Elation Podcast

elationent

Welcome to The Elation Podcast, the show where we dive deep into the exhilarating world of creation and collaboration with professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds. Each episode, we'll bring you one-on-one interviews with exceptional individuals who have found a unique source of euphoria in their professional endeavors. Join us as we uncover their inspiring stories, explore their creative processes, and learn from their experiences.

  1. 3D AGO

    Building the Future of Music: AI, Healthcare & Startups with Ryan Chavez

    Ryan Chavez is a Managing Partner at Imprinted Group. We sit down with Ryan to break down his journey from working in music venues and launching festivals like Hangout Fest to building a venture studio focused on solving real problems in the music and entertainment industry. We get into how Imprinted Group was created, why the industry is still behind in adopting modern tools, and how his team is building companies that bring structure, efficiency, and innovation to a space that’s long been underserved. We also dive into the future of the industry, from AI-driven automation to improving access for independent artists and reducing the gap between creators and experienced managers. Ryan shares insights on companies like Trainable and StageCare, including the mission to provide healthcare for music professionals, and why purpose-driven solutions matter just as much as profitability. We also touch on the lack of infrastructure in cities like New Orleans and what it will take to truly move the culture and industry forward. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ Website: https://www.elationent.com

    32 min
  2. MAY 8

    How To Build a Music Booking Business from Scratch with Jessica Weinberg

    Jessica Weinberg is the owner of Catch 504, a New Orleans-based music booking company. We talk with Jessica about her journey from moving to New Orleans straight out of college to working with the Saints and Pelicans, where she quickly rose into a live entertainment role managing hundreds of performances. She shares what it was like stepping into a city with such a deep music culture, how she learned the industry through experience, and the pressure of producing live events at scale. We also dive into the moment she hit burnout, walked away from her job with no plan, and built Catch 504 from the ground up by identifying real needs from artists. Jessica breaks down the importance of relationships in the music industry, creating a business rooted in authenticity, and how she’s expanding beyond booking into artist development, branding, and major events like Wednesdays at the Square. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ Website: https://www.elationent.com

    33 min
  3. MAY 1

    The Tech Behind the World’s Biggest Events: Inside WRSTBND with Conway Solomon

    Conway Solomon is a CEO & Co-Founder of WRSTBND. We sit down with Conway to break down how his New Orleans roots and early experiences in live event production led to building a company that’s transforming how festivals, sporting events, and large-scale experiences operate behind the scenes. We get into the origin of WRSTBND, why existing tech solutions weren’t cutting it, and how his team built a platform focused on simplifying operations while unlocking powerful data insights for event organizers. We also dive into the real value of data in live events, how it drives revenue, improves guest experience, and helps organizers make smarter decisions year over year. Conway shares stories from working major events like the PGA Tour, Formula 1, and the Super Bowl, along with his perspective on where the industry is heading, from personalized attendee experiences to the growing demand for seamless, frictionless entry and engagement. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ Website: https://www.elationent.com

    46 min
  4. APR 24

    The Truth About Music & Health in New Orleans with Dr. Peggy Honoré and Gregg Hill

    Dr. Peggy Honoré is the Board President of the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and Assistance Foundation, and Gregg Hill is a New Orleans-based artist. We sit down with both of them to talk about what it really takes to protect the people behind the music in a city built on culture. Dr. Peggy shares how her background in healthcare led her to advocate for musicians’ well-being, breaking down the real challenges artists face, from lack of health insurance to lifestyle-related health issues like hearing loss, respiratory problems, and chronic conditions. We also dive into the bigger picture of why musicians are a vital “natural resource” that needs to be supported for the culture to survive. Gregg brings his perspective as an artist and community builder, sharing how he turned a small fundraiser into a growing movement that supports the clinic and raises awareness. From navigating healthcare systems to building stronger community support, this conversation highlights the real work being done to sustain New Orleans music and the people who keep it alive. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ Website: https://www.elationent.com

    38 min
  5. APR 17

    Inside Tipitina’s: Running a Legendary Venue with Brian “Tank” Greenberg

    Brian “Tank” Greenberg is the General Manager of Tipitina's, one of New Orleans’ most iconic live music venues. We sit down with Tank to break down his journey from a college student at Tulane University looking for extra work to leading a legendary stage that’s been shaping the city’s music culture for decades. He shares how a simple opportunity turned into a career, what it really means to run a venue with deep cultural roots, and how he balances the business side of music with the responsibility of preserving something the city feels ownership over. We also get into the bigger picture of the music industry, from the decline of traditional radio to the rise of independent artists navigating a saturated digital world. Tank talks about why live music is still where artists truly thrive, the challenges facing New Orleans musicians today, and the role locals play in either sustaining or taking the culture for granted. From industry shifts to real conversations about professionalism, community, and showing up, this one dives deep into what keeps the New Orleans music scene alive. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ Website: https://www.elationent.com

    37 min
  6. APR 10

    Why Music Is More Than an Industry with Hilary Saunders

    Hilary Saunders is the Managing Editor of No Depression and a Board Member of Folk Alliance International. We sit down with Hilary at the Folk Alliance Music Conference to talk about her journey from classically trained harpist to music journalist, and how she’s built a career centered around storytelling, roots music, and cultural impact. She shares how her work in publishing and her PhD in music and cultural policy connect to the bigger mission of understanding how music shapes communities around the world. We also dive into what makes Folk Alliance such a powerful space for artists, from global collaboration to real, practical opportunities for growth. Hilary breaks down the realities of today’s music industry, balancing artistry with branding, finances, and mental health, while also reminding us that music is ultimately about people, culture, and connection. This conversation is a real look at what it takes to navigate the industry while staying grounded in the love of the craft. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ Website: https://www.elationent.com

    24 min
  7. APR 3

    Community, Creativity & Music Industry Strategy with Dee Carreon

    Dee Carreon is an Industry & Engagement Strategist and a member of the Board of Directors for Folk Alliance International. We sat down with Dee live at the Folk Alliance Music Conference in New Orleans to talk about the real engine behind the music industry — operations, strategy, and artist rights. With a background spanning nonprofit leadership, higher education, consulting, and festival management, Dee breaks down why music may feel creative, but it’s built on business. From forecasting and logistics to launching artists the right way, she explains why understanding the structure behind the art is essential for longevity. We also dive into the biggest challenges facing artists today — ownership, accessibility, publishing complexity, and the fast-moving impact of AI on creative rights. Dee shares why protecting artists is more complicated than ever, why the U.S. system makes it difficult to navigate, and how community spaces like Folk Alliance help keep the industry human. This conversation is about protecting creativity, strengthening community, and remembering that music isn’t just entertainment — it’s the connective tissue that brings us back to each other. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ Website: https://www.elationent.com

    25 min
  8. MAR 27

     Why Artists Must Understand Their Value with Clayton Shelvin

    Clayton Shelvin is the Executive Director of The Freight and a board member of Folk Alliance International. We sat down with Clayton live at the Folk Alliance Music Conference to talk about what it really takes to build a sustainable career in music. From growing up in Louisiana to running a 500-seat venue in San Francisco that produces 300 shows a year, Clayton breaks down the business side of artistry like finances, foundation-building, community, and why understanding your value is non-negotiable. He shares how turning around a $1.2 million deficit shaped his leadership and why artists can’t skip the fundamentals if they want longevity. We also dive into the power of New Orleans culture, the importance of loyalty and collaboration in creative communities, and why conferences like Folk Alliance are about building your village, not chasing instant fame. Clayton reflects on unforgettable music moments, restoring the legacy of overlooked artists, the role of AI in music’s future, and why real storytelling will always win. This conversation is about protecting the art, strengthening the industry, and remembering that music isn’t just entertainment - it’s culture moving humanity forward. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ Website: https://www.elationent.com

    33 min

About

Welcome to The Elation Podcast, the show where we dive deep into the exhilarating world of creation and collaboration with professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds. Each episode, we'll bring you one-on-one interviews with exceptional individuals who have found a unique source of euphoria in their professional endeavors. Join us as we uncover their inspiring stories, explore their creative processes, and learn from their experiences.