From George Michael to Artist Advocacy — Sharon Tapper on the Music Industry

Send us Fan Mail Sharon Tapper's journey provides a masterclass in resilience, advocacy, and community-building that every music professional should hear. When Sharon told her parents she was postponing medical school to explore the music business, they never imagined this "gap year" would transform into a decades-long career spanning artist management, publishing, and advocacy. From working at London's legendary SARM Studios with Trevor Horn and George Michael to managing icons like The Cranberries and Meatloaf after a chance green card lottery win brought her to America, Sharon's path reveals how passion and persistence create opportunities in unexpected places. "You have to do the work," Sharon emphasizes throughout our conversation, dispelling myths about overnight success. Having witnessed firsthand what separates artists who achieve longevity from those who fade away, she offers no-nonsense advice for creators at every career stage. Her most urgent counsel? Build direct relationships with fans through email lists rather than surrendering your audience to social media platforms: "We spent the last 20 years driving our artists to social media, turning those companies into billion-dollar entities at the expense of the artists." As a leader at the Music Managers Forum US, Sharon champions creators' rights through initiatives like the American Music Fairness Act and the RAP Act while building vital community connections through regional chapters nationwide. These efforts continue the community-building work she pioneered with NYC3, which grew from six professionals around a table to nearly 500 members creating meaningful industry connections. Perhaps most powerful is Sharon's personal testament to resilience. After surviving a brain hemorrhage in 2007 that forced her to relearn basic skills, she re imagined her approach to work and life: "Health is fragile and you can't take it for granted." This perspective infuses her closing thoughts on embracing failure in an industry often obsessed with perfection: "That's how we learn." Join us for an inspiring conversation about building careers that last, advocating for change, and creating communities that nurture the next generation of music industry leaders. Subscribe now to hear more stories from the women shaping today's music landscape. https://www.mmfus.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sharonatapper/ Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share. Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'. Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry. https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/ https://www.sarahnagourney.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/ https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise Email: [email protected]