Backstage Money

What does it really take to build a band from scratch, keep it alive through financial hardship, and land a record deal on your own terms? In this episode of Backstage Money, host Jason K. Powers sits down with Jennifer Benson, founder and lead singer of Ignescent, a female-fronted hard rock band out of Chicago signed to Frontiers Music. Jennifer shares the raw story of building the band herself w...

What happens after the show is over? For most musicians, the reality of a music career isn't private jets, sold-out arenas, or million-dollar record deals. It's long drives, inconsistent income, side gigs, creative fulfillment, and the constant challenge of making a living while pursuing a craft they love. In this episode of Backstage Money , host Jason K. Powers sits down with Franz Nicolay — mus...

What does it take to build a tribute band into a full-time business? In this episode of Backstage Money, host Jason K. Powers talks with Nikki Starr, founder, owner, manager, and guitarist of That Arena Rock Show , about building one of the hardest working tribute bands on the circuit from the ground up. Now up to 94 shows a year, Nikki shares the real business decisions behind the stage show - re...

What does it really take to survive - and build a long career - in the music industry? In this episode of Backstage Money , host Jason K. Powers sits down with Shawn Duncan , drummer for L.A. Guns and founding member of Odin , to talk about the realities of life as a working musician. Shawn has spent decades performing, recording, and touring in rock music. From the legendary Sunset Strip scene to...

In Part 2 of this Backstage Money conversation, host Jason K Powers continues his discussion with music industry mentor Chris Fletcher , founder of Music Biz Mentors. This half of the conversation focuses on the practical realities of building income as a musician and thinking creatively about career sustainability. Chris shares examples of overlooked opportunities that musicians often miss, from...

Before you grow your music career, you need to know where you really stand. In this episode of Backstage Money , Jason K. Powers sits down with Chris Fletcher , founder of MusicBizMentors.com , artist development coach, and longtime music business instructor at Musicians Institute. Chris shares how she got started helping artists, how she built her career in music business and education, and why m...

In this episode of Backstage Money , host Jason K Powers sits down with Jason Hartless , touring drummer for Ted Nugent and co-owner of Sound City Entertainment, to talk about what it actually takes to build and sustain a career in the music business. Jason shares his story of growing up around music, developing his craft as a drummer, and eventually stepping into the role of touring drummer for r...

In Part 2 of this Backstage Money conversation, host Jason K Powers continues his discussion with Danny Zelisko , veteran concert promoter and founder of Danny Zelisko Presents. This half of the conversation dives into touring risk, ticket sales realities, and what actually keeps bands alive long term. Danny explains how promoters evaluate risk, why overpaying for a show can sink everyone involved...

In this episode of Backstage Money , Jason K Powers sits down with Danny Zelisko , a veteran concert promoter whose career spans back to 1974 and includes working with some of the biggest artists in live music history. Danny shares his origin story and how he got into concert promotion, from discovering music as a teenager to booking his first shows and learning the business through real-world tri...

In this episode of Backstage Money , host Jason K Powers sits down with Justin Longo , founder and CEO of MariNation , a new platform exploring how fans, artists, and data could reshape the way music is funded. Justin breaks down the problem artists face today, streaming pays more than ever at the industry level, but individual artists see less value per song than ever before. The conversation exp...

In this episode of Backstage Money , Jason K Powers sits down with Dale Thompson , lead vocalist of the band Bride, for an honest conversation about longevity, faith, and what it really takes to survive in the music industry for four decades. Dale reflects on his journey with Bride, including hard-earned lessons from early record deals that did not work in the band’s favor. He speaks candidly abou...

In Part 2 of this Backstage Money conversation, Jason K Powers continues his discussion with Stevie Rachelle , lead singer of Tuff and founder of Metal Sludge, diving deeper into how musicians actually survive financially over the long haul. Stevie breaks down the real economics of touring internationally, why getting in front of people often matters more than upfront guarantees, and how merchandi...

In this episode of Backstage Money , Jason K Powers sits down with Stevie Rachelle , lead singer of the band Tuff and founder of Metal Sludge, for a wide-ranging conversation about taking risks, betting on yourself, and doing whatever it takes to make a music career happen. Stevie shares the early chapters of his story, from leaving home with little more than belief and determination to landing ma...

In this episode of Backstage Money , Jason K Powers sits down with Jack McCarthy, entrepreneur, touring veteran, and co-founder of IndieX at Indepreneur, the agency helping artists build sustainable, direct-to-fan revenue. Jack shares his journey from touring guitarist and guitar tech to building one of the leading artist-focused e-commerce and marketing teams in the industry. He breaks down why s...

In this episode of Backstage Money , Jason K Powers sits down with Grace Graber , a rising Christian pop punk artist known for her bold covers, raw honesty, and outspoken conversations around mental health, faith, and the realities of being an independent musician. Grace shares her powerful origin story, including how music played a role in saving her life, what led her to pursue a career in music...

The podcast delves into the multifaceted life of Michael 'Kalel' Wittig, whose journey as a musician transcends mere performance. His leadership in the business aspects of Pillar showcases a pivotal understanding of the music industry's dynamics, particularly in the context of financial management. Wittig shares candid insights about the challenges faced by musicians, emphasizing the importance of...

Lexxi Garza-Hartless brings a rare blend of talent, grit and honesty to this episode. She is an accomplished musician with a diverse background in the entertainment industry, currently serving as the Entertainment Director at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar and co-owner of Sound City Entertainment, where she works alongside her husband, Jason Hartless, whose touring credits include Ted Nugent and several...

Dave Moody's journey in the music industry is both inspiring and insightful, as he reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his career. The episode commences with a nostalgic recounting of his childhood, where an encounter with the KISS Destroyer album ignited a lifelong passion for music. This early revelation set the stage for a career that would see him perform with notable acts, including B...

Join host Jason K. Powers on an exciting debut episode of Backstage Money as he talks with Mark Maxwell, owner of Maxwell's House of Music and mentor to countless musicians. Mark shares his journey from working in his father's music store to running his own successful music shop and being a part of his band, The Crashers, for over 17 years. They discuss valuable tips on building and sustaining a m...

Backstage Money embarks on an incisive examination of the intersection between artistry and financial literacy, an area often neglected within the music industry. Hosted by Jason K. Powers, these episodes will introduce an array of artists who articulate their personal experiences and insights regarding the financial realities of a career in music. The discussions highlight the pressing need for m...

This is Backstage Money: Real-World Finance for Musicians. I’m Jason K. Powers, and each week I sit down with musicians and industry insiders to pull back the curtain on the money side of chasing the dream. From touring on gas money to record labels taking 80% cuts, to streaming paying fractions of a penny, we’re digging into the raw stories and real strategies it takes to survive in this industry...

Launching November 2025! This is Backstage Money: Real-World Finance for Musicians. I’m Jason K. Powers, and each week I sit down with musicians and industry insiders to pull back the curtain on the money side of chasing the dream. From touring on gas money to record labels taking 80% cuts, to streaming paying fractions of a penny, we’re digging into the raw stories and real strategies it takes to...