You Had to Be There: New Orleans, Jazz Fest, and a Few Stories Too Good to Forget. Greg kicks off this bonus episode with a disclaimer about memory, then uses it to launch into a story-rich ride through New Orleans, Jazz Fest, and the musicians and moments that shaped his experiences there. It is part travelogue, part music memoir, and part backstage confession, with stories tied to George Porter Jr., Jimmy Buffett, Aaron Neville, Daniel Lanois, and more.In this episode:

• Greg frames the series as a personal, audio-only bonus to Roadies and Rebels, inspired by his book Just One Hundred Questions
• He explains the new theme music for these bonus episodes, including a tribute to the late Rick Elias
• He shares how first visiting New Orleans in 1985 hooked him on the city through food, music, and atmosphere
• He describes the scale and sound of Jazz Fest, from zydeco and brass band to gospel, rhythm and blues, and more
• He names key Louisiana artists he fell in love with, including Zachary Richard, Wayne Toups, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and the Neville Brothers
• He tells a family story about taking his daughter to see Aaron Neville and her shocked reaction to meeting him backstage
• He recalls how New Orleans music seems to take over your body, even if you are not a dancer
• He reflects on his many messy, unforgettable nights in the city and gives credit to friends who helped make them happen
• He shares the story of first hearing George Porter Jr. in Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band and being stunned by that swampy, funky bass sound
• He recounts an all-night hang at Tipitina’s involving Jimmy Buffett, Ed Bradley, and a very bad bodyguard plan
• He describes an evening at Daniel Lanois’s studio listening to unreleased music and fighting the giggles over a family story about an upside-down American flag

Timestamps:00:00 — Opening disclaimer and the “unreliable narrator” setup
00:30 — From Just One Hundred Questions to the Roadies and Rebels bonus series
01:28 — Theme music for the bonus episodes and a tribute to Rick Elias
01:58 — First trip to New Orleans and the food that made it unforgettable
02:27 — Jazz Fest and the global mix of sounds in one place
02:56 — The Louisiana artists and bands Greg kept returning to
03:25 — Taking his daughter to see Aaron Neville and her backstage reaction
04:23 — Why New Orleans music makes even non-dancers move
04:53 — Losing his mind in New Orleans and why he keeps going back
05:22 — The friends who made the adventures possible
05:51 — Meeting George Porter Jr. and hearing his bass rig in person
07:08 — “How a beach became a swamp” and the sound that stuck forever
07:35 — A drunken Tipitina’s night with Jimmy Buffett and Ed Bradley
08:09 — Hanging at Daniel Lanois’s studio and hearing unreleased music
08:37 — The upside-down flag story that broke the tension
09:08 — Closing thoughts, New Orleans advice, and the urn joke
09:37 — Where to find more from the show and the book

Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

Steve McGuire has spent a lifetime making big rock shows sound massive, from David Lee Roth and The Cult to Bowie tributes, but the real story is how a shy Detroit kid became the kind of front-of-house engineer artists trust with the whole room. This conversation goes way beyond gear and gets into the grit, obsession, and hard-won perspective behind a career built on music, timing, and survival. Greg and Steve trace the path from Detroit basements to New York clubs to the biggest stages in the world, where Steve learned to hear music like a mixer and think like a musician. Along the way, he shares the unlikely origin story of his sound obsession, the homemade tricks he used to create reverb and stereo width before he even knew the names for them, and the early punk-era chaos that helped shape his approach. You'll hear about: The Detroit roots that turned a shy kid into a bass player and eventually a world-class live engineer The Traitors era, including the wild local-TV takeover that helped create a scene What it takes to mix legacy acts like The Cult and David Lee Roth in front of massive backline and huge expectations Why Steve approaches front of house like making a record, not just turning things up. The brutal honesty of sobriety, relapse, rebuilding, and what it really takes to stay in the business Steve also opens up about the people who changed everything for him, from mentors such as Don Was, who gave him a shot to his father, whose pride meant more than any headline gig. And in a music industry full of noise, cynicism, and ego, he makes a clear case for why the best engineers are still the ones who serve the song without losing their own voice. If you care about live sound, tour life, Detroit rock history, or the human story behind a career that refused to quit, this one delivers. Essential listening for engineers, musicians, road crew lifers, and anyone who loves hearing how the real work gets done.

Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

Discover the journey of Russ Long, a versatile sound professional whose career spans studio engineering, live sound, and his impactful work with Yamaha Pro Audio. This episode dives into lessons learned, industry insights, and personal stories that highlight the importance of adaptability, business skills, and passion in a dynamic industry. #yamahaproaudio #Rivage #sixpencenonethericher #Rickelias #nashvillemusic #riversidefm #amygrant #vincegill #thesphere

Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

Courtney Gladney shares his journey from church volunteer to touring sound engineer for major R&B acts including behind-the-scenes of the Queen's Tour, stage rotation technology, and arena setup. Hear Courtney and host Greg McVeigh discuss the influence of gospel music on R&B and soul. The impact of specific microphones and equipment choices on live sound as well as the evolution of audio technology, including digital consoles like the #wavesaudio LV1 and #digico. Courtney discusses the reason for choosing certain microphones. Finally, the relationship between character, talent, and longevity in the music industry and Courtney's efforts to inspire the next generation through college advising and mentorship. 

Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

By his estimate Buford Jones has mixed 32 Platinum recording acts in concert during his storied career. Join us as he takes a deep dive into his early days as well as a look at a secret or two in his technique for getting great sound. Did you know that he worked with Eric Clapton on the first MTV Unplugged show?

Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

Tour veteran Jim Runge and his wife Stacy join host Greg McVeigh for a revealing conversation about the couples journey. From touring with top bands and artists worldwide to having to stop due to Jim's Parkinson's diagnosis, their story is poignent and compelling.

Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

Long-time pro audio veteran, Bob Workman, currently works at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry where he oversees many aspects of that venerable buildings productions. He's also toured extensiviley with the late Charlie Daniels and Billy Ray Cyrus.

Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

Guitarist Jackson Smith plays bingo halls one day and major music festivals with his mom, Patti Smith, the next. He's recorded with Steve Earle, Lisa Marie Presley and many others. 

Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

Veteran sound mixer Erik Rogers talks about his work with John Fogerty as well as mixing the Black Crowes. We get into a discussion about new gear and wind up with a very touching story from Erik.

Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.

Bob Liberman, AKA "Lipbalm" gives a touching and hilarious account of his days as Tour Manager for Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band.

Many of the guests on this podcast are featured in my "Just 100* Questions" book. For purchasing please visit Guesthouse Projects. Also available on Amazon.