Episodes

  • Stop Winging It: Dial In Your Show with Clicks, Setlists, Insurance, and Gig Prep

    Stop Winging It: Dial In Your Show with Clicks, Setlists, Insurance, and Gig Prep
    Mar 30 2026
    You tighten your gig prep by treating every show like a pro mission: build rock-solid routines, line-check your gear and apps, and know your insurance, splitter snake, setlist, click, and IEM plan before you ever hit the stage. You walk into a wedding or club already covered with proper liability, routing, charts, and monitoring so you can stop worrying about logistics and start playing the room. Always Be Performing. Onstage, you think like a storyteller, not just a musician: you record full shows to review your banter and flow, you decide when the click helps and when to ditch it, and you refine what makes your band distinctive so people remember your name and feel the FOMO. Offstage, you act like a lab: you binge showcases at events like SXSW, steal the best ideas, use AI to critique rehearsals, and keep your gig bag dialed so every performance gets sharper, louder, and more undeniable. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 527 – Monday, March 30th, 2026March 30th: Take a Walk in the Park Day00:01:29 What is your gig prep process?00:06:55 Skylar-How does a band get a certificate of insurance for a wedding gig? Insurance CanopySpecial Event Insurance 00:11:15 n-Brian from Durham-Do we need a splitter snake? Mixing StationProreck Splitter Snake 00:16:57 Bill-What Setlist App do you use? forScore 00:19:39 Dan-What click track do you use live? PolyNome 00:21:51 Dan-What about IEMs with ambient filters? Ultimate Ears Ambient Option 00:24:20 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab00:27:05 I’m a band guy…how about you?00:30:15 SXSW 2026 — bands seen and lessons learned: 38 showcases in 2026Family BattenbergThelma And JamesTimmy Skelly 00:39:43 Record yourself live, not just for the music, but for the whole show, including your banter. Lainey Wilson vs. John Popper and band 00:43:24 The stiffness of a click, vs not. Soultone vs. Lainey 00:45:56 PODCAST: Rock Talk Studio Podcast00:47:29 Tell people who you are, and make it distinctive. Leverage FOMO 00:51:54 Olight OClip Pro in your Gig Bag00:54:25 Moskowizard-Use AI to evaluate your rehearsals (critical listening)00:57:00 Andy-CSF-Supertone Clear00:58:16 Gig Gab 527 Outtro Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Stop Winging It: Dial In Your Show with Clicks, Setlists, Insurance, and Gig Prep – Gig Gab 527 appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    59 mins
  • Touring Brains: Boundaries, Burnout, and Being OK, with Courtney and Paul Klimson

    Touring Brains: Boundaries, Burnout, and Being OK, with Courtney and Paul Klimson
    Mar 23 2026
    You see how life on the road quietly rewires your brain, from grief and burnout to decision fatigue and STC (Sleepy, Tired, and Crabby), and how Courtney and Paul built The Roadie Clinic to give crews a place to tell their story and get real help. Through flights, heat‑canceled shows, and jumps from Fallon to Timberlake, John Legend, Drake, and beyond, you learn to Always Be Performing for your own mental health with boundaries, support systems, and even AI to protect your headspace. You’re handed concrete ways to care for yourself and your people: snow policies and “last chance to say no” moments, non‑negotiable laundry time, color‑coded calendars that lower stress, and simple communication habits that keep relationships from snapping under pressure. By the end, you’re invited to treat your brain like your most critical piece of touring gear—and to build a crew culture where dignity, respect, and mental health are baked into every gig.​ 00:00:00 Gig Gab 526 – Monday, March 23rd, 2026 March 23rd: National Puppy DayGuest co-hosts: Courtney Klimson and Paul Klimson 00:01:43 Choosing Niles, Michigan for The Roadie Clinic 2019: From living in NYC to “the middle of nowhere” Michigan (but it’s right near an airport)With lots of puppies! 00:04:05 The Roadie Clinic and the whole Human Experience After some family tragedies, Courtney joined Paul on a European leg of the Timberlake tour to support him through the grief 00:07:56 Hottest Day in Central Park doing a show for John Legend And Paul winds up with a sprained ankle but the show must go on…until it’s canceled for the heat!Then off to Sicily the next day… and Courtney joins again! 00:13:24 On the flights, Courtney00:15:40 “The Show Must Go On” Institute a snow policy 00:17:40 And so exists The Roadie Clinic Remote assistance: tell me your story, how can I help?Works closely with MusiCaresRoadieDocRx Decision Fatigue can sometimes be solved by AI00:26:30 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB.00:28:03 Where are you going today, Paul? John Legend to Timberlake to DrakeMulti-colored calendars to save the marriage…and the business 00:30:18 From being the monitor/foldback engineer at Fallon to meeting lots of bands …and managers. “Protect the brand” worked to develop relationships 00:32:55 What Gets the Gig Done? What can I do best that serves the team?Scovill’s Back Lounge 00:37:02 The @ Rule of Texting STC = Sleepy Tired and Crabby 00:39:38 Is this the last opportunity I have to say “no”?00:43:55 Laundry time matters!00:45:26 Studying Roadie Brains A lot of Parkinsons, PTSD, StrokesFrom Fallon to Timberlake 00:47:15 Tricks of being efficient with engineers Step one: Communicate the Input List and Stage Plot 00:50:43 Paul Klimson’s Talkback System00:54:00 We’re going to win because we’re efficient and we care about humans Dignity and RespectSuperbowl Halftime Show – MinneapolisJimmy Fallon Show … and SNLHow are you using AI? 00:57:14 Gig Gab 526 Outtro Follow Paul and Courtney Klimson @TheRoadieClinic Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Touring Brains: Boundaries, Burnout, and Being OK, with Courtney and Paul Klimson – Gig Gab 526 appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    59 mins
  • From Wall Street Hacker to Music Mogul: Mike Grande’s Journey

    From Wall Street Hacker to Music Mogul: Mike Grande’s Journey
    Mar 16 2026
    You get a front-row seat to how Michael Grande turned hard-won tech chops and late-night studio hacks into real music-business wins. From escaping NAMM chaos and leveraging smart PR and management, to transforming a throwaway “stupid idea” into Card Chords—an Amazon-topping guitar tool born from a Cricut, Guitar Center testing, and sheer persistence—you see how necessity, experimentation, and saying yes the first time landed him in Jimi Hendrix’s old bedroom at Electric Lady Studios, shredding in the lineage of Vai and Satriani, and inventing Tone Picks on the fly. Along the way, you’re reminded that when you know you’re right, you embrace it, protect your IP, and keep swinging big—whether that’s launching music schools, eyeing Shark Tank with a bold offer, or pivoting your career from Wall Street CTO and Certified Ethical Hacker to full-on guitar innovator. Then you’re pushed to rethink how you teach, lead, and build your own music brand. You learn why great schools and studios run on clear mission statements, strong unique selling propositions, and a coaching mindset that focuses on the student, not the curriculum—getting them hooked on the songs they actually want to play, then turning them toward what they need. You see how asking potential customers for their own answers, treating every audience like they matter, and showing up like a coach instead of a teacher all point to one core operating principle: you’re never off-duty, because you Always Be Performing—ALWAYS. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 525 – Monday, March 16th, 2026 March 16th: Freedom of Information DayGuest co-host: Michael Grande from Card Chords and more 00:02:14 Getting out of NAMM00:03:10 Have a good PR guy! Christopher Buttner 00:04:15 Hey, NAMM: How high can I go?00:06:09 Can you afford NOT to hire a manager? Or a PR person? Our Mistakes are Our Tuition – Business Brain 00:08:04 COVID Vaccines lead to Card Chords Mike was a (very successful) ​Certified Ethical Hacker & CTO on Wall Street 00:11:09 Dad – come up with an idea to teach people how to play guitar “That’s a stupid idea” – Ignore, and move on.Bought a Cricut machine, built the prototype and tested it on hundreds of guitars at Guitar CenterCame out on December 21st, and became Amazon’s #1 Musical Accessories item within 30 daysAlso includes an eBook to teach out Beatles, Bon Jovi, Guns and Roses songs WITH Card Chords 00:16:35 Born of Necessity!00:18:39 The birth of Tone Picks Story time: I didn’t bring a 12-string to Electric Lady Studios at 3amTaped two picks together to simulate a 12-string sound. 00:21:41 How did you get on the list of Electric Lady Studios session players? Mike was a shredder after Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, etc 00:22:27 Recording in Jimi Hendrix’s old bedroom at Electric Lady Studios! Say yes the first time! Sponsors 00:25:39 SPONSOR: Factor, America’s #1 Ready-To-Eat Meal Kit, can help you fuel up fast with flavorful and nutritious ready-to-eat meals delivered straight to your door. Visit FactorMeals.com/giggab50off and use code giggab50off for 50% off!00:27:22 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/giggab00:28:51 Mike uses Gusto for his Music Schools! 00:30:33 Running music schools Mike’s Book: From Teacher to Coach: (And why you would NEVER want to be a Teacher)Taught private lessons, then students wanted more, so…Mike started The Staten Island School of Rock 00:33:37 Mike’s coaching methods are different Learning hands-onGetting students hooked on the songs you want to playTHEN turn them around 00:34:42 You gotta be juiced about playing the songs Gig Gab 500 with Skylar and the drum coaching story 00:37:16 You need to have a mission statement Mike’s: “We build the confidence and self-esteem through music lessons”You need a Unique Selling Proposition! 00:39:30 Mike’s Unique Selling Proposition Never answer the question… ask the potential customer for the answer! 00:41:48 A teacher focuses on the curriculum, a coach focuses on the student00:42:44 Mary Fanaro’s Rwanda Rocks Rwanda’s Minister of Education: The children of Rwanda don’t need teachers, they need coaches. 00:48:08 When you know you’re right, embrace it.00:49:45 Always Be Performing…ALWAYS!00:53:18 An audience wants to be treated00:55:23 We’re always wearing00:57:54 The Chinese stole Mike’s IP for Card Chords Mike’s got a new product that is in the running for Shark TankMike’s offer to Shark Tank will be: 20% of his company for $1 01:03:23 Gig Gab 525 Outtro Follow Michael Grande CardChords.com Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post From Wall Street Hacker to Music Mogul: Michael Grande’s Journey – Gig Gab 525 appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • De-Feedback Plugin for Working Musicians: More Gain, Less Feedback with Devin Sheets

    De-Feedback Plugin for Working Musicians: More Gain, Less Feedback with Devin Sheets
    Mar 9 2026
    You’re invited into a legacy family audio business that refused to accept “good enough” on feedback control and instead chased the impossible: a truly zero‑latency, AI‑driven way to push your PA louder without squeals. You follow Devin Sheets from growing up on sound gigs to roaming European stages, then back home to build De‑Feedback plugin for working musicians, a live sound feedback plugin and on‑the‑fly impulse‑response generator that listens like a seasoned engineer: separating human voice, room reverb, background noise, and feedback in real time so you can grab at least 6 dB more gain before things start to howl. Along the way you see how NAMM sparked the idea, how inverse impulse responses and probability math beat old EQ and gate tricks, and how “homebrew AI” meant sneaking into every empty church at 3 a.m. just to teach the model what real rooms actually sound like. You also learn how to think like a modern working musician: using social media to find the right AI programmers across the world, leaning on LLMs to translate, collaborate, and even rate contractor work so you can move faster without losing control. You come away knowing you can drop a dedicated De‑Feedback box or plugin into almost any rig, from churches to touring consoles to tiny clubs, take it with you even when someone else is behind the board, and quietly stack the deck in your favor. In the end, it’s a roadmap for how you run your own gigs and career: stay curious, embrace new tools, protect your sound, and Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 524 – Monday, March 9th, 2026 March 9th: National Meatball DayGuest co-host: Devin Sheets from Alpha Labs 00:02:12 Let’s Grow this Legacy Family Business Grew up doing soundAlso a musicianLived in EuropeThen came back and said, “let’s grow this family business!” 00:03:44 We haven’t “just solved” this feedback problem Went to NAMM for the first time, and was inspiredThere are automated EQ-based or gate-based systemsPSE plugin from Waves5045 for feedback 00:04:57 Why isn’t there a “balanced audio”-type solution for Feedback Balanced Audio fixes hums and it just works. 00:08:24 NAMM is a great inspiration…and it inspired Devin and his team to seek a feedback plugin solution People get entrenchedInverse Impulse Response methodology 00:12:35 Training the AI to listen for three things: human voice, reverb, and feedback Created a de-reverb algorithm and went beyond thatA probability calculation does the math 00:16:05 Truly zero latency for the plugin Workflow latency remains 00:19:32 I don’t have any coding or AI background, but I have a gut feeling AI will fix this feedback problem Others: It’s harder than you thinkDevin: I knew that it needed to happen 00:20:58 Finding an AI programmer who was interested in doing Experimented with some programmers, failed, learned some things! 00:21:09 Social Media to the rescue! Late 2023: Devin found a group of AI programmers who would be interestedSending large amounts of money to China…it’s a risk! 00:26:30 At 3am, a text message: I think I’ve done it. Devin immediately started testing it himself“It seemed to work.” 00:27:17 Installing De-Feedback in ChurchesSponsors 00:30:57 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab00:32:43 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB. 00:34:20 What is an impulse response? Impulse Response: An audio picture of how the room soundsPopping balloons in a room/environment and recording the sound is a common approach for creating impulse responses 00:38:33 De-Feedback is an on-the-fly IR generator …and analyzer that’s trained on the human voice, room reverb, background noise…and feedback 00:41:55 Finding the right programmers was the key …in addition to actually having the idea and the bullheaded persistence to make it happen. 00:44:46 Mind-melding was necessary And LLMs helped with translation! 00:48:39 Using AI to make it possible to collaborate with other humans00:50:03 Using an LLM to rate the work of your contractors and employees00:51:54 How do we get De-Feedback into the hands of working musicians US$499 for the De-Feedback pluginVST3 or AU pluginA higher-end Windows laptop can likely run it on its ownApple’s Core Audio tech makes it difficult, but they’re working on it.De-Feedback also sells a perfectly-tuned headless computer to do thisAlpha Labs tried tons of interfaces that the Focusrite Scarlett keeps glitches out of the mixWaves SuperRack LiveBox 01:01:37 Where do we expand? Allen & Heath mixers?Midas/Behringer mixers?Paul Falcone, mixing Mariah Carey, wanted to use it!Robert Scovill talking Rock Hall on Gig Gab 01:05:18 Homebrew AI! Training EVERY room he could find“Can you let me into your empty church at 3am?” –...
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • From Festival Gigs to SXSW: Survival Tips for Musicians and Attendees

    From Festival Gigs to SXSW: Survival Tips for Musicians and Attendees
    Mar 2 2026

    You get dropped into a two-show day where you’re juggling festival chaos, a paramedic emergency during set change, and a mysteriously mudded-out bass that turns out to be a rogue low‑pass filter at 90 Hz, all while keeping the gig on the rails because you Always Be Performing.

    Then you pivot into first‑timer survival tactics for attending SXSW: locking in reservations weeks out, over‑planning so you can gleefully abandon those plans, and treating the whole thing as a marathon and a sprint while your calendar app becomes your best friend…and your worst enemy.

    Throughout it all, you’re thinking like a pro: dialing in efficient monitor setups for festival stages, dealing with sketchy solder joints on a microphone (or is that a mic cable issue?), staying sane amid SXSW security, and never underestimating the power of great brisket, BBQ, and a solid spot to reset your brain. You’ll also get the practical stuff no one tells you: what to wear, why you always keep your badge on you, and how finding a seasoned SXSW Sherpa can save your week (and your feet) before you ever hit your first line.

    ​From Festival Gigs to SXSW: Essential Survival Tips for Musicians and Attendees

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 523 – Monday, March 2nd, 2026
      • March 2nd: International Rescue Cat Day
      • Guest co-host: Lisa Hamilton
    • 00:01:41 Two Show Day for Dave
      • First gig, Bitter Pill – Festival
        • And there was a paramedic
      • Bitter Pill: It’s Rock and Roll… It’s Rockabilly… It’s Blues… I don’t know!
    • 00:10:43 Second gig – somehow the bass got a low-pass filter set at 90hZ!
      • Problem solved, gig a success!
    • 00:18:23 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/giggab
    • 00:20:00 Attending SXSW for the first time
    • 00:25:45 Learning how to manage SXSW
    • 00:27:30 SXXpress passes become Reservations
      • And now they’re 3-weeks out instead of 2 days!
    • 00:33:21 Reserving things in advance
    • 00:37:25 It’s all about planning in advance
      • And then throwing away your plans and making a series of Sophie’s Choices
    • 00:39:24 It’s a marathon…and a sprint
    • 00:39:42 Managing the Calendar
    • 00:43:39 With the App
    • 00:48:43 Managing your monitor needs with efficiency at festival gigs
    • 00:52:51 Security at SXSW
    • 00:58:15 Luke Warm Solder Joint on the Microphone
      • Heil PR-40
    • 00:58:57 Eat good food!
      • Brisket and BBQ
      • Eastside Cafe in Austin
    • 01:01:11 What should I wear?
    • 01:06:36 Find a SXSW Sherpa!
    • 01:07:58 Finding your badge?
    • 01:08:59 Always have your badge with you
    • 01:11:38 Gig Gab 523 Outtro
      • Contact Gig Gab!
        • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
        • feedback@giggabpodcast.com
        • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

    The post From Festival Gigs to SXSW: Survival Tips for Musicians and Attendees — Gig Gab 523 with Lisa Hamilton appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • From the Eric Church Tour to the Grammys: On the Bus with Cellist Kaitlyn Raitz

    From the Eric Church Tour to the Grammys: On the Bus with Cellist Kaitlyn Raitz
    Feb 23 2026
    You’re riding along with Kaitlyn Raitz as she breaks down the real mechanics of touring at scale: staying human on a bus, finding tiny routines that keep you sane, and surviving the sleep math when you’re one of twelve buses on a massive run. Then it’s straight into the onstage reality of modern country arena production: 24 musicians, a full string quartet, choir, and horns, plus the challenge of making strings translate in a loud arena. You get the practical gear-and-tech layer too: DPA mics and pickups, dynamic EQ, managing cello loudness, and how tools like ToneDexter fit into keeping tone consistent when the room is working against you. You also get the career side, unfiltered: how the Eric Church gig happened through the Nashville relationship web, why being excellent and easy to be around matters, and why “Nashville is a ten-year town” if you want longevity. Kaitlyn’s stories span arranging and learning charts mid-tour from iPads, to the whiplash of getting a Grammy call with barely any runway, to recording in LA and wondering how anyone actually functions there. The episode closes with the mindset and performance skills that keep pros durable: protecting your brain and nervous system, flipping a stage persona on and off, and the practical win of transitioning to IEMs for a cellist when monitors are run well. Bottom line: this is how you keep your craft sharp, your head steady, and your show consistent night after night. Always Be Performing.​ 00:00:00 Gig Gab 522 – Monday, February 23rd, 2026 February 23rd: Curling Is Cool DayGuest co-host: Kaitlyn Raitz 00:01:55 Protein and Joy on the bus00:02:14 Passing the time productively on the bus…and on the tour SwimmingSwimply OR PlacesToSwim.comThrifting 00:05:53 Sleeping on the bus! Twelve tour busses on this tour 00:07:26 24 Musicians on stage String Quartet8-Person ChoirHorn/Woodwind Quartet 00:09:45 Micing a string quartet in an arena DPA Mics AND pickupsDynamic EQ 00:14:47 Cellos and Loudness ToneDexter 00:18:50 Writing, arranging and learning charts mid-tour! Reading from iPadsEleanor Denning, String Lead and Arranger on the Eric Church TourBitter Pill has a cellist, too! 00:21:33 Getting the Eric Church gig Sub list for the Nashville SymphonyEverything in Nashville is relationship-basedBe good at what you do, and also be a pleasant person that people want to be aroundNashville is a ten-year town 00:25:07 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB.00:26:55 You played on the Grammy’s? Used to play with Brandy Clark, and occasionally gets a one-off gig call still.AND, a week-and-a-half before the Grammy’s, the call came inDo you want to play the Grammy’s with me?Kaitlyn has questions for LA-denizens: How do you live in LA?Do you see people that you know?Do you take public transportation? Recorded at Sunset Sounds in LA 00:33:05 Protecting your brain and nervous system Take on a persona “You are Kaitlyn Motherfucking Raitz”“We are bad bitches, we have earned this”Gary Cherone is the master of turning the stage persona on AND OFF Let the lights blind you 00:40:25 Transitioning to IEMs It’s great for a cellist!IEMs are better than having to use bone conductionKaitlyn’s IEM mix – she hears the bandIt comes down to who’s running monitorsUltimate Ears UE7 Pros IEMs 00:47:06 Kaitlyn Raitz’s Music00:48:52 Gig Gab 522 Outtro Follow Kaitlyn Raitz On InstagramOn Facebook Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post From the Eric Church Tour to the Grammys: On the Bus with Cellist Kaitlyn Raitz – Gig Gab 522 appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    50 mins
  • Cover Band Confidential’s Dan Ray: Test the Market, Then Rehearse

    Cover Band Confidential’s Dan Ray: Test the Market, Then Rehearse
    Feb 16 2026
    You kick off this week with Dan Ray by reframing failure as a tool, not a verdict. Instead of obsessing over the “vanity listen” after a gig or rehearsal, you do the check-in listen and extract the lesson. You learn to fail fast the right way by making small bets that generate real data quickly, including testing demand before you invest rehearsal time. That mindset carries into band direction changes and the leadership realities that come with them: different people want different levels of ownership, and the job is to be a benevolent dictator who listens widely but decides cleanly. You also get practical about managing public perception and egos, taking cues from bands that protected the brand by being intentional about roles and visibility. Then you dig into Dan’s origin stories and the nuts-and-bolts that keep working musicians moving: starting a band young, landing monthly gigs, and learning obvious-in-hindsight lessons like not running a vocal mic through a guitar amp. You hear how scrappy tools like a Tascam 4-track can solve real problems, why running a PA from the stage demands discipline, and why the room you rehearse in changes what you think you’re hearing. From there it gets wonderfully nerdy with quick hits that matter in real life, like using low-pass filters aggressively and remembering that time alignment starts with where sound sources physically live. You close in the feels with theater life and the emotional punch of closing night, a reminder that the tech and the business serve the same goal: show up ready, stay present, and Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 521 – Monday, February 16th, 2026 February 16th: National Rationalization Day 00:02:08 Guest co-host: Dan Ray Last visit: July 19, 2020 for GG 265 and CBC 100 00:03:23 Having a productive relationship with failure Failure can a lesson you lean intoAfter gigs or rehearsals: the check-in listen vs. the vanity listenFail fast the right way: “make a bet” by setting up something that you can quickly get data from 00:08:47 Transitioning a band’s direction Dan’s Big in the 80s band 00:10:10 Test your market before committing too much Book the gig before you rehearse the songs. Make sure there’s demand and interest. If not… move on! (You failed fast!)Cover Band Confidential 00:12:52 AI solves the blank page problem – use it often!00:14:28 Leading bands (and people) Be ready for people who want to engage with different levels of ownershipLearning how to be a benevolent dictator… but also learn to be the leader, and the decision-maker, the ultimate arbiter. Don’t do it in a vacuum, but I’ll be the last word.The Pork Tornadoes are a democracy-ish. But decision-makers are pre-decided by a healthy division of labor.Learning to manage the public perception of your band (and your egos) like R.E.M. and RUSH did. 00:22:37 Do you name your band after yourself?My Thanks to Our Sponsors 00:25:09 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off Claude Pro, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab00:26:50 SPONSOR: Factor, America’s #1 Ready-To-Eat Meal Kit, can help you fuel up fast with flavorful and nutritious ready-to-eat meals delivered straight to your door. Visit FactorMeals.com/giggab50off and use code giggab50off for 50% off! 00:28:38 First kid in high school to start a band Grew out of the school-run rock bandDecided to play some originals and covers at home, and got a gig!The school librarian booked them monthly!Lesson: don’t put a vocal mic through the guitar ampTascam 4-Track cassette recorder to use as a mixer 00:33:27 Dan Manages the PA from the stage We rehearse in a 15×20 indoor, climate-controlled storage unit 00:36:32 Quick Tip: Use Low Pass Filters on everything00:37:35 Time Alignment: A reminder that sound source locations matter Check out the 16-minute mark of this episode with Robert Scovill for more 00:40:36 Having theater kids Stagelights in Greensboro, NC 00:43:05 The emotions during closing night in musical theater00:50:12 Gig Gab 522 Outtro Follow Dan Ray @DanRayMusician@CoverBandConfidential Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Cover Band Confidential’s Dan Ray: Test the Market, Then Rehearse – Gig Gab 521 appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    53 mins
  • Creating the Room You Want to Be In: Laura Whitmore and the She Rocks Story

    Creating the Room You Want to Be In: Laura Whitmore and the She Rocks Story
    Feb 9 2026
    You jump into this episode balancing the reality of working gigs with the mindset that keeps musicians moving forward. From Dave’s recent experiences playing atypical rooms with Bitter Pill to cramming new material for Casual Gravity, you’re reminded that momentum matters even when the crowd is small. Always Be Performing is not about scale, it’s about consistency. That theme carries straight into the conversation with Laura Whitmore, whose career has been shaped by connecting people, creating opportunities, and knowing when to pull back just enough to build a sustainable life alongside the work. As Laura walks you through the birth and growth of the She Rocks Awards, you hear what it actually takes to build something lasting. It started small, grew through trust and partnerships, and evolved by treating the event like a show, with pacing, flow, and intention. You dig into what real visibility looks like, how to define success on your own terms, and why borrowed platforms are never enough to build a career. The takeaway is practical and clear: start with a big vision, set measurable goals, build community deliberately, and own your audience. This episode is a reminder that longevity comes from intention, preparation, and showing up with purpose, gig after gig. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 520 – Monday, February 9th, 2026 February 9th: National Pizza Day 00:01:00 Dave’s Gig Updates Playing atypical venues with Bitter PillLearning new songs with Casual GravityAlways Be Performing…even for the small crowds! 00:17:10 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB.00:18:34 Guest co-host: Laura Whitmore00:22:20 The love of connecting people and making things happen00:23:08 Pulling back a little…to have a life Backstory in partnership with Guitar World and Parade 00:26:28 The green room at The She Rocks Awards is the ultimate networking event!00:29:33 The Birth of the She Rocks Awards Writing a women-in-music blog at Guitar World, realizing the women in music didn’t know each other… yet!Started as a breakfast (with sponsors…the cheapest meal of the day!). Orianthi performed, serendipitously.After two successful years, NAMM invited She Rocks into the event officially, and The Bangles performed.“You don’t really know what you’re capable of until you’re challenged and take that leap of faith.” – Laura Whitmore 2026 was the 14th year of She Rocks Awards. 170 She Rocks Awards have been presented in the last 14 years. 00:34:51 “Is this ever going to come together?” is scary Reframe it with “how is this ever going to come together?”It takes a village, folks! 00:38:12 Having good partners helps00:38:59 Create the event for yourself as an audience member That way you’ve got a stake in how it “feels” to attend, which means the audience is represented 00:41:16 Assembling the featured women Nominations at TheWimn.comCrafting the arc of the night by slotting the right people at the right spot. It’s a show! 00:43:49 Managing the flow of the night She Rocks Awards YouTube Channel 00:46:58 People whose names became known after they were on She Rocks Queen Herby (as Amy Heidemann)BeachesPRS Guitars brings in the opening act, with a fantastic Artist Relations team 00:49:40 Defining valuable visibility What’s your end goal?What are your metrics? What defines success?For your band, those might be: Did I get contact information?Did I build on success that I had before?Did this exposure opportunity help me grow to a new place/level?Start with big vision, small goals 00:54:16 You don’t own social media platforms, so don’t leave your audience there. Facebook used to let you message all your followers. Used to!If your audience is a subset of Facebook’s audience, that’s not your audience. Give them a reason to give you their email address.Gather those email addresses.Keep those pieces of paper – scan them! Spam laws might require you to prove it! 01:00:18 Gear Gab! Laura Whitmore is Sr. VP of Marketing at Positive GridSpark practice amps (with an app!)Project BIAS X – Standalone or Plugin 01:07:36 Designing high-quality technology for a market with a budget01:13:02 Gig Gab 520 OuttroFollow Laura Whitmore Check out TheWIMN.com (sign up for the mailing list for free!On InstagramOn LinkedIn Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagramfeedback@giggabpodcast.comSign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Creating the Room You Want to Be In: Laura Whitmore and the She Rocks Story – Gig Gab 520 appeared first on Gig Gab.
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    1 hr and 14 mins