Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.

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Host: Nikki Sanz
Producer: Annabelle Wiedower

Ryan Lampa has spent 18 years touring the world with many artists, most notably TobyMac. But in 2008, his mission shifted—from tour life to nonprofit work. Ryan Lampa is the Founder and CEO of People Loving Nashville, one of the most impactful homeless outreach organizations in the city. It started with five meals and a simple prayer: ‘God, teach me how to love people.’ 17 years later, PLN has never missed a Monday night feeding over 800 people every week, and they have helped over 150 individuals find housing, and most recently opened a coffee shop downtown called Paradeisos, staffed by formerly unhoused neighbors. His story is proof that showing up every week can change everything.

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Host: Nikki Sanz
Producer: Annabelle Wiedower

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.

Find your next Gigg: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live

Host: Nikki Sanz
Producer: Annabelle Wiedower

"How can I work in music industry?" Giggs Founder, Nikki Sanz, answers the most frequently asked question by sharing 18 practical strategies to break into the music, live event, and touring industry. In this episode, she organizes insights from top professionals and her personal experiences to provide actionable advice, moving beyond the typical "just meet the right people" suggestion. This episode is all about strategies you can put into practice.

#1 - Build Your Network
#2 - Research & Cold Calling
#3 - Volunteering & Internships
#4 - Attend Networking Events
#5 - The 15-Minute Phone Call
#6 - Always Ask for Introductions
#7 - Stay Top of Mind
#8 - Maintain a Clean Online Presence
#9 - Find Mentors
#10 - Research Local Production Companies & DMCs
#11 - Never Say No to a Gigg
#12 - Take Every Gigg Seriously
#13 - Follow Up After Giggs
#14 - Be a Sponge & Learn from Mistakes
#15 - You Are Your Own Business
#16 - Celebrate Others' Successes
#17 - When One Door Closes, Another Opens
#18 - Get on Giggs

Find your next Gigg: https://www.giggs.live/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live

Host: Nikki Sanz
Producer: Annabelle Wiedower

Find your next Gigg: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live

Host: Nikki Sanz
Producer: Annabelle Wiedower

The duo behind one of the tour collective: The Beehive. Founded in 2016 by Vinnie Ferra and Jonny Stiegler, The Beehive was built to make the touring experience better—for artists, yes—but more importantly, for the crew. What started as two friends backing each other’s clients has become a full-service operation combining tour management, musical direction, custom arrangements, and crew development. They’ve helped shape the live sound and stage for artists like Gracie Abrams, Halsey, Masego, T-Pain, Gryffin, and Madison Beer, with a focus on long-term partnership and crew growth.

Find your next Gigg: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live

Host: Nikki Sanz
Producer: Annabelle Wiedower

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.

Find your next Gigg: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live

Host: Nikki Sanz
Producer: Annabelle Wiedower

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.

Find your next Gigg: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live

Host: Nikki Sanz
Producer: Annabelle Wiedower

Sean Porter - better known as Big Daddy - spent years touring with acts like Cage the Elephant, Elle King, Lifehouse, and American Idol. After one too many late nights with nothing but gas station snacks and cold pizza, he had a simple idea: start serving up real food to the late-night crowd. That idea turned into Daddy’s Dogs - a now-iconic Nashville brand with carts, shops, stadium booths, and a huge local following. Named Best Hotdog and Best Late Night Eats year after year, Daddy’s Dogs has become a cultural staple in Music City. With bars and new concepts on the horizon, Sean is building a business with soul, scale, and serious flavor.

Find your next Gigg: https://www.giggs.live/

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Host: Nikki Sanz
Producer: Annabelle Wiedower

Brian Kaplan is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Down Home, the media company he launched alongside Tim McGraw and Skydance. He also co-founded the Music City Rodeo—Nashville’s first PRCA-sanctioned rodeo—which sold out three consecutive nights at Bridgestone Arena.

Before that, Brian launched the first-ever digital department at Interscope Geffen and went on to lead digital strategy at both Sony and Universal Nashville. He’s also played a key role in building Tim McGraw’s brand from the inside out.

Find your next Gigg: https://www.giggs.live/

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Host: Nikki Sanz
Producer: Annabelle Wiedower

Michael Strickland is the Founder and Chairman of Bandit Lites. He started the company at 12 years old, grew it while working as Kenny Rogers’ production manager, and turned it into a global leader serving artists like Queen, Aerosmith, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, and hundreds more.

He’s also an advocate for the live event workforce—testifying before Congress, leading pandemic relief efforts, and helping pass the Save Our Stages Act. Michael is the only non-musician to ever receive both a CMA and an ACM award, and he’s also earned everything from Pollstar’s Heroes of Live Award to the Parnelli Lifetime Visionary Award.

Find your next Gigg: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live

Host: Nikki Sanz
Producer: Annabelle Wiedower