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.

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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 #157 - Bart Herbison and Jen Foster

Bart Herbison, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association, drops by the Music Business Radio Studios with artist Jen Foster to talk about the Nashville Songwriters Association, their annual Tin Pan South event, film'/TV music, getting songs cut, the changing business of songwriting, and more. In additon, both have several "behind the song" stories and Jen played three songs live.

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Episode #144 - Rik Roberts

Rik Roberts has headlined at America's top comedy clubs, including The Improv, The Punchline, Funny Bone, The Stardome, and Zanies. As a corporate entertainer, he's been hired by hundreds of companies including Winnebago, Chevron, Wendy's, and Dairy Queen.

Rik tours as many as 50 weeks per year. You've seen him on Great American Country, Bananas Family Comedy, and Comedy at Large. You've heard him perform on radio shows across the nation, including Rick and Bubba, Bob and Tom, and Car Talk.

The average comedian performs 4-5 corporate events per year. In the past 12 months, Rik has done over 90.

This episode talks about what musicians can learn from the business of comedy, including advice on writing, keeping a show moving forward, building rapport with and engaging the audience, how to sell merch from the stage, the corporate market, and more. This episode also includes a 100% comedy/novelty song Demo Derby.

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Episode #136 - Big Kenny

Here's a special episode with Big Kenny. This one has Dan hosting and was done at Big Kenny's house and recording studio.

Big Kenny and John Rich comprise the duo Big & Rich, which has recorded three studio albums for Warner Bros. Records and has charted ten singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. He is a solo artist and songwriter.

This episode talks about his house and recording studio, spiritual journeys, playing clubs, MuzikMafia, Nashville, mixing different genres of music, getting released from a record contract, getting paid, the power of music, the future of music, creativity, and more.

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Episode #135 - Dave Stewart

Here's the episode with Dave Stewart. Acts he's been part of include Eurythmics, Traveling Wilburys, The Tourists, and Longdancer.  As a songwriter and producer, he's worked with dozens of acts including No Doubt, Imogen Heap, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Katy Perry, Aretha Franklin, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

His new album, The Blackbird Diaries, was recorded in just four days and includes 14 new songs, including a co-write with Bob Dylan and duets with Stevie Nicks, Martina McBride, and Colbie Caillat.

This episode talks his new album and has the stories behind the songs and how they were recorded.  We talk Dave's first record deal, working with Elton John's record label, touring the world with Annie Lennox, his songwriting process, how Traveling Wilburys was formed, artist development, and what it's like to work with iconic artists like Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks.

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Episode #131 - Jonathan Cain

Jonathan Cain is perhaps best known as a member of Journey, but he's done a lot of other things in the music business, including playing with The Babys and Bad English, producing acts like Michael Bolton, and writing songs for artists like Sammy Hagar, Kenny Rogers, Heart, Lorrie Morgan, Mariah Carey, and Peter Frampton.  Songs he's written or co-written for Journey include "Open Arms" and "Don't Stop Believin'."

This episode talks about how Jonathan got started in Chicago playing the accordion, songwriting, how to keep a band moving forward, joining established acts, dealing with criticism, and more.

Thanks for Jayson Chalfant and Big Studios for making this happen!

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Episode #129 - John Oates

Here's the episode with John Oates.  We talk about his start in the music business, establishing Hall and Oates, life on a major label, his last 12 years as an independent artist, songwriting, putting a great band together, keeping a great band together, working with T-Bone Wolk, working with Nile Rodgers, his new album, why he loves Philadelphia, why he loves Nashville, finding yourself musically, cover songs, samples, and his new songwriting event, 7908 The Aspen Songwriters Festival.

John also shares some great Hall and Oates stories as well as the stories behind his hit songs "She's Gone" and "Maneater."

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Episode #127 - Beth Nielsen Chapman

Beth Nielsen Chapman has written songs for Neil Diamond, Elton John, Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, Kathy Mattea, Trisha Yearwood, Pam Tillis, and several other top-shelf acts.  She's recorded with Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown, Suzy Boggus, and dozens more.

On this episode, Beth talks about her 40+ year career in the music industry (she started when she was 11), how to make money as a songwriter, the pros and cons of major label deals, her new album, the art of songwriting, and more. She also plays demos, including the original version of "This Kiss", and tells the story of how it was cut by Faith Hill.  This episode also includes a live, in-studio performance.

And then there is the demo derby...

You can imagine how much somebody with 40+ years as a successful artist and songwriter has to share, so in order to fit more stories in the broadcast version of the show, we taped a special "online-only" version of our demo derby segment, that allowed Beth to really go deep with her critiques of the music that was submitted.  This will be an online exclusive, so make sure you get our free podcast and don't miss out on it.

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Episode #120 - Jay Frank

Jay Frank is currently the Senior Vice President of Music Strategy for Country Music Television (CMT). He oversees the implementation of music across all platforms, including TV, web, mobile, and video on-demand.

On this episode, we talk about his book, FutureHit.DNA.  It's a road map for songwriters, producers, and artists, which outlining 15 points that must exist for a chart topping song. It shows how subtle changes to a song, which make little difference to music fans, can result in big differences in that song’s placement on the charts and royalty payments.

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