Religion on the Mind Why John Mark McMillan Walked Away From The Music Industry (#356)
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Oct 27, 2025 John Mark McMillan, a Contemporary Christian musician known for his innovative sound, opens up about leaving the touring life after nearly 20 years. He delves into the harsh realities of modern music economics and the emotional toll of constant touring on family life. McMillan shares a transformative night in a Belfast pub, reshaping his vision toward community-focused music. He highlights the importance of depth over reach in his projects and expresses a desire to mentor younger creatives, paving the way for a more participatory approach to music.
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Touring Became The Primary Revenue Engine
- John Mark McMillan made music his primary income since 2006 and lived the touring life for ~20 years.
- Streaming reduced recorded-media income, forcing artists to rely on tours for most revenue.
Weigh Touring Trade-Offs Carefully
- Weigh the trade-offs: more work, more stress, less money, and family cost when touring now.
- Avoid long tours unless the financial and relational returns clearly justify the strain.
Three Forces Squeezing Live Music
- Touring faces three converging problems: oversaturation, rising costs, and harder audience reach.
- Those combine to shrink each artist's share of live revenue despite overall larger touring income.
