Community of Collective Care

If you read my last post, then you know that I’ve logged nearly 40 years in the music business working in almost every aspect of it from artist rep to tour manager, club booker to booking agent, contract negotiator to copyright processor, music journalist to radio host… and more. When it comes to this industry, I really have been there and done that. Y’all. I have seen some shit.

That’s why, about 25 years ago, I had an idea for how to finally get artists paid for their job… salaries, health insurance, and all the rest. I spent more than five years developing it and, in 2007, I gave it a whirl. My timing was unspeakably terrible, the company dissolved within six months, and I filed for bankruptcy. But I tried.

Flash forward to 2026. Having spent all of 2025 being built, Record Bin Radio launched in January as an Internet radio station with a gender-balanced library of 16,000 hand-picked songs across the rock, rhythm, and roots rainbow. It sounded so good. I was so proud.

Then I realized that I needed to find subscribers, to build community. 

At the same time, I was hearing the same questions from every artist I talked to: 

• How do I collaborate when the business is built on competition? 
• How do I build equity when the Music Industrial Complex holds the power? 
• How do I connect with fans when the algorithm is in the way? 
• How do I make money when streaming pays pennies and touring is too expensive? 
• And how do I afford health insurance when I can’t make any money? 

The solution to their problems and mine? Joining forces and combining resources to build that community and equity… together. 

So I got to work and, using a solidarity economy framework, came up with a plan for an artist-owned collective that would provide not only unparalleled support for the musicians, but incredible value for the fans, as well… Please allow me to introduce you to the Record Bin Social Club.

Best described as a communal, cooperative fan club, the Social Club gives subscribers access not only to Record Bin Radio, but also to exclusive content and events from this curated group of rock, rhythm, and roots musicians (and possibly, hopefully some writers, as well). And, because it’s employee-owned and the artists are the employees, they’ll get salaries, health insurance, retirement plans, and more. 

Subscriptions start at $15 a month, and we all hope you’ll join us in building this community of collective care.