Changing Goals From Perfection...to Survival

Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

Paul Kent returns to Gig Gab, diving headfirst into the wild ride of full-time gigging with 120 shows lined up this year—and still packing the house! From near-disaster moments like a bass player taking a tumble (not this time, thankfully) to the art of bonding with your audience before you even hit that first note, it’s all about controlling the chaos. Whether it’s using a Seismic Audio Split Snake to take charge of your sound or knowing when to discuss weather risks before booking, smart musicianship is key. Cancelation policies? Rare, but worth considering—just ask Notso Costley Productions.

Marketing your band isn’t about magic bullets, but there are definitely solid shots to take. Success in music is always shared, and shoutouts fly to pros like Tony Smith and Mike Schulte for their insights. Meanwhile, Dave has a revelation: he’s starting to get Bob Dylan. Whether it’s tribute nights, booking strategies, or navigating the business of performing, one thing’s clear—Always Be Performing, and always be learning.

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 471 – Monday, March 3rd, 2025
  • March 3rd: World Hearing Day
• 00:03:10 Catching up on Paul’s Gigs…and life!
  • BACK to being a full-time musician
• 00:04:32 Booking 120 Gigs for the year…and still draw a crowd
• 00:05:14 Shared Crisis on a Sold-Out Night
  • One time…the Bass player fell over on stage (but not this time!)
  • From Perfection to Survival
• 00:13:27 Bonding with your crowd BEFORE you start
• 00:15:56 Time to control your (sound) destiny
  • Seismic Audio Split Snake
• 00:18:39 SPONSOR: Factor, America’s #1 Ready-To-Eat Meal Kit, can help you fuel up fast with flavorful and nutritious ready-to-eat meals delivered straight to your door. Visit FactorMeals.com/FactorPodcast and use code FACTORPODCAST for 50% off!
• 00:20:10 Canceling Gigs
  • Discussing the weather during booking
• 00:30:30 Contracted Cancelation Policies…how rare are they?
  • Notso Costley Productions
  • Paul Costley and now Demetri Papanicolau!
• 00:34:59 Success is shared
  • Tony Smith from Black Box Prompter on Gig Gab
  • Mike Schulte on Gig Gab
• 00:37:11 In Marketing, there are no magic bullets
  • But there are pretty good shots you can take
• 00:42:07 Dave is starting to understand Bob Dylan
• 00:48:18 Tribute nights
• 00:49:52 Gig Gab 471 Outtro
  • Contact Paul Kent
  • Contact Gig Gab!
  • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
  • [email protected]
  • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

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