Cover Band Confidential's Podcast
332 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 73 ratingsA podcast for musicians of all backgrounds to learn how to run your music career like a business! Whether you're a weekend warrior or a hired gun; whether you play cover songs or originals, Cover Band Confidential is your weekly source on how to make GOOD money playing music!
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Episodes
Episode 279: What's it REALLY like to work at Sweetwater? (interview with Creston Heltzel)
July 07, 2023 00:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBRegular listeners will remember our band coaching session with Creston Heltzel and his band Alt95 from about a year ago. Well in the last few months the Patrons in the Slack have been witness to a whole new opportunity for Creston, one many of us have wondered about. He's just started his Sales Tech training at Sweetwater! We chat about what the interview and onboard process has been like, what it's like to work at Music Disneyland, how to set a band up for success after you depart,...
Episode 278: How To Not Suffer
June 30, 2023 00:00 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBSeasons change in the cover musician landscape! Gigs that were a lock dry up, relationships change, and the world moves on. But do you? In this episode we cover the attitude to take when things don't go your way, and how to bounce back strong. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends! Linktree: linktr.ee/adampatrickjohnson linktr.ee/coverbandconfidential Follow us on Instagram! @coverbandconfi...
Episode 277: What To Do When Your Setlist Works?
June 23, 2023 00:00 - 36 minutes - 33 MBThis week the boys tackle a topic that came up on the Patreon Slack: When a setlist totally rocks all the way through, what do you do? Keep it around and play it at the next show? And the one after that? Or toss it and start the next one from scratch? Or take what learning you can and use it to inform the next one? The pros and cons abound! Thank you so much for tuning in! If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends! Linktree: linktr.ee/adampat...
Episode 276: Go See Shows!
June 16, 2023 00:00 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBThis week Adam shares about his experience getting his whole entire mind blown by Big Wreck, and we talk about the joy and importance of being a consumer of this stuff too. Getting outside your folded-arms business-person audience membership and let yourself be on the other end of the performer/audience connection for once. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends! Linktree: linktr.ee/adampatrickjohnson ...
Episode 275: What Is Cheating (or: Buy a Snake)
June 09, 2023 00:00 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBThis week the boys discuss a well-trodden topic in a new way: How much content in a backing track is too much? Where does it cross the line and become theater instead of live music? When is that okay? Also a discussion of our favorite and least favorite creepy crawlies. It makes sense, trust us. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends! Linktree: linktr.ee/adampatrickjohnson linktr.ee/coverban...
Episode 274: Cover Band Parenting
June 02, 2023 00:00 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MBInspired by two brand new fathers among the patreon Slack members (all our congrats, Michael Harris of Diamond Avenue and Adam Moskowitz of the VAM BAND!), your hosts recount their experience, wins-and-losses, and advice as gigging musician dads. Also: Our various reactions to musical theater, tales from the week's gigs, acoustic in-ears, and other oddments. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends! Linktree: l...
Episode 273: Blame It On The Rain
May 26, 2023 00:00 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MBThis week's episode is NOT about lipsyncing, but it IS about rain! When to start worrying about it on your summer gigs. What to do when it's in the forecast. How to protect yourself, your gear, and your business from inclement inevitability. And how the pros handle it, and what they can turn it into! Also a hot take on the Foo's new drummer Josh Freese (spoiler: good choice!). Thank you so much for tuning in! If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your fri...
Episode 272: The Best Time Is Now
May 19, 2023 00:00 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MBToday the lads tackle a few questions from listeners--primarily about how and when to set up formal business structures. Should my band have a bank account? When should I form an LLC? How do I fake it through requests? These questions and more get the famous CBC touch. ALSO! WOW! DO NOT MISS!! A brand new outro bumper featuring words of wisdom from someone wise. Thank you so much for tuning in! If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends! Linktr...
Episode 271: A Tale of Two Gigs
May 11, 2023 00:00 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBThis week the boys recap their Big Gigs of the week--one a mostly-total success, and the other fraught with technical and social challenges. Whose is whose? LIsten and find out! Thank you so much for tuning in! If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends! Linktree: linktr.ee/adampatrickjohnson linktr.ee/coverbandconfidential Follow us on Instagram! @coverbandconfidential @adampatrickjohnson @danraymusician If you have any que...
Episode 270: A Debrief on Old-School Marketing
May 05, 2023 00:00 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBHere's what ChatGPT thinks happens in this episode: On this episode of the Cover Band Confidential podcast, Adam and Dan share their experiences promoting their cover band using traditional methods. They recount their adventures attending events, putting up flyers, and making personal connections with potential fans. The hosts also emphasize the importance of community support, highlighting a band [Yacht Rock Revue -ed.] that received help from their community after their gear was...
Episode 269: Kid Music and Old-School Marketing
April 28, 2023 00:00 - 45 minutes - 42 MBThis week we hit two topics that couldn't be further apart: What to play for an audience of grade-schoolers? And what happens when you go old school and market person-to-person with in-venue flyer distribution? We don't know the answer to either of those things, but by gum we'll talk about them! Replacement Power Cables: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016BJGZ2U Thank you so much for tuning in! If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends! Linktree: l...
Episode 268: Could you play in 5 bands and build a massive social media following in your 50's? (Interview with David Houston- Austin, TX)
April 21, 2023 00:00 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MBThis week's guest is multi-instrumentalist and content creator David Houston. Dave currently plays in 5 different groups (on 3 different instruments) in Austin, Texas. In this interview we talk about how he got started in music, how the clever idea isn't always the most successful idea, being an older creator on Tiktok, and the state of the Austin music scene. For more info about David, check out all of his links here: https://campsite.bio/dhvoice 2023 Expense Tracker: https://w...
Episode 267: When is it time to delegate band responsibilities?
April 14, 2023 00:00 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBThis week after returning from the Great Smoky Mountains, Adam and Dan talk about their weeks and Adam discusses how his thoughts about being a "band leader" have changed in recent months. Check out Adam's review of Ableset 2 here: https://youtu.be/GGDNS3rdBek Use this link to save $10 off! https://ableset.app/cbc/ Ableton Live Template: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/backing-track-resources Blank Contracts & Riders: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/perfo...
Episode 266: How do you franchise your band? (Interview with John Pisano from Jukebox Productions)
April 06, 2023 00:00 - 10 minutes - 34.3 MBThis week's special guest is John Pisano from Jukebox Productions. John's got two sibling bands operating in San Diego, CA and Boise, Idaho. He's right at the cutting edge of what an events/weddings band can be. Hear him talk about integrating a DJ into his band, how he evolved his thinking on pricing, and so many other things. In fact, this conversation has been SO HOTLY ANTICIPATED among the Slack members that they've straight begged to have it release mid-day instead of this ev...
Episode 265: The Only Constant is Change
March 31, 2023 00:00 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBPeople come and people go: from our projects, our bands, and our lives. Are you prepared for that essential member to go on to bigger and better things? Today yer bois talk about the pain of losing a key person, and the need to keep an eye out at all times. That next beloved member might come from any direction!
Episode 264: Headrush and Gibson: Worth it or no?
March 24, 2023 00:00 - 43 minutes - 67.5 MBToday your boys dig into some brand new gear announcements: The Headrush Prime and the Gibson Billy Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior. Is one of them worth it? Are they both? IS NEITHER?? Let's find out. USE PROMO CODE "NEWSITE10" to save 10% of all digital products on the ALL NEW https://www.coverbandconfidential.com 2023 Expense Tracker: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/musician-finance-tools Blank Contracts & Riders: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/performa...
Episode 263: Getting In Shape
March 17, 2023 00:00 - 41 minutes - 38 MBThe season is about to heat up, and lots of us have been lying on the couch eating cheese! Time to get back into shape! Gigging Shoes: Dan: Crocs Santa Cruz: https://www.crocs.com/p/mens-santa-cruz-slip-on/10128.html Adam: Vans Ultrarange: https://www.vans.com/en-us/shoes-c00081/ultrarange-exo-shoe-pvn0a4u1kblk
Episode 262: Supporting Our Peers
March 10, 2023 00:00 - 1 minute - 16.2 MBJust a shorty today so sick-boy Dan can drag his carcass to bed. But first--Adam has a story about going out to see a killer band, what he learned from watching them, and what he realized about how we all might be with one another. Good stuff! Come see the new website at http://coverbandconfidential.com 10% discount on all digital item with the code NEWSITE10
Episode 261: Running Sound for Cover Bands
March 03, 2023 00:00 - 46 minutes - 43 MBWhen you started a band, you didn't know you'd also have to be a live sound engineer, did you? You might not have know you'd need to manage five people's in-ear mixes, or known how to handle feedback issues in a broad range of rooms. This week the boys dig in on what it takes to run your own sound, and how do it well. You can help our friend David Lynam by registering to match as a kidney donor. Go here: http://Uabmedicine.org/donateakidney You'll need his full name (above) and hi...
Episode 260: Gear Chat
February 24, 2023 00:00 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBThis week is ALL about gear. • MEE Audio Custom Mold In-Ears * Line6 Relay G50 issues • Turbosound tower speaker torture-test * New open beta for Behringer mixer app
Episode 259: Treadmills, Band Names, and Intellectual Property
February 17, 2023 00:00 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBBeen a bit since we've been back in our wheelhouse: two music nerds talking. This week there's this item hitting the news about the band OK Go and their legal issues with a breakfast cereal brand. It's interesting in its own right, but it opens the door to lots of Big Thoughts about us local bands, the importance (or not) of uniqueness in our naming, and how to handle intellectual property as part of a brand. Adam's dog clicker on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YXpbFu
Episode 258: Adam Moskowitz from The VAM Band
February 09, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 66.9 MBPlease welcome our very special guest, long-time listener and Patreon member Adam Moskowitz of The VAM Band from South Florida! You might recognize Adam from the outro bumper our show has carried for MANY months now (and Adam's got something to say about that!). Adam has built a very interesting business model, where all his players are basically modular. He swaps in players for reasons of availability, geography, etc. Then he built a whole library of learning and backing tracks t...
Episode 257: Mickey Music (Also: CBConference?!)
February 03, 2023 00:00 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBThis week is the first time yer boys have hung together in a few weeks, and Dan has some Mickey-inspired thoughts about how the world's biggest entertainment conglomerate runs live music. However they do it, it's GOOD. Then: What if we did a real, like, in-person THING? Would you come? W'e'd love to see you. Will you let us know [email protected] is where to say.
Episode 256: Cover Band Coaching: Savvy
January 27, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBThis week is a live band coaching session with Savvy the Band, from Bozeman MT. Their drummer and band manager Adam has been a long-time Cover Band Confidential patreon member, and this coaching session is part of their benefit. It turns out there's a LOT to talk about! Adam runs through a detailed review of Savvy's social and marketing efforts (largely great, a few clear areas to target for improvement). Then Dan has a dive into their branding ethos and position, leaving them wit...
Episode 255: “You have to be present to win” -Interview with Tyson Leslie of Vixen
January 20, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 97.4 MBThis week Adam has a conversation with multi-instrumentalist Tyson Leslie: currently working as the tour manager and keyboard player for Vixen. We cover how he got started playing music, how he got established in the cutthroat Nashville music scene, and Rare Hare, the 80's Metal Jam event he puts on throughout the year! Check out Tyson at https://www.facebook.com/tysonleslie/ 2023 Expense Tracker: https://www.adampatrickjohnson.com/products/fj7pch7e7rek61uqvdtlng9xc8wxqw Blank ...
Episode 254: Maintenance Matters
January 13, 2023 00:00 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBThis episode we deal with it. If your new years commitment is to "take care" of your "self".... Well, what is a "self", and what does it mean to "take care" of it? Well for us noise generators, it surely includes trips to the ear doctors! That's what most of this episode is about, if you ignore the dental, miraculously gig-booking, and Friday the 13thing content therein.
Episode 253: Rolling Stone 200 Greatest Singers of All Time (?)
January 06, 2023 00:00 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBFriends. Rolling Stone made a list. Here it is: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/ This episode is about our PROBLEMS with it.
Episode 252: Year In Review
December 30, 2022 00:00 - 37 minutes - 34 MBOn the heels of our Burnout episode, and with some great advice from a great Friend of the Pod, we're pushing back to look bigger-picture at the year in review, what we've accomplished, where we've grown, and what there is to take on next. Also, what would you name a Huey Lewis tribute?? Hit us up with what you see the next year will be about for you, at [email protected]
Episode 251: Burnout
December 23, 2022 00:00 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBIt happens to all of us, from time to time. What do you do when the joy is gone? The 2023 Expense Tracker spreadsheet is available here: https://www.adampatrickjohnson.com/products/fj7pch7e7rek61uqvdtlng9xc8wxqw
Episode 250: Are you a Show Band or a Service Band?
December 16, 2022 00:00 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBAfter a weekend warrrior recap, Dan raises the question of whether you've ever encountered a song that's too iconically connected to a particular artist to cover--because he may have. Then Adam raises the real question. We explore the dichotomy between two kinds of bands; Show Bands and Service Bands. We explore the nooks and crannies of this concept and come out agreeing that they're both good, but the focuses are very different. Knowing which you are and which you want to be is ...
Episode 249: Cover Band No-Nos
December 09, 2022 00:00 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBWe hate to harsh on people's acts, but Adam saw a show last night that had was rife with teachable moments. At least three lessons were learnable from how this band did--so learn! And do better! William Nesmith's "Go Tell It On The Mountain": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYSwBfXKYUk&ab_channel=WilliamNesmith CBC Patreon: http://coverbandconfidential.patreon.com Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/cbconfidential
Episode 248: In Defense of Bands with Bad Singers
December 02, 2022 00:00 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBSometimes you find yourself in a rough situation, personnel-wise. People don't work out, or ones that used to don't anymore. That's tough. But when the Internet INSISTS you stay in that situation, while simultaneously complaining about you being in that situation? That's a whole other story.
Episode 247: Your Value is the Only Thing You Control
November 24, 2022 00:00 - 29 minutes - 26.8 MBGood talk this Thanksgiving week, folks! Adam's had not much going on since getting back from his adventures, but Dan's had a big weekend of big new growth, including a new head to feed who more than earned his keep. Takeaway of the episode: Your value is the only thing you have control over. Have a great turkey day, American listeners, and a very fine plain old Thursday to everyone else!
Episode 246: Another Head to Feed
November 18, 2022 00:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBAdam's back from outpatient procedures, illness, and adventure for yet another dip into the world of band life! This week: Dusting off holiday repertoire, a BIG shout-out to BandHelper, and Dan talking about bringing in a new don't-call-him-a-roadie to help with gear so he can shmooze.
Episode 245: Sometimes You're the Nail
November 11, 2022 00:00 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBA quickie for a sickie this week: Adam's under the weather and needs to try and save his pep for (hopefully) a gig on Saturday. So we catch up quick, talk a little about the power of networking and Musician Karma, and send him back to bed with his soup and tea. Thay healthy out there folks! It's not Covid right now, but the current flu is no joke!
Episode 244: Songs That are Harder Than They Seem
November 04, 2022 00:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBSome songs seem straightforward, but when you dig in they're crazy hard. Others seem like they'll be a real challenge, but figuring them out is satisfying and easier than expected. What have you got like that??
Episode 243: How To Get Paid More!
October 28, 2022 00:00 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MBNo clickbait in THAT episode title! This week the boys talk about what it takes to have pricing leverage in the conversation for bookings with bars and clubs. It's both easier and harder than you think! This episode is brought to you by MJ's "Thriller" and every note ever written by Danny Elfman. Happy Halloween, everybody!!
Episode 242: Wedding Gigs
October 21, 2022 00:00 - 45 minutes - 42 MBA wedding is a very special, high stakes gig calling for very special attention, knowledge, and care. Check it this week as your boys discuss the details of weddings, who to pay attention to, what matters vs what doesn't, and what it takes to make the lady in white happy. Find the CBC sample contract here: http://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store.html Find the Patreon here: http://patreon.com/coverbandconfidential
Episode 241: The Magic of Aligned Intentions
October 14, 2022 00:00 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBWe keep seeing people complaining about their bandmates on social media. They're lazy! Or they're demanding! They're unmotivated! They're perfectionists! Maybe the real issue is misaligned intentions. This episode, we dig into the hard conversations and deep honestly required to get a band all lined up on a purpose and mission--and what to do when it's clear you're not.
Episode 240: The Yin, the Yang, the Ups, and the Downs
October 07, 2022 00:00 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBAll things are in harmony and balance here at CBC. Not everything breaks our way, but in the end, you take the good, you take the bad, you take them both, and then you have an episode of a podcast about band stuff.
Episode 239: Stage Signage 101
September 30, 2022 00:00 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MBThis week's (international!) listener question boils down to: How do you create stage signage for maximum impact? Do people still do big backdrops, or is there a more modern way? Thanks to Northern Ireland's own "Suckin' Diesel" for the question--see them at http://www.suckin-diesel.co.uk/
Episode 238: A Karaoke Survival Guide
September 23, 2022 00:00 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBLook. Live Music Karaoke can be great. Like REALLY great. When it's great it's AMAZINGLY great. But it's a high crowd-contact gig. So when it's not great, it's REALLY not great. This week your boys break down how to have Karaoke work well in a crowd, what to watch out for, and how to make it through when you're beset by entitled, drunken, jackholes. Enjoy!!
Episode 237: Top Halloween Cover Song Bracket
September 16, 2022 00:00 - 36 minutes - 48.9 MBIt's time to start planning those Halloween gigs, boys and ghouls! But which seasonal tunes should you set your ghostly eye upon? If you pick the right song you'll be sure to s'kill-it-on the big night! As always, we're here to spirit you toward the right answer! I always feel like... somebody's listening to my podcast!
Episode 236: Is Music a Viable Career?
September 09, 2022 00:00 - 3 minutes - 52.9 MBYour boys give a big ol' update on the details of their various gigging lives, and then weigh in on a listener email from our new Patron Mark: Is the life of a full-time musician still a viable thing in 2022? Can it be something to aspire toward? Audible Trial Account: https://amzn.to/3Qyanbw Novo Banking: https://onboarding.novo.co/signup?referral_code=AdamJohnson1
Episode 235: LOST EPISODE: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
September 02, 2022 00:00 - 5 minutes - 98.5 MBWell folks we tried to get an episode to you but technology had other plans. Instead we are providing the audio to the video released on our YouTube channel about imposter syndrome. Back to normal stuff next week we promise! Thank you so much for tuning in! If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends! Linktree: linktr.ee/adampatrickjohnson linktr.ee/coverbandconfidential Follow us on Instagram! @coverbandconfidential @adampat...
Episode 234: Marshmallows in your Salad: A Social Media Primer
August 26, 2022 00:00 - 33 minutes - 15.6 MBFollowing a great week of gigs and sales, the boys are back with some revisited thoughts about how we present ourselves and our brands on the Socials. How much do you like hanging around with needy, demandy, take-y people? Not much, right? Versus people who are generous, interactive, fun, and social? Well what makes you think your social media presence is any different? Load your salad with marshmallows and engage your folks BETWEEN gig invitations for top social media win!
Episode 233: Meatspace Patreon
August 19, 2022 00:00 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBThis slightly-delayed episode is brought to you by audio driver kernel panic! After a big ol recap on our recent killer gigs, the opportunities afforded to us by snowballing success, the space left as competitors move up-market, and whether glasses are a good idea, the guys spitball an idea inspired by nitro cold brew coffee: What if musicians did a loyalty program? Interesting! Send us your thoughts at [email protected]!
Episode 232: How To Get Started With In-Ear Monitors
August 12, 2022 00:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBGreat listener question this week: How do we cut through all the confusion about product reviews, slice through the price issues, and come to the crystal clarity of in-ear monitoring? Here are CBC Videos that mentioned in this week's show: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Backing Tracks: https://youtu.be/diUpzxDJAc4 IEMs For Your Entire Band For Less Than $750?: https://youtu.be/8JW4RlVYW5E The Ultimate IEM?FOH Rig For Your Band In 2022: https://youtu.be/vil0xNAjarI This One Piece ...
Episode 231: Copping the Original Vocalist's Accent?
August 05, 2022 00:00 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBThis week, in addition to general catch-up, we discuss a listener question: Whether tis nobler to copy the accent of the original vocalist. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it's a complicated answer, leading us into a whole range of interesting music-nerd philosophizing.
Episode 230: Weaponizing The Audience's Nostalgia
July 29, 2022 00:00 - 20 minutes - 19 MBShortie but goodie this week! A Slack discussion about a song from Dan's youth leads us into a conversation about the most powerful thing to keep in mind when selecting songs: What memories you can tickle, what mental journeys you can send the audience on. In short, the details of weaponizing the audience's nostalgia for fun and profit!