The Music Industry is About Money, Not Talent – Rock Talk Podcast Host Sommer Sharon

In 2011 Sommer Sharon started a Facebook page and Twitter account for a music promotions project. It was a project born of sheer interest, but things started to get interesting when Joe Satriani followed her Twitter account. Satriani was her fourth follower. Her interest suddenly became a business. Musicians and music industry pros started to take notice of her work. This lead to the development of a great music network that included bands and solo artists from around the globe, publicists, magazine owners, radio hosts, and promoters. Among those who took notice was Screamer Magazine, which lead to a writing gig, and new acquaintances in music. Before she knew it, Sommer was booking a weekly concert series, festivals, shows all over the midwest, and entertainment for Harley Davidson events. Sommer has since become host/creator of the Rock Talk Podcast. The podcast has become a platform where she's leveraging her digital marketing expertise and music journalism experience to champion women in the music industry and arts. Our conversation also digs into the state of Rock Talk the podcast, Sommer's interest and work in music, technology, and women's advocacy. "The industry is about money, not talent." I believe it was Sommer who recently said to me, "The industry is about money, not talent." Although she wouldn't be the first to make this observation, we got a kick out of discussing it. It's a sentiment that we tend to agree with on many levels. When I asked her to talk about the beginnings of her music interest, she shares a childhood story involving a 3rd grade girl with crazy hair, a Care Bears radio, and an Iron Maiden cassette. It's a story that provided inspiration for the intro of her Rock Talk Podcast. Hear the full story in this episode. SHOW NOTES Tom Tom Magazine Margo Z, Cover Artist of Van Halen's 1984 Jay Vigon, Artist Designer @chickenfootjoe Joe Satriani on Twitter  Screamer Magazine Bullet Boys Performer Magazine Revolver Magazine Royal Bliss The Brassy Broadcast with Jen Edds Greg Marra Iconoclast Music Podcast Mira Goto Susan Rogers Lori Lee Love Your Story Lisa Leuschner Andersen Kid Andersen Sleigh Consulting Libsyn podcast hosting Rock Talk Podcast Facebook Page Rock Talk Podcast on Instagram Rock Talk on Apple Podcasts RESOURCES FOR MUSICIANS The Unstarving Musician's Guide to Getting Paid Gigs ConvertKit – Awesome email marketing solution, something every musician needs! DreamHost – Been using this web hosting service forever. Love them, trust them! More resources – Deals on musician resources.