Gig Gab - The Working Musicians' Podcast

Each week Paul Kent and Dave Hamilton come to you sharing their gigging experiences, tips and tricks learned, and interviews with other weekend warriors and pros. Wanna talk shop with your musical buddies? Look no further than GigGab!

  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Gear, Gimmicks, and the Good Stuff at NAMM 2026
    Gear, Gimmicks, and the Good Stuff at NAMM 2026 – Gig Gab 519 episode image

    You walk into NAMM 2026 thinking you will just wander and see what grabs you. You leave reminded that wandering works best when paired with a plan and a willingness to torch a few sacred cows along the way. This episode is a fast-moving field report from the floor, where the real takeaway is not just gear but mindset. You hear why talking with people matters more than chasing booths, why listening beats pitching, and how staying flexible turns a chaotic show into a productive one. NAMM rewards curiosity, but only if you stay intentional and remember that Always Be Performing is not about being loud, it is about being present.

    From there, you get a tight rundown of what actually stood out. You hear about clever mic and monitoring solutions, portable PA ideas that punch above their weight, smart tools for managing stage volume and feedback, and electronic drums and keyboards that feel less like compromises and more like real instruments. There is a clear throughline here: gear is getting smaller, smarter, and more musician-centric, solving real problems instead of adding features for the spec sheet. By the end, you are not just caught up on what Dave saw at NAMM 2026, you are thinking differently about how to approach shows, stages, and decisions long after the badges come off.

    The post Gear, Gimmicks, and the Good Stuff at NAMM 2026 – Gig Gab 519 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    2 February 2026, 8:05 am
  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    Gumbo, Gigs, and Grit: Bill Wharton’s Sauce Boss Path
    Gumbo, Gigs, and Grit: Bill Wharton’s Sauce Boss Path — Gig Gab 518 episode image

    Dave’s back from NAMM 2026 and has a little something to share about that. Actually three little somethings, so that’s where we start. But there’s more to say about that, and it’s not yet time, so we’ll extend the NAMM discussions into next week (and beyond?).

    For today, well, you don’t become the Sauce Boss by chasing a gimmick. You hear how Bill Wharton built a real, working-musician career by leaning hard into what felt natural to him, starting with a Datil pepper, a pot of gumbo, and a simple idea: turn the gig into a gathering. From cooking onstage on New Year’s Eve 1989 to feeding hundreds of people at festivals and never charging a dime for the food, Bill shows how blending music and food transformed shows from transactions into shared experiences. By creating a kitchen onstage, he stopped entertaining people just long enough to take their money and run, and instead built something with a life of its own, something that keeps audiences leaning in and coming back.

    As the conversation unfolds, you trace Bill’s path from top-40 bar gigs to one-man-band independence, full-band firepower, and stages as far-flung as Saudi Arabia. You hear why learning your strengths and ruthlessly discarding what doesn’t matter is not selfish, it’s survival. From dynamics, gear choices, and in-ear monitors to the lessons behind Blind Boy Billy, Bill makes the case that longevity comes from clarity, connection, and doing your thing without apology. The message for working musicians is direct and empowering: build the show you want to play, build the life that supports it, and keep showing up ready to give. Always Be Performing.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 518 – Monday, January 26th, 2026
    • NAMM Coverage Sponsors
    • 00:14:31 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB.
    • 00:16:21 Guest co-host: Bill Wharton
    • 00:18:41 How to become a sauce boss magnate…while also being a musician
      • Bill found the Datil pepper. Spicy and flavorful.
      • People would eat all the sauce at his house
      • So he made Liquid Summer hot sauce
      • But he wanted to sell hot sauce at gigs.
      • December 31, 1989 – made a pot of gumbo on stage to demo the hot sauce
        • No one would ever have to pay for for my gumbo… 240,000 bowls later, here we are!
    • 00:23:26 Blending music and food.
      • It’s better than entertaining people, taking the money, and run!
    • 00:25:12 Food and music are good together
      • Every good party has everyone hanging out in the kitchen
      • Bill creates the kitchen on stage
    • 00:26:33 That first Sauce Boss gig
    • 00:28:16 It has a life of its own and takes care of itself
      • It took 3.5 hours to know that this was going to work long-term
    • 00:30:38 Bill: “Always looking for something distinctively mine…something unique”
      • It’s hard to do your own thing.
    • 00:33:15 The typical sauce boss gig means cooking for 100 (or more) people
      • 400 people at a festival (it took TWO pots of gumbo)
    • 00:35:07 From Florida to Saudi Arabia
      • Sauce Boss plays/cooks at an Air Force base in Saudi Arabia
    • 00:37:09 A soul-shouting picnic of Rock and Roll Brotherhood
      • One or two 75-minute sets
      • The show never ends
    • 00:40:16 Learn, and then KNOW your strengths
      • Started playing top-40 gigs as a kid
      • …and then realized that’s a rat trap. Bill made a point of putting only the stuff that matters to him in his day…and his show.
      • Being “greedy” about putting my thing out there.
      • If I can do this, you can do this
      • Discard the things you don’t enjoy, embrace the things you do.
      • Story Time, it turns out!
    • 00:43:23 Jimmy Buffett wrote a song about the Sauce Boss – “I Will Play For Gumbo”
      • Playing a gig at Jimmy Buffett’s club in New Orleans… and Jimmy was there!
      • “This is the best (bar) band I’ve seen in a long time.”
    • 00:47:13 Where did “Sauce Boss” come from?
    • 00:49:47 Bread and Butter is the One Man Band
      • “But I have a music problem, and I like jammin’ with my buds!”
      • There’s something that happens when you have a little more firepower of a full band
    • 00:53:13 Bill is his own funky one-man band with a kick drum, hi-hat, and a guitar
    • 00:55:16 Dynamics are everything in terms of keeping a crowd
    • 00:57:09 Bill’s thoughts on in-ear monitors
    • 01:02:17 Gear Gab: Create a portable screen/keyboard/mouse for your home studio
    • 01:06:24 The Life and Times of Blind Boy Billy
      • A songbook, a recipe book, and Bill’s memoir.
    • 01:09:29 Gig Gab 519 Outtro

    The post Gumbo, Gigs, and Grit: Bill Wharton’s Sauce Boss Path — Gig Gab 518 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    26 January 2026, 9:05 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    The Engineer Is in the Band: Instinct, Ears, and Live Sound with Mike deAlmeida
    The Engineer Is in the Band: Instinct, Ears, and Live Sound with Mike deAlmeida — Gig Gab 517 episode image

    You’ve done gigs where nothing goes according to plan, but this episode reminds you that chaos is often the classroom. From sleeping on road cases at the Puerto Rican Day Parade to riding a flatbed packed with servo-driven subs that overwhelmed even earplugs and shooting cans, you hear how real-world pressure forges real skills. Mike deAlmeida walks you through learning to roll with it, figuring out systems on the fly before tools like Smaart were common, and walking into unknown gigs where the unknown singer/songwriter turns out to be Shawn Colvin. The lesson is clear: when you don’t know the band, communication is everything. Ask how they sound, listen closely, and remember that for that moment, you are part of the band. You’re playing the “mixing keyboard” today, so Always Be Performing.

    As the night wears on, the room changes and so must you. Heat, humidity, and ear fatigue quietly shift the mix, especially in the highs and high-mids, and Mike explains why gradual adjustments beat drastic moves every time. You’re reminded to watch the show, not just the meters, and to listen first before using tools like Smaart to confirm what your ears already know. From sweating out microphones and treating them like EQ devices to protecting your hearing with custom molds, active earplugs, and smart exposure management, this episode ties craft, tech, and longevity together. Layer in legendary Celebrity Week stories, the Van Halen M&Ms lesson, and Beach Boys theatrics, and you’re left with one guiding principle: mix a good show, every time, because that’s how careers last.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 517 – Monday, January 19th, 2026
    • 00:01:50 Puerto Rican Day Parade
      • Sleeping on road cases overnight
      • An insane number of speakers
      • Earplugs + Shooting cans STILL were too loud
      • Servo drives – highly efficient, but not fast. They have motors in them.
      • Security wouldn’t let us off the truck.
    • 00:06:43 Gig learning vs. classroom learning
      • Learning to roll with it
    • 00:08:52 When you don’t know the band
      • A little jazz band…as wallpaper
      • Sussed out the system manually (before the Smaart Live days!)
      • And a singer/songwriter… who turned out to be Shawn Colvin
    • 00:12:52 Communicating with a band you’ve never seen
      • Very helpful tips:
      • “Here’s how our band sounds.”
      • Guitar players who manage their levels between rhythm and solos
      • As an engineer, you are a member of the band (for that moment)
      • “You play mixing keyboard today”
    • 00:20:37 Teaching the foundation in class, students often seek practical experience on their own
      • Finding practical applications WHILE you’re in class is gold. You learn so much.
      • It all comes back to communication skills
      • For FOH engineers, watch the show! Pay attention to the band members
    • 00:24:30 Sound changes throughout the night
      • Heat and humidity will cause ebbs and flows (especially outdoors, but even inside)
      • Watch the highs and high-mids
      • Sound travels faster through a thick medium
      • Gradual adjustments so it sounds better
      • Increasing the mains throughout the show to keep the perceived level due to ear fatigue
      • Smaart Live for tweaking live sound
      • Listen first, then use the gear to confirm what you’re hearing
    • 00:31:35 When I mix, I want to hear a good show
      • So I tell the sound guy (me) to mix a good show
    • 00:32:57 Using the tech to isolate live to find (and fix) problems
    • 00:33:48 Learning the nuances of problems
    • 00:35:24 Hot lights to add to the sun!
      • Sweating out microphones… heat shrink tubing plus medical tape solves it
      • Microphones are EQ devices – Matt from Roswell Audio
    • 00:39:38 Mixing with earplugs?
    • 00:44:39 AirPods Pro “active earplugs” (aka Hearing Protection)
    • 00:52:25 Stories from Celebrity Week at North Shore Music Theatre
      • Almost got into a rumble with Al Martino
      • Face the wall when Wynona Judd walks by
      • Gallagher (or his brother!)
      • The Beach Boys
      • Weird Al
    • 00:56:04 The Van Halen M&Ms story
    • 00:57:37 The Beach Boys surfing on the revolving stage
    • 00:59:41 Gig Gab 519 Outtro

    The post The Engineer Is in the Band: Instinct, Ears, and Live Sound with Mike deAlmeida — Gig Gab 517 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    19 January 2026, 8:05 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    Be Prepared and Predictable: How Richie Castellano Stays Gig-Ready
    Be Prepared and Predictable: How Richie Castellano Stays Gig-Ready — Gig Gab 516 episode image

    You jump straight into the deep end with Richie Castellano as you explore what happens when preparation collides with opportunity. You follow his path from mixing weddings to standing behind massive analog rigs, wrangling six guitar channels, chasing down mysterious hums, and learning fast that the gremlins always show up when you least expect them. When the call comes to go from being Blue Oyster Cult’s sub sound engineer to bass player in four days with 21 songs to learn, the lesson is clear: play something you know, rehearse smart, and build a Just In Case bag that saves the gig. Success is not luck. It is preparation meeting the moment, and you are either ready or you are not. In order to Always Be Performing you need to Always Be Preparing!

    As the conversation deepens, you learn how adaptability gets and keeps gigs, from joining the culture of a band to solving problems so painlessly you become indispensable. Richie breaks down the craft of learning, teaching, and arranging vocal harmonies, including Yes music at the highest level, where not nailing the vocals means the whole thing falls apart. You hear why simplifying is sometimes the smart move, how spreadsheets can ease rehearsals, and why blending matters more than showing off. The episode closes with practical wisdom on collaboration with front of house, constant communication inside the band, and surrounding yourself with people on the same mission. This is a masterclass in being prepared, predictable, drama-free, and trusted when it counts.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 516 – Monday, January 12th, 2026
    • 00:01:40 From mixing weddings to arenas overnight
      • Called to sub as Blue Oyster Cult’s sound engineer
      • Steve “Woody” La Cerra
      • “Make them sound like a big bad rock band”
    • 00:06:53 The differences doing sound in a big room?
      • Six channels of guitar for 3 guitar players!
      • Where’s the cowbell?!?
    • 00:10:28 Arriving ten minutes before downbeat with the biggest system of my life
      • And it’s analog!
      • What’s that low hum
    • 00:12:49 The Gremlins That Run Around On Stage When You’re Not Looking
      • Play something you know
    • 00:17:46 SPONSOR: Squarespace. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/GIGGAB to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code GIGGAB.
    • 00:19:10 From sound to…playing bass in four days!
      • Here’s 18 songs… I mean 21 songs. Be ready to play this by Friday
      • Success is when preparation meets opportunity. Here’s the opportunity. Now you have to prepare for it!
      • Buck Dharma on Gig Gab
      • First gig was canceled… But that led to a rehearsal
      • Time to talk about the JustInCase…aka the Idiot Bag!
      • Plugged into the TV to rehearse
    • 00:22:39 “If you can do this five times in a row, this will be your gig.”
    • 00:25:02 Do you just want me to join the band?
      • If you solve a problem for someone painlessly, you’re not likely to be replaced.
      • Be Prepared and Predictable
      • And No Drama
    • 00:28:41 Joining the culture of a band
      • Matt Beck on guitar for the recent Jon Anderson tour fit perfectly
      • Being adaptable gets and keeps gigs
    • 00:33:22 Learning and teaching harmonies
      • Learning how to soften and blend
      • 40th Anniversary of Agents of Fortune
      • A trick: learn how to do impressions. “Sing this like Peter Gabriel”, “Sing this like Michael McDonald”
    • 00:39:51 Arranging Harmonies for Yes music
      • Don’t be afraid to simplify, folks
      • Use a spreadsheet!
      • Get it to “the best WE can do it”
      • Then ask “how can we make this blend better?”
    • 00:45:13 If we don’t nail the vocals, we suck!
    • 00:48:29 The collaboration between band and front of house
      • Ask front of house engineer: What do you need from me to sound good?
      • End sound check with an a capella vocal moment
    • 00:52:24 Talk to your bandmates and continually tweak things
      • “Why does your snare drum sound different today?”
    • 00:54:11 Surround yourself with bandmates who are on the same mission
    • 00:59:58 When bands write vocal harmonies
    • 01:04:18 Gig Gab 514 Outtro

    The post Be Prepared and Predictable: How Richie Castellano Stays Gig-Ready — Gig Gab 516 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    12 January 2026, 8:05 am
  • 1 hour 32 minutes
    Mixing Legends Live: Robert Scovill at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
    Mixing Legends Live: Robert Scovill at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — Gig Gab 515 episode image

    You step into the pressure cooker of elite live sound, where Robert Scovill shows you why chaos is often the best teacher. From mixing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions with zero margin for error to handling full-band changeovers on the fly, you learn that perfection is worth chasing but dangerous to demand. You hear why live mixing beats the studio for him. It is about capturing ensemble moments, not polishing parts. Even when the doubt creeps in before showtime, the lights come up, the band hits, and the moment reminds you why you do this. This is the mindset of Always Be Performing.

    You also get practical, battle-tested tactics for surviving high-stakes gigs. Learn how to study a band fast, who sings, who solos, and when, using recordings and YouTube as prep tools. You hear what it takes to mix legendary harmony vocals, why artists like Def Leppard insist on singing live, and how those expectations shape your approach.

    Then it gets nerdy in the best way, with the evolution of De-Feedback, real-world use at the Rock Hall, and how tools like reverse impulse responses can clean up wedges, vocals, and even IEMs. The takeaway is clear. Preparation, adaptability, and relentless curiosity are what keep you in the game.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 515 – Monday, January 5th, 2026
    • 00:01:25 Mixing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
      • 10+ Acts… with full changeovers
      • Trial by fire, with no time!
    • 00:07:27 The enjoyment of the pressure of mixing live
      • Perfection is a great thing to strive for, a terrible thing to achieve
    • 00:09:00 Giving up on the studio in favor of live
      • Way more interested in recording ensemble moments
    • 00:10:10 Started in live sound in the 1970s
    • 00:12:04 Full circle moments at Rock Hall
      • Mixing the Joe Cocker induction with Tedeschi Trucks
      • Mixing Peter Frampton…a throwback moment
    • 00:17:34 That thought creeps in: “I don’t know if I can keep doing this”
      • And then the show happens…with all of its moments!
    • 00:22:34 Learning a band quickly
      • Who’s singing? When?
      • Who plays the guitar solos (and when)?
      • Give them a recording in advance
      • Find them on YouTube
    • 00:25:53 Dolly Parton and Rob Halford sing Jolene
    • 00:28:23 Mixing Def Leppard harmony vocals
      • Def Leppard is a great example: they wanted to sing live
      • They worked hard to deliver what they expected (and what people expected)
    • 00:34:50 Mixing Prince at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
    • 00:38:20 Always Be Recording…and here’s why: Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks
    • 00:43:04 Alpha Labs De-Feedback
    • 00:48:42 De-Feedback started to “make churches sound better”
    • 00:57:28 De-Feedback at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
      • Elton John (because of his loud monitor wedges)
      • Cyndi Lauper
    • 01:02:02 Comparing De-Feedback to a Neve 5045
    • 01:10:19 A live De-Feedback demo and some nerdy details!
    • 01:26:24 Fixing IEMs with De-Feedback
      • Think about eliminating drum bleed from vocal mics, for one.
    • 01:28:47 Gig Gab 515 Outtro

     

    The post Mixing Legends Live: Robert Scovill at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — Gig Gab 515 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    5 January 2026, 8:05 am
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    The Hidden Work of Fun: Systems for Working Musicians with Richard Page
    The Hidden Work of Fun: Systems for Working Musicians with Richard Page episode image

    You love the music, but being a working musician comes with friction, and this episode tackles it head-on. You dig into the real difference between tribute bands and celebration projects, how to prep when multiple gigs stack up fast, and why anxiety creeps in when preparation gets sloppy. You explore how much rehearsal is enough, when studio versions help versus live recordings, and why fun disappears when expectations are unclear. The big takeaway is simple: intention matters. When you walk into rehearsal with a plan, a personal worklist, and shared expectations, you protect your energy and stay focused on what matters most. That focus is how you keep growing while Always Be Performing.

    From rehearsals to gig day, you learn how systems save your sanity. You hear why rehearsal recordings only work if someone is actually assigned to listen, how shared calendars prevent chaos, and why group texts quietly sabotage bands. You break down practical tools for managing gigs, promotion, and communication, from punchlist spreadsheets to task masters who own the details. You even get into tech expectations for bandmates and why alignment matters more than gear. The message is clear: externalize the details, reduce decision fatigue, and free your head to show up present, prepared, and confident on stage.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 514 – Monday, December 29th, 2025
    • 00:02:03 Richard’s got some tribute shows happening
    • 00:06:07 Dave’s got three different shows to learn and play in 2 weeks
      • The anxiety of preparing for too many gigs at once
      • When prepping celebration shows, do you do all studio? Some live?
    • 00:24:33 SPONSOR: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/giggab #rulapod
    • 00:26:19 NAMM coming up!
    • 00:26:55 Being a working musician comes with a lot of friction to have fun
    • 00:28:48 Setting rehearsal intention
      • Have a plan!
      • Be careful of repeating songs and consuming time
      • Set expectations. Ensure everyone arrives on the same page.
      • Keep a “personal worklist” note going on your phone during rehearsals
    • 00:33:41 Maximizing rehearsal recordings
      • Rotate between band-members for listening to rehearsal recordings
      • You inspect what you expect!
    • 00:38:49 Scheduling rehearsals
    • 00:42:36 Inter-band communication
      • Group Messages…SUCK (especially now with RCS, that was supposed to fix it)
      • You’ve gotta have a task-master!
      • WheresTheGig.com
      • BandHelper
    • 00:50:46 Creating a Spreadsheet punchlist for gigs
    • 00:55:55 Tech requirements for new band members
      • Green Bubble Prejudice!
    • 01:02:12 Three iPads
    • 01:10:17 Gig Gab 514 Outtro

    The post The Hidden Work of Fun: Systems for Working Musicians — Gig Gab 514 with Richard Page appeared first on Gig Gab.

    29 December 2025, 8:05 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    Lindsay Manfredi’s Road to Cold: Music, Micro-Pivots, and Radical Self-Worth
    Lindsay Manfredi’s Road to Cold: Music, Micro-Pivots, and Radical Self-Worth — Gig Gab 513 episode image

    You follow Lindsay Manfredi’s wild, non-linear path from merch table to main stage, and she shows you exactly how saying yes, showing up, and outworking your fear can change your entire trajectory. You hear how she moved to Florida at twenty chasing a rock-star dream, became an instant Cold superfan, and eventually landed the bass gig through a Twitter message that felt too unreal to be real. She talks candidly about law-of-attraction moments, why every Cold song has to matter, and where the line sits between authentic human creativity and formulaic or AI-generated music. Through it all, she reminds you that most fears never materialize and it takes the same effort to believe in yourself as it does to doubt yourself. Always Be Performing.

    From there, you shift into the discipline behind her artistry: preparing for tours months in advance, running the set nearly every day, and over-preparing so the stage actually feels fun. She shares how making the road feel like home keeps her grounded, and how her book “The Girl Who Cried Love” came from losing her sense of self and rebuilding true self-worth, not just confidence. You explore dropping habits that don’t serve you, reconnecting with what you really value, and even why revisiting Mad Men taught her to only compete with herself. Finally, you wrap with a deep dive into in-ear monitor strategy, why a great mix beats great gear, and the small decisions that make performing sustainable for the long haul.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 513 – Monday, December 22nd, 2025
    • 00:01:30 Twenty years old, moved to Florida to become a rock star
    • 00:04:45 Bringing the Law of attraction into the rock world
      • Lindsay’s Cold tattoo made it into the album insert
      • 00:06:00 Getting the Cold gig… on Twitter in 2014
      • Picture Yes was playing at The Vogue in Indianapolis on tour with Saving Abel
      • Check your Facebook messages: “Will you be in our band?”
    • 00:07:32 Always say “yes!” — Build the plane while you’re flying it.
      • Bought a 5-String
    • 00:09:09 Play music because you love to play music
      • No fluff songs in Cold
      • Every song matters
    • 00:11:25 Fuck AI to create music
      • Is Formulaic Music from humans just as bad as AI-Created Music
      • When do we hit the point where it’s OK to use AI to create music
    • 00:20:13 If you’re an artist, you’re going to create art.
      • 85% of what we’re afraid of won’t happen.
      • It takes just as much effort to have faith in something as it does to fear something
    • 00:23:46 Transitioning from fan to band member
      • Scooter says: “bring your personality to it!”
      • Capture the original intent and emotion
      • Lindsay rewrote the run in “So Long June” and… it was welcomed!
    • 00:27:30 Preparing enough to have fun on stage
      • Months of practice before a tour
      • In order to have fun on stage… I need to be an over-preparer!
      • Fender P-Bass at home to learn and prepare for tour
      • Heavier strings on the practice bass
      • Run the set every day (almost)
    • 00:33:42 Start rehearsal in December for tour in April
      • It’s more fun to be prepared
    • 00:36:10 Making the road feel like home
      • Making your bunk your own
      • Cold is a family
      • Touring is my favorite thing to do
    • 00:39:52 The Girl Who Cried Love, a Pivot to Self Worth
      • Lindsay: I lost myself into what became a failed relationship
      • Trying to prove my worth to someone who didn’t see my worth
      • So many of us aren’t taught what our true worth is
      • Asking herself: “Lindsay, what do you really want in your life? What is your purpose? What are your values?”
      • The difference between confidence and self-worth.
    • 00:45:33 It’s hard to drop the shit that’s not serving you
    • 00:46:37 How can I make the world a little bit better?
      • Being in the audience first makes everything so much clearer
    • 00:47:51 Identifying a bad habit before you can drop it
      • “My goal in life is to wake up laughing every day”
    • 00:49:01 Revisiting Mad Men, of all things
      • Better to compete with yourself
    • 00:51:19 In Ear Monitors
    • 01:01:52 Gig Gab 513 Outtro

    The post Lindsay Manfredi’s Road to Cold: Music, Micro-Pivots, and Radical Self-Worth — Gig Gab 513 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    22 December 2025, 8:05 am
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    Booking Smarter, Singing Harder: Demetri Papanicolau on Gig Life
    Booking Smarter, Singing Harder: Demetri Papanicolau on Gig Life — Gig Gab 512 episode image

    You follow Demetri Papanicolau’s winding path from Fidelity financial consultant to full-time booking agent and working musician, discovering how taking risks, saying yes to scary gigs, and learning from every stage moment shaped his career. You hear how singing AC/DC and Zeppelin in high school, drilling Beatles harmonies, and navigating the evolution from originals to covers built the chops he still relies on today. As you ride through stories of surprise band formations, COVID-era pivots, and the birth of Rotten Apple, you’re reminded that you must Always Be Performing, even when the gig you expected turns into something entirely different.

    You also step inside Demetri’s world at Notso Costley Productions, where booking is equal parts diplomacy, coaching, and reading the room. He breaks down what venues actually want, what musicians consistently get wrong, and how reliability wins more than draw. You learn how he balances the needs of solos, duos, trios, and full bands; why non-verbal communication and a good hang matter; how to build an EPK that gets you on a roster; and what happens when rates rise across the scene. Through it all, Demetri shows how being both booker and performer lets him guide bands and venues toward smoother nights, stronger partnerships, and gigs that keep everyone coming back.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 512 – Monday, December 15th, 2025
    • NAMM coming up!
    • 00:02:19 From Fidelity Financial Consultant to Acquiring and running a Booking Agency
    • 00:05:33 Singing AC/DC and Zeppelin in high school to vocal lessons
    • 00:06:06 Learning harmonies by singing The Beatles
    • 00:07:32 Playing in an original band that became a cover band
    • 00:10:05 Learning while not playing…big ears!
      • Submitted to America’s Got Talent
    • 00:13:39 Taking new gigs even when they scare the heck out of you
      • A Josh Logan cancelation leads to a band formation to sub!
    • 00:16:02 It’s not about the gigs you take, it’s also about the gigs you don’t take
      • Be selective!
    • 00:17:17 Alice and Chains becomes the thread to the story
    • 00:18:51 COVID derails (and delays) some gigs…oh how we remember!
    • 00:22:28 Always performing with passion
      • …and perfection!
      • Developing that non-verbal communication
    • 00:28:22 Bonding as harmony singers
      • When you find that magic formula with someone, stick with it!
    • 00:33:41 Putting the time in for continuous growth
      • Maintaining beginner’s mind
    • 00:34:07 Finding those right partners where it’s a good hang
      • When your FOH Jim Roese, FOH with Fuel, Melissa Etheridge, and also Rotten Apple
    • 00:37:44 Running a booking agency
      • Working for both the venue and the performer
      • Having a roster of musicians: solos, duos, trios, full bands
      • Being in the performer’s shoes helps Demetri be a coach to bands AND venues to ensure smooth sailing
    • 00:42:48 Reading the room goes a long
    • 00:44:15 Demetri’s advice for making it work (or not work)
      • To get on the roster: Have a good EPK and promo kit
      • Once you’re on: responsiveness, being available, managing your schedule
    • 00:46:24 Demetri’s biggest juggling act: adapting to last-minute changes
      • The time Casual Gravity cancelled last minute!
      • Reliability is huge
    • 00:54:17 Venue feedback
      • Draw isn’t always the most important thing
      • Be a pro on the mic. Represent the venue.
      • Play the right songs.
      • Keeping the venues happy allows Demetri to book his roster of performers
    • 00:57:43 Raising rates for the performer
      • New rates for 2025
      • $230-$250 for solo (from $170-$200 three years ago)
      • $450-$500 for duo
      • $660-$700 for trio
      • $700-$1,000 for bands (or more for A-List prices)
      • Balancing rates between performers and venues, ensuring everyone is profitable
    • 01:05:03 Carrying on Paul Costley’s legacy and tradition with Nosto Costley Productions
      • Took a voluntary buyout package from Fidelity to make the time to acquire the agency
      • 12/31/2021 was the day Demetri took over…and stopped cutting his hair
    • 01:09:20 Gig Gab 512 Outtro

    The post Booking Smarter, Singing Harder: Demetri Papanicolau on Gig Life — Gig Gab 512 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    15 December 2025, 8:05 am
  • 58 minutes 56 seconds
    From Hiatus to 250K Streams: The Gale Bird Story with Sean Monahan
    From Hiatus to 250K Streams: The Gale Bird Story with Sean Monahan — Gig Gab 511 episode image

    Sean Monahan from Gale Bird joins Dave Hamilton to walk you through their path of being successful working musicians in an original band. You follow Gale Bird’s path from college songwriting to a 13-year hiatus and a full-tilt return that finally landed Gale Bird on a label. You hear how the band treats music as both passion and business, blending Sean’s production chops with Joshua’s marketing instincts to create songs that connect. You get reminded that “overnight success” takes decades, and that everyone who hires you is thinking in terms of return. Failure, lineup changes, stalled gigs… they’re not roadblocks, folks, they’re prep for the next shot. That’s where you lean into the mindset: Always Be Performing.

    You also learn how the label helps identify the songs that will land, how playlist strategy works, and how Gale Bird built a digital identity alongside their live-show firepower. You dig into their content engine, daily-posting experiments, AI reels, and the push to film everything. Collaboration becomes a skill, not an accident, and you see how respecting different strengths keeps the whole machine running. Gear Gab rounds it out with a bit of a wishlist: Kempers, custom Teles, splitter snakes, and the stress test of soundcheck when tech goes sideways. Press play and enjoy!

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 511 – Monday, December 8th, 2025
    • 00:01:50 Went to two different schools together
      • Met in college, started writing songs, doing some local touring
      • Then a 13-year break after college while they started families
      • And then, two years ago, you got the band back together!
    • 00:03:19 Signed to a label
    • 00:05:11 A Passion that’s also very much a business
      • Producing art that is digested by as many people as possible
      • Sean’s been a full-time musician since college
      • Learned all the right production techniques
      • Met all the right people
      • Hiring the right engineer and session musicians for the album
      • Joshua has been in sales and marketing as his career
      • And also understands aesthetics and marketing… and is Sean’s co-songwriter
    • 00:07:57 The label saw *people* they could invest in, and also liked their sound
    • 00:10:07 This is the entertainment business!
      • Whomever hires you is thinking about dollar signs
      • They need to see the return, and as a musician you have to understand that
    • 00:13:21 Failure prepares you for what’s next
      • Sometimes a gig ends
    • 00:15:54 250,000 streams in one year!
    • 00:16:56 The Label helps
      • Staying in touch with Playlisters and other avenues like radio, too
    • 00:19:38 Getting on Playlists
      • Label says, “write 20 songs, we’ll pick one or two” when we analyze what will perform the best on the streamers
      • One side of the business: live shows full of rock and feels and merch and all that
      • The other side: the digital side. People need to have a representation of the band that’s unique to them.
      • The label is the expert for the digital side, knowing how to identify the songs that will land on the streamers
      • Turns out we land in the “country” genre, so we’ll add a banjo to a song (for example).
      • Roses by Gale Bird is a perfect example
    • 00:24:25 SPONSOR: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/giggab #rulapod
    • 00:26:12 Creating a social media system for your band
      • An experiment: post every day for 2 months and see what happens
      • Lesson learned: go heavy for a shorter period of time
      • Always be thinking about future content. Film, film, film
      • AI Reels
      • A/B testing
    • 00:33:31 Creating side businesses to funnel and fuel Gale Bird
    • 00:35:00 Learning to collaborate on your own songs
      • “The better a songwriter is at collaboration, the more successful they’ll be”
    • 00:36:48 The Gale Bird formula
      • Can play as a duo or a full band or anything in between.
    • 00:38:39 Respecting skillsets
      • Sean shines in the studio: plays all the instruments except drums
      • Joshua shines on stage: sings, plays acoustic guitar, and has excellent stage presence
    • 00:44:05 …and managing pride
    • 00:44:27 Gear Gab
    • 00:44:56 Fender and Guitar Center collaborated on a custom telecaster
    • 00:46:32 Sean went to a Kemper rig
    • 00:48:25 Behringer Wing Rack
    • 00:54:12 The stress of tech issues at soundcheck
    • 00:57:10 Gig Gab 511 Outtro

    The post From Hiatus to 250K Streams: The Gale Bird Story with Sean Monahan — Gig Gab 511 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    8 December 2025, 8:05 am
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    Gig Wisdom & Scheduled Fun Time with Matt Musty of Train
    Gig Wisdom & Scheduled Fun Time with Matt Musty of Train — Gig Gab 510 episode image

    Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look with Train’s drummer Matt Musty and host Dave Hamilton as they dive deep into gig wisdom, touring tips, and pro gear secrets. Learn why being on time, managing your role smartly, and balancing music, money, and the hang is essential for a successful music career. From handling days off and staying rested on the road to mastering in-ear monitors with creative mic setups, this episode is packed with actionable advice every touring musician needs. Always Be Performing with fresh insights that keep you inspired and ready for every show.

    Discover how Matt approaches touring with diplomacy, band dynamics, and staying connected to home life while on the road. Explore favorite microphones for perfect in-ear sound, how to avoid a sterile IEM mix, and the importance of scheduled fun time to keep social media engaging. Whether you’re a musician, live sound enthusiast, or fan of the tour life, this episode offers a masterclass in professionalism and passion to elevate your musical journey and keep your performance sharp night after night.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 510 – Monday, December 1st, 2025
    • 00:02:22 Train continues to level up
    • 00:03:40 Waking up the singer ten minutes before the gig!
    • 00:06:10 Gig Advice from Musty: Be On Time
    • 00:08:46 I’m not ever the guy who hangs around
      • My job’s done
    • 00:10:09 Managing your opinion
    • 00:11:16 The long game of diplomacy is the key to a successful career
      • The gig philosophy, 2 out of 3 aint bad:
        • Music
        • Money
        • Hang
    • 00:15:51 Days off are tough on the band and crew
    • 00:18:26 The risk of hanging out with your road-hosts after the gig
      • Prioritizing sleep on the road
    • 00:23:42 The Zen of the connection between you and your gear
      • The no-soundcheck days
    • 00:28:48 PODCAST: Album Archives. Count down The Top 300 Albums of All Time — one record at a time — with Album Archives | The Vault of Music History.
    • 00:29:46 IEM Talk!
      • Sometimes a broken seal
      • Ideas for avoiding a sterile IEM mix
        • Matt put a “crotch mic in place: a Beyer M160 underneath the snare to grab the sound of the kit and put it through some reverb with compression AFTER the reverb
        • Audience Mics
        • Adding reverb to the drums and vocal mics
      • Play every song like it’s the first time. Be inspired!
    • 00:41:39 Finding the right microphones to capture your instrument for your in-ears
    • 00:44:37 Favorite snare drum mics
    • 00:49:31 The short version of the Earthworks story
    • 00:51:15 Keeping a connection to home while on the road
    • 00:52:30 Enjoying the spoils of a high-level tour
    • 00:56:42 Being recognized for your job
    • 00:59:10 A quick social media discussion
    • 01:02:48 Gig Gab 510 Outtro

    The post Gig Wisdom & Scheduled Fun Time with Matt Musty of Train — Gig Gab 510 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    1 December 2025, 8:05 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Inside Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles with David Leaf
    Inside Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles with David Leaf — Gig Gab 509 episode image

    You drop into this episode walking side-by-side with David Leaf as he revisits the moments that shaped his life around Brian Wilson’s genius. You hear how Brian needed unconditional connection to create, how Leaf found himself driving tour vans, sitting in private Sinatra rehearsals, and realizing he had to earn his place in those rooms. From LA trips with legends to the spark that made him pack up, move west, and chase Brian’s story head-on, you feel the lesson hit hard: keep moving forward and Always Be Performing.

    You also get a front-row view into the musical engine behind Brian Wilson’s world. Leaf breaks down the jazz-rooted harmonies, the devotion of Brian’s touring band, and the emotional work that helped Brian reclaim his confidence. You learn how Pet Sounds floored Lennon and McCartney, why Paul might be the biggest Beatles fan alive, and why Leaf argues Brian deserves solo induction into the Rock Hall. Along the way, you’re guided through The Reel Beatles class, the making of Smile, and the books that document it all, leaving you with the sense that loving music isn’t passive… it’s a craft you show up for every day.

    • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 509 – Monday, November 24th, 2025
    • 00:02:16 Brian Wilson calls… I need “friends” in the room.
    • 00:07:20 First Trip to LA…with Nelson Riddle and Frank Sinatra
    • 00:11:04 In college he became obsessed with Brian Wilson
    • 00:11:50 The band for Brian’s 1999-2000 tour, Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE
      • The band was devoted to recreating the moments
    • 00:12:24 If you’re obsessed with Brian Wilson, why dont you do something about it
      • Why don’t I move to California, meet Brian Wilson, and write a book about him and help him finish SMiLE
      • My parents told me I was special, and I believed them.
    • 00:13:58 Walked up to Dennis Wilson and told him he was going to write a book about his brother
      • Lesson: Keep moving forward!
    • 00:15:37 Brian and I were friends
    • 00:16:33 Brian loved to do casual singing
      • Singing along to the oldies with Brian Wilson
      • Going to the Church of Brian Wilson
    • 00:19:08 His musicians gave him the unconditional love he needed to play this music
      • …and eventually release Smile
      • Brian Wilson saw Wild Honey… “If I had this group back in the 1960s, I could have taken Smile on the road!”
    • 00:22:47 The technical complexities of Brian Wilson’s harmonies
      • Brian came from jazz
    • 00:25:42 Brian Wilson’s relationship with Sir Paul McCartney
      • When Pet Sounds came out, John and Paul told him how much they loved the album
      • Recording Artists were Song Monkeys in the old days
    • 00:29:08 SPONSOR: Surfshark. Go to https://surfshark.com/giggab4 or use code giggab at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!
    • 00:31:29 SPONSOR: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/giggab #rulapod
    • 00:33:29 Brian Wilson singing Brian Wilson
    • 00:38:45 Brian Wilson had initial confidence, and then it was beaten out of him
    • 00:39:44 Managing The Pressure of First Fame
      • Finally, Brian: “I have emotional security”
      • Tips for Avoiding Internal Pressure
    • 00:46:03 Meet The Reel Beatles, a 10-week class
    • 00:51:39 Paul McCartney is the world’s biggest Beatles Fan
    • 00:53:36 Brian Wilson
    • 00:56:32 David’s Books
    • 00:57:58 The candor captured Brian Wilson, Live at The Roxy
    • 01:00:59 Gig Gab 509 Outtro

    The post Inside Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles with David Leaf — Gig Gab 509 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    24 November 2025, 8:05 am
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