
The Music Industry Blueprint Podcast
The Music Industry Blueprint Podcast is consistently rated as one of the Top Music Business Podcasts.
Hosted by Taylor Swift's Former Manager Rick Barker. Rick is known for his straightforward and honest approach when it comes to the Music Business. This weekly podcast is designed to help keep you up to date with what is happening in the world of music and the latest trends when it comes to digital marketing.
Rick, also has a Subscriber ONLY Podcast that comes out daily called the "MIB Secret Society."
You can subscribe at www.rickbarker.com/secret
Latest episodes

Oct 12, 2024 • 33min
Episode 287: Authenticity and Consistency in Music Branding
Summary:
In this episode, Rick Barker introduces Nick Ruffalo, a consultant and founder of the Unleashed Content Creation Agency, who shares his journey from being an EDM artist to a marketing expert for musicians. The conversation delves into the importance of authenticity in branding, the challenges independent artists face in the music industry, and effective marketing strategies that can help artists stand out. Nick emphasizes the need for consistency in content creation and the value of building personal connections with fans. He also discusses the right time for artists to seek agency support and the foundational elements necessary for success in the music business.
Follow Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruffmusicofficial/

Aug 1, 2024 • 45min
Episode 286: The Realities of The Music Business: Conversation with Ray Daniels
Tune in to this eye-opening episode to navigate the realities of the music industry with clarity and purpose. Whether you're an aspiring artist or a music enthusiast, there's a valuable lesson in setting realistic expectations. Don't miss out on these insights – listen now and let us guide you through the intricacies of making it in music.
Rick Barker is a seasoned music executive and consultant, best known for his role as the former manager of Taylor Swift. With over 30 years of experience in the music industry, Barker has worked in various capacities including radio, digital marketing, and major record company management. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and helping artists navigate the complexities of the music business.
Ray Daniels is an influential music industry executive and manager, renowned for his solutions-based approach and his role as a mentor to artists and managers. With a history of discovering and developing talent, Daniels emphasizes the importance of hard work, strategy, and authenticity in achieving success in the music industry.
In this riveting conversation, Rick Barker and Ray Daniels dive deep into the practical realities and challenges of the music industry. Both bring a wealth of experience and insights into building successful music careers, highlighting the importance of overcoming obstacles with a solutions-oriented mindset. They discuss the often-overlooked aspects of artist management, the significance of understanding the business side of music, and the crucial role of authenticity and hard work in achieving long-term success.
Connect with Rick: www.rickbarker.com
Connect with Ray: https://www.instagram.com/raydaniels

Apr 15, 2024 • 31min
Episode 285: From Contracts to Copyrights: Why Every Independent Artist Needs an Entertainment Attorney
Dynamic entertainment attorneys Bri and Alexis discuss the crucial role of legal counsel for artists, touching on AI in music creation and the need for protection in the evolving industry. They emphasize the importance of proactive legal representation, especially for independent artists navigating contracts and copyright issues.

Jan 15, 2024 • 26min
Episode 284: From Recovery To Resourceful! You are your only limitation...
In this high-energy episode, Rick engages with the multifaceted Bobby Everything for a genuine back-and-forth about the ins and outs of the music business. The show starts with a warm introduction, setting the stage for an enlightening exchange. Bobby, donning his characteristic playful demeanor, opens up about his journey, diving deep into his drive to support fellow artists and the gratification that comes with it. Barker identifies the similarities and differences between their philosophies, highlighting Bobby's incredible approach to freely sharing industry knowledge. They explore the surprising resources Bobby discovered in libraries for musicians and shed light on the mindset of entitlement in the industry. Facing their past, both discuss how their recovery journeys have shaped their perspectives and empowered them to make significant strides in personal and professional growth. The conversation pivots to the inception story of Bobby's endeavor, the "Crock Pot Cartel" music review show. In an entertaining and educational series designed with a touch of humor, Bobby unravels how this platform has become a game-changer for him and many others in the music scene. This episode promises to captivate listeners with tales of transformation, resourceful tips for aspiring artists, and an inside look into the unique characters of the music industry.
Connect with Bobby on Instagram @bobbyeverything

Oct 2, 2023 • 54min
Episode 283: Is the " Spotify Pre-Save" Dead?
Not Now! This is a great conversation with Lucidious and Derek Ruffner the creators of Artisthub.io
This revolutionary new product solves one of the biggest problems,

Jul 20, 2023 • 29min
Episode 282: Mental Health and The Music Industry
In this episode, Rick speaks with Daniel McCartney from The Continuance Foundation on the topic of Mental Health in The Music Industry.
Learn More Here https://www.thecontinuancefoundation.com
Follow them on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/continuealways

Jun 13, 2023 • 41min
Episode 281: How His Band Thought Different and Started Making Money...
When the student becomes the teacher, in the episode, Rick talks with Jordan James from Highline Artists and the band Evanoff!
Jordan went from buying Rick's courses to use on his band to now launching his own agency helping other bands.
Follow Jordan on IG @jordan.highline.artists
www.highlineartists.com

Apr 6, 2023 • 40min
Episode 280: How to Build a Sustainable Music Career & Collect All Revenue Streams
What a great conversation with Emily White, who turned her #1 Selling Book into the #1 Music Business Podcast:
Check out Emily's Podcast here by CLICKING HERE
Connect with her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/emwizzle/https://www.instagram.com/emwizzle/

Mar 1, 2023 • 42min
Episode 279: Are You Owed Money From Your Music?
In today's episode, Rick talks with Michael Huppe from Soundexchange. There is a really good chance if you have released music that you might be owed certain royalties.
https://www.soundexchange.com

Feb 15, 2023 • 25min
Episode 278: The BEST DJ on Instagram Shares His Secrets To Success
In this episode, Rick talks with DJ Eric Rhodes. Eric has built a massive following on Instagram and TikTok.
Connect with Eric here https://www.instagram.com/djericrhodes/
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