Music Executive Anthony Rhyne, a Grammy-nominated ghostwriter, clarifies false narratives about a music submission scam
We sat down with Anthony Rhyne to have a brief discussion about how he felt about all of the allegations. These are his thoughts:
The Music Industry Runs on Paying to Get Heard. As an aspiring musician, the reality is that if you want your music to be heard by more than just your friends and family, you’re going to have to pay for it. The music industry runs on a “pay-to-play” model, and it can be frustrating for up-and-coming artists who just want to focus on their craft. However, understanding why this model exists is key to navigating the music business successfully.
The simple fact is, there are a lot of costs involved in getting your music out there. From recording in a professional studio, to producing high-quality music videos, to getting your songs played on the radio — it all requires significant financial investment. And the people controlling those avenues of exposure, whether it’s record label executives, radio programmers, or music video directors, are not going to just hand you that exposure for free.
Think about it — a radio station has limited airtime, and they need to make money to stay in business. Why would they devote precious radio play to an unknown artist without that artist or their team paying a promotional fee? The same goes for music video directors or A&R reps at record labels. They are inundated with submissions from hopeful artists, and they need to prioritize the ones they believe will generate a return on their investment of time and resources.
So when you’re asked to pay a submission fee to get your music in front of industry professionals, it’s not a scam — it’s simply the way the business works. The alternative is to try to build a grassroots fanbase entirely on your own, which is an incredibly difficult and time-consuming path. Paying for promotion may feel burdensome, but it’s often a necessary evil if you want your music to have a chance of reaching a wider audience.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should blindly pay any fee that’s asked of you. Do your research, look for legitimate, reputable avenues for getting your music heard, and be wary of any shady “pay-to-play” schemes. But understand that in the world of commercial music, you’re going to have to open your wallet if you want to open ears to your art. It’s the harsh reality, but it’s one that all successful musicians have had to grapple with.
Also, Mr. Rhyne how do you feel about people trying to assassinate your character?
To be honest, I really don’t care. People only see things from their level of perspective and they have every right to. Most people mix business with their personal feelings and it causes them to miss out on opportunities in life. Also, some people wake up every day and operate with ill intentions and have secret vendettas against people that are doing better than them but that’s life. I also look at it like this. People try to destroy Jesus’ name and credibility. The world hated him so why would they not hate me? As I continue to embark upon my journey in the music business, I will prove myself to be one of the most credible names in the industry. Thank you for having me
Contact Anthony Rhyne:
Instagram: @anthonyrhynemusic
Anthony Rhyne’s client testimonials:
https://anthonyrhyne.com/what-my-clients-are-saying
