  "What about Liao Liao?" Zheng Changsheng said, taking the newspaper. "Isn't it just those music critics who did PR for them sucking up? Do I really need to read this?"

  This was a copy of the "Shuntianfu Evening News", he opened the newspaper, turned to the entertainment and culture section, and easily found an article that wasn't too long - "My Passionate Love!"

  But what's surprising is not this name, nor the size of that piece of tofu, but its author, who is actually... Guan Chengdong!

  Zheng Changsheng's eyes blinked, somewhat unbelieving!

  People outside the music circle may not know what this name means at all. But Zheng Changsheng, an outsider, entered the industry alone and struggled for many years in this circle. For those famous musicians and critics inside the circle, he is naturally familiar!

  No wonder the Publicity Department attaches great importance to this, and it's not easy for Guan Cheng to write a music review for someone!

  Zheng Changsheng held up the newspaper and spent a few minutes carefully reading through the commentary.

  From head to toe, full of praise!

  Zheng Changsheng was a bit annoyed - hadn't folk songs already withdrawn from the popular music scene? Doesn't everyone know that folk songs are dead?! Not to mention what's going on with this week's sales rankings at Dongguan Bookstore, even if everything is true, even if Liao Liao's album really did sell well, it still doesn't necessarily mean anything! Guan Chengdong was fine, directly shouting out a shocking slogan: Folk songs are about to make a comeback!

  Sour egg soup!

  Zheng Changsheng put down the newspaper, thought for a moment, and said to his secretary: "Notify everyone in the company to hold an emergency meeting!"

  He paused, and before the secretary could turn around, he suddenly said: "Wait a minute... you said... Liao Liao's album is selling so well in Dongguan Bookstore, isn't there some behind-the-scenes push?"

  As he spoke, he shook his head again.

  Liao Liao was signed by herself, her background and social circle, others do not know, she still does not know? If there is really a pusher, why wait until now?

  He pushed open the boss's chair and stood up, walked back and forth in front of the office desk for two steps, then suddenly stopped, grabbed the phone and dialed a number. As soon as the call was connected, he said directly: "Old Liu, I'm Zheng Changsheng. You immediately find an investigation company for me to make a questionnaire survey about Liao Liao's album, such as where did you know this album from, why buy it, which song do you like most and so on. Your publicity department will discuss with the investigation company and get it done as soon as possible, send someone to do the survey and come back, remember not only in Beijing, but also some key cities!"

  He said "uh-huh", "uh-huh" twice and hung up the phone.

  …………

  On Monday's meeting, according to Zheng Changsheng's intention, the suggestion of Production Department to advance the arrangement of the second batch production plan was rejected.

  Naturally, Zheng Changsheng had sufficient reason for this.

  Firstly, considering Liao's popularity and the fact that this is his first album, the sudden rise and fall in sales is somewhat abnormal. To determine the actual sales figures, we need to wait for further market feedback. It's not advisable to tie up the company's liquidity prematurely based on potential sales that may only materialize several months later.

  Secondly, even if Liao Liao's album is really popular, from the perspective of Dongguan Bookstore, the company treats it as a first-class distributor. At the beginning, they directly gave them 15,000 cassette tapes and 1,500 CDs, accounting for 7.5% of the first batch production volume. Vinyl records were also given to them directly, with 500 copies, which is more than most provincial distributors. However, as of last weekend, after two consecutive weeks of sales, they only sold around 5,000 copies, and there are still about 10,000 copies in stock. With so much inventory, even if they continue to sell 4,000 copies this week and next week, it will be enough for them to sell for two weeks. So, after this week's sales come out, arranging production again is completely feasible.

  What's more? Continue with 4,000 pieces next week?

  What's wrong with you!

  What a wonderful idea!

  However, on the second day in the afternoon, Changsheng Records suddenly received a replenishment notice from Dongguan Bookstore.

  What is meant by "stock replenishment notice" is that our goods are almost sold out and we need to prepare the next batch!

  Then, before Zheng Changsheng could react, on the same afternoon, Changsheng Records received inventory notices from seven provincial-level distributors!

  Everyone in Changsheng Records was stunned when they heard the news!

  What's even more astonishing is that just one day later, on Wednesday at 11 am, Dongguan Bookstore sent another pickup notice.

  "Liao Liao" is sold out!

  ***

  Four thousand words a day is really the limit, any faster and it would be nothing but watered down. At this speed, I can honestly say that what I write is very serious and responsible!

  Tears streaming down, begging for votes, begging don't rush...