Hustle Like U Broke

With 45-years in the business, Bobby Schneider has earned his reputation as a no-bullshit behind-the-scenes force to be reckoned with. Touring with everyone from David Bowie to J Geils, Kendrick Lamar to Jay Z, Metallica to Judas Priest, plus blink-182, Rihanna, New Kids on the Block, Jennifer Lopez, Pentatonix and countless others, Bobby has left an indelible mark on the concert industry. As a man who has shared buses and backstage with all of our hosts, we hit a number of topics including the politics of the national COVID response, the many ways that staff steps up on tour, and the financial realities of returning to work.

Trailblazer Dave Bauman, Backstage Network CEO, saw value in the Internet during its infancy, working to create anet.com in 1994, supporting hundreds of thousands of residential and business users. Dave also delivered managed I.T. infrastructure services and internet for premium Midwest entertainment venues such as the United Center, Allstate Arena, U.S. Cellular Field, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, and Charter One Pavilion before pioneering the Touring Mobile Office™ platform in 2006, now widely used in the touring industry. Dave's current venture, Backstage Networks, supports music festivals, concert tours, esports events, brand activations, corporate events, and more with high-quality reliable internet services. In our discussion with Dave we talk about the changes coming with 5G, how to make VR accessible to consumers, and ask him to forecast where the industry goes with COVID related technologies.

Ryan Mauer is the Vice President of Sales at Sound Productions - supplier of pro-audio, lighting and video products - operating out of Dallas, TX, and Madison, WI. Our first non-touring guest, Ryan is an example of the breadth of talent that the industry attracts, pivoting to supply road crews with equipment from manufacturers like Shure, Yamaha, JBL, and many others. In our discussion with Ryan, we cover the current buyer trends in the market as it stands today, the interpersonal relationships and support that define his work, and why it's important to keep concerts techs supplied with the right gear.

Marcus Muzea began his career as a local technician for a club in Rotterdam in the late 70s. By 1984, Marcus was a lighting designer, working on commercials and sets for companies and artists like Pepsi, David Bowie, Tina Turner, and Golden Earring. In 1995, Marcus started Rotterdam Rigging, and to date has 20 climbing riggers working in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, and the UK. His resumé would continue to lengthen, as his company took on roles at both the Sochi and Rio Olympics. His most recent endeavor, All 4 Events & Entertainment, provides production services for large scale corporate and sporting events. In our episode with Marcus we discuss the trials and triumphs of operating a business internationally, how a global perspective has made his business better, and the critical functions that safety standards play from location to location.

Charm La'Donna went on her first tour with Madonna at 17 before attending UCLA to study World Arts and Culture. She put herself through college as the protégé of renowned choreographer Fatima Robinson and has since become one of the most adored and in-demand multi-hyphenates in entertainment. She was the sole female performer while on Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. tour and choreographed the rapper's acclaimed 2018 Grammy performance. Charm has also worked with Selena Gomez, Meghan Trainor, Britney Spears, Pharrell, Jay Rock, Anderson .Paak and Ella Mai, and is credited with choreographing Dua Lipa's MTV EMA performance, the Weeknd's performance at the Oscars, 6lack's inventive Coachella set, and international pop star Rosalía's all-Spanish tour. A true polymath, Charm recently released her debut single, "So & So," and will be seen in the upcoming Blumhouse film "Run Sweetheart Run," to be released on Amazon Prime Video. In our episode today we discuss Charm's incredible life journey, her new single, how she stays humble, and more.

RAab Stevenson is rarely in the spotlight, but he's the man who makes sure the artist's voice is at its best on stage. RAab's first big break in the industry came in 2002, when he earned a roll as a background vocalist to Justin Timberlake. Soon after touring as background vocals, RAab would become one of the most sought after vocal coaches in the industry, with a client list that includes Dave Matthews, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, and countless others. As a vocal coach, RAab's approach sees him treating his clients as athletes and he trains them accordingly. In our discussion with RAab we cover the role a vocal coach plays in long-term artist success, the proactive and reactive nature of his work, and the road that led him to this calling.

Krysten Dean took an unconventional path to the world of touring and audio. A mechanical engineer by trade, Krysten started in the automotive world before leaving corporate America to become an audio engineer. Krysten joined 8th Day Sound and has become one of the most sought after system engineers in the business. Recently Krysten started an organization called KMissionD (ka-miss-ion-ed) to encourage more women and minorities to pursue STEM. Our discussion today covers her transition to the industry, the technical aspects of filling a room with sound, the co-pilot relationship with front of house, and her efforts to build a career pipeline to the industry.

With experience as a singer-songwriter, publisher, tour manager, and VIP coordinator, Ashley Lomax has held a number of roles in the entertainment industry, and she keeps getting pulled back in. Beginning her touring work with VIP Nation, Ashley has since worked with artists like Janet Jackson, Slipknot, Kanye West, Chris Brown, and Stone Sour, among others. Her most recent endeavor includes a role as a tour manager for Dominic Fike on his domestic and international tour. Despite her busy road life, she continues to create, with the “The Ashley Alexander Show” on Soundcloud, and the “The Ashley Alexander Channel” on Youtube, where she has been interviewing artists and touring personnel. In our discussion with with Ashley we cover her path to the music industry, how BIG 3 compares to the music world, and ways to stay sane through coronacation.

A music industry veteran, Tom Bugg got his start in 1979 working on a Kenny Rogers tour. In the late 80s, Tom would join up with AC Entertainment, which would determine his place in the industry for the next decade. As a member of a small team, Tom had his hands in everything, making him the perfect choice to take over two of Knoxville's premiere venues, The Tennessee Theatre and The Bijou Theatre. In our discussion with Tom we talk about the next steps that venues will need to take to prepare for future shows, what it's like to run a venue, and the experiences that defined his place in the industry.