the TrueFans AMP— Issue 114

"Music is a very powerful medium. It can change the world because it can change  people." 
— Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam

In This Issue... 12 pages (about 19ish minutes to read) You'll Get... 

• Recommends— 365 Days of Inspiring Media 

• Your BIZ— What Will Drive Music Discovery If TikTok Is Banned? 

• The Greatest Songwriters of All Time— Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens: The  Troubadour Who Bridged Generations 

• in partnership with Luminate 

• Feature Article— Taylor Swift: A Rocket Ship in a World of Cars* 

• PS from PS— the Most Inconvenient Truth: You Gotta’ Perform

Here’s the playlist

• Recommends — 365 Days of Inspiring Media 

In a music world flooded with noise, it's rare to find a platform that listens deeply, writes thoughtfully, and curates consistently. 365 Days of Inspiring Media is one of those rare finds. 

Founded on the belief that music matters— that songs can inspire, heal, challenge, and  transform— the site has built a reputation for publishing daily, in-depth content that  balances industry smarts with genuine heart. Their work goes far beyond quick takes  and clickbait. Instead, you'll find: 

• Comprehensive album reviews that not only evaluate production and performance but also unpack lyrical meaning, themes, and the artistry behind the  songs. 

• Artist interviews and spotlights that give readers direct access to the voices  behind the music— established stars, rising independents, and everything in between. 

• Curated features and "best of" lists that help you discover new favorites across  genres, including CCM, pop, country, rock, hip-hop, and indie. 

• Thought-provoking editorials and reflections that step back to ask bigger  questions about music's role in culture and creativity. 

What makes their content stand out is its tone: intelligent but accessible, passionate but discerning, never cynical. The writers clearly love music, and that love translates into pieces that celebrate artistry while holding it to high standards. 

For independent (or even...) Music Artists, there's real value here. Reading reviews like these shows you how critics frame songs, what listeners pick up on beyond the melody, and how storytelling around your work can deepen its impact. For TrueFans, it's an ongoing invitation to broaden your listening, rediscover overlooked gems, and connect more deeply with the music that moves you. 

That's why we're glad to shine a light on them— and to say we're in partnership with  365 Days of Inspiring Media in our shared mission: helping artists and audiences  connect through great music and great stories. 

• Your BIZ— What Will Drive Music Discovery If TikTok Is Banned? Based on an article by Rob Steiner Media Analyst of Luminate back on September 9^th and STILL the TikTok bit is on-going.  

"Discovery platforms are doorways, not destinations. The goal isn't just to  go viral— it's to bring fans home to a world you own."  

After months of postponements, the U.S. government's ban on TikTok is [Maybe]  finally happening on Sept. 17. [Nope.] 

The question of whether TikTok parent company ByteDance will actually sell its golden goose or let the app go dark in its biggest market has weighed particularly heavily on Music Artists and fans. 

The app has undoubtedly had a profound impact on the entire music industry,especially when it comes to discovery, with 84% of songs that made last year's Billboard Global 200 first going viral on TikTok, per the Music Impact Report, commissioned by TikTok and produced by Luminate. 

It's hard to predict the outcome of a TikTok-size hole in the music world, but new Luminate Insights survey data from May and June suggests users' love of music won't fade out with TikTok if the ban really does come to pass. 

About a third of all U.S. social media users surveyed by Luminate in Q2 2025 report using TikTok for both discovering new music and engaging with music-related content. Some 35% of these music-centric TikTok users reported being "very upset" about the app's potential U.S. ban. 

Regardless, most music-focused TikTok users said they were willing to shift their time  to a different social video app if need be. 

Unsurprisingly, TikTok's two direct rivals— YouTube Shorts and Meta Reels— stand  to benefit the most. Around half of U.S. music-centric TikTok users said they would likely spend more time on Shorts and Reels via Instagram, outpacing Facebook, Snapchat and the many TikTok "clones" that gained attention when the TikTok ban first  passed. 

These results are good news for both YouTube and Instagram, which are probably the  most readily equipped to capitalize on an influx of music listeners. For one, the majority  of artists already have social media pages and followings on both platforms, and most  music fans on TikTok are also using Instagram and YouTube for engagement and  discovery. 

Both platforms have also made concerted efforts in recent years to enhance their  music discovery capabilities, which will likely help woo TikTok's music expats. YouTube rolled out a music video remix tool for Shorts last year, while in June Instagram launched its Drafts project to spotlight emerging artists as well as new music sharing tools.

As for who would triumph in a TikTok power vacuum, YouTube may have the edge here, mainly because of the sheer magnitude of its entertainment offerings. Along with  Shorts and its signature horizontal video platform, YouTube has a growing music  streaming service and is the most-watched streaming platform on U.S. TV’s, a field  TikTok and Meta have yet to puncture. In other words, the platform offers a massive  potential reach for artists. 

If TikTok ultimately finds new ownership (or what ever) and stays live in the U.S., music fans already on the platform will largely remain loyal. Nearly three-quarters of music fans reported they would keep using TikTok if it was sold to a U.S. company and avoided banishment, versus 68% of total U.S. TikTok users. 

However, 28% also said they would switch platforms even if TikTok remained, meaning that regardless of TikTok's ultimate fate, there may be a chance for competitors to make  a play. 

Your TrueFans AMP™ Takeaway 
We agree with Rob Steiner and Luminate on one essential point:  

Music discovery won't die if TikTok does. 

Fans are endlessly resourceful, and artists who create real connection will always find an audience. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram are already primed for discovery, and it's smart to keep a presence there— especially where your fans already are. 

Where we differ is in treating TikTok— or any single platform— as the "golden goose."  Sure, it's been an incredible amplifier, but building your career on one platform is like building a house on rented land.

The algorithm giveth, and the algorithm takenth away. The TrueFans philosophy is simple: own your audience. Build direct connections through your email list, website, lives shows, and the spaces your control.

We agree that YouTube's reach and Meta's investment in discovery tools make them  strong contenders, but remember— they're doorways, not destinations. Use them to  bring people into your world, where your story, music, and fan relationships aren't at the mercy of corporate policy or political bans. 

Whether TikTok stays, sells, or disappears, the path forward doesn't change: make great music, meet your fans where they are, and bring them home to a place that's yours. That's the TrueFans way. 

__________  

About Rob Steiner | Media Analyst and Luminate 

To stay on top of consumer sentiment regarding music discovery, Luminate Insights  offers quarterly surveys worth checking out. And you cal learn more about Luminate in  the gold is partnership box. Just scroll down. 

• The Greatest Songwriters of All Time— Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens: The  Troubadour Who Bridged Generations 

"Cat Stevens wrote the soundtrack to our search for meaning. His songs were as  intimate as a whisper, yet they carried the weight of universal truth." 

Few Songwriters have touched as many lives, across as many decades, as Cat Stevens— now Yusuf Islam. From his folk-pop hits of the 1970s to his deeply reflective later work, Yusuf has been both a chart-topping icon and a seeker whose music resonates with  anyone who has ever asked the big questions about life, love, and purpose. 

"Music is a very powerful medium. It can change the world because it can change  people." 

The Music: A Distinctive Voice and Vision 
Cat Stevens first broke through in the late 1960s with songs like Matthew and Son and  The First Cut Is the Deepest (later a hit for Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow). But it was in  the early 1970s that his songwriting flowered into timeless classics. Albums such as Tea for the Tillerman (1970) and Teaser and the Firecat (1971) became cornerstones of the Singer Songwriter era. 

Songs like Wild World, Father and Son, Peace Train, and Morning Has Broken (his  arrangement of the hymn that became an international hit) showcased his gift for  melodies that felt both deeply personal and universally relatable. His production, often guided by producer Paul Samwell-Smith, combined acoustic intimacy with lush arrangements, creating a sound instantly recognizable as "Cat Stevens." 

By the mid-1970s, Stevens had sold millions of records worldwide. Tea for the  Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat alone have been certified multi-platinum, and his  songs remain staples on classic rock, folk, and pop playlists. 

"When I first heard Father and Son, I felt like he was singing directly to me. That's  the mark of a great Songwriter. There's something eternal in his music— it feels like  it will always be there when you need it." 
— Eddie Vedder 

Concerts, Collaborations, and Awards 
Cat Stevens' live performances were known for their warmth and sincerity— shows that  felt more like shared conversations than spectacles. He toured extensively across  Europe, North America, and beyond, often introducing songs with heartfelt stories. 

While not as collaboration-heavy as some of his contemporaries, Stevens worked  closely with musicians like Alun Davies (his longtime guitarist) and session players who helped flesh out his arrangements. Later in his career, as Yusuf Islam, he collaborated  with artists including Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, and Bonnie "Prince" Billy,  underscoring the broad respect he commanded across genres. 

His accolades include induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2014), multiple  ASCAP and Ivor Novello Awards for songwriting, and recognition for his humanitarian  work. 

"The First Cut Is the Deepest is one of those songs you wish you'd written— it's  timeless, and it's pure Cat Stevens." 
— Sheryl Crow 

Inspirations and Trailblazing Spirit 
Stevens drew early inspiration from folk, blues, and British pop, but what set him apart  was the spiritual searching that permeated his lyrics. Long before it was fashionable, he wove questions of identity, faith, and purpose into radio-friendly pop. 

In doing so, he became a pioneer: a mainstream artist unafraid to place spirituality at the center of his songwriting. Songs like Peace Train weren't just hits— they were anthems for a generation longing for unity and hope. 

"Yusuf has always been a man of peace, and his songs carry that message in ways  words alone never could." 
— Paul McCartney 

Personal Life: Struggles, Transformation, and Renewal 
Born Steven Demetre Georgiou in London in 1948, Cat Stevens grew up the son of a  Greek Cypriot father and Swedish mother. His early success came with its own pitfalls
— fame, exhaustion, and in 1969, a near-fatal bout of tuberculosis. That brush with  mortality shaped his songwriting, deepening the reflective, questioning quality that  defined his greatest work. 

In 1977, at the height of his career, Stevens shocked the world by converting to Islam,  taking the name Yusuf Islam, and walking away from the music industry. For nearly  three decades, he devoted himself to spiritual study, education, and humanitarian causes. He married Fauzia Mubarak Ali in 1979, and together they raised a family while Yusuf focused on philanthropic efforts, including founding schools and championing peace initiatives. 

In 2006, he returned to music under the name Yusuf, releasing An Other Cup and  gradually reclaiming his place on the world's stages. His comeback was not a nostalgic  retread but an evolution— songs of faith, family, and humanity that built upon the  foundation of his earlier career. 

Enduring Legacy and Influence 
Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens' legacy is twofold: as a master craftsman of melody and lyric,  and as an artist who lived his values, even when it meant walking away from stardom. 

"Cat Stevens was one of the most influential Songwriters of his generation. His songs were beautifully crafted and deeply moving." 
— Elton John 

His songs have been covered by artists from Sheryl Crow to Boyzone, from Chris  Cornell to Jimmy Cliff. His influence can be heard in the introspective songwriting of  contemporaries like Paul Simon and James Taylor, and in later generations— from Eddie Vedder to Ed Sheeran— who blend personal storytelling with universal themes. More than just hits, his catalog offers a roadmap of emotional honesty and spiritual  searching. For Singer Songwriters today, he is proof that music can be commercially  successful, artistically rich, and profoundly meaningful all at once. 

Outro 
In the pantheon of the greatest Songwriters of all time, Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens holds  a rare place. He bridged cultures, generations, and even identities— reminding us that  music is not only entertainment but a journey into the heart of what it means to be  human. 

"Cat Stevens had this gift of turning deep, existential questions into melodies that  stuck with you forever." 
— David Bowie 

For TrueFans, the lesson is clear: when you write and perform with honesty, courage,  and love, your songs don't just top charts. They change lives.

• in partnership with Luminate

• Feature Article— Taylor Swift: A Rocket Ship in a World of Cars* by John Fogg 

* Maybe Fast Cars (thanks Tracy). Or toy cars. Old and/or new cars. The point is she's  the rocket to the moon and most Music Artists are not that. So...? 

"Taylor Swift is the music industry."  
— Barbara Walters.  

That's a bold statement, but in many ways, it feels earned. Over the past decade, she  hasn't just played the game— Taylor's rewritten its rules. Her success is so astonishing it begs the question: has she lifted all artists along with her, or built an entirely separate  universe— one that may exclude them?  

The Astonishing Success  
Swift's 2023–24 Eras Tour smashed records with over $1 billion in gross revenue,  becoming the most lucrative concert tour in history. Since 2020, she has released five  new studio albums and four re-recordings, delivering nearly 200 songs. She made Grammy history as the first artist to win Album of the Year four times. And she capped  it all by finally buying back the rights to her first six albums, cementing her legacy as  
both creative and business icon.  

The TrueFans Model at Scale  
Swift is the ultimate case study in the TrueFans philosophy. Most every fan feels  personally spoken to. She keeps them engaged with Easter eggs and rituals, creating an ongoing game of participation. Her merchandising— vinyl variants, cardigans, bundles— becomes a badge of belonging. As one marketing analyst put it:  

"It's a master class in marketing ... from handwritten notes to social media requests ... her obsession with fan satisfaction ... sent her from great to stratospheric."  

Swift herself has noted:  

"People are so much smarter than a lot of marketing professionals give them credit  for."  

The Industry Shift  
Swift hasn't just dominated music— she's changed it. Dramatically! Her re-recordings  were a declaration of ownership. Her Eras Tour became not just concerts but cultural  events, rivaling major sporting spectacles. She proved that music today is about creating multi-dimensional experiences. As she once explained:  

"In my opinion, the value of an album is ... based on the amount of heart and soul an  artist has bled into ... forming a bond with fans ... in the future, artists will get record  deals because they have fans— not the other way around."  

Harvard's Matthew Andrews compared the economic ripple of her concerts to "the kind of gains you see in an event like a Super Bowl."  

A Rocket Ship in a World of Cars 
Here's the dilemma: if the pack is driving cars, and the leader is flying a rocket ship, can you really follow? Swift's scale is beyond reach, but what matters is not the rocket itself — it's the principles behind it: tell your story with honesty, build rituals, and treat fans  like collaborators. The pack may not be able to keep up with the speed of the leader, but they can learn what makes her so good. 

What Artists Can Learn  
Independent artists can't copy her scale, but they can translate her strategies: make  shows an event, insist on ownership of masters, surprise fans with exclusives, and  cultivate rituals. The essence is the same:  

Authentic connection creates TrueFans,  
and TrueFans create careers.  

Almost the Last Thoughts 
Taylor Swift is both the ultimate outlier and the ultimate example. She proves that in an  era of streaming saturation, fan devotion is the true currency. Her rocket ship may streak ahead, but the propellant fuels it— storytelling, connection, ownership— is available to  every Music Artist. Don't chase her scale. Chase her principles.  

a TrueFans Takeaway: Taylor Swift isn't just a superstar— she's the high-end model of  what happens when you build a life-long bond with your audience. Her rocket doesn't pull cars behind it, but it lights the sky in a way that shows every Music Artist what's possible.   

__________

John Fogg is a million-selling author and the editor of the TrueFans AMP™.

• PS from PS— the Most Inconvenient Truth: You Gotta’ Perform

Here’s the truth, friends — and yeah, it may sting a bit. 

Unless you’re a Songwriter with a voice that could clear a room faster than a fire alarm,  you’ve got to perform. You have to. It’s the one non-negotiable, the inconvenient truth  of this whole music-making business. 

Now, before you start making excuses— “I don’t have the voice”— let me stop you  right there. You don’t need to have a great voice. You need to have heart. Bob Dylan didn’t. Neil Young didn’t. Billie Eilish whispers more than she belts. Leonard Cohen practically talked his way through half his songs. None of them needed vocal  gymnastics— they had something more powerful: authenticity. 

When you sing— really sing— and mean every word, people feel that. They forgive  every missed note, every crack, every wobble. Because your heart is in it. And that’s  what moves them. 

I’ve (almost) seen it all— from the deck of a pirate radio ship off the English coast to the sticky floors of clubs, to the plush offices of record labels, to the backstage chaos of  arena tours. In all those years, one thing never changed: the Music Artists who made it, who built a career and not just a moment, were the ones who showed up on stage. Again and again. 

Performance is the forge where TrueFans are made. You can TikTok, Instagram, and  stream all you want— and sure, that helps. But a post doesn’t give anyone chills. A clip  doesn’t pull people to their feet. A real performance does. That’s where the connection  happens— the magic, the memory, the meaning. 

When you play live— even to 11 people in a coffeehouse— you’re creating something  that no algorithm can replicate: experience. That’s what people come back for. That’s  what they tell their friends about. That’s what makes them your TrueFans. 

So yeah, it’s work. It’s uncomfortable. It’s terrifying sometimes. But it’s also the most  direct road to everything you want in this business— from the first fan who sings your  lyrics back to you, to the last encore you play when the crowd won’t let you leave. 

The inconvenient truth? You gotta’ perform. 

The beautiful truth? You don’t have to be perfect— just real and good enough.

Until we speak again…

Thanks for reading. Give us your feedback.

And PLEASE, if you've got any Singer Songwriter friends, pass the AMP on, because... It’s Time... for a Change. Big Time. Past Time...