YOU CAN Make a Living In The Music Industry Podcast

This week we are wrapping up season 5 with two amazing guests! I’m talking with Eric Knight & Ritch Esra of MUBUTV (Music Business Television) in Los Angeles, CA. These guys have a combined goldmine of knowledge and advice that covers the whole gambit of the music industry. Ritch worked at two record labels; A&M in radio promotion and Arista in A&R where he had the privilege of working with the legendary Clive Davis who has signed some of the biggest artists in the world including Whitney Houston and Kelly Clarkson. Eric has opened for such acts as KISS, Dave Matthews Band, Aerosmith and Kid Rock. He started his own artist management company Persistent Management™ not only for his own career as an artist but also to create a vehicle for other artists to achieve their artistic vision and integrity. Their MUBUTV Insider Series and Insider podcast is similar to my YOU CAN Make A Living In The Music Industry podcast as they have guests from all over the industry sharing knowledge that will help you make a living in music no matter what area you are pursuing. We are a companion series to each other and I can’t recommend them enough to check out (after you listen to this episode of course!) We are discussing the importance of being educated about your chosen career path. Why you no longer need a record deal to be successful. Why you have to be a jack of all trades AND a master of all. Plus, learning who your audience is, finding where they are, then going after them. And we discuss how MUBUTV’s goal is to educate, empower and engage your music career. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we discuss:*The importance of internships.*The Music Business Registry.*Become educated about your chosen career path.*MUBUTV (Music Business Television) is a companion type podcast to YOU CAN Make A Living In The Music Industry.*How to listen to songs for A&R.*The criteria of the kind of artists today has changed because of a copy model (CDs, tapes, etc.) to an access model (streaming for free).*Artists signings today are not just about who is successful or about their music. Today its about who they are, where are they from, what do they represent? What are their values? *You no longer need a record deal to be successful.*The real challenge today is the ability to get someone’s attention.*You must find an audience for your music before A&R or labels will put time, energy and effort into you.*We are no longer just artists. We are business leaders.*A&R was a faith based business. That model changed with technology.*Today technology allows us to ask if there is a market for my music without A&R.*Who is my audience?*If you don’t know who your audience is at the beginning of your career, start making a serious commitment to learning who they are.*Being an artist who has been signed to a label and also an indie.*Find where your niche is, that narrow world where you can build your career.*Major labels are amplifiers to a career.*Adapting is the key.*A booking agent won’t sign you as an indie unless you can sell at least 300-500 seats on your own.*You have to be a jack of all trades and a master of all.*Learning who your audience is, finding where they are and going after them.*The more you know, the more valuable you become to companies.*MUBUTV’s goal is to educate, empower and engage your music career.*Study the lives of other successful people in the industry.*www.mubutv.com*www.youtube.com/mubutv BIO: Ritch Esra | Co-Founder I started my career in 1978 at Record World, a leading trade magazine and have spent my entire career in this industry. From 1980 - 1987 I worked at two record labels; A&M in radio promotion and Arista in A&R where I had the privilege of working with the legendary Clive Davis.In 1986, I began teaching several music business c

This week I’m talking with writer, producer and composer Brian Steckler in CA. Brian has made a successful career for himself producing albums, composing for sync and library production music with NBC, CBS, Netflix and more. Brian has won a Clio award for helping create the audio and star in one of the most famous Super Bowl ads of all time as a certain frog who liked to say “er!” We are discussing working for a jingle company and creating world famous ads, writing production library music used on countless shows, finding your niche to work in a field of music that only you can provide and how you need to decide what success looks like for you. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we discuss:*Working for Hummingbird Productions in Nashville.*What a jingle company does.*Creating the voices of the Budweiser Frogs commercial soundtrack.*The difference in studio budgets from the 1980s and today.*Working in sync music.*Writing library production music.*Writing to briefs on a deadline.*Writing for a children’s preschool curriculum program.*Making the right connections.*Having a breadth of knowledge to do many things.*Writing custom cues for Netflix.*Putting favorite sounds into a template for speed.*Align yourself with people who are good at things you aren’t.*It’s a long term numbers game.*Send it, forget it.*Tear tracks apart to learn how to create them.*Making your first instinct sound good.*https://www.briansteckler.com/*@briansteckler on IG. BIO: I have made a career of creating music in a wide variety of forms and genres. The scope of my experience includes collaborations with directors, editors, and ad agencies for commercial musical purposes as well as working with individual artists, and bands to create and hone unique musical styles.This range of experience has given me a broad musical basis to draw from. I enjoy learning what people want and need musically, and then bringing even more than they expect to both the process and the result. After receiving my BFA (piano performance) from Western Michigan University in 1993, I moved to Nashville and began my career at Hummingbird Productions, one of the leading jingle houses on Music Row at the time. It was there I co-produced the audio and lent my voice to one of the most recognized, Clio-winning Super Bowl commercials of all time: Budweiser “Frogs.” I wrote and produced national, regional, and local spots during my years at Hummingbird and it was there that I learned how to deliver great sounding audio on very tight deadlines. I moved to Los Angeles in 1997 in order to pursue songwriting and production and began working with artists and bands crafting songs, producing tracks, and mixing my own work, as well as other producer’s songs. I wrote songs for Sony ATV Music Publishing, including co-writing with Billy Porter, Gary Barlow (Take That), Paul Stanley (KISS), 2Gether (an MTV boy band spoof series), and many others. With artist Angela Via, I co-wrote and produced a song that landed in Pokemon: The Movie and on the multi-platinum selling soundtrack album. It was also during this time I had my first taste of film scoring, working closely with Keith Forsey (Billy Idol’s long-time record producer) to create the score for Wisegirls, a film starring Mira Sorvino and Mariah Carey. As the record industry underwent significant changes during the Napster era, my wife and I chose to move our young family to Northern California. While maintaining my relationships in LA, I was able to work with independent artists and bands, as well as grow my skills and experience scoring, working for Universal Pictures on trailers and promos, as well as regularly placing cues in TV shows. Recently, I’ve written the score for the Netflix series The Day I Met El Chapo, provided the bulk of the music,

This week I’m talking with Adam Taylor, president of APM Music. APM is the world's leading creative music house and production music library. With placements in network tv, Netflix and Disney + to tons of blockbuster films, it’s no wonder APM is at the forefront of the sync and music production library world. Crazy thing about Adam, he has no musical bones in his body, yet he runs the largest music production library in the world! We are discussing how someone with no musical background can become the leader of music related company, the key to the music library business and what APM looks for when hiring new staff members. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we discuss:*Leading a music company with no music background.*Going beyond the job description.*The mission of APM.*Understanding what people are looking for.*wanting artists and composers who have their own style.*Having your own voice.*What APM looks for in new writers and producers.*Representing 3rd party libraries.*Success is based on the quality of music.*Indie artist centric.*Genres that are not used often in sync.*The more popular the music style, the shorter the shelf life may be.*Exclusive vs. non-exclusive representation.*The key to the music library business.*How APM pays artists and songwriters.*Come prepared.*Understand how you might want to fit into a company.*What APM looks for when hiring new staff members.*Be open to new ideas and ways of thinking.*www.apmmusic.com*https://form.apmmusic.com/composer-submission/ BIO: For over two decades, Adam Taylor has been helping intellectual property companies, organizations and individuals manage and extract value from their copyrights, trademarks and patents. As president of APM, Adam continues to reinforce the company's standing as an innovative creative house and production music library with one of the most diverse collections of original music for every type of media. Prior to taking the helm at APM, Adam was president of Taylor/Fox Enterprises, where he partnered with doctors, scientists and inventors to direct market and deliver their unique, patent-protected inventions to consumers. Before that, as founding partner of Goldman/Taylor Entertainment, he developed numerous properties including the television series "Confessions of Crime" for Lifetime Network, and the PBS series "Joseph Campbell - Mythos" hosted by Academy Award® winner Susan Sarandon in partnership with the Joseph Campbell Foundation. Adam began his career at Caswell-Massey, the oldest chemists and perfumers in the U.S. established in 1752, where he served a ten-year post as president and CEO. Adam currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Santa Monica College Academy of Entertainment and Technology, the Board of Directors for CreatiVets, a not-for-profit that uses music and the arts to help veterans heal, the advisory board of the Zelikow School of Jewish Non-Profit Management and the advisory board of Creative Community for Peace.

This week I am talking with Benjamin and Kassie Wilson of the Americana duo Goldpine. Formerly called My One and Only, Goldpine is cathartic, moody, raucous, and relevant all wrapped into one package as they tour the U.S. playing for audiences large and small. We are discussing changing band names and how it affects you, starting over from an audience perspective and The process of booking shows as an indie artist. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we discuss: *Changing band names and how it affects you.*Starting over from an audience perspective.*Starting from zero.*The benefits of going to school for audio engineering.*The process of booking shows as an indie artist.*How to create a great booking email.*Being persistent in booking.*Make an excel spreadsheet to keep track of booking.*How far out to book a tour.*Getting into the house concert circuit.*How to play downtown Broadway in Nashville and use it to your advantage.*Don’t let “NO” control you.*www.goldpinemusic.com BIO:Americana act Goldpine was built by married couple Benjamin and Kassie Wilson (formerly called “My One and Only”). From festivals like 30A Songwriting Festival and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion to listening rooms throughout the United States, Goldpine has been offering their own brand of raw Americana to audiences large and small. Finalists in the Kerrville Folk Fest 2021 New Folk Competition, the duo’s bold harmonies are clearly a channel for their highly charged songwriting. Exposing the pains of severed relationships and unearthing the pursuits of love and purpose, Goldpine is cathartic, moody, raucous, and relevant all wrapped into one. Touring since 2015, they have been lessening the gap between music and the audience by disclosing their stories behind the lyrics at every venue along the way.

This week I am talking with recording artist Mac Powell live from Lifest Music City just outside of Nashville, TN. Mac is best known as the frontman for the Christian rock band Third Day who released 13 albums in 21 years and received 4 Grammy Awards and 25 Dove Awards. He has been building his solo career over the past few years and is not shy to talk about starting over as a solo artist after being in a successful band for many years. We are discussing being stuck in a contract you want out of, the difference in being on an indie label vs. major label and not being afraid to play in front of smaller audiences. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we discuss: *Being stuck in a contract you want out of.*Major labels buying out an indie label contract.*The difference in being on an indie label vs. major label.*More doors open up when being on a major label.*Starting over as a solo artist after being in a successful band.*Don’t be afraid to play in front of small audiences.*Enjoy where you are but have this dissatisfied contentment.*www.macpowell.com BIO:Mac Powell grew up in a small town in Alabama. His love for music began at an early age as both of his parents would sing and play guitar around the house. Mac soon began to sing in the local country church by day, and listen to his Dad's record collection by night.When Mac was a sophomore in high school, he moved to Atlanta, GA where his passion for music and faith found an outlet in the band THIRD DAY. Over the past 25 years THIRD DAY has helped transform Christian music and built a devoted fan base while traveling the world many times over, selling 10 million albums, earning 4 Grammy awards, 1 American Music Award, 24 Dove Awards, and by being inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.Since Third Day’s farewell tour in 2018 Mac released a country album “Back Again” under the banner “Mac Powell And The Family Reunion” and he has just released his debut solo Christian album “New Creation.” Mac is on staff at Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, GA where he lives with his wife Aimee and their five children.

This week we end season 4 with recording artist, producer, and songwriter Galen Crew in Nashville, TN. Galen’s music is known for its dream-like quality which often features deep yet whimsical themes and seems to emanate from a different world. He is a huge fan of Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and other fantasy writers and if you imagine the mysterious Grimm Brothers fairy tale collections being somehow transformed into modern pop songs - you’ll start to get idea of the imagery, depth and layers within Galen’s music. Although an American artist, Galen’s music went viral in China and he has become a major pop star in that country. We are discussing writing music more like fairytales than mainstream music, working with legendary songwriter Roger Cook and building a huge fanbase and touring in China as an independent artist. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we discuss: *Working with legendary songwriter Roger Cook.*Writing music more like fairytales than mainstream music.*Going viral in China.*Building a fanbase and being able to tour exclusively in China.*Touring with and producing music for Phil Joel from Newsboys.*Authenticity.*Value relationships. *Having integrity as a producer.*Demo and master recording rates.*Have identity and security in yourself, not the industry.*Diversification of skillset.*www.galencrew.com*www.music.163.com in China. BIO:Galen Crew is an American recording artist, producer, and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. His music is known for its dream-like quality which often features deep yet whimsical themes and seems to emanate from a different world. At his core, Galen is a storyteller. He crafts stories that pull from various art forms….citing fantasy authors such as Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Herman Hesse as having inspired him just as much as the Beatles, Coldplay, and John Mayer. Imagine if the mysterious Grimm Brothers fairy tale collections were somehow transformed into modern pop songs – and you’ll start to get idea of the imagery, depth, and layers within Galen’s music. Having played in various bands throughout his life, Galen had always been primarily the songwriter and guitarist. But at age 19, he began writing unique material that didn’t fit with any of the bands he was playing with, and he tentatively stepped out as a vocalist himself. The first few demos he recorded as a solo artist immediately caught the attention of Roger Cook, legendary British songwriter (“I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”; “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress”). Galen and Roger have now written over 100 songs together. One of them, titled “Sleepyhead” – a unique story song that is something of a medieval myth or fairy tale – organically went viral in China. Upon discovering that his music was gaining millions upon millions of streams on Chinese music platforms, Galen toured the country twice – and found that although he had never been to Asia before, his fans knew the words to his songs in every city he performed in. Galen describes the experience as being simultaneously surreal and inspiring. In fall 2016 he teamed up with Hover Coalition Music.

This week I’m talking with five-time GRAMMY Nominated and platinum-selling songwriter and recording artist Dante Bowe at Lifest 2022. Dante made history as the first artist to have the greatest number of simultaneous GRAMMY nominations in both Gospel & Christian genres with 3 solo and 2 group award nominations for the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards. We are discussing why hearing “no” repeatedly helps to perfect your songwriting, the process of putting a live show together and that if you don’t have a vision for yourself as an artist, your label will give you one. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we discuss: *Getting “no” helps to perfect songwriting.*What it’s like to co-write.*The process of putting a live show together.*Pros and cons of being a solo artist vs. being part of a group.*How to keep a label happy.*Know who you are.*If you don’t have a vision, they will give you one.*Know your core values.*https://www.dantebowe.com/ BIO: Dante Bowe is a five-time GRAMMY Nominated and platinum-selling songwriter and recording artist from Rockingham, NC, now based in Nashville, TN. Known for his distinctive raspy vocals, Dante made history as the first artist to have the greatest number of simultaneous GRAMMY nominations in both Gospel & Christian genres with 3 solo and 2 group award nominations for the 64th GRAMMY Awards including Best Gospel Performance/Song twice for “Voice of God” and "joyful,” Best Gospel Performance/Song for “Wait on You” with Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music; Best 5 Gospel Album with Maverick City Music for Jubilee: Juneteenth Edition, and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album with Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music. Dante's independent debut Son of a Father (2017), rose to No. 21 on the Billboard Charts establishing a sound that was uniquely Dante - an infectious mix of soul, gospel, and R&B. In 2018, after spending time on the road as a backing vocalist, Dante left the security of steady employment to take center stage--His star was on the rise. He was a co-writer on the platinum-selling track “In Spite of Me [feat. Ciara]” for Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Maverick City Music’s biggest hit to date, “Promises." With his familial roots in his heart, and an optimistic future in his sights, Dante released his sophomore album and Bethel Music label debut circles earlier last year. circles debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, and the chart-topping GRAMMY Nominated single, ‘joyful,' debuted No. 1 on the Billboard’s Gospel Chart, and No. 3 on Hot Gospel Songs. The introspective album which reflects on the death of his grandfather and the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, making it the highest solo charting position of Bowe's career. He closed out the season with top ten placements on three different Billboard Year End Charts, hailed as the Top New Gospel Artist of 2021--No. 9 overall for Top Gospel Artist, No. 4 for Top Male Gospel Artist, and No. 4 on Top New Christian Artists.Last year, Bowe won his first Dove Award at the 52nd GMA Dove Awards for Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for “joyful." The award-winning songwriter made history with “joyful” again and became the first artist to have his song chart on both the Billboard's Gospel Airplay and Christian Song charts, bridging the gap between Gospel and CCM formats. In June 2019, Bowe joined the Bethel Music Collective as a worship leader and songwriter, and also appears on Maverick City Music Volumes I & II as a songwriter. Dante believes that raising the level of authenticity in worship will cause cultures, generations, and denominations to unite in a worship movement by merging gaps and removing all boundaries. The chart-topping artist has been feat

This week I’m talk with Matt Roberts and Joe Piver from Jeff Roberts & Associates in Nashville, TN. JRA is a booking agency that works with some of the biggest names in Christian music including We The Kingdom, For King and Country and Skillet as well as breakout artists Anne Wilson, Katy Nicole, CAIN and many more. We are discussing the process of booking an artist into different types of venues, the cost of touring and the differences in booking new artists vs. established artists. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we discuss: *What a booking agency does.*The process of booking an artist for a venue.*What the vision of the artist is for the year.*The process for booking new artists vs. established artists.*The long range goals for touring artists.*Investing in people.*The cost of touring and taking care of your team in the road.*The price range of bringing artists into venues.*Every artist is a small business owner.*The benefits of internships with different music business companies.*https://jeffroberts.com/ BIO:Matt Roberts - General ManagerOriginally born in Lansing, MI, Matt has lived in Nashville since Jeff moved the family in 1983. While pursuing a childhood passion to compete in stock car racing, Matt was afforded a unique experience to learn about corporate sponsorship acquisition. This interest evolved into a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Western Kentucky University. After graduating, Matt felt called to be involved more deeply with the family business and transition his passion for business to JRA. He has now been involved with JRA for over 20 years, representing the rock bands of the early 2000’s, to the artists of today. He finds one of the most rewarding experiences to be the relationships created through the support of so many artists touring careers. Matt enjoys spending time with his wife Heather, their two French Bulldogs, mountain biking, and what little time is remaining, dabbling in automotive projects in his shop. Joe Piver - Senior AgentOriginally from Southeast North Carolina, Joe has spent over 25 years in the music business. He has toured as an artist, worked as an agent and manager, promoted dozens of shows and artists, and even started a festival. He has a degree in percussion performance from Wingate University and a Masters in Religion from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston. For the past 10 years, he’s served as an adjunct professor at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. He is currently in his 16th year at JRA. Joe has been married for 16 years to his wife Amanda and they have one son named August. They currently reside in Hendersonville Tennessee. In the spare time he has, he loves to travel and spend time with his family. You will almost never see Joe not wearing his Red Sox cap.

This week I am talking with music industry icon Jason Davis. Jason is an entertainment industry executive with a broad range of titles including award winning songwriter and author, independent record label president, executive TV producer, entertainment consultant, former Senior VP of A&R for Dolly Parton's CTK management company and more. We are discussing when and why to hire an entertainment lawyer, the difference in managing a producer vs. an artist and what happens when you reach the top of the music industry and are still empty. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we discuss: *Once you make a human connection, if you keep the bar high, that relationship is always there.*When and why to hire an entertainment lawyer.*The amount it costs to hire an entertainment lawyer.*Learning how to develop an artist.*Learning how to coach artists well.*Find the treasure in an artist.*Finding an artist’s sound.*the difference in managing a producer vs. an artist.*How to get people’s attention as a writer.*Listening for tone of voice.*Having shared vision with an artist.*Have real love and care for people.*What can I bring to someone to help them along.*Honor your agreements.*Sandcastle empires.*What happens when you reach the top and are still empty. Websites: - http://www.noble-management.com/ - https://oneone7.com/ - https://www.higherlevelagency.org/jasondavismasterclass.html BIO Jason Davis has spent his entire two decade career in the music industry and worked with many worldwide stars, including Boyz ll Men, Sugar Ray, P. Diddy, Alabama, Lonestar, Dolly Parton, among many others before working in Christian music. Davis is an entertainment industry executive with a broad range of titles including award winning songwriter, award winning author, independent record label president, executive TV producer, entertainment consultant, former Senior VP of A&R for Dolly Parton's management company CTK management and a serial entrepreneur. He has also secured record deal offers with CEO's from the largest music companies in the world, including Capitol Records, Sony, Interscope, Island / Def Jam, Epic, Atlantic, RCA, and J Records. Traveling between New York, London, Los Angeles, Miami and Nashville, he built a reputation working with the top songwriters, producers, and recording artists in the entertainment industry on a global level. Over the span of his career, he has not only pioneered new approaches to the signing and development of some of the world most successful recording artists and songwriters such as Anne Wilson who recently was nominated for Christian song of the year in the 2022 Billboard Awards. He has consistently championed innovative business models and partnerships with a wide range of companies around the world. His career began as a songwriter when he was discovered by Grant Cunningham, the former VP of A&R for Sparrow Records. Davis went on to write a #1 Billboard hit, received several ASCAP songwriting and publishing awards, and was nominated for a Latin music award. Davis has also co-founded other cutting edge entertainment companies such as: One One 7, Noble Management, and Awaken Records. He is also co-president and partner of Christian booking agency Higher Level Agency.

This week I’m talking with Pam Lewis of PLA Media in Nashville. PLA is a Public Relations company that gets their clients in front of audiences and consumers through public appearances on tv and in print. Pam has an amazing history of being one of the people who launched MTV in the early 80s and also helped launch the careers of Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood. We are discussing the abilities you need to have to work for a PR firm as well as what it takes to start your own PR company. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we discuss: *A publicist (Public Relations) is the glue that holds it all together.*Helping launch MTV.*A publicist’s job is to listen to the artist, hear your dreams and take them to the next level and make you a household name.*Publicists do press releases, promote concerts, booking events, finding endorsements, etc.*Publicists have to go through more levels of bureaucracy with major label artists.*Helping launch Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood’s careers.*Starting an independent PR company called PLA Media. *A good publicist helps connect the dots.*Looking for unique opportunities for clients, not the obvious ones.*Be Tenacious.*First thing to ask a publication is if they’re on deadline. If they are don’t bother them.*Find common ground with whoever is on the phone with you.*Our job is to create a buzz.*Rates to hire PLA Media start at $2000-2500 a month and go up from there.*It’s best to do at least 3 months with PR to do as much as possible.*What it takes to start your own PR company.*Can you provide a valuable service to clients?*You have to have boundaries.*Learn how to work a room.*Be a good listener.*Learn how to talk on the phone.*www.plamedia.com BIO:Pamela Lewis, a native of upstate New York, is an entrepreneur, preservationist, philanthropist and author. A graduate of Wells College with a B.A. in Economics/Marketing and a minor in French and Communications. Lewis spent a year in Paris studying at COUP (Center of Overseas Undergraduate Program) affiliated with The Sorbonne University. In New York City, she did additional graduate course work at Fordham University, The New York School for Social Research, The Publicity Club of New York and Scarritt Bennett. Lewis is also a graduate of University of Tennessee’s Institute of Public Service Local Government Leadership Program (third level), of the Belmont University College of Business Administration’s Scarlett Leadership Institute Mini Executive MBA program, of Leadership Music, of the Citizen’s Police Academy and of the Leadership Middle Tennessee 2020 program. From 1980 to 1984, Lewis was part of the original publicity/marketing team of WASEC (Warner Amex Satellite Entertainment Company), a joint venture of Warner Communications and American Express, that launched MTV to the world. She also worked with MTV’s sister cable channels Nickelodeon, The Movie Channel, and the Arts & Entertainment Network (A&E). Lewis was relocated to Nashville from New York City to accept the position of National Media Director at RCA Records helping to shape the careers of top country stars such as Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, The Judds, and Alabama. In 1985, Lewis opened her own PR firm, Pam Lewis and Associates (which later became PLA Media). In 1987, she formed award-winning Doyle/Lewis Management with partner Bob Doyle. The first client Lewis agreed to represent was an unknown Oklahoma crooner named Garth Brooks, who she worked with until 1994. Lewis also managed Trisha Yearwood‘s early career, landing her a record deal at MCA Records. Under Lewis’ guidance, Yearwood released her debut self-titled album in 1991, becoming the first female country musician to sell one million records off her first single “She’s In Love With The Boy.” The album went on to be certif

This week I’m talking with Christian music artist Tom Golly. Tom is a successful independent artist who has had a lot of success touring and working the festival circuit on his own initiative. We are discussing how to reach out to churches and music festivals as an indie artist when booking tours and how to have the best chance to make it on the main stage of festivals. Plus, the importance of hiring band members who will become like family to you, not just employees. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we talk about: *The state of the Christian music scene.*You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with.*the process of hiring players to tour with you.*Have a servant’s heart.*Dealing with other’s limitations.*Treat your players better than you treat yourself.*Give your musicians the space to do what they are great at.*Build a family, not employees.*Booking festivals as an indie artist.*Learn how to craft an email for booking shows.*Beware of scammers who claim they can get you gigs.*How to make a booking agent want to hear more.*Perspective is everything.*The Tom Golly Official podcast on You Tube. BIO:Tom Golly is a Christian singer/songwriter from Nashville Tennessee. Born and raised in Long Island New York. Since 2010, Tom has immersed himself in music and has never looked back. Following his move to Nashville, TN he recorded his first EP "Not Going Back". The project was written with Jake Jones and Justin Forshaw of As We Ascend at RMS Studios. Much of the music reflects Tom’s life experiences and journey through of faith. Tom’s music is a unique energetic blend of Christian Contemporary Pop & Worship with a little bit of rock edge that has seen much success on streaming platforms .His last 3 releases have done well on Spotify seeing his music added to major playlists and has had as much as 40,000 monthly listeners. His first radio single " Let Your Heart Be Found " made it to the Billboard " Most Added " Charts. Tom has found much success touring nationally and sharing the stage with some of Christian music’s biggest acts such as, Matthew West, Mandisa, Matt Maher, Tauren Wells, NEWSBOYS, Matthew West, Francesca Battistelli, For King & Country, Danny Gokey, JJ Weeks, Zealand, Chris August, Jordan Feliz, Zach Williams, We Are Messengers, Carrolton & many more. In May of 2019 Tom released a new single " KEEP FIGHTING " which has rocketed to over 150,000 Spotify streams in less than 4 months. Following the success of the single, Tom has since launched The " Keep Fighting Movement " Which is not only a website aimed to be a place for those in need of prayer and encouragement, but a resource page for those seeking help.

This week, I am talking with Natasha Owens in front of a live audience at Lifest music festival in Osh Kosh, WI. as she shares how her first ever concert she performed was opening for Michael W. Smith as well as touring and learning life lessons from Jason Crabb. We discuss what is like to tour with a full band and the costs and challenges of owning your own production and tour bus and paying a large crew on the road. Plus, when doing music ministry, God does not call the equipped, He equips who He calls. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we talk about: *Working through depression and anxiety. *Overcoming adversity.*The reality of touring on a bus.*How to find venues to perform for.*The importance of having a website.*Having your own band and crew on the road.*The cost of putting on a show. *The bus driver’s schedule.*Having sponsors for a tour.*Have music recorded to show people.*Have video to sell yourself to venues.*Record labels sign artists based on their You Tube and social media. BIO:“There’s something intrinsic about humanity and a survival instinct. Most of us will do whatever we can to keep our head above water, to take one more breath in and out…to keep breathing and keep our heart beating.But God’s intent for His children, His creation, wasn’t limited to survival. He intends for us to thrive. “I have come that you may have life to the full.” (John 10:10). For Natasha Owens that verse isn’t merely a comfort or a pick-me-up… It’s a decree. A mantra for life…and it is the very thing that has turned her darkest days into a light that is too bright not to share. “Life is hard and heartache, tragedy and loss aren’t selective or rare. But for many people, as soon as they make it through the given crisis, they stop there. They stagnate,” she says, reflecting on her own season of loss and the dark days when all she could do was breathe in and out. A few years ago, Natasha’s father, 58 at the time, was doing a simple task he’d done hundreds of times before. There was no drama. There was no build up. There was no warning. While cleaning his guns one day, one misfired, placing a bullet in his chest. He died soon thereafter. “After the shock wore off, the depression set in,” she shares. “For some reason, our pastor came to me and said he thought I should be the music minister at the church.” After a lot of time in prayer, alongside her husband, Natasha accepted the position. Soon, the music, the mission and the ministry captivated her heart. It stole away the listlessness and confusion and hopelessness. Week after week, as she poured herself into the music of the church, thereby pouring herself into the lives of all who comprised that church body, the Holy Spirit poured into her a peace, a reassurance and a drive to take this opportunity even further than she could have imagined. Unbeknownst to Natasha at the time, those songs lent more than strength. They laid the foundation for what would become the next chapter in her heart, her healing and her ministry. Vacillating between the church platform and a writer’s room, Natasha soon had another collection of songs; songs of restoration, hope and peace. At the prompting of a friend she took her music into the recording studio and created her first full-length project. It didn’t take long for the album to circulate within the music industry, opening doors left and right. The brand-new recording artist landed an opening slot for CCM icon, Michael W. Smith and she was invited to tour with Dove Award Artist of the Year recipient, Jason Crabb. With each new opportunity came another chance for Natasha to share her heart, her message and her hero. The songs that had been her healing, her comfort and her restoration were becoming that very thing to people around the world. Following the

photo by jasonwaitephotography.com This week, I’m talking with Ben McDonald of the band Sidewalk Prophets in my first ever live recording with an audience at Lifest music festival in Osh Kosh, WI. With three major studio albums, five #1 hits, and eight top 5 songs under their belt, Sidewalk Prophets has solidified their place among the elite artists in Christian music. As a founding member, Ben has been one of the leading songwriters and guitar players in the band. We are discussing how to handle to hardships and successes of getting a band off the ground as well and the ever changing involvement Ben has in the band as he has recently stepped off of stage but continues to be a driving force behind the bands songwriting, creativity and success as the band’s manager. Plus, we talk about the importance of being resilient in this industry to be successful. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com. In this episode we talk about: *You have to write a lot of bad songs to find the good ones.*The importance of choosing a band name.*When starting out, play where you can as much as you can.*It’s a long term commitment.*How to contact artists to play your venue.*Working your way up the rung in the industry.*Resilience.*When things are hard, you can choose to quit or choose to go forward.*Practice your craft.*Write with people who are better than you.*Learn how to take criticism. BIO: Sidewalk Prophets is more than just music, and more than just entertainment we are family. The band has a strong desire to make everyone feel loved and valued and the goal of this new on-line store is to make sure each person feels special. Dave Frey and Ben McDonald had no idea what was in store for them when their paths crossed at Anderson University years ago, but one listen to their hugely anticipated major label debut, These Simple Truths, confirms the band's undeniable talent. The fact that they have been on the road for 150+ dates per year for the years and show no signs of slowing down attests to their tenacious work ethic. But while there are tons of bands with talent and tenacity who never progress beyond the garage, Sidewalk Prophets insist it is the ever-present hand of the Lord that has lifted them to the next level of their career. With three major studio albums, five #1 hits, and eight top 5 songs under their belt Sidewalk Prophets has solidified their place among the elite artists in Christian music. Their goal is simple: Authentically sharing Christ. Creatively inspiring Hope. Joyfully making everyone feel like someone.