Music Business Radio

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 addition, both have several "behind the song" stories and Jen played three songs live.

Kyle Andrews talks about his career as an artist and songwriters. You've heard his music on national ad campaigns for companies including Holiday Inn, Doritos, and Dell Computer and the topic of music licensing is one of the many discussed. We touch on his creativity, including his unique songwriting and production style. For example, his album Robot Learn Love, which features some vocals recorded through built-in laptop mics and others recorded through top-of-the-line studio preamps. It has drums simulated with software in the bedroom and backing strings played by real musicians and tracked at pro recording studios. On the business end, we talk about his first record deal, his decision to go independent, and stay independent, turning down multiple record deals, touring and making music videos.

Justin Townes Earle talks about his new album, Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now. In this episode, Justin plays three songs in the studio and talks about growing up as the son of Steve Earle, his battles with substance abuse, how Nashville is changing, life and business in New York City, finding your voice as an artist, the pros and cons of having a band, selling merch that lasts more than six months, his songwriting process, his unique guitar playing style, why the new album was recorded in Asheville, NC, and more.

John Oates joins us to 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 shared some great Hall and Oates stories as well as the stories behind his hit songs "She's Gone" and "Maneater."

Justin Townes Earle talks about his new album, Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now. In this episode, Justin plays three songs in the studio and talks about growing up as the son of Steve Earle, his...

Joel Carriere is the president and owner of Dine Alone Records, Bedlam Music Management, and S.C.E.N.E. Music Festival. He is known for his work with Canadian post-hardcore group Alexisonfire, alternative group Bedouin Soundclash, Hacienda, Tokyo Police Club, and The Civil Wars. This episode talks about running a record label, starting a management company in your bedroom, starting a scene, the difference between the music business in the US and the music business in Canada, the first unsigned band on the cover of Rolling Stone, and getting your country behind you.

Michael Omartian and Terry Christian have worked with dozens of top artists over the last 30+ years including Christopher Cross, Donna Summer, The Jacksons, Michael Bolton, Peter Cetera, Willie Nelson, Dionne Warwick, Rod Stewart, Kenny Loggins, Whitney Houston, Roberta Flack, The Commodores, and Amy Grant. Michael got his start as a session musician, playing on and arranging recordings by Steely Dan, Tavares, Billy Joel, Dolly Parton, The Four Tops, The Righteous Brothers, Boz Scaggs, Tina Turner, John Lennon, Jackson Browne, and Linda Ronstadt. Terry Christian has worked on recordings by Julio Inglesias, Sheila E, The Time, Kenny Rogers, Sammy Hagar, Chicago, Jermaine Jackson, Toto, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, and Cher.

Chris Pandolfi talks about the ins and outs of his band, The Infamous Stringdusters, getting record deals, going independent, putting a team together, and more. One of the highlights of this episode is a discussion about keeping a band (the Infamous Stringdusters has six members) on the same page and working together as as a single unit. Topics include keeping a unified vision for the band, how songwriting is done, and life on the road. We also talk about the intersection of IMBA (International Bluegrass Music Association), bluegrass music, and jam bands, how to deal with "purists" in your music genre, and the balance of niche and mainstream acceptance.

Washburn grew up singing but had no longing to become a professional musician. Time singing backup in reggae, gospel, and R&B bands was nothing more than "fun," but a trip to China in 1996 changed all that. Picking up the native language faster than she imagined and falling in love with Chinese culture got her to thinking. Reconsidering the culture of her own homeland, Washburn bought a banjo and decided to explore the rich heritage of folk and bluegrass music. In this episode, Abigail talks about getting started in the music business, bringing people together through music, record deals, touring overseas, and making records that matter.

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...

Brent Maher is one of music's most successful and critically acclaimed producers as well as a hit songwriter with songs on over 20 #1 records. He's won six Grammy Awards and has worked with dozens of top acts over the years including Ike and Tina Turner, Elvis Presley, Olivia Newton-John, Duke Ellington, Kenny Rogers, Nickle Creek, and more. Brent discovered The Judds and has an interesting story to tell about how that happened. In addition, this episode has stories about working with Ike and Tina Turner, Elvis, and Carl Perkins, just to name a few. And Brent has lots of advice for upcoming musicians, songwriters, and producers...

Charlie Peacock talks about his career as a songwriter, artist, producer, and A&R guy. Charlie has a great blog at recordproducer.typepad.com with thoughts on the art of recording music as well as great advice on how musicians and producers can get their best performances on tape. We talk about this and more, including Charlie's brand new documentary on songwriting legend Hank Cochran and "where the money is" in the new music business.

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.

Steve Hodges is Senior Vice President of Capitol Records / EMI Nashville. He's worked with hundreds of artists including Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, and Trace Atkins. This episode is all about breaking acts via radio. We talk about how Steve started in radio (on the programming side), how he got his first major label job, the importance of research, songs that are "too hot" for radio, how the importance of radio affects songwriting, riding around in a car with Keith Urban, how Lady Antebellum broke, the secret behind Darius Rucker's life after Hootie and the Blowfish, and more.

Claude McKnight is the founder and lead tenor of Take 6. The critically acclaimed group has fans from Alice Cooper to Flava Flav and they've won 10 Grammy wins (with 21 nominations), 10 Dove Awards, and a Soul Train Award. They've collaborated with artists like Whitney Houston, Don Henley, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Queen Latifah, Joe Sample, and Quincy Jones, just to name a few. We talk about the formation of Take 6, how to keep a group of six people together for 20+ years, the changing face of vocal music, their ten albums on Warner Brothers, why they left Warner Brothers, life on an independent label, the importance of music education, and touring internationally. In addition, Claude has some great stories about working with Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, and others.