Today we’d like to introduce you to John Heithaus.
Hi John, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Relocated to Nashville in 2013 for a second career in the music business. Started an experiential event management company as well as a independent record label. Based in Franklin been involved in artist development, production, songwriting, recording marketing promotion working to learn the whole streaming universe and the complexities of the modern music business.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Running an independent record label in today’s environment is challenging at best. The music business has shifted from analog to digital and streaming plays a major role in how music fans learn about new music, support artists they follow and, in general, how they “consume” music. We’ve learned to adapt to the new reality and our label’s artists actively tour to reach fans around the globe. Touring is expensive and, also, not without it’s challenges to get fans to buy tickets and merchandise given the many choices they have today. Qualified Records’ “secret sauce” to survive and thrive is a unique artist-first philosophy where our artists are more like business partners than they are with a traditional label. We find that the old adage applies: “people support what they build” so our artists are “all in” when it comes to social media promotion, touring as referenced before and working their fan bases to grow.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Qualified Records is an artist-focused independent label built around one simple idea: great music deserves thoughtful, experienced support. We specialize in blues, Americana, roots, and soul-driven music, working closely with artists on recording, production, release strategy, radio promotion, publicity, and long-term career development. The label is co-owned by my business parter, the multi-Grammy-winning producer and musician Kevin McKendree, and that deep musical experience shapes everything we do.
What I’m most proud of is the trust we have built with our artists. We are not interested in chasing trends or forcing musicians into a formula. We help them make records that sound like themselves, then give those records the best possible chance to be heard. What sets Qualified Records apart is that we combine creative credibility with practical industry experience. We understand the music, the business, and the patience it takes to build a meaningful career.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Interesting question! This is my third record label experience, so I had a working idea of course on what to do and how to do it. I’d advise an newcomer to think hard about how to differentiate their offering because it’s very easy these days to put releases out, Recent stats show that about 106,000 new tracks are released to streaming platforms each day—roughly 74 songs every minute. That figure covers Spotify and other major services, not Spotify alone. So standing out is “job #1” even with artists that have loyal fan bases. When we started this label, we hadn’t fully learned about sync licensing and the important role it plays in monetizing the master recordings we own. We’re now focused on that and working to grow that side of the business.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://qualifiedrecords.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/qualifiedrecordsnashville
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qualifiedrecords
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH5MqGqOsoiLgQNgD6wXQCA
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-79419451
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ve0uS3U2Kcv7BKeHXLlmu
