Music Business Radio

Episode #169 - Sean O'Connel

Sean O'Connel is the CEO at Creative Allies and Music Allies and is based out of Asheville, NC. Clients include Jack Johnson, Lollapooza, M.I.A., OK Go, the Black Eyed Peas, Neon Trees, and the Indigo Girls.

In this episode, Sean talks about starting a broadcast radio station from scratch, live music marketing, making $120,000/year while still in college, working his way up the music business, his time at Righteous Babe Records with Ani DiFranco, and more. He talks about where the music business is going and what musicians are doing to stay on top.

This episode also features exclusive live performances, recorded backstage at Bonnaroo, from Ani DiFranco and a duet with David Rawlings and Gillian Welch. 

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #168 - Rick Barker

Rick Barker dropped by the Music Business Radio studios today to talk about radio, fan engagement, breaking new artists, and working with one of the decade's most popular and biggest selling acts, Taylor Swift.

Rick is a music marketing consultant based out of Nashville, TN and runs Music Industry Blueprint. After a 15 year career in radio, he moved over to the record company side of the music business in 2004, accepting a job with Big Machine Records. He developed a unique touring model, which helped create opportunities for recently signed artists to get in front of people, with or without a national radio single. A number of top acts have used this model, including Sugarland, Josh Turner, and Rodney Atkins.

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #167 - Joe Palmaccio

Joe Palmaccio was in the Music Business Radio studios today to talk about his 25+ years as a mastering engineer. Joe has won three Grammy Awards and has numerous Gold and Platinum albums. He's done mastering work for hundreds of artists including Willie Nelson, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, Michael Jackson, KISS, James Brown, The Isley Brothers, Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, The Clash, Public Enemy, and Neil Diamond.

We talked about what mastering is (and isn't), how Joe got his start in the field, advances in recording technology, what musicians need to know about mastering, analog vs. digital recording, injecting new life into old audio recordings, and more. Joe also brought in "before and after" examples of how mastering can make a difference in recorded music and critiqued music sent in by Music Business Radio listeners from around the world.  

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #166 - Craig Havighurst

Craig Havighurst talks about his book, "Air Castle of the South: WSM and the Making of Music City," and his work as senior producer and show journalist for Music City Roots: Live from the Loveless Cafe, a syndicated weekly Americana radio show and webcast.

We talk about the similarities between sports journalism and music journalist, how radio helped to build the music industry in Nashville, the changing media landscape, the art of being a tastemaker, lessons from amateur musicians, how to build a scene, and more.

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #165 - Bruce Kulick

Bruce Kulick is best known as a guitarist for KISS and Grand Funk Railroad, but over the last 35 years, he's played with several other well-known acts including Michael Bolton, Billy Squier, Andrea True Connection, and George McCrae.

We talk about connecting with Michael Bolton, touring wtih KISS, music business lessons from Gene Simmons, life on the road, playing in Union with John Corabi, the anatomy of a good song, the biggest misconceptions about rock stars, touring advice, and keeping grounded when you're playing for thousands of people per night.

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #164 - Chris Cobb and Josh Billue

Chris Cobb and Josh Billue talk about live event promotion, club ownership, booking, and more.

Chris is the owner of Sell Out Presents, a regional event management and promotions company. He's promoted more than 1000 concerts in the Southeast and been involved with events like:

- Wal-Mart Shareholders Meetings
- Virgin College Mega Tour
- University Of Tennessee Chattanooga Outdoor Concert Series
- Dancin' In The District
- Live On The Green
- CMA Music Fest
- Nashville Earth Day Festival

Josh is the owner of one of Nashville's most lengendary clubs, Exit/In, as well as Zydeco in Birmingham, Alabama. Together, he and Chris own the 1500-seat venue, Marathon Music Works.

In this episode, Chris and Josh talk about the business of club/venue ownership, what gets the attention of club bookers, the risks of live event promotion, the importance of relationships within the music industry, and more. And, of course, we review music sent in from Music Business Radio listeners from around the world.

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #163 - Shannon Houchins

Shannon Houchins is CEO of Average Joes Entertainment, home to acts like Colt Ford, Montgomery Gentry, The Lac, Bubba Sparxxx, and Redneck Social Club.

In this episode, Shannon talks about his start in the music business, working as a DJ and producer, eventually as a staff producer for Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Productions. As a producer, writer and executive producer, he's worked with acts like TLC, Usher, Jagged Edge, CeCe Peniston, Lenny Cooper, Brantley Gilbert, Rehab, and Nappy Roots.

We talk about new ways of making money in the music business, what it takes for artists to get Shannon's attention, the pros and cons of sampling music, brand building, licensing, music marketing, and the live event business.

For those not on the podcast...

In the Studio... Jay Frank and Jenn Bostic

Jay Frank dropped by the Music Business Radio studios today to talk about the business and economics behind his company, DigSin, a singles-focused digital record label that gives music away to fans for free. We talked about his start in the music business, working for companies like The Box, Yahoo!, and CMT, and why he feels now is the best time to release music.

With Jay was DigSin artist, Jenn Bostic. She performed her song "Jealous of the Angels" live in our studio.

Topics discussed: viral music videos, speed of implementation, what Jay looks for when signing new acts, why DigSin signs "songs" and not artists, growing a digital fanbase, how to get music in commercials, income streams for musicians, radio promotion, Jenn's success in England and how it happened, building an emotional connection with fans, and the stories behind other DigSin acts, including Like Swimming and Bronze Radio Return.

This episode is currently being edited and will air soon. Until then, get on the podcast and check out the notes below...

In the Studio... Craig Havighurst

Craig Havighurst was in the Music Business Radio studios today to talk about his book, "Air Castle of the South: WSM and the Making of Music City," and his work as senior producer and show journalist for Music City Roots: Live from the Loveless Cafe, a syndicated weekly Americana radio show and webcast.

We talked about the similarities between sports journalism and music journalist, how radio helped to build the music industry in Nashville, the changing media landscape, the art of being a tastemaker, lessons from amateur musicians, how to build a scene, and more.

This episode is currently being edited and will air soon. Until then, get on the podcast and check out the notes below...

 

In the Studio... The Robert D

Robert D. Smith, known better as The Robert D, was in the Music Business Radio studios today to talk about his 30+ in the entertainment industry, most notably as the personal manager of best-selling author Andy Andrews. 

We talked about Robert's start in the entertainment industry, how to conquer rejection forever, how Andy sold 600,000 copies of his first book without a publisher (and how musicians can do something similar with their music), how to know if your project will be successful before you release it, the creative process, how to successfully brand yourself, and why "motivation" is a myth. We also talked about Robert's new book, 20,000 Days and Counting: The Crash Course for Mastering Your Life Right Now.

This episode is currently being edited and will air soon. Until then, get on the podcast and check out the notes below...

In the Studio... Rick Barker

Rick Barker dropped by the Music Business Radio studios today to talk about radio, fan engagement, breaking new artists, and working with one of the decade's most popular and biggest selling acts, Taylor Swift.

Rick is a music marketing consultant based out of Nashville, TN and runs Music Industry Blueprint. After a 15 year career in radio, he moved over to the record company side of the music business in 2004, accepting a job with Big Machine Records. He developed a unique touring model, which helped create opportunities for recently signed artists to get in front of people, with or without a national radio single. A number of top acts have used this model, including Sugarland, Josh Turner, and Rodney Atkins.

This episode is currently being edited and will air soon. Until then, get on the podcast and check out the notes below...