#105 W Susan Ruth! On this episode of Mentoring For The Modern Musician the Scharff Brothers are honored to be joined by songwriter and renaissance woman Susan Ruth! Although it took us a few tries to actually get her on the show so you could hear it, trust us that it will be well worth your time! Susan talks about her unique journey into the music…

On this weeks M3 podcast the interviewers get interviewed! The boys hope you enjoy this Re-cast of an interview they did for the podcast All Things College And Career. Though many of the topics discussed here will be familiar, there’s a decided shift in perspective that comes from answering questions rather than asking them! Check out the original …

On this episode of Mentoring For The Modern Musician the Scharff Brothers discuss the often deep danger inherent in the well meaning advice and/or reminiscent reflections of a veteran musician! If it doesn’t sound hopeful or positively framed you might want to simply say, “Thank you” and politely run screaming in the other direction! Or not... List…

This week on the M3 podcast the boys revisit the topic of Artist Development. Just because labels don’t spend money on it anymore, doesn’t mean it isn’t still a crucial part of an artists career path. It’s always been important and it always will be! So plug in and find out why! As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments,…

This week the Scharff Brothers had the pleasure of interviewing songwriter and Berklee instructor Scarlet Keys! While the interview is guided by the release of her new book The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning, and Emotion, the boys follow Scarlet down a myriad of other topics. Early career, writing in Nashville, teaching at Berklee, and the co…

On this, the 100th episode of the M3 podcast, The Scharff brothers take some time to reflect and review the first 99 episodes! The boys chat about some of the big interviews and recall some forgotten gems... All with the common Mentoring For The Modern Musician theme of looking to help aspiring, emerging and established artists find more joy and su…

This episode of Mentoring For The Modern Musician is another reality check driven show from the Scharff Brothers. The boys love that you are fired up and driven to have a successful career as a musician! As always, they want to help!!! So, listen in while they remind - or enlighten - you about a glut of things that most people won’t say that you ne…

This weeks show is all about the importance of self-knowledge. Other than talent, few things are more important in your music career… or any other life endeavor for that matter! The deeper you dig, the more you uncover, the larger the amount of self honesty you are able to muster, will be reflected in a direct correlation with the amount of success…

This week on the podcast Adam and Michael explore the subject of Safety in the music industry. It’s more than just your normal cautionary tale talk telling you not to trust too many insiders and their predatory promises… There’s oh so much more to be aware of about personal security in this business! Tune in and turn it up so the M3 boys can help k…

This week on the M3 podcast Adam and Michael talk through the importance of realistic thinking and daily vigilance when it comes to a career in music. There’s no shortcuts, silver bullet, or magic wand to wave that will bring the success we all hope for... nothing can replace staying positive and working hard if we are going to reach that big goal!…

Should I be playing cover gigs? Maybe I should be focusing only on original gigs? Can I be playing both? SHOULD I be playing both? Are they each valuable to my career? ALL GREAT QUESTIONS! Push play on your podcast machine so the M3 Boys can hip you to some real answers on this one! As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comme…

On this installment of the M3 podcast Adam and Michael focus on the importance of determining what is working in your career. How can you be sure what path to take? What should you be focusing on? Is that a worthwhile activity to spend your precious time on? The boys break it down to the most elemental level on this one! As always, reach out to us …

On this weeks episode of Mentoring For The Modern Musician, the Scharff Brothers discuss the difference between working for yourself as a musician and being an entrepreneur. These two job descriptions are not interchangeable! While it’s true, an entrepreneur generally works for themselves, and a self-employed individual may be an entrepreneur… neit…

You finally got that big opening slot, huh? Congratulations! Well done you! You might want to listen to this weeks M3 podcast before you play it... seriously. The Scharff boys have some genuine words of wisdom on this one about how to truly take advantage of your good fortune and hard work in getting this gig! As always, reach out to us with sugges…

On this episode of Mentoring For The Modern Musician The Scharff Brothers tackle the subject of the isolation and insular nature of the Solo Artist. There are steps you can take to combat the loneliness, overwhelmed and isolated feeling of being a solo musician. What are some of those methods? Push play and the boys will share some immediately acti…

This week we discuss the thing we knew was gonna happen…we talked about it…people said we were wrong, or crazy, or both. Well we are not going to spend a half hour saying I told you so- not the whole half hour – but we are going to talk about the demise of iTunes, how we got here and what it might mean. Grab a beverage and listen up! As always, rea…

This week the Scharff Brother’s ask you the question “What’s your Value ADD?” In an in-depth exploration of a different angle on the age old question “Why do I care about your little band?” There will be many helpful hints and some personal, self-deprecating factoids. While honoring their mission to bring you the REAL talk about the industry, the b…

This week the on the M3 podcast the boys discuss life’s only true constant… CHANGE! By the time you read this, who knows how many of the things discussed on this episode may have already changed! So grab a beverage and tune in before its all totally passed you by!!! As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments, questions, o…

This week the M3 podcast, the boys take the time to begin a discussion on the importance of diligently monitoring your Mental Health. Sadly, this is another topic that most industry professionals and participants either turn a blind eye to or simply don’t want to acknowledge as an elementally critical topic! Never ones to shy away from the difficul…

This week the Scharff Brother’s bring back Head of A&R for Rough Trade Publishing A.J. Tobey to break down the ins and out of the music industry “happening” we call South By Southwest! As a 15 year professional attendee, A.J. has tremendous insight into this storied industry gathering. Interested in how it works? Has it changed at all over the last…

This week on the M3 podcast is our man Rich Redmond! Many of you will know him as the high energy, brilliant drummer for country Super Star Jason Aldean! He is also a highly coveted session drummer, motivational speaker, author, actor and teacher! Lean in to this episode as Rich breaks down his secrets to success! Links for loads of Rich’s various …

Ladies and gentlemen the first repeat guest, Sr. Director, Artist Relations, Marketing and PR for Round Hill Music... AMY BIRNBAUM! This weeks’ show will focus on songwriting, co-writing, and the role of a good publishing director and company! Ms. Birnbaum discusses at length the ins and outs, the how and why, the do’s and don’ts for her most succe…

This week the Scharff Brothers chat about the correlation between success and the ability to set strong boundaries. It all begins with understanding that boundaries are simply a Delineation of Limitation! Wait... What??? Guess you’re gonna have to Listen in as the boys break it down to understand this one Brothers and Sisters!!! As always, reach ou…

On this weeks podcast the boys implore you not to implode your career by talking smack about your fellow artists! It might give your ego a temporary boost, but it won’t make you feel better long term... and it’s not who you want to be! Push play to join Adam and Michael while they break down this often-ignored bit of truth telling! As always, reach…

This week on the M3 podcast, Adam and Michael discuss the importance of valuing the Dream that started you on this crazy musical path! The boys break down the difference between ignoring the naysayers and paying attention to constructive criticism. Having a Realistic approach and letting Reality take the wind out of your creative sails are two tota…

Crowd funding has become an integral part of the DIY and Independent music industry. This week on the M3 podcast, the Scharff Brothers dissect the practice and how to maximize its efficacy! As, Adam and Michael will tell you, it ain’t as simple as knocking on someone’s door and shouting, “Trick or Treat!!!” So, kick back or kick up and listen while…

This week on the M3 podcast the Scharff Brothers discuss the difference between being self-focused and self-centered. Hint - the Big difference is that one of these characteristics will keep you career-centered and motivated, while the other tends to make you a Dick. Listen in while the Boys break it down and explain how the good one will give you …

The Scharff Brothers were fortunate enough to bring to the podcast Songwriter, American Idol/ America’s Got Talent producer, Career Coach and Industry insider, Lindsay Rush! She has literally done it all... or at least most of it! The boys spend the hour chatting with her about songwriting, opening for Lisa Loeb, touring with Pat Benatar, working o…

On this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the boys talk about a very common issue, being overwhelmed! Most artists feel overwhelmed much of the time at the sheer volume of work involved in spearheading a successful career.... Practicing, lessons, booking, marketing, gigging, socials, making money .... ahhhhhhhh! Overwhelming!!! Breathe! …

It sure does seem like no one in the music industry asks this incredibly important question very often. Yet, it is one of the most crucial starting points in every phase and at every stage in an artist’s career! It’s why Adam and Michael spend a very “quick” 50 minutes scratching the surface of this much ignored topic! So, if you’re about to take a…

This week on Mentoring for the Modern Musician, Adam and Michael jump into the artist development weeds, and machete them into neat little easy to carry bundles! What are some of the foundational truths needed to execute a successful career development path? What types of questions should an artist be asking themselves about their music? When is it…

On this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician Adam and Michael sit down for an in-depth conversation with Circa, founder of indepreneur.io , Creative Juice podcast, and Full Stack Creative! Circa and the boys discuss everything from music marketing to the eventual Robot Invasion... and all topics in between! So, plug in and enjoy an incredib…

In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician, Adam and Michael tackle the often-illusive topic of personal/band Image. Why does it matter? How is it determined? Is it permanent? The boys sort through the noise and give some immediate, actionable and positive spin answers on the subject! What’s YOUR image saying? Listen in to this weeks show…

On this week’s episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the boys walk through some of the various ways you can immediately increase your income from music! So, settle in with a note taking apparatus and follow along as Adam and Michael unearth some of the quick ways you may have forgotten or didn’t know about to make $$$ today just as a musicia…

Happy New Year M3 listeners! The boys decided to start 2019 off by breaking down the much advised but rarely described art of Networking! What is it? How is it done? Why it’s important! Grab a delicious beverage and dive in while Adam and Michael expose this hidden gem of career development and maintenance! As always, reach out to us with suggestio…

Happy New year M3 listeners! On this last episode of the year, instead of a wrap up of the 2018 year in music, the boys take the opportunity to chat about a 2019 RAMP UP strategy! The beginning of a new year is a fantastic time to start new habits, ignite new sparks of creative energy and set about incorporating those new positive steps for your ca…

In this Episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the boys are beyond excited to sit down and chat with JAIME CEPERO! Jaime swiftly became a fan favorite for his portrayal of Ellis Boyd, the prickly assistant with an all-about-eve-streak, on NBC’s musical drama SMASH from executive producer Steven Spielberg. Other film and television credits inc…

In this Episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician Adam tells Michael about how he tried to buy a sweatshirt from one of his favorite bands. Find out what happened and why it matters!!! Kwanza is December 26- January 1st this year ✌🏼😎 As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments, questions, or just to say hello! Head over…

This week on Mentoring for the Modern Musician Adam and Michael pull no punches as they attempt to dispel the enormous societal myth that “You can have it all!” Most people, especially those in the arts, won’t broach this subject... It’s major taboo!!! There’s a palpable reticence to discuss the reality that sacrifice is necessary for a successful …

In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the Brothers break ground on the untouched subject of daily structure and its consequential significance in a successful career! Feeling overwhelmed? Uninspired? Unmotivated? There are so many tasks to attend to, but you can’t figure out what to tackle first. Should you just give up? NO! Get thee…

Happy Holidays! This first annual extravaganza is all about Christmas music! The boys discuss the continuous annual value associated with being the writer of an even moderately successful Christmas song! It’s never too early or too late to pen a song celebrating the season! So grab some Nog and snuggle up by the Yuletide fire while Adam and Michael…

In the episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the boys dissect the concept of the old adage, “You are a reflection of the 5 people you spend the most time with!” Their conclusion? Choose your friends wisely!!! Come hang out with Adam and Michael while they discuss the consequences of your “crew” on your life and career. Is the result positive…

In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the boys enjoy a very cool in-depth industry chat with Manager extraordinaire Geoff Harrison from Scary Monsters Management. How did he get into the business? What has changed in the industry over the last decade? Do you want or need a major label deal? What does a manager actually do? What does …

This week on Mentoring for the Modern Musician the Scharff Brothers discuss the difference between musical/artistic influences and inspiration. While the two concepts may often overlap, most often they tickle the creative senses in very distinctive ways. Neither is more or less important, and both serve a crucial part of an artists’ developmental p…

In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the boys break down the importance of continued focus and attention to detail required for a successful career in the modern music industry. There is no “cruise control” button for your career! There will always be a task at hand that needs to be attended to - by YOU! Even when you land a big-tim…

In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician Adam and Michael reflect on the importance of good mentoring relationships when solid career advice is needed! It’s important to have people around you who won’t just agree. Looking for advisors who see a bigger picture than you are able to and can guide you to a positive growth mindset will alwa…

In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the Scharff brothers talk with Brian Penick, Chief of Business Development for Soundstr! The aim of this innovative company is to revolutionize the way General Licensing and royalty fees are paid out to PRO’s (Performance Right Organizations) and the artists/songwriters they represent. The boys r…

On this week’s episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the boys chat it up with CEO of VNUE,Inc Zach Bair! Zach and his companies have been on the technological cutting edge in the music industry since way back in the early 2000s. Vnue is the parent company of Set.fm and Disclive , two user friendly methods designed to help artists record and …

On this week’s show, Adam and Michael sit down with the Man who signed Metallica!!! That’s right! The boys chat it up from the Berklee campus with legendary A&R man Michael Alago!!! Yeah that's right, there is a Netflix documentary about him called "Who the F**k is that Guy! The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago" out NOW!!!! Go watch it after this …

In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician Michael and Adam tackle the subject of Authenticity, and the fact that is subjective! There isn’t one kind of authentic artist. David Bowie and Johnny Cash were both real. Ryan Adams and Sia are both being who they are. You don’t have to wear a baseball hat just because it works out so well for N…