Billboard On The Record

What does it really take to write a Christmas song that lasts forever? Singer, songwriter and producer Charlie Puth sits down with Kristin Robinson on Billboard On The Record to unpack the magic behind holiday hits, from the one chord that seems to appear in nearly every classic to the ’60s influences that continue to shape today’s festive favorites. Puth shares how he once wrote a Christmas song in just an hour, why some tracks become seasonal standards almost by accident and how artists balance tradition with originality when creating holiday music. He also takes listeners inside piano sessions, highlights his favorite Christmas albums and songs, answers rapid-fire holiday questions and reflects on how the craft of songwriting has evolved, all while offering a sneak peek at what’s next for his own music. Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas music may only dominate a few weeks a year, but its impact on the music business lasts for decades. Guy Moot, CEO and Co-Chair of Warner Chappell Music, and Carianne Marshall, COO and Co-Chair, join host Kristin Robinson on Billboard On The Record to break down why holiday songs are some of the most valuable assets in any music catalog, why writing a timeless Christmas hit is so difficult and how industry traditions around holiday albums have shifted from mandatory releases to strategic singles. They discuss the evolution from cover culture to artist-driven branding, the role of songwriter camps, and why evergreen holiday songs often travel further than the places they were written. From December chart freezes to the renewed push for trusted brands and long-term fan connection, this conversation explores how Christmas music continues to shape careers, catalogs and the modern music economy. Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. is the only major music market where artists don’t get paid when their songs play on FM/AM radio, but why? Michael Huppe, CEO of SoundExchange, breaks down the century-old laws that shaped American radio, and what SoundExchange is doing to push for artists to get paid on radio through efforts like the American Music Fairness Act. He joins host Kristin Robinson to unpack the history of radio from payola scandals, the creation of satellite and online radio, the rise of consolidation and the shift from tastemaker to follower status in the streaming era. With AI radio personalities and data-driven choices on the rise in 2025, the radio landscape will certainly keep evolving in the years to come. Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Grammys are music’s biggest night, but how are the votes really counted, and who decides which artists take home the trophies? Harvey Mason jr., Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, and CEO of the Recording Academy, pulls back the curtain on how the Academy works, from membership to voting processes and AI’s role in modern music. He joins host Kristin Robinson to unpack his journey from producing hits for Brandy, Destiny’s Child, Michael Jackson, and Toni Braxton to leading music’s most influential institution, all while getting his Grammys knowledge put to the test. Mason explains the challenges of ensuring fair representation across genres, and how the Academy is evolving to serve music and musicians in a rapidly changing industry. He also reflects on moving from creative work to executive leadership, the collaborative process that has defined his career and what it takes to keep the Grammys credible, inclusive, and impactful. Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI is reshaping the music industry, and Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer Imogen Heap breaks down what this moment really means for creators. She joins host Kristin Robinson to unpack how she’s blended technology with artistry for two decades, the rise of generative AI and why it’s becoming harder to tell where human creativity ends and machine production begins. Heap explains the urgent need for better metadata, identity layers and contributor search tools, and what it will take to set the right standards before AI becomes fully embedded in the music industry. She discusses the possibility of labels signing AI artists, the fears and misconceptions surrounding AI-generated work and why she believes art still matters if it resonates, no matter how it’s made. Heap also reflects on building her career independently, the flaws in traditional major label deals, and the innovations behind her Mi.Mu gloves as she envisions the future of human-driven music in an AI-powered era. Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices