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

This week's conversation is (once again) thanks to our Patreon Slack channel. What exactly IS it we're hired to deliver? What IS the value we provide? And what happens if we're unclear about that? I hasn't been since early days on the pod that we've gone into this, so it's probably time to restate our thesis! To have your band considered for a free coaching session, submit your details here: https...

Those of us use the Billboard Hot-100 Chart as a source for song ideas have been noticing some big changes in the patterns of song chart lifecycles. Dan built a whole thing to look into that, and in this week's (multimedia!) episode, we look at what those numbers show us, and what it means for people trawling the charts for cover song ideas. Because this episode refers to some visual content, you...

This week Dan recaps a very successful gig hunting bar crawl, and then the boys confront the reality of being a slacker around things that matter. What are you avoiding, resisting, or flat-out ignoring? Is it time to get down to business on those things? Also the listener survey is still open! Please go to this link to let us know what you love and what you hate about this podcast. The only way we...

Sometimes reality slaps you in the face and you realize it's time for a rethink. And sometimes it's a slow burn of increasing frustration with things not working before you get what's going on. This week the boys talk about when to stop doubling down on something that's not working, and how to use that moment of a project productively. Also the listener survey is still open! Please go to this link...

Okay so we were being a little dramatic last week saying we'd identified the ONLY three things you needed. OBVIOUSLY there's more! So here's four mor things you need to succeed: Systems, Contacts, Creative, and Data. This week we dive deep on each of those concepts. AND THEN! Speaking of "data": Introducing the Cover Band Confidential listener survey! Please go to this link to let us know what you...

We're going back to basics, friends. Breaking it right down. This whole band thing? It's not so complicated. There are THREE THINGS you need for your band to succeed, and know now what? We're telling 'em to you! Right here, right now! (Except of course it's not that simple, so buckle up for a first-ever Cover Band Confidential Cliffhanger!) Thank you so much for tuning in!  If you want to help be...

Okay hear us out. Insurance is interesting . That's why we did a whole episode on it, rounding up the thoughts we've dripped into lots of episodes in the past. This week the guys tackle the whole deal with gear insurance, annual or event-based liability coverage, who they use, what they pay, what's covered, and what you can and should do about it. Links for sites mentioned in this episode: https:/...

This week we break it down. Five categories of bad behavior that wreck bands, relationships, and lives. Exactly who to keep an eye out for, out there in your music career. Ooops and what? Exactly what to watch out for in your OWN behavior. That's right friends it's both a gossip-fest AND a moment of self reflection. Everything you've come to expect from ya boyz at Cover Band Confidential! Thank yo...

Regular 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...

Seasons 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      ...

This 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...

This 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, sub...

This 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 f...

Inspired 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 yo...

This 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 f...

Today 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! ...

This 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!...

Here'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...

This 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...

This 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...

This 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-re...

This 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 Sla...

People 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!

Today 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-...

The 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