Music Business Radio

Episode #144 - Rik Roberts

Rik Roberts has headlined at America's top comedy clubs, including The Improv, The Punchline, Funny Bone, The Stardome, and Zanies. As a corporate entertainer, he's been hired by hundreds of companies including Winnebago, Chevron, Wendy's, and Dairy Queen.

Rik tours as many as 50 weeks per year. You've seen him on Great American Country, Bananas Family Comedy, and Comedy at Large. You've heard him perform on radio shows across the nation, including Rick and Bubba, Bob and Tom, and Car Talk.

The average comedian performs 4-5 corporate events per year. In the past 12 months, Rik has done over 90.

This episode talks about what musicians can learn from the business of comedy, including advice on writing, keeping a show moving forward, building rapport with and engaging the audience, how to sell merch from the stage, the corporate market, and more. This episode also includes a 100% comedy/novelty song Demo Derby.

For those not on the podcast...

Episode #124 - Rusty Anderson

Here's the episode with singer, songwriter, producer, and critically acclaimed guitarist, Rusty Anderson.

Rusty’s career spans four decades with stints in several successful LA based bands as well as a solo career on Columbia records. He is best known as lead guitarist with Paul McCartney with whom he is currently on a world tour, but has worked in the studio and on stage with an extensive list of artists including Gwen Stefani, Steven Tyler, Regina Spektor, Dido, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Jewell, and the Bangles, just to name a few.

On this episode, Rusty talks about his early career in LA, the recording and writing process for his current solo album “Born on Earth,” and, of course, touring with a Beatle.

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Episode #110 - Vince Melamed

As a side man, Vince Melamed has worked with Bob Dylan, The Eagles, Bobby Womack, Jimmy Buffett, Rosanne Cash, and Dan Fogelberg, to name a few. He's written songs recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Ty Herndon, Restless Heart, Phil Vassar, and Boy Howdy. He's also had a career as a solo artist and is currently promoting a brand new album, What Matters Most, on Adroit Records.

This episode talks about his career, which started with a record deal as an artist at just 16-years-old, his transition to working as a side man, working as a songwriter, and more. Also included in this episode is a copy of a demo Vince did with Tina Turner on lead vocals...and the story behind how it happened.

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Episode #107 - Sorted Noise

Thad Beaty, Jason Collum, and Josh Collum from Sorted Noise talk film and television music, artist development, and making money in the music business.

Specifically, we talk about getting side gigs with top acts, the differences (and similarities) of working with an established artist as opposed to a new artist, music licensing opportunities for indie songwriters, and more.

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Episode #102 - Craig King

Musician, songwriter, and producer Craig King's talent and career success is best described by the caliber of artists with whom he has worked. He's worked with Ray Charles, Kanye West, Ludacris, Quincy Jones, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Will Smith, just to name a few.

At 19 Craig was hired by Ray Charles to fill Billy Preston’s seat in his band. While attending Temple University he met Jazzy Jeff which soon led him to producing and influencing the music for the television show, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."  Later he joined Will Smith on "The Greatest Hip-Hop Tour in the World," which featured Public Enemy, Naughty-by-Nature, and Busta Rhymes, among others.

On this episode, Craig shares some very inspirational stories from behind the scenes and will also talk about songwriting, networking in the music business, people management, auditioning for gigs, remixes, and music education.

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Episode #101 - Gregg Bissonette

Acclaimed drummer Gregg Bissonette comes to us via KRTH radio in Los Angeles.

Gregg is known for his trademark of powerful and inspirational drumming which is exclaimated by the wide range of artists he has collaborated with both onstage and in the studio, including David Lee Roth, Don Henley, Duran Duran, Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Toto, Carlos Santana, and many others. He's played on the NBC TV show Friends, as well as movies such as Payback, Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show, and A Mighty Wind.

Gregg recently toured with James Taylor, the semi-fictional band Spinal Tap, and currently a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.  He talks about the secrets to his longevity in the music business, the audition process for a huge act, making a living as a musician, and of course, touring with a Beatle.

For those not on the podcast...

Chuck Wicks - "All I Ever Wanted" (Live on Music Business Radio)

One of the coolest things about being part of Music Business Radio is when we have a musician come up and perform live.  No fancy effects, no big production, or anything like that...just the raw power of the song and the person performing.

Here's an example with Chuck Wicks and Monty Powell.  Show is currently being edited, so we haven't aired it yet, but this will give you an idea of what you have to look forward to.

Episode #43 - Chad Jeffers

Chad Jeffers is a multi-instrumentalist who plays lap steel, banjo, mandolin, and guitar and he's worked with Jamie O’Neal, the Wilkinsons, Keith Urban, the Wreckers, and many, many more.

He's played on Jay Leno, David Letterman, and the CMA Awards.

He’s currently on tour with Kenny Loggins.

Demos Reviewed: N Whittle, Noctaluca, Tim Cannon, Dave King, and Amber Gaia.

Check out video from Chad's visit.

For those not on the podcast.

                  

Episode #41 - Robin Ruddy

Here's the episode with Robin Ruddy.  She’s a multi-instrumentalist, playing pedal steel, banjo, dobro and guitar, who has worked with Shania Twain, Ray Stevens, Randy Travis, T Grahm Brown, Cherie Austin, Paul Overstreet and many, many more.

She’s currently on tour with Rod Stewart.

We talked about how to get both live and studio gigs, life on the road with a major tour, and more.

Demos Reviewed: Munkie, Monte Richardson, Trevor Justice, No Fixed Abode, Bittybox, and Folk Goddess.

Check out video from Robin's visit.

For those not on the podcast...