After a successful radio career in the 90s, Rick Barker became one of Taylor Swift's radio promoters in 2004 and then her manager from 2006 - 2008. He played an instrumental role in the success of her first album as well as her transition to a star. Since departing that role, he's worked as independent consultant for artists and labels, showing them how to maximize their careers.

Rick and I covered his time working with Taylor, and also talked about his consultancy, Music Industry Blueprint where he helps artists with their careers.

Evan Bogart went from Interscope intern in the 90s that helped Eminem get signed, to a songwriter in the 2000s that penned hits for Rihanna and Beyonce, to the co-founder of a publishing company in the 2020s. He's currently the CEO of Seeker Music, which owns catalogs from artists like Run The Jewel, Jon Bellion, and Mark Morrison. I had a chat with Evan about his progression in the music industry and the kind of work Seeker is doing to carve out a space for itself in the business.

For the last thirty years, Tab Nkhereanye has made the journey from aspiring songwriter to hitmaker and now senior A&R. As a writer in the first decade of his career, he wrote for the likes of Mya, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber and Mary J Blige. From there he became an A&R at places like Sony/ATV, Republic and Def Jam. Some of his notable feats were signing Frank Ocean and Alessia Cara. He's now SVP of A&R at BMG and works with a slew of talented artists to help them craft hits.

I talked to Tab about his 30-year journey, how he accomplished his biggest signings as an A&R and how the publishing business works.