Steve Yastrow wants to be part of the fragmented, interesting marketplace described in The Long Tail.
Steve, you already are part of that marketplace - and a Wal-Mart/ Sam's Club-only Billboard #1 does no longer challenge the new business world we live in!
I have to admit that Chris Anderson's volume is with the growing pile of 'I already had a short look, but definitely want to read it cover to cover as soon as I have time' books on my living room floor - so please correct me if I'm wrong:
My understanding of the curve was always: Products that are in low demand or have low sales volume can collectively make up a market share that rivals or exceeds the relatively few current bestsellers and blockbusters. Collectively.
The y-axis depicts some sort of sales or offer volume. Many products combined in the tail, i.e. the area between the curve and the x-axis can compete with a small number of bestsellers - a much narrower area in the front part of the curve. Nevertheless there will always be the high-volume record, the bestselling one movie, or the hyped author.
But: The new business world allows a low-volume/ -budget/ non-major product to start at the very right end and move to the front, e.g. by viral or seed marketing: Technology-supported global word-of-mouth.
That's good news. Don't be scared.
Get the 
Harald,
You're right that The Long Tail allows small sellers to succeed. They don't even need to move up curve to be successful... new distribution allows them to reach their audience in a way they couldn't before. So, it is good news! I just can't help but cringe when a homogneous public moves in lock step. Let's be fragmented!