What It Really Takes to Survive Nashville’s Music Business | Erik Halbig

Guitarist, songwriter, producer, and real‑estate investor Erik Halbig joins Rich and Jim to talk Nashville showcase days, early Jason Aldean moments, writing number ones with the Wolfe Brothers, using AI tools like Suno, developing young artists, and building real passive income with rental properties. If you’re a working musician who cares about songs and your financial future, this one’s for you. Timed Highlights: 00:00:00 – Cold open: low‑cash demos, $40 a song, and early Nashville hustle 00:06:10 – What Erik looks for in drummers: alpha energy, loud count‑offs, strong transients 00:15:30 – 90s/00s Nashville: 12th & Porter, Third & Lindsley, showcases, and Jason Aldean’s big break 00:27:45 – Writing wins: Wolfe Brothers number ones and why helping others pays off 00:39:20 – Side hustles: teaching for decades, guitar books, and “rock and roll real estate” 00:50:05 – AI and Suno: how AI demos are killing old‑school demos but creating new studio work 01:01:40 – Producing new artists: getting a “second meeting” and building a brand, not just tracks 01:11:10 – Real estate playbook: condos, tax hikes, equity, and planning a musician’s retirement Links & Socials Mentioned   Erik’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erikhalbig   The Rich Redmond Show: https://therichredmondshow.transistor.fm/   Podcast production studio: https://itsyourshow.co   Drum intensive with Rich Redmond: https://drumtensive.com