Good Morning Music Is Ready to Take the Music Industry Into a Sensational Revolution
We are pleased to introduce you to Good Morning Music, a groundbreaking musical distribution company that is revolutionizing the way artists distribute their music. With its cutting-edge Smart Distribution platform, Good Morning Music is shaking up the industry by providing a comprehensive suite of services specifically tailored to the needs of independent artists.
What sets Good Morning Music apart is its dedication to bundling distribution, publishing admin, editorial pitching support, film/TV sync opportunities, Spotify Discovery Mode management, DSP optimization, and label services. By offering all these services under one roof, Good Morning Music is saving artists valuable time and money while helping them achieve their growth objectives at a rapid pace.
The company was founded by Rory Felton and Jeff Burningham, two individuals with a shared passion for music and a deep understanding of the industry. Rory previously ran a record company that was acquired by Sony Music, while Jeff brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience, having successfully launched several businesses over the years.
Their journey began when they joined forces out of their mutual admiration for a particular band. Recognizing the need for an all-inclusive approach tailored to the needs of independent artists, they decided to combine their expertise and create a platform that would empower musicians to reach new heights.
Rory's background in the music industry, coupled with his extensive experience running digital campaigns for renowned artists such as Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, Tim McGraw, Green Day, Ariana Grande, Lil Wayne, and more, provided him with valuable insights into the challenges faced by independent artists. It was this realization that motivated him and Jeff to create Good Morning Music, a solution that addresses the specific needs of musicians in a rapidly changing landscape.
Today, we're joined by Rory Felton, co-founder of Good Morning Music. This interview will explore the company's beginnings, its Smart Distribution system, Rory's own music industry journey, and more.
As the co-founder of Good Morning Music along with Jeff Burningham, could you tell us more about how the two of you initially met, and what inspired you both to come together and create Good Morning Music?
Jeff Burningham and I met over our mutual love and involvement with an artist several years ago. We instantly connected over our shared passion for music and our belief that the industry needed innovation to better serve the growing independent music community. Both of us had extensive backgrounds in different facets of music and business—Jeff from a tech and operations perspective, and me from running an indie label. We both saw the struggles artists faced with traditional music distribution and the lack of transparency and support. This shared vision and passion led us to co-found Good Morning Music, with the goal of revolutionizing how artists manage their businesses and automate their marketing.
Can you walk us through the process of building Good Morning Music from idea to fruition?
The journey from idea to fruition was both challenging and rewarding. We were focused on a different way to solve the main artist challenges and had to tweak our approach. We then assembled a talented team with expertise in music, technology, and artists themselves. Our next step was to develop a platform that was both powerful and user-friendly, incorporating features that would genuinely make a difference for artists based on our label experience. We launched Good Morning Music with a clear mission: to empower artists by providing them with the tools and revenue growth support they need to stay independent. Our service is constantly updated based on user feedback, every step was geared towards building a comprehensive and innovative music distribution service.
Can you elaborate on Good Morning Music's approach to music distribution and how it is bringing innovation to the music distribution space?
Good Morning Music’s approach to music distribution is centered on simplicity, transparency, and support. We call it smart distribution, an all-in-one platform that combines distribution, publishing administration, and marketing campaign management. Our unique features, such as automatic royalty splits, streaming analytics, and playlist pitching support, set us apart from traditional distribution methods. We’re committed to giving artists control over their music and earnings, providing them with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their careers. By automating these processes, we allow artists to focus on their creativity while we handle the complexities of distribution.
Good Morning Music is shaking things up with Smart Distribution. Can you explain how it streamlines the process for independent artists compared to traditional distribution methods?
Smart Distribution is one of our key innovations at Good Morning Music. It simplifies the entire distribution process, making it easier for independent artists to get ALL their royalties from music on all major streaming platforms. With features like automatic royalty splits, artists can effortlessly share earnings with collaborators. Our platform also offers real-time streaming analytics and financial insights, helping artists understand their audience and optimize their strategies. Compared to traditional methods, Smart Distribution reduces the administrative burden on artists, ensuring they spend more time making music and less time managing logistics.
Good Morning Music boasts impressive results with artists like Violent Vira and Drew Taylor. Can you share some success stories of independent artists who have used Good Morning's services to reach new heights in their careers?
We’ve had the pleasure of working with numerous talented artists who have seen significant growth in their careers using our services. For instance, Violent Vira leveraged our editorial playlist pitching support, automated Discovery Mode, and streaming analytics to boost her reach. Drew Taylor utilized our editorial playlist pitching support to land 10+ official playlists, leading to more strategic releases and increased earnings. These success stories are a testament to the effectiveness of our platform and our commitment to helping artists reach new heights.
As founders with extensive experience in the music industry, what do you see as the biggest challenges facing independent artists today, and how does Good Morning aim to address them through its services?
One of the biggest challenges independent artists face today is the sheer volume of music being released and the difficulty of standing out. Additionally, managing all aspects of their careers— from distribution to marketing—can be overwhelming. Good Morning Music addresses these challenges by offering a comprehensive suite of services that automate many of these processes and provide valuable insights. Our platform not only helps artists distribute their music efficiently but also provides tools for marketing, financial management, and audience engagement. By offering these resources, we aim to alleviate the pressures on independent artists and help them focus on their art.
Rory, your background includes running a successful indie label acquired by Sony. How did this experience inspire the creation of Good Morning Music?
Running a successful indie label whose records were acquired by Sony gave me firsthand experience of the challenges and opportunities within the music industry. This experience highlighted the need for a more artist-centric approach to music distribution. It inspired me to create a platform that prioritizes the needs of artists, offering them the support and tools they need to maintain control over their music and careers. Good Morning Music was born out of a desire to democratize the music industry and provide independent artists with the same opportunities and resources that major label artists enjoy.
Looking ahead, what are some exciting innovations Good Morning Music has planned to further empower independent artists?
Looking ahead, we have several exciting innovations in the pipeline. We’re developing more advanced analytics tools and direct-to-consumer tools to give artists deeper insights into their audience and more direct revenue streams. We’re also working on expanding our sync licensing and film/TV pitching services, opening up new revenue opportunities for our artists. Additionally, we plan to integrate more AI-driven features to further automate and streamline processes, making it even easier for artists to manage their careers. Our goal is to continually evolve and offer cutting-edge solutions that empower independent artists.
What advice would you give aspiring musicians considering partnering with a distribution and services platform like Good Morning Music?
For aspiring musicians considering partnering with a distribution and services platform like Good Morning Music, my advice is to do your research and choose a partner that aligns with your career goals. Look for a platform that offers comprehensive support and transparent services. Good Morning Music is designed to empower artists, providing the tools and resources needed to succeed independently. Take advantage of these services, stay dedicated to your craft, and don’t be afraid to innovate and adapt in this ever-changing industry.
