If you read the headlines, you’d think the music industry is on life support. We’re constantly told that sales have plummeted and that it’s impossible to make a living as an artist. After hearing this narrative repeated for the umpteenth time, I decided to look at the data. What I found wasn’t a story of collapse, but one of radical transformation and unprecedented opportunity. The problem isn't that the industry is failing—it's that the old model, controlled by major labels,

Allen Johnston | The Music Specialist | www.asha.com   The blueprint for a successful music career has been completely torn up and redrawn. The golden-age formula—record a song, get radio play, sell CDs in stores, tour, and reap the rewards—has fundamentally dried up. The industry we know today is a different beast, shaped by a series of technological and cultural revolutions.   Having witnessed these shifts firsthand, I see them as chapters in an ongoing story. Here’s a look

For songwriters, composers, and publishers, the global royalty collection system can often feel like a black box. But what if you had a clear view of the billions of dollars flowing through this system and, more importantly, how to ensure you're getting your fair share? The data exists. CISAC (the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers), a global network of over 220 authors' societies across 118 countries, provides a transparent look at the trends i

Allen Johnston aj@asha.com I’m tired of dealing with so-called "artists" who put in minimal effort, deliver a sub-par song, and then...