The Springboard Music Podcast

Summary

Tristan Cusick shares his journey from being a church employee to a full-time creative in the music industry. He discusses how his passion for content creation developed and how he discovered his creative style through trial and error. Tristan also talks about the challenges of balancing college, marriage, and a full-time job. He emphasizes the importance of networking and utilizing platforms like LinkedIn. Tristan highlights the need to take initiative and work hard to achieve success in the industry. He also discusses the challenges and rewards of hiring employees and learning to delegate.

Tristan's faith plays a significant role in his work, and he shares how it guides his decisions and approach to leadership. He encourages aspiring creatives to build relationships, be grateful, and never forget where they started.

Takeaways

Chapters

01:23 Discovering a Passion for Music and Content Creation

06:12 Balancing College, Marriage, and a Full-Time Job

08:45 Finding Creative Inspiration and Developing a Personal Style

12:51 Exploring Creative Lens and Trial-and-Error

15:00 Impact of COVID-19 on Touring and Career Path

20:20 Finding Managers and Labels

21:06 Underutilized Networking Tools

22:08 Taking Initiative in the Entertainment Industry

23:03 Building Relationships and Caring for People

24:29 First Music Video Experience

27:48 Starting His Own Company

30:45 Hiring Employees vs. Contract Work

32:19 Learning to Lead and Delegate

35:11 Balancing Morals and Creative Work

38:05 Gratitude and Humility

39:22 Advice for Those Starting in the Industry

44:00 Remembering Where You Started

Summary

Brad shares his journey in the music industry, starting from his early days as a manager of an artist he came across (without any prior artist management experience.)

He also shares about his experience teaching at Belmont University and his role in Digital Rights and YouTube Optimization at Universal Music Group and The Orchard.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 The Beginnings of a Music Career

04:53 Dissolving the Management Company

11:38 Discovering Music as a Career

13:21 Inspiration from Dead Poets Society

19:38 Becoming a College Marketing Rep

30:29 Teaching at Belmont University

36:31 Manager of Digital Rights at Universal Music Group

41:53 Joining The Orchard and Sony Music

44:01 Working with Maverick City Music

46:25 Transition to YouTube Operations and Optimization

51:07 Early Career Challenges

55:14 Job at BMI

59:16 Learning from Adversity

01:03:10 Generational Differences in the Workforce

Summary

In this conversation, Chris Newman, a tour manager and production manager, shares his journey in the music industry. He discusses his college experience, starting to tour while in college, and transitioning between genres. He has worked with artists such as Riley Clemmons, Plumb, Natalie Grant, and Walker Hayes. Chris explains the differences between a tour manager and production manager, the importance of relationships in the industry, and the physical and legal risk in tour production.

Takeaways

Chapters

01:45 Career Aspirations and College Experience

04:22 Starting to Tour While in College

07:38 Transitioning to Tour Management and Production Management

10:32 Transitioning Between Genres

15:10 Tour Manager vs. Production Manager

17:24 Importance of Relationships in the Industry

18:15 Safety and Challenges on the Road

23:01 Differences Between Solo Artists and Bands

25:18 Genre Differences in Touring

28:34 Problem Solving on the Road

32:47 Living the Dream and Rewards of Touring

35:07 Misconceptions and Expectations of Touring

40:04 Conclusion

Summary

In this conversation, Alexandria Davila, CEO of Adarga Entertainment Group, shares her journey as a first-generation college graduate and her experiences as a Latina in the music industry. She emphasizes the importance of business education in the music industry and offers advice for aspiring professionals. Alexandria also discusses the services offered by Adarga and the company's mission to empower artists in the Latin Christian music industry.

Takeaways

Chapters

01:40 Being a First-Generation College Graduate

04:13 The Importance of Business Education in the Music Industry

09:19 Opportunities for Remote Learning and Networking

14:38 Adarga: A Music Industry Company

18:15 Services Offered by Adarga

21:28 Navigating the Music Industry as a Latina

26:37 Balancing Family and Career in the Music Industry

30:59 Taking Risks and Trusting the Journey

In this conversation, Jimi Williams shares insights and advice on various aspects of the music industry, particularly in the context of worship music. He emphasizes the importance of conversations that go beyond the business side and focus on personal growth, dreams, and challenges. Jimi also highlights the significance of trust and relationships in working with artists and writers.

He advises worship leaders transitioning to songwriting to stay connected to their local church and be prolific in their writing. Jimi emphasizes the value of the local church in the worship industry and cautions against treating worship as merely an industry.

Finally, he reflects on his journey from playing in cover bands to becoming the President of Jesus Culture Music and expresses gratitude for the opportunities and experiences that have shaped his career.

Takeaways

Chapters

05:00 Early Dreams and Career Beginnings

15:00 Transition to Church Ministry

25:00 Return to the Music Industry

35:00 The Birth of Worship Together

40:00 Evolution of Worship Together

41:00 Becoming President of Jesus Culture Music

41:44 The Role of Conversations in the Music Industry

45:13 Advice for Worship Leaders Transitioning to Songwriting

51:19 The Importance of the Local Church in Worship Music

52:02 Living the Dream: From Cover Bands to President of Jesus Culture Music

Michelle Younkman, Executive Director of Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB), discusses the organization's mission to empower radio stations to reach more people for Jesus.

CMB focuses on helping radio stations understand and adapt to the changing landscape of technology and digital media. They also have a unique international reach, with stations from various countries participating in their events.

Michelle shares her personal journey to CMB and the challenges she faced in balancing work and family. She also discusses the launch of CMB+ (Plus) and the importance of staying up to date with radio trends.

The conversation covers various topics related to Christian music radio, including the net promoter score, the importance of community, connecting with listeners through events and cruises, CMB University, mentoring, and the challenges and rewards of working in the music industry.

The conversation concludes with a discussion on the impact of CMB University and the future of Christian music radio.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to CMB

01:01 CMB's Mission and Vision

02:00 Focus on Technology and Digital Transformation

03:20 CMB's Unique Position in the Market

04:21 International Reach of CMB

06:16 Learning from International Counterparts

07:38 The Global Impact of CMB

07:50 Michelle's Journey to CMB

09:00 Discovering Christian Music

13:06 Balancing Work and Family

16:08 Joining CMB

19:56 Transitioning to CMB

20:40 Navigating Imposter Syndrome

22:02 The Launch of CMB Plus

29:03 Reevaluating the CMB Plus Strategy

37:51 Staying Up to Date with Radio Trends

41:39 The Net Promoter Score for Christian Music Radio

44:06 The Importance of Community in Christian Music Radio

45:04 Connecting with Listeners through Events and Cruises

46:30 Radio as a One-Stop Shop for Faith-Based Content

47:34 CMB University: Investing in the Future of the Music Industry

50:45 Interview Techniques and Mentoring at CMB University

55:05 The Challenges and Rewards of Working in the Music Industry

57:43 The Impact of CMB University and the Future of Christian Music Radio

Summary

Dee discusses her involvement in promoting Hulvey and Forrest Frank's "Altar" on the Meta platform. She also shares her journey into the music industry, starting from her role in Church Communications to her current position as Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy at Reach Records.

Dee emphasizes the importance of transparency, adaptability, and lifelong learning in the ever-changing music industry. Dee also talks about her role on the board of A2IM, the trade association for independent music, and the community and resources it provides for independent labels. She highlights the opportunities for diversity in the music industry and the importance of creating access and visibility for women and people of color.

Takeaways

Chapters

03:29 Discovering Dee's Involvement in Hulvey and Forrest Frank's "Altar"

08:34 Dee's Journey into the Music Industry

11:19 Transition from Church Communications to Digital Marketing

13:48 Growth and Development at Reach Records

19:50 Transition to Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy

36:47 Lessons and Insights from Dee's Journey

44:34 Building Trust and Care in the Music Industry

46:11 The Role of A2IM in the Music Industry

49:45 Creating Opportunities for Diversity in the Music Industry

53:05 Living the Dream: God's Plan and Evolving Dreams

Scott Brickell is the founder and president of Brickhouse Entertainment. He is originally from Missouri and attended Baylor University in Texas for a BA in Business Administration and Production Operations Management. Throughout his career, he has managed well known bands/artists like MercyMe, Switchfoot, Phil Wickham, and Matthew West. In 2018, he was portrayed by Trace Adkins in the film "I Can Only Imagine."

Shannon Woodworth is a successful digital influencer + blogger with over 21k followers in Instagram. She also happens to be a digital marketing extraordinaire in the Music Industry. She's work with several genres including Country, Christian, and Gospel. Shannon has led TikTok campaigns that have fueled an artist's success. On top of all of that, she is a wonderful wife and mother. This episode is for those who want to learn more about the difference between Social Media Marketing and Digital Marketing, as well as those looking to establish boundaries as a parent while maintaining success in the music industry.

Corey Mann is a Radio Programmer for Pulse FM in South Bend, Indiana. He also hosts his own podcast, "What Else? With Corey Mann." This interview takes you behind the scenes to the honest prep-work it takes to provide an entertaining segment for listeners.

Watch The Full Episode Here