Jon Skaggs is a music industry writer, author, and multifaceted musician with over 30 years of experience navigating the business and craft of independent music. His career spans roles as a composer for television and film, music producer, touring and studio drummer, tour manager, and songwriter, giving him a rare, ground-level perspective on nearly every dimension of the music industry.
As a touring drummer and tour manager, he has spent many years on the road, and as a studio drummer and producer, he has helped shape a wide range of recordings. His work as a composer and songwriter has yielded an extensive catalog of original works spanning multiple genres, including music placed in film, television, and commercial library contexts.
His writing draws on this deep well of experience to explore the economics of the modern music industry, from streaming and touring to sync licensing and artist rights, with a focus on empowering independent musicians to build sustainable careers. He publishes regularly on Medium and maintains an active presence at jonskaggs.net.
The Musical Pathfinder is among his works offering practical guidance for artists working outside the traditional label system.