Solo Musician Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Cobrette Bardole, a powerhouse guitarist for Sink In and I Set My Friends On Fire, and the tour manager/front-of-house engineer for If Not For Me. Cobrette takes us behind the scenes of life on the road—balancing the highs of playing to packed houses and sharing original music with the hustle of managing a tour. From early mornings to late-night shows, we dive int...

Are you struggling to get engagement on Facebook, even with thousands of followers? It’s not just the algorithm— it's possible your content might be the real problem! In this episode, we dive deep into understanding what sells and what flops on Facebook, and what you can do to improve your engagement. Learn why Facebook’s organic reach is as low as 1.41%, and discover how to make your posts stand...

Visit my Youtube Channel at @SoloMusicDave for the video to this episode. In this episode of the podcast, I had a chance to chat with Brandon Valentine. Brandon is the founder and executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame. Brandon shed light on the Hall of Fame's short and long-term goals, how it supports local musicians, and the impact of their youth programs. He also prov...

Ever wondered if Taylor Guitars really live up to the hype? As a professional gigging musician, I decided to put them to the ultimate test in a side-by-side comparison with a $600 Martin guitar. In this episode, I’m revealing everything you need to know about Taylor’s craftsmanship, materials, and specs—plus the surprising reasons why I can’t stand them! 😤 In this detailed breakdown, you'll see h...

In this episode of the podcast, host Dave Gates sits down with Frank Persico, a NYC-based solo musician and YouTuber. Frank shares his incredible journey of growing his YouTube channel from just 300 to over 30,000 subscribers! He discusses the challenges and rewards of being a solo musician, the do’s and don’ts of YouTube growth, and the most important strategies for expanding your channel. They d...

Are you nervous about your first music open mic or looking to improve your performance? In this episode, I’m sharing my Top 10 Tips for Attending a Music Open Mic, covering everything from how to prepare to what to do (and what not to do) to ensure you have an unforgettable experience! Whether you’re a seasoned musician or a newbie, these tips will help you boost your confidence, connect with othe...

Leo Disanto isn’t just a musician—he’s a storyteller at heart, a true artist with an unquenchable thirst for adventure. Hailing from the rolling hills of Central Pennsylvania, Leo’s journey has taken him far beyond the confines of his hometown. From the icy expanse of the Alaskan Tundra to the ancient monasteries nestled in the heights of the Himalayas, Leo has roamed the world, finding inspiratio...

In this powerful motivational podcast, discover how perseverance is the key to achieving your goals, no matter the challenges you face. Learn how to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success and unlock your true potential. With real-life examples and inspiring insights, this podcast will remind you that every setback is simply an opportunity to become a better version of yourself. Whether you...

In this episode of the Solo Musician Podcast, we tackle some of the most common questions submitted from our listeners! Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned performer, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable tips for navigating the solo music scene. 🎶 Topics Covered: Covers vs. Originals: Should you focus on performing covers or original music as a solo artist? And h...

In this episode, we explore the critical role that Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC play in the music industry. Whether you're a musician, songwriter, or venue owner, understanding these organizations is key to navigating copyright, royalties, and legal music usage. 🎶 What You'll Learn: What are PROs?: Understand the difference between BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC — thre...

This week's guest was the ENTIRE Colin Alvarez Band. If you're tired of the same tired, recycled, and unoriginal band interviews you may hear on other platforms, you'll be happy to know we turned to the listeners for questions to ask the band, and holy cheese balls did you deliver!! Sit down with Colin, Sam, and ANOTHER Colin aka "Deuce", while we tackle such hard hitting topics as: * Would you ra...

SHOWS THIS WEEKEND: FRIDAY 1/10 - FLINCHY’S ~ Camp Hill, PA 8-11pm SATURDAY 1/11 - ANTIETAM BREWERY ( Retro & Reefer Fest ) ~ Hagerstown, MD 12-4 My Thursday thoughts for this week are about the weekend’s gig’s, the new DJI Osmo Pocket 3 camera, behind-the-scene’s for gigs, and my goals for 2025. You can view the YOUTUBE VIDEO VERSION of this podcast on my channel https://www. YouTube.com/DaveGate...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Solo Musician Podcast – Featuring Erick Moyer! In this episode of the Solo Musician Podcast, we're excited to welcome Erick Moyer (@ErickMoyermusic), a talented solo artist who recently made the leap into the gigging solo musician fellowship. Erick shares valuable insights on his journey and offers practical advice for aspiring solo musicians. In this episode, we dive in...

In this special VIDEO episode of Thursday Thoughts, I dive into my 2024 Year-In-Review. You can check out the video on my YouTube Channel at https://www. YouTube.com/DaveGatesMusic. I outline 9 observations from 2024, and 9 goals for 2025, including: 2024: 1. The best decision I made 2. If I could travel back in time to 2023, what would I tell myself? 3. The best way I used my time this year 4. My...

This week I sit down with an absolute phenom of a local musician, Marshall Stone. Marshall is an award-winning solo acoustic musician as well as the lead singer of the band LODI. He performs over 200 gigs annually at venues all over PA, MD, and WV. Marshall’s vocal range and guitar abilities wow audiences and keep them coming back for more, making him one of the most successful AND in-demand artis...

SHOWS THIS WEEKEND: FRIDAY 12/27 - Carlisle Moose Lodge ~ Carlisle, PA 7-10PM SATURDAY 12/28 - Antietam Brewing Company ~ Hagerstown, MD 6-9PM My Thursday Thoughts this week are about the wisdom in the book “Skip the line” by James Altucher, the 10,000 hour rule, how practice is best served focused, and the need for reflection and improvement.

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Logan Summey. Logan is the owner of Rock Mill Industries in Mechanicsburg, PA. Rock Mill is a musician’s paradise, incorporating a tattoo studio, recording studio, live stream studio, practice room, and an embroidery and screen printing & DTF space. This is a must listen for entrepreneurs and anyone looking to take a leap into business ownership. L...

SHOWS THIS WEEKEND: THURSDAY 12/19 - Middletown Hunters & Anglers Club ~ Middletown, PA 7-10pm FRIDAY 12/20 - Lebanon Valley Brewing Company ~ Lebanon, PA 5:30-8:30pm SATURDAY 12/21 - Balla Cloiche Vineyards ~ Stewartstown, PA 7-10pm My Thursday Thoughts this week are about 2025 Booking changes Not pretending to be anyone other than me Being okay with turning things down My history with the CPMHOF

SHOWS THIS WEEKEND: 12/13 - WOLF BREWING ~ Mechanicsburg, PA 6:30-9:30PM 12/14 - HOOK & FLASK STILLWORKS ~ Carlisle, PA 7-10PM This week’s Thursday thoughts are about…. losing a loved one, forgiveness, understanding, and regrets.

Before you listen to the episode, check out Frank Persico’s Youtube video running down the 10 Commandments of Solo Acoustic Musicians at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TMzg54A18s In Episode 48, Colin Alvarez joins me again to break down an amazing video from a 25-year NYC based solo acoustic veteran, Frank Persico. We break down Frank’s list adding our thoughts and personal experiences. I feel l...

Shows this weekend Thursday 12/5 - Shy Bear Brewing ~ Lewistown, PA 6-9pm Friday 12/6 - Republican Club ~ Hanover, PA 7-10pm ** Members Only ** Saturday 12/7 - Upper Deck Sports Bar ~ Mt. Airy, MD 3-6pm My Thursday thoughts this week are about guitar lessons, practice, and open mics! Thanks for listening!

This week’s guest is my good friend, and musical mentor, Colin Alvarez. Colin and I chat about a host of things in this one, including: Rude venue owners Condemned Hotels Cold Weather Tips Private Parties Turned Karaoke Competing With The NFL Season Load-In / Load-Out Etiquette Why Comments Can Be So Detrimental And The Worst Types Of Venues (Country Clubs) Thanks for listening!

SHOWS THIS WEEKEND: FRIDAY 11/29 - ANTIETAM BREWERY ~ Hagerstown, MD 6-9PM SATURDAY 11/30 - BUDDY BOY WINERY ~ Duncannon, PA 6-9PM MY THURSDAY THOUGHTS THIS WEEK…. are about growth, guitar lessons, doing hard stuff, and cold showers.

This week's guest is Eric Edwards. Eric plays bass in the female fronted Hard Rock/Metal band RUINESS. He also releases original music under the band name Demri, and he’s the leadythym guitar player in the yet-to-be-named Reggae group I'll be providing lead vocals for. Eric hit some hot topics in this one, including the CPMA's and the CPMA endorsed podcast, venues that pay full bands $70 to perfor...