Best Nomad The Career Musician Podcasts (2025)

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#183: Insincere Sincerity 9:20

2d ago9:20

9:20

Ever met a musician who pours on the love… but disappears when it matters? In this episode, NOMAD calls out fake support and makes the case for keeping it real. Show Notes: What “insincere sincerity” sounds like in the music world How to spot it, avoid it, and never be that person The difference between honest encouragement and hollow hype Why inte…

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#182: Existential Music Crisis 9:31

5d ago9:31

9:31

Feeling lost in your creative journey? You’re not alone. This honest episode dives into the emotional weight of being a creative and how to push through the fog. Show Notes: What it means to have an existential crisis as an artist Why creativity often comes with emotional and spiritual weight The power of reflection, community, and self-awareness T…

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#181: Music Is Not For Musicians 9:13

8d ago9:13

9:13

You’re not making music for other musicians — you’re making it for people. This episode is a wake-up call to shift your focus and build a real audience. Show Notes: Why musicians aren’t your target audience The problem with making music just to impress your peers How to build a connection with real listeners Serving the song, not your ego Want to g…

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#180: Play The Changes 9:54

10d ago9:54

9:54

“Play through the changes” is great advice… until it isn’t. This episode unpacks the deeper meaning behind the phrase — both musically and in life. Show Notes: Jazz school lessons vs. real-world career moves Chops vs. artistry: where the real connection happens Evolving beyond your training and finding your sound Letting go of comparison and stayin…

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EP 140 - Chris Hornung (Double Bassist / Educator / Zimmerman Publications) 1:31:00

1M ago1:31:00

1:31:00

Send us a text In this episode, host Ryan Roberts speaks with double bassist and educator Chris Hornung about the history of rock music. Key topics include the genre’s roots in Tin Pan Alley, country, and blues, as well as the influence of early pioneers like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley. A rock history instructor offers insights into rock’s evolu…

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#179: Payday Friday | Gig Work Don't Come Easy 11:38

1M ago11:38

11:38

In this episode, dubbed "Payday Friday," Nomad dives into the realities of making a living as a career musician. Joined by industry professional Michael Elsener from Master Music Licensing, they stress the importance of learning from others in your field to fast-track your success. Nomad hilariously points out the difference between a musician's li…

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EP 139 - Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, WhiteSnake, DIO) 1:24:15

1M ago1:24:15

1:24:15

Send us a text In this engaging episode of The Bass Shed Podcast, legendary rock bassist Rudy Sarzo takes listeners on a journey through his musical origins, cultural adaptation, and career highlights. He shares stories about his early life in Los Angeles, his Cuban heritage, and the profound influence of American music—particularly after witnessin…

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#178: Creative Flow State | Optimize Your Home Studio 28:39

1M ago28:39

28:39

In this engaging episode of the Career Musician podcast, host Nomad dives deep into the world of home studios and offers invaluable tips and tricks for musicians looking to maximize their creative flow. From his own experience setting up a home studio in a 10x10 room, Nomad shares practical advice on optimizing both the acoustics and aesthetics of …

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EP 138 - Lawrence Haber (Freelance Bassist, Music Director, Educator) 1:17:53

2M ago1:17:53

1:17:53

Send us a text In EP 138 of The Bass Shed Podcast, Host Ryan Roberts interviews bass player Lawrence Haber, who shares his musical journey, highlighting his introduction to music in New Jersey and his influences from renowned bassists of the 90s. He delves into bass playing techniques, emphasizing the significance of tempo, articulation, and creati…

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#177: Music Publishing 101 | A Few Things To Know 14:51

2M ago14:51

14:51

In this episode of the Career Musician Podcast, Nomad dives deep into the significance of protecting intellectual property in the music industry. Nomad shares his personal experiences and insights on copyright, trademark, and the intricacies of publishing and licensing music. Through an interesting analogy involving a unique instrument found at Goo…

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EP 137 - Steve Billman (Frank Gambale, Billy Cobham, Liza Minnelli, Alex Acuña) 1:16:02

2M ago1:16:02

1:16:02

Send us a text In the recent podcast chat, bassist and educator Steve Billman sat down with Ryan to explore his musical journey and teaching philosophy. A longtime faculty member at Los Angeles College of Music, Steve has performed and recorded with a wide range of artists across jazz, fusion, and contemporary styles including: Frank Gambale, Billy…

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EP 136 - David Dyson (Me'Shell N'degeocello, New Kids On The Block, Producer, Songwriter) 1:15:19

2M ago1:15:19

1:15:19

Send us a text On this episode of The Bass Shed Podcast, host Ryan Roberts sits down with renowned bassist, songwriter, arranger, and producer David Dyson. Born in Rapid City, South Dakota, and raised in Washington, D.C., Dyson’s musical journey began with baritone (euphonium) before switching to bass at age 12, inspired by Larry Graham and Louis J…

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#176: Mining the Gigs You Want | A Fresh Perspective 9:07

2M ago9:07

9:07

Mining the Gigs You Want: A Fresh Perspective Welcome to the TCM Podcast, the go-to resource for career musicians looking to enhance their craft, grow professionally, and navigate the ever-evolving music industry. Hosted by Nomad, a seasoned musician and industry expert, the TCM Podcast delivers actionable insights, inspiring stories, and creative …

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EP 135 - Steve Rosati (Steve The Bass Guy / Performer, Educator, Author) 1:02:36

2M ago1:02:36

1:02:36

Send us a text In this episode, Ryan sits down with professional bassist and educator Steve Rosati for an in-depth conversation about his musical journey, gear choices, and teaching philosophy. 🎸 Bass & Gear Talk Steve shares his background as a bassist, discussing his experiences with different instruments and his preferences when it comes to gear…

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EP 134 - Nomad (Producer, Music Director, The Career Musician) 1:04:49

2M ago1:04:49

1:04:49

Send us a text Nomad’s impressive career highlights his versatility and expertise across various musical domains, from touring to studio production and film scoring. His collaborations with a range of top artists and his work on well-known soundtracks show a deep and diverse skill set, making his insights on *The Bass Shed Podcast* a valuable resou…

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#175: What Makes A Pro Musician in 2025? | 3 Things to Know if YOU are a Pro 19:36

2M ago19:36

19:36

In this episode of the Career Musician podcast, host Nomad discusses three crucial factors that distinguish professional musicians from amateurs. Drawing from his 30+ years of experience as a session and touring guitarist, Nomad breaks down the key elements of being a career musician: 1. Dedication - The importance of not waiting for motivation but…

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#174: Grammys For The Win? | Art vs. Sport 37:54

3M ago37:54

37:54

In this episode, Nomad shares his perspective on the 2025 Grammy Awards and award shows in general, recording while commuting to Los Angeles College of Music where he teaches. Key Topics Covered: Nomad's personal perspective on award shows and why he believes art is subjective and difficult to quantify compared to sports Brief history of the Grammy…

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#173: CYO | Master your Money as a Musician by Doing this One Thing 17:25

3M ago17:25

17:25

In this episode, Nomad discusses the concept of CYO (Chief You Officer) from his book "Ethos" and why it's crucial for independent musicians to master self-management. He explains how musicians, as independent contractors, need to wear multiple executive hats and handle everything from operations to finances. Key points covered: - Introduction to t…

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#172: Should You QUIT The Music Industry? 20:16

3M ago20:16

20:16

Should you QUIT the Music Industry? This past Friday was "Quitter's Day", when most people have quit their New Year's Resolutions... Did you? I go over some of the top excuses people give when leaving their dreams behind, and how I rebut and refuse them. If being a Career Musician is your goal, then being strong and resilient has to be in your bloo…

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#171: NAMM President John Mlynczak | Industry, Growth and Networking 48:05

3M ago48:05

48:05

Join us on the TCM Podcast as we dive into the intricacies of the music industry with John Mlynczak, President of NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants). Hosted by Nomad, creator of the Career Musician podcast, and co-hosted by Erin Workman from the Los Angeles College of Music, this episode unpacks the significance of NAMM for music makers…

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#170: Why Time Is Every Musician's Secret Weapon 19:10

3M ago19:10

19:10

Welcome to Episode 170 of The Career Musician Podcast: "Time - Your Most Valuable Resource" In this episode, Nomad explores the significance of time management for musicians and how consistent daily efforts can lead to remarkable achievements. Key Highlights: - Mindset Over Motivation: Discover why discipline is more reliable than motivation and ho…

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EP 128 - Frank Canino (Joe Cocker, Ray Charles) 1:53:18

5M ago1:53:18

1:53:18

Send us a text Episode 128 of The Bass Shed Podcast features Frank Canino, a seasoned bassist with an extensive career in both live performance and studio recordings. Frank Canino is known for his deep-rooted experience in genres like jazz, Latin, rock, and blues, and he has worked with a wide range of notable artists throughout his career. In the …

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EP 133 - Oskar Cartaya (Tito Puente, Jennifer Lopez, Producer, Arranger) 54:54

6M ago54:54

54:54

Send us a text In Episode 133 of The Bass Shed Podcast, host Ryan Roberts sits down with bass legend Oskar Cartaya. Known for his dynamic Latin grooves, funk bass lines, and contributions to the world of Latin jazz, Oskar shares insights from his incredible career. From playing with legends like Herb Alpert, Jennifer Lopez, and Spyro Gyra, to his w…

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EP 132 - Gary Wicks (The Manhattan Transfer, Stevie Wonder, Take 6, John Williams) 1:08:18

6M ago1:08:18

1:08:18

Send us a text Gary Wicks is an in-demand bassist, composer, educator and clinician in Los Angeles whose versatility has enabled him to perform with world class artists in many different venues around the world. Originally from Albany, NY, this second generation bassist has been a part of the vibrant music scenes of Los Angeles, CA; London, UK; Alb…

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EP - 131 Matt Krahula (Bassist, Songwriter, Producer) 1:23:49

7M ago1:23:49

1:23:49

Send us a text Matt Krahula is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, producer, currently based out of Honolulu, HI. He is the bassist for Grammy Nominated artist Henry Kapono, lead singer of The Nightmare River Band and one half of the Chamber Folk duo, Beyond Hope, with Canadian Singer Fiddler, Sierra Noble. After years of touring the mainla…

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EP 130 - Sam Misner & Megan Smith (Recording artist Misner & Smith) 1:03:24

7M ago1:03:24

1:03:24

Send us a text Episode 130 of The Bass Shed Podcast features Northern California-based duo Misner & Smith, diving into their long-anticipated album "All Is Song". Known for their rich harmonies and storytelling that blend folk and roots influences, Sam Misner (guitar, vocals) and Megan Smith (bass, vocals) reflect on six years of development for th…

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EP 129 - Peter Dominguez (Educator, Solo Artist, Richard Davis Foundation, Milt Hinton Institute) 1:04:02

7M ago1:04:02

1:04:02

Send us a text Bassist & Educator Peter Dominguez is Professor the of Double Bass and Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin- Madison and Artistic Director of the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassist Inc annual conference in Madison Wisconsin, and the director of the Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass. On EP 129, Dominguez discusses h…

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EP 127 - Andrew Ryan (NY Bassist/Recording Engineer, 9 Horses) 1:06:31

8M ago1:06:31

1:06:31

Send us a text Andrew Ryan, NY bassist/recording engineer and member of the group 9 Horses discusses their latest release STRUM. This album showcases a unique blend of classical, jazz, and contemporary music. Joining Andrew Ryan in the group is Joe Brent (mandolin), Sara Caswell (violin), The music by 9 horses is imaginative and deeply emotive. The…

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#169: The Musician's Journey of a Rockstar | Jed Elliott & Chelsea Szabo 1:09:15

9M ago1:09:15

1:09:15

The Career Musician featuring co-founders of The Musician's Journey! Get ready for an insightful conversation with special guests Jed Elliott from the rock band The Struts and executive life coach Chelsea Sabo founder of Verbal Courage on Episode 169 of The Career Musician Podcast. Host Nomad leads a discussion on the highs and lows of being a musi…

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EP 126 -Mark Egan (Session Player, Solo Artist, Pat Metheny Group) 1:11:07

11M ago1:11:07

1:11:07

Send us a text One of the premier electric bassists of contemporary jazz, Mark Egan has distinguished himself over the past five decades with his distinctive fretless bass sound that has graced countless jazz and pop albums as well as award-winning movie and television soundtracks. An in-demand New York City studio musician who has played on multi-…

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EP 125 - Joris Teepe (Rashid Ali, Veteran NY sideman & Composer, band leader) 1:16:09

11M ago1:16:09

1:16:09

Send us a text Joris Teepe is an acoustic and electric bassist from Amsterdam and has lived in New York since 1992. He has led his own groups for 30 years and recorded 22 CD’s as a leader or co-leader and over 60 CD’s as a sideman. Arriving in New York in 1992 with just his bass and a suitcase, he took lessons with bassist Ron Carter, quickly met m…

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EP 124 - Tom Kennedy (Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Stitt, Micheal Brecker, Solo Artist) 1:25:02

11M ago1:25:02

1:25:02

Send us a text Tom’s musical roots with on the acoustic bass, an instrument he started playing at age 9 and took to so naturally that within a few years he was performing with internationally known players such as Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, Nat Adderly, Sonny Stitt and Stan Kenton. At age 17, Tom would create a musical alter ego when he began pl…

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EP 123 - Reggie Hamilton (Seal, Whitney Houston, Billy Childs, George Duke) 1:07:11

11M ago1:07:11

1:07:11

Send us a text Reggie Hamilton was born in NYC. He spent his formative years on the east coast and started playing bass at age 11. He was also fortunate enough to have New York bassist Kim Clarke as his first teacher. Two years later, Reggie would take up the acoustic bass to strengthen his foundation as a bassist. Much of Reggie’s early playing ex…

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EP 122 - Darek Oles (Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, John Abercrombie, Solo Artist) 1:12:32

1y ago1:12:32

1:12:32

Send us a text Darek Oles (Oleszkiewicz) was born on February 20, 1963 in Wroclaw, Poland. At the age of five Oles began his music education at the State Music School in Wroclaw. Piano was his first instrument, but later he played guitar, electric bass and finally at eighteen years old, he switched to accoustic bass. While in his teens he played wi…

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EP 121 - Kathryn Schulmeister (ELISION Ensemble, Fonema Consort [NYC], and the Echoi Ensemble [LA]) 58:00

1y ago58:00

58:00

Send us a text Kathryn is a member of several contemporary music ensembles including the renowned Australian ELISION Ensemble, Fonema Consort (NYC), and the Echoi Ensemble (LA). She has performed as a guest artist with various adventurous international ensembles such as Klangforum Wien, Ensemble MusikFabrik, Delirium Musicum, Ensemble Dal Niente, a…

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EP 120 - Dr. Matt Hare (Principal Bass of the Mozart Classical Orchestra and the Long Beach Ballet) 1:01:09

1y ago1:01:09

1:01:09

Send us a text Matt Hare is well known as a performer and educator. He is on faculty at the University of California at Irvine, Concordia University, and Saddleback College. Dr. Hare also teaches several sections of Music Appreciation and History of Rock online and in the classroom at Saddleback College. He is a string coach at Irvine, Laguna Hills…

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EP 119 Bryan Beller (The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Solo Artist, Clinician) 44:02

1y ago44:02

44:02

Send us a text Bryan Beller has maintained a multi-faceted career as a bassist, composer, solo artist and clinician for over 25 years, earning his reputation as a uniquely talented yet supremely tasteful team player for instrumentally-minded artists. He is a founding member of The Aristocrats which is one of the hottest acts in rock/fusion today; t…

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EP 118 - Russell Thompson (Principal Bassist Arkansas Symphony) 1:15:17

1y ago1:15:17

1:15:17

Send us a text Russell was lucky to grow up in a musical family in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. His mother played the bassoon, his father played the french horn, and his step-father taught saxophone and played jazz. He began playing the bass in 4’th grade, but his interest in classical music began to spark when he began studying with Tracy Rowell and joine…

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EP 117 - Tony Grey (John McLaughlin, Hiromi, Mike Stern, Solo Artist) 1:08:58

1y ago1:08:58

1:08:58

Send us a text Born March 25, 1975 in Newcastle, England. Tony is a multi-instrumentalist, master bassist, composer, producer, published author and award-winning music educator; he studied at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music and graduated in 2001, receiving the prestigious 'Outstanding Performer' award. Tony is known for his 6-string ele…

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EP 116 - David Rodriguez (Isaac Hayes, Tito Puente, Rochester Philharmonic, NJPAC Vice President) 52:23

1+ y ago52:23

52:23

Send us a text Bassist David Rodriguez has worked with groups ranging from Isaac Hayes to Tito Puente to the Rochester Philharmonic. He studied at Juilliard, the Eastman School of Music, and Mansfield University. David is currently the Executive Producer and Executive Vice President of The New Jersey Performing Arts Center where the Milt Hinton Ins…

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EP 115 - John Pena (Session Player, Chaka Kahn, Michael Brecker, Jerry Garcia, Ricky Martin) 1:24:15

1+ y ago1:24:15

1:24:15

Send us a text John Peña is an in demand touring and session bassist, writer, arranger, producer, and engineer. John has performed and/or recorded with a wide variety of artitists , including: Celia Cruz, Carlos Santana, Julio Iglesias, Tania Maria, Natalie Cole, The Crusaders, Herb Alpert, Chaka Khan, Jerry Garcia, Chick Corea, Steve Vai, Diana Ro…

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#168: Tito Daniel | Get Your Music Heard on Dash Radio! 36:33

1+ y ago36:33

36:33

Every Tuesday, Nomad feature a new indie artist on "Radio Ready", his new show only on Dash Radio. This episode explains EXACTLY how to submit your music for a chance to be featured on Radio Ready –The Career Musician's new show only on Dash Radio, powered by Smash Haus! Nomad and Tito Daniel explain the process in detail, which btw is very easy...…

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EP 114 - Jerry Jemmott (Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, B.B. King, Session Musician) 1:19:30

1+ y ago1:19:30

1:19:30

Send us a text Jerry Jemmott is a highly respected American bass guitarist and session musician, best known for his work in the realms of blues, jazz, and R&B. He was born on May 22, 1946, in New York City. Throughout his extensive career, Jemmott has played with numerous iconic artists, leaving a significant impact on the music industry. He is par…

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EP 113 - Marty Isenberg (NY Jazz Double Bassist, Composer, Recording Artist) 1:11:54

2y ago1:11:54

1:11:54

Send us a text Playing bass was love at first pluck for Marty Isenberg. His career as a jazz musician began at the age of 12, after losing his father to cancer the year prior. A skilled amateur musician, Marty’s father kept many instruments around the house that he would play for the family. After his death, Marty would pull one of these instrument…

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EP 112 - Roberto Vally (George Benson, Christopher Cross, Bobby Caldwell, Boz Scaggs) 1:09:53

2y ago1:09:53

1:09:53

Send us a text Roberto Vally’s accomplishments within music date back to his formidable years in New York where he was awarded his Junior High School’s Music Honor Award. It was clear that Roberto was destined to pursue an education in music. From 1974-1978 he attended New York City’s legendary High School of Music and Art-depicted in Fame (1980 fi…

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EP 111 - P.J. Cinque (San Diego Symphony / San Diego Bass Fest) 1:03:16

2y ago1:03:16

1:03:16

Send us a text Double bassist P.J. Cinque joined the San Diego Symphony in 2015, having previously been a member of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, P.J. serves as Assistant Principal Bass of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Utah Symphony, an…

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EP 110 - Kenny Lee Lewis (Steve Miller Band, Session Player) 1:02:46

2y ago1:02:46

1:02:46

Send us a text Kenny Lee Lewis has been a member of The Steve Miller Band for over 41 years and is now their current touring bass player. The Steve Miller Band was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 2016. Kenny speaks about how he landed the gig with Miller and attributes of his artistry that have sustained him in the music industry. Kenny, als…

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#167: Sherilyn | Stop Faking It And Release Music Like A Pro 32:09

2y ago32:09

32:09

Sherilyn is a Singer-Songwriter, Producer, Podcast Host, and Music Career Coach. After working in the CCM/Worship scene, she set out as an independently published pop alternative artist and launched her own record label & publishing company, Starboard Stride. After touring as a solo artist through the U.S., Australia, Italy, Switzerland, and Brazil…

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#166: Jody Friedman | Insider Secrets to Placing Your Music in TV and Film Revealed! 37:17

2y ago37:17

37:17

Jody Friedman is an award-winning songwriter/producer, music supervisor, music publisher, and music licensing coach. He is the co-founder of Elite Music Coaching, an online platform available for independent musicians interested in learning how to have a thriving career in music by consistently licensing their songs to films, tv shows and ads. His …

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#165: Eric Baines | Come From A Small Town? No Problem! You Can Still Win In The Music Biz! 1:05:33

2y ago1:05:33

1:05:33

Eric Baines is a singer, songwriter, and the current bassist for the legendary band Chicago! Eric's music has also been featured on MTV, VH1, NBC, ABCFamily and HBO. He has toured and recorded with country icon, Dwight Yoakam, but he’s taken some crazy turns to get there. After attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, he moved back to his …

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