Tommy Darker - Creating Unique Business Models And Strategies for DIY Musicians

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher |

It’s important for us to remember that everyone is a human being. Behind all the usernames and social media handles, there is a real person behind there just like you and I. Think about how would you try to connect with a real person at a networking event, at church, a party, a concert, or at a restaurant, before you reach out to someone. I’d like to believe that everyone wants to be heard, and is trying to figure out a way to can live a better life and be able to “live the life they love.” Not only is this something I truly believe in, but it’s also one of the biggest messages by this episodes guest, Tommy Darker.

Tommy Darker is a DIY Musician and Entrepreneur. He has mastered the Alexander Osterwalder concept of creating unique Business Models and has applied it to the music business for musicians. Tommy is also the founder of Whiise, a platform where any musician can go and ask their questions about the music business to industry leaders from around the world. He’s a regular guest lecturer at the University of Westminster in London, England and the Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain. In this conversation, we talk about Tommy’s story being from Greece and now is based in London, England to how musicians can use the business model canvas, some unique and creative strategies to get your music on more Spotify playlists, and much more.

To learn more about Tommy Darker, visit http://www.tommydarker.com/ and ask your question at https://www.whiise.me/.

Grab the Music Business Models eBook or one of the many ebooks from Tommy Darker's Library. 

Highlights from this Episode
[3:48] What Tommy likes to teach about at Universities
[5:18] Tommy’s ideal music business program
[6:57] Where should someone visit in Greece
[7:55] The message Tommy wants people to learn from his Kickstarter Campaign
[13:34] Musicprenuer Hub (now Whiise)
[16:00] Topics people have the most questions about
[17:21] Where he finds experts and how someone can become an expert for Whiise
[18:44] Tommy’s Philosophies on Touring being located in Europe
[25:48] What is the business model canvas and how can musicians use it
[29:20] Where Tommy likes to start with the business model canvas
[38:12] What is value proposition
[44:02] Tommy’s Philosophies on Key Partners
[48:12] Where does an Artist Manager fall into all of this
[50:48] What are channels of distribution musicians should focus on and Spotify Playlists
[57:46] How can Musicians use Facebook Bots
[1:02:01] Strategies on building relationships with Spotify Playlist curators
[1:07:22] Setting Goals
[1:10:25] Getting to know Tommy Darker

Quotes from Tommy Darker
“If you just put this mp3 on stream or Spotify, you’re missing out on a lot of opportunities.”
“When you talk with your community, you learn so many things.”
“There is tons of knowledge, and if you don’t share it, it doesn’t exist.”
“I want people to be immersed in what I do.”
“When you can control the experience...you can actually create something that’s way more valuable than what Spotify or other services dictate what you can do.”
“I usually prefer to go the hard way and find venues or platforms that can help me curate an experience.”
“Go out and do stuff, and learn, and create your own playbook.”
“Try to start realizing what kind of audience do you have.”
“Failing is part of the process.”
“Try to create something that will get an emotional response out of people.”
“People like connecting.”
“Usually people will pay much much more when what they buy makes them feel something.”
“Partnerships is all about relationships.”
“Facebook is a place where friends hang out, you need to create an experience that’s not salesy.”
“People like asking questions.”
“Remember, everybody that you’re talking with is a human being.”
“If you start with thinking with how can I get on the playlist, you already lost the battle.”
“The quickest way you can add value to somebody is to connect two people to each other.”
“The more people you know, the more you can get to know more people.”
“You can’t really lie to yourself if you have written down what you need to do.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
University of Westminster
Berklee College of Music - Valencia, Spain
Full Sail University
Tommy Darker Kickstarter Campaign
Whiise
YOUNow Live Streaming
Sofar Sounds
Patreon
Next Big Sound
Indepreneur Indies (Facebook Group)
Killing Joke
Andrew Dubber
NoiseTrade
Pledge Music
ManyChat (Facebook Bot)
Facebook Workplace
Depeche Mode
[BOOKS]
Problem Solving 101: A Simple Book for Smart People by Ken Watanabe
Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal  
How Music Works by David Byrne
The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gottschall
Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead by David Meerman  

Tommy’s Definition of Making It
“To become better than myself yesterday.”

Getting in touch with Tommy Darker
tommy@tommydarker.com
http://www.tommydarker.com/
http://www.musicpreneurhub.com/ 
https://www.kenophania.com/
https://www.facebook.com/tommydarker

Related Podcast Episodes:
1. Ari Herstand - Creative Ways to Build a Following, Generate Revenue, And Promote Your Music
2. Kyle Lemaire - Disrupting the Traditional Music Business
3. Dawn Beyer - Earning $74k with Facbeook Live 
4. Cathy Heller - Building a Career with Sync Licensing 
5. Shannon Curtis - How to Earn Over $50k in 4 Months with House Concerts

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/makingitwithchrisg/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Cathy Heller - Building a Career with Sync Licensing And Teaching Musicians How They Can Too

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

One of the most frequent types of questions I get from musicians and music business students are related to sync licensing, and when receiving these questions, I had the perfect person in mind to answer them. It’s been a few years since I’ve talked to Cathy Heller, but I knew she was the one I absolutely had to get on the show to speak about sync licensing. From when we first met, she has always been very passionate about coaching songwriters about the types of songs that get placed, and always had amazing resources and information available to help guide them. It was so wonderful reconnecting with Cathy and having her as a guest on the show to help answer some of those common questions. However, it is also an amazing gift to our listeners to have such an incredibly passionate, positive, and motivational mentor and teacher sharing an inspirational message that a successful and fulfilling career in music is possible, even without a record deal.

Cathy Heller has built a career in the Sync Licensing world after building a career with placements in TV Shows, Movies, and Commercials. After her success, she started her own company, Catch The Moon Music, where she represents and helps other musicians with sync licensing success. She’s an incredible teacher and mentor, offering consultations, and courses for musicians. One of her newest passions as a teacher includes being the host of her own podcast, Don’t Keep Your Day Job. In this conversation, you’ll learn what types of songs have the most success in sync licensing, common themes and genres that have the most success, how to get a sync licensing agent, and much more. In this episode, she also shares her meticulous researching and note-taking skills, that have helped develop her wisdom and understanding of what works best in the world of sync licensing.

Grab this Amazing Free Download from Cathy for our Podcast Listeners

Highlights from this Episode
[4:08] Meeting Michael Jordan
[9:30] Journey of starting her own podcast - Don’t Keep Your Day Job
[13:49] Cathy Heller’s story
[29:30] Common misconceptions and mistakes musicians make with sync licensing
[38:04] The process of a song being chosen for sync placement by a Music Supervisor
[44:45] Common themes that get placed for commercials
[47:47] Resources where people can learn about what type of music is getting licensed
[50:12] Process of clearing songs
[54:38] Types of producer arrangements
[1:00:02] How to find a licensing agent
[1:01:44] Getting to know Cathy Heller
[1:05:33] Cathy Heller’s Hollywood Vampires

Quotes from Cathy Heller
“If you have the persistence if you have the grit, and you have the passion for something, it doesn’t matter if you’re the first draft pick, or you’re the 150th draft pick, you’ll become the one that everyone is talking about.”
“All you can do in life is know what your effort is. You don’t really know what’s going to be on the other side of that.”
“To find out that something that you do can change the life for someone else, that’s the ultimate sweetness.”
“How do you be an artist if you don’t get a record deal? That’s the question.”
“There are so many ways to make a living doing what you love.”
“The intersection of you doing something you love, to create, that somebody else goes I find that’s beautiful or I need that, and then they are going to pay you for that. That’s actually not just a way to make money, but maybe even finding your bigger purpose in life.”
“My goal here is to do something authentic, that also tells the stories of other people’s souls.”  
“We lost the respect for discipline.”
“You have to make music that they need.”
“In life, being uncomfortable doesn’t always mean don’t do it.”
“Be resourceful! Your number one resource is not your time, money or connections. It’s you!”
“I purposely make it my choice and my priority to be inspired and happy.”
“It is our responsibility to make sure we have a good day.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Michael Jordan
Don’t Keep Your Day Job [Podcast]
Ron Fair
Jimmy Iovine
Interscope Records
Craig Kallman
Atlantic Records
Ingrid Michaelson
Regina Spektor
Snow Patrol
Grey’s Anatomy  
Ed Sheeran “Castle On The Hill”
This American Life [Podcast]
Ira Glass  
The Access Course
TuneFind  
splendAd  
Huck Ingram (Entertainment Attorney)
David Sacks
Billy Joel
Wayne's World Soundtrack  
Amy Porterfield  
Jasmine Star  

Cathy’s Definition of Making It
“Realizing what you have inside of you that really contributes to the world.”

Getting in touch with Cathy Heller
Submissions@catchthemoonmusic.com
hello@catchthemoonmusic.com  
http://www.cathyheller.com/
https://www.dontkeepyourdayjob.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cathy.heller/
https://www.facebook.com/CatchTheMoonMusic/
https://twitter.com/cathyheller

Related Podcasts:
1. Copyright & Publishing Foundation Masterclass with Davey Jay

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Angela Mastrogiacomo - Building Your Story Through Written Form, From Artists Bios To Social Media Management, Publicity And Much More

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

Angela Mastrogiacomo is an entrepreneur, publicist, blogger, and founder of Muddy Paw PR and Infectious Magazine. What inspires me about Angela, is all the amazing content she puts out there for artists to learn more about email etiquette, social media management and marketing, mental health issues in the music business, motivation, and so much more. The amount of information she contributes to the industry is too much for one podcast episode, and we’ll definitely need to get her back for a round two. This episode is packed with information on social media management and marketing, writing your own bio, how to get a publicist and what she looks for in artists, and much more.

Article by Angela Mastrogiacomo on ReverbNation

Highlights from this Episode
[4:25] Differences between Music Industry in Canada and United States
[7:35] Muddy Paw PR
[8:53] Angela’s Journey in the Music Business
[12:52] Things she looks for in potential clients
[15:18] Tips on telling the Artist Story
[18:15] How to find a bio writer
[19:10] Things to not put into a bio, and format musicians should follow
[21:43] Band having its own persona
[23:30] How can artists use their persona on social media and the 70/20/10 Rule
[29:01] How would an artist reach out to fans of similar artist
[33:48] What should artists include on their website
[38:02] What makes a good newsletter and what’s the best way to collect emails
[42:08] Utilizing a Blog to build your brand and following
[44:47] How to make the most out of interviews and things to avoid
[47:57] When to reach out to publicists, and things to look for
[50:26] How long an artist should work with a publicist and having realistic expectations
[55:42] Topics Angela wants artists to know more about
[1:00:12] Angela Mastrogiacomo

Quotes from Angela Mastrogiacomo
“Looking back now, I really wish I started with an internship first.”
“A lot of artists suffer by trying to cut costs and write their bio themselves.”
“Someone that reaches out with well enough lead time shows that they are a serious artist.”
“Authenticity will always translate better.”
“There is nothing worse [in a bio] than a band's entire history.”
“Use your bio as a place to let people in on your personality.”
“It’s such an essential component that you’re promoting other bands to build that community and build that network.”
“Social Media should be treated as you would any friendship.”
“What matters is the connection your audience feels with you, and they can’t feel connected to you, if all you’re doing is selling to them.”
“Your website is your hub.”
“One you’re super clear on your brand, everything else will fall into place.”
“There is nothing really that replaces in person [meeting fans].”
“The actual value comes from getting to those vulnerable spots...those are the things that connect us as humans.”
“Even if it’s a small blog, you have to treat it like it’s the biggest blog in the world.”
“You should be grateful if your publicist tells you up front something is not going to happen.”
“A big part of PR is getting in front of the industry.”  
“PR is all about building buzz and getting your name out there.”
“It’s important to hire people to help you. You can’t do everything.”
“There is nothing more important than your own mental health and sanity.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Factor Music Grant [Canada]
Muddy Paw PR
Anberlin
Infectious Magazine
Pitchfork
Michael Franti
Shadow of Whales
1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly [Blog Article]
Electric Kiwi
Alternative Press
Stereogum
Green Day

[BOOKS]
The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
The Firestarter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

Angela’s Definition of Making It
“That feeling of fulfillment when you’re working towards something that matters.”

Getting in touch with Angela
https://muddypawpr.com/
https://twitter.com/Angela_Mastro
https://www.instagram.com/Angela_Mastro/

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

5 Creative DIY Approaches for Musicians in Today’s Music Business

This is our second annual Thanksgiving special. In this episode, show producer, Jason Trosclair, joins the show to discuss creative DIY approaches for musicians from past guests. I've gathered some of the best advice about how an independent musician can approach their career on their terms, with their own unique voice. These conversations are extremely valuable because they show you there is more than one way to achieve your goals. Along with some insight from Jason and I, on the topic, this episode includes conversations with:

Joe Pulizzi
Ari Herstand
Shannon Curtis
Dawn Beyer
Kyle Lemaire

Happy Thanksgiving from the Making It crew!

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Dawn Beyer - Earning $74k with Facebook Live, Being Authentic, and Building Genuine Connections

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

One of the most inspirational things to me is seeing people pave the path to their journey in their own very unique and authentic way. It’s been such a blessing to have shared some of those stories on the podcast already, and encountering many more everyday. Pursuing your dreams comes with so many challenges regardless of what field one goes into. When it comes to being an entrepreneur trying to make a living from their own art and creative works, it almost feels like a million additional layers of difficulty are in the way. However, I’ve also learned that those who are extremely patient, consistent, genuine, and truly authentic to who they are, and are comfortable to share that with the world along with being vulnerable, that’s usually when the magic happens. Dawn Beyer is an artist whose story and journey has inspired me, and it was a true honor to have her on the show and share that with the world.

The journey of Dawn Beyer began like so many musicians in Nashville, trying to find their niche, and playing endless hours for little money on Broadway. Everything changed for Dawn the first time she went live on Facebook, and had 10 strangers listening to her play while in her living room. These 10 viewers turned into earning $74,000 in one year using Facebook Live, to flying around the country to play private shows for her Facebook Live community. In this conversation, Dawn shares her story, how to be authentic, and how to create real connections with real people. She also offers coaching where she teaches musicians how they can do the same utilizing Facebook Live, and build their careers on their own terms, without having to sacrifice who they are.

Highlights from this Episode
[3:02] How her musical journey began
[5:08] Dawn’s experience playing on Broadway
[16:05] Losing her voice, and discovering Facebook Live
[29:40] What type of artists is Facebook Live for?
[30:32] How to promote a live session before going live
[32:42] What’s the plan before going live, and how to start the live video
[34:44] Suggestions on description for live video
[38:20] Building a direct connection with your audience that’s watching
[40:32] Gear to use for a better broadcast
[42:25] Opportunities that have come from live broadcasts
[45:27] Dawn’s Team
[47:14] Advice for Musicians being Authentic
[52:18] Projects that Dawn Beyer is working on
[56:18] Getting to know Dawn Beyer

Quotes from Dawn Beyer
“On Broadway musicians probably make $40 to $60 per gig”
“Every artist should be on Broadway for a certain amount of time; it teaches you so much”
“It’s humbling, because everybody there [In Nashville] is so talented”
“In the morning when you wake up and go to your living room, are there 10 people there?”
“Keep going live, consistently”
“Anytime I was playing music, I would go live for whoever wanted to watch, and that turned into selling more and more albums.”
“It got to the point where so many people wanted albums, and I started selling something else.”
“I eventually made $1,200 in one weekend, and that’s when I let go of playing on Broadway.”
“I have gratefulness because when I started I camped for a month and did not sleep in a house.”
“I’ve spent three weeks at home this year and have been traveling all year playing for people that have seen me go live.”
“It’s about perspective and having an answer for people.”
“I look at them as people, not views.”
“You have to really connect through the camera and with those people [watching].”
“Whatever fonts you use, or with anything you do, stay consistent.”
“Get a little bit of your stuff together before going live.”
“Use something that gets people’s attention.”  
“Tell your story, be honest, and be open. People like real things.”
“Be yourself, and be real. Be real with that camera.”
“I can actually connect with people, which so cool.”
“The only thing we can be is authentic, and be ourselves.”
“Stop and take the time to find your own connection with your inner peace.”
“One of the most attractive traits you see in someone else is vulnerability.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Broadway in Nashville
WannaB’s Karaoke Bar
The Real Nashville
Claw Phone Tripod  
Shannon Curtis
Rick Barker
Rick Barker talk on CD Baby
Garth Brooks
Dixie Chicks
[BOOKS]
The $150,000 Music Degree by Rick Barker
Notes from (over) the Edge: Unmasking the Truth to End Your Suffering by Jim Palmer

Dawn’s Definition of Making It
“Doing what I love without having to compromise who I am.”

Connect with Dawn Beyer
dawn@therealnashville.com

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Meg White - Booking Agent at ICM Partners: Success by the Power of Kindness, Hustle, Patience, and Building Meaningful Relationships

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

The foundation of the music business, and really for life, is developing strong and meaningful relationships. To kindness into those relationship, and always focusing on what can you do for them, versus what can they do for you. This starts with your first introduction, continues at your internship, to a potential job, and well beyond all of those. Meg White is a Booking Agent at ICM Partners, who has always focused on the strengths of her relationships, and at the end of the day just being a really good person. It’s this, combined with hard work, being patient, and never giving up that’s gotten her to where she is today. And even though she’s completely humble, she has been a rising star of the Music Industry, and continues to reach  to be the best version of herself that she can be. She does not let that get to her head, stays grounded, and is always focused on putting people first.

Meg White is a Booking Agent at ICM Partners. Her journey at ICM began after an internship at Roadrunner Records, working with and cold calling College Radio Stations. At ICM she has worked as an assistant under three very different personalities, from which she has learned many amazing lessons. She has worked as an assistant first for Scott Morris, to Marsha Vlasic, and finally to Mark Siegel, before becoming an agent herself. She’s a rising star in the music industry, and is becoming more and more of an influential agent in the business. In this conversation, she shares some of her stories of her journey, advice for artists on creating their tour strategy, best practices of reaching out to promoters to book your own shows, and how to develop a relationship with booking agents. She’s known as the “Red Headed Assassin,” and she kills with kindness.   

Highlights from this Episode
(3:56) Calls or emails?
(4:45) New Orleans and its hidden culinary gems
(6:33) The Red Headed Assassin
(7:58) What Meg looks for in an artist
(9:05) Networking out of the big cities
(10:08) How often do you go to shows?
(11:15) Tangible tools for artist exposure
(13:26) Touring strategy
(16:13) Different strategies in Hip Hop
(17:15) Email structure for promoters
(19:11) 8 sentence emails
(19:47) Submitting to an agent
(21:15) An agent being the first one on board
(21:50) Meg’s roster
(22:47) Starting and learning at ICM
(28:02) “Meg’s courses” for the music industry
(31:42) Touring experience
(35:03) Interring at ICM
(38:10) BTS questions
(38:30) First concert and first album
(39:22) Must-have routines
(39:53) Favorite book and documentary
(40:57) Meg’s Hollywood Vampires
(41:25) Fill-in-the-blanks

Quotes from Meg White
“Artists should be willing to network…this business is all about relationships”
“Just because your social numbers are high it doesn’t mean you’re gonna sell tickets”
“Unless you’re teaming up with an artist that sales tickets I wouldn’t go to bar that no one goes to”
“Regarding emails, keep them short and sweet”
“Stats look good to everybody”
“A sense of urgency is something that it’s not leaner, you just have to have it”
“[as an agent] there artist always comes first”
“College can never prepare you for the real life”
“You have to show that you care about people”
“Being able to handle even the smallest of issues…that’s how you build trust”
“Being an intern is beneficial especially if you follow up”
“There are more good people out there than bad ones”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Death From Above 1979
Brooklyn Steel
Moonchild
Lalah Hathaway
Salt’n’Peppa
ICM
Sevendust
Mariah Carey
Count of Monte Cristo
Love Lucy
Hollywood Vampires
Frank Sinatra
Elvis Presley
Paul McCartney
Sting

Meg’s definition of making it
There’s no end of making it, I’m learning something new everyday

Get in touch with Meg White
Instagram 
http://www.icmtalent.com/

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Holly Garman - A Creative Approach to Starting a Business in Public Relations Ranging from Music, Fashion, Food, and Theater

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

With a diverse background in fashion, food , music and theater, Holly brings a unique blend of creativity, passion and strategic planning to her life as a publicist--generating major results and leaving a lasting impact for each client she represents. Holly began her career as a press liaison at The Comcast Center for the Performing Arts (formerly Great Woods) outside of Boston where she guided on-site press efforts for Elton John, Cher, Ringo Starr, Aerosmith, Graham Nash, Phil Collins, Bon Jovi and more. In 2009, she launched her own company, HMG Public Relations, where she started off handling PR needs for musicians. Over the years, her company has expanded into many other areas of entertainment such as Broadway Brews, Nonprofits, fashion, theater, and many other exciting adventures. In this episode, we discuss what a publicist does for musicians. At what point should an artist acquire a publicist, and how much lead time should they have prior to releasing an album. Also, what does she look for in artists she works with, her thoughts on press releases, artist bios, how to reach out to the media, and much more.

Highlights from this Episode
(5:56) What is a publicist?
(7:14) Favorite thing about being a publicist
(9:09) Recent success story
(12:26) Holly’s origin story
(18:12) Current clients and work
(21:47) Criteria to work with artists
(24:17) How to begin your story
(29:53) Ideal release timeline for an EP
(31:45) Good artist bio
(33:25) Common questions for a bio
(34:20) Press releases
(35:40) Reaching the press
(37:31) Proper follow up with the press
(39:17) Common mistakes
(40:35) Right time to reach out to a publicist
(41:20) How to become a publicist
(43:47) “Holly’s courses” to become a publicist
(45:50) First concert and first album
(46:26) Favorite books and documentaries
(46:58) Past and current mentors
(48:44) Platonic drinking buddies
(50:17) Fill-in-the-blanks

Quotes from Holly Garman
“publicists create relationships between artists and press”
“publicity is NOT paid for”
“it’s my job to make them [press] think they discovered on their own”
“if no one knows you, is that much harder”
“there are no guarantees with any sort of PR that is going to stick”
“it’s really important not to take an artist on too early”
“look at what makes you unique and keep really applying yourself that way”
“highlight what is cool about what is happening with your career right now”
“know that publicists talk to each other”
“[for a bio] tell a story rather than listing boring information”   
“the best thing you can do is really know who you’re reaching out to”
“It’s important to understand the audience your creating publicity for”
“A lot of mentors come and go and that’s ok”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
My Dear Disco/Ella Riot
Michelle Chamuel
Hydrogen Child
Emily Kopp
Hamilton
Broadway Brews Project
NYC Brewers Guild
Bonnaroo
Beach Boys & Chicago in Madison Square Garden
Abbey Road, The Beatles
The Catcher in the Rye
Spielberg
Rockwood Music Hall
Thomas Jefferson

Definition of Making it
"When you wake up everyday excited to go to work"

Get in touch with Holly Garman: 
HMGPR

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Davey Jay - A Copyright & Publishing Foundation Masterclass with Entertainment Attorney Davey Jay

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

Davey Jay returns to the podcast for a copyright and publishing foundation masterclass. In this episode we discuss everything you need to know to get started with building a foundation knowledge of how copyright and publishing works. Davey Jay discusses the benefits of registering your copyright. We cover how mechanical royalties, performance royalties, and synchronization licenses work. Also, you’ll learn which codes you need to obtain to make sure all of your online streams and digital plays are being tracked correctly. The benefits of SoundExchange, and why every artist should sign-up. How do you properly cover or sample a song, and make money from it, and much more.

To learn more about Davey Jay, check out our round one episode on the show, where we discuss how she got started as an entertainment attorney, tips for those wanting to get into entertainment law, common deals, red flags with record contracts, and much more.

A few Copyright & Publishing terms to be familiar with:
Mechanical Royalties: Each time a song is reproduced on a physical or digital recording, the song owner is entitled a payment from the company doing the reproduction. The standard per copy set by the United States Copyright office is $0.091.

Performance Royalties: Every time the song is performed live (by the original artist or a cover), or the song is played on radio, over a jukebox, over speakers at a business, non-interactive streaming and interactive streaming, or any other public setting, the songwriter is entitled a performance royalty fee.

Synchronization License: A song used in sync with video, such as YouTube, Commercials, TV Shows, Video Games, or any other video, the song owner is entitled a payment at a negotiated rate, by the company using the song in their video.

Performance Rights Organizations (PRO's): In the United States, those are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. These organizations represent the songwriters and publishers, and collect performance royalties. SOCAN in Canada, and PRS in England.

Two Copyrights for a Song: One for the composition (melody and lyrics), and one for the sound recording (the actual recording of the song, aka the Master). Register at https://www.copyright.gov/. 

Harry Fox Agency: Handles mechanical licenses.

From https://heroic.academy/indie-guide-music-copyright-publishing/

Highlights from this Episode
(3:38) Updates since part 1
(4:58) Topics and FAQs in Music Law 101
(6:48) Legal protection for a brand new song
(7:40) Benefits of copyrighting
(9:58) Process for registering songs
(10:58) Types of Copyright
(12:23) Copyrighting Singles/Albums
(13:47) PROs
(16:00) Businesses and licensing
(18:52) Soundexchange
(21:40) Royalty rate
(23:30) ISRC codes
(26:55) Mechanical Licenses
(29:38) Synchronization and Master use Licenses
(33:16) Songs with multiple writers
(36:52) Split Sheets and Collaboration Agreements
(38:09) Publisher share and writer share
(40:14) Benefits of having a publisher
(42:33) Co-publishing deals
(44:19) Advances in publishing deals
(45:02) Record deals and copyrights
(46:25) Cross collateralization
(52:23) Rihanna example
(55:57) Managers
(57:36) When to consult an attorney
(58:45) Band agreements
(1:00:00) Get advice form an attorney
(1:01:09) Choose a superpower
(1:01:49) First album and concert
(1:02:40) Recommended books and documentaries
(1:03:41) Mentors
(1:05:23) Recent Discovery
(1:06:43) Night of drinks with
(1:07:27) Fill-in-the-blanks

Quotes from Davey Jay
“In music law, the facts are very critical”
“As soon as you make an original work of authorship tangible, you have a copyright to it”
“Show people the big stick you’re gonna hit em with”
“Look into what they [PROs] are offering, as far as perks and benefits”
“Different types of streaming generate different types of revenue”
“There’s no set fees for Sync Licenses”
“Joint author and co-owners of the work…share everything equally, regardless of the level of contribution”
“The Appropriate publishing deal is entirely dependent upon where the songwriter is at that point in their career and who the publisher is”
“The publisher split is for any sort of licensing”
“Artists who end up broke is because they weren’t paying attention”
“Write your own music”
“Be careful with managers…they have the power to make or break you”
“When you’re starting a band is best to start with a band agreement”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Music Law 101
Will’s Pub Orlando
Lil Indies
U.S. Copyright Office
ASCAP
BMI
SESAC
Soundexchange
RIAA
ISRC Code
ISWC Code
Harry Fox Agency
Rihanna - Diamonds
REO Speedwagon
Safety Dance - Men Without Hats
Salmon Rushdie
Music, Money and Success
Alan Schlesinger
Hank & Cupcakes
Ruth Bader GInsburg
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Robin Williams
David Bowie

Contact
Meehle & Jay Business and Entertainment Law
Phone 407-792-0790

Davie Jay’s Definition of Making it
“Making it is, at the end of the day, feeling that you did good…”

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Joe Pulizzi - Killing Old Marketing Practices And Building Media Companies with a Content Marketing Focus

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

Joe Pulizzi is the founder of Content Marketing Institute (CMI), and is known as the Godfather of Content Marketing. His book “Content Inc.” inspired the start of this podcast. Content Marketing Institute is the largest education and and training organization for content marketing, which also includes the largest in-person content marketing event in the world, Content Marketing World. Pulizzi is the author of Epic Content Marketing, which was named as one of the must read business books of 2013 by Fortune. He’s also the author Content Inc., and co-author of the September 2017 release, Killing Marketing. He is the founder of Content Marketing Institute and Content Marketing World. In this conversation, we talk about what Content Marketing is, and how artists can use it to build their brands, and turn themselves into powerful media companies.

There is so much information out there when it comes to marketing. Though it’s important to constantly be learning and educate yourself, it can also be very overwhelming with the amount of information out there. Joe Pulizzi, not only describes a strategy that’s realistic, but also digestible. I mention Gary Vaynerchuck on the podcast a lot, but you can’t start off creating content on every platform, and try to be everything to everyone. Even Gary Vee started off building ONE media channel first, his YouTube channel for Wine Library. When reading Joe’s books, and listening to this episode, you’ll learn the importance of a narrow hyper focused strategy that offers enormous value to a very specific target audience. It’s this kind of approach that Making It with Chris G. has been building its business on over the past year.

A narrowed focus on ONE channel (the podcast), with a focus on giving value to musicians and music business students as the primary audience. The goal is to start expanding the “Making It” brand into blogs, and events. Our THREE media platforms. In Joe’s book, Content Inc., he talks about the power of the three and three model. The first three media platforms you build are the personal ones. For us that’s podcasts, blogs, and events - which Making It will be expanding to in the near future. I really hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did, and hope it’ll inspire you to check out one of Joe’s book. - Chris G.

Highlights from this Episode
(5:41) Joe’s new book: Killing Marketing
(8:00) Joe’s electronic sabbatical
(10:36) Joe’s first concert and first album
(11:30) Content marketing
(13:33) Common bad advice by marketers
(16:18) Focusing on a primary channel
(21:25) A musician’s content
(26:30) Where do artists start?
(31:15) Joe’s backstory
(36:48) Overcoming ruts
(40:45) Effective newsletters
(44:00) Building an audience
(48:10) Reaching out to influencers
(51:03) Writing goals
(54:54) Disney’s business model
(57:32) Joe’s morning non-negotiables  
(58:57) Favorite books and documentaries
(1:00:06) Fill-in-the-blanks

Quotes from Joe Pulizzi
“marketing really should be a profit center”
“it all starts with giving away really valuable information”
“today everyone has a smartphone, they can ignore us at will they don’t have to pay attention to us so you have to create information that’s with paying attention to”
“those [social media] platforms own those audiences, you don’t; you’re basically renting them”
“organic reach on Facebook has pretty much gone away”
“we’re inconsistent with our communication so consistency is really, really key”
“you have to start with one audience, one platform, one content type at a time”
“really know who your core fanbase is, and then lean into that”
“it’s a marathon, not a sprint; there’s no such thing as viral success anymore”
“if you’re not going to put the effort into it, maybe you shouldn’t do anything at all”
“if you build an audience first, they will tell you how they want to pay”
“don’t fall in love with what makes you money, fall in love with your audience”
“you can only target one audience at a time”
“email is not dead”
“create something that is worth talking about”
“once you have a show, make sure you have a call to action”
“figure out what they [influencers] need and how you can help them, and you’ll get it back in return; tenfold”
“if you keep a goal in your head, it’s not real”
“don’t miss family, spiritual goals”
“if you build an audience in the middle you can generate revenue in ways you’d never though of before”
“question everything you’re doing about the music industry right now”
“build the audience first and the revenue will follow”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Content Marketing Institute
Killing Marketing
Content Inc
Bee Gees’ Spicks and Specks (Joe’s first album)
Ohio State Fair
Casey Neistat
Matthew Patrick
New York Times
John Deere
Entrepreneur on fire
Gary Vaynerchuck
Rob Scallion
Nine Inch Nails
Grateful Dead
The Huffington Post
Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich
The Defiant Ones

Disney Business Model

Content Marketing Institute Business Model

Get in touch with Joe Pulizzi
Joe’s webpage: http://www.joepulizzi.com
Twitter: @joepulizzi

Joe Pulizzi’s Definition of making it
“The ability to spend time with the people you love and not be thinking about something else at the same time”

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro
 

Check Out these Books by Joe Pulizzi

Kyle Lemaire - Disrupting the Traditional Music Business with Powerful Marketing Techniques that Build Successful Careers in the Industry

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

Be ready to turn everything you’ve learned about the Music Business upside down, and learn how successful entrepreneurs are building their careers and longevity. Kyle Lemaire is an entrepreneur, marketing expert, and disrupter on how things are traditionally done in the music industry. We go right into what he believe major record labels are doing wrong, and how their marketing departments are failing their artists. He’s a firm believer that there is an audience out there for everyone, but how do you find this audience? Kyle uses some very successful marketing techniques that are highly effective for entrepreneurs that the traditional music industry is either completely ignoring or not even aware of. He’s the owner of Indepreneur, where he strives to educate musicians, and has a mission to impact the careers of 1 Million Artists.

In this interview, Kyle and I discuss some of the background of major labels, and why he believes their marketing departments are failing. He shares some success stories with specific marketing techniques that have build audiences and brought in thousands of dollars for his artists. Kyle discusses strategies that successful entrepreneurs are using that also work in the music business, and that artist’s should be using, and much more. This was a very inspiring conversation, and challenges you to break to wheel of the traditional music business. As Ari Herstand has said “There isn’t just one way to make money in the music industry anymore.” Kyle shares some ways he’s had success in creative ways with his artists.

Highlights from this Episode
(7:00) Artists and record labels
(11:36) Labels and marketing
(15:44) Artists and marketing
(22:20) Education material
(27:11) Nino Bless story
(34:20) Retargeting
(36:25) Calls to action
(38:20) Building an audience on Facebook
(42:00) Opt-ins
(46:32) How often to release content
(49:33) Post opt-in engagement
(52:52) Campaign budget
(55:40) Marketing great products
(57:20) Campaigning for live shows
(1:00:47) Ads for tours
(1:06:21) Building an audience as a promoter
(1:12:00) Kyle’s Full Sail journey
(1:14:25) College education
(1:16:28) Kyle’s taking a course
(1:17:50) Indepreneur courses
(1:21:07) Static percentages
(1:24:00) Managers
(1:25:57) Artists who aren’t entrepreneurs
(1:27:59) 1st person that comes to mind as Successful
(1:32:50) Goals
(1:37:25) Kyle’s favorite album and concert
(1:38:42) Kyle’s favorite books
(1:40:08) Exciting recent discovery
(1:40:56) Morning routine
(1:41:53) Drinks with dead or alive
(1:42:29) Fill the blanks

Quotes from Kyle Lemaire
“We don’t rely on record labels nearly as much”
“People don’t discover music on owned platforms like radio anymore”
“Labels don’t now how to keep attention”
“[artists] the skills that enable to connect with humans on a one to one level, makes you perfect for marketing”
“It’s to what you can do, it’s what you believe you can do”
“Twenty people in a thousand will get signed and of those who do get signed, one in twenty get to release an album”
“Make more transactions per customer, that’s what this [music industry] is terrible at”
“The goal is to generate as many supporting fans as you can”
“An indirect introduction is the best kind of introduction”
“It takes six to seven touches to generate a sale from a new customer”
“Instead of having [people] join an email list, we have them join a Facebook messenger list”
“On Facebook the content that works best is content that doesn’t look like an ad”
“You wanna give a way more than any label ever would, and then you ask for a sale”
“The more people you have on your list, the more offers you have to be making”
“Don’t do this [marketing campaigns] if you don’t have a great product”
“If innovation is there, marketing must follow”
“People don't just buy because they’re the right people, they buy because they’re the right people and they’ve been put though the right sequence of interaction”
“Leaving home is incredibly important, people who don’t leave home they to stay at home”
“There are tons of jobs in the industry that they pay people to do, that technology can already do”
“I see a future where indies can get themselves to 100k a year, and then hire a manger”
“The only reason you give someone a percentage is because you don’t know what they should be doing”
“I think we should empower musicians…tell them that they’re enough”
“Being clear about what you want and then getting it, that is success”
“Literally saying outlaid what you want has such dramatic impact”
“You can choose your future, and your decisions model that you have chosen”
“The meaning of life is to not let others determine what life is for you”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Appetite for Self-Destruction: The Spectacular Crash of the Record Industry in the Digital Age
Robert Cialdini
Jay Abraham
Nino Bless
Joe Budden
Slaughterhouse
The 502s
Intimate Behavior by Desmond Morris
Swipe Files
Ticketmaster
The Misfits
The Supervillains
Dr. Hugo Villegas
James Altucher
Quantum Media
Soliloquists of Sound
Hitmen
Breakthrough Advertising
Scientific Advertising
Chatfuel

Get in Touch with Kyle Lemaire
https://indepreneur.io/homepage

Kyle Lemaire’s definition of making it
To completely change how music works as an industry

Keep in touch with us:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris G.
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Antony Bland and John Mathiason of Candyshop Management - Two Entrepreneurs and Artist Managers Sharing Stories and Lessons from 50+ Years of Combined Music Industry Experience

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

When it comes to artist management, there are many different company structures, philosophies on best practices, and overall completely different approaches to managing an artist’s career. Also, artist managers and promoters, are pretty much the only ones that can get right into the industry without any proper training or education. Sure to the most part, someone can start an agency, label, PR firm, or publishing company in their bedroom, but most of the times for the people out there doing it, that’s not the case. Usually they start with some type of internship, training system, or even need a college degree (for example, entertainment attorney’s). However, if my bestfriend is in a band, I can start managing them today. If I have as little as $500 in my bank account, I can contact an agent and book a show with one of their baby bands, today.

Prior to recording this interview with Antyony Bland, and John Mathiason, we discussed that there is no rule book or system to get into artist management. We all feel very passionate about educating artists and young managers, about different approaches, and how to do what’s best for their artists. The reason this podcast started, was to create the resources for my college students and artists I mentor, that I wish existed when I got started. Antony Bland and John Mathiason are the co-founders and owners of Candyshop Management. Combined the two of them have over 50+ years of experience in the music industry, spending many of their years in artist management, publishing, record labels, marketing, merchandising, and much more. In this episode they both share their journey and lesson with a focus on the importance of education. We discuss artist management, how to become a manager, the success story of the Mowgli’s, merchandising, and much more.

Highlights from this episode
(7:15) Good management philosophy
(18:26) Resources and areas of focus in the music business
(22:58) Common misconceptions on what a manager does
(27:05) First 90 days with a new artist
(33:16) Artist’s bad decisions
(38:10) Candyshop Management beginnings and work
(42:52) The Mowgli’s Story
(49:51) Merch and Publishing
(52:39) Starting with T-Shirts
(58:56) Accessory Items
(1:00:57) How to choose a march company
(1:04:37) Who should be the march seller?
(1:08:20) How and when to have a meet & greet
(1:14:42) How to handle internet trolls
(1:19:09) Publishing
(1:22:50) Advice for emerging managers

Quotes from Antony Bland and John Mathiason
“as managers I think we take the approach that we are always learning something new even though we’ve been doing it for a long time because things change…as a manager, your artist has to look at what they do with you as a try partnership…”
“…you can breakout as an artist without the need of a record label… if you’re smart about the way you run your business and you’re good in terms of your ability on a creative level…”
“we are a society that makes stars out of people who don’t do anything”
“sometimes for us, the first mark of success is when an artist doesn’t have to have a job…”
“I think the biggest misconception for artists is that as soon as they get a manager they don’t have to worry about anything…”
“the social [networks] are the biggest drivers for us in terms of marketing and so we try to figure out what’s the best way to maximize it…we take the first three months to determine where our relationship with an artist is gonna go”
“the worst thing an artist can do for us is lie… Don’t come to us with crazy social numbers and then us finding out that 95% of them are in Shanghai… honesty is very important because if you as the artist are putting out there things that aren’t true, it just makes our jobs more difficult…”
“management is 50% proactive and 50% reactive”
“you have to know your audience..but you also have to be smart about how you’re going out. Merchandise is just as much promotion as it is earnings…”
“if the band hates the shirt and it’s the ugliest shirt you’ve ever seen, that’s usually the biggest selling of the shirts”
“you need a merch seller before you need guitar tech…I’d even put a merch seller before front of house…but you have to have a good one…”
“it is not a perfect science, none of this stuff is perfect and a lot of the times we learn from one experience that can teach us about another experience…”
“[when dealing with internet trolls] don’t engage; as soon as you engage, you’re setting yourself up and there’s nothing that anybody can do at that point. You put yourself in a position where you’re not gonna get anywhere, it’s not an argument its just someone who wants your attention.”
“when you write a song, registering everything with the publishing company is the first thing you should do as soon as you record that song you should start thinking about registering it with Sound Exchange…”
“intern everywhere…the more knowledge you have will set you up to be a manager cause you can go for for a management company but having specific knowledge of how everything works is vital.”
“education is paramount; being able to understand the business, being able to ask other people for advice, being able to share the knowledge I think is the only thing that is going to keep us as managers an keep our artists in a good stop.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
CandyShop Management
SXSW
ASCAP
BMI
SESAC
The Mowgli’s
House Of Blues
Blue Collar
Kevin Devine
Sound Exchange

Get in contact with Candy Shop
http://candyshopmanagement.com/

Definition of making it
“For an artist, wanting to be the best artist they can possibly be, as we want to be the most successful management company we can be, try to make a successful living out of that and always have fun”

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.) 
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Ben Weeden - COO of House of Blues Entertainment at Live Nation - Building the Largest Portfolio of Clubs & Theaters for the Most Powerful Concert Promoter in the World

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

Benjamin Weeden is the COO of House of Blues Entertainment at Live Nation for their Clubs & Theaters division. In 2016, his team promoted over 10,000 concerts in the United States. The company owns and operates clubs and theaters all over the United States, and is most known for it’s House of Blues and Fillmore brands. Ben has been with the company literally since day one, having worked along with one of his mentors and CEO of Live Nation, Michael Rapino. In this conversation, we celebrate our 50th episode, and Ben shares a ton of insight and wisdom from his time in the Entertainment Business. We discuss his experience and how he got in, what makes a great talent buyer, what makes his division unique, the most in demand jobs at Live Nation, what his ideal curriculum would look at a Music Business school, and much more.

I have a ton of students that want to become Talent Buyers or work for Live Nation. Ben Weeden shares some great insight on what he personally looks for in Talent Buyers, and also the need for great promoters. In today’s touring industry, understanding social media, how to place efficient and effective ads on Facebook, Twitter, Instagarm, etc. is crucial to being a great marketer/promoter. Also, Ben talks a lot about analyzing data in this episode. One of the jobs I consistently see posted the most is for data analysts. If you can learn how to make marketing decisions based on data analysis, and then sell tickets, that’s where the money is! If you can do that, you’re going to be very successful as a marketer. I love this episode, and how he shared the importance of getting used to promoting 100+ shows per year to become a good Talent Buyer, and put yourself through bootcamp to get ready for the big leagues with Live Nation.

This podcast is brought to you by Bandzoogle. Building a website should be easy. Bandzoogle is the website for musicians by musicians. Save 15% on your 1-Year Subscription with promo code "makingit" and start with your 30-Day FREE Trail

Highlights from this Episode
(5:30) Ben’s role at Live Nation
(7:00) New venues, acquired and built
(7:42) Sought out trends in the market
(9:50) Current trends in today’s music business, based on live shows
(13:00) Raising ticket prices for smaller, DIY artists
(14:51) Ben’s start in the business
(21:54) Advice for students aspiring to work in Live Nation
(24:50) Advice for talent buying without wasting money
(27:28) Most in demand jobs in the industry
(28:40) College degrees/classes that add value to the music business
(30:30) Courses for Music Business students
(33:17) Lessons learned from Michael Rapino and other mentors
(36:14) Advice on marketing budgeting for emerging bands
(37:53) Ben’s routine for stress relief and mental health
(41:15) Words of wisdom for future talent buyers/promoters

Quotes from Ben Weeden
“When expanding, population and disposable income are two of the most important data points”
“We’re trying to raise our tickets prices in such a way that it goes up with the inevitable rise in talent.”
“For better or for worse, the price of talent will never go down”
“We got to get better at pricing the house without pricing people out of the house.”
“In order to be a top-notch talent buyer, we generally look for buyers that have been playing with their own money, have been promoting a significant volume of shows (over 100 shows a year) and battling bigger guys [in the business]”
“I’ve got a lot of respect for buyers that go out on their own and carve out a niche for themselves”
“Learning the marketing side is very important because at the end of the day we don’t want just talent buyers, we want promoters.”
“We’re all going to book shows that are going to lose money; let’s just learn from it and make sure we don’t book that same show at the same price again.”
“On average, our senior promoters are booking over 200 shows a year…you have to get time with your family; you have to get time with yourself, you have to get time to take your vacations because this business just never stops…”
“It’s a tough business; it’s a grind; if you love music this is certainly the industry to be in nowadays given the importance of touring…you have to find the experience booking shows…take whatever experience you can”
“It’s a great time to be in this business, it’s only going to continue to grow, and there’s only going to be more opportunities…it is a real grind, you have to be prepared for that.”
“Get grounded on all the different facets, finance, marketing, operations and hopefully find a job at a smaller club, grinding it out and booking at a lower volume cause there is where you’re going to get experience.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Live Nation
Grand Rapids (20 Monroe Live)
HOB Anaheim
Buckhead Theater
Queen Theatre
The Van Buren
Bear Sterns                                                                                                
SFX Entertainment
Robert Sillerman
Brian Becker
Milano Concerti
Michael Rapino
Clear Channel Entertainment
Prince
Britney Spears
Neil Diamond
U2
Madonna
Rolling Stones
Ticketmaster
Artist Nation
Ron Bension
Facebook Campaigns
Instagram Campaigns
Ohio State

Get in touch with Ben Weeden
LinkedIn

Ben Weeden’s definition of making it:
“To continue to learn every day; I learn a lot from the younger people from our team as well as from the people above me. At some point, I would love to keep building and running this division and be thankful that I’m not in investment banking or selling insurance.”

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Keep in touch with us
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://twitter.com/chrisgoyzueta
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Episode Credits
Host: Chris Goyzueta
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Ari Herstand - Creative Ways to Build a Following, Generate Revenue, and Promote Your Music in the New Music Business

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

Ari Herstand is the author of “How to Make It in the New Music Business.” This conversation is our Round 2 follow-up to episode 16 featuring the introduction to the book, and Ari’s backstory. In this conversation we dive into revenue streams, how to build a following, creative marketing strategies, follow-up questions from the previous interview, and much more. Ari is a musician, multi-instrumentalist, blogger, public speaker, actor, blogger, and mentor to fellow musicians. Through his blog Ari’s Take, he’s mentored and helped thousands of musicians across the world. His book is my students favorite book about the music business, and the must read for every musician looking to build a career in music. There isn’t just one way to make a living as a musician anymore, and we dive into some of those ways to build a career in the new music business.

Get the Book by Ari Herstand that all my students and Musician clients/friends rave about!

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Highlights from this Episode
(5:25) Updates: How To Make It In The New Music Business
(8:53) Ari’s current music project, Brassroots District
(10:15) News on Brassroots District tour
(11:24) Most common asked questions since book release
(13:55) Market research platforms for objective reviews
(16:15) Best ways artists can add value to their relationships
(20:30) Storytelling: when and where to begin?
(30:26) Find the starting point of your story
(32:10) Common revenue streams for artists
(38:20) Revenue streams for Hip-Hop artists
(41:26) Using Facebook to generate income
(48:00) Advice for data analysis
(56:28) Targeting and engaging potential fans
(60:57) Facebook groups
(63:30) Engaging with people in person
(64:35) Where to find Facebook groups to join
(66:36) Playing and expanding outside of your hometown
(72:18) Building a Facebook ad without running it
(74:48) Targeting communities that can relate with your lifestyle
(76:26) How to write emails to book shows
(79:37) How to approach a venue with no past show history of your own
(85:17) Facebook Q’s from listeners
(85:27) What do you know now, that you wish you knew when you first started?
(87:07) Keeping in mind the 50/50 rule how much of  an artist’s resources should be spent in education?

Quotes from Ari Herstand
“I don’t believe in competition in the music industry, I believe we’re all stronger when we work together and I believe that a rising tide lifts all ships”
“Any musician can pave their own way and make it work in a way that makes sense to them”
“If you’re just kind of getting started…it’s not the time to be thinking about how I can make a career out of music or how can I make money, it’s the time to think about how can I hone my craft so I can challenge myself and become great”
“In every interaction think not how can they help me but how can I help them”
“Things will happen if you start helping people and adding value”
“[a career in music is] a marathon not a sprint”
“Your branding and your story are the most important things that you need to work out after you master your music”
“You have to get creative about how you’re going to target your fans”
“Don’t think of it as a transaction…what works is that you play the long game, analyze the data and study it”
“You don’t need to sit around waiting for a label”
“Nobody care about free downloads anymore…stay up with it, keep innovating and find what works for you”
“If you study and learn the nuances and intricacies of the backend data of Facebook, Instagram or twitter you will know more than anyone else in the music industry”
“You don’t want to get opening gigs for bands you like, you want to get opening gigs for bands whose fans would also like you”
“Eventually if you support the community, the community will support you back”
“Start local, figure out what works”
“You should blend the digital and physical world, it’s not an either/or anymore”
“It’s about finding a community…they will support you even if they don’t really, like, love your content or music, just because they identify with you and you’re part of the community”
“50 people is the magic number, if you can figure out how to get 50 people in every city then you can find a venue that will book you”
“The song is the most important thing; it all comes down to the song…do not settle for good enough”
“School is a great time to develop your art, learn the business…challenge yourself to be as best as you can be before you start your career”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Ari Herstand’s book: How to Make it in the New Music Business
Brassroots District
Bandzoogle
Reverbnation
Audiokite
Jeffrey James
Ed Sheeran
Dave Matthews Band
Nino Bless
Nas
Eminem
Common
Kendrick Lamar
Old School Marketing’s Rule of Seven
Sales Funnels
Allen Stone
The Troubadour
FM-84
Bandcamp
Vulfpeck
Alabama Shakes
The Social

Get in touch with Ari Herstand
Website:https://ariherstand.com
instagram and twitter:
@ariherstand
@ArisTake
Blog: Ari's Take
Book: How To Make It In The New Music Business
Email: ari@ariherstand.com   

Ari Herstand’s definition of making it:
“Making a living supporting the kind of lifestyle that you’d like to have doing what you love.”

This podcast is brought to you by Bandzoogle. Built for musicians, by musicians,
Bandzoogle makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music. Their step-by- step system will get you online in minutes. Choose from hundreds of mobile-friendly themes, then customize your design with Bandzoogle’s easy point and click editor. Plus, all the features you need for a professional website are already built-in:

● Sell your music and merch commission-free, right on your website
● Build your fan list and send professional newsletters using the mailing list tool
● Pull in content from all of your online services, including Twitter, Instagram, and SoundCloud
● Get live support from their musician-friendly team 7 days a week

Plans start at just $8.29/month, including free registration of your own custom domain. Go to Bandzoogle.com to try it free for 30 days, and be sure to use the promo code “makingit” to get 15% off the first year of any Bandzoogle subscription.

Keep in touch with us
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://twitter.com/chrisgoyzueta
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Episode Credits
Host: Chris Goyzueta
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp
Show Notes: Manuel Pachamoro

Joshua Knight of Paradigm Agency - Creating Your Touring Strategy, Opening for National Acts, and Getting on an Agent's Radar

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

This is episode four of the Booking Agent series, and features booking agent, Joshua Knight. In the world of booking agencies, there are the Big 6 - CAA, WME, APA, UTA, ICM, and Paradigm. Joshua Knight spent most of his career at one of the premier boutique agencies in the world, Monterey International in Chicago, IL. He currently works with artists such as Los Lobos, Aaron Neville, The Meters, Trampled by Turtles, Leftover Salmon, Lettuce, The Motet, The Infamous Stringdusters, Nicki Bluhm, JJ Grey & Mofro, and many more. The day we conducted this interview, August 3rd 2017 for the fellow historians, it was announced that Monterey International was acquired by one of the Big 6 agencies, Paradigm Agency. Joshua Knight shares what this acquisition means for Monterey International and all of its agents, as well as some of the history between the two agencies.

Joshua Knight also shares many valuable lessons in this episode. We discuss what he looks for in artists that he works and we discuss some tangible items that DIY artists should be working on to get on the radar of agents like Joshua Knight. You’ll learn about his perspective on how often you should play in a market and how to open for national acts. He also shares lessons on what students of the business should learn while they’re in school, and his ideal curriculum. Also, he shares his insight on how to become an agent and much more.

To learn more about booking agents and opening for national acts, check out these other podcast episodes and articles.

• Jeff Howard - APA
• Pete Anderson - APA
• Jeremy Holgersen - UTA
• Alec Vidmar - UTA
• Ari Nisman - Degy Entertainment (College Agency)
• How to Open for National Acts (Article)

This podcast is brought to you by Bandzoogle. Building a website should be easy. Bandzoogle is the website for musicians by musicians. Save 15% on your 1-Year Subscription with promo code "makingit" and start with your 30-Day FREE Trail

Highlights from this Episode
(5:26) Role at Monterey International
(6:10) What makes Monterey Unique
(7:45) Big news for Monterey
(10:45) History of Monterey
(14:20) How Joshua got into the business
(18:40) Ideal curriculum for the music business
(24:10) Why geography is important
(26:00) What Joshua looks for in an artist
(32:20) Tangible things for smaller bands to work on to get an agent
(34:45) Joshua’s opinion on markets               
(37:30) How often to return to a market
(39:00) Best way to reach out to an agent
(42:35) How a young band gets an opening slot
(44:55) What gets a good response from promoters
(47:40) How to get into an agency as a young professional
(53:00) How young professionals can build relationships

Quotes from Joshua Knight
“A lot of things we do are multiple things at once.”
“To be able to move at a quick pace is something you can’t learn.”
“It’s almost like we’re a logistics company.”
“It’s hard to make numbers up these days because you can get caught really easy.”
“The better you are with people the more you can get done.”
“If you can learn every facet of the business you’re going to do a lot better.”
“It’s all about making a living for these guys.”
“First and foremost keep building the markets.”
“You need to make it where your fans can’t miss it.”
“I’m going to sign a young band that has something to do with my other bands.”
“Sometimes you have to scratch each other's back.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Agents at Monterey
Michael Jackson
Monterey International
Paradigm Agency
Los Lobos
The Meters
Aaron Neville
The Motet
Infamous Stringdusters
Nicki Bluhm
JJ Grey & Mofro
Lettuce
Trampled by Turtles
Neville Brothers
Dave Matthews Band
The Beatles
Grateful Dead
Anheuser Busch
Bud Light
Ghost of Paul Revere
The Maine
Revivalists
Phish

Get in Touch with Joshua Knight
joshuaknight@montereyinternational.net

Joshua Knight’s Definition of Making It
“Being happy.”
“If you can put a roof over your head, feed your family, and book bands.”

This podcast is brought to you by Bandzoogle. Built for musicians, by musicians,
Bandzoogle makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music. Their step-by- step system will get you online in minutes. Choose from hundreds of mobile-friendly themes, then customize your design with Bandzoogle’s easy point and click editor. Plus, all the features you need for a professional website are already built-in:

● Sell your music & merch commission-free, right on your website
● Build your fan list and send professional newsletters using the mailing list tool
● Pull in content from all of your online services, including Twitter, Instagram, and SoundCloud
● Get live support from their musician-friendly team 7 days a week

Plans start at just $8.29/month, including free registration of your own custom domain. Go to Bandzoogle.com to try it free for 30 days, and be sure to use the promo code “makingit” to get 15% off the first year of any Bandzoogle subscription.

Keep in touch with us
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://twitter.com/chrisgoyzueta
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Episode Credits
Host: Chris Goyzueta
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Corey Glover of Living Colour - Stories of Rock N’ Roll, Touring with a Legendary Broadway Show, Winning Grammy’s, and an Academy Award Winning Film

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

This episode features Corey Glover from legendary Grammy-Award Winning Rock Band, Living Colour. On September 7, 2017, Living Colour will be releasing their first studio album in 8 years, which features their lead single “Who Shot Ya,” which is a Notorious BIG cover with a Living Colour funk to it. You’re going to hear some amazing stories from Living Colour, the Oliver Stone 80’s classic movie “Platoon,” the broadway show Jesus Christ Superstar, and much more! Corey shares how him and Vernon Reid met, and was asked to join the band. Also, you’ll hear stories from his acting days and his role in the Oliver Stone film Platoon, which also featured young stars Charlie Sheen, Forest Whitaker, and Johnny Depp. We also talk about his time on the road with Jesus Christ Superstar, and touring as the singer for New Orleans funk powerhouse Galactic. Corey Glover is full of amazing stories, and shares his beautiful journey.

For more than thirty years Living Colour have created, recorded and performed their own brand of heavy rock that draws as much inspiration from yesteryear soul men and rock gods as they do from post-bop jazz and boulevard shaking hip-hop. Founded by guitarist Vernon Reid back when he was still a dreadlocked sideman with Ronald Shannon Jackson and other East Village noise ensembles, Living Colour includes vocalist Corey Glover, drummer Will Calhoun and  bassist Doug Wimbish.

Get the new album "Shade" by Living Colour

This podcast is brought to you by Bandzoogle. Building a website should be easy. Bandzoogle is the website for musicians by musicians. Save 15% on your 1-Year Subscription with promo code "makingit" and start with your 30-Day FREE Trail

Highlights from this Episode
Favorite spots in New Orleans (06:30)
Influencers in New orleans (7:25)
Meeting Galactic (7:50)
Past and Current Mentors (10:30)
First show (14:10)
Details about the upcoming album (15:20)
Challenges and lessons learned from making the album (17:50)
Inspiration behind the Notorious B.I.G cover (19:10)
How to spread the message to reduce gun violence (21:21)
The next 6 months for Living Color (23:15)
The moment Corey knew the entertain business was for him (26:00)
Corey’s role in Platoon (28:30)
Meeting Vernon Reid (31:20)
Favorite bands toured with (37:00)
The Grammy experience (39:05)
Experience of touring with Jesus Christ Superstar (42:55)
How to run a successful crowdfunding campaign (47:20)
Advice on how to pick the right team (49:25)
Advice for young artist (52:00)
Memories from WrestleMania (54:20)

Quotes from Corey Glover
“Have the material before you get there.”
“There’s too many guns in this world and by gun I don’t mean a hand gun or automatic weapon, but things that destroy. Instead of build.”
“Violence is a kneejerk reaction.”
“Love is the key and I don’t mean to sound like a long haired hippie.”
“We’re going to go as far and wide as we can on this record.”
“This idea that record companies aren’t ideal anymore isn’t necessarily true.”
“There’s a bunch of people doing this and it is a necessity to be ever present.”
“Don’t overextend yourself.”
“You don’t have to be at every single event in all cases.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
People
Allen Toussaint
Sonny Boy Williamson
Albert King
BB King
Robert Johnson
Notorious B.I.G
Marvin Gaye
Vernon Reid
Robert Palmer

Places & Things
The Meters
Neville Brothers
Galactic
Brooklyn Bowl
Living Colour  
Muddy Waters
James Brown
Apollo Theatre
Platoon
Soundgarden
Jesus Christ Superstar

Get in Touch with Corey Glover
LivingColour.com
@LivingColour – Twitter
@LivingColour – Instagram
Living Color Official - Facebook

Corey Glover’s Definition of Making It
“Making it is being able to come home.”
“It’s doing what you want to do and stop and turn around and go ‘Wow I did all that?’”

This podcast is brought to you by Bandzoogle. Built for musicians, by musicians,
Bandzoogle makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music. Their step-by- step system will get you online in minutes. Choose from hundreds of mobile-friendly themes, then customize your design with Bandzoogle’s easy point and click editor. Plus, all the features you need for a professional website are already built-in:

● Sell your music & merch commission-free, right on your website
● Build your fan list and send professional newsletters using the mailing list tool
● Pull in content from all of your online services, including Twitter, Instagram, and SoundCloud
● Get live support from their musician-friendly team 7 days a week

Plans start at just $8.29/month, including free registration of your own custom domain. Go to Bandzoogle.com to try it free for 30 days, and be sure to use the promo code “makingit” to get 15% off the first year of any Bandzoogle subscription.

Keep in touch with us
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://twitter.com/chrisgoyzueta
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

Episode Credits
Host: Chris Goyzueta
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Jeremy Holgersen - Booking Agent for United Talent Agency with a 20+ Year Career Working with Influential Agents, Becoming a Leader and Building Powerful Teams

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher |

One of the common sayings in the music industry is that it takes a village to break an artist. Building powerful and dedicated teams that make smart decisions in the best interest of the artist, and are working everyday in service to their artist, can be a game changer. Jeremy Holgersen is a booking agent for United Talent Agency (UTA) in New York, NY. He has been a booking agent for over 20 years, having worked with some of the greatest agents in the business, and has helped put together some of the most powerful teams in the world of Hip-Hop. Jeremy has worked with artists such as Action Bronson, G-Eazy, Hatebreed, Gojira, Protoje, Ms. Lauryn Hill, and many more.

In this conversation we talk about how Jeremy Holgersen got started in the business, some of his mentors, agents he’s worked with and building powerful teams. From his days at The Agency Group, Jeremy has always been surrounded by some of the most talented agents in the business, and eventually started building teams with current superstar agents. Early in his career he has worked with teams such as Peter Schwartz, Zach Quillen, and Joshua Dick where he experienced first hand the rise and success of artists such as Macklemore. Today he has built and put together teams at UTA, which we talk about in this episode. We also discuss what he looks for in an artist he represents, the transition from The Agency Group to United Talent Agency and much more. We also cover what makes a great agent, and how to stand out working in the booking agent training program aka the mailroom to floater to assistant. He shares some great lessons on booking, touring, artist development, and much more.

This podcast is brought to you by Bandzoogle. Building a website should be easy. Bandzoogle is the website for musicians by musicians. Save 15% on your 1-Year Subscription with promo code "makingit" and start with your 30-Day FREE Trail

Highlights from this Episode
Role at UTA and artist Jeremy books (06:40)
What makes being an agent worth it (08:20)
Mentors in Jeremy’s career (10:45)
Backstory (12:45)
Roles as an intern (17:45)
Hip-Hop department lessons and stories (20:25)
RA vs Territorial System (24:20)
How the role as an agent has evolved (27:00)
Favorite success stories (29:00)
First signed act experience (31:55)
What Jeremy looks for in an artist (35:35)
When to tour and how many markets (37:32)
Agent Training Program (40:45)
Advice on how to work your way up (42:10)
Advice to students (44:30)
Daily habits for Jeremy (45:50)
Making It to Jeremy (50:00)

Quotes from Jeremy Holgerson
“You’re a real partner with the artist and the manager.”
“Make sure you’re thinking about the bigger picture for the artist.”
“Protect and focus and make sure you’re taking care of their brand.”
“Every artist is different; every manager is different. Each personality is different and you’re figuring that out every day.”
“Most people in the agency business are still in it.”
“When you’re in the business you figure out who gets stuff done.”
“I always paired up with people I would learn from.”
“You’re coming up with the best plan for that artists’ career.”
“You don’t have to get in a van and drive city to city and turn ten people into twenty.”
“You either get it or you don’t.”
“Anything you do in the music industry is a life style thing.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
People
G-Eazy
Lauryn Hill
Lil Dicky
21 Savage
Action Bronson
Macklemore
Peter Schwartz
Joshua Dick
Zach Quillen
Cheryl Paglierani
Randall Urtiski 
Jonathan Briks
Ken Fermaglich 
Tim Borror 

Places & Things
United Talent Agency
Agency Group
Governors Ball
Shaky Knees Festival
Glass Jaw
Suicidal Tendencies
The Pogues
Bad Brains
Coachella
Big Daddy Kane
Grateful Dead
Paramore
Hate breed

Get in Touch with Jeremy Holgerson
jeremyholgersen@theagencygroup.com
*DISCLAIMER: Jeremy gets a ton of email. Please be respectful of his time and remember to always think about how can you add VALUE to a relationship. If you decide to email anyone, how can you add value to them, and not look at how it benefits you. That’s where you’ll build real relationships.

Jeremy Holgerson Definition of Making It
“I don’t know if you ever do. Waking up every day and thinking about the next challenge. Making it is being complacent.”

This podcast is brought to you by Bandzoogle.
Built for musicians, by musicians, Bandzoogle makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music. Their step-by- step system will get you online in minutes. Choose from hundreds of mobile-friendly themes, then customize your design with Bandzoogle’s easy point and click editor. Plus, all the features you need for a professional website are already built-in:

● Sell your music and merch commission-free, right on your website
● Build your fan list and send professional newsletters using the mailing list tool
● Pull in content from all of your online services, including Twitter, Instagram, and SoundCloud
● Get live support from their musician-friendly team 7 days a week

Plans start at just $8.29/month, including free registration of your own custom domain. Go to
Bandzoogle.com to try it free for 30 days, and be sure to use the promo code “makingit” to get 15% off the first year of any Bandzoogle subscription.

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://twitter.com/chrisgoyzueta
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

EPISODE CREDITS
Host: Chris Goyzueta
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Support the show for as little as $1/month on Patreon and get a ton of more content. 
https://www.patreon.com/makingitwithchrisg

Pete Anderson - Booking Agent at Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) with an Innovative Approach to Developing Talent and Agent Success

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud  

Our booking agent series continues. This week’s guest is Pete Anderson, who is a booking agent at the Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) in Beverly Hills, CA. He got his start after a successful career in sales working at Dell, before transitioning to the William Morris Endeavor (WME) training program. After a few years working for WME, Pete transitioned his career to APA where he started under past podcast guest Jeff Howard. After quickly working his way up as an agent, Pete transitioned to the Los Angeles office for APA, where he became a true intrapreneur with an innovative approach to being an agent. In this episode we talk about Pete’s journey as an agent, what makes him stand out, also what he looks for in artist’s he works with, how to stand out as an independent promoter, and much more.

Pete’s Three Critical Aspects in Hiring Candidates

1. Having a good skill of communication

2. Attention to Detail & Work Ethic

3. Sense of Style and Taste

Highlights from this episode
Life on the West Coast & Moving to LA Office [2:10]
Advantages & Disadvantages of LA versus Nashville [3:33]
Importance of going to shows [4:54]
Favorite part of being an agent and agents having the power of the business [6:01]
Pete’s influences [7:40]
The moment he knew he wanted to pursue a career in the music business [9:02]
How does someone get into an Agent Training Program [13:22]
What can students do today to be considered for an Agent Training Program [15:30]
How does someone stand out once they’re in the training program [17:15]
People that were working with Pete in the WME Training Class [19:45]
Pete’s transition from WME to APA [21:45]
First artist that Pete signed [23:21]
First 3 to 6 months after signing an artist [26:53]
What Pete looks for in an artist as an agent [30:05]
Is there value to an agent for an artist to have built a following [33:15]
Pete’s role at APA and artists/events he works with [34:39]
What makes someone a great agent [39:36]
If you had to become an agent in one year, how would you do it [42:24]
How does an independent promoter get on an agent’s radar [45:29]
Things every independent promoter should know [50:33]
Who comes to mind for the word successful [52:58]
Daily habits to stay sane [53:20]
Apps people should check out [55:00]
Favorite Books and Documentaries [56:19]
Who would Pete love to have a night of drinks with [57:33]
Best advice Pete has ever received [58:40]

Quotes from Pete Anderson
“It’s about learning how to deal with people and getting grit”
“You have to learn how to serve to work in the music industry”
“Everyone assists somebody else”
“Knowing what you want to do is very important”
“The most important thing is how you make the interviewers feel when they meet you”
“Understand the different scenes that are out there”
“I’ve never been afraid of asking, and I don’t think anyone should be”
“You need to continue to contribute to the business mission of the company”
“You can’t take an artist that has no audience, and just book club shows”
“Artist develop a following wherever they are, and you have to pay attention to that”
“The process of starting in the mailroom is a very important process”
“The reason people start in the mailroom is to develop their grit”
“Everybody is an assistant, our CEO is an assistant, it’s a service industry”
“50 Cent is a Rock Star, and you’re an assistant to 50 Cent”  
“Know great music, the history of music, and know what is trending”  
“It’s important to learn the job before they tell people they know how to do it”
“If you’re good, you’ll have a job for the next 40 years”
“Don’t get emotional when dealing with an agent”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
People
Jimi Hendrix  
The Beach Boys  
Michael Ovitz
Rush Davenport (WME)
Brandon Roundtree (WME)
Jonathan Insogna (WME)
Kevin Meads (WME)
Chris Stapleton
Sturgill Simpson
Heath Baumhor (APA)
Jon Romero (Vector)
Marc Geiger (WME)
Kirk Sommer (WME)
Leogun
Elton John
The Crystal Method
Tool
Ramsey   
JJUUJJUU
GGOOLLDD
She Wants Revenge
Adam Bravin
Barack Obama
Darryl Eaton (CAA)
50 Cent
Sonny Schneidau

Places & Things  
Agency for the Performing Arts (APA)
William Morris Endeavor (WME)
Vanderbilt University
Dell Computers
Desert Daze
Burger Records
CAA Powerhouse [Book]
Yamaha Entertainment Group
The Five Spot (Nashville)
Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Atlantic Records
Paradigm
United Talent Agency (UTA)
ICM Partners  
Live Nation
Buffett: The Making of An American Capitalist [Book by Roger Lowenstein]
The Agency [Book by Frank Rose]
True North [Book by Jim Harrison]
Off to the Side [Book by Jim Harrison]

Pete Anderson’s Definition of Making It
“I what you do, what you say, and what you think is the same thing, you’re going to be happy”

Keep in touch with Pete Anderson
http://www.apa-agency.com/
panderson@apa-agency.com

Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://twitter.com/chrisgoyzueta
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

CREDITS: 
Host: Chris Goyzueta
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

Support the show for as little as $1/month on Patreon and get a ton of more content. 
https://www.patreon.com/makingitwithchrisg

Jeff Howard - Booking Agent at Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) on Artist Development and Building a Successful Career as a Booking Agent

You can also listen to this episode on iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud  

This episode kicks off our booking agent series, and features Jeff Howard from Agency for the Performing Arts (APA). In today’s music business, an artist's main sources of revenue come from touring, merchandising and licensing. There is still a significant amount of money that can be made from physical music sales at shows, and from streaming. However, in today’s business you either need to have success on the road, or be a great songwriter. Those are not the only two ways, there are definitely lots of artists that think outside of the box and come up with unique business models. But for the majority, touring is where it’s at. The touring business has been growing every single year since 1990, and is only continuing to go up with the touring side of the business having its best year yet in 2016, beating its previous best year in 2015. With that said, having a booking agent can be a game changer for your career. One of the lines from Macklemore that has had a big influence on me was the line in his song “Ten Thousand Hours” where he says “I got signed the day I got an agent.” Agents have all the power of the touring business. There is a lot that goes into getting an agent, and in this series, we’re going to explore some different stories and perspectives.  

Jeff Howard is a booking agent at the Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) in Nashville. His journey started at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Throughout his time at Berklee, Jeff made a lot of important connections. In this episode, he talks about his experience at Berklee and some of the instructors he’s learned from. We also talk about how he landed his first internship with Rounder Records, whose headquarters were in Cambridge, MA at the time. Also, you’ll learn how meeting Tim Collins, the former manager for Aerosmith, has lead him to his first job with Monterey Peninsula. Jeff also shares some history of Monterey Peninsula, how he transitioned to APA, and the history there, and much more about agencies. You’ll also learn about what he looks for in an artist that he represents, artist development, how to become an agent, and much more.  

Some additional resources on Booking Agencies.
Here is an article I wrote for the blog on How to Open for National Acts
My interview with College Booking Agent, Ari Nisman
One of my early interviews, with United Talent Agency booking Agent Alec Vidmar

Keep in touch with Jeff Howard
http://www.apa-agency.com/
jhoward@apanashville.com

Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency  
Music: Emily Kopp

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Neal Casal of Chris Robinson Brotherhood Shares Stories from his 30+ Year Career

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What’s your definition of Making It? That's the last question I ask every guest on the show. When I think of making it, I think of longevity. It's not about what you can do in a year, but it's about what you can do in 20, 30, 40+ years of life. A lot of our guests have talked about focusing on the long game. One of the most common answers to this question besides getting paid to do what you love, is that making it is a constant pursuit that never really ends. When I think of "Making It," I think of people like Neal Casal. You'll hear his answer to this question at the end of this conversation.

Neal Casal has built a 30+ year career as a guitarist and singer-songwriter, who has released 10 original albums, toured and recorded with Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, and many more. Currently Neal is performing with the Chris Robinson Brotherhood who’s releasing a new album, Barefoot in the Head, on July 21st, 2017. He also performs with Hard Working Americans and Circles Around the Sun. Neal is a photographer whose work can be seen on his instagram channel and tumblr pages. He has shot album covers for Ryan Adams, Tift Merritt,  and many more, and has performed on many albums as a sessions guitarist. In the last 6 years, he has released 9 albums between all the bands he’s currently playing with. He’s been able to build a beautiful long career, with so much more on the horizon.

In this conversation we go through Neal’s backstory, talk about the new album, how Circles Around the Sun got started, his time with Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, and much more. I could’ve probably gone to speak with Neal for another two hours, but this episode is a great intro to his life’s journey so far.  

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Check out the new album: Barefoot in the Head

Highlights from this Episode
New album details (06:05)
Reasons for a favorite record (08:39)
Writing process for the band (11:15)
Photography collection of the album (13:10)
First time picking up an instrument (13:55)
First time seeing Grateful Dead (16:16)
Circles around the sun project (18:35)
What’s next for the project (21:25)
Formation of the Chris Robinson Brotherhood (24:45)
Photo album of time with Ryan Adams (26:30)
Story of Starsky and Hutch (29:00)
Facebook question (31:15)
Making it to Neal (34:40)

Quotes from Neal Casal
“All roads lead back to my bedroom and a acoustic guitar in my hand.”
“You can dance to it, but also check in or check out.”
“It’s an interesting group, interesting people.”
“You have to be patient and develop your music slowly.”
“Their hobbies for other people, but they’re my life.”
“You always have to practice and keep your skills up.”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned
People
Grateful Dead
Chris Robinson Brotherhood
Jerry Garcia Band
Ryan Adams

Places & Things
Madison Square Garden
Meadowlands
Nassau Coliseum
Giants Stadium
Circles Around The Sun
Black Crowes
Beachwood Sparks
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
Owen Wilson
Vince Vaughn

Get in Touch with Neal Casal
http://www.nealcasal.com/
https://www.instagram.com/nealcasal/
http://chrisrobinsonbrotherhood.com/
https://www.facebook.com/circlesaroundthesunband/

Neal Casal Definition of Making It
“I’ve already done that many times over. All I wanted to do was live a life with music and art at the center of it and I’ve been doing that for many years.”

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J. Slaughter - A Recording Artist & Physique Competitor on His Pursuit of Making a Difference in the World with Music and Fitness

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What would you do if you got a second chance at life? J. Slaughter is an R&B Singer, Personal Trainer, Fitness Model, and Physique and Bodybuilding competitor form St. Arthur, Texas. His music is a blend of R&B, Soul, Rock&Roll, and EDM. His music is going to make you want to get up and dance, just as he loves to do. In this conversation we share his journey as a musician, and a life-changing event that turned him to combine his music with fitness. He leads by example everyday by being disciplined in his nutrition and training, and uses his music and voice on social media as a way to inspire and motivate people, while also changing lives literally in the gym. In this episode, he shares some insight on his writing process, how he built his own studio and learned how to produce his own music, what goes into competitive physique and bodybuilding, being an Instagram influencer and much more.

This was such a fun and inspiring conversation for me. J. Slaughter and I met on Instagram. I was doing one of my regular routines where I’m searching top posts from some of the hashtags I regularly use, and I found his Instagram page. Very quickly I learned that he was a competitive physique athlete and singer-songwriter, with a very strong influence on Instagram. I had to reach out and meet him, and thankfully he replied. He has a wonderful and inspiring journey, and it was really fun to have a conversation with him on the show. After this episode you’ll learn a lot, and also feel inspired to take advantage of everyday, and live a fulfilling life. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did, and please make sure to reach out to J. Slaughter on Instagram, and check out his music at all of the links below. Thank you, thank you!

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Get J. Slaughters EP on iTunes

Highlights from this Episode
J. Slaughter’s workout routine (03:50)
Epic cheat meals (05:00)
Breakdown of J. Slaughter’s music (7:20)
The backstory (8:40)
Who J. listens to today (10:40)
The process of writing music (11:35)
The first song that made J. proud (12:25)
How much time is spent writing music (13:35)
J’s writing and recording process (15:30)
Advice for the starting musician (19:40)
Life before music (22:25)
What inspired the healthy living for J. (26:16)
What it was like to win your first competition (31:20)
How long J. has been competing (38:50)
The experience at Olympia (42:21)
Advice to stay healthy on the go (44:10)
20-minute workout on tour (46:35)
Inspirations behind the new EP (48:05)
Instagram tips (54:00)
Lessons learned from training in the gym (57:00)

Quotes from J. Slaughter
“Music is a beautiful thing. It’s a way to connect with people.”
“If you don’t know how to record yourself, that could be a big headache.”
“Never be limited.”
“Always be hungry for knowledge. Branch out as far as you can.”
“You put the work in the work, you stay committed, and you’re consistent, you’re going to get the results you want.”
“If you keep telling me I can’t do it; it’s going to push me harder.”
“At the end of the day I love music.”
“Hashtags, hashtags, hashtags.”
“Handwork, consistency, and patience.”

Links to Things & People Mentioned
People
The Rock
Aerosmith
Madonna
Bon Jovi
Prince
Nickelback
Vinny D
Dave Batista

Places & Things
Different Route Same Destination
Krispy Kreme
YouTube
Dominos
Total Nutrition
Interscope

Get in Touch with J. Slaughter
https://www.iamjslaughter.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jslaughter22/
https://twitter.com/jslaughter22
https://soundcloud.com/jslaughter-music

J. Slaughter’s Definition of Making It
“Do what you love and love what you do. Keep doing it man. If you’re not doing what you love, you’re not making it.”

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