In this episode, Adam and Dan  discuss their holiday preparations, share personal anecdotes, and dive deep into band logistics for smoother operations.

The main thrust of the episode is a detailed look at Taylor Swift's leadership approach during her ERAS tour, including her meticulous involvement in all aspects of the production.

Adam and Dan relate these insights back to their experiences in managing their own bands.

Tune in for a mix of  stories, practical advice, and a fascinating glimpse into one of the biggest tours in music history.

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This week, Adam and Dan dive into a mix of holiday gig stories, parenting wins, and gear talk. From the "Star Wars fans of bass guitar" to the unexpected joys of “Runaround Sue”, the guys cover it all.

Episode Highlights:

Mentioned in this Episode:

Call to Action: Are you in a band with your kids? We want to hear your "Partridge Family" stories! Email us at [email protected].

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This week, Adam and Dan catch up on life, tech disasters, home improvement nightmares, and some genuinely exciting developments in apps, gear, and band management tools. 

Dan returns from Disney after a “vacation” spent debugging server-melting GPS calls, launches his new app Lightning Brain into App Store review, and discovers he may have been slow-cooking himself in carbon monoxide.

Meanwhile, Adam celebrates his wedding anniversary in Savannah, gears up for live band karaoke weekend, and finds the perfect replacement for his long-time song request platform.

**Topics Covered:**

* Lightning Brain app launch update
* Server bugs, debouncing, and EPCOT coding adventures
* First organic customer!
* Adam’s water-heater disaster + sous-vide shower hack
* Band Leader app replacing RequestNow
* Preparing two live-band karaoke gigs
* Drummer transition & trial-by-fire weekend
* Fractal AM4: Why guitarists should care

Tune in for an engaging mix of tech talk, personal anecdotes, and gig insights!

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Join Adam and guest co-host John Pizz from Long Island this week as they dive into the story of their friendship, which started during a Zoom call for a pilot show competition for guitar players. 

John shares his journey into music, joining the band Mean Machine, balancing over 100 shows a year, and his innovative ways to engage the audience and boost bar sales. 

They also discuss the importance of professionalism, especially in respecting agreed show times, and the potential reputational risks for bands that overstay their welcome. 
Subscribe for more insights and tips from cover band musicians and band leaders!

John's Socials:
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https://www.instagram.com/meanmachinebandny/

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00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:16 Special Guest: John Piz
00:38 The Story of How We Met
03:03 John's Band: Mean Machine
05:06 Challenges of Gigging on Fire Island
07:23 Balancing Public and Private Gigs
09:25 Engaging the Audience and Bar Sales
12:43 Innovative Tips and Tricks
15:23 Catching Up and Social Media Shoutouts
16:00 Unexpected Gig Extensions: A Musician's Dilemma
19:22 Negotiating Overtime: The Right Way
21:20 The Impact of Overextending Gigs
23:53 The Importance of Professionalism in Music
24:55 Reflecting on Long Island's Music Scene
26:13 The Value of Communication and Contracts
29:34 Closing Thoughts and Social Media Plugs

Adam and Dan dive deep into the world of tribute bands and discuss the wild idea of legendary bands touring without any original members. 🚀 

Plus, they explore Joe Walsh's mind-blowing auction full of unique guitars, jaw-dropping stage outfits, and even his custom in-ear monitors. 

This episode is a rollercoaster of rock history, quirky gear, and a peek into the future of live music. Tune in for a mix of nostalgia and existential dread!! 🎶

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This week Adam and Dan dive into everything from weekend gigs to spooky TV show binges. 

Adam recounts the excitement and challenges of performing at a Stranger Things-themed block party, including bringing Aiden Fisher, the guitarist from the show, on stage for an electrifying rendition of 'Master of Puppets.' 

Dan shares his recent experiences revisiting the Flanagan-verse and the hilarious animated show 'Haunted Hotel.' They also discuss new gear trials, like the Enya carbon fiber acoustic guitar and the automation of their vocal pedals through Ableton. 

Tune in for laughs, insights on band dynamics, and heartfelt shout-outs to their awesome community of listeners.

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IkMjv0QGNIOC7MCxVdQt

In this episode, Adam and Dan dig into a message from Dustin — a musician in an emo/pop punk cover band who’s hitting some walls trying to get traction in the Pacific Northwest. He’s also dealing with an unexpected rival band made up of local veterans, and it’s got him wondering: is there such a thing as band etiquette?

What follows is a real talk session about competition, professionalism, and how to stand out in a crowded scene. Adam and Dan break down how to analyze your local market, find your lane, and use every tool available (yes, even AI) to your advantage.

It’s a mix of straight talk and tough love for working musicians — all about leveling up your game, playing smarter, and staying cool when the scene gets messy.

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00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:49 Halloween Stories and Costumes
03:40 Band Rehearsals and Upcoming Gigs
08:22 Listener Inquiry: Band Competition and Etiquette
17:17 Embracing AI in the Music Industry
17:50 Competitive Edge: Using All Available Resources
19:50 Navigating Market Competition
21:32 Adapting and Innovating in the Tribute Band Scene
25:47 Marketing Your Music: A Necessary Skill
31:44 Final Thoughts and Advice for Musicians

Mark’s back! This week, Adam and Dan catch up with Mark Frederickson from Frozen Coyote for a long-overdue check-in.

If you’ve been around a while, you’ll remember Mark’s band journey — from forming on his local subreddit to playing that first garage gig.

Now, Frozen Coyote’s got some miles under their belt, and with that comes all the usual growing pains: leadership shifts, gig droughts, and keeping everyone pulling in the same direction.

It’s a real-deal conversation about what happens after the honeymoon phase of starting a band — the stuff no one tells you about. Honest laughs, solid advice, and a few “we’ve all been there” moments.

Hit play and see how far Frozen Coyote’s come — and what they’ve learned along the way.

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This week marks a massive milestone—400 episodes of Cover Band Confidential! To celebrate, Mike Schulte steps in as moderator to turn the tables on Adam and Dan, asking the questions listeners have always wanted answered. Together, they look back at seven years of podcasting, community-building, faceplants, fart pedals, and life lessons that made Cover Band Confidential what it is today.

Expect stories you’ve never heard before, stats that will blow your mind (246 hours of audio?!), and a heartfelt reflection on what it really means to “rock more and suck less.”

🧠 In This Episode
* How it all began: From a WordPress blog to one of the most beloved musician podcasts on the internet.
* The first DM that started it all: Adam and Dan’s unlikely internet partnership.
* Evolution of the show: From awkward intros to “What’s up Waffle House enthusiasts?” and the birth of the “Rock More, Suck Less” tagline.
* Favorite moments & episodes: Including interviews with legends like Jennifer Batten and unforgettable self-care discussions.
* Community over perfection: Why the best episodes come from their biggest mistakes.
* Inside jokes & quotes: From “Two big humps of energy” to “Rock on, fart pedal”—the greatest hits of 400 episodes.
* Behind-the-scenes confessions: Missed weeks, inside running jokes, and who really says “look” the most.
* Reflections on growth: Sobriety, self-care, and the real impact of showing up every week for seven years.
* A look forward: The next chapter—Episode 500, a possible Cover Band Confidential book, and dreams of a Vegas hang for fans and friends.

🔥 Notable Quotes
“If you love something enough to just suck so hard at it—but be willing to eat it until you get better—the potential for success is beyond your comprehension.” – Adam Johnson
“We’re all dealing with the same stuff. From the biggest touring bands to the bar corner guys, we’re all thinking about the same things.” – Dan Ray
“The world now rocks a little more and sucks a little less.” – Mike Schulte

🏆 Favorite Past Episodes Mentioned
* Ep. 404: What Makes a Band Brand Work
* Ep. 118: If You’re Starting from Scratch
* Ep. 265: Good Hangs Over Chops, Every Time
* Distraction Cast Series (2020): A snapshot of musicians navigating the pandemic.

📚 Coming Soon
👀 A Cover Band Confidential Book?Adam and Dan tease that a publishing opportunity might finally turn their long-running Google Doc into an official printed guide to the cover band world.

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In this week's episode,  Adam and Dan dive into their latest adventures and insights from gearing up for a  trip to handling last-minute changes and working through listener questions. 

They break down the essentials of maintaining both electric and acoustic sets, juggling tight stages, managing low-volume gigs, and ensuring your gear doesn't let you down mid-show. 

The episode also features lively input from their loyal Patreon crowd, including the pros and cons of back-to-back sets versus breaks, balancing male and female lead vocals, and adapting your setlist to fit the venue's vibe. 

Tune in for practical tips, candid stories, and a good dose of crappy content!

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