Rick Barker

I sit down with former Taylor Swift manager and all around good-doer Rick Barker: In Rick's words: I am the President and CEO of the Music Industry Blueprint in Nashville, TN. I’m a manager, entrepreneur, author, and consultant focusing on the recent changes in the music business. By sharing my experience and insider tips, I help my clients understand the music business and fast-track their steps to success. While those things describe my business life, the titles that I love the most are the ones that describe my personal life: Sober, Christian, Husband, and Father. I grew up in Alabama and was raised by my mom. Growing up with very little in way of money and resources, I developed a work ethic and learned to hustle at the age of 12. By the age of 14, I was helping my mom financially support my brothers and sister. I was not a fan of the traditional education system. I found myself doing just enough to get by in the classes that didn’t interest me, yet excelling in those that did. At the age of 17, my life changed dramatically when I moved to California to live with my dad. I got involved with the wrong crowd and ended up quitting high school. Later, I found myself addicted to drugs and living homeless on the streets of LA. On April 4 1989, after battling a cocaine addiction, I got on my knees and prayed that God would let me die. Yet, God had other plans for me. These plans included sobriety, pursuing my dream of being on the radio, marrying my wife (Jill), having two great children (Brianna and Logan), and one day meeting and managing Taylor Swift. All of these trials and tribulations influenced me to become the man I am today. My motto is “Your Past Does Not Define Your Future” and I am living proof of that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices