In an era where getting fans to pay for music is difficult, new formats that offer extra value may offer part of the answer. To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the 45 rpm single, WMG's Rhino is releasing a series of digital singles priced at $1.49 - $1.99 that include a hit, it's b-side and the original artwork. The initial release is 60 titles with 25 more to be added monthly.
It's an obvious play for consumers old enough to remember enjoying 45's, but variations on Rhino's concept have the potential to attract almost any fan. Remember the time you spend pouring over an album cover? I do, and I'd like to see Rhino add more content like a bio and discography. But 
beyond the hits, why shouldn't any artist or label take full advantage of this format that is more than a single track (and generates more revenue) and less than a EP. Some ideas:
- Gems You Missed - A series of 2-3 seldom played but worth cuts
- Cover Up - The original song plus a great cover version or two.
- Something Old, Something New - The classic version and a cover by an unknown artist
You don't have to be a heritage act or have a deep catalog to riff on the digital 45:
- Three Sides - One song in an early studio version, the final mix and then captured live.
- Radical Mixes - two or three very different mixes of the same song perhaps done by the fans.
- Two Sides Of (Your City) - Two different bands each contribute a track to a series chronicling a local scene
- Artist X Introduces _____ - One song by a somewhat popular artist plus a track by their favorite new band.
Use your imagination. The possibilities are endless.
