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.