ALL MUSIC BUSINESS POSTS
CDs Are Dead - Now What (Part 2)
What Fans & Artists Can Do Now (2 of 2)
With CDs largely gone, both fans and artists face a new music landscape. This post explores practical ways fans can support independent musicians and how artists can distribute their work, build audiences, and earn income without physical sales
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2025-12-16 Read post
CDs Are Dead - Now What (Part 1)
What Happens When Bands Don't Sell CDs (1 of 2)
For independent bands, this shift raises big questions: How do they reach listeners and make money without physical sales? But more important music question: where do people listen to the indie music that they used listen to on CDs?
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2025-12-09 Read post
ISRC Codes
All About The Unique Identifier Every Track Needs to Track Royalties
Small artist perspective about what ISRC codes are, why every music track needs one, and how they help artists track royalties, protect their work, and ensure proper distribution worldwide
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2025-06-19 Read post
Is Spotify Worse Than The Old Days?
And A Case Study Of A Very Low-Level Band: Us
Everybody likes to point out how little artists make from Spotify, but where else are musicians making money from recorded music these days besides streaming services. We look at the macro and the micro, and we are very well positioned to be the micro example.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-06-25 Read post
Making A Music Artist Website (Part 2)
Part 2 - Things You Should Do
We're uniquely positioned as software developers and musicians ourselves to define what's a successful music website and how to get there. Part 2 is a solid starting checklist.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-05-21 Read post
Making A Music Artist Website (Part 1)
Part 1 - Goals, Reasons and Some Things To Avoid
We're uniquely positioned as software developers and musicians ourselves to define what's a successful music website and how to get there. Part 1 also goes into some mistakes to avoid.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-05-14 Read post
Sunday Night Football and Carrie Underwood
$1 Million Per Week
A text from a friend got me thinking about the Sunday Night Football opening package and music.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2023-12-19 Read post
Songwriting: The Easiest Of The Arts (Part 2)
Hear Me Out
We make the case, in two parts, that if songwriting isn't the easiest of the artistic disciplines it's at least the fastest.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2023-10-03 Read post
Songwriting: The Easiest Of The Arts (Part 1)
Hear Me Out
We make the case, in two parts, that if songwriting isn't the easiest of the artistic disciplines it's at least the fastest.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2023-09-26 Read post
Artificial Intelligence - It's Here
Case Study: A.I. in Music
We're scratching the surface on A.I. by taking a look at how artificial intelligence can help and hurt composers. And stick around for the dramatic twist ending.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2023-05-23 Read post
Why I Released An Album On 8-Track
Yeah, You Read That Right
Call me a "tracker". I have a soft spot for 8-tracks. Which partially explains while I (along with Hank Williams III) are the only two people to release a new 8-track record.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2023-02-28 Read post
How To Produce A Music Album
Or At Least Be A Co-Producer
This year I co-produced an upcoming 2023 album from Spud Davenport. Here's what I learned in a new role as co-producer ... and basically I learned that golf caddies make for great music studio producers.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2022-12-13 Read post
Music CD Release Checklist - Part 3
Part 3: CD Release Party and Beyond
Three-part, 4250-word article of advice and checklist for musicians who need to plan a release of their album. Part 3 covers release day and afterwards. Then we remind you to enjoy it!
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2022-10-11 Read post
Music CD Release Checklist - Part 2
Part 2: Your To-Do List
Three-part, 4250-word article of advice and checklist for musicians who need to plan a release of their album. Part 2 is the meat of our to-do list. If you're putting out a CD, bookmark this page.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2022-10-04 Read post
Music CD Release Checklist - Part 1
Part 1: Why, Finishing The Music and Your Website
Three-part, 4250-word article of advice and checklist for musicians who need to plan a release of their album. Part 1 has good background info and asks what you want to accomplish.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2022-09-27 Read post
