Category Archives: Don Van Cleave – Retail and Distribution in Today’s Music Industry

An Interview with Don Van Cleave of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores


Don Van Cleave, longtime music retailer and founder of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores, visits Loyola University, New Orleans to discuss his entry into the music business, his founding of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS), and the state of distribution and retail in today

How Online Distribution Works (and Doesn’t) Today


Don Van Cleave, longtime music retailer and founder of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores, explains how digital music distribution works today. He also discusses his plans to open digital music stores for each of the major members of CIMS, and some of the barriers he is facing from labels and the rest of the industry in making this a reality.