Musically Hitched

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of Desmond Sean Ellington, principal actor with the Tony Award-winning musical Alicia Keys "Hell's Kitchen"  @HellsKitchenBway  , one of the top Broadway shows in New York City now conducting it's North American tour. We caught up with this Musically Hitched alum on location in Fort Lauderdale, FL to take a look under the hood and learn fir...

Darwin Hobbs is one of the most respected and sought after recording artists and Worship Pastors in Gospel music. His inimitable, supple tenor (often compared with the great Luther Vandross) has provided a rich backdrop to hundreds of recordings by artists including Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay, Amy Grant, Michael Card, Bebe and Cece Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Michael McDonald, Donna Summer, Chri...

In this exclusive sit-down (and first-ever podcast interview) with drummer extraordinaire Jerrod "J-Rod" Sullivan, we dive into the mindset and secrets to success of one of the industry's most in-demand drummers and prolific content creators.  In 2006, J-Rod uploaded his first Youtube video, and the reactions confirmed what he knew all along, his musical talent would be used as a gift to educate a...

In this exclusive sit-down (and first-ever podcast interview) with drummer extraordinaire Jerrod "J-Rod" Sullivan, we dive into the mindset and secrets to success of one of the industry's most in-demand drummers and prolific content creators.  In 2006, J-Rod uploaded his first Youtube video, and the reactions confirmed what he knew all along, his musical talent would be used as a gift to educate a...

Numbers don't lie. In order to make a living from your art there must be commerce, and commerce is all about numbers. It’s been said that the “music business” is 10% music and 90% business. What you don’t know can absolutely hurt you and ignorance is expensive! In this episode we sat down with Daniel Vildor (CPA, business manager, and owner of Vie Financial Services) to discuss what it means to ha...

#musicbusiness #podcast  #tourlife #musician #bassist #singer #randb #funk #gospel #musicindustry #musicallyhitched #musicproducer #Atlanta #touringmusician #vocalist #Miami Téja Veal is a woman on a mission who won't take "No" for an answer. Originally from Miami, and currently residing in Atlanta, she epitomizes what it means to be Musically Hitched. Known for her signature pink strings, and inf...

#musicbusiness #podcast  #tourlife #musicdirector #bassist #musicaldirector #singer #randb #funk #gospel #musicindustry #musicallyhitched #musicproducer #Atlanta   As a standout bassist and in-demand musical director, Tres Gilbert occupies rare air.  One of Atlanta’s native sons, his musical resume reads like the roster of the Hall of Fame. He is one of the live music architects of the “ATL sound”...

#musicbusiness #podcast  #tourlife #actress #actor #castingdirector #singer #boss #stageready #movies #theater #musicindustry #musicallyhitched  Sure, you've probably heard the term "stage ready" a million times before, but do you really know what it means?  Many want the attention and rewards that come along with the stage (followers, fame, and fortune) in the music and entertainment industry. Ho...

#tourmanager #musicbusiness #touraccountant #podcast #musicindustry #musicallyhitched #productionmanager #worldtour #tourlife #roadmanager Music has literally taken David "5-1" Norman around the world. With over 35 years of global touring experience, he has served as a tour manager, tour accountant, and production manager on a multitude of tours throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, S...

#musicbusiness #touringmusician #professionaldrummer #musicindustry #recordingartist   Demetrice Everett (aka Meat Da' Drummer) may seem like one of those people who was destined to be Musically Hitched. However, hailing from a small town in eastern North Carolina, his journey to music industry success was anything but easy. In this episode, he shares how he turned a few pots, pans, and pillows in...

#musicbusiness #podcast #promusician #musicindustry #recordingartist #touring #songwriter #artist #artistmanagement  Many things can cause you to falter in the pursuit of music as a profession. On the flip side, there are specific actions, behaviors, and mindsets that produce extraordinary success and achievement. In this episode, co-hosts Zack and Christal share several key takeaways from two awa...

#musicbusiness #podcast #broadway #musician #actor #singer #broadwayactor  Have you ever wondered what it takes to be on Broadway?  At one point, Desmond Sean Ellington did too. Today, he is a touring Broadway actor and vocal artist, but in his own words, he is living a dream that he honestly didn’t have for himself. Growing up in Little Rock, AR, he went to college for engineering even though his...

#musicbusiness #podcast #bookingagent #musician  Aretha Franklin, Chicago, Gladys Knight, Earth Wind & Fire, Michael McDonald, The Doobie Brothers, and Smokey Robinson are all legends who share something in common. They all benefited from deals constructed by legendary booking agent Larry Farber. If there was ever a guest that personified the words "Musically Hitched" it's him. From his early days...

In 2019, Jay Z's Roc Nation struck a deal with the NFL to produce the #SuperBowl Halftime Show.  This move positioned #Rihanna one step closer to her shining moment at the world's biggest sports and entertainment event. Super Bowl XLVII  just skyrocketed Rihanna's visibility on a massive scale as a #recordingartist and #entrepreneur, but was she paid to perform? This question and more answered dur...

#musicbusiness #podcast #producer #musicproducer Grammy-Award Winning producer extraordinaire Cedric Thompson is a producer's producer, one of Gospel music and the industry's finest, and a veteran in the music game, so as you might expect, this episode is packed with gems on how to succeed in the business. In this episode Cedric shares: - How a random trip to the store ended up with him working wi...

History was made at The 65th Annual #GrammyAwards when #Beyonce officially became the all-time leader in #Grammy wins... with 32 to be exact! If you've ever asked "How do you get nominated?" or are curious about how the selection process works, this one is for you. Short, sweet, and to-the-point, listen and take notes to find out exactly what you must do in order to claim the most coveted award in...

We live in a culture that is always "on". When's the last time you heard anyone tell you that success involves rest? It's not popular, and probably won't go viral, but knowing when and how to pause on purpose is critical to the journey of the entertainment professional. 

Kevin Wilson knows a thing or two about paying it forward. Many know him as a world class guitarist and creator of the International Musicians’ Summit, a learning and networking platform for many of the music industry’s A-list performers .  What you may not know is the story of hard knocks and lost opportunity behind his smile. In this episode, Kevin discusses everything from receiving his first b...

Rachel James is a wife, mother, background vocalist extraordinaire, founder of Bridge, Hooks, & Stuff Entertainment, and author of "BGeVolve". She has traveled the world and graced some of the biggest stages with top recording artists from R&B star Monica to Gospel's Tasha Cobbs-Leonard and Mary Mary, Grammy-Award wining producers (Kevin Bond), and top musical directors (Adam Blackstone). Whether...

What do Tyler Perry, Anita Baker, Gospel Legend Donnie McClurkin, and R&B star Monica have to do with today’s episode? They've all enlisted the expertise of today’s guests while touring.   Join us as we throw it back to a few classic moments from Herman “PNut” Johnson taking a last minute call to sit in the hot seat on an iconic tour, to Natalie Ragins’ overcoming challenges as a female in the mus...

In this episode, Billboard Top Entertainment Attorney James Walker, Jr. talks about how he secured 61 entertainment clients in two years under a big corporate firm before launching his own practice out of his basement after a personal conversation with the late super-lawyer Johnny Cochran. He also discusses the risks behind signing record deals, freeing artists from bad contracts, and one of his l...

Entertainment Attorney James Walker, Jr. , founder of Walker and Associates, is a champion for the artist and creative. Recently named one of Billboard's Top Music Lawyers of 2022, Walker is well-known for fiercely protecting the rights and interests of recording artists, musicians, and entertainers. In this episode, he shares how he cut his teeth in the promotions business while a student at Howa...

June brings the anticipated summer season while also kicking off Black Music Appreciation Month.  In this episode, Zack and Christal discuss the major role Black Music plays in our world within entertainment, fashion, community and big business as it crosses genres, cultures and infiltrates systems.  Join the conversation as they journey from the field of dreams to the box office to the billionair...

Alphaeus Anderson (award-winning entrepreneur, musician, producer, author, content creator) understands that defining your purpose is about what you shouldn't do.  During his 20 year music career, Alphaeus has devoted himself to training the next generation and developing the minds of those seeking to build a legacy.   In this episode, Alphaeus uncovers:  *How to monetize your gifts and turn creat...

When Korey Maryland isn't smashing on keys or the Hammond organ, he's thriving as a Global Strategy Manager for a company with over 23,000 employees and annual revenues of $10 billion. A gifted musician and award-winning sales executive, Maryland has cracked the code on how to remain musically hitched while also balancing family, successful corporate career, and giving back to the community.  Tap...