Episode Details

In this episode of SoundBreaker, host Bob Shami sits down with Bob Barbiere, Executive Vice President and General Manager at OpenPlay, to explore the complex infrastructure behind the modern music industry.

Bob shares his unconventional journey from telecommunications into music technology, and how that background helped him understand the deep structural challenges surrounding music rights management, metadata, and digital distribution.

The conversation dives into one of the industry's biggest problems: accurate ownership data. With millions of songs being distributed globally, incomplete or incorrect metadata can mean lost revenue, delayed payments, and confusion around licensing. Bob explains how OpenPlay is building software designed to help music companies manage catalogs, track rights, and improve transparency across the ecosystem.

They also explore the cultural and financial impact of DJ culture and remixes, highlighting how remixing and reinterpretation continue to drive discovery, creativity, and monetization in music.

Looking ahead, Bob discusses the emerging role of AI and blockchain technologies in improving rights tracking and bringing clarity to one of the most fragmented industries in entertainment.

Throughout the conversation, the theme remains clear: better data leads to better outcomes—for artists, labels, publishers, and the entire music economy.

If you're interested in music tech, licensing, catalog management, or the future of music monetization, this episode offers a deep dive into the systems powering the global music business.

Bob Barbiere: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbarbiere/

OpenPlay: https://openplay.co/