The Career Musician Podcast

Episode 16 “The Main Dot Connector” Josh Pegram | Marketing/Branding Expert and Manager for Tommy Sims Nomad was called in to Sunset Studios - Hollywood for a recording session for Kyla Jade a finalist on the TV competition show The Voice (2018) "Last Tear”. Session Musicians: Tommy Sims (bass/producer), James Waddell (engineer), Aaron Lindsey (keys), Kevin Randolph (keys), Victor Indrizzio (drums), Nomad (gtr)   TOPICS Discussed In person human experience vs. sending session files Technology advancements Josh’s Background / History: Bob Doyle - Garth Brooks mngr, Taylor Swift, Soul Train, VOD - Video on Demand, Cox and Xfinity cable, The Band Perry, Randy Jackson - Geico deal, ZZ Top   LA Hustle - NY Shuffle Rules of Branding 101 - Awareness, Acceptance, Demand Whiteboard your ideas and biz model “Don’t think that people are automatically aware of what you’re doing - Start an Awareness campaign” Acceptance - Industry acceptance, public acceptance, then snowball into Demand Not who YOU know but rather Who Knows of YOU Dilution by Distribution Market Saturation Don’t upload everything - the trickle method Talk less, Listen more Know your audience Know when to release material Be on Purpose / post with purpose Creating Awareness How to Transition Greatness is equal to Transitioning - In other words all of the most successful people do more than one thing Perception = Reality Clear message Don’t interpret or perceive for me Balance Mindfulness 10,000 hours - 8 hrs a day since you’re 5 Locked in a few boxes instead of one Stand out from the crowd Ultimate hustle Consistency They must arrive on their own Don’t assume they know Leverage your tour experience into composing etc… Synthetic vulnerability Get out of your head - internal dialogue Get up and do it Compound Effect Overcoming internal dialogue Sitting around the campfire - group support It’s ok not to be ok Keep Doing What ya do!     Transitioners examples: Jonathan Cain - Journey keyboardist and songwriter  Chris Stapelton - writer transitioned to artist  Keith Urban Brad Paisley  

Jason Land Guitar Ninja founder and developer of one of the most stream-lined methods of guitar teaching I've witnessed sat down with me for almost an hour long conversation that covers his tried and true principles & methods, daily practices, philosophies of life in general and much more!    Talking points:  Constructing a good team Surviving the panic test Being a CEO Getting Started  Practicing Focus Becoming your own artist Music Biz falsehoods and unfair game Stepping away from it all Becoming a physical trainer Coaching students not just teaching Knowing your "WHY" Your destiny Unlocking your toolbox Martial Arts correlation of teaching methods Living your dream vs. someone elses's  Flow State of operarting  NY Hustle - LA Shuffle Transitioning  Tipping Point concept  Synergy Expansion locations  Growth mindset Fail upwards Failure is the key to success Healthy mind and body 95/5 rule Meditation Reflection Isolation Chambers Mindfulness Self discovery Cultivation Discipline   Resources: www.fullsail.edu www.GuitarNinjas.co http://www.guitarlessonconference.com/ https://www.instagram.com/guitar_ninjas/ https://www.facebook.com/hollywoodguitarninjas/?ref=search

Michael Manson, Bass player extraordinaire will always give you THE BOTTOM LINE with his bass playing skills and overall musical prowess!    TALKING POINTS:  George Duke - Keys Kirk Whalum - The Gospel According To Jazz  Chapter 1 JD Blair - Drums Paul Jackson Jr. - Gutiar Jerry Peters - Organ Jeff Lorber - Keys   Contemporary Jazz Jam Band Fusion Snakry Puppy  Robert Glasper   Radio campaigns Social Media campaigns  Sattelite Radio - Sirius XM  Water Colors  Radio Program Directors  Booking Agents International Touring ROI more than just Monetary  The "Suits" - Biz folks     RESOURCES: www.MikeManson.com www.musicalartsinstitute.org  

Cecil Guyton is one of Chi-towns finest in the entertainment biz...from the "Chitlin' Circuit" to the "Big Stage" with everyone from Cannonball Aderely to Lionel Richie and byeond, this verteran production savant knows exactly where he came from and exactly where he's going!    Talking Points:  Music keeps us young Tour Managing  Adability Open minded Technology Stage Managing Uber Studio techniques Vocal stacking Old School   Artists Discussed: El Debarge  Lionel Richie  The Commodores Eddie Kendricks The Temptations Jackie Wilson Jimi Hendrix Cannonball Adderley James Brown Isley Brothers Joe Zawinul George Duke  

DISCUSSION POINTS: FISHBONE 1987 TOURING FOR $500 COLLEGE BUDDIES AHEAD BLACK OPERATOR RECORD PERFORMED LIVE   DAVID BOWIE TRIBUTE CONCERT: MIKE GARSON - KEYS IAN ASBURY - THE CULT STING   CONFIDENCE IN JOB NOT OPEN FOR DEBATE BE DELIBERATE UCLA EXTENSION PROGRAM TAP INTO NEW SKILL SETS ASPIRE TO OTHER COLLEGE GRADUATE BUDDIES   EXECUTIVE VP AT LIONS GATE - RUSSELL ZEEKER (HEADLESS BODY IN A TOPLESS BAR) LICENSE A SONG FOR THE FILM   WARPED TOUR SOCIAL DISTORTION NO DOUBT BLINK 182    AMERICAS MOST WANTED - MENTOR DAT TAPE BMI ASCAP YOU DO NOT NEED A PUBLISHING COMPANY PLAYBOY HUGH HEFNER sign his check   DUMB LUCK EDGY ORCHESTRAL MIXED WITH ROCK GUITAR SIGHT READING READING SHORT CUTS MULTI-TASKING   THE AMAZING RACE - SEASON 25 CHRISTOPHER YOUNG - COMPOSER UCLA BLIND SOLICITATION - SENT IN CD GOT A MEETING “WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS” - HOW MUCH MONEY? DAVID VANACORE - REALITY TV PLACEMENTS MARK BURNETT - SHOW PRODUCER   RESOURCES: http://www.markphillipsmusic.com/ https://www.theblackoperator.com/ https://www.instagram.com/theblackoperator/ https://www.facebook.com/TheBlackOperatorBand/ https://www.instagram.com/theblackoperator/?hl=en https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-black-operator/id1242571532

MESSAGE:  In the face of adversity within the Music Industry we must persevere and remain consistent on a daily basis in order to breakthrough the threshold of our Careers!    TALKING POINTS:    Supply and Demand Outbidding Integrity - there's enough to go around Technology changes the way we consume music Live concerts Dwindling venues  Bands on Tour versus YouTube and Social Media   RESOURCES: http://www.spaundrums.com/ http://www.babyfacemusic.com/ https://www.grammy.com/  

MESSAGE: Diversify, Self-Educate, and employ Balance - Marathon not a Sprint   DISCUSSION POINTS & TERMINOLOGY: NJ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergen_County,_New_Jersey NY state Caracas Venezuela https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracas Tempe / Phoenix AZ  Big fish small pond Jingles Songwriter Record Deal Music artist Interning at commercial house TV commercial composer Educational Managent Group (EMG) Simon & Schuster Children's music Multi-media music Mentorship - Cliff Sarde https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Sarde Music Director for TV network Diversification  Guitar-centric composer Collaborations Daily work schedule Publishing royalties Writers portion vs. Publishing portion Streaming, Broadcast network, cable Cue sheets Social Media - fine line between bragging and branding Inspiration and influences  Taking time to find balance and give your ears and mind a rest Sleeping on ideas Magic Hour - first solo artist album Bob Glaub - bass https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Glaub Nick Vincent - drums https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Vincent_(musician) Capitol Studios https://www.capitolstudios.com/ Village Recorder Studios http://villagestudios.com/ Don't be money hungry Treating your music like your wife and not a hooker (respect and value of the craft)  Don't make deals out of desperation Library Production Music Well rounded: Artist, singer, producer, engineer, composer, graphics editor, etc...  Synch Fee Exclusive Deals vs. Non-Exclusive Deals Work For Hire Permalance position Advanced Auto Parts jingle   RESOURCES: BMI, ASCAP, SESAC - PRO's (Performing Rights Organizations)  PMA - Production Music Association AIMP - Association of Independent Music Publishers The CCC - California Copyright Conference  The SCL - Society of Composers and Lyricists NARIP - National Association of Record Industry Professionals AVID editing bays        STUDIO ESSENTIALS: Logic Pro (Emagic in the late 90's) Ass-Ears-Eyes - good chair, good speakers, good computer screen   JASONS WEBSITES AND SOCIALS: www.supersonicnoise.com https://www.instagram.com/supersonicnoise/ https://www.facebook.com/SSNMusic https://www.youtube.com/user/SSN70   www.bulletproofbear.com https://www.facebook.com/BpBearMusic/ https://twitter.com/BPBearMusic https://www.instagram.com/bulletproofbear/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC3R0rUXIpsS1zJLdQeTc0Q    

Message: Quelle (Que) - A hypothetical written collection of primarily Jesus' sayings (logia). Q is part of the common material found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke but not in the Gospel of Mark.   Topics: Last name mispronunciation Living in France Affinity for Language Creative freedom Realism Lead by example Direct audience access Marketing leverage Sideman to Artist Major Label to Indie Owning your masters World Music appreciation Practice regimen Programming and engineering Daily routine Fitness Who am I? Studying Hemiolas Odd meter   Platform: Gospel According To Jazz Chapters I, II, III, IV Gospel is the content - Jazz is the delivery method   Nomadic: Born in Memphis Studied and cut teeth in Texas Worked in LA Moved to Paris South Africa Japan Europe Global touring   Influences: Hubert Laws Wilton Felder Joe Sample Ronnie Laws Arnett Cobb   Contemporaries: John Stoddart Michael Manson Jonathan Butler George Duke John Stoddart Paul Jackson Jr. Rachel Farell Land Richards Rickey Minor Gerald Veasley Doc Gibbs Ricky Lawson Wendy Moten BWB - Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Norman Brown Mac McDonnell Shelea Frazier Kevin Turner Ralph T. Lofton Braylon Lacy Marcus Finnie   Family band: Kevin Whalum - singer Kyle Whalum - bass Kenneth Whalum - sax Kortland Whalum - singer Hugh Peanut Whalum - singer/sax   KIRK'S WEBSITES AND SOCIALS: https://www.kirkwhalum.com/ https://www.olivetree.com/bibleinyourear/ https://www.pinterest.com/kirkwhalum/ https://www.youtube.com/user/KirkWhalumLive https://www.instagram.com/kirkwhalum/ https://twitter.com/kirkwhalum https://www.facebook.com/KirkWhalum/  

THE CAREER MUSICIAN PODCAST by: NOMAD Episode 8: Dale & Mark Ranz (“PJ” Pilots) Flying High in the Music Biz “Like a G6, I mean G5, but who’s counting anyway?!?!” Topic Agenda - What is a PJ? 1. Often referred to as a “PJ”, the new standard of ultimate status symbol, this mode of transportation is simply a “Private Jet”, or as civilians refer to it, “a damn airplane”! Flying in a PJ for a gig, what’s next? Well, you could say you’ve arrived but that might be an overstatement. Slow down there kiddo, and take stock of what really matters. Discussion Notes Pilots: Father & Son team Dale and Mark Ranz ○ Dale and Mark plus Mark’s 3 other brothers are all pilots. NOMADIC by nature: Seattle, Bowman, Riverside, Edwards Air-force Base ○  Flying is in the blood! ○  Motorcycles, boats, cars, planes, you name it! Flying at ease? Stats, facts, and other trivial tidbits ○  If you’re a nervous flyer like me, the cockpit view often times puts you at ease. ○  There is Auto-pilot, however there’s lots of initial programming involved. ○  Average Ground speed 450-500 mph. ○  This flights wind vector = 24 knot head wind, 7 knot crosswind. ○  Altitude for commercial is typically 30,000 - 35,000 feet, PJ’s typically 45,000 - 50,000 feet allowing for greater weather clearance and less air traffic. ○  Ergonomics of flying particular aircraft at designated altitudes. ○  Flying time: 747’s and 777’s average 15 hours, 737’s and Airbuses average 8 hours while PJ’s typically average 13 hours. What’s your trajectory NOMAD? ○  Seattle to France and back in a day...well, almost. ○  Around the World and back: Seattle, Switzerland, various other European cities, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and finally back to Seattle, 37 flight hours total. What happens when (the pilot) you’re bored and need a break? ○  Play cards, read the newspaper, take a nap. ○  On longer flights the pilots rotate and take turns at the helm. Fascination with machinery ○  On a commercial flight, you can’t FULLY appreciate the specimen of the vessel as you board through a “jetway” tunnel and can’t really touch the craft or admire it from the ground with your own two feet on the floor. ○  However when flying a PJ, you literally drive right up to the plane itself, grab your bags and board! Not without taking a few selfies with the beautiful beast first of course! Action Items Listen to those around you who may have some insight that perhaps you aren’t privy to just yet. Expanding your horizons literally and figuratively is never a bad thing. Focus on your strengths and try to delegate when possible. The time you save in the long run will be worth every ounce of anxiety over what you should’ve been doing, like cultivating your skill(s). Picking Up What I’m Putting Down? In closing, the bottom line is simply this...are you happy? Are you content? Is your family fed? Or is your dog, cat, goldfish well nourished with ample shelter? Well then great! Keep doing what you’re doing and don’t measure your success by society's barometer. Instead, start talking stock of everything you have to be grateful for. What next? Keep your nose down and continue working toward your goals! Trust me, when you least expect it, you’ll be wheels up in a plush faux leather bucket seat with libation in hand in no time. Life has its way of popping little morsels of pleasant surprises in our path when we least expect it. Like true love, or good sex...it’ll happen, just give it time. ~ Nomad #CareerMusician

Talking points:  Production Songwriting Arranging Musical influences Gospel Funk RnB Soul Secular & Christian music  Analog vs. Digital technology  Programming with MIDI Marketing / Social Media  Promotional Ideas Facebook Instagram as marketing tools Shifting Musical lanes   Booking Gigs  7 City Fan Cultivation Live band tracking Recording techniques Studios  Musical icons Eric Clapton Michael McDonald Tommy Emmanuel  Groove / Pocket Analog punch points Analog Tape Grammys Sports 10,000 Hour Self Belief Israel Houghton  Adrienne Bailon Oskar Cartaya  William Garcia  Javier Solis Danny Duncan  Euro Zambrano   Resource Links:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Sims http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Tommy%20Sims.html https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tommy-sims-mn0000616017/credits https://www.discogs.com/artist/174046-Tommy-Sims http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801386/ https://www.discogs.com/Tommy-Sims-Peace-And-Love/release/3437470 http://newbreedmusic.com/ https://www.instagram.com/oskarcartaya/ https://www.instagram.com/therealdannyduncan/ https://www.instagram.com/javsmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/adriennebailon/

Talking Points:    Soviet Union - Ukraine (Owning a keyboard was illegal) Cassette overdubs Music improvisation  Writing songs Music anarchists  Classical training Practicing Israel Yamaha School of Music Jazz studies Harmonic freedom and density Scholarship to Berklee  Gary Burton helped subsidize college Versatile career  Move to LA 2005 Brian McKnight Josh Groban Seal Eric Benet Chick Corea Stanley Clarke Neyo Marcus Miller  Diane Warren George Duke X-Factor Preparation meets opprtuniy Gospel music Business acumen  Keith Jarett Discipline  Identify with music  Principles and methods Pragmatic Choose career path Being an artist Collaboration Grammy Awards Youtube series  The frontman    

THE CAREER MUSICIAN PODCAST BY NOMAD   JOHN POWELL EPISODE - MAKING OF “FERDINAND”  GUITAR OVERDUB SESSION     GOLDEN GLOBE NOM ORCHESTRAL TRACKING SESSION ARTICLE JOHN POWELL IMDB FERDINAND SCORE ON YOUTUBE   GUITAR TRIO FOR SESSION: ADAM DEL MONTE   RAMON STAGNARO MICHAEL NOMAD RIPOLL   TALKING POINTS: PROCESS IN THE IDIOM WITH AUTHENTICITY GUITAR TRIO SOFTWARE AS A WRITING TOOL EXPERIMENTATION GEORGE DOERING - #1 LA SESSION GUITAR ACE CASTING UNIQUE VOICE AND STYLE OF PLAYING TOO PURE IS NOT GOOD HYBRID LATIN FEEL GUMBO RIO - BRAZILIAN IMMIGRANTS EXPERIMENTING WITH OTHERS CULTURES MUSIC BRIDGING THE GAP REIGN IN THE MUSICIANS VISION COLLOBORATIVE IGNORANCE IS GOOD NON-TRADITIONAL SONGWRITERS APPROACH UNIFORMED “DEMOITIS” JP’S 1ST SESSION IN LA WAS A JINGLE THRASH OR METAL VS. PUNK GUITAR DIRECT INTO YAMAHA O2R MIC INPUT LA SESSION ACE CARTAGE 100 GUITARS NUANCES QUIRKINESS   JOHN POWELL HISTORY: VIOLA, VIOLIN, JINGLES, TV SHOWS ECONOMIC MIGRANT HANS ZIMMER PREPARATION BEFORE MOVING TO LA TRINITY COLLEG OF MUSIC - LONDON UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL FILM SCHOOL CHOREOGRAPHY - CENTRAL SCHOOL OF DANCE RESOURCES AND ENERGIES OF OTHERS TO COLLABORATE LOVE OF MUSIC ORIGINALITY - MUSICAL FETISHES   COMPOSER REFERENCES: GUSTAV MAHLER JUAN GARCIA ESQUIVEL BERNSTEIN RIMSKY KORSAKOV MAURICE RAVEL JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN   OVERTURE “ON THE TOWN” BASS CLARINETS IN HARMONY JIMI HENDRIX AND GEORGE BENSON RASQUERDO FLAMENCO STRUMMING TECHNIQUE VICENTE AMIGO - FLAMENCO GUITARIST TOMATITO - FLAMENCO GUITARIST PERSONALIZED AND CHANNELING OTHER INFLUENCES MARILYN MONROE & ERNEST HEMINGWAY FRANKENSTEIN AS A REFERENCE CREATIVE PROCESS - PLAYLISTS, PIANO IDEAS SOMETIME 3 FILMS BEFOREHAND BEST MATERIAL COMES AT THE LAST MINUTE - PRESSURE NOT TOO AUTHENTIC FOR THE MASSES SPANISH FOLKLORE RICH AND PASSIONATE DEPRESSED ECONOMY 1492 FOLK MUSIC INCUBATES IN POVERTY FLAMENCO AMALGAM: ARABIC JEWISH GYPSY ANDALUSIAN GREEK BYZANTINE GALITIAN MELISMATIC QUALITY OF FLAMENCO FIRE DANCE - SPANISH EQUIVALENT SHUFFLE  VS. 12 BAR BLUES PURIST VS. JACK OF ALL TRADES MASTER OF NONE MASTERING THE ART OF VERSATILITY PEACE WITHIN YOURSELF FOR WHO YOU ARE

What do The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Paul McCartney have in common? They all called upon legendary tour manager Bernie Boyle to get their tours on the road! Check out the Career Musician Podcast featuring Bernie and his illustriously entertaining anecdotes!  Discussion points include: The very beginning Hearing The Beatles for the first time and working as their “gopher" Lifting organs for John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers to becoming a tour manager How the '60s and '70s compare to today When the music industry started to go sour Tour Essentials Airline problems   Doing things yourself to make sure they’re done correctly  Health and keeping it up on the road Words of Wisdom for aspiring CAREER MUSICIANS   

With credits that read like a short novel, Joel is not only a drummer to the stars, but the consumate professional that truly embodies the very meaning of the term - CAREER MUSICIAN!  Discussion points include:  Playing in unison with other band members  Locking drums and bass Backing up the artist your playing for Not over emphasizing chops when inappropriate   Multitasking as it relates to session drumming Programming drum beats The Nashville music scene: Chris Blizzard, Butch Dillon, Karlton Taylor, Nioshi Jackson, Dan Needham, JD Blair  Playing to the click/metronome with 1/4 notes only versus 1/8 notes at a slow tempo to feel the groove Drum legend JR Robinson Erik and Kelly Paiste  Air Supply & Graham Russell  3 foot rule: talk to anyone within your 3 foot radius as a rule of networking New Media Marketing  Enough work to go around Engage with others by talking about them and not yourself  Taking initiative and following up  Seize the opportunity and ask questions Allen Holdsworth The Wackerman family of drummers  Modern Drummer magazine Maintaining an attitude of positivity and happiness goes a long way 

While on tour with Toni Braxton and Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds in South Africa, NOMAD spoke with event security and close protection bodyguards Tyrone Mattner and Gareth Katzew about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle on the go. They're collective insight reveals that although one might face many obstacles on the road it is important to maintain constancy in diet, training and sleep. With a clientele list ranging from U2, Chris Brown, Linkin Park and just about every other major music act imaginable these guys are extremely humble which makes them that much more inspiring. Whether you are a touring musician, traveling business executive, competitive athlete, or just a fan of life, you can almost bet you’ll find this information useful in some way.  Some discussion topics include:  - Diet - Cheat day - Training with limited equipment - Injuries  - Inspiration and staying motivated - Music and training As mentioned in the interview, pics of Tyrone’s meal bag and shake container can be found here. *Disclaimer: A substantial amount of ambient noise can be heard as due to the hectic tour schedule this interview was conducted in the hotel lobby restaurant over a quick breakfast.