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

Coverband Confidential
  • 4.8 (95)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Cover Band Confidential is the podcast for working musicians, bandleaders, and gigging players who want to make more money, book better gigs, build stronger bands, and run their music career like a business.

  1. Is America Running Out of Fun? What the “Fun Shortage” Means for Working Bands

    2d ago

    Is America Running Out of Fun? What the “Fun Shortage” Means for Working Bands

    This week, Adam and Dan recap a Fourth of July gig in Newnan, GA—heat, big municipal-event logistics, a few new/old songs, and lingering monitor gremlins—then pivot into a bigger industry issue: a Bloomberg article arguing a real “fun shortage,” with fewer places to hang out and higher costs, hurting venues and performance opportunities. But this isn’t just another “venues are closing and everything is terrible” conversation. The bigger question is whether there are fewer gigs… or just fewer easy gigs. If bars, clubs, and casual hangout spots are disappearing, bands have to rethink how they create opportunities. That means better marketing, clearer branding, stronger promo assets, faster communication, and finding ways to turn “a gig” into an actual event people want to leave the house for. We also get into public gigs, private events, DIY scenes, themed shows, and why the bands that can reliably create fun may be the ones that survive the shift. Topics include:– Why “extra” spending is usually the first thing to go– What bands can do instead of waiting on venues and promoters– Whether the market is worse, different, or just harder to fake your way through Is having fun actually harder than it used to be? Are you seeing fewer gigs in your market? Or are the opportunities just moving somewhere else? Let us know: coverbandconfidential@gmail.com Sweetwater Affilate Link: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/xJE4rk   BACTrack Affiliate Link: https://www.bactrack.com/coverbandconfidential   MaestroDMX (10% off discount link): https://maestrodmx.com/discount/DISCOUNT4CBC?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fmaestrodmx Blank Contracts & Riders: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/performance-contracts Backing Track Resources: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/backing-track-resources 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! @coverbandconfidential @adampatrickjohnson @danraymusician Consider supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/coverbandconfidential Or buy us a cup of coffee! paypal.me/cbconfidential And for more info check out  www.coverbandconfidential.com cover band confidential, cover bands, working musicians, band business, live music venues, fewer gigs, bar gigs, private events, gigging musician, live music business, booking gigs, band marketing, how to get more gigs, music venues closing, live entertainment, event bands, wedding bands, corporate bands, musician podcast, cover band podcast, fun shortage, Bloomberg fun shortage, bands getting gigs, DIY music scene, local music venues

    37 min
  2. Local Band, Big Festival: How Cover Bands Earn Their Respect (With Mike Schulte of The Pork Tornadoes)

    Jul 3

    Local Band, Big Festival: How Cover Bands Earn Their Respect (With Mike Schulte of The Pork Tornadoes)

    Dan is joined by honorary co-host Mike Schulte for a loose, funny, and surprisingly useful conversation about what happens when cover bands stop getting treated like “just the local guys” and start operating like the professional entertainment businesses they actually are. Mike shares the long-game story of a hometown festival, a shady gatekeeper, years of being told to play for “exposure,” and the eventual full-circle moment of returning to that same town to play for 10,000 people on a proper stage with proper production. From there, the conversation turns into a bigger discussion about building a real following: why being good is only the starting line, how fans become regulars, why personality matters as much as polish, and how bands can create moments people actually want to come back for. Also: kitchen renovation horror stories, hidden house weirdness, horror movies, Mike Flanagan, kids discovering music, and a few current songs that are absolutely destroying in live sets. This one is about playing the long game, staying human, and remembering that the audience connects with people—not just perfect performances.Check out Mike's podcast! https://confusedbreakfast.com/  Sweetwater Affilate Link: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/xJE4rk   BACTrack Affiliate Link: https://www.bactrack.com/coverbandconfidential   MaestroDMX (10% off discount link): https://maestrodmx.com/discount/DISCOUNT4CBC?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fmaestrodmx Blank Contracts & Riders: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/performance-contracts Backing Track Resources: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/backing-track-resources Thank you so much for tuning in!  If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends!   If you have any questions please email at: Coverbandconfidential@gmail.com Consider supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/coverbandconfidential Or buy us a cup of coffee! paypal.me/cbconfidential And for more info check out  www.coverbandconfidential.com cover band podcast, cover band tips, working musician podcast, live band advice, band business, how to grow a band following, local band advice, festival gigs, cover band festivals, booking festival gigs, band marketing, live music business, working cover band, professional cover band, band leader advice, music career advice, Mike Schulte, Pork Tornadoes, Cover Band Confidential, live performance tips, fan engagement, how bands build fans, band coaching, music business podcast #CoverBandConfidential#CoverBands#WorkingMusician#BandLife#LiveMusic#MusicBusiness#GigLife#BandAdvice#FestivalGigs#RockMoreSuckLess

    46 min
  3. 10 Things Bands need to STOP DOING

    Jun 26

    10 Things Bands need to STOP DOING

    What are the things bands really need to stop doing?Not the usual Facebook-group purity tests about backing tracks, iPads, shorts, tip jars, or whether Mustang Sally should be illegal. We’re talking about the stuff that actually makes bands harder to hire, harder to enjoy, and harder to take seriously.This week on Cover Band Confidential, Adam and Dan dig through nearly 1,000 responses to the question: “What’s something bands need to stop doing?” Then they filter the noise through the lens of working musicians who care about gigs, crowds, venues, and professionalism.We get into why bands should stop undercutting the market, leaving dead air between songs, looking unprepared on stage, dressing like the gig doesn’t matter, trash-talking other bands, noodling between songs, taking long breaks, overplaying, bringing low energy, and being way too loud.Plus, Adam recaps the first real-world run of the new AbleSet 3 setup for Live Band Karaoke, including custom canvas layouts, charts inside AbleSet, new songs added on the fly, and why the whole system might finally be dialed in.If you’re in a cover band, tribute band, bar band, wedding band, corporate band, or any working live music situation, this one is a useful gut check.Topics include:*Why “exposure gigs” hurt more than they help*How dead air kills momentum*Dressing for the gig you want*Why public band drama is never worth it*Why “turn down” is still good adviceAnd a bunch more!Subscribe for more conversations about cover bands, working musicians, band leadership, live performance, and how to rock more and suck less.#CoverBandConfidential #CoverBand #WorkingMusician #LiveMusic #BandLife #GiggingMusician #CoverBandTips #BandLeader #MusicBusiness #LiveBand

    55 min
  4. Does Your Cover Band Actually Need a Manager?

    Jun 19

    Does Your Cover Band Actually Need a Manager?

    When does a band actually need a manager? A listener asked a great question: “Why do I need a manager with a small local cover band doing maybe five gigs a year?” And the honest answer is: you probably don’t. In this episode, we talk through what a manager actually does, when management starts to make sense, and why most local cover bands are better off building systems, improving booking, tightening promo assets, or hiring help for specific tasks before giving someone a percentage of the band’s income. We also cover the difference between a manager and a booking agent, whether a manager overrides the band founder, what kind of money needs to be coming in before management makes sense, and the real signs that your band has enough momentum, complexity, and opportunity to justify bringing someone in. If you’re in a cover band, tribute band, wedding band, corporate band, or local working band trying to figure out how to grow without creating a small village of administrative sadness, this one is for you. Topics covered: What a band manager actually does Why small local bands usually don’t need management Manager vs. booking agent When admin work starts limiting band growth How much money a band needs before hiring a manager Whether a manager can override the band founder Why consistent demand matters Better first hires before a manager Cover band business systems that matter Ableset Discount Link: ableset.com/cbcAll over Band Leader Links: coverbandconfidential.com/links Subscribe for more practical advice for cover band musicians and band leaders who want to rock more and suck less. #CoverBand #BandManager #MusicBusiness #WorkingMusician #BandLeader cover band manager, does my band need a manager, when should a band hire a manager, band manager explained, music business advice, cover band business, band leadership, booking agent vs manager, local band advice, working musician tips, tribute band business, wedding band business, corporate band gigs, how to run a band, band booking tips, band admin, band growth strategy, cover band confidential, band management, musician business advice

    40 min
  5. 10 Things Every Band Thinks Are Optional (But Aren't) | Solo Episode with Adam

    Jun 12

    10 Things Every Band Thinks Are Optional (But Aren't) | Solo Episode with Adam

    Adam flies solo this week and delivers a full episode covering the 10 non-negotiable things every working cover band needs to stop treating as optional. From your website and promo video to contracts, pricing strategy, and communication — if you want to get paid real money and get invited back, these aren't extras. They're the gig. Adam also shares a band update, previews upcoming shows, talks upcoming gear reviews (Maestro DMX and AbleSet 3), and responds to a recent two-star review.📧 Contact us: coverbandconfidential@gmail.com🔗 Band contract template: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/performance-contracts🔗 Bandzoogle affiliate link: https://bandzoogle.com/?memref=rab610🔗 Insurance Canopy: https://www.insurancecanopy.com🔗 OTHER ESSENTIAL BANDLEADER LINKS: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/linksCoverBand #CoverBandLife #BandLeader #LiveMusic #CoverBandConfidential #MusicBusiness #BandAdvice #GigLife #WorkingMusician #MusicTips #BandBooking #EventEntertainment #LiveBandKaraoke #MusicMarketing #GigReady

    45 min
  6. How to Find a New Band Member (Without Losing Your Mind): 12 Steps to Hiring Musicians

    Jun 5

    How to Find a New Band Member (Without Losing Your Mind): 12 Steps to Hiring Musicians

    Finding new musicians for your band sounds simple until your DMs turn into a crime scene. This week on Cover Band Confidential, Adam and Dan break down what actually goes into replacing a band member, filling a sub spot, or building a roster without losing your mind in the process. Adam is in the middle of this right now with Members Only as their longtime drummer transitions out of rotation, so this one is less “theoretical advice” and more “live footage from the hiring trenches.” We talk through the practical steps that make the search less painful: defining the role, being clear about the project, writing a specific audition post, asking for video early, using trusted referrals, being honest about money, filtering for availability, and auditioning people for the actual job they’ll be doing. Because finding the best player is not always the same thing as finding the right player. Also in this episode: Adam recaps a Midwest family trip through Chicago, Saugatuck, South Bend, Notre Dame, Wrigleyville, and Chicago Music Exchange The emotional danger of playing an $8,000 Les Paul that unfortunately feels worth it Dan previews a trip to Utah and Las Vegas, including a possible live band karaoke meetup at The Venetian Why “clear communication” is basically the whole episode The value of asking for audition video before wasting everyone’s time Why availability can matter as much as talent How to spot professional habits before someone is officially in the band Why a trial period protects both the band and the new player The terrifying concept of “musician icks” Finding band members is a slog, but you can make it less sloggy. And if you’re leading the project, the goal is not just to find a player. It’s to be the kind of band leader people actually want to work with. #CoverBandConfidential #CoverBandTips #WorkingMusician #BandLeader #GiggingMusician #CoverBand #LiveMusicBusiness #BandAuditions #MusicianLife #WeddingBand #CorporateBand #DrummerSearch #BandManagement #MusicPodcast #LiveBandTips cover band confidential, cover band podcast, working musician podcast, how to find musicians for a band, how to audition band members, finding a drummer, band audition tips, cover band tips, gigging musician advice, band leader advice, how to replace a band member, musician auditions, hiring musicians for a band, wedding band musicians, corporate band musicians, live band business, band management tips, how to run a cover band, professional musician habits, finding reliable musicians, musician availability, audition video for musicians, band rehearsal prep, cover band drummer, live music podcast

    45 min

  7. May 29

    Holiday Ketchup (Catsup?) and LBK recap

    This week on Cover Band Confidential, Adam and Dan do a quick Memorial Day catch-up and break down the first live band karaoke show under Adam’s new "ATL LBK" brand. The gig had a lot going for it: a massive LED wall, custom motion backgrounds, ProPresenter handling the song list and visuals, AbleSet running lyrics, and Bandleader managing singer signups, payments, and queue management. Shockingly, a lot of the complicated stuff actually worked.  But because this is live music, there were still some growing pains. We also get into escape room recommendations, a BBC show recommendation, new merch plans, the last Members Only gig with Nathan for a while, and why anything worth doing is apparently worth overdoing.  If you’re a working musician, bandleader, or someone thinking about adding live band karaoke to your gig options, this episode is a useful look at what worked, what needs dialing in, and why the signup system and lyric system are probably the things you want working before anything else. Want to send us your gig red flags for a future episode? Email: coverbandconfidential@gmail.com Join the Cover Band Confidential community, Patreon, Slack, and more: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/links #CoverBandConfidential #LiveBandKaraoke #CoverBand #WorkingMusician #GiggingMusician #BandLeader #LiveMusic #ATLmusic #AtlantaBands #ProPresenter #AbleSet #BandGear #MusicBusiness live band karaoke, live karaoke band, cover band podcast, Cover Band Confidential, working musician podcast, gigging musician tips, bandleader advice, live music business, how to run live band karaoke, ATL LBK, Atlanta live band karaoke, karaoke with live band, ProPresenter live music, AbleSet lyrics, band signup system, live band set up, cover band tips, bar band gigs, private event band, live sound for bands, band routing problems, Behringer WING live sound, QR code song signup, band karaoke setup, audience participation gig, cover band business, musician podcast, live music podcast, gig recap, band tech setup, live vocal mixing, in ear monitors, band management, music business podcast

    13 min
  8. 10 Ways Your Band Is Making Itself Harder to Hire

    May 22

    10 Ways Your Band Is Making Itself Harder to Hire

    Is your band accidentally making itself harder to book?This week on *Cover Band Confidential*, Adam and Dan break down *10 very fixable ways bands create friction for bookers, clients, venues, planners, and anyone else trying to give them money*.Because here’s the brutal truth: the best band does not always win. The easiest band to work with often does.We dig into the stuff that separates “pretty good bar band” from “professional event band that gets called back every year,” including:* Why slow responses make you look like you hate money* How bad promo can trap you at the level of gigs you already have* Why your website and social presence may be raising more questions than answers* The difference between being musically ready and operationally ready* Why pricing gets weird — and how to stop apologizing for your quote* How your setlist can either serve the room or sabotage the gig* Why relationship-building after the show matters more than most bands realizePlus, we catch up on 3D printing, live band karaoke prep, Jam Zone vs. Ableton/AbleSet, headless guitar string anxiety, Fender’s cease-and-desist drama, and why your band website probably still says copyright 2017.If you want to stop creating friction and start getting hired like a professional, this one’s for you.Get our free bandleader tools, templates, gear recommendations, insurance resources, and more here: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/links#CoverBandConfidential #CoverBands #WorkingMusicians #GiggingMusicians #BandBusiness #LiveMusic #BandLeader #EventBands #WeddingBands #CorporateBands #MusicBusiness #GigLife #MusicianTips #CoverBandTips #BandMarketing

    43 min
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4.8
out of 5
95 Ratings

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Cover Band Confidential is the podcast for working musicians, bandleaders, and gigging players who want to make more money, book better gigs, build stronger bands, and run their music career like a business.

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