Ray Daniels Speaks His Truth on The Music Business!

In this episode of The Manager's Playbook, Ray Daniels - industry veteran, hitmaker, host of The GAUDS Show and founder of R.A.Y.D.A.R. Management - unpacks the real music business: the power plays, the pitfalls, and the personal lessons that shaped him.

From managing superstar songwriter Theron Thomas to being blackballed and building back, Ray takes us through the highs, lows, and everything in between. We talk about the rise of the DIY era, how data shifted the role of the A&R, and why artists and managers need to think like scientists and storytellers.

This episode isn’t just a history lesson. It’s a strategy session. Ray keeps it honest about major labels, equity in deals, mentorship, and the importance of staying authentic while evolving.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:15 Who is Ray Daniels?
02:02 The Reality of the Music Dream
04:08 Managing and Mentoring Talent
09:39 The Business of Music Splits
19:01 The Importance of Being Authentic
26:26 The Role of a Manager
32:23 The Importance of Consistency
34:22 Equity and Fairness in Record Deals
35:32 The Decline of Great Music Executives
44:29 The Importance of Storytelling in Music
46:09 Comparing Music Legends: Jay-Z vs. Bow Wow
57:13 The Influence of Kanye West
01:03:53 Debating Jay-Z vs. Kanye West
01:07:09 The Evolution of Superstars
01:25:25 Magic vs. Science in Music
01:31:26 Strategic Thinking in the Music Business
01:35:49 Reverse Engineering Success
01:39:08 Lessons from Movies
01:43:57 The Value of Authenticity
01:47:06 The Journey of Self-Discovery
02:01:49 Concluding Thoughts

The opinions shared by our guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or The Manager’s Playbook.

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Host: Mauricio Ruiz
Executive Producer: Mauricio Ruiz
Director of Photography: Will Dobak
On Location Sound: Jesse Lopez
Editor: Max Carmona & Madison Lair
Co-Editor: Mauricio Ruiz
Colourist: Max Carmona & Madison Lair
Sound Engineer: Madeline Currie
Project Manager: Erica Kongvongxay
Marketing Coordinator: Melanie Letra-Frade
Production Company: 8 Til Faint

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