Inside the Modern Music Industry: Lessons from Legendary Manager Scott Welch
Building Careers, Breaking Myths: A Conversation with Scott Welch
In a recent episode of The Business Side of Music, host Sarah Fleschner sat down with one of the most respected voices in artist management and music tech: Scott Welch. With a career that includes managing Paula Abdul, Alanis Morissette, Collective Soul, and partnering with acts like Green Day and Earth, Wind & Fire, Scott brings decades of hard-earned insight to the table.
What followed was an honest, unfiltered look at where the music industry stands today — and what artists and managers really need to know.
From T-Shirt Trucks to Superstar Management
Scott’s entry into music wasn’t glamorous.
He started by driving the t-shirt truck, then moved into:
Live sound
Production
Tour management
Artist management
His “learn every job” path eventually led him to work with some of the biggest names in music. Today, he’s out of traditional management — and not shy about explaining why.
“I just don’t have the patience anymore. The business is so hard to break an act, and too many artists spend more time on social media than learning their craft.”
What’s Changed in the Industry — and What Hasn’t
The Biggest Changes
According to Scott, today’s music business looks nothing like it did when he started:
Labels and streaming platforms take more than ever
Touring is profitable, but artists lose money to secondary ticket markets
Social media metrics are overvalued
Artists release music faster but focus less on musicianship
And most importantly:
“Artists don’t make any money from records anymore. That’s the biggest change.”
What Still Matters
Despite the chaos, the fundamentals remain:
“You still have to have talent. And you have to stand out. The worst thing is an artist nobody loves or hates.”
Being unforgettable is still the only way forward.
Why Young Managers Struggle Today
Scott’s answer is blunt:
It takes longer than anyone thinks.
Building a real career is a 5–10 year process — and often not profitable at first. The biggest mistake new managers make is lacking patience and expecting a fast return.
Why Scott Now Invests in Tech
These days, Scott is fully invested (literally) in music and sports tech startups. Some of the companies he’s involved with include:
Single
A Shopify-based platform that lets artists sell digital products and — most importantly — own their fan data.
Giggs
A hiring platform (like Indeed) for the live-events industry. Ideal for tours, festivals, and production crews.
A to Z Sports
A rapidly growing digital media outlet covering major NFL and college teams.
Scott sees a difference in mindset between musicians and founders:
“Entrepreneurs work harder. They don’t have a plan B. Their money is on the line.”
The Tech That Will Actually Help Artists
Scott and Sarah agree that meaningful tech in today’s industry comes down to one thing:
Direct-to-fan relationships.
Owning your audience.
Owning your data.
Owning your revenue.
Social media is a tool — not a home.
As Sarah puts it:
“Don’t build your career on rented space. You need connection outside of social platforms.”
Scott adds:
“Use social media as bait. Bring fans into your world. Then you control the relationship.”
If Scott Were Managing an Artist in 2025…
He lays out a plan that’s simple, old-school, and 100% effective:
1. Be great live.
If you can’t win a room, you’ll never build a career.
2. Tour relentlessly.
10 people this time.
15 people next time.
Repeat.
3. Release a new song every 60 days.
If it hits, push it. If not, move on.
4. Build connection off-platform.
Email lists, fan clubs, SMS — owned channels.
The Most Misunderstood Part of Artist Growth
It’s not social media.
It’s not going viral.
It’s not playlisting.
It’s time.
“The industry doesn’t know how to start a fire and then pour gasoline on it. And nobody wants to take responsibility.”
Success isn’t formulaic — it’s individualized per artist.
Scott’s Best Advice for Artists and Managers
His final message is surprisingly simple:
Build a network of mentors.
“Most people will say yes to coffee if you come prepared. People will help you — but you have to show up.”
Sarah and Scott met the same way.
A Final Word for Fans
Scott closes with something every fan needs to hear:
“Find the artists you love and support them. Most artists would do this on a street corner if there was no business. It’s who they are.”
And those are the artists worth investing in.
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