Music Business Radio

Episode #182 - Marshall Altman

Marshall Altman is a Nashville-based record producer, songwriter, and owner of Galt Line Studio. He was formerly an A&R person for such labels as Capitol Records, Hollywood Records, and Columbia Records, as well as the former frontman for the alternative band Farmer.

As a record producer, he has worked for a variety of artists, including Natasha Bedingfield, Matt Nathanson, Kate Voegele, Matt Duke, Amy Grant, Eric Paslay, Frankie Ballard, Audrey Assad, and Marc Broussard.

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Episode #181 - Emerson Hart

Emerson Hart talks about his 20+ years in the music business, his band Tonic, and his solo release, Beauty In Disrepair.

Topics discussed:

• Emerson's start, growing up on the Jersey Shore
• his time in LA, including living in a car and working two jobs while getting Tonic together
• how he got his first record deal
• being a broke musician with a big hit on the radio and what it was like to get his first big check
• connecting with fans via social media
• being managed by music industry legend, Irving Azoff
• his work ethic and advice for songwriters

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Episode #178 - Todd Snider

Nashville based singer-songwriter, Todd Snider has been considered folk-rock, alt-country, and Americana. Whatever the genre, his music has consistently found a place on critics' top lists including Rolling Stones’ 2006 & 2012 Top 50 albums. His start as an assistant and, later, opening act, for the legendary John Prine led to recording for several labels including MCA, Oh-Boy, and Aimless.

Todd talks about this and his current band, Hard Working Americans (featuring Dave Schools of Widespread Panic). He also plays tracks from their new album recorded at Bob Weir’s TRI Studios (Grateful Dead).

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Episode #174 - Jason Reeves

As a writer, Jason Reeves is a three-time ASCAP Pop Award winner, had the #1 most synced song for Sony ATV in 2009, and has written songs with Colbie Caillat, Dave Stewart, Kara DioGuardi, Pat Monahan (Train), Ingrid Michaelson, and more.

He is signed to Warner Brothers Records.

We talk about his start in the music business, quitting college after only three days, being discovered on CD Baby, meeting Colbie Caillat, getting signed to Warner Brothers (via American Idol judge and hit songwriter Kara DioGuardi), and more. Jason brought in an alternative and never-before-heard version of a duet he did with Colbie Caillat, "Droplets", a worktape of his song "Sticks and Stones", and played songs live in the studio, including his hits "Helium Hearts" and "Wishing Weed".

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Episode #172 - Jessica Campbell and Ernie Halter

Jessica Campbell and Ernie Halter talk about the nuts and bolts of making a living as independent musicians.

USA Today recently featured Jessica in its weekly playlist. Her song "Be You" was used in a nationwide promotion by Crate & Barrel. Her music has been heard on several television shows including VH1's Tough Love and ABC's Ugly Betty. She has played over 100 house concerts.

Ernie raised over $35,000 for his latest Kickstarter campaign called 52 Song Club, where he delivers a new and original song each week to backers via email. His song "Come Home to Me" was recorded by Justin Bieber. His album, Franklin & Vermont, debuted at #2 on iTunes singer/songwriter charts. He has toured 49 of 50 states and shared the stage with Sara Bareilles, Lady Antebellum, Katy Perry, and Neil Young.

We talk about making money as an independent musician, touring, house concerts (and how to make them happen), film/TV licensing, and more. This episode also includes in-studio performances from both Jessica and Ernie.

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Episode #170 - Ian Anderson

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull talks about his 40+ years in the music business.

At at 65, Ian performs an average of 120 dates per year. This episode talks about his longevity, how (and why) he keeps up such a grueling pace, and his thoughts on the new music business. We also go way back to talk about his start with Jethro Tull, the story behind the band's name, and the business model behind his many albums.

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Episode #162 - Matt Brouwer

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

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

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

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Episode #161 - Erin McCarley

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

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

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Episode #160 - Lisa Marie Presley

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

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

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

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Episode #159 - Steve Winwood

Steve Winwood was a key member of The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith, and Go. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Traffic in 2004.

In 2005, Winwood was honored as a BMI Icon at the annual BMI London Awards for his "enduring influence on generations of music makers."

In 2008, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Winwood #33 in its 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Winwood has won numerous Grammy Awards in the United States, including Record of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for his solo album, Back in the High Life.

In this special edition episode, hosted by Dan Buckley, Steve talks about his four-decade music career, his early start in the music business, his love of Nashville, and more...

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