In this enlightening episode of Transformational Thinkers, host Sara Sheehan sits down with Brad Stewart, the visionary founder of Music Mogul AI and CEO of Stewart Entertainment Agency, to unpack why the traditional music industry business model is fundamentally broken and how technology is creating a more efficient, artist-first future.
Throughout our conversation, we touched on the essence of transformational leadership and the importance of efficiently nurturing personal relationships within the music business. Brad emphasizes that while technology like Music Mogul AI can streamline processes, the human element remains indispensable. He shares how his platform not only provides tools for efficiency but also offers mentorship and consulting services, ensuring artists are well-equipped to navigate their careers.
With over 20 years inside the music industry, Brad explains how streaming economics, agency structures that are becoming outdated, and some fragmented systems have eroded artist revenue streams while increasing workload and burnout. He shares firsthand insights into the issues that plague artist management, booking, and marketing, and why the advice on simply “working harder” is no longer a viable strategy for independent artists trying to build sustainable careers.
Brad and Sara discuss Music Mogul AI, a groundbreaking software solution that revolutionizes how artists manage their bookings, marketing, and overall business operations. This innovative platform is not just about automation; it’s about empowering artists to become efficient, reclaiming their time, and optimizing their revenue streams. Brad’s insights into the economic challenges of the music industry highlight the critical role of data-driven decision-making in today’s landscape, making this episode a must-listen for anyone invested in business transformation. Built specifically for independent artists, bands, DJs, and agencies, the platform uses efficient AI agents to handle repetitive administrative work, streamlining touring and promotions, surfacing actionable data insights, and dramatically improving time-to-revenue. The result brings forward greater clarity and control, and long-term career management for creators navigating a fast-changing music industry.
Whether you’re an artist, manager, label executive, or business leader interested in how AI in the music industry is driving real-world transformation, this conversation offers a clear, data-driven look at where music industry technology is heading, and how early adopters can gain a lasting advantage.
About Brad Stewart:
With nearly 2 decades of experience in booking international touring acts, Stewart has worked with many amazing talents, such as icons Leon Russell and Ten Years After; blues giants Bobby Blue Bland and Walter Trout; jam scene heroes like Marc Ford (former lead guitarist of the Black Crowes), The Heavy Pets, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Monophonics, and the Honey Island Swamp Band.
Along the way, Stewart earned a reputation as a professional with integrity, a strong work ethic, and the vision to promote a positive evolution of change in booking operations. Since Brad started as a hard-core music fan, the very foundation of Stewart Entertainment is based on his empathy for artists and his assistance for them to flourish. He was exposed to all types of roots and rock music while growing up in Mississippi and understood early on that music exerts a strong gravitational pull.
Armed with a degree in marketing, he moved to Charlotte, NC, scouring the landscape for a music business position that would allow him to work with and for artists in a meaningful way. He found that at Intrepid Artists. “I took on a lot of responsibility very quickly, handling booking for a large roster of artists in the northeast United States and Canada. Ultimately, he became steeped in every aspect of the business. Nashville’s burgeoning music scene dictated Stewart’s move from Charlotte and made Music City the perfect home for Stewart Entertainment, LLC. “I see a tremendous opportunity today for artists who have trustworthy human resources in place.”
Chapters:
00:00:02 Why the Music Industry Is Broken
00:00:56 Streaming Economics and Artist Leverage
00:04:52 Challenging the Traditional Agency Model
00:06:12 The True Unit Economics of Music
00:07:13 Burnout and the Talent Drain
00:09:20 Music Mogul AI and Time to Revenue
00:11:59 Who Music Mogul AI Serves
00:14:01 AI Agents for Booking and Marketing
00:22:03 The Management Agent and Business Planning
00:29:56 Turning Creative Data Into Signal
00:32:42 Focused Product Strategy and Tradeoffs
00:37:01 The Future of Music, AI, and Scale
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Contact Sara Sheehan | Sara Sheehan Consulting:
Contact Brad Stewart | Music Mogul AI | Stewart Entertainment Agency:
- Brad Stewart personal site: BradStewart.site
- Stewart Entertainment Agency: StewartEntertainment.net
- Music Mogul AI: MusicMogulAI.com
- LinkedIn: Music-Mogul-AI
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