The Center For Music and Arts Entrepuenership

Former Rykodisc label head and Loyola University, New Orleans professor George Howard speaks to a class about the economic and business realities that they as aspiring musicians and businesspeople need to face in order to succeed in todays music business. Topics include: The economics of independence; how capitalism supports the arts; how technology is altering the economics of music distribution; the Long Tail and niche marketing; and how to use the machinery of a capitalist economy to sell your music to people who want to buy it.

Former Rykodisc label head and Loyola University, New Orleans professor George Howard explains the two foundations that successful independent artists need today: an independent financial situation and a strong commercial market.

Former Rykodisc label head and Loyola University, New Orleans professor George Howard speaks to a class about the role of capitalism and business in supporting and disseminating art, and how independent artists can put this dynamic to use for them. Part 2 of 7.

Former Rykodisc label head and Loyola University, New Orleans professor George Howard speaks to a class about the opportunities and power that technology has put in the hands of individual musicians, how this technology has altered the underlying economics of making music, and how to leverage this situation to support your career and ambitions. Part 3 of 7.

Former Rykodisc label head and Loyola University, New Orleans professor George Howard speaks to a class about the economics of buying and selling music in a digital age the opportunity costs involved in finding music to download, the transaction costs involved in marketing and buying music via the internet, and the tension between the Law of One Price and the interests of the established music industry in pricing for-sale downloads. Part 4 of 7.

Former Rykodisc label head and Loyola University, New Orleans professor George Howard speaks to a class about the power of niche marketing and the various economic arcs that niches can follow over time, and about how current economic and market conditions are making it easier for artists to find a paying audience who will understand and support them. Part 5 of 7.

Former Rykodisc label head and Loyola University, New Orleans professor George Howard explains to a class the dynamic by which art made by outsiders (minorities, marginalized populations) becomes part of the next cutting edge, and how individual artists career strategies can either help or hinder their ability to capitalize on this phenomenon. Part 6 of 7.

Former Rykodisc label head and Loyola University, New Orleans professor George Howard explains to a class how market interests that is, the desire of people to buy things that other people want to sell work in the context of getting your music into distribution channels (whatever they may be) and to a set of consumers who will support your endeavors. Part 7 of 7.

Producer, musician and label owner George Howard discusses several books he feels are essential reading for people aspiring to a career in music or the music industry: Good to Great by Jim Collins, Getting Things Done by David Allen, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, his own Getting Signed!, gives detailed advice on a number of critical topics how and whether to pursue a record deal, how to protect your publishing rights, how to find a manager and agent, discusses at length what the different members of your team manager, agent, lawyer, publicist, radio indie can and should do for you, and provides information on how musicians can apply the basic principles of business to their careers intuitively and effectively.

Professor, producer, and entrepreneur George Howard discusses the book "Good to Great" by James Collins. He recommends the book to those wishing to pursue a career in the music industry.