Music Business Radio

Episode #162 - Matt Brouwer

This special "Artist Confidential" episode was recorded in Paragon Studios and features Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Matt Brouwer talking about and performing songs from his latest album, Till The Sunrise. We break everything down, song-by-song, with Matt backed by the studio band, Zodlounge, and producer Michael Omartian.

This episode talks about the "behind the scenes" of Till The Sunrise, including the recording process, how the songs were written (and developed), how Matt got to this point in his career, and more, with thoughts by Zodlounge, Michael Omartian, engineer Terry Christian, and, of course, Matt himself.

It includes not only live performances with the full band, but also acoustic/stripped versions of songs and early demos and work tapes. Whether you're a Matt Brouwer fan or just curious about what goes into producing a world-class album, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #142 - Pete Anderson

Pete Anderson is well known as a pioneer in the roots-rock genre and was a champion of the Americana movement, where he had a hand in introducing the world to artists such as Lucinda Williams, Jim Lauderdale, Michelle Shocked, and Rosie Flores. He is a renowned bandleader who has appeared on Saturday Night Live, David Letterman, and The Tonight Show (19 times since 1986).

Pete is widely known as the creative partner of Dwight Yoakam, whose records he produced, arranged, and played on. That partnership has resulted in sales of over 25,000,000 records. Other artists he's worked with include Asleep at the Wheel, Meat Puppets, Sara Evans, Jackson Browne, Buck Owens, Tommy Conwell, Roy Orbison, Mark Chesnutt, and Tanya Tucker.

This episode talks about Pete's youth in Detroit, how Motown affected his music production, his move to Los Angeles, getting his first record deal, his start in music production, the good and bad of Nashville, and more...

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #124 - Rusty Anderson

Here's the episode with singer, songwriter, producer, and critically acclaimed guitarist, Rusty Anderson.

Rusty’s career spans four decades with stints in several successful LA based bands as well as a solo career on Columbia records. He is best known as lead guitarist with Paul McCartney with whom he is currently on a world tour, but has worked in the studio and on stage with an extensive list of artists including Gwen Stefani, Steven Tyler, Regina Spektor, Dido, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Jewell, and the Bangles, just to name a few.

On this episode, Rusty talks about his early career in LA, the recording and writing process for his current solo album “Born on Earth,” and, of course, touring with a Beatle.

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #102 - Craig King

Musician, songwriter, and producer Craig King's talent and career success is best described by the caliber of artists with whom he has worked. He's worked with Ray Charles, Kanye West, Ludacris, Quincy Jones, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Will Smith, just to name a few.

At 19 Craig was hired by Ray Charles to fill Billy Preston’s seat in his band. While attending Temple University he met Jazzy Jeff which soon led him to producing and influencing the music for the television show, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."  Later he joined Will Smith on "The Greatest Hip-Hop Tour in the World," which featured Public Enemy, Naughty-by-Nature, and Busta Rhymes, among others.

On this episode, Craig shares some very inspirational stories from behind the scenes and will also talk about songwriting, networking in the music business, people management, auditioning for gigs, remixes, and music education.

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #101 - Gregg Bissonette

Acclaimed drummer Gregg Bissonette comes to us via KRTH radio in Los Angeles.

Gregg is known for his trademark of powerful and inspirational drumming which is exclaimated by the wide range of artists he has collaborated with both onstage and in the studio, including David Lee Roth, Don Henley, Duran Duran, Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Toto, Carlos Santana, and many others. He's played on the NBC TV show Friends, as well as movies such as Payback, Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show, and A Mighty Wind.

Gregg recently toured with James Taylor, the semi-fictional band Spinal Tap, and currently a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.  He talks about the secrets to his longevity in the music business, the audition process for a huge act, making a living as a musician, and of course, touring with a Beatle.

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #41 - Robin Ruddy

Here's the episode with Robin Ruddy.  She’s a multi-instrumentalist, playing pedal steel, banjo, dobro and guitar, who has worked with Shania Twain, Ray Stevens, Randy Travis, T Grahm Brown, Cherie Austin, Paul Overstreet and many, many more.

She’s currently on tour with Rod Stewart.

We talked about how to get both live and studio gigs, life on the road with a major tour, and more.

Demos Reviewed: Munkie, Monte Richardson, Trevor Justice, No Fixed Abode, Bittybox, and Folk Goddess.

Check out video from Robin's visit.

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #6 - David Henry

Here's the show with David Henry.

David is a musician, producer, and engineer who has done work with REM, Ben Folds, Guster, Butterfly Boucher, Cowboy Junkies, and Indigo Girls, among others.

David had some very interesting thoughts on balancing work and other aspects of life as well as gave his story about exactly how he went from being just another musician in Nashville to an in-demand engineer, producer, and studio musician.