Sarah sits down with Samantha Cox, Vice President of Creative at BMI New York, to explore the vital role BMI plays in supporting songwriters and artists as well as her take on how women are reshaping the music industry.

Sam's journey from small-town Texas to becoming an influential figure in the industry serves as both inspiration and masterclass. With remarkable candor, she shares the moment she discovered a teenage Stephanie Germanotta—soon to become Lady Gaga—and instantly recognized the creative force that would soon captivate the world. "I fell in love instantly," Sam recalls, describing how she watched Gaga transform from an unknown performer on BMI's Lollapalooza stage to returning years later as a global superstar.

Beyond the star-spotting stories, Sam delivers invaluable wisdom for songwriters navigating their careers. Her insights on collaboration, protecting creative work, and leveraging performance rights organizations reveal pathways through the industry that many creators never discover until it's too late. "If someone says you don't need a lawyer, don't work with that person," she warns, providing the kind of straightforward advice that can save careers.

What makes this conversation truly special is the window it provides into BMI's multifaceted support system for artists. From creating networking opportunities through their innovative "Speed Dating for Songwriters" program to serving as advisors, connectors, and advocates, Sam illuminates how performance rights organizations function as much more than just royalty collectors.

Whether you're a songwriter looking to understand your rights, an industry professional seeking deeper insights, or simply curious about how the music business really works, this episode delivers rare, honest perspective from someone who's helped shape countless careers. Listen now and discover why Sam Cox is the music industry powerhouse everyone wants in their corner.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share.

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email:

shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'.

What does it take to discover Jeff Buckley when your boss says "he has no charisma"? How do you stand up to Tommy Mottola when he tries to intimidate you with an East River "walk and talk"? And what happens when Madonna becomes your roommate and starts throwing out all your "unhealthy" food? Kate Hyman knows.

As one of the first female A&R executives at major labels, Kate has shaped music history through her work with the Flaming Lips, Moby, the Cranberries, Aimee Mann, and countless others. In this riveting conversation, she pulls back the curtain on the music industry's male power structure and how she navigated it with unflinching honesty.<

Kate's journey from archaeology student to A&R powerhouse wasn't planned. Growing up partly in England with a father who ran a major film studio, she found emotional salvation in music—especially darker, lyrical artists like Leonard Cohen and Neil Young. After being fired as a receptionist who couldn't type, she was surprisingly rehired for A&R when executives noticed she was always listening to exciting new music no one else had discovered.

Her talent-spotting approach is refreshingly pure in today's data-driven world: "I would put something on, and either the hair on my arms would stand up and I'd get this incredible feeling in my stomach and heart—and that was that." This instinct-first methodology led her to champion artists others dismissed, including turning down major label opportunities when executives couldn't see an artist's potential.

Through her Big Ears Music Consultancy, Kate now helps artists navigate the industry independently, providing the kind of hands-on development that's vanished from major labels. "There's no A&R left at labels—just researchers," she observes. "These young artists really want help with their songs, with making them better, with finding the right producer."

Listen in for candid stories about living with Madonna ("the worst roommate"), knocking on Marianne Faithfull's door to land a job, and why the music industry's gender dynamics remain challenging despite progress. Kate's unforgettable insights will change how you hear music and understand the creative forces that bring it to life.

https://www.bigearsmusicconsultancy.com

https://www.instagram.com/kate.hyman1

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share.

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email:

shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'.

What happens when you stop hiding what makes you different and instead turn it into your superpower? Meet Lachi, a chart-topping recording artist and fierce advocate who's revolutionizing how the music industry approaches disability inclusion.

Born legally blind, she spent years concealing her disability until a pivotal missed opportunity with an A&R executive changed everything. Embracing her blind identity – bejeweled cane and all – she discovered authenticity wasn't just liberating; it was magnetic.

This revelation led her to found RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disability), an organization transforming how the industry approaches disability. Her advocacy reaches the highest levels – from creating a Disability and Inclusion Task Force at the Recording Academy to launching Glam Canes, and becoming such a regular guest at the Biden White House that she “knew how to roam the halls.”

Lachi reframes disability not as limitation but as strength: "Disability is humanity." Whether you're a music industry professional or someone seeking inspiration, her story proves that when you refuse to compromise who you are, you create spaces where everyone can thrive.

www.lachimusic.com

www.rampd.oeg

www.glamcanes.com

www.instagram com/lachimusic

https://open.spotify.com/artist/07D2qGlJUOVf83OM5ujJZD?si=aw9dVhQMTKqr5laeyJuE2A

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share.

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email:

shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'.