Taking Care of Your Music Business

The MLC
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Music Interviews
  • Series

Welcome to "Taking Care of Your Music Business," brought to you by the Mechanical Licensing Collective, or The MLC.  In this podcast, we dive deep into the heart of the music industry, exploring how to get paid as a creative, making sure you are receiving all the royalties you deserve. We'll also dive into building a sustainable career, sharing strategies and best practices that creators can use to achieve long-term success.  Join us as we bring you interviews with top songwriters and music executives who share their personal journeys and professional wisdom on thriving in the business while making a living. So, get ready for some real talk about navigating the music industry.  Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And be sure to catch all our full episodes on YouTube. * The content shared in this podcast, including any materials or resources referenced, is intended for general informational purposes to assist members of the music community in finding answers to common questions about The MLC and the broader music industry. This content is not intended to provide legal advice, and nothing contained within the podcast or related materials should be construed as legal advice. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The MLC.

See All

  1. Episode 1

    Be Your Own CEO: Owning the Opportunity with Dawn Richard

    Real independence in music starts with owning what you create. In this episode of Taking Care of Your Music Business, Jamie Dominguez of The MLC sits down with Dawn Richard —visionary artist, entrepreneur, songwriter, and multi-hyphenate creative. Dawn rose through Danity Kane and Dirty Money before building an acclaimed independent career, with sync placements ranging from Adult Swim to FIFA and Madden, an admin deal with Kobalt, and a seat on the Recording Academy's New York board. Recorded live at NOLA Music Con in New Orleans, this conversation digs into rights, royalties, and resilience — and what it really takes to be your own CEO.  Dawn shares the hard lessons that shaped her path, from signing contracts to negotiating for her own masters and fighting for fair splits. She and Jamie explore why diversifying your revenue streams matters, how the right IPI numbers and accurate metadata can unlock real opportunities, and how The MLC works to collect the streaming mechanical royalties you've earned.   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.

  2. Episode 2

    Building the Sound of Nashville: Shannon Sanders in Conversation

    Where creativity meets commerce, the most powerful careers in music are built. In this episode of Taking Care of Your Music Business, Jamie Dominguez of The MLC sits down with Shannon Sanders — three-time Grammy winner, three-time Emmy winner, and Dove Award winner, who serves as Executive Director of Creative at BMI's Nashville office. With more than 25 years across soul, R&B, gospel, and roots music, and collaborations with John Legend, Chris Stapleton, and many more, Shannon brings a rare dual perspective as both a celebrated creator and a music executive.   Shannon and Jamie dig into what it really means to think like a business owner while staying true to your craft, why understanding your rights and royalties is essential, and how BMI often serves as a creator's first relationship in the industry. They also tackle AI's growing impact on ownership and intellectual property—and why claiming your work and keeping your metadata accurate matters more than ever. Whether you're a songwriter, performer, or producer, you'll come away with practical wisdom to protect your work and build a lasting career. Listen now.  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.

  3. Episode 3

    The Business Behind the Beats: Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis on Ownership & Legacy

    Owning your work is where real, lasting wealth in music begins. In this episode of Taking Care of Your Music Business, The MLC’s Jamie Dominguez sits down with Grammy-winning, multi-platinum producer Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis — the creative force behind The Fugees' The Score, Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie," Santana's "Maria Maria," Whitney Houston's "My Love Is Your Love," and countless other global hits. Recorded live from SXSW in Austin, this conversation digs into the business behind the beats, including how Jerry bought back and now owns 100% of his catalog, and why he refuses to sell.  Jerry shares the hard-earned lessons that shaped his career, from understanding publishing and royalties early to the importance of owning your masters, building a legacy, and marketing yourself as an artist. Whether you're a songwriter, producer, or music professional, you'll walk away with practical insights to help you protect what you create and build a career that lasts. Tune in and take notes.  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.

  4. Episode 4

    Streaming Royalties Deep Dive: What Creators Need to Know  with Jamie Dominguez and Andrew Wetzel

    Understanding where your royalties come from is the first step to making sure you collect every dollar you've earned. In this episode of Taking Care of Your Music Business, The MLC’s Jamie Dominguez sits down with Andrew Wetzel — musician, label owner of Oxide Records, music publisher, artist manager, and co-founder of the pioneering band Attack! Attack!. This conversation breaks down the science of streaming royalties and demystifies how your music actually gets paid.  Andrew and Jamie unpack the "Holy Trinity" of royalty payments — your PRO, The MLC, and SoundExchange — and clear up the crucial difference between mechanical and performance royalties. They explain why having a publishing entity doesn't mean you're collecting your mechanicals, why IPI numbers and accurate metadata matter, and how to track your splits from day one. Whether you're a songwriter, performer, or independent creator, you'll walk away with practical steps to clean up your data and collect everything you're owed.   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.

  5. Episode 5

    Christmas in July: Unwrapping the Music Business with Shane Stevens and Tekitha Washington

    A little holiday spirit in the summer sets the perfect mood for real talk about the music business. In this festive episode of Taking Care of Your Music Business, Jamie Dominguez of The MLC celebrates "Christmas in July" at Nashville's beloved Santa's Pub with two remarkable guests. Grammy-nominated songwriter Shane Stevens has penned hits for Carrie Underwood, Lady A, Selena Gomez, Walker Hayes, Meghan Trainor, and Ariana Grande, and co-wrote a song that went viral on TikTok before earning seven-times Platinum certification. He's joined by Tekitha Washington — artist, creative entrepreneur, and co-creator of the genre-bending mother-daughter act O.N.E The Duo — who is celebrated for her soulful voice and work with Wu-Tang Clan. After being signed to Epic Records, she went on to build her career as her own executive, protecting her artistic vision.   Shane, Tekitha, and Jamie unpack the realities of building a sustainable, authentic career. They break down the different types of publishing deals — co-publishing, full publishing, and administration — the role of performing rights organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, and why split sheets and catalog ownership matter more than you might think. They also get honest about protecting your mental health and creative energy against the pressure of the "9-to-5" songwriting grind. Tune in for practical advice to help you take care of your music business. 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.

See All Season 3 (5)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Taking Care of Your Music Business," brought to you by the Mechanical Licensing Collective, or The MLC.  In this podcast, we dive deep into the heart of the music industry, exploring how to get paid as a creative, making sure you are receiving all the royalties you deserve. We'll also dive into building a sustainable career, sharing strategies and best practices that creators can use to achieve long-term success.  Join us as we bring you interviews with top songwriters and music executives who share their personal journeys and professional wisdom on thriving in the business while making a living. So, get ready for some real talk about navigating the music industry.  Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And be sure to catch all our full episodes on YouTube. * The content shared in this podcast, including any materials or resources referenced, is intended for general informational purposes to assist members of the music community in finding answers to common questions about The MLC and the broader music industry. This content is not intended to provide legal advice, and nothing contained within the podcast or related materials should be construed as legal advice. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The MLC.

Information

You Might Also Like