Successful Musicians

British pianist Stephen Ridley walked away from a top investment banking job, bought a piano from a thrift shop, and started playing on the streets of London. That one decision led to performances in over 70 countries and eventually to Ridley Academy, his piano school. In this episode of the Successful Musicians Podcast, Jason Tonioli and Stephen talk about leaving a career that looked successful,...

What happens when you learn the hard way that music is a business? Ezra Vancil joins Jason Tonioli to share lessons from his early record-label experience and his journey as a musician, producer, entrepreneur, and marketer. They talk about building relationships, understanding your value, defining success, and creating a music career that fits the life you actually want. Ezra Vancil is a Texas-bas...

What does success really mean for a musician—and how do you know if you're actually moving in the right direction? In this episode, Jason sits down with longtime friend, musician, and digital marketing expert Nick Kastner to talk about the connection between music, marketing, identity, and success. Nick and Jason first met years ago at banking school, but their careers took very different path...

What does it really take to build a successful music career in today's world? In this episode, Jason sits down with Johnny Fiacconi , founding member of The Dreamboats , to explore how a niche cover band transformed into a full-time touring act performing across North America. While many musicians chase originality alone, Johnny shares why creating unforgettable experiences, embracing timeless...

What if the secret to creating your best work isn't more talent or more time, but learning how to enter a flow state? In this episode, Jason sits down with Steven Puri , a former Hollywood executive, entrepreneur, and founder of Sukha. Steven has worked behind the scenes on blockbuster films including Braveheart , Die Hard , The Wolverine , and projects with DreamWorks before shifting his focu...

What does success really look like for a musician? In this episode, Jason sits down with attorney, musician, and creative advisor Dan Scott to challenge many of the assumptions artists have about money, success, and building a creative career. As CEO of Spotlight Advisory Group, Dan works with musicians, entrepreneurs, and other creatives to help them build sustainable careers without losing sight...

How do musicians get meaningful media coverage in today's crowded marketplace? In this episode, Jason sits down with veteran publicist Susan von Seggern to discuss the strategies that help artists, entrepreneurs, and organizations stand out. With more than two decades of experience in music, entertainment, corporate, and political PR, Susan has built a reputation for helping clients create aut...

What would happen if you walked away from a successful aerospace engineering career to chase a dream you discovered later in life? In this episode, Jason sits down with singer-songwriter Mark Winters to discuss his journey from aerospace engineer to full-time touring musician. Influenced by artists like John Mayer, Tom Petty, and Jason Mraz, Mark combines poetic storytelling with what he calls his...

What happens when a touring jazz bassist, electronic music pioneer, film composer consultant, and music educator decides to reinvent music education using AI? John von Seggern joins Jason Tonioli for a fascinating conversation about adapting to constant change in the music industry, building a long-term creative career, and why musicians who refuse to evolve often get left behind. John shares stor...

He built a band from scratch, sold out shows, landed radio play, and still watched everything fall apart overnight. Mark Roberge has lived on both sides of the music industry. The highs of momentum and the crash that follows when things go wrong. What makes this conversation different is that he didn’t stop there. He stepped back, studied what actually works, and built systems to help artists succ...

Two classically trained musicians meet at a party, start improvising, and end up building a Grammy-winning duo. That moment became the start of ARKAI. What began as a simple jam turned into something much bigger. A new sound, a new path, and a reminder that sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come when you step outside the rules. This conversation is about taking risks, trusting your instincts, an...

What if success isn’t about fame, numbers, or perfection—but about serving, creating, and trusting the process ? From selling cassette tapes at small school fundraisers to reaching billions of views with The Piano Guys , Jon Schmidt shares a deeply personal journey of faith, persistence, and purpose. This conversation goes beyond music. It uncovers the real story behind “overnight success,” the po...

What does it really take to build a music career that actually lasts—especially when real life doesn’t slow down? Sean Monahan shares the journey of continuing music alongside marriage, kids, and multiple income streams—proving that success as a musician isn’t about choosing between passion and responsibility, but learning how to navigate both. As a member of Gale Bird , a Charleston-based band kn...

To read the complete transcript and watch the podcast video, visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ episode blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ In this episode of the Successful Musicians Podcast, Jason Tonioli sits down with film and television composer Spencer Creaghan, whose work spans horror, sci-fi, orchestral metal, children’s programming, and epic symphonic projects. From scoring series like Slasher and Astrid & Lilly Save the W...

To read the complete transcript and watch the podcast video, visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ episode blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Are you overpaying taxes as a musician without even realizing it? Many independent artists miss valuable write-offs, misunderstand IRS rules, or treat their music like a hobby instead of a business, and it ends up costing them thousands. In this episode of the Successful Musicians Podcast, Jason Toni...

To read the complete transcript and watch the podcast video, visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ episode blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. In this episode of the Successful Musicians Podcast, Jason Tonioli sits down with pianist, composer, and arranger Anne Britt. With nearly 15 piano books, multiple album recordings, and a growing catalog of intermediate-level piano duet arrangements, Anne shares how she built a publishing career rooted...

To read the complete transcript and watch the podcast video, visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠ episode blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠. In this episode of the Successful Musicians Podcast , Jason Tonioli sits down with Ross Brunson , a longtime business consultant who has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs structure their businesses correctly, reduce unnecessary taxes, and build long-term stability. Ross is also the father of Russell Bruns...

To read the complete transcript and watch the podcast video, visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠ episode blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠. In this episode of the Successful Musicians Podcast , Jason Tonioli sits down with professional cellist Marc Christian to explore how musicians can build a profitable and deeply fulfilling career in the wedding and special events space. Marc shares how he transitioned from classical cello training and la...

To read the complete transcript and watch the podcast video, visit the ⁠⁠⁠ episode blog ⁠⁠⁠ . In this episode of the Successful Musicians Podcast, Jason Tonioli sits down with Mark Spier, President and CEO of Royalty Solutions, to unpack how music royalties really work and why so many artists are leaving money on the table. Mark founded Royalty Solutions in 2009 with a mission to bring transparenc...

To read the complete transcript and watch the podcast video, visit the ⁠⁠ episode blog ⁠ ⁠. Daniel Blomberg is a Swedish music producer, arranger, and composer based in the United States. He is known for helping songwriters transform raw ideas into polished, world-class productions that have reached millions of listeners across YouTube and streaming platforms. From growing up in a small village in...

To read the complete transcript and watch the podcast video, visit the ⁠ episode blog ⁠. Panu Aaltio is an award-winning Finnish film composer known for his evocative scores that blend classical tradition, experimental textures, and modern storytelling. From his early days studying at the Sibelius Academy to composing for internationally recognized films and documentaries, Panu has built a career...

To read the complete transcript and watch the podcast video, visit the episode blog . Fabiana Claure is a pianist, educator, and entrepreneur who has dedicated her career to helping musicians move beyond the “starving artist” model and into sustainable, thriving businesses. After co-founding a successful music academy and directing the music business program at the University of North Texas, she l...

For the entire interview transcript, please ⁠click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Brent Maher is a seven-time Grammy Award–winning producer, engineer, and songwriter whose career has helped define the sound of American music. Known for his work with The Judds, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Tina Turner, Brent’s influence spans across genres and generations. From his early beginnings in the Air Fo...

For the entire interview transcript, please ⁠click ⁠⁠⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Kurt Bestor is an Emmy Award–winning composer, arranger, and performer whose music has touched audiences around the world. With a career spanning over four decades, he has written and produced scores for film, television, and stage, and is best known for his beloved song “ Prayer of the Children. ” Each year, his Christmas concerts...

For the entire interview transcript, please ⁠click ⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠. Brian Claeys, Alex Cote, and Jesse Hartov are accomplished composers and collaborators whose work spans a variety of genres and mediums. From bringing mythical worlds like Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians to life, to scoring heartfelt dramas and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, their combined talents have earned them recognition...