Giggs Podcast

Live video direction isn’t just calling shots—it’s reading the room, listening to the music, and trusting your crew to move with it.

Recorded live from Rock Lititz, Nikki sits down with Nicholas Weldon “nicDUB”, a legacy roadie with over two decades of experience as a live video director.

nicDUB shares how growing up around touring shaped him early, why he fell in love with the visual side of music in the MTV era, and the moment he decided he wanted to make the person in the very back row feel connected to the show. From projection to LED to directing massive multi-cam productions, he breaks down the roles, the pressure, and the people-skills that separate good operators from great ones.

nicDUB bio:
Nicholas Weldon, also known as nicDUB, is a father of four, a legacy roadie, and a Live Video Director with a 20-year career dedicated to telling stories through moving images. Over the last two decades, he has directed, shot, and executive-produced countless award shows, concerts, ceremonies, conventions, and special events across the globe. His philosophy is simple: every patron, in every seat, deserves to feel deeply connected to the moment. Video is the bridge that brings that connection to life. nicDUB’s credits spanning artists and productions including P!nk, Kings of Leon, Pierce The Veil, Ricky Martin, Tina Turner, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Cirque du Soleil, Google, Avril Lavigne, and more.

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
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Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Ask Giggs is back, and this one is for anyone who’s ever said, “I’m in shape… but I’m not in tour shape.”

In Ask Giggs #8, Nikki answers community questions about managing the physical toll of touring, building real stamina, and staying mentally steady when your body is cooked, but the show still has to go on. She breaks down why “touring shape” is its own category (and why so much of it is mental), shares simple recovery and reset rituals you can do on the road, and gets real about the habits that quietly wreck you over a long run (yes, including the dessert-and-no-lunch strategy).

Plus, Nikki reads some of the wildest stories from the Giggs community—rapid-fire travel chaos, brutal turnaround schedules, and the post-tour comedown that hits when the movement stops and the house gets quiet.

In this episode:

• Why touring stamina is as mental as it is physical
• How to reset fast when you’re exhausted and still on the clock
• Small “grounding” rituals that make the day survivable
• Recovery basics that actually help: sleep, hydration, electrolytes, stretching, and self-massage
• Real talk from the Giggs community: the road, the sacrifice, and why people still do it

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

In this special docuseries-style episode, we’re taking you inside the construction of the brand new Rock Nashville—the highly anticipated live entertainment campus from the team behind Rock Lititz. Nikki Sanz gets a sneak preview of the build, explores what the campus is designed to solve for touring crews, and sits down with key people helping shape the vision, the community experience, and the future of live production in Nashville.

For the best viewing experience, watch on our Spotify or YouTube channel.

Robert "Bull" has worked in the live event industry for over 30 years. He began his career as a Monitor Mixer and Live Sound Engineer, developing a reputation for technical skill and team collaboration. Over time, he transitioned into sales and business development, becoming known as a natural communicator and connector. Bull is a longtime leader at Clair Global and was selected as Rock Nashville’s official advisor, helping build the network and partnerships that are making the campus possible. His nickname in town? "The Mayor of Nashville."

Kindal Jumper was destined for live events because her parents, Ben and Katie Jumper, founded Crew One Productions, Mid-America Entertainment, and Catering to the Stars. Kindal grew up immersed in shows and tours, and after earning a rodeo scholarship to Troy University, she began her professional journey in hospitality management before joining Soundcheck Nashville in 2011. Now General Manager of Soundcheck, Kindal has led through tornadoes, floods, and pandemics — and is now playing a pivotal role in growing Rock Nashville.

Marisa Rinchiuso is the Initiatives Program Manager for both Rock Lititz and Rock Nashville. A former touring stage manager and project manager at TAIT, she’s passionate about holistic support for live events professionals. With degrees in Technical Direction and Human Sexuality Education, Marisa brings a unique lens to crew wellness, collaboration, and sustainable career growth.

Scott Appleton brings nearly four decades of experience in the live event industry. He began touring with Clair in 1987, spending over a decade on the road with some of the biggest names in music. Since then, he’s held nearly every role possible within Clair—operations, account management, and data services—eventually becoming General Manager of Clair Nashville. In 2023, he was named Vice President of Rock Nashville, helping lead one of the most anticipated expansions in the industry. Known internally as “The Package,” Scott is respected for his well-rounded expertise, calm leadership style, and ability to get the job done under pressure.

Rachel Hales is the Sr. Global Manager of Brand + Content for both Rock Lititz and Rock Nashville. Rachel spent the early years of her career touring with artists like the Black Eyed Peas and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Today, she leads storytelling, messaging, and content strategy across the Rock campuses. She is also the author of the Tour Book, a visual and narrative love letter to the people behind the scenes of live music. Rachel is passionate about building authentic narratives and helping the industry be seen—not just for what it produces, but for who it is.

Learn more about Rock Nashville at: https://rocknashville.com/ 

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Allison Noah is a rising star in the industry — one of the few women in her role as Stage Manager, and a standout leader in the next generation of road crews.

She got her start at Grammy-winning label Sono Luminus, where she did everything from engineering to photography. After moving to Nashville, she worked briefly at City Winery — then hit the road in 2021 on a small country tour, juggling nearly every tech role on the show.

Since then, she’s become a full-time stage manager known for her calm focus and dedication. In 2025, she joined Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind World Tour and was nominated for Stage Manager of the Year at the CMA Touring Awards — the only woman in a category of eight.

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Sooner Rae Routhier is a renowned Principal Designer who is a 2X Parnelli, Live Design Achievement, Live Production Summit Pinnacle, and multi Top Dog award-winning designer. Her designs can be seen on Jimmy Fallon, The AMA’s, The Ellen Show, The Voice, and The Billboard Music Awards. She has crafted iconic shows for artists such as Coldplay, Panic at the Disco, The Weeknd, KISS, Imagine Dragons, The Lumineers, and many more. Beyond her creative genius, Sooner has also been a driving force in shaping the modern landscape of entertainment lighting and design. Sooner is also part of Giggs' advisory board and we are so lucky to have her be part of the team.

Follow along with Sooner:
Instagram: @soonerrouthier

The Playground:
Web: www.theplayground.live
Instagram: @the.playground.creative

EVEN:
Web: www.theevennetwork.org
Instagram: @theevennetwork

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

We’re back with another Ask Giggs segment, where host Nikki Sanz answers real questions from the Giggs community. In this episode, we get honest about one of the hardest parts of working in live events: what the job asks of your personal life, and how to build something sustainable without losing the people you love.

From “you can’t say no yet” to “you should be able to go to a funeral,” Nikki walks through the tradeoffs, the guilt, and the practical ways crew members stay connected on the road. Plus, we read powerful community comments about missed holidays, birthdays, funerals, and the moments that still sting years later.

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Our guest is Zito — one of the most respected and accomplished production managers in the world. Over the past 25 years, he’s worked with artists like Green Day, Ariana Grande, Josh Groban, Babyface, OneRepublic, Blink-182, the Backstreet Boys, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, and many more.

Starting in the late ’90s as a band member and part-time sound guy, he slowly worked his way up from vans and small clubs to stadiums and global tours across 80 countries. 

He’s the winner of the Patrick Stansfield Parnelli Award for Production Manager of the Year, he mentors young crew through ECCHOLive, and he recently joined 340 Productions to help shape the future of top-tier touring. 

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

This special episode of The GIGGS Podcast pulls the best Rapid Fire moments from across the series into one fast-moving, feel-good mashup. From first concerts and favorite venues, to after-show food, bus bunk politics, can’t-tour-without items, and the best career advice they’ve ever received, touring pros share the stories, laughs, and lessons that only happen on the road.

You’ll hear:

• First concert memories ranging from New Kids on the Block to Anthrax, George Strait, and Loretta Lynn.
• Go-to tour comforts like Pop-Tarts, hydration packets, gaff tape, and the sacred personal pillow.
• Real talk on patience, mental health, team culture, “never quit” grit, and why being a good human still matters more than any title.

Whether you work in the live industry, want to break in, or just love seeing how shows really come together, this is the perfect “best of” crash course in touring life.

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Join us on a high-flying adventure as Nikki Sanz boards a VIP-configured Boeing 757 for Giggs’ first-ever in-flight episode with TrueSkies Aviation Group—the team moving A-list artists, sports teams, and high-profile clients around the world. Co-founders David Young and Christian Meiley share how they went from rock tours, EDM shows, and NASA launches to building one of the most trusted names in private aviation, and why they believe flying private is really a “time machine” for artists, crews and executives.

Along the way, you’ll hear plane-facts trivia at 30,000 feet, stories of rescue missions after hurricanes, flying dogs across the country for a homesick pop star, and why transparency, safety, and mechanical recovery (trip protection) matter way more than champagne and selfies. 

The crew walks through TrueSkies’ Reserve model, Goodwin’s behind-the-scenes ops team in Columbus, and what tour managers and production teams should actually look for in a broker when the show cannot be late.

If you’ve ever wondered if chartering a jet is really worth it, how pricing and “mystery fees” work, or what it takes to keep a VIP-configured 757 and a global roster of clients on time, this episode is your boarding pass. 

If you’re listening to the audio version, make sure to watch the full video on YouTube or Spotify for the best viewing experience!

Learn more about TrueSkies Aviation Group at: https://flytrueskies.com/

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz

Learn more about Musicians On Call: https://www.musiciansoncall.org/

Pete Griffin is the President & CEO of Musicians On Call, the nonprofit that brings live music to hospital patients, caregivers, and veterans across all 50 states. Under his leadership, MOC has grown from a local charity to an internationally recognized organization that’s delivered the healing power of music to over one million people. 

Before MOC, Pete led national campaigns at MTV, winning an Emmy for community service, and held executive roles at Big Brothers Big Sisters and IAVA. His work has taken him to the White House, the UN, and Oxford, and he’s been named one of America’s top nonprofit leaders by the Anthem Awards and Nonprofit Times. He is also recognized by the city of Nashville with a Silver Star for saving lives during a flood.

Join the #1 community and career platform for the live event industry: https://www.giggs.live/

Stay up to date:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live

Host: Nikki Sanz