Solo Musician Podcast

Our very first guest, Mr. Kevin Nelson, is BACK to talk about all things audio. From running open mic sound, to how to properly structure your gain for a stable base to your mix, Kevin is a wealth of knowledge. We chat about solo music saturation, compensation for musicians, and his experience as an entertainment manager & radio D.J.

Feel like you'd be a great guest?

Dave's back for another chat about the Dueling guitars format with none other than the Feather to his Whisker, the Lennon to his McCartney, and the Jackson to his Browne, Colin Alvarez. The two chat about the amazeballs that is Dueling Guitars. They also take some time to drop some thoughts on the REAL way to get more gigs and be a more successful performer. Check it out!!

Dueling guitars is the best idea ever. I also chat a bit about being canceled for stupid reasons, helping musicians get paid, and more.

After a few month hiatus, Host Dave Gates is back to talk about where he's been, what he's learned, and the key to getting out of your own head.

There's also some gear talk about halfway through, so if you're into simplifying or upgrading your solo gigging gear, that parts for you.

Submit topics and guest suggestions to [email protected]

Ramblings about being background noise, a puppet, a jester, and a real ass person. Further ramblings include open mics, band gigs, and YouTube.

Guest: Liam GalianoHost: Dave Gates

In this week’s episode of the Solo Musician Podcast, Dave sits down with the multi-talented Liam Galiano — a passionate musician, dedicated music teacher, original artist, and a strong advocate for open mic culture.

Liam shares insights into his many musical projects, the importance of nurturing local music communities, and why he believes open mics are essential for artist development. They dive into his love for coffee, the inspiration he finds in nature, and of course, a whole lot of music talk — from teaching philosophies and gig advice to creative processes.

Whether you're a fellow musician, a music educator, or just love hearing about grassroots music culture, this episode is packed with stories and ideas to inspire.

🔗 Check out Liam's work:

🌐 Website: allgroovemusic.com

🎧 Spotify: Liam Galiano on Spotify

🎙 Solo Musician Podcast - "The Pre-Show Pow-Wow"

Host: Dave Gates

Guests: RJ Conrad & Colin Alvarez

In this lively episode of the Solo Musician Podcast, host Dave Gates sits down with fellow performers RJ Conrad and Colin Alvarez to talk all things music—and a whole lot more. With Dave & Colin's upcoming gig at West Shore Theater opening for RJ's band Rascal Revival on May 16, 2025 just around the corner, the trio dives into what fans can expect from their performances and how they're prepping for it.

But it doesn't stop there. The conversation takes plenty of hilarious and honest turns as they discuss:

🎶 The pros and cons of using tablets for lyrics and chords

🚪 The fine art of the Irish exit

😬 How (and if) you should tell your musician friends they suck

🎤 Venue nightmares and booking headaches

...and plenty of other musician-life gems.

Whether you're a seasoned solo artist or just music-curious, this episode delivers real talk, laughs, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t want to miss.

After a 21 day absence, Dave is back to rant about his mom's surgery, gigs and venues, Open Mics & EV SPEAKERS. Stick around for a sneak peek at an up & coming artist from here in Central PA, Levi Sterner.

Shout-out to listener Laura for this week’s topic!

When booking a gig, both musicians and venues come to the table with a set of expectations—but do those expectations always align? In this episode of The Solo Musician Podcast, we dive into the crucial conversation of what artists expect from venues and what venues expect in return.

From fair compensation and professional treatment to promotion efforts and audience engagement, we break down the key points that both sides need to understand for a successful partnership.

We’ll cover:

✅ Why venues should promote performances as much as musicians do

✅ The importance of clear communication and mutual professionalism

✅ What makes a gig financially viable for both the artist and the venue

✅ How musicians can draw and retain audiences to keep venues thriving

Whether you're a seasoned performer or just stepping into the live music scene, this episode will help you navigate the gigging world with confidence and clarity.

Tune in now, and let’s bridge the gap between venues and musicians—one gig at a time! 🎵✨

Hook & Flask Still Works in Carlisle, PA is closing. Whether you've never been there, or you're a regular attendee of their various nights of musical entertainment, in this episode I try to explain why Hook & Flask was such an anomaly. It was a white buffalo, or a red wolf. It was the kind of place where you felt like family from the second you stepped through the doors.

For many musicians, myself included, it was home. It was the date on the calendar that you looked forward to most. It was the show that would make your heart beat a little faster because you knew it was going to be incredible. Every. Single. Time.

It was a place for us to commune with each other, a place for good times and great friends, a place to escape the daunting world outside its roller door.

After I make my final plea for your attendance at my upcoming Hook & Flask show, I dive into some listener submitted topics and questions to round out the episode.

Thank you for being here, and I hope to see you at Hook & Flask on 3/22 7-10pm.