#3 Brad Belanger: Meaningful Content is KING

Explicit content warning

03/27/19 • 87 min

On episode 03 of The Golden Rules, owner of Homestead Entertainment / Red Light Artists Management, Brad Belanger shares his story of how he hacked the music industry.
- How he got into the music business
- How he helps keep his artist cool
- His golden rules for branding
- How he helped Sam Hunt sign a record deal
#QOTD "Always Play Offense"
#Knowledge
- Care - Give a shit
- Do what inspires and scares you
- Don't become concerned with others opinions of your dream
- The big things are made up of a million little pieces. Focus on the small things
- Love Monday morning
For those not in the music industry, an artist manager, also known as a "band manager", is in charge of the business side of being in a band. Often, band members are great at the creative side of things but aren't so great at promoting themselves, booking their own gigs, or negotiating deals. In a very general sense, the task of a manager takes care of the day to day running of the band's career so the band can focus on the creative side of things
Brad started his own record label at 15. He learned how to screen-print merch, booked & promoted shows & fronted a three-piece alt-rock band.
After graduation from Middle Tennessee State University, Belanger started working as a booking agent at APA in Nashville. A few months prior to YouTube launching, Belanger bought a camera along with editing software and taught himself the ins and outs of photography, videography, editing and graphic design. After working with clients like Taylor Swift & Warner Music, he was hired to a full-time position with country music superstar Keith Urban.
While working with Urban, Belanger was introduced to an up-and-coming young songwriter named Sam Hunt. Hunt was looking for a manager to help launch his solo career.
He then took his savings & started HOMESTEAD, his artist management firm. Belanger also shot/directed/edited the first 5 music videos for Hunt; shot and designed the album cover for Montevallo, and now oversees the career and brand of one of the country's hottest acts.

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#5 John Ozier: Be a No Secrets Leader

On episode 05 of The Golden Rules, Vice President of Ole Music Publishing, John Ozier, shares his music publishing journey, writing hit songs, and his golden rules for life and business.
- How he got into the music business
- How he balances writing #1 hit songs & being a publishing executive
- His golden rules for success in life and business
#QOTD You're only as good as your reputation
#QOTD Everyday we start back at zero
#Knowledge
- Walk toward the barking dog
- Be a no secrets leader
- Be present in everything
- Tell the truth and respect others
- Do it for the right reasons
- Take more responsibility gracefully
- How he balances writing #1 hit songs & being a publishing executive
- His golden rules for success in life and business
- Ten #1 songs in 2018
For those not in the music industry, a publisher is someone who signs songwriters, gets their songs placed on albums, sets up co-writes, and helps guide songwriters into the most successful opportunities.
John Ozier is young, straightforward and honest. He has built his successful 14-year career from the ground up by staying true to his passions, trusting his gut, and good old fashion hard work.
He has served as Executive Director of Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) and won the Nashville Business Journal's 40 Under 40 to name a few.
John has been responsible for over 20 #1s as an A&R executive, a publisher, and as a songwriter. In 2016-2017, Ozier led the Creative team to over 100+ singles internationally, including #1s by Randy Houser, Kelsea Ballerini, LOCASH, Jason Aldean, Dan + Shay, Justin Moore, Chris Janson, Brantley Gilbert, Brett Young and more.
John has not rested on his laurels and has the track record to prove it. Over his career, he has placed songs recorded by Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line, Rodney Atkins, Clay Walker, Love & Theft, Ronnie Dunn, Jo Dee Messina, and many more.
In 2010, Ozier was responsible for four songs in the Top 15 on the Billboard country charts, including the longest-ever running single, Lee Brice’s “Love Like Crazy,” at 56 weeks. More recently, he was responsible for No. 1s by Rodney Atkins (“Take A Back Road”) and Lee Brice (“A Woman Like You” and “I Drive Your Truck”).
He is also a published songwriter with cuts by Lee Brice, Kelli Pickler, Charlie Worsham, Kid Rock, Josh Thompson, Tyler Farr, American Young, Air Supply, and others. He co-wrote Lee Brice’s multi-week No. 1 and platinum single, “Hard to Love," which won a BMI Award in 2013, as well as an NSAI Award for 'Top 10 Songs I Wish I'd Written.' Ozier also co-wrote Tyler Farr's 34-week #1 and Gold Single, "Whiskey In My Water."
John believes in the Golden Rule, treat people the way you want to be treated. He also prides himself on work ethic, leadership, and truth. It's the combination of those values mixed with a great ear for songs, and the talent to craft one, that makes him not only unique in the industry but one of the best publishing executives in the business.