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. 

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Episode #161 - Erin McCarley

Erin McCarley is a songwriter and artist signed to Universal Republic and her latest album is My Stadium Electric.

We talk about how she got started in the music business, how she raised $25,000 in just three days (before Kickstarter) to fund her debut album, getting a record deal, playing David Letterman, working with A&R guys to create a great album, her songwriting process, how she got her music as the iTunes Single of the Week, and more. Erin also plays live in our studio. 

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Episode #160 - Lisa Marie Presley

Lisa Marie Presley talks about her music career and new album, Storm & Grace.

Topics discussed include growing up as the daughter of Elvis Presley, media scrutiny, finding your voice as an artist, writing great songs, recording a great album, Simon Fuller, the differences between Memphis, Los Angeles, and Nashville, trusting your team, and more.

Lisa shares her take on songs from Storm & Grace, including Over Me, You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet, Weary, Soften the Blows, and So Long.

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