Roadies & Rebels

Greg McVeigh
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Music Interviews

Greg McVeigh hosts experts from the professional audio community - live sound mixers, studio pros and artists. 

  1. 3d ago

    Joe Walsh, Peter Frampton & Bob Heil: Bonus Episode #2

    How Bob Heil opened doors across rock touring and pro audio. Greg McVeigh shares how a half-formed artist relations idea turned into his first client, and how one chance conversation with Bob Heil at NAMM reshaped his career. This episode traces the practical side of relationship-building in pro audio, from gatekeepers and handlers to the artists and crew who make endorsements and touring connections actually happen. Key topics: Greg explains his early career in pro audio sales and marketing at Soundcraft, QSC Audio, Crest Audio, and MeyerSound, and why he wanted to move into artist relations.He describes pitching a product-visibility strategy based on getting well-known acts to use gear on camera, and how that idea was mostly rejected at first.A chance meeting with Bob Heil at NAMM becomes the turning point that leads to Heil Sound becoming Greg’s first client and the launch of Guest House Projects.Greg breaks down why singers were especially valuable in artist relations, since they were visible in TV and video shoots and literally held the product.He shares how Bob Heil’s direct relationships with artists like Peter Frampton, Joe Walsh, Charlie Daniels, and Pete Townshend helped Greg work through layers of managers, handlers, and gatekeepers.Greg reflects on the mindset shift of treating Bob Heil as “my artist,” which helped him approach gatekeepers as collaborators rather than obstacles.He tells the story of meeting Smokey Wendell, Joe Walsh’s longtime security chief and road manager, including an awkward dressing room encounter that nearly went sideways.He recounts how Bob’s team made artist access work in practical ways, whether through a quick approval chain with Peter Frampton’s team or a simple instruction from tour management: if Peter wants to stop and talk, he will.The episode highlights Bob Heil’s long-running ties to the talk box, especially through songs like “Rocky Mountain Way” and “Do You Feel Like I Do.”Greg also mentions Bob’s work on The Who’s Quadrophenia tour, where he helped design and build an early four-channel live sound system.The story closes with Greg reflecting on Bob Heil’s impact as a mentor, connector, and sometimes prickly but deeply valuable force in his career.Timestamps00:00 - Greg’s early career in pro audio and the urge to move into artist relations 00:33 - Why product placement through famous acts felt like the right strategy 01:32 - Searching for opportunity while “unemployed” at NAMM 02:02 - First seeing Bob Heil draw a crowd at a small booth 02:31 - The book that “ruined” Greg’s life and the first NAMM introduction 03:00 - Bob Heil becomes Greg’s first client and launches Guest House Projects 03:30 - Why singers are the “money shot” for endorsements and visibility 03:59 - How Bob’s artist relationships created new access to major acts 04:25 - Working through gatekeepers by saying Bob had already called 04:52 - Treating Bob Heil like Greg’s own client to stay on equal footing 05:22 - Smokey Wendell’s role as Joe Walsh’s bodyguard, friend, and road manager 05:49 - The first uncomfortable encounter with Smokey at the casino venue 06:20 - Getting caught in the dressing room and trying to recover fast 07:16 - Peter Frampton, Lisa, Donnie, and the simple rule for fan interactions 07:46 - Escorting Peter to the Heil Sound booth at NAMM 08:17 - Bob Heil’s role in the talk box history of Joe Walsh and Peter Frampton 08:48 - Bob’s work with Pete Townshend and the Quadrophenia tour sound system 09:16 - The 2016 Maximum Rock and Roll podcast series and its origin 09:32 - Footage from the night Keith Moon passed out at the drum kit 10:03 - Bob Heil’s connection to Charlie Daniels and Bob Workman 10:31 - Greg’s earlier podcast episode with Bob Workman on Roadies and Rebels 10:58 - Final reflections on Bob Heil’s impact, personality, and legacy 11:27 - Closing thoughts on the episodeNotable quotesCopy “Bob Heil was my artist.” Copy “The singer is the money shot.” Copy “We were two Midwest guys who found ourselves on stages and in situations that could confound even ourselves at times.” Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

  2. Sep 18

    You Had to Be There: Bonus Episode #1

    You Had to Be There: New Orleans, Jazz Fest, and a Few Stories Too Good to Forget. Greg kicks off this bonus episode with a disclaimer about memory, then uses it to launch into a story-rich ride through New Orleans, Jazz Fest, and the musicians and moments that shaped his experiences there. It is part travelogue, part music memoir, and part backstage confession, with stories tied to George Porter Jr., Jimmy Buffett, Aaron Neville, Daniel Lanois, and more.In this episode: Greg frames the series as a personal, audio-only bonus to Roadies and Rebels, inspired by his book Just One Hundred QuestionsHe explains the new theme music for these bonus episodes, including a tribute to the late Rick EliasHe shares how first visiting New Orleans in 1985 hooked him on the city through food, music, and atmosphereHe describes the scale and sound of Jazz Fest, from zydeco and brass band to gospel, rhythm and blues, and moreHe names key Louisiana artists he fell in love with, including Zachary Richard, Wayne Toups, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and the Neville BrothersHe tells a family story about taking his daughter to see Aaron Neville and her shocked reaction to meeting him backstageHe recalls how New Orleans music seems to take over your body, even if you are not a dancerHe reflects on his many messy, unforgettable nights in the city and gives credit to friends who helped make them happenHe shares the story of first hearing George Porter Jr. in Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band and being stunned by that swampy, funky bass soundHe recounts an all-night hang at Tipitina’s involving Jimmy Buffett, Ed Bradley, and a very bad bodyguard planHe describes an evening at Daniel Lanois’s studio listening to unreleased music and fighting the giggles over a family story about an upside-down American flagTimestamps:00:00 — Opening disclaimer and the “unreliable narrator” setup 00:30 — From Just One Hundred Questions to the Roadies and Rebels bonus series 01:28 — Theme music for the bonus episodes and a tribute to Rick Elias 01:58 — First trip to New Orleans and the food that made it unforgettable 02:27 — Jazz Fest and the global mix of sounds in one place 02:56 — The Louisiana artists and bands Greg kept returning to 03:25 — Taking his daughter to see Aaron Neville and her backstage reaction 04:23 — Why New Orleans music makes even non-dancers move 04:53 — Losing his mind in New Orleans and why he keeps going back 05:22 — The friends who made the adventures possible 05:51 — Meeting George Porter Jr. and hearing his bass rig in person 07:08 — “How a beach became a swamp” and the sound that stuck forever 07:35 — A drunken Tipitina’s night with Jimmy Buffett and Ed Bradley 08:09 — Hanging at Daniel Lanois’s studio and hearing unreleased music 08:37 — The upside-down flag story that broke the tension 09:08 — Closing thoughts, New Orleans advice, and the urn joke 09:37 — Where to find more from the show and the book Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

  3. Aug 7

    Detroit to David Lee Roth: Steve McGuire's Wild Ride in Concert Sound

    Steve McGuire has spent a lifetime making big rock shows sound massive, from David Lee Roth and The Cult to Bowie tributes, but the real story is how a shy Detroit kid became the kind of front-of-house engineer artists trust with the whole room. This conversation goes way beyond gear and gets into the grit, obsession, and hard-won perspective behind a career built on music, timing, and survival. Greg and Steve trace the path from Detroit basements to New York clubs to the biggest stages in the world, where Steve learned to hear music like a mixer and think like a musician. Along the way, he shares the unlikely origin story of his sound obsession, the homemade tricks he used to create reverb and stereo width before he even knew the names for them, and the early punk-era chaos that helped shape his approach. You'll hear about: The Detroit roots that turned a shy kid into a bass player and eventually a world-class live engineer The Traitors era, including the wild local-TV takeover that helped create a scene What it takes to mix legacy acts like The Cult and David Lee Roth in front of massive backline and huge expectations Why Steve approaches front of house like making a record, not just turning things up. The brutal honesty of sobriety, relapse, rebuilding, and what it really takes to stay in the business Steve also opens up about the people who changed everything for him, from mentors such as Don Was, who gave him a shot to his father, whose pride meant more than any headline gig. And in a music industry full of noise, cynicism, and ego, he makes a clear case for why the best engineers are still the ones who serve the song without losing their own voice. If you care about live sound, tour life, Detroit rock history, or the human story behind a career that refused to quit, this one delivers. Essential listening for engineers, musicians, road crew lifers, and anyone who loves hearing how the real work gets done. Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

  4. Jul 22

    The Diverse Career of Russ Long - Studio Engineer, Live Sound, Yamaha Pro Audio

    Discover the journey of Russ Long, a versatile sound professional whose career spans studio engineering, live sound, and his impactful work with Yamaha Pro Audio. This episode dives into lessons learned, industry insights, and personal stories that highlight the importance of adaptability, business skills, and passion in a dynamic industry. #yamahaproaudio #Rivage #sixpencenonethericher #Rickelias #nashvillemusic #riversidefm #amygrant #vincegill #thesphere Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

  5. Jul 3

    From Church Audio to the Queens Tour: Courtney Gladney Talks Mixing Concert Sound

    Courtney Gladney shares his journey from church volunteer to touring sound engineer for major R&B acts including behind-the-scenes of the Queen's Tour, stage rotation technology, and arena setup. Hear Courtney and host Greg McVeigh discuss the influence of gospel music on R&B and soul. The impact of specific microphones and equipment choices on live sound as well as the evolution of audio technology, including digital consoles like the #wavesaudio LV1 and #digico. Courtney discusses the reason for choosing certain microphones. Finally, the relationship between character, talent, and longevity in the music industry and Courtney's efforts to inspire the next generation through college advising and mentorship.  Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

  6. May 25

    Buford Jones - Concert Sound Legend Talks Pink Floyd, ZZ Top, Eric Clapton and Other Platinum Acts

    By his estimate Buford Jones has mixed 32 Platinum recording acts in concert during his storied career. Join us as he takes a deep dive into his early days as well as a look at a secret or two in his technique for getting great sound. Did you know that he worked with Eric Clapton on the first MTV Unplugged show? Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

  7. May 7

    Jim Runge Talks Tour Management, Punk Rock and Parkinson's

    Tour veteran Jim Runge and his wife Stacy join host Greg McVeigh for a revealing conversation about the couples journey. From touring with top bands and artists worldwide to having to stop due to Jim's Parkinson's diagnosis, their story is poignent and compelling. Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

  8. Apr 14

    Bob Workman Talks Production, Grand Ole Opry, Charlie Daniels and Heil Sound

    Long-time pro audio veteran, Bob Workman, currently works at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry where he oversees many aspects of that venerable buildings productions. He's also toured extensiviley with the late Charlie Daniels and Billy Ray Cyrus. Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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About

Greg McVeigh hosts experts from the professional audio community - live sound mixers, studio pros and artists. 

Information

  • Creator
    Greg McVeigh
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Guesthouse Projects
  • Show Website
    Roadies & Rebels

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