Music Business with Ron Thaler

Get a comprehensive, real-world education in the music industry with Music Business with Ron Thaler, a deep-dive course taught by award-winning producer, musician, and business strategist Ron Thaler. Whether you’re an artist, songwriter, producer, manager, or entrepreneur, this course gives you the knowledge and tools to navigate the music business with clarity, confidence, and strategy. From historical context to modern contract law, sync licensing, touring economics, and distribution, Ron lays out the foundations and finer points of how the business truly works.

The course opens with a concise history of the music industry, comparing the shifts from the 1400s through the digital era, giving you essential perspective on how the industry evolved—and where it’s going. You’ll then explore the economics of music, learning the roles of Performing Rights Organizations (PROs), and the key differences between copyright, master, and publishing rights. Ron breaks down how income is generated and distributed across the creative and business pipeline.

From there, you’ll get a full breakdown of contracts and agreements—including artist, songwriter, publisher, label, and producer deals—followed by an in-depth look at marketing, branding, sync licensing, and the strategic use of optics in artist development. The course concludes with the business mechanics behind touring, recording, and releasing music, empowering you with actionable insights whether you’re DIY or part of a growing team. Ron’s experience and straightforward teaching style make this course a must for anyone serious about building a sustainable career in music.