The Real Deal: Tony Alexander on Labels, Royalties, and Revenue

Taking Care of Your Music Business

In this episode, Tony Alexander, industry expert and co-founder of Made in Memphis Entertainment (MIME), brings his years of experience in music publishing and record labels to the table in this in-depth conversation on labels, royalties, and revenue streams. Tony breaks down the different ways music creators can earn money, from record deals to royalties, and how understanding the fine print of contracts can make all the difference. Tony also dives into the importance of artist education through Adaptive Music, a platform dedicated to teaching music creators the business skills they need to thrive. From workshops and tools to practical advice on building teams and mastering industry knowledge, listeners can learn how to build sustainable careers while staying true to their creative vision.
Topics Covered and Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Introduction to the Podcast
  • Host welcomes listeners and introduces the podcast’s focus on supporting music creators.
• [00:00:19] Introduction to Tony Alexander
  • Tony’s background and partnership with Hall of Fame songwriter David Porter to co-found MIME.
  • His vision for empowering artists and transforming the music industry.
• [00:00:42] Founding Made in Memphis Entertainment
  • MIME's origins and its mission to retain and support talent in Memphis.
• [00:01:58] Supporting Local Talent
  • How MIME helps artists build careers by offering infrastructure and expanding to cities like Atlanta.
• [00:05:09] MIME's Services and Facilities
  • Description of MIME’s state-of-the-art spaces and its artist support services.
• [00:07:53] Unique Business Model
  • MIME’s revenue-sharing structure allowing artists to retain ownership of masters and publishing rights.
• [00:10:12] Alternatives to Traditional Deals
  • How MIME provides alternatives to traditional 360 deals.
• [00:15:38] Launching Adaptive Music
  • Adaptive Music’s role in educating artists on managing careers and industry basics.
• [00:22:30] Educating Artists
  • Tools and workshops offered by Adaptive Music to fill knowledge gaps.
• [00:27:16] Advice for Aspiring Artists
  • Tony’s guidance on building teams, mastering industry knowledge, and staying true to creative vision.

Resources Mentioned

• Made in Memphis Entertainment Website: madeinmemphisentertainment.com
• The MLC: https://www.themlc.com/

Key Highlights

• Tony’s inspiring career shift from patent attorney to music industry leader.
• MIME’s artist-friendly model focusing on talent empowerment and fair revenue-sharing.
• Adaptive Music’s educational initiatives to teach business management to artists.
• Advice for navigating the music industry and building a sustainable career.

Visit madeinmemphisentertainment.com for more on MIME’s work and follow Adaptive Music on Instagram at @adaptive_music_.

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Watch all our full episodes on YouTube here and learn more about The MLC and our mission to ensure songwriters and music publishers receive their mechanical royalties from streaming and download services in the U.S. accurately and on time here.