Twenty years before Taylor Swift would thank him at the 2007 CMA Awards, Rick Barker was a homeless drug addict sleeping on the streets of Los Angeles. His unlikely redemption and ascent to success came from the same driving force that brought him to L.A. in the first place, a mission that inspired him to dedicate a career to helping creatives.
Today, Rick Barker is an established radio veteran and the president and CEO of the Music Industry Blueprint in Nashville. Taking his 25 years of music industry experience, he moved into the online space and further expanded his reach. He wrote The $150,000 Music Degree, created online training sessions and, in February 2018, launched The Music Industry Blueprint Podcast. With more than 1,600 clients in a variety of music genres, Barker continues to coach music hopefuls and share his passion for his craft.