Tribute Band Sessions

Mike Gendler
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Music Interviews
  • Weekly

Tribute Band Sessions takes you behind the curtain of the billion-dollar tribute industry—where legendary music is reborn every night. Hosted by creator, music producer, musician, and talent manager Mike Gendler, along with rotating celebrity co-hosts, each episode features unfiltered conversations with tribute performers, booking agents, and insiders. From tour life and gear to sold-out shows at venues like Red Rocks, this is your all-access pass. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

  1. 3d ago

    Want the BIG Gig? Matt Star Drummer, Producer, Singer, Business Coach Reveals What REALLY Gets You Hired!

    What does it REALLY take to land a major gig in the music business—and why doesn't being the best musician always get you hired? In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, host Mike Gendler sits down with drummer, singer, songwriter, producer and music career coach Matt Starr, whose career includes performing with Ace Frehley, Mr. Big and Raiding the Rock Vault, along with working alongside some of rock's biggest names. Matt shares how discovering KISS as an eight-year-old changed his life, what he learned studying legendary performers from the front row, and how he went from playing small clubs to performing with musicians he idolized growing up. But this conversation goes far beyond rock-star stories! Matt reveals the unwritten rules of being a professional sideman, why networking can matter more than raw talent, how musicians should establish their rates, and what bandleaders REALLY look for when hiring. He also discusses the importance of professionalism, building multiple income streams, coaching musicians, the growing tribute-band industry, and why today's audiences expect more than musicians simply standing onstage playing songs. From hilarious behind-the-scenes stories involving Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley to performing at Japan's legendary Budokan and stepping into the frontman role with The Knack, this interview is packed with career lessons for working musicians and backstage stories for rock fans. If you've ever dreamed of getting that big gig, this episode is your music business masterclass! Click here Check Out Matt Starr https://www.mattstarrcoaching.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MattStarrMusic/ https://www.instagram.com/mattstarrmusic/ Find Tribute Band Sessions Here ; https://www.youtube.com/@TributeBandSessions Website⁠⁠⁠tributebandsessions.com⁠⁠⁠ Spotify⁠⁠⁠open.spotify.com/show/6uWts5wBIgoZmB3wmL3tsq⁠⁠⁠ Apple Music⁠⁠⁠podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tribute-band-sessions/id1843760366⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@tributebandsessions⁠⁠⁠ X⁠⁠⁠x.com/TributeBandsPod #MattStarr #AceFrehley #MrBig #MusicBusiness #TributeBandSessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Oct 21

    Brit Floyd’s Ian Cattell Reveals the Crazy Audition

    In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike sits down with Ian Cattell, bassist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist for Brit Floyd, to trace his remarkable journey from growing up in a musical household and discovering Pink Floyd through The Wall to touring in a box truck, playing shows for gas money and eventually receiving the email that led to an audition with the Australian Pink Floyd Show at the Royal Albert Hall. Ian reveals how that experience ultimately led to the formation of Brit Floyd, explains the musical challenge of playing intricate bass parts while singing Roger Waters and David Gilmour material, and takes us behind the scenes of the massive production involving lights, lasers, video, crew, management and international touring. He also shares advice for tribute bands, discusses why vocals and identity matter so much, and recounts stories involving musicians connected to Pink Floyd, including Guy Pratt, Scott Page, Durga McBroom, Machan Taylor and David Gilmour.  Find Ian Cattell Here ; https://britfloyd.com/artist/ian-cattell/ Find Tribute Band Sessions Here ; https://www.youtube.com/@TributeBandSessions Website⁠⁠tributebandsessions.com⁠⁠ Spotify⁠⁠open.spotify.com/show/6uWts5wBIgoZmB3wmL3tsq⁠⁠ Apple Music⁠⁠podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tribute-band-sessions/id1843760366⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠facebook.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠instagram.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠tiktok.com/@tributebandsessions⁠⁠ X⁠⁠x.com/TributeBandsPod 00:00 – Introduction03:16 – Meet Ian Cattell of Brit Floyd04:24 – Growing Up in a Musical Family06:23 – Becoming a Multi-Instrumentalist07:57 – Discovering the Bass in College09:12 – Genesis, Peter Gabriel & Progressive Rock09:59 – Why Pink Floyd Is Different11:27 – Trying to Make Music a Full-Time Career12:52 – Touring America in a Box Truck14:33 – The Teacher Who Tried to Discourage Him16:52 – The Wall Becomes His Pink Floyd Gateway18:41 – The Hardest Pink Floyd Songs Ian Performs21:13 – Why Pink Floyd Reaches New Generations23:37 – Playing 100 Shows a Year in the ’90s24:27 – Hanging the Lights AND Performing the Show26:27 – Leaving the Road and Working for Apple26:48 – The Email That Changed Everything29:44 – Australian Pink Floyd Comes Calling30:59 – The Royal Albert Hall Audition Story34:55 – How the North American Lineup Became Brit Floyd37:34 – Starting Over With a Brand-New Name40:04 – Why Management Is Essential41:02 – The Massive Team Behind a Brit Floyd Concert44:02 – What Breaks First on Tour: Body, Voice or Mind?45:32 – Plans for Japan, Asia and International Touring50:30 – How a New Brit Floyd Show Is Created52:16 – Building the Perfect Setlist and Visual Production57:45 – Ian’s Advice for New Tribute Bands58:15 – Why Every Tribute Band Needs an Identity59:20 – Why the Vocals Matter So Much1:02:07 – Eddie Trunk and the Changing View of Tribute Bands1:06:20 – Has Ian Met the Members of Pink Floyd?1:07:19 – Pink Floyd Musicians Who Have Performed With Them1:09:37 – Closing and Where to Find Brit Floyd #BritFloyd #PinkFloyd #IanCattell #TributeBandSessions #PinkFloydTribute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Oct 14

    Jessie’s Girl Tribute With Drummer Michael Maenza—From Hair Metal to Pop, New Wave & Everything Between Ep #55

    How do you build a tribute show when you're not recreating ONE legendary artist… …but an ENTIRE DECADE? On this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike sits down with drummer Michael Maenza of Jessie’s Girl and the Back to the Eighties Show for a look behind one of the most ambitious concepts in the tribute world. Think about the challenge. The ’80s didn't have one sound. You had massive arena rock, hair metal, new wave, synth-pop, dance music, punk influences, power ballads and some of the biggest pop stars in music history—all competing for space on the radio and MTV. Jessie’s Girl has to bring ALL of it together in one live show. Michael takes us behind the drums and inside the world of a production designed to make audiences feel like they've stepped straight back into the decade of big hair, bigger hooks and MTV at its absolute peak. And this isn't simply a cover band playing an ’80s playlist. Jessie’s Girl has built a full Back to the Eighties experience around veteran New York musicians, multiple vocalists, costumes, personalities and the songs that defined a generation. Along the way, members of the production have even shared the stage with ACTUAL ’80s stars—artists including Bret Michaels, MC Hammer, Colin Hay of Men at Work, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Taylor Dayne, Mike Score of A Flock of Seagulls, Tone Loc, Rob Base and more. We get into what it's like for a drummer to constantly shift styles, sounds and grooves while keeping an enormous live production moving. We also dive into the business behind a successful multi-artist tribute show, the incredible staying power of ’80s music, why audiences still want to experience this decade live and what separates a true theatrical tribute production from somebody simply playing nostalgic songs at a bar. And there's another fascinating question: What happens when the ORIGINAL artists actually join the tribute? For Jessie’s Girl, that isn't hypothetical. It's happened. Whether you lived through the ’80s, discovered the music decades later or just want to understand what goes into creating a successful large-scale tribute production, this episode pulls back the curtain on a completely different side of the tribute business. One drummer. Countless artists. Hundreds of iconic songs. And one mission: Take the audience BACK TO THE ’80s. The official Jessie’s Girl materials describe a multi-vocalist production backed by veteran NYC musicians, including Maenza, and document appearances with numerous original ’80s performers. Links to Michael Maenza https://michaelmaenza.wixsite.com/drums https://www.jessiesgirlnyc.com/ Find Tribute Band Sessions Here ; https://www.youtube.com/@TributeBandSessions Website⁠⁠tributebandsessions.com⁠⁠ Spotify⁠⁠open.spotify.com/show/6uWts5wBIgoZmB3wmL3tsq⁠⁠ Apple Music⁠⁠podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tribute-band-sessions/id1843760366⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠facebook.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠instagram.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠tiktok.com/@tributebandsessions⁠⁠ X⁠⁠x.com/TributeBandsPod #TributeBandSessions #JessiesGirl #80sMusic #TributeBands #BackToThe80s 00:00 Introduction — Michael Maenza of Jessie’s Girl01:42 Growing Up With Music and Becoming a Drummer05:18 Early Bands and Breaking Into the New York Music Scene09:06 Becoming a Full-Time Professional Musician12:47 How Jessie’s Girl First Came Together16:32 Choosing the Ultimate 1980s Tribute Experience20:08 Building a Show Around an Entire Decade23:51 Recreating the Sound, Energy and Style of the ’80s27:26 Finding the Right Singers and Musicians31:10 Why Band Chemistry Matters34:42 Creating the Perfect ’80s Setlist38:15 Balancing Huge Hits With Unexpected Songs41:37 Performing With Original ’80s Music Stars45:18 Working With Tiffany, Taylor Dayne and Other Icons48:46 Playing Major Venues and High-Profile Events52:05 The Business Behind a Successful Tribute Band55:16 Marketing the Show and Selling Tickets57:42 Advice for New Tribute Bands59:12 What’s Next for Michael Maenza and Jessie’s Girl #TributeBandSessions #JessiesGirl #80sMusic #TributeBands #BackToThe80s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Oct 7

    He Looked Like Jon Bon Jovi BEFORE He Became a Tribute Singer!

    What does it really take to recreate Bon Jovi in their 1980s arena-rock prime? On this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike Gendler sits down with Mike Parkes, founder and frontman of Slippery When Wet New Jersey, a Bon Jovi tribute band that has spent more than 20 years recreating the look, sound, energy and live experience of classic Bon Jovi. Mike shares his journey from playing bass in original bands and chasing record deals to becoming a lead singer and launching the tribute in 2001 following Bon Jovi’s resurgence with “It’s My Life.” He explains the incredible attention to detail required to capture Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and the band at their ’80s peak, including custom stage clothing, note-for-note guitar parts, vocal harmonies, original album arrangements and performing demanding songs like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “In These Arms” in their recorded keys. Mike also discusses vocal training, protecting his voice, building the perfect Bon Jovi setlist, why too many deep cuts can lose an audience, performing the entire Slippery When Wet album, band chemistry, playing without backing tracks and why tribute musicians need to master the details of the original music. We also dive into the business of tribute bands, including why some tribute acts succeed while others fail, whether tribute bands compete with original artists, what audiences expect from an authentic tribute show and the work required to build a successful touring act. From Seaside Heights and the Meadowlands to performing at New Jersey’s legendary Stone Pony, Mike Parkes and Slippery When Wet New Jersey have made it their mission to transport audiences back to the glory days of Bon Jovi—not by reinventing the music, but by recreating the songs, harmonies, musicianship and arena-rock experience fans remember. Find Slippery When Wet New Jersey Here ; https://jovitribute.com/ Find Tribute Band Sessions Here ; https://www.youtube.com/@TributeBandSessions Website⁠⁠tributebandsessions.com⁠⁠ Spotify⁠⁠open.spotify.com/show/6uWts5wBIgoZmB3wmL3tsq⁠⁠ Apple Music⁠⁠podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tribute-band-sessions/id1843760366⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠facebook.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠instagram.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠tiktok.com/@tributebandsessions⁠⁠ X⁠⁠x.com/TributeBandsPod #BonJovi #JonBonJovi #SlipperyWhenWet #TributeBands #TributeBandSessions 00:00 Introduction — Recreating 1980s Bon Jovi01:14 Growing Up in New Jersey and Resembling Jon Bon Jovi04:45 Playing Bass and Chasing a Record Deal08:20 Moving From Bass Player to Lead Singer12:05 The Changing Rock Scene of the Early 1990s15:52 How His Father Suggested a Bon Jovi Tribute18:05 Launching Slippery When Wet New Jersey in 200121:15 Why the Band Focuses on Bon Jovi’s 1980s Prime24:38 Recreating the Look, Clothing and Stage Presence27:40 Capturing Richie Sambora’s Guitar Parts and Harmonies31:35 Learning Bon Jovi’s Music Note for Note34:28 Singing “Livin’ on a Prayer” in the Original Key37:15 Vocal Training and Protecting His Voice40:05 Preparing for a Show and Avoiding Vocal Damage43:32 Why Tribute Bands Are Not the “Easy Route”47:08 Do Tribute Bands Take Gigs From Original Artists?51:36 Why Some Tribute Bands Succeed and Others Fail54:28 Creating the Perfect Bon Jovi Setlist57:42 Why Too Many Deep Cuts Can Lose an Audience1:00:55 Performing the Entire Slippery When Wet Album1:03:48 Band Chemistry and Performing Without Backing Tracks1:07:20 Playing The Stone Pony and Other New Jersey Venues1:10:35 The Future of Slippery When Wet New Jersey1:13:02 Recreating the Bon Jovi Fans Remember Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    He Looked Like Jon Bon Jovi BEFORE He Became a Tribute Singer!

  5. Sep 30

    Soundgarden + Audioslave + Temple of the Dog… ONE Tribute Band?! Ep;53

    How do you build a tribute around one of the most powerful—and difficult to reproduce—voices in rock history? You find five musicians crazy enough to try. On this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike sits down with members of Superunknown: A Chris Cornell Tribute, a Philadelphia-area band taking on the music of not one, but THREE legendary catalogs: Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog. And they aren't taking the easy songs. Frontman Jason Reed talks about the challenge of performing Chris Cornell's incredible vocal parts night after night—including the songs that once genuinely scared him to attempt live. The band also reveals how Superunknown came together almost by accident. Jason originally launched the project in 2018 as a solo acoustic tribute following Cornell's passing. After crossing paths with members of the Foo Fighters tribute White Limo, drummer Ron DiSilvestro essentially made the decision for everybody: “We're his band now.” From there, things moved FAST. By only their THIRD SHOW, Superunknown was on a plane to Honduras performing for U.S. troops. That led to performances in Guantanamo Bay, Singapore and the Middle East—including some of the most intense audiences they've ever experienced. We also get into what makes Soundgarden's music so deceptively difficult: bizarre guitar tunings, unconventional drum parts, technically demanding arrangements and, of course, Cornell's seemingly impossible vocal range. The guys explain why they don't dress up and pretend to BE Soundgarden. Their mission is different: reproduce the MUSIC as faithfully and powerfully as possible. They also reveal how they build their setlists across three enormous catalogs, why Soundgarden remains the most requested material, the deep cuts hardcore fans constantly request, and the brutal reality of learning entire albums for their specialty anniversary shows. Then we go behind the curtain into the BUSINESS of running a successful tribute band: management, professional EPKs, social media, live video, touring logistics, repeat markets, band chemistry and why cutting corners gets you exactly the gigs you paid for. Their philosophy? Don't half-ass the presentation—because secondhand promotion gets you secondhand gigs. Superunknown is also helping push something much bigger: the arrival of 1990s alternative rock on a theater circuit traditionally dominated by classic-rock tributes. And they believe they're only getting started. From Philadelphia to Honduras, Gitmo, Singapore and the Middle East—and with bigger theaters and bucket-list venues in their sights—Superunknown is proving that the music of Chris Cornell still belongs exactly where it was meant to be heard: LOUD and LIVE. The band's military touring is one of the strongest stories in the episode. Jason is a Marine veteran, and they discuss performing in Honduras, Guantanamo Bay, Singapore and the Middle East. Find The Band Superunknown Here ; https://www.thesoundgardentribute.com/ Find Tribute Band Sessions Here ; https://www.youtube.com/@TributeBandSessions Websitetributebandsessions.com Spotifyopen.spotify.com/show/6uWts5wBIgoZmB3wmL3tsq Apple Musicpodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tribute-band-sessions/id1843760366 Facebookfacebook.com/tributebandsessionsInstagraminstagram.com/tributebandsessions TikToktiktok.com/@tributebandsessions Xx.com/TributeBandsPod 00:00 Introduction 03:26 Jason Reed’s Musical Background 10:40 How Superunknown Began 16:45 Taking on the Music of Chris Cornell 21:20 Recreating Cornell’s Powerful Vocals 27:27 Expanding from a Solo Act to a Full Band 32:15 Building the Right Band Chemistry 37:18 Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog 40:38 Choosing Songs and Creating the Setlist 46:05 Connecting with Chris Cornell’s Fans 51:08 The Emotion and Responsibility Behind the Tribute 57:25 Memorable Shows and Audience Reactions 1:03:10 The Business Side of Running Superunknown 1:08:35 What’s Next for the Band 1:13:18 Final Thoughts and Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Sep 23

    Rod Stewart Knows About Him… And His Former Bandmates Played WITH Him Ep; 52

    What happens when you look and sound so much like Rod Stewart that even musicians who actually toured with Rod say playing with you feels like they're playing with him again? In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike sits down with Rob Caudill, the man behind Rod the Show, for an incredible conversation about a career that went from playing bass in clubs to becoming one of the most established Rod Stewart tribute performers in the business. And here's where the story gets crazy. Rob's show features musicians with real connections to Rod Stewart, including legendary drummer Carmine Appice and longtime Rod Stewart saxophonist Katja Rieckermann. Rob says both have told him that watching him perform can feel like they're back onstage with Rod. And does Rod Stewart himself know about Rob? Yes. Rob says he's never personally met Rod, but Rod knows about him through Carmine and Katja. Rob takes us all the way back to hearing Rod Stewart's unmistakable voice for the first time as a kid—and reveals that people were telling him he looked like Rod Stewart before he even knew what Rod looked like. His career eventually took him through Legends in Concert, international touring and his own Rod Stewart production. He studied old performance footage to master Rod's mannerisms, accent and famous microphone-stand moves. We also get into the real business of tribute entertainment: international touring, management, production, setlists, ticket prices, the changing perception of tribute artists and the increasingly blurry line between tribute bands and legacy bands touring without their original members. And wait until you hear how big Rod the Show is becoming. Rob reveals they're adding video, flames and additional stage production while incorporating actual footage of Carmine and Katja performing with Rod Stewart. This isn't someone simply singing Rod Stewart songs. It's a tribute connected directly to the musicians who helped create the music in the first place. Find  Rob Caudill Here ; https://www.rodstewartshow.com/ 🎸 Listen & Follow Tribute Band Sessions: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🍎 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📘 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎵 ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🐦 ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠ 👉 ⁠⁠⁠Watch Tribute Band Sessions on YouTube 00:00 – Welcome to Rod the Show01:21 – Rob's Musical Childhood03:55 – Hearing Rod Stewart for the First Time04:50 – “People Told Me I Looked Like Rod Stewart”05:58 – Rob's Early Career as a Musician07:38 – Getting Signed & The Breaks10:25 – The Heartbreaking Story of Rob's Brother14:11 – The Road Toward Becoming Rod Stewart15:42 – Discovering Legends in Concert16:12 – Studying Rod's Mannerisms & Stage Presence16:43 – Playing With Rod Stewart's Actual Musicians17:24 – How Katja Rieckermann Joined the Show18:23 – How Carmine Appice Entered the Picture20:04 – Carmine Becomes Rob's Partner21:13 – Getting Into Legends in Concert24:06 – How Rob Protects That Raspy Rod Stewart Voice25:35 – Carmine's Incredible Rod Stewart Stories31:40 – The Reality of Touring a Tribute Show32:52 – Creating the Rod Stewart Look35:53 – Taking the Show Around the World41:18 – Management & the Business Behind the Show44:53 – Does Rod Stewart Know About Rob?47:44 – Stories From Rod Stewart's Actual Band50:39 – Are Tribute & Original Bands Becoming the Same Thing?56:22 – Why Carmine Calls It a “Rod Stewart Legacy”1:05:30 – How Do You Pick From 100 Rod Stewart Songs?1:06:25 – Why International Setlists Are Completely Different1:11:41 – Bigger Production, Video, Flames & What's Next #TributeBandSessions #RodStewart #RobCaudill #CarmineAppice #TributeBands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Sep 16

    A Tribute Legend Zeppelin Band That Built A TIME MACHINE

    What would it feel like to walk into a small club in 1969 and witness Led Zeppelin before the stadiums, mythology and excess took over? In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike sits down with Legend Zeppelin to explore one of the most ambitious concepts in the tribute world: a chronological, period-correct recreation of Led Zeppelin’s live career that begins with the band’s raw, blues-driven 1969 performances and moves forward year by year. Rather than simply copying studio recordings or combining every era into one greatest-hits show, Legend Zeppelin uses vintage-style instruments, amplification, microphones, stage methods and technological limitations to recreate the conditions under which Led Zeppelin’s music originally evolved. The band discusses the musicianship, research and business strategy behind what it calls the world’s first “bootleg band,” the challenge of balancing historical accuracy with the spontaneity that made Zeppelin dangerous, and why no two performances should feel exactly the same. We also get into recreating Robert Plant’s vocals, Jimmy Page’s tones, John Paul Jones’s versatility and John Bonham’s enormous drum sound, along with the importance of chemistry, improvisation, visual authenticity and allowing the audience to become part of the show. This is not merely a collection of Led Zeppelin songs—it is an attempt to build a living rock-and-roll time machine and let modern audiences experience how the music may have sounded, felt and changed in the room more than five decades ago. Legend Zeppelin’s stated mission is to begin with the 1969 club era and progress chronologically through later milestones, rather than compressing Zeppelin’s entire career into one static production.  Follow Legend Zeppelin Here ; https://legendzeppelin.com/ 🎸 Listen & Follow Tribute Band Sessions: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🍎 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📘 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎵 ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🐦 ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠ 👉 ⁠⁠⁠Watch Tribute Band Sessions on YouTube 00:00 – Meet Legend Zeppelin01:18 – Why This Isn’t a Typical Led Zeppelin Tribute03:42 – The Origins of the Band06:15 – Discovering Led Zeppelin09:08 – Why They Begin the Story in 196912:06 – Creating the World’s First “Bootleg Band”15:14 – Recreating Zeppelin’s Earliest Live Shows18:31 – Using Period-Correct Instruments and Equipment21:47 – Why Technological Limitations Actually Matter24:35 – Recreating Jimmy Page’s Guitar Sound27:12 – The Challenge of Robert Plant’s Voice30:08 – Capturing John Bonham’s Massive Drum Sound32:44 – John Paul Jones: The Secret Weapon35:26 – Accuracy Versus Improvisation38:18 – Why the Songs Should Change Every Night41:05 – Recreating the Look Without Becoming a Costume Act43:52 – The Audience Becomes Part of the Performance46:27 – Turning Historical Research Into a Live Show49:14 – The Business Behind Such an Unusual Concept51:31 – Moving Chronologically Beyond 196954:08 – The Future of Legend Zeppelin56:42 – Advice for Building a Serious Tribute Production57:39 – Where to Find Legend Zeppelin #LedZeppelin #LegendZeppelin #TributeBandSessions #ClassicRock #LedZeppelinTribute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Sep 9

    What Booking Agents REALLY Want From Tribute Bands

    The Truth About Getting Your Tribute Band Booked You can have incredible musicians. You can look like the original artist. You can sound almost identical. But does that mean anyone is going to book your band? In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, we flip the script and look at the tribute industry from the business side with Rich Rubin of Maximum Bands. Instead of asking what it takes to perform like a rock star, we're asking what it takes to turn a tribute act into a bookable, marketable, money-making business. What are agents and buyers actually looking for? Why do some incredible bands struggle to get beyond local gigs while others land theaters, casinos, festivals, corporate events, and major stages? How important are your promotional materials, reputation, ticket sales, professionalism, and ability to actually put people in seats? Rich gives us an insider's perspective on an industry that has exploded from neighborhood bars and clubs into serious live entertainment. We get into booking, representation, promoters, venues, pricing, competition, marketing, and some of the mistakes that can keep talented tribute acts from reaching the next level. If you're in a tribute band, managing one, thinking about starting one, or just curious about how this rapidly growing industry actually works behind the scenes, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Because being a great band is only half the battle. The other half? Getting someone to book you. Find Rich Rubin here ; https://www.maximumbands.com/ 🎸 Listen & Follow Tribute Band Sessions: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🍎 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📘 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎵 ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🐦 ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠ 👉 ⁠⁠⁠Watch Tribute Band Sessions on YouTube Clickable Chapters 00:00 – Introduction02:10 – Meet Rich Rubin & Maximum Bands07:15 – How the Tribute Band Business Has Changed13:30 – What Makes a Tribute Band Bookable?20:10 – Why Great Bands Still Don't Get Gigs27:00 – What Agents & Talent Buyers Really Look For34:20 – Marketing Your Tribute Band41:15 – How Much Does Image & Production Matter?48:05 – The Biggest Mistakes Tribute Bands Make55:10 – Breaking Into Theaters, Casinos & Bigger Venues1:02:15 – Is the Tribute Industry Getting Too Crowded?1:08:20 – Where the Tribute Business Goes Next1:13:30 – Rich's Advice for Tribute Bands #TributeBandSessions#TributeBands#MaximumBands#MusicBusiness#LiveEntertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Tribute Band Sessions takes you behind the curtain of the billion-dollar tribute industry—where legendary music is reborn every night. Hosted by creator, music producer, musician, and talent manager Mike Gendler, along with rotating celebrity co-hosts, each episode features unfiltered conversations with tribute performers, booking agents, and insiders. From tour life and gear to sold-out shows at venues like Red Rocks, this is your all-access pass. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Gendler
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All Rights Reserved 2025
  • Show Website
    Tribute Band Sessions

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