Abstract: Exploring the Financial Management Skills of Independent Rock Bands by Mary A. Hobson MS, Full Sail University, 2010 BA, Ursuline College, 2008 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University January 2016 Abstract In the post-Napster era of disruptive innovations, independent artists are managing more nonmusical roles and more revenue streams to remain competitive and earn a living wage from their music. The purpose of this single case study was to explore the financial management strategies that one independent rock band needed to understand music royalties. Disruptive innovation was the conceptual framework used to guide the study. The sample was comprised of 4 members of an independent rock band based in Northeast Ohio. The selected band met the criteria for the study as members who earned revenue from copyrighted works, merchandise, and CD sales. The multiple data sources included face-to-face interviews with band members; public document review of ReverbNation standard policy, Fox licensing agreement, and the IRS W-9 Form; and direct observations of band members during a rehearsal and live performance. Member checking was used to strengthen the credibility and trustworthiness of interpretations. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: organizational governance of band member responsibilities, financial management education and skills, developing multiple revenue streams from royalties, and financial strategies to manage all revenue streams. Social change from this study might include college-level financial training certificate programs designed for artists given their time constraints, mobility, and need to attract financing sources other than major labels.In the post-Napster era of disruptive innovations, independent artists are managing more nonmusical roles and more revenue streams to remain competitive and earn a living wage from their music. The purpose of this single case study was to explore the financial management strategies that one independent rock band needed to understand music royalties. Disruptive innovation was the conceptual framework used to guide the study. The sample was comprised of 4 members of an independent rock band based in Northeast Ohio. The selected band met the criteria for the study as members who earned revenue from copyrighted works, merchandise, and CD sales. The multiple data sources included face-to-face interviews with band members; public document review of ReverbNation standard policy, Fox licensing agreement, and the IRS W-9 Form; and direct observations of band members during a rehearsal and live performance. Member checking was used to strengthen the credibility and trustworthiness of interpretations. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: organizational governance of band member responsibilities, financial management education and skills, developing multiple revenue streams from royalties, and financial strategies to manage all revenue streams. Social change from this study might include college-level financial training certificate programs designed for artists given their time constraints, mobility, and need to attract financing sources other than major labels. Exploring the Financial Management Skills of Independent Rock Bands by Mary A. Hobson MS, Full Sail University, 2010 BA, Ursuline College, 2008 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University January 2016 Dedication I dedicate this study to my God, my ancestors, and my husband. To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave me life and taught me to believe. To my ancestors, whose prayers and DNA sustained me and helped me become more than a conqueror, and to my beloved for his patience, love, and prayers. Acknowledgments I acknowledge God, who strengthens me everyday for the task at hand. This doctoral process has been a journey of a thousand miles taken one-step and one day at a time. Without the grace of God, I would not have achieved such a milestone. That same grace caused one door to close and another to open and in walked my committee chairperson, Dr. Patricia Fusch. There are people whose life purpose is to make the world a better place one person at a time. I believe Dr. Patricia Fusch is such an individual. I am eternally grateful for her leadership, mentoring, and spirit of excellence. Dr. Fusch has led by example. In the spirit of the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” I acknowledge the village of advisors that has produced one doctorate. I thank the other members of my committee for their invaluable contribution to my study: Dr. Janet Booker and Dr. Peter Anthony. I am also thankful for the inspiration and leadership of Dr. Freda Turner, DBA program director; Fred Walker, assistant program director; and the many instructors such as Dr. Stephen Munkeby for their scholarship and invaluable leadership throughout my Walden experience. Finally, I acknowledge the men and women I have been privileged to meet on this journey to become agents of positive global change. All the best, always.