Music Biz 2019, Nashville TN

Day 3 of Music Biz 2019 was filled with lots of celebrity appearances, information for attendees, and more. During the “How to Make a Win-Win for Artists and Brands” panel, attendees got a glimpse into the brand endorsement deal that Lauren Alaina has with Cracker Barrel. A brand endorsement deal has to be a win-win for both the brand and the artist for it to work. Being able to then leverage an artist’s story and also the brand’s story is going to be a huge part of that.

(L-R) Trisha McClanahan and Lauren Alaina (How to Make a Win-Win for Artists and Brands)

Music Biz 2019, Nashville

Photo by Catrina Engelby

 Lauren Alaina gave great advice when telling attendees to, “Have a TRUE understanding of what your individual brand is before going after a brand to match yours.” She also spoke specifically about Instagram and how it is like a highlight reel of your life and it speaks more than any other online platform to your brand because of the demographic that is on there. Ask the question of how do you create content that both your audience and the brands you’re going after/who are going after you will have the biggest audience interaction while staying authentic to yourself. 



Lauren Alaina (How to Make a Win-Win for Artists and Brands)

Music Biz 2019, Nashville

Photo by Catrina Engelby

Attendees who went over to the “Owning Your Own Business, When To Make Boss Moves” seminar learned from some of the industry’s leaders in the hip-hop world on best practices to own your own business. A social media person and an investor should probably be the first two people you hire after getting music done. From there just building your brand organically until you can’t manage it anymore because of how busy you are before hiring managers, accountants, or lawyers. No one should work harder than yourself on yourself and your business. Artists were told to stop looking for the easy way to the top because there isn’t an easy way there. For those who stayed to hear “From La-di-da-di” To “La-di-dollars”: A Conversation with Slick Rick” were in for quite the treat.

Bronx native and hip- hop legend Slick Rick came to Music Biz and he didn’t disappoint. As the most sampled artist of all-time, Slick Rick was able to give great advice on different matters regarding one’s career. One thing he told attendees was to. “Always look at the fine print when signing to save you long term especially financially.” Attendees also got to hear about how in his early 20’s he bought his first building to rent out. He suggested people should set themselves up through things like buying buildings and homes that you can start saving money for later in life.

Slick Rick (“From “La-di-da-di” To “La-di-dollars”: A Conversation with Slick Rick)

Music Biz 2019, Nashville

Photo by Catrina Engelby

Slick Rick also talked about anything from giving back to your community to fashion to how one should put singles out. He suggested putting out the best songs going down to the least to squeeze out as much as you could until the very end. After the seminar was over, Slick Rick stayed to meet and take photos with any attendee who wanted to do so. In the evening attendees could watch the red carpet with stars and industry people alike showing up for the Music Biz Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner.

Slick Rick (“From “La-di-da-di” To “La-di-dollars”: A Conversation with Slick Rick)

Music Biz 2019, Nashville

Photo by Catrina Engelby

Attendees were treated to stars like Peter FramptonDarius RuckerBebe RexhaKane Brown taking photos and answering questions from the media. After the red carpet, attendees got a chance to see high light reels while enjoying their meals of the different industry and star powers that were being awarded for the evening. After each highlight reel, the awards were handed out and thank you speeches were said. During Bebe Rexha‘s speech, she pushed for more women to be executives in the Music Industry with Richard Gottehrer agreeing during his speech saying, “Let’s get there, and let’s get there fast.” He also pushed for not only celebrating songwriters for what they do but also for properly compensating songwriters for what they are writing and doing which gained huge applause from the audience.

Richard Gottehrer– “It’s amazing and like an honor to be awarded by my peers for this award.” “I’m more on the music side than the business. I’m on the creative side so I would say the years of producing when I would actually spend 2 days getting a drum sound you can now do with the push of a button or hours knocking on a tambourine.” (Favorite part of the industry to work in), “The beginnings. Building them. Taking something from nothing and building it around a dream that was yet to come.” (Talking about the most rewarding part of starting The Orchard)

Peter Frampton thanked the industry at length for all they have done for him and his career. He spoke about how even though the last few months have been hard since being diagnosed with Inclusion Body Mytosis, it has been so uplifting to be showered with love from industry and fans alike. Overall, it was a great day leading into the last and final day tomorrow.

Peter Frampton (Music Biz Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner)

Music Biz 2019, Nashville

Photo by Catrina Engelby

Kane Brown – “Grateful to be here and thankful for the award.” 

“Feels amazing and get to be the dad I never had.” (about thoughts on expecting 1st child)
“It’s coming soon…” (On upcoming collaboration with Marshmellow)

Catrina Engelby interviewing Kane Brown for Nashville Music Guide

Music Biz 2019, Nashville

Photo by Catrina Engelby

(L-R) Sina Seger, Trisha McClanahan, Julia Perry, Julie Ulmer, and Caroline Hobby (How to Make a Win-Win for Artists and Brands)

Music Biz 2019, Nashville

Photo by Catrina Engelby

About Sherryl Craig 410 Articles
Sherryl is a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor with Nashville Music Guide and her blog, Lyrics N Legends has been featured since 2012. Her articles has graced the cover and have appeared as feature stories in the NMG print edition. She is also a member of WMMW, Women of Music Music of Women, a non-profit organization in support of women in the music industry. WMMW also appears here in Nashville Music Guide.

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