Notes on live music, connection, and the emerging future, by Bootleg founder and CEO Rod Yancy
Hey there,
If you’re reading this, you know me, or someone who knows you (and your love for music) thought you’d resonate with what we’re doing. I’m grateful they did.
If you care about music — really care — then now’s the time to pay attention.
2025 presents a strange paradox: The music industry is booming, but most artists are struggling. Streaming payouts are shrinking, AI tracks are flooding the market, and it’s never been harder to build a sustainable career as a musician.
Few things in life create joy, connection, and lasting memories like music. It’s a magic we’ve all felt, even if we can’t quite explain it.
Artists are essential to culture. They’re the way-showers, bridging the human and the transcendent. In truth, nothing meaningful gets built without the spark of an artist.
That’s why I started Bootleg.
After years building companies that help people protect what matters, from estate planning to finance, I’m now focused on music and building something better for artists, fans, and the future.
At Bootleg, we help artists turn live shows into premium digital merch: high-quality, artist-approved recordings and photographs that fans can buy at the show and replay forever.
For artists, it’s a new, high-margin revenue stream from what they’re already doing. For fans, it’s a way to keep the magic alive and support the artists they love.
We’ve been piloting Bootleg all over the country this year, from emerging acts like Evan Honer and Kaitlin Butts to established names like Judah & the Lion and Faye Webster. We’ve been featured in Music Ally, Pollstar, TPI Magazine, and more. I’m genuinely excited about our momentum and the future is bright.
Welcome to Bootleg: Beyond the Setlist. This is where I’ll share what we’re seeing: the shifts in culture, the evolution of the industry, and the ideas shaping what’s next. Because I want to help create a future where the joy and magic of music is preserved.
If that sounds like your kind of conversation, I’d love to have you along.
With gratitude,
Rod Yancy
Founder & CEO, Bootleg.live
