Tribute Band Sessions

Tribute Band Sessions

Download on the App Store

Tribute Band Sessions episodes

  • Want the BIG Gig? Matt Star Drummer, Producer, Singer, Business Coach Reveals What REALLY Gets You Hired! Ep # 57

    What does it REALLY take to land a major gig in the music business—and why doesn't being the best musician always get you hired? In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, host Mike Gendler sits down with drummer, singer, songwriter, producer and music career coach Matt Starr, whose career includes performing with Ace Frehley, Mr. Big and Raiding the Rock Vault, along with working alongside some of rock's biggest names. Matt shares how discovering KISS as an eight-year-old changed his life, what he learned studying legendary performers from the front row, and how he went from playing small clubs to performing with musicians he idolized growing up. But this conversation goes far beyond rock-star stories! Matt reveals the unwritten rules of being a professional sideman, why networking can matter more than raw talent, how musicians should establish their rates, and what bandleaders REALLY look for when hiring. He also discusses the importance of professionalism, building multiple income streams, coaching musicians, the growing tribute-band industry, and why today's audiences expect more than musicians simply standing onstage playing songs. From hilarious behind-the-scenes stories involving Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley to performing at Japan's legendary Budokan and stepping into the frontman role with The Knack, this interview is packed with career lessons for working musicians and backstage stories for rock fans. If you've ever dreamed of getting that big gig, this episode is your music business masterclass!


    Click here Check Out Matt Starr

    https://www.mattstarrcoaching.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/MattStarrMusic/

    https://www.instagram.com/mattstarrmusic/


    Find Tribute Band Sessions Here ;

    https://www.youtube.com/@TributeBandSessions

    Website⁠⁠⁠tributebandsessions.com⁠⁠⁠

    Spotify⁠⁠⁠open.spotify.com/show/6uWts5wBIgoZmB3wmL3tsq⁠⁠⁠

    Apple Music⁠⁠⁠podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tribute-band-sessions/id1843760366⁠⁠⁠

    Facebook⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠⁠

    TikTok⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@tributebandsessions⁠⁠⁠

    X⁠⁠⁠x.com/TributeBandsPod

    #MattStarr #AceFrehley #MrBig #MusicBusiness #TributeBandSessions

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 1 min
  • Brit Floyd’s Ian Cattell Reveals the Crazy Audition Ep; 56

    In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike sits down with Ian Cattell, bassist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist for Brit Floyd, to trace his remarkable journey from growing up in a musical household and discovering Pink Floyd through The Wall to touring in a box truck, playing shows for gas money and eventually receiving the email that led to an audition with the Australian Pink Floyd Show at the Royal Albert Hall. Ian reveals how that experience ultimately led to the formation of Brit Floyd, explains the musical challenge of playing intricate bass parts while singing Roger Waters and David Gilmour material, and takes us behind the scenes of the massive production involving lights, lasers, video, crew, management and international touring. He also shares advice for tribute bands, discusses why vocals and identity matter so much, and recounts stories involving musicians connected to Pink Floyd, including Guy Pratt, Scott Page, Durga McBroom, Machan Taylor and David Gilmour. 

    Find Ian Cattell Here ; https://britfloyd.com/artist/ian-cattell/

    Find Tribute Band Sessions Here ;

    https://www.youtube.com/@TributeBandSessions

    Website⁠⁠tributebandsessions.com⁠⁠

    Spotify⁠⁠open.spotify.com/show/6uWts5wBIgoZmB3wmL3tsq⁠⁠

    Apple Music⁠⁠podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tribute-band-sessions/id1843760366⁠⁠

    Facebook⁠⁠facebook.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠instagram.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠

    TikTok⁠⁠tiktok.com/@tributebandsessions⁠⁠

    X⁠⁠x.com/TributeBandsPod

    00:00 – Introduction
    03:16 – Meet Ian Cattell of Brit Floyd
    04:24 – Growing Up in a Musical Family
    06:23 – Becoming a Multi-Instrumentalist
    07:57 – Discovering the Bass in College
    09:12 – Genesis, Peter Gabriel & Progressive Rock
    09:59 – Why Pink Floyd Is Different
    11:27 – Trying to Make Music a Full-Time Career
    12:52 – Touring America in a Box Truck
    14:33 – The Teacher Who Tried to Discourage Him
    16:52 – The Wall Becomes His Pink Floyd Gateway
    18:41 – The Hardest Pink Floyd Songs Ian Performs
    21:13 – Why Pink Floyd Reaches New Generations
    23:37 – Playing 100 Shows a Year in the ’90s
    24:27 – Hanging the Lights AND Performing the Show
    26:27 – Leaving the Road and Working for Apple
    26:48 – The Email That Changed Everything
    29:44 – Australian Pink Floyd Comes Calling
    30:59 – The Royal Albert Hall Audition Story
    34:55 – How the North American Lineup Became Brit Floyd
    37:34 – Starting Over With a Brand-New Name
    40:04 – Why Management Is Essential
    41:02 – The Massive Team Behind a Brit Floyd Concert
    44:02 – What Breaks First on Tour: Body, Voice or Mind?
    45:32 – Plans for Japan, Asia and International Touring
    50:30 – How a New Brit Floyd Show Is Created
    52:16 – Building the Perfect Setlist and Visual Production
    57:45 – Ian’s Advice for New Tribute Bands
    58:15 – Why Every Tribute Band Needs an Identity
    59:20 – Why the Vocals Matter So Much
    1:02:07 – Eddie Trunk and the Changing View of Tribute Bands
    1:06:20 – Has Ian Met the Members of Pink Floyd?
    1:07:19 – Pink Floyd Musicians Who Have Performed With Them
    1:09:37 – Closing and Where to Find Brit Floyd

    #BritFloyd #PinkFloyd #IanCattell #TributeBandSessions #PinkFloydTribute


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 14 min
  • Jessie’s Girl Tribute With Drummer Michael Maenza—From Hair Metal to Pop, New Wave & Everything Between

    How do you build a tribute show when you're not recreating ONE legendary artist…

    …but an ENTIRE DECADE?

    On this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike sits down with drummer Michael Maenza of Jessie’s Girl and the Back to the Eighties Show for a look behind one of the most ambitious concepts in the tribute world.

    Think about the challenge.

    The ’80s didn't have one sound.

    You had massive arena rock, hair metal, new wave, synth-pop, dance music, punk influences, power ballads and some of the biggest pop stars in music history—all competing for space on the radio and MTV.

    Jessie’s Girl has to bring ALL of it together in one live show.

    Michael takes us behind the drums and inside the world of a production designed to make audiences feel like they've stepped straight back into the decade of big hair, bigger hooks and MTV at its absolute peak.

    And this isn't simply a cover band playing an ’80s playlist.

    Jessie’s Girl has built a full Back to the Eighties experience around veteran New York musicians, multiple vocalists, costumes, personalities and the songs that defined a generation.

    Along the way, members of the production have even shared the stage with ACTUAL ’80s stars—artists including Bret Michaels, MC Hammer, Colin Hay of Men at Work, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Taylor Dayne, Mike Score of A Flock of Seagulls, Tone Loc, Rob Base and more.

    We get into what it's like for a drummer to constantly shift styles, sounds and grooves while keeping an enormous live production moving.

    We also dive into the business behind a successful multi-artist tribute show, the incredible staying power of ’80s music, why audiences still want to experience this decade live and what separates a true theatrical tribute production from somebody simply playing nostalgic songs at a bar.

    And there's another fascinating question:

    What happens when the ORIGINAL artists actually join the tribute?

    For Jessie’s Girl, that isn't hypothetical.

    It's happened.

    Whether you lived through the ’80s, discovered the music decades later or just want to understand what goes into creating a successful large-scale tribute production, this episode pulls back the curtain on a completely different side of the tribute business.

    One drummer.

    Countless artists.

    Hundreds of iconic songs.

    And one mission:

    Take the audience BACK TO THE ’80s.

    The official Jessie’s Girl materials describe a multi-vocalist production backed by veteran NYC musicians, including Maenza, and document appearances with numerous original ’80s performers.

    Links to Michael Maenza

    https://michaelmaenza.wixsite.com/drums

    https://www.jessiesgirlnyc.com/

    Find Tribute Band Sessions Here ;

    https://www.youtube.com/@TributeBandSessions

    Website⁠⁠tributebandsessions.com⁠⁠

    Spotify⁠⁠open.spotify.com/show/6uWts5wBIgoZmB3wmL3tsq⁠⁠

    Apple Music⁠⁠podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tribute-band-sessions/id1843760366⁠⁠

    Facebook⁠⁠facebook.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠instagram.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠

    TikTok⁠⁠tiktok.com/@tributebandsessions⁠⁠

    X⁠⁠x.com/TributeBandsPod


    #TributeBandSessions #JessiesGirl #80sMusic #TributeBands #BackToThe80s
    00:00 Introduction — Michael Maenza of Jessie’s Girl
    01:42 Growing Up With Music and Becoming a Drummer
    05:18 Early Bands and Breaking Into the New York Music Scene
    09:06 Becoming a Full-Time Professional Musician
    12:47 How Jessie’s Girl First Came Together
    16:32 Choosing the Ultimate 1980s Tribute Experience
    20:08 Building a Show Around an Entire Decade
    23:51 Recreating the Sound, Energy and Style of the ’80s
    27:26 Finding the Right Singers and Musicians
    31:10 Why Band Chemistry Matters
    34:42 Creating the Perfect ’80s Setlist
    38:15 Balancing Huge Hits With Unexpected Songs
    41:37 Performing With Original ’80s Music Stars
    45:18 Working With Tiffany, Taylor Dayne and Other Icons
    48:46 Playing Major Venues and High-Profile Events
    52:05 The Business Behind a Successful Tribute Band
    55:16 Marketing the Show and Selling Tickets
    57:42 Advice for New Tribute Bands
    59:12 What’s Next for Michael Maenza and Jessie’s Girl
    #TributeBandSessions #JessiesGirl #80sMusic #TributeBands #BackToThe80s

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 4 min
  • He Looked Like Jon Bon Jovi BEFORE He Became a Tribute Singer! Ep; 54

    What does it really take to recreate Bon Jovi in their 1980s arena-rock prime? On this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike Gendler sits down with Mike Parkes, founder and frontman of Slippery When Wet New Jersey, a Bon Jovi tribute band that has spent more than 20 years recreating the look, sound, energy and live experience of classic Bon Jovi. Mike shares his journey from playing bass in original bands and chasing record deals to becoming a lead singer and launching the tribute in 2001 following Bon Jovi’s resurgence with “It’s My Life.” He explains the incredible attention to detail required to capture Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and the band at their ’80s peak, including custom stage clothing, note-for-note guitar parts, vocal harmonies, original album arrangements and performing demanding songs like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “In These Arms” in their recorded keys. Mike also discusses vocal training, protecting his voice, building the perfect Bon Jovi setlist, why too many deep cuts can lose an audience, performing the entire Slippery When Wet album, band chemistry, playing without backing tracks and why tribute musicians need to master the details of the original music. We also dive into the business of tribute bands, including why some tribute acts succeed while others fail, whether tribute bands compete with original artists, what audiences expect from an authentic tribute show and the work required to build a successful touring act. From Seaside Heights and the Meadowlands to performing at New Jersey’s legendary Stone Pony, Mike Parkes and Slippery When Wet New Jersey have made it their mission to transport audiences back to the glory days of Bon Jovi—not by reinventing the music, but by recreating the songs, harmonies, musicianship and arena-rock experience fans remember.

    Find Slippery When Wet New Jersey Here ;

    https://jovitribute.com/

    Find Tribute Band Sessions Here ;

    https://www.youtube.com/@TributeBandSessions

    Website⁠⁠tributebandsessions.com⁠⁠

    Spotify⁠⁠open.spotify.com/show/6uWts5wBIgoZmB3wmL3tsq⁠⁠

    Apple Music⁠⁠podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tribute-band-sessions/id1843760366⁠⁠

    Facebook⁠⁠facebook.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠instagram.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠

    TikTok⁠⁠tiktok.com/@tributebandsessions⁠⁠

    X⁠⁠x.com/TributeBandsPod

    #BonJovi #JonBonJovi #SlipperyWhenWet #TributeBands #TributeBandSessions
    00:00 Introduction — Recreating 1980s Bon Jovi
    01:14 Growing Up in New Jersey and Resembling Jon Bon Jovi
    04:45 Playing Bass and Chasing a Record Deal
    08:20 Moving From Bass Player to Lead Singer
    12:05 The Changing Rock Scene of the Early 1990s
    15:52 How His Father Suggested a Bon Jovi Tribute
    18:05 Launching Slippery When Wet New Jersey in 2001
    21:15 Why the Band Focuses on Bon Jovi’s 1980s Prime
    24:38 Recreating the Look, Clothing and Stage Presence
    27:40 Capturing Richie Sambora’s Guitar Parts and Harmonies
    31:35 Learning Bon Jovi’s Music Note for Note
    34:28 Singing “Livin’ on a Prayer” in the Original Key
    37:15 Vocal Training and Protecting His Voice
    40:05 Preparing for a Show and Avoiding Vocal Damage
    43:32 Why Tribute Bands Are Not the “Easy Route”
    47:08 Do Tribute Bands Take Gigs From Original Artists?
    51:36 Why Some Tribute Bands Succeed and Others Fail
    54:28 Creating the Perfect Bon Jovi Setlist
    57:42 Why Too Many Deep Cuts Can Lose an Audience
    1:00:55 Performing the Entire Slippery When Wet Album
    1:03:48 Band Chemistry and Performing Without Backing Tracks
    1:07:20 Playing The Stone Pony and Other New Jersey Venues
    1:10:35 The Future of Slippery When Wet New Jersey
    1:13:02 Recreating the Bon Jovi Fans Remember

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 18 min
  • Soundgarden + Audioslave + Temple of the Dog… ONE Tribute Band?! Ep;52

    How do you build a tribute around one of the most powerful—and difficult to reproduce—voices in rock history?

    You find five musicians crazy enough to try.

    On this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike sits down with members of Superunknown: A Chris Cornell Tribute, a Philadelphia-area band taking on the music of not one, but THREE legendary catalogs: Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog.

    And they aren't taking the easy songs.

    Frontman Jason Reed talks about the challenge of performing Chris Cornell's incredible vocal parts night after night—including the songs that once genuinely scared him to attempt live.

    The band also reveals how Superunknown came together almost by accident. Jason originally launched the project in 2018 as a solo acoustic tribute following Cornell's passing. After crossing paths with members of the Foo Fighters tribute White Limo, drummer Ron DiSilvestro essentially made the decision for everybody:

    “We're his band now.”

    From there, things moved FAST.

    By only their THIRD SHOW, Superunknown was on a plane to Honduras performing for U.S. troops.

    That led to performances in Guantanamo Bay, Singapore and the Middle East—including some of the most intense audiences they've ever experienced.

    We also get into what makes Soundgarden's music so deceptively difficult: bizarre guitar tunings, unconventional drum parts, technically demanding arrangements and, of course, Cornell's seemingly impossible vocal range.

    The guys explain why they don't dress up and pretend to BE Soundgarden. Their mission is different: reproduce the MUSIC as faithfully and powerfully as possible.

    They also reveal how they build their setlists across three enormous catalogs, why Soundgarden remains the most requested material, the deep cuts hardcore fans constantly request, and the brutal reality of learning entire albums for their specialty anniversary shows.

    Then we go behind the curtain into the BUSINESS of running a successful tribute band: management, professional EPKs, social media, live video, touring logistics, repeat markets, band chemistry and why cutting corners gets you exactly the gigs you paid for.

    Their philosophy?

    Don't half-ass the presentation—because secondhand promotion gets you secondhand gigs.

    Superunknown is also helping push something much bigger: the arrival of 1990s alternative rock on a theater circuit traditionally dominated by classic-rock tributes.

    And they believe they're only getting started.

    From Philadelphia to Honduras, Gitmo, Singapore and the Middle East—and with bigger theaters and bucket-list venues in their sights—Superunknown is proving that the music of Chris Cornell still belongs exactly where it was meant to be heard:

    LOUD and LIVE.

    The band's military touring is one of the strongest stories in the episode. Jason is a Marine veteran, and they discuss performing in Honduras, Guantanamo Bay, Singapore and the Middle East.

    Find The Band Superunknown Here ; https://www.thesoundgardentribute.com/

    Find Tribute Band Sessions Here ;

    https://www.youtube.com/@TributeBandSessions

    Websitetributebandsessions.com

    Spotifyopen.spotify.com/show/6uWts5wBIgoZmB3wmL3tsq

    Apple Musicpodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tribute-band-sessions/id1843760366

    Facebookfacebook.com/tributebandsessionsInstagraminstagram.com/tributebandsessions

    TikToktiktok.com/@tributebandsessions

    Xx.com/TributeBandsPod


    00:00 Introduction
    03:26 Jason Reed’s Musical Background
    10:40 How Superunknown Began
    16:45 Taking on the Music of Chris Cornell
    21:20 Recreating Cornell’s Powerful Vocals
    27:27 Expanding from a Solo Act to a Full Band
    32:15 Building the Right Band Chemistry
    37:18 Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog
    40:38 Choosing Songs and Creating the Setlist
    46:05 Connecting with Chris Cornell’s Fans
    51:08 The Emotion and Responsibility Behind the Tribute
    57:25 Memorable Shows and Audience Reactions
    1:03:10 The Business Side of Running Superunknown
    1:08:35 What’s Next for the Band
    1:13:18 Final Thoughts and Closing


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 17 min
  • Rod Stewart Knows About Him… And His Former Bandmates Played WITH Him!

    What happens when you look and sound so much like Rod Stewart that even musicians who actually toured with Rod say playing with you feels like they're playing with him again?

    In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike sits down with Rob Caudill, the man behind Rod the Show, for an incredible conversation about a career that went from playing bass in clubs to becoming one of the most established Rod Stewart tribute performers in the business.

    And here's where the story gets crazy.

    Rob's show features musicians with real connections to Rod Stewart, including legendary drummer Carmine Appice and longtime Rod Stewart saxophonist Katja Rieckermann. Rob says both have told him that watching him perform can feel like they're back onstage with Rod.

    And does Rod Stewart himself know about Rob?

    Yes.

    Rob says he's never personally met Rod, but Rod knows about him through Carmine and Katja.

    Rob takes us all the way back to hearing Rod Stewart's unmistakable voice for the first time as a kid—and reveals that people were telling him he looked like Rod Stewart before he even knew what Rod looked like.

    His career eventually took him through Legends in Concert, international touring and his own Rod Stewart production. He studied old performance footage to master Rod's mannerisms, accent and famous microphone-stand moves.

    We also get into the real business of tribute entertainment: international touring, management, production, setlists, ticket prices, the changing perception of tribute artists and the increasingly blurry line between tribute bands and legacy bands touring without their original members.

    And wait until you hear how big Rod the Show is becoming. Rob reveals they're adding video, flames and additional stage production while incorporating actual footage of Carmine and Katja performing with Rod Stewart.

    This isn't someone simply singing Rod Stewart songs.

    It's a tribute connected directly to the musicians who helped create the music in the first place.

    Find  Rob Caudill Here ;

    https://www.rodstewartshow.com/

    🎸 Listen & Follow Tribute Band Sessions:

    🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🍎 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠

    📘 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

    📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🎵 ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🐦 ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠

    💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠


    👉 ⁠⁠⁠Watch Tribute Band Sessions on YouTube

    00:00 – Welcome to Rod the Show
    01:21 – Rob's Musical Childhood
    03:55 – Hearing Rod Stewart for the First Time
    04:50 – “People Told Me I Looked Like Rod Stewart”
    05:58 – Rob's Early Career as a Musician
    07:38 – Getting Signed & The Breaks
    10:25 – The Heartbreaking Story of Rob's Brother
    14:11 – The Road Toward Becoming Rod Stewart
    15:42 – Discovering Legends in Concert
    16:12 – Studying Rod's Mannerisms & Stage Presence
    16:43 – Playing With Rod Stewart's Actual Musicians
    17:24 – How Katja Rieckermann Joined the Show
    18:23 – How Carmine Appice Entered the Picture
    20:04 – Carmine Becomes Rob's Partner
    21:13 – Getting Into Legends in Concert
    24:06 – How Rob Protects That Raspy Rod Stewart Voice
    25:35 – Carmine's Incredible Rod Stewart Stories
    31:40 – The Reality of Touring a Tribute Show
    32:52 – Creating the Rod Stewart Look
    35:53 – Taking the Show Around the World
    41:18 – Management & the Business Behind the Show
    44:53 – Does Rod Stewart Know About Rob?
    47:44 – Stories From Rod Stewart's Actual Band
    50:39 – Are Tribute & Original Bands Becoming the Same Thing?
    56:22 – Why Carmine Calls It a “Rod Stewart Legacy”
    1:05:30 – How Do You Pick From 100 Rod Stewart Songs?
    1:06:25 – Why International Setlists Are Completely Different
    1:11:41 – Bigger Production, Video, Flames & What's Next



    #TributeBandSessions #RodStewart #RobCaudill #CarmineAppice #TributeBands

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 14 min
  • A Tribute; Legend Zeppelin Band That Built A TIME MACHINE Ep:51

    What would it feel like to walk into a small club in 1969 and witness Led Zeppelin before the stadiums, mythology and excess took over? In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike sits down with Legend Zeppelin to explore one of the most ambitious concepts in the tribute world: a chronological, period-correct recreation of Led Zeppelin’s live career that begins with the band’s raw, blues-driven 1969 performances and moves forward year by year. Rather than simply copying studio recordings or combining every era into one greatest-hits show, Legend Zeppelin uses vintage-style instruments, amplification, microphones, stage methods and technological limitations to recreate the conditions under which Led Zeppelin’s music originally evolved. The band discusses the musicianship, research and business strategy behind what it calls the world’s first “bootleg band,” the challenge of balancing historical accuracy with the spontaneity that made Zeppelin dangerous, and why no two performances should feel exactly the same. We also get into recreating Robert Plant’s vocals, Jimmy Page’s tones, John Paul Jones’s versatility and John Bonham’s enormous drum sound, along with the importance of chemistry, improvisation, visual authenticity and allowing the audience to become part of the show. This is not merely a collection of Led Zeppelin songs—it is an attempt to build a living rock-and-roll time machine and let modern audiences experience how the music may have sounded, felt and changed in the room more than five decades ago.

    Legend Zeppelin’s stated mission is to begin with the 1969 club era and progress chronologically through later milestones, rather than compressing Zeppelin’s entire career into one static production. 

    Follow Legend Zeppelin Here ; https://legendzeppelin.com/

    🎸 Listen & Follow Tribute Band Sessions:

    🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🍎 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠

    📘 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

    📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🎵 ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🐦 ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠

    💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠


    👉 ⁠⁠⁠Watch Tribute Band Sessions on YouTube

    00:00 – Meet Legend Zeppelin
    01:18 – Why This Isn’t a Typical Led Zeppelin Tribute
    03:42 – The Origins of the Band
    06:15 – Discovering Led Zeppelin
    09:08 – Why They Begin the Story in 1969
    12:06 – Creating the World’s First “Bootleg Band”
    15:14 – Recreating Zeppelin’s Earliest Live Shows
    18:31 – Using Period-Correct Instruments and Equipment
    21:47 – Why Technological Limitations Actually Matter
    24:35 – Recreating Jimmy Page’s Guitar Sound
    27:12 – The Challenge of Robert Plant’s Voice
    30:08 – Capturing John Bonham’s Massive Drum Sound
    32:44 – John Paul Jones: The Secret Weapon
    35:26 – Accuracy Versus Improvisation
    38:18 – Why the Songs Should Change Every Night
    41:05 – Recreating the Look Without Becoming a Costume Act
    43:52 – The Audience Becomes Part of the Performance
    46:27 – Turning Historical Research Into a Live Show
    49:14 – The Business Behind Such an Unusual Concept
    51:31 – Moving Chronologically Beyond 1969
    54:08 – The Future of Legend Zeppelin
    56:42 – Advice for Building a Serious Tribute Production
    57:39 – Where to Find Legend Zeppelin

    #LedZeppelin #LegendZeppelin #TributeBandSessions #ClassicRock #LedZeppelinTribute

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 2 min
  • What Booking Agents REALLY Want From Tribute Bands -Rich Rubin Maximum Bands Ep# 50

    The Truth About Getting Your Tribute Band Booked

    You can have incredible musicians. You can look like the original artist. You can sound almost identical.

    But does that mean anyone is going to book your band?

    In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, we flip the script and look at the tribute industry from the business side with Rich Rubin of Maximum Bands.

    Instead of asking what it takes to perform like a rock star, we're asking what it takes to turn a tribute act into a bookable, marketable, money-making business.

    What are agents and buyers actually looking for? Why do some incredible bands struggle to get beyond local gigs while others land theaters, casinos, festivals, corporate events, and major stages? How important are your promotional materials, reputation, ticket sales, professionalism, and ability to actually put people in seats?

    Rich gives us an insider's perspective on an industry that has exploded from neighborhood bars and clubs into serious live entertainment.

    We get into booking, representation, promoters, venues, pricing, competition, marketing, and some of the mistakes that can keep talented tribute acts from reaching the next level.

    If you're in a tribute band, managing one, thinking about starting one, or just curious about how this rapidly growing industry actually works behind the scenes, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

    Because being a great band is only half the battle.

    The other half?

    Getting someone to book you.

    Find Rich Rubin here ; https://www.maximumbands.com/

    🎸 Listen & Follow Tribute Band Sessions:

    🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🍎 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠

    📘 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

    📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🎵 ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🐦 ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠

    💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠


    👉 ⁠⁠⁠Watch Tribute Band Sessions on YouTube




    Clickable Chapters

    00:00 – Introduction
    02:10 – Meet Rich Rubin & Maximum Bands
    07:15 – How the Tribute Band Business Has Changed
    13:30 – What Makes a Tribute Band Bookable?
    20:10 – Why Great Bands Still Don't Get Gigs
    27:00 – What Agents & Talent Buyers Really Look For
    34:20 – Marketing Your Tribute Band
    41:15 – How Much Does Image & Production Matter?
    48:05 – The Biggest Mistakes Tribute Bands Make
    55:10 – Breaking Into Theaters, Casinos & Bigger Venues
    1:02:15 – Is the Tribute Industry Getting Too Crowded?
    1:08:20 – Where the Tribute Business Goes Next
    1:13:30 – Rich's Advice for Tribute Bands

    #TributeBandSessions
    #TributeBands
    #MaximumBands
    #MusicBusiness
    #LiveEntertainment



    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 11 min
  • When Jon Anderson Of YES Calls You Say YES Andrew Graziano of The Band Geeks Ep # 49

    Imagine spending years playing the music of one of your favorite legendary bands...

    Then the actual singer calls and wants to perform with you.

    In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, we sit down with Andrew Graziano of The Band Geeks for an incredible conversation about the music of YES, the world of progressive rock, and the remarkable journey that eventually connected The Band Geeks with legendary YES vocalist Jon Anderson.

    YES isn't easy music to play. Complex arrangements, unusual time signatures, intricate instrumental parts, soaring vocals—this is music where there is nowhere to hide.

    Andrew takes us inside the musicianship and preparation required to tackle this legendary catalog and explains how The Band Geeks' passion for the music ultimately opened a door most tribute musicians could only dream about: performing alongside Jon Anderson himself.

    We also get into what happens when musicians who grew up admiring this music suddenly find themselves sharing the stage with one of the artists who created it.

    For musicians, YES fans, progressive-rock obsessives, and anyone involved in the tribute-band world, this episode asks a fascinating question:

    Can paying tribute to your heroes eventually lead to playing WITH your heroes?

    For The Band Geeks, the answer was yes.

    Find Andrew Here

    1. Andy’s YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@andygrazianonyc](https://www.youtube.com/@andygrazianonyc)
    2. Andy’s Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/andy.graziano.12](https://www.facebook.com/andy.graziano.12)
    3. Jon Anderson’s website: [https://www.jonanderson.com/](https://www.jonanderson.com/)
    4. The Band Geeks: [https://richiecastellano.com/bandgeeks/](https://richiecastellano.com/bandgeeks/)

    Find Tribute Band Sessions Here ;

    https://www.youtube.com/@TributeBandSessions

    Website⁠tributebandsessions.com⁠

    Spotify⁠open.spotify.com/show/6uWts5wBIgoZmB3wmL3tsq⁠

    Apple Music⁠podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tribute-band-sessions/id1843760366⁠

    Facebook⁠facebook.com/tributebandsessions⁠Instagram⁠instagram.com/tributebandsessions⁠

    TikTok⁠tiktok.com/@tributebandsessions⁠

    X⁠x.com/TributeBandsPod

    #TributeBandSessions
    #JonAnderson
    #YES
    #TheBandGeeks
    #ProgressiveRock
    Clickable Chapters

    00:00 – Introduction
    02:15 – Meet Andrew Graziano & The Band Geeks
    07:10 – Where The Band Geeks Story Began
    13:25 – Taking On the Music of YES
    19:40 – Why YES Is So Difficult to Play
    26:05 – How Jon Anderson Entered the Picture
    32:30 – Getting the Opportunity of a Lifetime
    39:15 – Performing With the Legendary Voice of YES
    45:40 – From Fans of the Music to Sharing the Stage
    52:10 – The Band Geeks, Progressive Rock & What's Next
    58:20 – Final Thoughts


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 10 min
  • Doors Tribute Fans Can't Believe The Look The Sound Ep#43

    Doors Tribute Fans Are Blown Away

    Inside the Most Controversial Doors Tribute

    Jim Morrison wasn’t just a singer — he was a force.
    In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Jordyn of The Ultimate Doors breaks down what it takes to channel one of rock’s most volatile front men.
    We talk authenticity, obsession, and the line between performance and possession.
    This isn’t imitation — it’s immersion.
    If you think playing The Doors is easy, this episode will unsettle you.


    Find Jordyn & The Ultimate Doors Tribute

    https://www.theultimatedoors.com/tour

    🎸 Listen & Follow Tribute Band Sessions:

    🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🍎 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠

    📘 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

    📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🎵 ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🐦 ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠

    💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠


    👉 ⁠⁠⁠Watch Tribute Band Sessions on YouTube


    00:00 – Why Jim Morrison Is the Hardest Role in Rock

    03:45 – The Problem With Most Doors Tributes
    09:10 – How Close Is Too Close to Jim Morrison?
    15:30 – Channeling a Frontman Who Had No Limits
    21:55 – The Danger of Becoming the Character
    28:40 – What Doors Fans Argue About the Most
    35:15 – Preserving Chaos Without Losing Control
    41:50 – The Responsibility of Touching Doors Legacy
    48:30 – When Tribute Turns Into Obsession
    54:55 – Final Thoughts on Morrison, Myth, and Truth


    #TheDoors

    #JimMorrison

    #DoorsTribute

    #Rockmusic

    #TributeBands

    #Rockconcerts

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 3 min

About Tribute Band Sessions

From the publisher's feed

Tribute Band Sessions takes you behind the curtain of the billion-dollar tribute industry—where legendary music is reborn every night. Hosted by creator, music producer, musician, and talent manager…

More shows like Tribute Band Sessions

PBS News Hour - Brooks and Capehart by PBS News

PBS News Hour - Brooks and Capehart

1,213 Listeners

The Eddie Trunk Podcast by SiriusXM

The Eddie Trunk Podcast

1,312 Listeners

Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast by Dave Hamilton & Friends

Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

47 Listeners

KissFAQ Podcast by KissFAQ

KissFAQ Podcast

83 Listeners

Know Your Gear Podcast by Phillip Mcknight

Know Your Gear Podcast

314 Listeners

Dateline NBC by NBC News

Dateline NBC

46,796 Listeners

Chairmen of the Boards by Chairmen of the Boards

Chairmen of the Boards

351 Listeners

The Rock Experience with Mike Brunn by Mike Brunn

The Rock Experience with Mike Brunn

18 Listeners

Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt by Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt

Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt

331 Listeners

Dipped In Tone by Dipped in Tone

Dipped In Tone

223 Listeners