The Springboard Music Podcast

Summary Tristan Cusick shares his journey from being a church employee to a full-time creative in the music industry. He discusses how his passion for content creation developed and how he discovered his creative style through trial and error. Tristan also talks about the challenges of balancing college, marriage, and a full-time job. He emphasizes the importance of networking and utilizing platfo...

Summary Brad shares his journey in the music industry, starting from his early days as a manager of an artist he came across (without any prior artist management experience.) He also shares about his experience teaching at Belmont University and his role in Digital Rights and YouTube Optimization at Universal Music Group and The Orchard. Takeaways Brad's role in YouTube Operations and Optimiza...

Summary In this conversation, Chris Newman, a tour manager and production manager, shares his journey in the music industry. He discusses his college experience, starting to tour while in college, and transitioning between genres. He has worked with artists such as Riley Clemmons, Plumb, Natalie Grant, and Walker Hayes. Chris explains the differences between a tour manager and production manager,...

Summary In this conversation, Alexandria Davila, CEO of Adarga Entertainment Group, shares her journey as a first-generation college graduate and her experiences as a Latina in the music industry. She emphasizes the importance of business education in the music industry and offers advice for aspiring professionals. Alexandria also discusses the services offered by Adarga and the company's miss...

In this conversation, Jimi Williams shares insights and advice on various aspects of the music industry, particularly in the context of worship music. He emphasizes the importance of conversations that go beyond the business side and focus on personal growth, dreams, and challenges. Jimi also highlights the significance of trust and relationships in working with artists and writers. He advises wor...

Michelle Younkman, Executive Director of Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB), discusses the organization's mission to empower radio stations to reach more people for Jesus. CMB focuses on helping radio stations understand and adapt to the changing landscape of technology and digital media. They also have a unique international reach, with stations from various countries participating in their e...

Summary Dee discusses her involvement in promoting Hulvey and Forrest Frank's "Altar" on the Meta platform. She also shares her journey into the music industry, starting from her role in Church Communications to her current position as Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy at Reach Records. Dee emphasizes the importance of transparency, adaptability, and lifelong learning in the...

Scott Brickell is the founder and president of Brickhouse Entertainment. He is originally from Missouri and attended Baylor University in Texas for a BA in Business Administration and Production Operations Management. Throughout his career, he has managed well known bands/artists like MercyMe, Switchfoot, Phil Wickham, and Matthew West. In 2018, he was portrayed by Trace Adkins in the film "I...

Shannon Woodworth is a successful digital influencer + blogger with over 21k followers in Instagram. She also happens to be a digital marketing extraordinaire in the Music Industry. She's work with several genres including Country, Christian, and Gospel. Shannon has led TikTok campaigns that have fueled an artist's success. On top of all of that, she is a wonderful wife and mother. This ep...

Corey Mann is a Radio Programmer for Pulse FM in South Bend, Indiana. He also hosts his own podcast, "What Else? With Corey Mann." This interview takes you behind the scenes to the honest prep-work it takes to provide an entertaining segment for listeners. In this episode we cover: - How vulnerability can lead you to your next career - Never waiting for the "Help Wanted" sign -...

Elizabeth Lombardi is an Executive in Business Affairs at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). CAA is a talent agency, home to music industry legends such as: Ben Platt, Beyonce, Harry Styles, Kelsea Ballerini, The Band Camino, Zendaya, etc. As of 2023, she is also an adjunct professor at her alma mater, Belmont University, in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business in addition to he...

Trey Pearce is a Recording + Mixing Engineer out of L.A. He has experience at Westlake Studios and has worked with artists such as: Rhianna, The Weekend, Sza, Jhené Aiko, and Doja Cat. Need we say more? In this episode we discuss: - How to get plugged into Audio Engineering as a career - Is there a hierarchy within the engineering space? - Are certain audio editing softwares good for specific edit...

Tom DeKorne is a Senior Booking Agent at JRA (Jeff Roberts Agency.) After graduating college at Ferris State University in Michigan, he moved to Nashville with zero connections and a desire to break into the music industry. His grit and opportunistic spirit landed him a job, and he hasn't left since. Take a listen to how construction work could set you apart for a career in the music industry....

Jon Sell is the co-founder of Sell Creative, coaching artists through the development of their career and brand. Jon has experience in radio promotion, A&R, and Marketing at formal record labels. In 2021, he left the corporate label world to start his own company guiding artists to reach their potential and expand their audience reach effectively. In this episode we discuss: - Is being signed...

Courtney Allen started her college journey at the University of South Carolina. After a chance encounter at a concert, her career path quickly changed to where she is now the Senior Director of A&R at Concord Music Publishing. In this episode we discuss: - The importance of maintaining connections, no matter how big or small they might seem - Taking unconventional chances (because, what is the...

Courtney Allen started her college journey at the University of South Carolina. After a chance encounter at a concert, her career path quickly changed to where she is now the Senior Director of A&R at Concord Music Publishing. In this episode we discuss: - The difference between being passionate and interested - Just how small the music industry really is - Exactly what you need to know if you...

Velvet Rousseau Kelm is the President of The Media Collective, a PR agency for those both inside and outside the music industry. Their roster includes: Annie F. Downs, Amy Grant, TobyMac, Hillary Scott & The Scott Family, Josh Turner, Kathie Lee Gifford, Harry Connick Jr., Colton Dixon, and many others. In this episode we discuss: - PR and the Record Label - How to measure success in PR - How...

Greg Ham is a legend in the music industry. Most recently, he is the owner of one:eight Entertainment. one:eight Entertainment is an "artist management and development company with a client roster that includes Christian/Gospel legacy artists Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans, & Steven Curtis Chapman, as well as producer Robert Deaton, Olympic Gold Medalist & Figure Skater Scott Hamilton,...

Greg Ham is a legend in the music industry. Most recently, he is the owner of one:eight Entertainment. one:eight Entertainment is an "artist management and development company with a client roster that includes Christian/Gospel legacy artists Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans, & Steven Curtis Chapman, as well as producer Robert Deaton, Olympic Gold Medalist & Figure Skater Scott Hamilton,...

Ryan Byrd went from the small town of Enterprise, Alabama to walking the red carpet at the CMA and ACM awards in 2022. Ryan's credits include: - ACM nominee for “Video of the Year” in 2022 for "Never Wanted To Be That Girl" by Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde - Work featured on Billboard, The Today Show, CMT, Jimmy Kimmel, The Kelly Clarkson Show- Award Winning Documentary, “Why She S...

Ryan Byrd went from the small town of Enterprise, Alabama to walking the red carpet at the CMA and ACM awards in 2022. In this Part 2 episode, we discuss how networking has never been easier with social media at our fingertips and how you don't just "get lucky" becoming a video producer. Ryan's credits include: - ACM nominee for “Video of the Year” in 2022 for "Never Wanted...

Ryan Byrd went from the small town of Enterprise, Alabama to walking the red carpet at the CMA and ACM awards in 2022. In this Part 1 episode, we catch up about childhood interests and make the connection to how they inspired Ryan towards her career of video producing. Ryan's credits include: - ACM nominee for “Video of the Year” in 2022 for "Never Wanted To Be That Girl" by Carly Pe...

LB Cantrell is the Director of Content & Operations at MusicRow Magazine. Music Row Magazine has been the leading publication for all Nashville-specific Music Industry news for over 40 years. LB Cantrell's story is one that displays unifying her passions with her skills. She tells a story of courage, boldness, grace, and grit. In this episode we discuss: - How to be fearless in pursuing yo...

Aaron Tochini is the Director of Events at the Music Business Association. Music Business Association was established in 1958 and has served as a resource and commonplace for Music Industry professionals to unite, learn, and network through seminars, conferences, and local events. Aaron's journey to the music industry was unconventional, being discovered as a standout event coordinator at the...

Cassie Petrey is the Co-Founder of the Digital Marketing and Artist Management company, Crowd Surf. Cassie started on this journey as a fan girl, and today she is a Billboard and Forbes' "30 Under 30" recipient and has overseen the digital marketing for Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Camila Cabello, and Anne Wilson. In this episode we discuss: - What Cassie believes in the most und...