This week, Derek and Mikey break down one of the most important parts of venue life: the bad nights. From promoter misfires and accountability issues to bands melting down on stage, they dig into what really causes a show to flop and how all sides can avoid disaster. Derek shares behind-the-scenes stories about tough nights, surprise sellouts, national acts coming through, and the mindset it takes to make every show work. They also talk upcoming events, blood drives, holiday plans, and the future direction of The Boardwalk.

Book your show or learn more at RockTheBoardwalk.com
Follow The Boardwalk on social for updates, announcements, and new episodes.

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Derek and Mikey break down what really sets The Boardwalk apart for local bands — from how to get booked to what artists actually receive when they play here. They walk through everything from building a proper EPK and using social media wisely to the marketing support, professional sound, and full multi-camera recording setup that make The Boardwalk a rare kind of venue.

If you’re a local musician looking to step up your game or finally land that Boardwalk show, this episode covers exactly what you need to know.

Want to play The Boardwalk? Start here. Subscribe to Between Two Palms on Spotify, Apple, or anywhere you get podcasts to learn how to get booked, grow your band, and make the most of every show on The Boardwalk stage.

🎸 Learn more or book your band now at rocktheboardwalk.com

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Live from The Boardwalk Stage — Derek and Mikey pull back the curtain on what it really takes to run an independent music venue. From financial risks and booking headaches to artist expectations and passion-driven purpose, this episode dives deep into what keeps the lights on and the amps loud at one of Sacramento’s most iconic stages.

Derek opens up about the realities of concert economics, why The Boardwalk markets harder than anyone, the importance of artist partnerships, and how they're building a non-profit mindset into everything they do. Expect honesty, humor, a few F-bombs, and some serious love for the local scene.

🎧 Presented by The Boardwalk — Sacramento’s home for live music, community, and culture.
📍 Learn more or book your band: rocktheboardwalk.com

🎸 Want to play The Boardwalk?👉 Email [email protected] or [email protected]📞 Or come see a show, meet the team, and make it happen in person.🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube and follow @RockTheBoardwalk for more Behind-the-Scenes stories.

Live from The Boardwalk Stage, Derek Clark and Mikey Muscatello sit between two palms and dive deep into what it really takes to run a legendary local venue. Derek opens up about battling COVID, his incredible staff who kept the ship afloat, and how passion—not profit—keeps The Boardwalk alive.

They get brutally honest about ticket fatigue, lazy marketing, and the harsh economics of live music—breaking down how venues actually make money, how artists dilute their demand, and why grassroots hustle still beats social media algorithms.

It’s raw, real, and a must-listen for anyone who loves the Sacramento music scene, runs a venue, or plays in a band that wants to get booked.

🎤 Featuring: Derek Clark (Owner, The Boardwalk) & Mikey Muscatello (Muscatello Media / NOT That Damn Show / Mikey In The Pit)

📍 Recorded Live: The Boardwalk Stage, Orangevale, CA

🎸 Subscribe to Between 2 Palms wherever you listen.
🎟️ RockTheBoardwalk.com for upcoming shows, tickets, and band bookings.
🎧 Produced by Muscatello Media — Sacramento’s home for podcasts, live events, and production.

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Live from The Boardwalk Stage! Derek and Mikey dive deep into the state of live music.
This week, Derek admits something you rarely hear from a venue owner: “I was wrong.”

From rising costs and ticket scams to corporate monopolies squeezing out small venues, this episode pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening in the independent concert world. Derek shares eye-opening stats from the National Independent Venue Association, explains how predatory resale practices are crushing stages nationwide, and reveals how The Boardwalk plans to fight back by putting local music first.

The guys talk Aftershock’s $30M impact on Sacramento, the economics behind bar and ticket margins, and what happens if small venues disappear. Spoiler: no stages, no new bands.

The Boardwalk is doubling down on community, charity, and local talent and this episode is your insider look at how.

Support local music.
Come out, buy a ticket, grab a drink, and be part of the movement to keep live music alive in Sacramento. Every show helps The Boardwalk give back to the community.

🎟 Submit your band: rocktheboardwalk.com
📧 Booking: [email protected]

Follow Between Two Palms wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode to help spread the word: independent venues matter.

A local band blasted The Boardwalk online for “not paying,” but the truth wasn’t what they thought. In this episode of Between Two Palms, Derek and Mikey lay out exactly what went down, why promoters and communication matter, and why posting your frustrations on social media only hurts your band.

We dig into how ticket sales really work, the difference between pay-to-play and partnerships, and how legendary LA spots like Whisky a Go Go, the Viper Room, and the Troubadour handle their booking. If you’re in a band trying to book shows, build a following, or just understand why venues ask you to sell tickets, this one’s a must-listen.

👉 Follow @RockTheBoardwalk
👉 Bands: want to play The Boardwalk? Apply at rocktheboardwalk.com.

#BetweenTwoPalms #BoardwalkStage #LiveMusicBusiness #PayToPlay #BandLife #SacramentoMusic #WhiskyAGoGo #ViperRoom #Troubadour

This audio-only episode of Between Two Palms with Derek & Mikey dives into what really sets The Boardwalk apart in Sacramento’s music scene. It’s not just a stage—it’s food, service, seating, and a vibe you don’t get anywhere else. Derek and Mikey talk about why rock and metal thrive here, how the venue fights the “old dive bar” stigma, and the vision to make every night feel like more than just a show.

They also break down the return of Some Fear None, upcoming sets from Pablo Cruise and Red Voodoo, and why The Boardwalk is quickly becoming the place for live music in Sacramento.

👉 Don’t just listen, be there. Get your tickets now at rocktheboardwalk.com.

🎸 Booking
Bands: want to get on stage at The Boardwalk? Email [email protected].

In this raw and real episode of Between Two Palms, Derek and Mikey dive deep into what it really takes to run and rebuild a legendary venue like The Boardwalk. From post-COVID struggles and the chokehold of Live Nation, to online trolls, bad Yelp reviews, and the constant grind of staying independent, nothing’s off the table.

They set the record straight on everything from “there’s no AC” complaints to why karaoke costs money, explain how much cash (and sweat) has been poured into making the place better, and remind the community why supporting local stages is the only way live music survives.

Oh, and yes, the bathrooms really are clean now.

Episode Highlights

• Why Live Nation wants your venue’s soul (and only gives you bones).
• The real story behind “hot as hell” complaints and $10 karaoke.
• $400K later: what it took to rebuild a legendary venue.
• The charity math nobody sees: $90K already donated, $5K/week is the goal.
• What’s coming next: comedy, showcases, blood drives, and big shows.

This is more than a podcast episode, it’s the truth about what it takes to keep local music alive.

🎶 Support live music and local venues: Rocktheboardwalk.com
📲 Follow Mikey on socials: @i_am_mikey | @notthatdamnshow
💡 Subscribe to Between Two Palms for more conversations about music, venues, and the community that makes it all possible.

#BetweenTwoPalms #TheBoardwalk #SupportLocalMusic #SacramentoMusic #LiveMusicMatters

In this episode of Between 2 Palms, Derek Clark sits down with producer and host Mikey Muscatello to uncover decades of stories behind The Boardwalk. From its origins as a country-western bar to becoming the hard rock hub of Northern California.

Highlights include:

• How The Boardwalk went from “Williams Place” in 1955 to today’s multi-genre performance venue.
• Legendary acts that cut their teeth here — Green Day, Paramore, Cake, Tesla, Deftones, and more.
• Derek’s mission to keep the venue alive while giving back over $90,000 to local charities.
• The uphill battle of booking bands in the Live Nation era.
• Future plans for comedy nights, tribute shows, and major charity events.

The conversation is equal parts music nostalgia, business insight, and heartfelt commitment to keeping local stages alive.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Intro & history of the property before it was The Boardwalk
• 5:33 – Bootleg booze, horses, and the early saloon days
• 9:53 – The Aquarius Club, Cowtown Saloon, and other past lives
• 12:02 – Big names that played The Boardwalk before they blew up
• 16:36 – Fighting to keep small venues alive
• 20:56 – Saving The Boardwalk after Mark’s passing
• 27:03 – Why giving back is part of the mission
• 31:07 – Diversifying into comedy, tribute bands & more
• 34:18 – The nostalgia factor: bringing back ’80s, ’90s & local favorites
• 42:10 – The case for secret shows & grassroots marketing
• 53:23 – Why The Boardwalk matters to the community
• 56:53 – What’s next for the venue

🎶 Love live music? Subscribe to Between 2 Palms and follow The Boardwalk for upcoming shows, interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories.
📍 Visit rocktheboardwalk.com for tickets & events.
💖 Support our mission — come to a show, bring a friend, and keep Sacramento’s music scene alive.

Welcome to the very first episode of Live from the Boardwalk Stage: Between Two Palms with Derek Clark, a backstage pass to one of Sacramento’s most iconic music venues. In this premiere, Derek opens up about why he bought The Boardwalk, the power of live music, and the mission that drives it all.

You’ll hear the venue’s history (8,500+ shows and counting), how The Boardwalk gives back through the Aloha Initiative, and what it really takes to run an independent venue post-COVID.

Plus: an exclusive interview with Natalie Moore of CASA El Dorado, spotlighting the Hula for Hope fundraiser happening August 10th at The Boardwalk.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the scene, this is your all-access look at the heart, hustle, and aloha behind the music.

🎟️ Tickets + Events: rocktheboardwalk.com
📲 Follow: @rocktheboardwalk
📬 Contact: [email protected]