Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Streaming is more convenient than ever, but at what cost? After years of using platforms like Spotify, I realized something had to change. In this video, we dive into the surprising 2026 Luminate mid-year report showing CD sales surging to 16.3 million units, why I'm stepping away from streaming algorithms, and how buying physical media is the absolute best way to support the musicians you love.
We also talk about the massive amount of data streaming platforms collect on us, and my plans to unplug by setting up a home media server using Plex or Jellyfin.
Let me know in the comments: Are you still buying CDs or cassettes? And if you have recommendations for a solid CD player or tips for setting up a Jellyfin/Plex server, educate me down below!
π Links Mentioned:
Forbes Article / Luminate 2026 Report:
forbes.com/sites/bradmoon/2026/08/22/record-roundup-38-vinyl-sales-up-again-but-outpaced-by-cds
luminatedata.com/blog/luminate-2026-midyear-report-trends-in-music-television-film
πΈ Learn Guitar With Me:
Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced player, I have video courses designed to meet you where you are. Check them out here:
rhettshullguitarcourses.com
π« Catch Me On Tour:
I'm hitting the road again in a couple of weeks with The Midnight! We are doing another run of the U.S. and Mexico for the second leg of the Time Machines Tour 2026. Get your tickets here:
themidnightofficial.com/#LIVE
β±οΈ Chapters:
0:00 - Digging through my old mix tapes & CDs
1:10 - The 2026 Luminate Report: CD Sales are UP!
3:25 - Why I finally canceled my Spotify account
5:50 - The real cost of streaming for touring musicians
7:15 - Data privacy and missing the analog days of 2006
8:30 - Unplugging: Plex, Jellyfin, and home media servers
9:15 - Guitar courses & The Midnight 2026 Tour
Streaming is more convenient than ever, but at what cost? After years of using platforms like Spotify, I realized something had to change. In this video, we dive into the surprising 2026 Luminate mid-year report showing CD sales surging to 16.3 million units, why I'm stepping away from streaming algorithms, and how buying physical media is the absolute best way to support the musicians you love.
We also talk about the massive amount of data streaming platforms collect on us, and my plans to unplug by setting up a home media server using Plex or Jellyfin.
Let me know in the comments: Are you still buying CDs or cassettes? And if you have recommendations for a solid CD player or tips for setting up a Jellyfin/Plex server, educate me down below!
π Links Mentioned:
Forbes Article / Luminate 2026 Report:
forbes.com/sites/bradmoon/2026/08/22/record-roundup-38-vinyl-sales-up-again-but-outpaced-by-cds
luminatedata.com/blog/luminate-2026-midyear-report-trends-in-music-television-film
πΈ Learn Guitar With Me:
Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced player, I have video courses designed to meet you where you are. Check them out here:
rhettshullguitarcourses.com
π« Catch Me On Tour:
I'm hitting the road again in a couple of weeks with The Midnight! We are doing another run of the U.S. and Mexico for the second leg of the Time Machines Tour 2026. Get your tickets here:
themidnightofficial.com/#LIVE
β±οΈ Chapters:
0:00 - Digging through my old mix tapes & CDs
1:10 - The 2026 Luminate Report: CD Sales are UP!
3:25 - Why I finally canceled my Spotify account
5:50 - The real cost of streaming for touring musicians
7:15 - Data privacy and missing the analog days of 2006
8:30 - Unplugging: Plex, Jellyfin, and home media servers
9:15 - Guitar courses & The Midnight 2026 Tour

![If I Lost Everything Tomorrow... Id Buy These First
After years of buying, selling, and swapping out more pedals than I can count, these are the ones that stayed. These arent the most hyped or the most expensive β theyre the ones that actually make me sound like me. Im breaking down why each one earned a permanent spot on my board and how I actually use them on tour with The Midnight and in the studio.
Thanks to @sweetwater for sponsoring todays video
πΈ PEDALS IN THIS VIDEO (Some Affiliate Links, Some Not)
Boss FZ-1W Fuzz β [AFFILIATE LINK]
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/ZVQGq0
Xotic BB-Preamp β [AFFILIATE LINK]
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/E0K6x9
Strymon Timeline β [AFFILIATE LINK]
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/OYrDaK
Vongon Ultrasheer β [NON-AFFILIATE LINK]
https://www.vongon.com/products/ultrasheer
Chase Bliss Mood MkII β [NON-AFFILIATE LINK]
https://www.chasebliss.com/mood-mkii?srsltid=AfmBOorJm7Qsk5k6UcIjA9Nklj7DwCJ6rLb3u-XRizpy9yO_QrrzNg-p
Hologram Electronics Chroma Console β [NON -AFFILIATE LINK]
https://www.hologramelectronics.com/products/chroma-console?variant=50128739533104
β±οΈ CHAPTERS
0:00 β Intro
1:09 β Boss FZ-1 Waza
2:52 β Xotic BB-Preamp
4:50 β Strymon Timeline
6:16 β Vongon Ultrasheer
8:13 β GFI Synesthesia
9:34 β Chase Bliss Mood MKII
11:19 β Hologram Chroma Console
13:56 β Final Thoughts
π Subscribe for more β https://www.youtube.com/@RhettShull?sub_confirmation=1
πΈ Follow me:
Instagram β https://www.instagram.com/rhaborean
TikTok β https://www.tiktok.com/@rhettshull
π΅ Listen to The Midnight β https://open.spotify.com/artist/2fMGAOGJiZKjiNKYEMz2o5
ποΈ Backstage Journal Podcast β https://open.spotify.com/show/1q8Rrv42WhyOgk080LZOe2
#guitar #pedals #pedalboard #guitartone #guitarpedals #guitarrig #theMidnight #rhettshull #touringmusician #guitargear If I Lost Everything Tomorrow... Id Buy These First](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XmdarX_hxXY/mqdefault.jpg)

![I Didnt Think Id Ever Do This Again [on tour with The Midnight]
The Midnights Live Band:
β Tyler Lyle β Vocals, Guitar [@tylerlyle]
β Oliver McEwan β Bass, Music Director [@olivermcewan]
β OBLVYN (Cat Bliemel) β Synth, Vocals [@oblvyn]
β Kwesi AyoKwe Robinson β Drums [@ayo_kwe]
β Rhett Shull β Guitar [@rhettshull]
The Crew:
β Chris Dwight β Front of House Engineer / Production Manager [@chrisdwight1]
β TJ Elias β Monitor Engineer [@tjthunder]
β Reena Ye β Lighting Director [@reena.ye]
β Dan Avery β Tour Manager [@freedanavery]
The Midnight is managed by Justin Little of Brilliant Corners Artist Management
https://brilliantcorners.com/
@themidnightofficial
After over six years of being off the road, Im finally back with a full time touring band, The Midnight. In January of 2026 we started a three week run through China, India and Australia which was my first time out with the band. This is episode one of the newest season of Backstage Journal.
Check out the gear I used on tour [affiliate links]
Pedalboard ποΈ
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
β https://sweetwater.sjv.io/EE5v52
Temple Audio Pedalboard w/ Flight Case
β https://sweetwater.sjv.io/bOW9Wv
CIOKS Power Supply
β https://sweetwater.sjv.io/vPoqov
Chase Bliss Mood (non affiliate link)
β https://www.chasebliss.com/mood-mkii?srsltid=AfmBOoprXpXrZPokZannm75mVcjTnSrgQDbq3ABCVLpKDh6nNV8u_qtr
Benson Delay
β https://sweetwater.sjv.io/LKz3zM
Strymon Conduit MIDI Interface
β https://sweetwater.sjv.io/55X3an
Guitars πΈ
Novo Miris Custom (non affiliate link)
β https://www.novoguitars.com/products/miris-j?srsltid=AfmBOorsMGiABeONTBqdIMd_5PipwzmkDZtvjsjI7oRr ZASEfI7hQh
Fender Ultra II HSS Stratocaster
β https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9Lb3Ge
πΈ My Guitar Courses
Fretboard Fundamentals
β https://rhettshullguitarcourses.com/p/ff-ultimate
Breaking Out of the Pentatonic Box
β https://rhettshullguitarcourses.com/p/breaking-out-of-the-pentatonic-box
The CAGED Course
β https://rhettshullguitarcourses.com/p/the-caged-course
Join The Discord
https://discord.gg/j7aRfUyzMH
πΆ Listen to my music
Spotify
β https://open.spotify.com/artist/5llKYgJlzPpMaDPmuATus5?si=d_cQn0D7SuGpdmQoRk4a0w
Apple Music
β https://music.apple.com/us/artist/rhett-shull/990499912 I Didnt Think Id Ever Do This Again [on tour with The Midnight]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aOq5rhL4O68/mqdefault.jpg)






