Solo Musician Podcast

Booking gigs doesn’t have to be painful — or embarrassing. In this episode of The Solo Musician Podcast, we’re breaking down a no-BS, modern strategy for booking more shows in 2026. Learn how to build a gig-ready online presence, craft messages that actually get replies, and stop wasting so much of your time chasing the wrong outcomes. From open mics to the almighty follow-up, discover where the real opportunities are hiding this year. Whether you’re tired of unanswered emails or just want to fill your 2026 calendar with paying gigs, this episode will show you exactly how to stop sucking at booking gigs — and start performing as much as you want.

In this episode of The Solo Musician Podcast, host Dave Gates takes you behind the scenes of his first-ever trip to New York’s beautiful Finger Lakes region — a two-day, boots-on-the-ground mission to scout potential venues for his 2026 tour. With a HUGE shoutout to his friend John, Dave recounts the experience, the lakeside drives, and the 45 venues he visited around Keuka and Seneca Lakes — all part of the grind of booking gigs as an independent artist. You’ll hear how Dave approached each venue like a pro: walking in with confidence, starting genuine conversations, dropping a card (and sometimes a tip), and keeping notes in the parking lot after each stop. He shares his honest reflections on nerves, persistence, and people skills, plus key takeaways on what worked, what didn’t, and why the “don’t be annoying” mindset might just be your best business strategy. Stick around for bonus tips — including Dave’s Facebook group hack for finding venues in new regions — and get inspired to take your own music hustle on the road. Perfect for: Independent musicians, DIY bookers, and anyone curious what it really takes to get gigs when you’re a one-person operation.

From historic taverns to open mics and hometown bars, this week was all about playing live and connecting with people through music. I’m talking about: • Penn’s Tavern — why I love historic venues and that tough-to-get booking convo with the owner. • Wednesday Open Mic — my most-viewed post ever, a full signup list, and a mix of mandolins, violins, and political songs. • Friday at Liquid Noise — hometown crowd energy, a glitchy request system, and those epic 2-hour sets. • Saturday at the Horn Pub — first pedalboard run, big crowd interaction, and the reminder that if you’re having fun, they are too. Plus: a quick rundown of my next adventure — scouting venues in the Finger Lakes. Hit play to hear the stories, the lessons, and the laughs behind a week full of gigs.

Ever wonder what it’s really like to make a living as a solo musician? Dave Gates and Colin Alvarez get real about low pay, burnout, unreliable gigs, and the unseen grind behind the music.

This week's guest is Kevin Raubenstine. Kevin is a solo acoustic musician from the Lancaster, PA area. We chat about our similar experience with entry model Taylor guitars, what draws us to perform, the importance of open mics, the effect of the pandemic on live music, and a bunch of other music and non-music related topics in between. As always, thanks for listening, make sure to follow Kevin on all the things and share this podcast with your friends! For guest booking inquiries or suggestions, hit us up at solomusicianpodcast@gmail.com

This week's guest is Ariana, lead-singer from the powerhouse band RUINESS. We chat about our shared experience in the West Side Singers program, tour life, social media hater kink, gear, chasing goals, and sooooo much more. Check out RUINESS on all the things, you'll be glad you did!

In this weeks episode, Megan Miller ( from the Megan & Dave Duo ) RETURNS to the podcast to chat about open mics, learning guitar theory, live sound mixing, and so much more. Dave talks about band shows, acoustic-solo-act venue saturation, and frankly, anything else that pops into his double Red Bull fueled head. For more info on the Megan and Dave Duo, check out their link tree: https://linktr.ee/megananddaveduo

In this special VIDEO episode of Thursday Thoughts, I dive into my 2024 Year-In-Review. You can check out the video on my YouTube Channel at https://www.YouTube.com/DaveGatesMusic. I outline 9 observations from 2024, and 9 goals for 2025, including: 2024: 1. The best decision I made 2. If I could travel back in time to 2023, what would I tell myself? 3. The best way I used my time this year 4. My biggest waste of time this year 5. Something I regret doing in 2024 6. The Biggest A-HA moment I had this year 7. Three things in 2024 that brought me Joy 8. What I'm most grateful for 9. Who I'd like to thank for their support 2025: 1. My word for the year 2. What I'm most excited about 3. What experiences/people I'd like to manifest 4. What I will say YES to 5. What I will say NO to 6. What I'm devoted to creating 7. My TOP THREE intentions 8. Who I need to become to reach my goals 9. What gifts I will share Do you have your own list? Share it with me in the comments!!

Crowds suck, People that request music and don't tip suck, Bookers suck, Booking agencies suck, double bookings suck, expected draws suck, my stupid throat care regime sucks..... All the hits. Learn my views on the things that suck about this awesome job I have!

The importance of music, the memories it makes you hang on to, and the environment it creates when it's around.

First of all, thank you so much to everyone who sent in a topic or question for the “Peoples Choice” episode. 2 weeks ago, I asked for suggestions from Facebook followers on what topics they were interested in, and you guys came through with some awesome things to chat about. I continue to be blown away every single week when I see the amount of people listening to this podcast or reading the blog. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you’re here. Here's the 6 topics covered in this episode: 1. Smoking vs. Non-Smoking venues and how to cope as a non-smoker. 2. Doing covers how they're written vs. your own version. 3. Work/Life balance. 4. Music vs. Entertainment 5. What are venues ACTUALLY paying you for when they book you? 6. Gear talk. Expensive vs. cheap and current setup.

“Allow yourself to be proud of yourself and all the progress you’ve made. Especially the progress that no one else can see.” ~ Anonymous This week, I want to talk about PROGRESS. About my views on making progress, and how the simple act of being aware and grateful of the progress that we make in our lives will lead to more progress. I’ve come to find that most progress in my life is the direct result of my actions, and retrogression has been the direct result of my inaction. The only thing that makes me different from a solo musician just starting out is time, and the willingness to be terrible at something long enough to get good at it. With enough time and dedication, I believe we are capable of doing anything we aspire to. The biggest barrier to achieving our goals is not giving up, and sometimes that’s extremely hard to do. I’ve found that by being aware and celebrating every moment of progress, no matter how small, I’ve been able to steadily progress at anything I set out to do.

In the gigantic landscape of music, solo musicians stand out as a singular force, capable of holding audiences attention with just their performances. From the troubadours of medieval courts to the current stars gracing global stages, the evolution of the solo musician is a fascinating tale of the need for individual expression. Our solo performances, whether with an acoustic guitar, a piano, or standing alone on a stage, offer a raw and unfiltered connection between the artist and the audience. In my opinion, it’s the most intimate way to experience music in a public setting. So, join me as I do my best to give you a detailed, and hopefully entertaining, account of the history of solo musicians, tracing the threads that connect the troubadours of the past to today's chart-topping solo artists. Now let’s go wayyyyy back.

My thoughts on the local music awards and live shows

Today, I’m going to cover my live-stream setup. My equipment and software, my techniques and platform hacks. I’m going to cover everything I think you’ll need to broadcast a professional, and hopefully profitable, live-stream straight from your home to the entire world. I’ll include links in the show notes to the equipment that I currently use, so you can purchase the same items if you feel so inclined. And if you’re just an observer of live-streams, today’s episode will give you a glimpse behind the camera so you can better understand what artists do to bring the show inside your home. So, let’s get into it. The list: Sound Equipment Video Equipment Lighting Computer Software/Apps Other miscellaneous equipment Internet connection Monetization Consistency Audience and Post-Audience

This is the story, all about how my life got flipped, turned upside down. In 2018 a man outside of an auto parts store fundamentally shifted the path of my life. I’d like to tell you his name, but I never once heard him utter it. I’ve spent many nights wondering who this man was, what made his path intersect with mine. How things could’ve gone differently that day if I hadn’t been in a mindset to receive the message. What would’ve happened if I ignored him? Or tossed him a couple dollars and got in my car. Today, I’m going to share the origin story of this beautiful music career of mine. It’s a unique and powerful story full of inspiration, at least to me. Triumphs and defeats, hard lessons and moments of absolute bliss. It’s a story of taking a chance when I thought I had already used all of mine up. It’s a factual account of an impractical journey, all started with one simple act from a stranger. This is my story of The Homeless Man.

When covid appeared and shut down all the venues I was playing, I turned to the world of live-streaming for the ability to perform in front of people. My show at Hook and Flask on Sunday, March 22, 2020 had been canceled due to the lockdowns, so I made the decision to take it online for the first time. I was about 45 pounds heavier than I am now and I was wearing a yellow hat that didn’t quite fit my bulbous head. I was nervous and not sure that anyone would even watch. The computer I used was occupying a lonely, drafty and cold room in my newly empty house. My ex-wife and I had recently separated, and I was really struggling with understanding what I was even doing with my life anymore. And then the pandemic hit. So, with not much to lose, and a burning desire to be heard, I adjusted the lighting, stared into the camera, checked the levels one more time, and started the intro music.

In Episode 3 of the Solo Musician Podcast, I’ll identify some key building blocks for a solid base of professional appearance, no matter where you are in your music performing journey. These tips are the result of countless conversations with live music bookers concerning what they are, and are not, looking for. Some of these will illicit an eye roll or may feel reminiscent of a corporate powerpoint, and I would completely understand if someone revokes my street cred for treating all this fun music stuff like a business. Rock and roll is supposed to be cool, man. I get it, and it is cool, man. But I’ve found that by personally implementing the steps I’ll outline in this episode, I’ve been able to feel more fulfilled, play the music with more passion, and get the highest paying gigs I’ve ever had. And that’s pretty cool, man. So, strap in for a bit of a long one…… That’s what she said Solo Musician Podcast Foundation to Succeed in 3……….2………..1

A rambling about current interests.

“If you don’t know your own value, somebody WILL tell you your value, and it WILL BE less than you’re worth” ~ Bernard Hopkins When I was just starting to play live gigs, I pretty much accepted whatever any bar would pay me to play. I was not privy to a negotiation, the venue just TOLD me how much they paid. I was completely fine with that, I mean every gig was an opportunity to perform, and most were more akin to a paid practice session than to an actual performance. I was thankful for the space to share my new found passion of noisemaking with anyone who would listen, and learned incredibly valuable lessons about drinking too much, vocal stamina, audience engagement, song selection, travel, audio setup, and the list goes on and on….. I took every gig I could get my hands on, and in no time I had a calendar FULL of gigs all over the place. Life couldn’t have been better. Fast forward to 2021, and I find myself booking my ENTIRE YEAR of shows 12 months in advance. I’m playing a mixture of dive bars, high end restaurants, beach bars, breweries, and wineries. I’m receiving a steady influx of booking inquiries, and taking anything that fits. I’m making more money than ever before. I felt like I had it all figured out. I mean, isn’t the goal to perform in front of as many people as possible? To earn as much as possible? To strike while the iron is hot? My friends in the music biz told me to slow down, take some down time, don’t get “burnt out”. I, like a rebelling teenager, told them that I knew what I was doing. Turns out, I didn’t, and like a lesson beamed down from the music gods, things started to unravel. Turns out driving 35k miles a year hauling gear means you’ll replace wheel bearings on your vehicle like they’re made of plastic. Playing 4-5 shows a week WILL give you vocal nodules if you don’t warmup and use proper singing form. Drinking 2 beers at each show turns into 10 beers a week pretty damn quick, which will turn into a frontal counterweight if you don’t keep it in check. Your marriage WILL fail if you’re never home and you don’t pay it the due attention it requires. Your family and friends WILL become estranged and the strangers at your shows will become family and friends. You will feel alone, especially when you’re always alone. You will feel guilty for wanting to complain about one of the best “jobs” in the world. I made my goal for 2022 to play LESS shows for MORE money. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I knew that the steady grind of 4-5 shows a week was not sustainable for me. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy music, or appreciate the wild opportunities that had been given to me, it was that I was burnt out at home, I was burnt out on stage, and I was just wholesale not happy anymore. I needed to figure out a way to charge more so I could be home more with my family, pursue other interests and hobbies, maybe even start a podcast….. So, I raised my prices, and immediately lost 25 venues on the first round of booking emails. My schedule was now wide open, and I was FREAKING OUT!!! Did I just screw up? Had I just burned all the bridges that I worked so hard to build the last few years? Was I not worth what I thought I was? Would I have to go back to those venues begging them to take me back? Negative thoughts can run rampant when allowed to, and at the time, I was giving them an all access pass. Two days later, I received a booking request from a bar in Delaware. I told them my rate, and they booked me for 4 dates without any negotiation. Later that week, I landed a bi-monthly residency at a local bar paying me OVER my asking price. The booking requests kept coming in, and each one I booked gave me more confidence in my decision. Within 2 months, my ENTIRE YEAR was filled with new venues that paid my new asking price. By believing in myself, and knowing what my time was worth, I was able to achieve a better work/life balance, better compensation, and better fulfillment from my “job”. In this episode, I’m going to discuss the importance of “Knowing your worth”. Simply put, the compensation you should require, both monetarily and non, for the that work you do. How to gauge where you are, how to know when to ask for more, and how to continue to invest in yourself to achieve greater fulfillment. Because compensation and money are two different things, we will dive into exactly what compensation may mean to you on an individual level. I’ve broken down my approach to understanding what I truly believe I am worth into 5 questions: Where am I at currently in regards to the quality of performance I’m providing? Are you just starting out? Seasoned vet with a draw? Professional sound and demeanor? What do I bring to the table, and HOW is that different from other acts? Will I bring people out? Do I take requests? Do I have a versatile song catalog? How does this venue/event positively impact my life, or others’ lives, beyond money? What are the comps? What is the clientele? Do I feel fulfilled when I play this venue? Is this good business? Does this make sound financial sense? Does this move me forward in the career path I’m trying to progress in? Would I attempt to talk a friend out of this business decision? What does compensation look like for me? How much money do I need to survive? And how much to THRIVE? How much is the time spent away from family and friends worth? When do I actually feel compensated? Even if you’re not a musician, you too can benefit from learning ways to value your time appropriately. The more you feel fulfilled and well compensated for what you do, the more time and energy you can focus into getting better at that skill. If you’re constantly undervalued and under appreciated at your day job, does that motivate you to improve your skillset? Does that make you want to go the extra mile? Or does that make you bitter, make you want to quit? When you commit to valuing yourself and your time, no matter the cost, you will encourage others to value your time as well. By being real with yourself about exactly what you’re bringing to the table, you can gain a new confidence that you’re never asking TOO MUCH for your time. That no matter what, you KNOW YOUR WORTH, and you aren’t in the business of settling for less than that anymore.