When did the Gold & Platinum program begin?
The program was launched in 1958 in an effort to create a
standard by which to measure sales of a sound recording. In the
beginning, there was only a Gold album award for the sale of
500,000 copies. As the industry grew, other awards were
developed. The Platinum award (1,000,000 sold) was created in
1976 and with the advent of the compact disc and the subsequent
increase in sales, the multi-Platinum award was created in 1984.
What is the certification process?
The program is administered on behalf of not only our member
companies, but also non-member record labels that are encouraged
to certify their titles as well. Labels are responsible for
submitting a formal request that includes several key pieces of
information:
name of the artist, title of the recording, street release date
of the album, catalog number or numbers, and certification level
being requested.
Then, the request is sent directly to a third party,
independent auditor for review. The auditor is responsible for
contacting the label directly to solicit sales information,
record club sales, etc. The RIAA only accepts U.S. sales in our
certification process. Sales to some of our overseas military
bases can also be included. Once the label has supplied the
necessary documentation, the auditor decides whether the title
qualifies for an award. Then the auditor contacts me directly
with the results. Assuming that the recording qualified, as most
do, the title and background information is entered into the
RIAA’s permanent database.
So then you send out plaques?
Not exactly. Once the label is notified that their particular
request is completed, they then work directly with one of the
ten companies the RIAA licenses to manufacture our trademarked
Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum sales awards. Beyond licensing
the framers, we have no say in their pricing, design or number
of plaques manufactured. The label can buy as many or as few
plaques as they wish.
Can anyone get a plaque?
Generally speaking, plaques are not for sale to the public.
There have been instances where a particular artist authorizes
their respective label to produce a small number of awards to be
given to fan club members, radio station contest winners or
charities, but these are the exception, not the rule.
Why is the Gold and Platinum program important?
In my view, the program is the only true way to recognize and
measure the success of an individual recording. While I think
things like chart position and the number of hit singles are
significant, I can’t think of anything more telling than
having 500,000 people buy your album. Other industry awards are
voted on by small bodies of insiders, online voting, etc. but
our most basic award is decided by half a million fans going out
and spending their money to listen to your recording. Obviously,
once you reach Platinum or multi-Platinum status, you have
reached even more people with your music and your message.
What are some of the recordings or artists that have made
an indelible impression on the program?
There have been several recordings or recording artists that
have reached significant milestones during the 44-year history
of the program.
| Track |
Artist |
Award |
| Catch
A Falling Star |
Perry
Como |
1st
Gold award 3/14/58 |
| Oklahoma |
Orig.
cast f/Gordon Macrae |
1st
Gold album 7/8/58 |
| Their
Greatest Hits, 71-75 |
The
Eagles |
1st
Platinum album 2/24/76 |
| Their
Greatest Hits, 71-75 |
The
Eagles |
Best
selling album (27 m.) |
| Disco
Lady |
Johnnie
Taylor |
1st
Platinum single 4/22/76 |
| The
Bodyguard |
Whitney
Houston |
Best
selling soundtrack (17 m.) |
| Come
On Over |
Shania
Twain |
Best
selling country album (19 m.) |
| Come
On Over |
Shania
Twain |
Best
selling album, solo female |
| Thriller |
Michael
Jackson |
Best
selling album, solo male (26 m) |
| Breathless |
Kenny
G |
Best
selling jazz album (12 m) |
| Life
After Death |
Notorious
B.I.G. |
Best
selling rap/hip-hop album (10 m) |
| Please
Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em |
MC
Hammer |
Best
selling rap/hip-hop album (10 m) |
| Artist |
Award |
| The
Beatles |
Best
selling artist in history (164.5 million albums) |
| The
Beatles |
Best
selling group in history |
| Garth
Brooks |
Best
selling male solo artist (104.0 million albums) |
| Garth
Brooks |
Best
selling country artist |
| Barbra
Streisand |
Best
selling female solo artist (68.5 million albums) |
| 2
Pac |
Best
selling rap/hip-hop artist (33.0 million albums) |
| Elvis
Presley |
Most
Gold records of any artist in history (81 total) |
| Elvis
Presley |
Most
Platinum records (43 total) |
| Elvis
Presley |
Most
Gold singles (51 total) |
| Elvis
Presley |
Most
Platinum singles (27 total) |
How long have you been with the RIAA?
Looking for a change of pace from my previous incredibly
boring job, and having a love of music, I decided to take a
chance and I started here in October of 1995 as the
receptionist. After about six months, I was promoted and began
working in the Government Relations department that eventually
evolved into a three-year stint as the RIAA’s Coordinator of
Artist Relations. The position was a great opportunity to work
closely with the artist community as well as our member labels
to educate them about some of our common legislative and policy
interests. I moved to the Communications department in 1999 to
work as the Coordinator of the Gold and Platinum program and
assumed full responsibilities after being promoted to Director
in early 2000. The program has a rich history and such meaning
to the artists, so I truly appreciated being given the chance to
take over the reins. The previous Director had been running the
program for over a decade so I had some pretty big shoes to
fill.
What is your favorite type of music?
I have the privilege of being exposed to some very cool music
from every genre you could imagine. While I don’t love all of
it, I couldn’t possibly pick a particular genre of music I
prefer over another. Whenever I ask someone what type of music
that they listen to and they reply "everything," it
drives me crazy but that's my answer. However, if forced to pick
something, I would have to pick rock.
What have you been listening to lately?
There have been some pretty cool records out the last few
months but I definitely have my favorites. "Romantica"
by Luna (Jetset Records) has been in heavy rotation in my
office. It's a great disc. I love "Bramble Rose," the
debut by Tift Merritt (Lost Highway) and Jack Johnson's
"Brushfire Fairytales" (Universal). Another awesome
record is a brand new band on Daptone Records called Sharon
Jones and the Dap Kings. Old school funk. Incredible stuff. Of
course everyone has their "desert island discs" so
there are always some albums or artists on my short list. I’m
a big fan of Tool, Jeff Buckley, Yo La Tengo, Dave Brubeck, PJ
Harvey, R.E.M., Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis and plenty of others.
There are just too many to list here.
What does music mean to you?
It’s ironic that music is such a huge part of my life since
I come from the most non-musical background imaginable. I
can’t sing, dance or play any instruments (neither can anyone
in my family) but I could not imagine a single day going by
without listening to some sort of music. As I suspect is the
case with just about everyone, the music I choose varies on my
mood and my environment. If I'm driving it's System of a Down or
Korn, or it’s an old Dave Brubeck record if I'm sitting in the
yard or Andrea Bocelli if I'm cooking. I guess that's the beauty
of it. I never know what kind of day I'm going to have, but I
know that I'll be listening to music while it happens.