Kenya McGuire Johnson does a solo episode discussing the 10 "Golden Rules" of how health is wealth. By having a healthier lifestyle, artists can improve their energy levels, mental sharpness and effective communication which all greatly impact an individual's ability to generate revenue. The 10 Golden Rules are: 1. Maintain a healthy diet and nutrition 2. Get regular exercise 3. Spend more time outside 4. Keep a regular sleep schedule 5. Reduce stress 6. Strengthen intellectual health 7. Incorpo...
Sep 15, 2019•34 min
Dr. William Smith and Kenya McGuire Johnson return from their summer hiatus by discussing the importance of artist development, how it requires time and patience, and a new program they will offer to help further develop artists. Five main tasks to do for artist development include: 1. Increase overall knowledge about your craft, the music business and the music industry. 2. Self discovery- this is a process of reflecting on personal habits to determine which are productive and which are non-pro...
Sep 09, 2019•38 min
This is a replay of Podcast 81 Interview With Zo Musician/producer & composer Zo! is our special guest in this week’s podcast episode. Zo!, whose formal name is Lorenzo Ferguson, discusses how he went from being an elite college baseball athlete to a dynamic musician and independent artist. He admits that everything he has learned in terms of discipline, perfecting his craft and being a true student of music came from his experiences and practice as an athlete. Today he manages his entire music ...
Sep 02, 2019•51 min
This is our summer replay podcast of Podcast 86 - Interview With Music Licensing Expert Michael Elsner Michael Elsner, a guitarist, songwriter, producer and expert in music licensing and placement , is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. Michael discusses his musical background and what lead him to a dynamic career in music licensing. He also provides the four basic steps all musicians need to know when it comes to successfully getting music licensed for TV and film placement. Thes...
Aug 19, 2019•51 min
This is a summer replay episode of Podcast 85 - How to Manage Your Band Professionally In this podcast episode Dr. William Smith discusses some of the best practices in managing your band. Dr. Smith has managed his group The W.E.S. Group for over 20 years and includes some of his experiences that helped form the advice he gives to bands trying to manage themselves for the long haul. Dr. William E. Smith www.makingmoneyinthemusicbiz.com www.drwilliamesmith.com Twitter: @wesmusic Facebook: @drwill...
Aug 05, 2019•23 min
This is a replay of our popular episode 67 Co-hosts Kenya McGuire Johnson and Dr. William Smith lead a discussion about self care for artists. Kenya leads the discussion by discussing the following: 1. What is self care- REALLY? 2. Why is self care so important for artists? 3. What are the areas of self care that artists should consider? a. Physical/Movement b. Mindset c. Nutrition d. Boundaries (saying “NO”) e. Affirmations & Grattitude Listeners of this final podcast episode of 2018 will have ...
Jul 21, 2019•47 min
REPLAY OF PODCAST 62 – INTERVIEW WITH VOCALIST GRETCHEN PARLATO Gretchen Parlato, a tremendously talented jazz vocalist, joins us as our very special guest to discuss her incredible music journey. From being the winner of the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Vocalist Competition to working with Grammy award winning jazz recording artist Robert Glasper to winning numerous awards and being nominated for grammy awards herself, Gretchen provides engaging stories of how she found her voice as a sing...
Jul 07, 2019•42 min
Eric Roberson, singer/songwriter & recording artist, is our very special guest in this week's podcast episode 88. Eric discusses his nearly 20 year career as an independent artist as well as his music journey which includes going from a signed artist on a major label, to doing songwriting for such artists as Musiq Soulchild, Dwele, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Jill Scott to name a few, to going on to be an independent artist managing his own label. Eric provides a very candid and thoughtful conversation ab...
Jun 10, 2019•47 min
Bashiri Asad, a soul & jazz singer/songwriter, is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. Bashiri, who has released seven albums independently, discusses how 11 years ago he jumped into a full time career in music without a plan but with much heart and passion. He explains how with his wife's recommendation and strong support, he took a leap of faith only to find quickly the many hardships and challenges of being an independent artist; however, the silver lining was the significant amo...
Jun 02, 2019•44 min
Michael Elsner, a guitarist, songwriter, producer and expert in music licensing and placement , is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. Michael discusses his musical background and what lead him to a dynamic career in music licensing. He also provides the four basic steps all musicians need to know when it comes to successfully getting music licensed for TV and film placement. These steps include: 1. Building a catalog 2. Creating valuable content 3. Mastering metadata 4. Getting mu...
May 26, 2019•50 min
In this podcast episode Dr. William Smith discusses some of the best practices in managing your band. Dr. Smith has managed his group The W.E.S. Group for over 20 years and includes some of his experiences that helped form the advice he gives to bands trying to manage themselves for the long haul. Dr. William E. Smith www.makingmoneyinthemusicbiz.com www.drwilliamesmith.com Twitter: @wesmusic Facebook: @drwillsmithmusic Instagram: @wesmusicpro drwsmith@makingmoneyinthemusicbiz.com
May 19, 2019•21 min
Cynthia "Ceejay" Johnson, music executive & former VP of Urban Promotions at Columbia Records, returns for a Part Two discussion about navigating today's music industry as an independent artist. The lively discussion delves into the differences between a recording and performing artist and the pro's and cons of both, the steps necessary to get to the next level in music, the most important actions to ensure good business acumen and success plus much more. To learn more about Cynthia "Ceejay" Joh...
May 13, 2019•42 min
We are excited to announce a new opportunity for developing indie artists! Co-hosts Dr. William Smith and Kenya McGuire Johnson will provide FREE live music career coaching to select artists. In this podcast episode, Kenya provides details about the “spotlight” coaching opportunity, how to submit for consideration, benefits of being coached and expected outcomes. For consideration, questions and/or concerns, please email info@creatingcrimson.com and type “Free Coaching” in the subject line. With...
May 06, 2019•14 min
Singer/songwriter Tahirah Memory is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. She discusses how she went from being a former athlete and waitress for years to becoming a rising independent artist whose music is now being downloaded and streamed internationally. Tahirah provides an extremely honest conversation about her process of being self aware and valuing her own thoughts and voice enough to produce her own music and create opportunities to be a successful singer and songwriter. Havi...
Apr 28, 2019•40 min
Musician/producer & composer Zo! is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. Zo!, whose formal name is Lorenzo Ferguson, discusses how he went from being an elite college baseball athlete to a dynamic musician and independent artist. He admits that everything he has learned in terms of discipline, perfecting his craft and being a true student of music came from his experiences and practice as an athlete. Today he manages his entire music business and career independently including produ...
Apr 20, 2019•43 min
In this podcast episode Will is flying solo and is talking about the benefits of focusing on one style of music and how it can actually help you learn other styles of music faster. Facebook: facebook.com/drwillsmithmusic Twitter: @wesmusic www.makingmoneyinthemusicbiz.com
Apr 14, 2019•16 min
Alan Litten, a recording & mixing engineer, is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. Alan discusses how his early love for music lead him toward a career in engineering. While he attended college as a music performance major, he later became drawn to recording and never turned back. Having recorded with a variety of labels in Nashville, TN and recording legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Holliday, Marvin Sapp & Peobo Bryson to name a few, Alan provides an engaging an...
Apr 06, 2019•51 min
In this week’s podcast, co-host Kenya McGuire Johnson does a solo episode where she discusses how she turned her music passion into a business by sharing her journey and process of establishing KenyaMJ Music Productions, LLC. She also shares the common missteps musicians make including: 1. Not nurturing or developing their craft 2. Not receiving mentoring from professionals in the music industry 3. Poor accountability 4. Poor verbal and written communication 5. Improper marketing and promotions ...
Mar 24, 2019•45 min
Christie Dashiell, a jazz vocalist & composer, is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. Christie discusses how her love for music began as a child being raised by musician parents who nurtured her natural musicality which lead her to formally studying music at Howard University. Many listeners may know Christie from the TV show “The Sing Off” where she was a part of the noteworthy jazz a cappella group Afro Blue. She admits that the show was very pivotal in pushing her music career t...
Mar 18, 2019•42 min
Kenneth Kellogg, classical & opera singer, is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. Kenneth discusses how his career began in his childhood by having an exemplary teacher who nurtured his curiosity and passion for music. Having attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts high school in Washington, D.C., his craft and passion continued to blossom and a full scholarship to study classical voice in college set him on the path of making his passion for music his life long career. Kenneth ...
Mar 09, 2019•44 min
Johnnie Walker, former Senior VP of Def Jam Group and Founder of NABFEME (National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment), is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. Johnnie discusses how her career in the music industry began at a small country radio station and evolved into her being a senior music executive at reputable entertainment labels including Def Jam and Dreamworks. Her resilience and persistence to be a leader in Black music and how it is promoted ...
Mar 02, 2019•44 min
Noteworthy international jazz vocalist, Lizz Wright, is our very special guest in this week's podcast episode. Lizz discusses her remarkable background in music including her roots in Georgia, being raised by a minister father and an eclectic vibrant mother and her relationship with two siblings. She attributes her passion for music to her childhood experiences that included an incredibly close and supportive family as well as an extended church family community. Our conversation dives deep into...
Feb 24, 2019•34 min
Cynthia "Ceejay" Johnson, music executive & former VP of Urban Promotions at Columbia Records, is our special guest in Part One of this week's podcast episode. Ceejay provides an amazing account of her tenure in the music industry which began in the late 80's/early 90's. Having been a music executive for a variety of major music labels including Columbia Records, Motown, Arista, Innerscope and more, Ceejay has promoted hit records by such artists as Maxwell, Destiny's Child, Beyonce, Black Stree...
Feb 16, 2019•44 min
Co-hosts Dr. William Smith and Kenya McGuire Johnson lead a discussion about the steps artists need to take to be considered for a Grammy nomination and/or award. The discussion includes an explanation of the process for submitting music including the importance of having a strong product, becoming a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and building relationships with music peers. In this engaging discussion, listeners will receive tools and suggestions of how to...
Feb 09, 2019•37 min
Sy Smith, singer/songwriter & recording artist, is our very special guest in this week's podcast episode. Sy discusses her 20 year career in the music industry, 18 of which as an independent artist. Her amazing journey includes performance collaborations with such artists as Thundercat, Kamasi Washington and Foreign Exchange as well as performing live background vocals for such musical icons as Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Brandy and Kenny Lattimore to name a few in addition to being a backgroun...
Feb 04, 2019•41 min
Tracye Eileen, a jazz/soul and blues singer, is this week's podcast special guest. She is also one of Kenya’s Creating Crimson music career coaching clients. Tracye discusses her music journey including being very active in the arts and music as an adolescent to working in a corporate environment to returning to her passion for music. In her quest to make music her full time career, Tracye has invested heavily in developing her craft and understanding of how the music business and industry work....
Jan 27, 2019•40 min
Tanisha Davis, music journalist, blogger and founder of Starrdom100 Blog & Radio, is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. Tanisha discusses her background as a former classical singer and how it impacted her career as a journalist including her humble beginnings of being a relationship blogger after surviving domestic violence. Her blog received amazing responses including a celebrity following which opened the door to mainstream media opportunities. She explains the various rewards...
Jan 20, 2019•39 min
Co-hosts Kenya McGuire Johnson and Dr. William Smith lead a discussion about setting music goals in 2019. The discussion takes a step beyond traditional goal setting and probes deeper into setting intentions, following a vision with strategic thoughts and actions and creating goals that are in alignment with personal and professional truths. In this powerful discussion, listeners will not only be able to reflect on how to set music business goals for 2019, but also how to develop a mindset that ...
Jan 14, 2019•49 min
Co-hosts Kenya McGuire Johnson and Dr. William Smith lead a discussion about self care for artists. Kenya leads the discussion by discussing the following: 1. What is self care- REALLY? 2. Why is self care so important for artists? 3. What are the areas of self care that artists should consider? a. Physical/Movement b. Mindset c. Nutrition d. Boundaries (saying "NO") e. Affirmations & Grattitude Listeners of this final podcast episode of 2018 will have a chance to reflect on their own self care ...
Dec 10, 2018•45 min
Stu Stapleton, a producer/musician (and the producer of co-host Kenya's current holiday single "Favorite Things"), is our special guest in this week's podcast episode. Stu discusses his compelling background in music including how he first aspired to be a professional soccer athlete and was well on his way until an injury pivoted him toward his gift of music and playing the piano. He explains how in his late teens his new found passion in artists such as D'Angelo and Robert Glasper inspired him ...
Dec 03, 2018•45 min
