The Music Biz 2024 conference featured informative panels focusing on innovative music technology, the impact of sync deals, and the incredible role of women in the music industry.
Music Biz Conference 2024 featured a host of insightful panels covering the latest in music tech, support for independent artists, resources for creators, gender equality, and other important issues central to the music industry's continued progress.
One panel on sync deals featured Blackberry Smoke guitarist Charlie Starr and manager Trey Wilson, who detailed how Blackberry Smoke saw their digital download sales increase by almost 1000% after being featured on the hit TV show Yellowstone.
According to Wilson, the song Hey Delilah was the band's first “real sync” on the show, and it immediately saw a triple-digit increase in streams for the band. Wilson said, “It went up astronomical numbers. Digital download sales are up 999 percent, Shazams are up 125 percent, I think.”
“It's been the same ever since. Every song has had a monumental response,” Wilson added.
Among Music Biz 2024's off-site events was a party at The Music Manager Forum's ranch, complete with horses and bonfires.
Sharon Tupper, executive director of the Music Managers Forum (USA), spoke about the first Night in the Music Business, held at Copper Lime Ranch, the former home of Kenny Rogers: “We had ponies and peacocks, great food and drink, and some of the finest people in the music industry came together to mingle and get to know each other.”
Tapper added, “No matter what you do in this industry, you can all be here in this space together.”
Powerful women in leadership positions attended the culminating celebration of Black women.
“We're celebrating Black women in the music biz, working in the music industry and caring about their own businesses,” said Gina Miller, senior vice president and general manager of Monarch Music Group.
The Moms in Music Organization will also be hosting a mixer at Music Biz 2024, and DMN spoke with Brittney King Brock, founder and operator of King Creative Group.
Bullock shared her goal: to inspire the next generation of female executives and artists to feel like they don't have to choose between having a family and building a career. She added, “It's possible to do both at the same time, and we're building a community that honestly shares how to do it. It's not easy, but it's possible. We're rewriting the narrative of motherhood in the music industry.”
The Nashville skies cleared just in time for a spectacular rooftop night on the second day of Music Biz 2024, including A2IM's annual meet-and-greet and an event hosted by Women in Music.
Gritty in Pink founder Shira Yevin said her group, backed by Live Nation, is focused on breaking down industry barriers and creating space for female freelancers. Speaking about Music Biz 2024, Yevin said: “It's people and their work that shape Music Biz.”
Jeremy Gruber, Head of Artist Marketing at Friends at Work, spoke about the true value of conferences like Music Biz. Gruber said his “primary role is finding the next step in technology” and how to help artists grow their careers.
Gruber said:[This is] “It's a place for startup founders and people trying new ideas. We're always meeting people, finding out what's next, and helping bring it to the artists we work with. We can give them the technology they need to grow their audience.”
“We support independent labels and independent artists,” Clone Henry, CEO of Wealth Media Distribution and president of Think It's a Game Records, told DMN.
The Music Biz 2024 conference took place from May 13th to May 16th, 2024.
While Nashville has been a great venue for many years, Music Business Association President Dr. Porsche Sabin announced that Music Business will be relocating to Atlanta in 2025.
Music Biz 2025 will take place May 12-15, 2025 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta.