The First Act Podcast

Today, I sit with David Winther. David is a music entrepreneur with so much experience forging strategic partnerships and putting together huge live experiential events across the globe. Before launching his boutique creative agency, David spent the greater half of a decade working as a talent agent at UTA. Together, we walk through the interview process and what it’s like starting out in the mailroom at WME. This is real, actionable industry advice that you won’t find anywhere else!

Today, I sit with touring industry entrepreneur, Paul Bradley. Paul is the founder of Eventric and creator of the notorious software, MasterTour. If you have entrepreneurial spirit, and strive to make a different in your industry, this episode is definitely one to check out. Paul walks us through his story of being a drummer in a touring band to building the leading touring software used by thousands of artists. This is an episode you don’t wanna miss!

We have playback engineer, Paul Relli Barber. Relli walks us through his career from getting a taste of fame when his band got signed, to producing records in DC and Nashville, to working as a playback engineer for some of the largest concerts.  Relli has worked with One Republic, Miguel, Thomas Rhett, and many more incredible artists who write and sing your favourite songs.  Today, Relli teaches me what a playback engineer does and his philosophy on breaking into today's entertainment biz.

Today, we have tour merchandising expert, Angel Juarbe. Angel walks us through his career growing up in the projects of South Bronx to landing his very first internship in music distribution. Angel’s career has had so many incredible twists and turns from discovering and signing Taking Back Sunday, to developing an entire career on the road working with countless celebrities including Shawn Mendes, Pearl Jam, and even Michelle Obama! This episode is for everyone out there who wants to develop valuable contacts in music, making a comfortable living, and travel the world.

Today, we have gaming and live stream pioneer Jimmy Whisenhunt. Jimmy walks us through his career as a competitive gamer, to becoming a commentator for ESEA, to consulting for gaming companies, and forging music and business development partnerships at Twitch for the past 6 years. If you are a gamer, an indie artist, or someone who aspires to a career in entertainment, this is one episode... you don’t want to miss!

Phil Ranta, an executive and futurist in the online media and gaming industry. As a pioneer in this field, he has worked with numerous companies, 2 of which were acquired in the past 6 years! He has worked at Facebook, and as a comedian for a cruise line. What he’s working on now will be a major part of the future of social networking and gaming. This one... you don’t want to miss!

Today, we are expanding our knowledge and will learn what it’s like to break in and build a sustainable career behind the scenes of concerts. We have veteran production manager, Zito here today to talk to us about his path working with Ariana Grande, One Republic, and the Backstreet Boys among many others!

Today, we are expanding our knowledge and will learn what it’s like to break in and build a sustainable career in the drag industry. We have Javier Simons, a talent agent for the Benedetti Group here today to talk to us about his path working with premiere Drag talent including Erica Andrews, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Honey Davenport, and many others!

Josh Helfgott started his career working at NBC, pivoted into technology, and set off on a new journey of creating content. In only a few short months, he discovered his niche and grew to 1M+ followers on TikTok. He shares strategies for all the aspiring content creators out there.

Erin has held numerous roles as a marketing director for both club and arena sized venues. She has personally hired dozens of interns throughout her career and is here today to share her unique path and super hacks for anyone looking to land an internship or entry-level work in entertainment.