Cover Band Confidential's Podcast (Music Business, Gigging Tips & Making Money as a Musician)

This week on the pod, Adam and Dan are back in the saddle for a classic meatballs-style episode—light on the structure, heavy on the sauce. First up, Adam finally built his own RJ45 audio snake! It’s official: he’s the kind of guy who owns a punch tool and knows how to use it. We dive into what that means, how it works, and why you might want to DIY your own cables too. Spoiler alert: it’s cheaper...

Welcome to the Cover Band Confidential podcast!  Adam and Dan kick off this episode with a deep dive into the challenges of leading a cover band, dealing with flaky band members, and the importance of having a clear band leader.  They also explore the latest tech adventures, including vibe coding with Chat GPT and experimenting with audio over Cat6. Listen in for a classic analogy that compares de...

In this week’s bite-sized-but-beefy episode, Adam and Dan dig into a fun little thought experiment: If you weren’t playing your current role in your band… what would you play instead? A surprising number of bandleaders in our Patreon community dream of swapping their front-and-center duties for a backline spot—and let’s be honest, we kinda get it. From the romanticized lives of bass players and dr...

In this episode of the Cover Band Confidential podcast,  Adam and Dan dive into various categories of songs that cover band musicians commonly despise playing but perform nonetheless due to their popularity and effectiveness in live settings.  They explore songs categorized as overplayed, repetitive, cheesy, cringe-worthy, too slow, and surprisingly, too difficult to play.  The episode includes li...

This week's episode covers Adam's AMAZING 80's prom gig, Dan's road trip, and why we're not completely sold on the new Helix Stadium release from Line 6.  All this and more on your favorite podcast for cover band musicians and band leaders! Juan Jusino- www.juanjusino.com Arni's YT- https://youtube.com/@arnieitthvad?si=-hr0HqprZ1nbGdZX   Song Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FY7LWWB Mae...

Welcome back to the podcast for cover band musicians and bandleaders who don’t know when to quit, even when they’re soldering guitar guts 48 hours before a gig. Adam kicks things off with a PSA: don’t get sushi on a Monday. Unless your idea of a good time involves food poisoning and a spiritual cleanse via your bathroom floor. ### 🎧 Adventures in EtherCon and Audio Over Cat6 In a fit of child-fre...

This week, Adam recounts an absolute **gig-nightmare scenario**: playback dropped, in-ears failed, subs cut out, and nobody knew why. From mystery malfunctions to last-minute workarounds, it's a crash course in what can go wrong—and how to stay professional when it does. Meanwhile, Dan shares the highs and hurdles of playing his first gig back post-Achilles surgery. From unexpected vocal complimen...

Adam is holding down the fort solo in this special episode.  With Dan on tour, Adam chats with Tory Smith, the co-founder of Black Box Prompters. Tory spills the beans on how he and a genius AI engineer cooked up the ultimate teleprompter for musicians.  Discover how this game-changing gadget can keep your lyrics and chords in check, even during those last-minute song requests.  With features like...

This week we’re keeping it light with a grab bag of hot takes straight from our Slack channel — because holiday gigs are frying our brains and y’all deserve something snackable. We’re talking: •Ray-Ban Meta's - new gig essential? • Is “Freebird” the new Rickroll? • How much time should really be between soundcheck and downbeat (spoiler: it’s not 30 minutes, Kevin). • Why the best critique comes wr...

Why Being a Lead Singer Isn't As Hard As You Think In this episode, we dive into a hot take about lead singers and their role in a band.  Discussing their duties of internalizing and externalizing music, we compare the workload and challenges faced by lead vocalists versus accompanists and instrumentalists. Through personal anecdotes and metaphors like dance leading and following, the conversation...

From freebie gigs to $10K+ stages, we're breaking down the different levels of musician pay-and what comes with each one. Whether you're gigging for beer or headlining high-dollar private events, there's a LOT more to compensation than just a number. Let's talk tiers, expectations, responsibilities, and what it really takes to move up the ladder.  MaestroDMX (10% off discount link): https://maestr...

In this week's episode Adam and Dan  discuss the evolving challenges and strategies for maintaining success with a long-term project. Adam delves into a recent decline in inquiries and competition from a new band. The conversation covers the value of identifying unique selling propositions (USPs), the dynamics of managing band roles, the potential shift towards a 90s focus, and the prospect of lea...

In this episode of Cover Band Confidential, Adam and Dan dish on first-time gig experiences, casino gigs, and the ultimate lessons learned. They chat about Adam's wild Mexico trip filled with monkey encounters and dive into exciting new gear announcements. Discover the buzz around Dark Glass's new bass modeler and Neural DSP's latest updates. Plus, get the scoop on Seymour Duncan's PowerStage 170...

This week on Cover Band Confidential, we're back with fan favorite and newly minted bandleader Mark Frederickson, who’s learning what it's like to start a cover band for the first time!  After his first appearance struck a chord (pun absolutely intended), we brought him back to spill the tea on their first actual rehearsal, the gear rabbit holes he’s fallen into, and the reality of getting ready f...

How New Tariffs Are Shaking Up the Music Industry! 🎸 In this episode, we dive into the potential impacts of new tariffs on the music industry.  We discuss how these tariffs could affect musicians, consumers, and gear companies, including major players like Shechter, Ibanez, and even American companies like Fender, and Gibson. From rising costs for components and finished products to changes in co...

Today's episode kicks off a whole new ongoing thread in the CBC saga! Meet Mark Fredrickson, who joined our community  recently because he (wait for it) wants to start a cover band! He's never done this before, but he's gathered a small squad of beginners, and has ambitions of hitting the stage! We'll hear from Mark and his team periodically along their journey. This week it's the beginnings of th...

In this episode, we delve into tips and strategies for building a loyal local fan base.  From strategies for engaging directly with fans to innovative marketing tactics, we explore the essential elements of creating meaningful connections with your audience. Whether you're a solo artist or part of a band, discover actionable advice on how to make your shows memorable, foster genuine relationships,...

This week on the Cover Band Confidential podcast, Adam and Dan dive into some heavy topics while juggling their own recovery stories - Adam from a spider bite and Dan from surgery.  They share personal anecdotes and tips on the importance of mentoring the next generation of musicians, including some real-life parenting struggles with their own kids in the arts.  Expect insightful discussions on ba...

In this week's episode, we dive into a listener question about expanding a cover band into multiple products at different price points.  Join us as we discuss business models, upgrading performances, and maximizing revenue by diversifying your band's offerings.  Discover insights on managing various projects, the importance of market differentiation, and leveraging existing skills and tech to stan...

In this spicy episode of the Cover Band Confidential podcast, Adam and Dan stir up controversy with their hot take on why using a tablet on stage might be destroying your live performance! 🚨  Adam spills the tea on how ditching tablets transformed his gigs, discuss the real impact on his showmanship, and debate the pros and cons of going digital-free.  Get ready for some heated opinions and hard...

Welcome back to the Cover Band Confidential Podcast! Join Adam and Dan as they dive deep into the ultimate gear showdown: Behringer Wing vs X32 vs Soundcraft UI24R!  From size and weight to preamps and connectivity, we compare every spec and feature you need to know.  Plus, updates on Adam's son’s theater debut and tech week adventures, and Dan’s exciting boot progress.  Whether you’re a cover ban...

This week, Adam and Dan are dishing out the secrets to leveling up your band like a pro.  We're talking epic gear upgrades that will not only raise the quality of your gigs, but also the FEES you can charge when people want to book you! 💰💰💰 Plus, hilarious personal stories and expert tips sprinkled in.  Tune in for laughs, insights, and the tools to make your band legendary! MAESTRODMX (10% OFF...

Pushing Through and Adapting to Gigging Injuries | Cover Band Confidential Podcast #21 In this episode of the Cover Band Confidential Podcast, Adam and Dan dive into the challenges of gigging with injuries.  From dealing with hand and elbow pain to the long-term impacts on your body, they share personal stories and practical advice on how to adapt and manage physical ailments as a performer.  You'...

Adam and Dan are back in the latest episode of the Cover Band Confidential Podcast! Learn the fine line between comparing and innovating in the music scene.  Find out how Dan's surgery is going and what it's like to work from a couch for weeks.  Plus, don't miss updates on new gigs, merch, and massive show plans.  Is comparing your band to others the ultimate motivation or a joy-stealer? Discover...

This week on the Cover Band Confidential Podcast, Adam hosts solo while Dan recovers from surgery.  Filling in is longtime listener and patron, John Wolske, a Las Vegas-based musician and production coordinator.  John, wears a lot of hats and breaks down his journey, the venues he works in, and the Vegas music market.  Expect tales of high rollers, special guest appearances from big names like Mac...