Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

Dave Hamilton & Friends
  • 4.9 (51)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Gig Gab—the podcast sanctuary for working musicians and anyone fascinated by the vibrant, often unseen world behind every note played on stage. Whether you’re a musician, a member of the crew, or just someone who loves peeking behind the curtain to discover the secrets of live performances, you’ve found your tribe.

  1. AI and Music for Working Musicians: Tool, Threat, or Bandmate?

    3d ago

    AI and Music for Working Musicians: Tool, Threat, or Bandmate?

    This week Stu Dias joins Dave from a slightly different corner of Durham, New Hampshire, and after a quick detour through barefoot drumming, sweaty-hand fixes, and oversized triangle guitar picks, the conversation locks onto the question every working musician is wrestling with right now: what does AI mean for music? You’ll hear why Dave reframes it as Assistive Intelligence (and the best procrastination-killer and writer’s-block-buster going) even as you stare down the harder stuff: Suno-generated tracks, Jack Tempchin’s AI-assisted album, and the ouroboros of machines learning from the music we make. Should AI art be labeled? What happens when it conjures someone’s likeness? And does any of it move you the way a human in a room can? That last question is the heartbeat of the episode. Dave and Stu weigh AI music against the cover-band hustle, remember what COVID lockdowns taught us about humans craving real humans together, and get honest about whose jobs are actually on the line and where AI mixing fits in your workflow. The kicker for every gigging musician: if the machines are going to use your voice and your playing, take a long-term cut of the sales. It’s a sharp, funny, occasionally unsettling look at the line between tool and threat…and a reminder that however the tech shakes out, you Always Be Performing. Hit play for the full conversation. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 536 – Monday, June 1st, 2026 May 25th: National Barefoot Day Guest co-host: Stu Dias 00:00:56 Playing drums barefoot 00:02:34 Iontophoresis for sweaty feet and hands 00:05:05 We all have our own thing for ourselves Large guitar picks for Stu. Equilateral triangles! 00:07:03 AI and Music 00:12:40 AI is the best procrastination eliminator It helps with writer’s block AI Based Plugins and Compressors are fantastic For Dave, AI is Assistive Intelligence 00:13:59 AI Generated music like Suno 00:18:22 Should AI-generated art be labeled as such? 00:22:58 What about if AI generates the likeness of someone? De-Feedback on Gig Gab 00:24:53 Ouroborotic 00:27:31 Using AI to create music Business Brain theme music Jack Tempchin’s AI-assisted album Beck’s Song Reader Creating walk-on music for your band Bowling For Soup’s (non-AI-created) walk-on music for live shows 00:40:47 Comparing Human-Created Music vs. AI-Created music 00:45:11 AI Music vs. Cover Music 00:47:58 COVID Lockdowns taught us that we like to bring humans together 00:55:37 What’s AI going to make Dave say? 01:03:08 Jobs on the line Elvis impersonators and sax players from rock songs in the 80’s 01:05:42 AI Mixing Davis Thurston on Gig Gab 01:13:04 Do we have to Take a long-term cut of the sales, folks! 01:18:06 Gig Gab 536 Outtro Follow Stu Dias Diaspora-Radio.com Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram feedback@giggabpodcast.com Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post AI and Music for Working Musicians: Tool, Threat, or Bandmate? – Gig Gab 536 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    1h 21m
  2. Loaded Out, Rolling Home, Rolling Tape

    May 25

    Loaded Out, Rolling Home, Rolling Tape

    Ride shotgun with Dave as he records GigGab on the drive home from a Casual Gravity gig, finally living out the show’s original mission. You’ll hear why packing your own mixer saves the night when the venue only wants a single feed from the band, what it’s like when an in-ear band plays its first fully sober gig, and why counting songs in to a click track changes everything once adrenaline stops driving your tempo. Then dig into relearning vocal harmonies for the Underground Band: using the Moises app to isolate vocals, pulling sheet music, and plunking out intervals on piano to lock stacks into your ear. Buddy Gibbons sparks a drumming debate on single strokes versus marching-style sticking through the Foreplay/Long Time triplets, and Dave gets honest about throat fatigue, Lyme disease aftermath, dust mite allergies, and the sublingual immunotherapy bringing his voice back. Listen to your body, learn the parts, and Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 535 – Monday, May 25th, 2026 May 25th: National Tap Dance Day 00:00:10 Driving Home Experiment 00:01:42 Casino Gig Setup 00:06:38 Sober Show, Strong Set 00:08:19 Relearning Vocal Harmonies 00:18:15 Drumming Through Both Hands 00:21:47 Insurance And Smoke-Filled Gigs 00:26:42 Throat Troubles And Recovery Stuff Mentioned: Mackie DL32S Moises I Love a Piano MusicPro Equipment Insurance 00:31:24 Gig Gab 535 Outtro Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram feedback@giggabpodcast.com Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Loaded Out, Rolling Home, Rolling Tape – Gig Gab 535 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    33 min
  3. What's Your Band's Definition of Success?

    May 18

    What's Your Band's Definition of Success?

    OG co-host Paul Kent rejoins Dave Hamilton to talk about how The Houserockers have stayed booked into their 27th year, and what your band can steal from their playbook. You’ll dig into the social media reality of 2026 (Reels are currently king), why your mailing list is the asset you actually own, and how to grow to 10,000 followers without losing your soul. Paul makes the case that if you want gigs, your band has to be a business, which means alignment on mission, passion, and musical style with the partners or employees standing next to you on stage. There’s nothing wrong with playing for fun, but go in eyes wide open about what you’re chasing. From there you’ll dive into the value of scarcity, Kevin Kelly’s thousand true fans, and why mixing up your setlists is one way to keep audiences coming back. Paul breaks down the current Houserockers formula (civic concert series, experiential marketing, and ticketed off-season events) and why aging-up audiences mean you have to market harder and talk to fans like Springsteen does: a lifetime conversation, all with individuals. You’ll also get the real talk on finding bandmates (Craigslist included), the Gig Gab bookable-band checklist, and Paul’s (joking?) pitch for two new show segments. Whatever your lane, Always Be Performing, and start treating every touchpoint like the gig it is. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 534 – Monday, May 18th, 2026 May 18th: National Visit Your Relatives Day 00:01:27 Guest co-host: Paul Kent The Houserockers in their 27th year! 00:04:21 Did someone call you an old man?!? 00:08:46 The Gig Gab social media approach 00:10:29 Your band can get 10,000 followers Reels are it…today. 00:13:37 Gain a mailing list 00:16:41 It’s about the music business. Is your band willing to be in business? 00:19:00 There’s nothing wrong with doing what you want to do. Just go in eyes wide open. 00:20:49 Getting alignment within your band. You now have business partners or employees Be aligned with mission, passion, style of music … the alchemy of it. 00:26:48 The value of scarcity Does success equal quantity of gigs? Some people want to play five times per month 00:30:43 Finding Your Thousand True Fans 00:32:05 Mixing up your setlists is another way to keep people coming back 00:36:00 Marketing 101 – you have to have something to say Hopefully unique! And then deliver. 00:37:13 The Houserockers formula for today Civic Concert Series Experiential Marketing Ticketed Events in the off-season 00:39:13 Use your mailing list! 00:41:28 Ticketed events required more marketing this year Audiences are aging up 00:43:04 How do you talk to your audience? Springsteen: my career is a lifetime conversation with my audience It’s about you, your personality, and each individual audience member 00:50:11 Finding band members is an imperfect science Craigslist lets you find who is available THEN. The Gig Gab Band checklist 00:56:41 Paul’s show ideas for Dave Dave reads mean comments Dave reads band ads from Craigslist, et al 00:59:47 Gig Gab 534 Outtro Follow Paul Kent SVHouserockers.com Facebook Houserockers Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram feedback@giggabpodcast.com Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post What’s Your Band’s Definition of Success? — Gig Gab 534 with Paul Kent appeared first on Gig Gab.

    1h 1m
  4. Relentless Consistency and the Scarcity Premium with Mike Schulte from The Pork Tornadoes

    May 11

    Relentless Consistency and the Scarcity Premium with Mike Schulte from The Pork Tornadoes

    Guest co-host Mike Schulte joins Dave with 15 years of Pork Tornadoes social media wisdom, and the message is blunt: relentless consistency wins. You literally can’t post too much in 2026—nobody sees everything anymore, so repost that same flyer as a fresh post (not a share) and keep going. Give it 45 days before you judge results. Why invest? More fans mean more bodies at the gig, plus the social proof that signals to newcomers that other people already love you. And remember—you’re not competing with other bands, you’re competing with people’s couches. From there, Dave and Mike dig into the live-show craft. Build a sound check formula so it stops being a nightmare, then cook up a Suno-generated theme song to walk on to—Always Be Performing means the show starts before the first chord lands. Treat your setlist like art: the opener’s a throwaway, but song three is the most important slot of the night. Then think about your saturation—the Pork Tornadoes cap themselves at two ticketed gigs per year inside a 30-mile radius, and the minute they got scarce, their pay jumped tenfold. Simple, not easy. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 533 – Monday, May 11th, 2026 May 11th: National Eat What You Want Day (also Hostess CupCake Day!) Guest co-host: Mike Schulte 00:01:10 Did you ever watch Night Court Dave reminds Mike of Harry Confused Breakfast Shows that were so far ahead of their time: All In The Family Roseanne 00:05:06 Managing your band’s social media Relentless Consistency is the key (right now). “You can never post too much” – Mike Schulte, May 11, 2026 Mike has been running social media for Pork Tornadoes for 15 years Everyone doesn’t see every post (anymore) It’s money-driven Repost the same thing, the same flyer, the same idea (as a new post, not a “share”) 00:09:49 Getting “started” on social media in 2026 I tried to follow your model and nothing changed. In two weeks. You’ve gotta spend a month or more (Dave says 45 days) 00:14:05 What’s the benefit of investing in social media The more fans you have, there WILL be more people who come to your events Also: social proof. Showing people that other people like you. 00:18:55 Social Proof + Bullheaded Persistence = Success. 00:22:00 People don’t go out like they used to You’re not competing with other bands, you’re competing with people’s couches 00:24:39 A band retreat! If 2020 hadn’t happened, Pork Tornadoes would’ve probably gone full time 00:26:04 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit https://Claude.ai/giggab 00:27:42 Recent Gig(s) Gab Boston Cream Band at Seacoast Repertory Theater Pork Tornadoes is a 2-hours straight-thru band 00:34:19 Orchestrate your sound check Sound check used to be a nightmare, until we created a formula 00:38:27 Create a musical lead-in for your show For the wranglers in the Gig Gab audience Use Suno to create a theme song for your band 00:42:57 Writing a setlist is an art Your first song is a throwaway The third song is the FIRST most important song in the set (according to Dave) Develop business-like rituals for your band 00:48:32 What’s Your Band’s Saturation? Self-imposed proximity clauses Pork Tornadoes Proximity Clause: No more than 2 ticketed events in a 30-mile radius per year Plus one free-to-the-public festival gig to pull people in To the venues who don’t have proximity clauses: why do you not? The minute we started getting scarce, was the minute our pay increased 10-fold 01:00:12 The Pork Tornadoes formula: simple, not easy. Gig Gab 532 Outtro Follow Mike Schulte Confused Breakfast The Pork Tornadoes Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram feedback@giggabpodcast.com Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Relentless Consistency and the Scarcity Premium with Mike Schulte from The Pork Tornadoes – Gig Gab 533 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    1h 2m
  5. From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer's Playbook with Paul Klimson

    May 4

    From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer's Playbook with Paul Klimson

    Ready to make the leap from wedges to in-ear monitors? Or finally get the stage mix you’ve always wanted? Dave Hamilton welcomes back monitor engineer Paul Klimson, the man who mixed 32 stereo IEM feeds for Justin Timberlake, for a working musician’s deep dive on monitor world. You’ll learn how to build a default mix from scratch (start yourself at 0dB, your instrument at -5, everything else at -15), why drummers have an easier transition to in-ears than most assume, and how a split snake lets you take care of yourself when the gig demands it. Paul digs into hi-hat pitfalls, drum overheads as stage wash, and why bands who mix themselves on stage make life better for their FOH engineer, too. Then it gets practical. Paul walks you through IEM fittings (pain is always bad, the seal is everything, and yes, drop an AirTag in your case) plus the universal-versus-custom decision, vetting vendor customer service before you buy, and the repair costs nobody talks about until they need to. You’ll get honest talkback etiquette (keep the drama off-stage, give everyone a voice, remember that your monitor engineer is a short-order cook), the post-mortem habit every band should adopt, and a peek at SoulSeed.tv. Wherever you sit on stage, this is the episode that sharpens how you Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 532 – Monday, May 4th, 2026 May 4th: Dave Brubeck Day Guest co-host: Paul Klimson 00:03:24 Start with headphones in your practice space Start with earplugs 00:05:09 Drums are a dynamic instrument, which may be why drummers have an easy transition to IEMs (usually) 00:08:33 What do you want in your wedge? What’s your reference? 00:09:11 The artist/engineer relationship 00:11:03 Building a default mix Start yourself at 0dB Instrument at -5dB Everything else at -15dB 00:12:58 Using a Split Snake When possible, take care of yourself 00:14:47 Timing of a mix Don’t forget about hi-hats Work with your engineer to dial-in your own mix 00:19:18 Drum overheads for stage wash effect 00:22:21 In-ears help you listen better Bands who mix themselves on stage makes your ears AND the FOH engineers job ears 00:23:54 Learn where you and your instrument fit into the mix of your band And change it if you don’t fit. You’re not the most important thing! 00:26:40 What’s going to make you stand out when someone comes to see you at clubs of any size? Do you hear the lyrics? Do you hear the intent of the story of the song? Watch your instagram videos and evaluate honestly 00:30:28 Knowing when the studio mix is done. 00:33:27 Fittings for IEMs Things to look for: Pain is bad Is the seal functioning correctly? Listen for sound leakage (including when you open your mouth and move around) Are the ports aimed down the canal wrong Do you hear high-end better when you rock the mold around? 00:37:36 Put an AirTag in your IEM case! 00:39:28 Figuring out which model to order Try universal fits first to learn the musical qualities 00:41:16 Test the customer service of vendors before you choose 00:42:55 The origin of IEMs 00:44:44 Find out repair costs Comply Foam Strips 00:48:20 Talkback Use Keep the drama off-stage Give everyone a voice Monitor engineers are like short-order cooks… be kind! 00:58:23 Always post-mortem the problems from the gig And also “what happens if?” conversations 01:03:22 Soulseed.TV 01:06:05 Gig Gab 532 Outtro Follow Paul Klimson SoulSeed.tv @TheRoadieClinic Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram feedback@giggabpodcast.com Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post From Wedges to In-Ears: A Monitor Engineer’s Playbook with Paul Klimson – Gig Gab 532 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    1h 7m
  6. Stop Guessing, Start Growing: Fix Your Band’s Biggest Pain Points (with Dan Chantrey)

    Apr 27

    Stop Guessing, Start Growing: Fix Your Band’s Biggest Pain Points (with Dan Chantrey)

    You trace Dan Chantrey’s path from drummer dad influence to choosing music over football, and quickly see the real lesson: the game has flipped. You’re no longer playing gigs to sell music, you’re using music to sell gigs. From record deals fading to booking agents becoming the new gatekeepers, you learn why every band feels like it’s on the brink and how surviving means thinking beyond the stage. GIGNITE emerges as the modern answer, a virtual tour manager that helps you route tours, analyze audiences, and break into new markets with data instead of guesswork. If you want to grow, you stop hoping for “yes” and start building a system that makes it inevitable. You rethink what it means to be a working musician: your brand matters as much as your chops, your off-stage work is where the money lives, and yes, it’s okay to get paid for your art. From finding sponsors in your local pizza joint to solving real-world problems like parking the van and booking rooms, you’re shown how to remove friction and scale your gig life intelligently. The stories drive it home: don’t punish the audience that showed up, audition gigs still sting, and your toughest hometown show might teach you the most. The throughline is clear: treat this like a business, leverage the tools, and Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 531 – Monday, April 27th, 2026 April 27th: Morse Code Day Guest co-host: Dan Chantrey from GIGNITE 00:03:36 Dan’s Dad was a drummer and a singer, started him off, then Dan started playing 00:03:58 Playing live vs. Playing in the studio 00:04:15 Choosing between (American) football and music 00:06:09 Getting signed to Frontier Records Things worked for a while “Every band is on the verge of breaking up at all times” 00:09:06 Things have turned: you used to do gigs to sell your music, now you do music to sell your gigs GIGNITE is a one-stop shop for artists to be able to tour Had an events business running pre-COVID BREXIT happened, so how can we make things easier to get artists move about through Europe 00:12:38 Booking agent deals are the new record deal 00:14:49 Tried to book a festival, booking agents said “no” even though bands said “yes” 00:16:00 GIGNITE is your virtual tour manager 00:17:10 Aggregating Audience Analytics is part of the platform, too 00:18:56 Heading to NAMM to learn what potential customers want NAMM is the meeting place of the music industry 00:20:33 Analytics aggregation for tribute acts and cover bands, too Does Dave’s fictitious band sound like Rage Against The Machine? Why not! Using analytics to decide which markets 00:22:55 GIGNITE is free for artists to join and use Freemium model allows artists to add additional features like press releases and such Primary monetization is from suppliers (aka venues) Venue ratings system! 00:24:22 Gig Unite links artists with sponsors Linking headline bands with opening acts (local and otherwise) Find sponsors for your local bands, folks: Pizza place Construction companies Cleaning services Chiropractor It might be easier to get sponsors for your band than gigs for it! 32:31 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/giggab 00:33:57 GIGNITE takes the heavy lifting and headaches away Gives your band the power to look at and consider tours “How do you get a gig in a town that’s 200 miles away?” You can do it yourself, you can get a booking agent, or you can use a service like GIGNITE 00:36:00 It’s called the music BUSINESS for a reason The brand of your band is as important as your stagecraft 00:40:49 I don’t get paid to play shows, I get paid to do all the off-stage stuff Dave says: “It’s OK to get paid for our art” 00:43:41 Where are you going to park your van while you play? Where are you going to stay? GIGNITE answers these questions 00:47:44 Now it’s Gig Gab time Road stories, folks! Parthenon Huxley: Don’t punish the people who showed up! Audition Gigs… love ‘em and hate ‘em! (mostly hate ‘em!) 00:54:36 The hardest gig I ever played “We want to see you in your home town.” 00:58:00 Gig Gab 531 Outtro Follow Dan Chantrey GIGNITE.live Facebook & Instagram Dan_chantrey Dan Chan Show on Rock Rage Radio Dan Chan Show on YouTube Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram feedback@giggabpodcast.com Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Stop Guessing, Start Growing: Fix Your Band’s Biggest Pain Points – Gig Gab 531 with Dan Chantrey appeared first on Gig Gab.

    1h 2m
  7. 50 Years of Rush: Howard Ungerleider on Lighting the Lighted Stage

    Apr 20

    50 Years of Rush: Howard Ungerleider on Lighting the Lighted Stage

    Step inside five decades of rock history with lighting legend Howard Ungerleider, the man who’s been designing and directing Rush’s light shows since 1974. Hear how a $75-a-week mailroom gig at American Talent International — where he pulled off a rogue booking of Fleetwood Mac before he was even an agent — turned into a lifetime behind the console. Get the story of Howard landing in Toronto to babysit “a club band called Rush,” sleeping on the floor at the manager’s house with a St. Bernard, freezing his hand to a car door at -40 in Cochrane, Ontario, and later jamming with Neil Peart at his house to Genesis and Supertramp records. Howard also talks designing Roll The Bones (the one Rush tour he couldn’t operate), embedding at See Factor to build custom gear nobody else could get, and how Blue Öyster Cult first put him in front of a laser: the same craft he now brings to Foo Fighters, Tool, and Janet Jackson. Then the conversation turns to the upcoming Rush Fifty Something tour — a four-piece now with Anika Nilles on drums and Loren Gold on keys, freeing Geddy to focus on bass and vocals. Learn why Howard still “plays” the lighting console live with two boards and thousands of touch cues, how robotic spots are quietly changing the craft, and why he and Phish’s Chris Kuroda will be swapping rigs at Madison Square Garden. You’ll also hear the Paul McCartney moment in the Taylor Hawkins tribute dressing room that may have sparked the whole tour, and why Howard insists this is a rejuvenation, a celebration, and proof that no matter the rig, the room, or the era, you’ve gotta ALWAYS BE PERFORMING. Because it’s what we do. Press play and enjoy, folks. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 530 – Monday, April 20th, 2026 April 20th: Pizza Delivery Driver Appreciation Day Guest co-host: Howard Ungerleider 00:02:18 Walked into a NYC office to get a recording contract for his band “You need to learn about this industry before you come knocking on people’s doors.” Introduced him to Action Talent (which became American Talent International) 00:06:21 For $75/week delivering coffee and working in the mailroom After a year and a half he got booted from Monmouth University, then became the ATI gopher 00:08:17 Hey, do you want Fleetwood Mac to play here? 00:11:44 Booking agent 00:13:17 Can you fill in for a week as Blue Oyster Cult’s tour 00:14:51 Howard and Rush were surprised to have Howard working there “I need ten grand” – “no, you can sleep on the floor instead” 00:18:11 Howard had to show Geddy that New York pizza was better than Toronto pizza 00:19:01 Howard learns about Canadian cold Howard’s driving, Geddy’s riding shotgun, Neil’s reading, Alex is smoking a joint 00:20:42 Geddy says, “get out and take a breath of fresh air” 00:22:05 John Rutsey had opted out of touring, Howard moves to Toronto while they’re auditioning drummers “Eventually Neil [Peart] walked in…and that was it.” 00:23:32 Howard and Neil used to jam at Neil’s house Genesis and Supertramp 00:24:19 Road life’s not so bad 200 gigs a year on the road 00:26:09 Rush took a break, Howard did Queensryche and Tesla Howard designed Roll The Bones, but it’s the only tour he couldn’t operate 00:27:51 Howard tour-managed and lighting designed and operated every tour up through Presto, after which he dropped tour-managing 00:28:41 Dave realizes he met Howard on the Presto tour 00:31:43 Don’t put up with crap 00:32:03 Howard’s been doing Rush’s lights since 1974 00:33:05 Moving from clubs and theaters to arenas Howard embedded himself into See Factor, the lighting company. Lots of custom gear 00:34:54 SPONSOR: Warby Parker – Right now, buy one prescription pair and get 20% off any additional prescription pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/GIGGAB 00:36:40 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit https://Claude.ai/giggab 00:38:10 Howard first saw lasers with Blue Oyster Cult Dr. David Infante, Blue Oyster Cult’s laser operator Howard’s lasers on on the road with Foo Fighters, Tool, Janet Jackson and more 00:40:37 RUSH Fifty Something Something completely different than Howard has ever done Other dimensions 00:42:04 Mixing the Juno awards Howard says Neil would approve of Anika. 00:44:51 Hey Howard, surprise! RUSH is going to tour again 00:47:03 Howard did lights for RUSH at Taylor Hawkins tribute 00:48:46 Howard prefers mixing live He “plays” the lighting console live Remote spot locations 00:52:07 RUSH Fifty Something… it’s band of FOUR. Geddy is happy… playing less keyboards, more bass and vocal focus 00:54:42 Howard: “I create lighting choreography” This tour is (currently) 2.5 hours (things can change, folks!) “I try to enhance the show with lighting that can trigger your emotions. I approach it as an audience member.” Loren Gold’s harmonies sound great 00:58:28 Phish and Rush alternating at Madison Square Garden Chris Kuroda also mixes lights live 01:00:45 Howard’s going to 85 dates We’re here to create positivity, have a good time…and Neil Peart is smiling down 01:05:25 Brian Worthen on FOH 01:08:30 Gig Gab 530 Outtro Follow Howard Ungerleider Facebook Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram feedback@giggabpodcast.com Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post 50 Years of Rush: Howard Ungerleider on Lighting the Lighted Stage – Gig Gab 530 appeared first on Gig Gab.

    1h 10m
  8. The Crowd Is the Star: Piano Bar Secrets for Entertaining Any Room with Cliff & Susan Prowse

    Apr 13

    The Crowd Is the Star: Piano Bar Secrets for Entertaining Any Room with Cliff & Susan Prowse

    You don’t need a traditional path to build a thriving music career! Just ask Cliff and Susan Prowse, who turned classical piano chops and play-by-ear instincts into a full-blown lifestyle business. Whether you learned to read music first or figured out theory after the fact, what matters is training your ear to hear intervals, stacking up reps, and putting in the practice until harmony feels like second nature. Use your DAW to sharpen your pitch, but don’t psych yourself or your bandmates out: true tone deafness is rare, and confidence is currency on stage. The bottom line: making a real living in music is absolutely possible when you treat your craft like a skill you never stop sharpening. Once you hit the stage, remember that the crowd is the star and you’re the emcee who just happens to sing and play. Take your audience on a journey: open at mid-energy, build it up, let it breathe, then hit them again. Mix genres, swap instruments, toss in some comedy, and never leave dead air between songs; keep every second purposeful. Think of your set like a video game where you’re always leveling up the room. Manage your breaks with music that matches the vibe so the party never stalls. Playing covers isn’t just a gig — it’s a masterclass in entertainment, and entertainment is its own art form. Always Be Performing. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 529 – Monday, April 13th, 2026 April 13th: National Silly Earring Day Guest co-hosts: Susan Erwin Prowse & Cliff Prowse 00:03:02 The Ultimate Lifestyle Business 00:03:33 Starting with a Pure Mathematics Degree to Piano Bars Classical Piano at the base of it all 00:05:04 Bumble Boogie piqued Susan’s ears Make sure your kids see that inspiration 00:07:16 Cliff started with music from the day he was born Always treated instruments delicately, even as a toddler Learned to play by ear, but never learned to read 00:09:44 Reading vs. hearing and Music Theory School band director thought he was reading music, when Cliff was just playing by ear and remembering what the band director Susan learned to hear intervals Cliff decided to learn theory after-the-fact 00:14:28 Learning to play before you learn WHY the notes work 00:18:18 Breaking down vocal harmonies Both Susan and Cliff picks out harmony by ear Singing harmonies with the mixolydian scale with the flat 7 Really, just practice. Repetition is the key to it all! 00:27:20 Using your DAW to help improve your singing Being actually tone deaf is rare Beware of shaking your bandmates’ confidence…or your own 00:33:21 Making a living in the music business is possible! 00:34:26 The science of the show: Piano Bar strategies Top 40, any genre, any decade Learning the skills of doing the singalong concept Susan and Cliff met on-stage at Willy D’s piano bar in Little Rock From piano bars in Little Rock to Los Angeles to Las Vegas and beyond 00:38:31 Taking the crowd on a journey When you’re there to entertain and throw the party The crowd is the star, you AREN’T You’re the emcee, the DJ, you just happen to know how to sing and play piano Keep it interesting by changing the genre, the groove, the style It’s like playing a video game! Mid energy, at first, then bring it up, then let it ease, then maybe repeat Add variety: different instruments, different singers, different styles Add a little comedy to give them a break from the music 00:45:44 Manage your breaks One school: NEVER stop playing Have good break music, make sure the energy matches 00:49:48 Managing your dead air Don’t allow breaks between songs. Always avoid dead air. “Purposeful Talking” 00:52:44 Entertainers Academy 5-Day Gig Amplifier Challenge Susan and Cliff love to teach! 00:56:44 Being in a cover band is a masterclass of learning entertainment skills Entertaining is an art in and of itself 01:00:17 Gig Gab 528 Outtro Follow Cliff & Susan Facebook & Instagram Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram feedback@giggabpodcast.com Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post The Crowd Is the Star: Piano Bar Secrets for Entertaining Any Room – Gig Gab Podcast 529 with Cliff & Susan Prowse appeared first on Gig Gab.

    1h 2m
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Welcome to Gig Gab—the podcast sanctuary for working musicians and anyone fascinated by the vibrant, often unseen world behind every note played on stage. Whether you’re a musician, a member of the crew, or just someone who loves peeking behind the curtain to discover the secrets of live performances, you’ve found your tribe.

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