The music industry and the startup world run on the same model: both chase unicorns. The difference? Startups evolved — they built systems so ordinary founders could win without venture capital. Musicians never got that. In this episode, Kevin Crowder (musician, entrepreneur, founder of BusinessFlare® and Street Economics®) breaks down how to fix the system that keeps artists broke and cities stuck. Drawing from his own years playing clubs...
This conversation explores the failed Cirque du Soleil project at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach, highlighting the complex interplay of economic development, resident sentiment, and political dynamics. The discussion delves into the historical significance of the theater, the proposal from Cirque, the response from the nightclub industry, and the eventual withdrawal of Cirque's proposal due to intense political pressure and community...
What if "Hotel California" was recorded in your city? What if "Saturday Night Fever" and "Rumours" were made on your main street? Would you even know it? And more importantly, would you know what to do with it? This isn't a hypothetical. For one city in South Florida, it's a reality. In this episode, we do a deep dive into North Miami, a city with a hidden history as a global music powerhouse. It's home to Criteria Studios, an "unfair...
How military service, music, and place shape identity — a personal look at the “soundtrack of service” and what it teaches us about making meaningful places. In this first episode of the new “Sounds of Service” series, Kevin Crowder shares his military-era soundtrack (from Dvořák to Hank Williams Jr. and Jimmy Buffett) and asks what lessons those songs hold for placemaking. Join Kevin as he walks through basic training, Monterey,...
Today, we dive deep into what might be the most important business lesson of the decade, disguised as a Japanese metal band. This is the story of how three schoolgirls created a $100 million market that didn't exist, and what their journey teaches us about fearless innovation, market creation, and never apologizing for being authentically different. We explore the BABYMETAL Innovation Framework, highlighting the power of authentic innovation,...
Today, we explore what might be the ultimate lesson in economic development, disguised as a simple song about a guy on his front porch swing. Jimmy Buffett didn't just write music; he mastered the art of creating places people want to be, and he did it with a place that didn't even exist. We dissect how a fictional paradise, "Margaritaville," became a billion-dollar economic empire by generating a powerful emotional connection that came long...
In this exploration, we look at one of the most powerful but underestimated economic forces in the world: music tribes. Not every passionate fanbase is a tribe, and the distinction matters. A tribe creates a sustainable economic ecosystem that regular fandom simply cannot replicate. From the Grateful Dead's Deadheads to Taylor Swift's Swifties, we delve into how these passionate communities create billions in economic value, foster genuine...
Creating for Ourselves In this first exploration, we look at the powerful role music plays in shaping economies and introduce the core mission of The Music Cities. We reject the "pie-in-the-sky, academic preachy planning" and instead focus on the real convergence of music and economic development. This isn't about how to run a festival; it's about finding the "unfair advantages" and hidden economic infrastructure that music creates. We delve...
Nashville is moving ahead with plans for an underground Boring Company “Music City Loop” to connect its downtown venues. It is transportation infrastructure built with an eye toward reinforcing the city’s global music brand. Why this matters: Music Cities strategy is not just about putting on shows, it is about creating seamless experiences that drive spending, extend visits, and make the music ecosystem easier to access. Nashville keeps...
AMTRAK LAUNCHES GULF COAST ROUTE STARTING AUGUST 18 Amtrak's new Gulf Coast route connecting New Orleans to Mobile creates fascinating opportunities for music-based economic development that most communities will completely overlook. The route restoration doesn't just provide transportation; it creates a cultural corridor that could link music scenes, festivals, and tourism experiences across multiple communities along the Gulf Coast. New...
