Music’s Middle Class: The Reality, The Revolution

Event ID: PP1162540

Mon, Mar 16, 2026 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Venue: Capitol Ballroom FGH (Downright Austin)

View on Official SXSW

Summary

The music industry is often categorized by sensationalized classes of either rich superstars or "starving artists" – and we often miss an opportunity to talk about its middle class who have learned to create a living from the craft they love. So what does the redefining of success in music looks like? We'll take you inside real case studies for you to learn how to build a sustainable, balanced career without selling out or burning out. Whether you're an artist, producer, or songwriter, the "middle class" can be achieved by staying focused on something that's real rather than in the rearview.

Contributors

Raw Event JSON

Large nested arrays are compacted for page readability. Full payload remains in dataset files.

Open JSON payload
{
  "id": "PP1162540",
  "track": "Music",
  "focus_area": null,
  "category": "Panel",
  "event_id": "PP1162540",
  "event_type": "panel",
  "format": "Panel",
  "genre": null,
  "subgenre": null,
  "name": "Music’s Middle Class: The Reality, The Revolution",
  "presented_by": null,
  "publish_at": "2025-11-03T16:30:00.000-06:00",
  "reservable": true,
  "reservable_id": "PP1162540",
  "reserved": false,
  "date": "2026-03-16",
  "end_time": "2026-03-16T11:00:00.000-05:00",
  "start_time": "2026-03-16T10:00:00.000-05:00",
  "message": null,
  "image": null,
  "credentials": [
    {
      "name": "Music Badge",
      "type": "music"
    },
    {
      "name": "Platinum Badge",
      "type": "platinum"
    }
  ],
  "contributors": [
    {
      "id": 90932,
      "company": "Single Music",
      "credential_types": [
        "music"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2253548,
      "name": "Tommy Stalknecht",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "CEO",
      "image": {
        "alt_text": "Tommy Stalknecht",
        "credit": null,
        "url": "https://images.sxsw.com/iQNZqoxsYKHBupd7GHzOGufETNQ=/1217x0:4022x2805/600x600/images.sxsw.com/48/ec897767-f184-41a3-8f3f-c7ed10db5582/pcid-959568"
      },
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": "Tommy Stalknecht is the founder and CEO of Single, the direct to fan app for artists Shopify. With over 10 years of experience in the direct-to-consumer side of the music industry, Tommy has had the privilege of working with artists at all stages of career success.\r",
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    },
    {
      "id": 90931,
      "company": null,
      "credential_types": [
        "music"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2253547,
      "name": "Shoni Alleyne",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "Singer-Songwriter",
      "image": {
        "alt_text": "Shoni ",
        "credit": null,
        "url": "https://images.sxsw.com/i-ROKbS6fpm0QXJ_JwJgapgI2Do=/1673x129:3345x1801/600x600/images.sxsw.com/48/bb2a8ac8-73af-4dae-bd63-37e19e8b561d/pcid-1640075"
      },
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": "Blending elements of jazz, neo-soul, and R&B, New York-based singer-songwriter Shoni has been carving her own lane in R&B Soul music since her 2019 debut single “Good Vibes.” Her seductive soprano, emotionally rich songwriting, and commanding stage presence draw listeners into themes of healing, empowerment, and self-love.\n\nIn 2025, Shoni released her acclaimed EP Shades of Blues, a deeply personal, sonically lush project that earned a feature on Tidal Thursday and placement on Tidal’s Grown R&B playlist. The project also landed her a spot on the Recording Academy’s Grammy U November Mixtape, and she proudly served as a Music Advocate for the Recording Academy’s Music Advocacy Day, representing independent artists and women in music.\n\nShoni has also expanded her horizons into the world of audiobook narration, where she has lent her warm Southern American accent to several romance, self-help, urban fiction, and fiction novels. Her talent has earned her recognition in the music and audio industries, establishing her as a versatile, emerging star.\n\nAs a passionate creative since childhood, Shoni began singing at age five after being inspired by a Whitney Houston performance, and later studied jazz and classical music in college. Beyond her artistry, she’s a storyteller and entrepreneur, the owner of Soulfully Written Productions in New York City and the host of the Beauty & Soul Podcast, a platform empowering creatives to explore conversations around the “B-side of life, love, and business of music.”\n\nShoni’s artistry reflects resilience, womanhood, and authenticity, offering soulful soundscapes that remind listeners to feel deeply, love freely, and live intentionally.",
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    },
    {
      "id": 46611,
      "company": "24/7 Artists",
      "credential_types": [
        "music"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2198301,
      "name": "Yudu Gray Jr.",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "Co-Founder & Co-CEO",
      "image": {
        "alt_text": "Yudu Gray Jr.",
        "credit": null,
        "url": "https://images.sxsw.com/Wejm3S4YMW_cpWhWyJ8a775xurw=/600x600/images.sxsw.com/48/cbd75118-cbfd-2b92-86ca-3fa6e8eadb80/pcid-1279639"
      },
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": "Yudu Gray Jr. is a three-time GRAMMY-winning executive, experienced entrepreneur, and artist advocate focused on empowering creators globally by simplifying the business of music. As Co-Founder & Co-CEO of 24/7 Artists, he’s built a global community of over 25,000 creative professionals that foster innovation and gives all artists the confidence and tools to pursue their dreams.\n\n\nBefore 24/7 Artists, Yudu co-founded House Studios with his wife Davina Thomas where they contributed to the success of artists like Logic, Ari Lennox, Wale, and Mannywellz. Starting at just $800, they ultimately led the studio to an exit valuation of nearly $20 million.\n",
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    },
    {
      "id": 40785,
      "company": "Hart and Songs",
      "credential_types": [
        "music"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2077119,
      "name": "Jamie Dee Hart",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "Founder/CEO",
      "image": {
        "alt_text": "Jamie Dee Hart",
        "credit": null,
        "url": "https://images.sxsw.com/lOQOFVW7c5vc8TxsL3jt33RIYVE=/600x600/images.sxsw.com/48/3f29a515-0601-9f41-e12e-53885435c4b6/pcid-1182135"
      },
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": "Jamie Dee Hart is a music rights management advocate whose mission is to streamline the music industry’s metadata mess. She’s audited over 5,000 songs and recovered $1 million in unclaimed royalties for artists and labels. She’s the Founder of Hart & Songs – an artist and rights management firm helping artist teams behind the scenes bolster their backend rights processes, ensure proper registration practices, and implement effective metadata admin.",
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    }
  ],
  "venue": {
    "accessible": false,
    "age_policy": null,
    "floor": null,
    "id": "V2406",
    "indoor_outdoor": null,
    "name": "Capitol Ballroom FGH",
    "parent_id": "V2427",
    "parent_venue_name": "Downright Austin",
    "venue_entry_info": null,
    "formats": null,
    "location": {
      "address": "710 E. 10th St.",
      "lat_lon": [
        30.2698058,
        -97.7343172
      ],
      "city": "Austin",
      "postal_code": "78701",
      "state": "TX",
      "name": "Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard"
    },
    "root": {
      "accessible": null,
      "age_policy": null,
      "floor": null,
      "id": "V2427",
      "indoor_outdoor": null,
      "name": "Downright Austin",
      "parent_id": null,
      "parent_venue_name": null,
      "venue_entry_info": null,
      "formats": null
    },
    "events": "[omitted 5 venue events]"
  },
  "description": "The music industry is often categorized by sensationalized classes of either rich superstars or \"starving artists\" – and we often miss an opportunity to talk about its middle class who have learned to create a living from the craft they love. So what does the redefining of success in music looks like? We'll take you inside real case studies for you to learn how to build a sustainable, balanced career without selling out or burning out. Whether you're an artist, producer, or songwriter, the \"middle class\" can be achieved by staying focused on something that's real rather than in the rearview.",
  "experience_level": "Intermediate",
  "accessibility": [],
  "accessible_venue": false,
  "add_bcl_url": false,
  "add_slido": false,
  "age_policy": null,
  "american_sign_language": false,
  "apple_url": null,
  "audio_description": false,
  "caption_url": null,
  "closed_captioned": false,
  "cpe_credit": false,
  "has_subtitles": false,
  "hash_tags": [],
  "high_sensory_experience": false,
  "live": false,
  "long_description": "The music industry is often categorized by sensationalized classes of either rich superstars or \"starving artists\" – and we often miss an opportunity to talk about its middle class who have learned to create a living from the craft they love. So what does the redefining of success in music looks like? We'll take you inside real case studies for you to learn how to build a sustainable, balanced career without selling out or burning out. Whether you're an artist, producer, or songwriter, the \"middle class\" can be achieved by staying focused on something that's real rather than in the rearview.",
  "meeting_url": null,
  "meeting_url_live": false,
  "mentorly_url": null,
  "mobile_audio_url": null,
  "open_captioned": false,
  "playlist_tag": null,
  "rebroadcast": false,
  "recommended_ids": [],
  "search_conversions": null,
  "short_program": false,
  "slido_url": null,
  "sort": "MUSIC?S MIDDLE CLASS: THE REALITY, THE REVOLUTION",
  "source": "Official",
  "squad_up_url": null,
  "stream_embed": null,
  "stream_id": null,
  "stream_url": null,
  "strobe_warning": false,
  "subdiscipline": null,
  "summit": null,
  "summit_display_name": null,
  "tags": [],
  "talent_attending": null,
  "title_only": false,
  "track_display_name": "Music",
  "trailer_id": null,
  "trailer_url": null,
  "video_on_demand": null,
  "vimeo_id": null,
  "vod": false,
  "xr_project_type": null,
  "youtube_id": null,
  "related_sales_client": null
}