Monthly Call In guest Michael Drexler - “BMI For Sale! - Best Case and Worst Case, Why an acquisition could actually benefit artists and writers” Michael Drexler is Principal at Drexler Research. Previously lead teams at: 1. Sony Music Entertainment ·- Senior Director, Business Development, Corporate Development & Strategy 2. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) - Executive Director, Business Development, Digital Licensing & Strategy 3. Warner Music Group - Vice President, Digital Strategy & Corporate Development (M&A)

In this episode of Hacking Music we delve into the intricacies of live music performance and stage production, offering listeners a unique blend of training, interviews, and actionable insights from the music industry's best. The episode features an in-depth conversation with Ken Gay, an expert in staging experiences for top artists like Dolly Parton, Madonna, Jay Z, The Gaithers, Pantera, Super Bowl Halftime shows, CeeLo Green, Lauryn Hill, Creed many others, spanning over 20 years. Ken shares his journey from Texas to becoming a pivotal figure in live performances, his philosophy of 'seeing music,' and the importance of balancing emotional, physical, and logical elements to craft engaging shows. Through stories and examples, including innovative stage designs like Jay Z's butter sculpture and unique tactics to break audience belief for unforgettable performances, this episode unveils the 'action plus belief equals consequence' formula, emphasizing the significance of understanding the 'why' to make the 'how' easier in creating memorable music experiences.