Submitted by Peter Åstedt
My latest achievement is I am on now on the cover of Cashbox Canada!
During my festival Future Echoes. I was awarded The Cashbox Canada Magazine Legacy Award. I have got prizes and accolades before, there has been gold, and platinum records, Grammy awards, and MTV awards, and that has been great, but this is personal. The others are awards chosen from a list of people. You are just a gear in the big machinery. You do not even get the award you just send up the artist and you hope that they will remember you while they send out thanks to dad and mom and the producer.
This prize is really special. This is for my achievements in the music industry. When I was told in advance of this award, I was questioning what I have done? Then we went through all the different projects that I have achieved over the years. Since we are going for AI right now, I asked Chat GPT who I really am. So, here is my career so far.
Peter Åstedt is a well-known figure in the music industry, particularly in the field of music marketing and artist development. He is a Swedish music consultant, label manager, and former A&R executive, with over 30 years of experience in the music industry.
Åstedt has worked with a variety of major and independent record labels, including Universal Music, Sony Music, and Warner Music. He has also worked as a music supervisor for film and TV productions and has been a judge for various music competitions.
In addition to his work in the industry, Åstedt is also a frequent speaker and panelist at music conferences around the world, and he writes a popular music industry column. He is known for his insights on music marketing, streaming, and social media, and for his advocacy of emerging and independent artists.
It’s pretty spot on; impressive what the AI knows. But behind that, all the events, tours, studios, and galas that I have been on. It has definitely been a journey. Like signing contracts in a muddy field for the biggest commercial campaign in the world. Playing at official parties at the Olympics in London. Hanging out on yachts and the top floor of the Carlton in Cannes. Opening festivals all over the world. Playing small shitty clubs like Cakeshop in New York or CBGB’s for that matter. Walking the red carpet in front of a TV audience of 52 million people. Playing video games with my music placed as the background. Sitting in panels with big superstars. Being on the team that broke the first song with over a billion streams. Seen the shittiest motels, seen the most luxurious resorts. Things that AI didn’t find.
Getting a Legacy Award is it all over, the best year has gone? Definitely not! Right now I feel like the position we were all in around 2009 and 2010. This is the breakout year for placements and for streaming. I know it’s hard to see that just ten years ago people were still downloading MP3s and people were competing to be on the iTunes download chart. The best years are still ahead of us.
This award is really special. It’s for my journey and also I’m (lucky) #7 to be presented with the award. I’m in really good company as well with the first recipient being Canada’s Legendary Bobby Curtola who I meet several times in Toronto, Ontario. For more on the award recipients visit: https://cashboxcanada.ca/features/cashbox-legacy-awards
I am humbled and grateful to be included with such legendary trailblazers and honoured to take my place as a Cashbox Canada Legacy Award recipient.