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

Adam welcomes Dave Hamilton of Gig Gab for a change of pace: instead of another episode about bad gig behavior, they share the live music moments that remind them why they keep doing this. From opening for Panic! at the Disco in front of 15,000 people to a casino crowd that drew a warning from management, from a record-breaking night at Venkman’s to the rush of finally nailing a demanding song live, Adam and Dave trade stories about the gigs that stay with you.They also get into crowd energy, flow state, taking early success for granted, performing for the event instead of yourself, and learning to reset after a rough moment onstage. Listen to Gig Gab: https://www.giggabpodcast.com/Thank you so much for tuning in!  If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends!  BANDLEADER RESOURCES: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/links Follow us on Instagram!@coverbandconfidential@adampatrickjohnson@danraymusicianIf you have any questions please email at:[email protected] supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/coverbandconfidentialOr buy us a cup of coffee!paypal.me/cbconfidentialAnd for more info check out www.coverbandconfidential.comGear Used in this Video (Affiliate):Sony ZV-E10 Mirrorless Camera: https://amzn.to/3DBqtOyElgato Prompter: https://amzn.to/3X3IAq8 Shure SM7B: https://amzn.to/4dDCJx0 Elgato Stream Deck XL: https://amzn.to/3gKjhqiMagic Arm Camera Friction Mount: https://amzn.to/3SK5yNk

A venue cancels the gig. The band loses the money, the promotional work, and sometimes the trust of the audience. Is that just part of being a working musician—or should venues be held to the same standard of professionalism we expect from performers?We read a listener’s story about multiple canceled bookings, consider what a venue may be weighing, and talk through the real limits of “just get a contract” advice. Then we get practical about written confirmations, weather contingencies, cancellation fees, tracking venue patterns, and sharing reliable information with other musicians.This episode also includes our Halloween and travel catch-up, a Maestro DMX 1.6 firmware update, CBC history, and a sponsor message from QMe Prompter.QMe Prompter is a lyrics and chords app for working musicians, with voice following, backing tracks, stem mixing, MIDI cues, and Jam Mode. Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6756925805Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.qmeprompter.androidSubscribe for conversations about gigging, band leadership, and making a living as a working musician.-------BACTrack Affiliate Link: https://www.bactrack.com/coverbandconfidential  MaestroDMX (10% off discount link): https://maestrodmx.com/discount/DISCOUNT4CBC?redirect=%2Fproducts%2FmaestrodmxBlank Contracts & Riders: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/performance-contractsBacking Track Resources: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/backing-track-resourcesThank you so much for tuning in!  If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends!  BANDLEADER RESOURCES: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/links Follow us on Instagram!@coverbandconfidential@adampatrickjohnson@danraymusicianIf you have any questions please email at:[email protected] supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/coverbandconfidentialOr buy us a cup of coffee!paypal.me/cbconfidentialAnd for more info check out www.coverbandconfidential.comGear Used in this Video (Affiliate):Sony ZV-E10 Mirrorless Camera: https://amzn.to/3DBqtOyElgato Prompter: https://amzn.to/3X3IAq8 Shure SM7B: https://amzn.to/4dDCJx0 Elgato Stream Deck XL: https://amzn.to/3gKjhqiMagic Arm Camera Friction Mount: https://amzn.to/3SK5yNkYouTube chapters0:00 Intro, Halloween, and travel plans3:35 Maestro DMX firmware 1.6 and AI integration5:35 This week in CBC history7:35 Cue Me Prompter sponsor9:19 The listener’s question: what about venues?13:10 The cost of a canceled gig for the band14:24 What does the venue lose?15:40 The venue’s perspective and the first rainy show18:16 Informal agreements and the leverage problem19:41 What does “acting in kind” mean?20:50 Dan’s story about a venue that didn’t pay22:58 Retaliation, reputation, and protecting the audience24:23 Practical steps when there’s no contract25:39 Weather plans and cancellation terms27:15 Track venue patterns and share facts29:09 Price in the risk and renegotiate30:28 Being reliable without being endlessly accommodating32:19 What has worked in your market?33:19 Building leverage and finding other ways to book34:49 A final perspective on how common this really is36:14 Partnering with a venue and setting the bar36:37 Wrap-up

A musician cancelled less than an hour before a neighborhood concert. The event organizers called me, and because I happened to be off that night with my PA and lights still loaded, Amber and I were able to step in and play.The show went on. That doesn’t mean the plan worked.Last week, I talked about whether musicians owe each other a “bro code” after I watched a client’s event go sideways. This week, Dan and I pick up that thread: when does giving fellow musicians the benefit of the doubt turn into excusing bad business? Emergencies happen. But if you have to cancel, what responsibility do you have to help solve the problem—and how often are other musicians expected to rescue the gig?We also catch up on the band’s possible return, gear, channel updates, and This Week in CBC History.1 year ago So You Started a Band... Now What? (Interview with Mark Frederickson of Frozen Coyote) https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2025-10-30T17_00_00-07_002 years ago How ready is READY ENOUGH when starting a new project? https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2024-10-31T14_00_00-07_003 years ago How to violate the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 to get better paying gigs! https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2023-11-02T19_00_00-07_004 years ago Songs That are Harder Than They Seem https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2022-11-03T19_01_56-07_005 years ago The Only Constant is Change https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2021-11-04T18_57_27-07_006 years ago CBC #126 (Guitar Center Chap 11; How to get paid for not working) https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2020-10-29T18_33_31-07_007 years ago CBC #074 (Leadership) https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2019-10-31T03_27_06-07_008 years ago CBC Episode 029 (Interview with Mark Dannells of Yacht Rock Revue) https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2018-11-01T12_54_48-07_00Have you ever had to save a gig at the last minute—or been the one who had to cancel? Tell us in the comments!Thank you so much for tuning in!  If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends!  BANDLEADER RESOURCES: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/links Follow us on Instagram!@coverbandconfidential@adampatrickjohnson@danraymusicianIf you have any questions please email at:[email protected] supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/coverbandconfidentialOr buy us a cup of coffee!paypal.me/cbconfidentialAnd for more info check out www.coverbandconfidential.comCover Band Confidential, musicians, working musicians, gigging musician, musician professionalism, musician reliability, band business, last minute gig cancellation, substitute musician, bandleader advice, live music, event entertainment, music business, gig stories, live band, musician ethicshExGWTDlLjwyKDGVkUSC

A client looked at Adam during a private party and asked, “Did I get screwed?”Adam’s band wasn’t performing—they couldn’t make the date with their core lineup. He was there in another vendor role when the replacement band’s night began to unravel. When he stepped in to help, he also had to decide where professional courtesy ended and honesty with the client began.In this solo episode, Adam talks about the musician’s “bro code”: don’t spread rumors or turn one bad gig into a permanent verdict on someone’s character—but don’t lie to the client or ask them to absorb the cost of someone else’s decisions.This isn’t a takedown of substitute musicians. It’s a conversation about short-notice bookings, the responsibility that comes with accepting a gig, helping without becoming responsible for another vendor’s job, and telling the truth about what you personally witnessed.Plus: a windy ’80s gig, a damaged light, a Costco guitar case, CBC’s YouTube milestone, NAMM plans, band coaching, and the new sponsorship program.Where do you draw the line between having another musician’s back and being honest with the client? Leave a comment or email [email protected] WEEK IN CBC HISTORY: 1 year ago 400 Episodes Later: Gear Trends, Gig Lessons, and What Musicians Need to Know in 2026 https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2025-10-23T17_00_00-07_002 years ago Elder Emo Summit (Featuring Matt McGee of the Dom Telonges) https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2024-10-24T12_35_34-07_003 years ago What would you tell your younger self about being a musician? (Guest lecture at Louisiana Tech University) https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2023-10-26T19_00_00-07_004 years ago How To Get Paid More! https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2022-10-28T13_27_27-07_005 years ago Band Branding part One Billion https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2021-10-28T18_28_44-07_006 years ago CBC #125 (Locus of Control) https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2020-10-22T18_20_45-07_007 years ago CBC #073 (Listener Questions and Rolling With It) https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2019-10-23T19_10_45-07_008 years ago CBC Episode 028 (The Show Must Go Wrong) https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/coverbandconfidential/episodes/2018-10-25T10_20_46-07_00#CoverBandConfidential #WorkingMusician #giggingmusician ------BACTrack Affiliate Link: https://www.bactrack.com/coverbandconfidential  MaestroDMX (10% off discount link): https://maestrodmx.com/discount/DISCOUNT4CBC?redirect=%2Fproducts%2FmaestrodmxBlank Contracts & Riders: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/performance-contractsBacking Track Resources: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/backing-track-resourcesThank you so much for tuning in!  If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends!  BANDLEADER RESOURCES: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/links Follow us on Instagram!@coverbandconfidential@adampatrickjohnson@danraymusicianIf you have any questions please email at:[email protected] supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/coverbandconfidentialOr buy us a cup of coffee!paypal.me/cbconfidentialAnd for more info check out www.coverbandconfidential.com

The Dial-Up Survivors are a new four-piece band playing ’90s and 2000s alt rock, pop punk, and emo. They joined Adam and Dan for a band coaching session about what it takes to get from the rehearsal room to regular gigs.We talk about choosing a band leader, dividing up responsibilities, building a set that works for a general audience, and resisting the urge to launch with a niche concept show before you have an audience. We also get into rehearsal planning, social media when you don’t have much live footage, venue outreach, and what to expect when you’re playing with in-ears.If you’re starting a cover band—or trying to get a new project out of the practice space—this one’s for you.Topics covered:* Naming a band leader and making responsibilities clear* Building enough material for a full night* Balancing crowd favorites with deeper cuts* Using rehearsal footage to create content* Finding the right venues and building relationships* Making rehearsals count when schedules are tight* Getting comfortable with in-ear monitorsSweetwater 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%2FmaestrodmxBlank Contracts & Riders: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/performance-contractsBacking Track Resources: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/store/backing-track-resourcesThank you so much for tuning in!  If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends!  BANDLEADER RESOURCES: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/links Follow us on Instagram!@coverbandconfidential@adampatrickjohnson@danraymusicianIf you have any questions please email at:[email protected] supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/coverbandconfidentialOr buy us a cup of coffee!paypal.me/cbconfidentialAnd for more info check out www.coverbandconfidential.comGear Used in this Video (Affiliate):Sony ZV-E10 Mirrorless Camera: https://amzn.to/3DBqtOyElgato Prompter: https://amzn.to/3X3IAq8 Shure SM7B: https://amzn.to/4dDCJx0 Elgato Stream Deck XL: https://amzn.to/3gKjhqiMagic Arm Camera Friction Mount: https://amzn.to/3SK5yNk#musician #livemusic #band #coverband