Do we live in a digital world that is reverting back to physical? Or do we live in a physical world that is becoming more digital. Regardless of how you interpret this bifurcation, this episode will address two very different vantage points to the same question - how do you build lasting value for artists as the industry swings from physical to digital and back again? One comes from the manufacturing and distribution side, the other from the strategy and advocacy side.

Bryan Calhoun is a 30-year music industry veteran whose career spans A&R at Relativity Records, digital strategy for artists like Kanye West and Drake at The Blueprint Group, and leadership roles at SoundExchange. He's also a dedicated artist advocate, having created the widely-used Music Business Toolbox and built a client roster that currently includes The Roots and Jill Scott.

Tony van Veen has spent nearly four decades transforming Disc Makers from a small regional pressing plant into the country's leading physical media manufacturer for independent artists. Along the way he led its acquisition of CD Baby, orchestrated a $235M sale of the digital businesses to Downtown Music, and now runs parent company DIY Media Group as vinyl and physical media enjoy an unexpected comeback.

This promises to be a very informative and entertaining discussion that will be the best hour of your week. Check it out!

The Smartest People In The Room® is a series of one-on-one conversations between music industry executives and personalities hosted by Tom Truitt, Managing Director of the Music & Live Entertainment practice. These hour long conversations draw an audience of hundreds and feature every type of global music industry executive, including agents, managers, attorneys, business managers, promoters, publishers, working musicians, songwriters. The audience is global, with strong concentration in music business centers like New York City, Los Angeles, Nashville, London, Toronto, San Francisco, Austin and more.