Rick Barker strives to teach artists how to be artists. With major changes in the music industry and digital world, record labels expect artists to build their online presence and fan base, become great songwriters and performers, and ultimately create their own buzz. Labels no longer spend thousands of dollars to “develop” an act. Today, labels are interested in investing in small businesses. Therefore, it is the artist’s job to treat their art as a business and become an attractive partner to a record label.

Between formerly managing music superstar Taylor Swift, serving as the Social Media Mentor to finalists on FOX’s American Idol, and working as a private consultant to entities such as Big Machine Label Group and Live Nation, Rick Barker’s influence on the music industry is without question. Utilizing his extensive experience in radio, Rick created the “Nashville To You” radio tour, which played an important role in the early development of several acts, including Taylor Swift and Sugarland.

With marketing tactics featured in Billboard and other well-known publications, Rick has dedicated his life to helping independent artists plot out the most efficient strategies for turning their music into a career. He is also the co-author of “The $150,000 Music Degree”, a music business e-book that, upon its release, was the most downloaded book on Noisetrade and he created Social Media For Music, the first ever step by step instruction course dedicated to the Music Industry.

He was the first record promoter hired by Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta, where he had a role in the label’s first Number One record with singer-songwriter Jack Ingram. Rick later went on to found his own marketing and consulting firm, at which his first client was Sony Music Nashville. He is also the mastermind behind Music Industry Blueprint, a development service teaching artists from around the world everything they need to know about the complicated music business.

We hope Rick’s free resources inspire you to take control of your career and become a business-minded artist who is ready to take on this crazy industry. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions.

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