Successful Musicians

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...

For the entire interview transcript, please ⁠click ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Natasha Barbieri is a New York–based mezzo-soprano and the founder of Crossover Music Magazine .  She’s interviewed major crossover stars like Sarah Brightman, Paul Potts, and members of Celtic Woman. Beyond her editorial work, Natasha performs with her sister as the duo Crystal & Natasha and is also known as “A Singing Wife.” Her...

For the entire interview transcript, please ⁠click ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Steve Matthew Carter is a Nashville-based media composer for film, TV, and advertising. He most recently scored Gazer (2025), a neo-noir thriller directed by Ryan J. Sloan, which premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and is distributed by Metrograph Pictures. His music has also appeared in The Other Guys, Escaping Ohio, The Tomorrow...

For the entire interview transcript, please ⁠click ⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠. Thomas Haines is an award-winning composer, sound designer, and creative entrepreneur whose work spans film, television, and immersive audio. Based in the UK, Thomas is known for blending emotion, experimentation, and storytelling through sound. He is the co-founder of BrainAud.io , a groundbreaking platform focused on spatial and gene...

For the entire interview transcript, please ⁠click ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. You don’t have to be a superstar to make a living in music, but you do need a plan. Don Cusic, author, professor, and Western Music Association Hall of Fame inductee, reveals how to turn your passion into a profession. Learn how to balance self-expression with crowd-pleasing, navigate the business side, and build lasting momentum in toda...

For the entire interview transcript, please ⁠click ⁠ here ⁠. Christian Ray Flores is a Chilean-Russian artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Born in Moscow in 1969, he rose to fame in Russia’s music scene with hits like Our Generation, then shifted to social impact and venture building in the U.S., co-founding Third Drive to empower startups and causes worldwide. What You’ll Learn In this powe...

For the entire interview transcript, please ⁠click ⁠here⁠. Laura Sawosko is a Nashville-based singer-songwriterknown for her heartfelt lyrics and authentic storytelling. With roots in Arizona’s tight-knit music community, she brings a unique blend of emotional depth and country-inspired hooks to her music. Balancing her creative career with roles as a piano teacher and restaurant co-manager, Laura...