Shows
Successful MusiciansEpisode 66: Create with Friends, Grow with Purpose with Steve Matthew CarterFor the entire interview transcript, please click here.Steve Matthew Carter is a Nashville-based media composer for film, TV, and advertising. He most recently scored Gazer (2025), a neo-noir thriller directed by Ryan J. Sloan, which premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and is distributed by Metrograph Pictures.His music has also appeared in The Other Guys, Escaping Ohio, The Tomorrow Job, and national ad campaigns for brands like Honda and Body Armor (2024 Super Bowl). Steve’s work spans dozens of film festivals, music libraries, and TV networks, including Netflix, Bravo, TLC, and History....2025-07-2934 min
Successful MusiciansEpisode 65: Play Often, Fail Fast: The Creative Life of Thomas HainesFor the entire interview transcript, please click here.Thomas Haines is an award-winning composer, sound designer, and creative entrepreneur whose work spans film, television, and immersive audio. Based in the UK, Thomas is known for blending emotion, experimentation, and storytelling through sound. He is the co-founder of BrainAud.io, a groundbreaking platform focused on spatial and generative audio experiences. Whether he’s scoring a cinematic trailer like Wolf King or exploring how the brain responds to sound, Thomas brings curiosity and authenticity to every project. His journey from teenage pub gigs in Cornwall to internationa...2025-07-0838 min
Successful MusiciansEpisode 64: Why Musicians Must Be Business-Minded with Don CusicFor the entire interview transcript, please click here.You don’t have to be a superstar to make a living in music, but you do need a plan. Don Cusic, author, professor, and Western Music Association Hall of Fame inductee, reveals how to turn your passion into a profession. Learn how to balance self-expression with crowd-pleasing, navigate the business side, and build lasting momentum in today’s fast-moving music world.Don Cusic is also the author of the newly released Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar. This definitive biography from the University of...2025-06-2429 min
Successful MusiciansEpisode 63: How Christian Ray Flores Rewrote His Life’s SongFor the entire interview transcript, please click here.Christian Ray Flores is a Chilean-Russian artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Born in Moscow in 1969, he rose to fame in Russia’s music scene with hits like Our Generation, then shifted to social impact and venture building in the U.S., co-founding Third Drive to empower startups and causes worldwide.What You’ll LearnIn this powerful and vulnerable episode, you'll hear the remarkable story of Christian Ray, a successful pop artist who left the spotlight to pursue something far more meani...2025-06-1744 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 62: Redefining Success and Finding Fulfillment in Music with Laura SawoskoFor the entire interview transcript, please click here.Laura Sawosko is a Nashville-based singer-songwriterknown for her heartfelt lyrics and authentic storytelling. With roots in Arizona’s tight-knit music community, she brings a unique blend of emotional depth and country-inspired hooks to her music. Balancing her creative career with roles as a piano teacher and restaurant co-manager, Laura is passionate about using her life experiences to write songs that resonate and inspire. What You’ll LearnIn this episode, Laura will be discussing her career journey and insights on success in the music industry. Here are so...2025-05-1333 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 61: Why Sound Matters More Than You Think — with Andrés & Alejandro of La Tina Sound Design and Film ScoringFor the entire interview transcript, please click here.In this episode, we welcome Andrés Silva and Alejandro Uribe Holguín, the talented co-founders of La Tina Sound Design & Film Scoring.Andrés, a Colombian sound supervisor and designer with a Master's in Management for Creative Industries from Birkbeck, University of London, has worked on acclaimed projects like Suspensión and Narcos.Alejandro, a seasoned sound supervisor and designer with over 15 years in the industry, has crafted immersive audio experiences for Netflix, HBO, Disney, and Prime Video, contributing to notable works such as Nar...2025-05-0628 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 60: Enhance Your Live Performances with Tory Smith’s BLACK BOX PrompterFor the entire interview transcript, please click here.In this episode, we’re joined by Tory Smith, a seasoned guitarist and manager of two thriving cover bands in Dallas. Tory shares his insights on the significance of confidence and audience connection for live performers.A passionate advocate for elevating live music experiences, Tory discusses the common challenge of relying on tablets and smartphones during performances. Determined to address this issue, he co-developed the BLACKBOX Prompter, a game-changing device designed to replace screens and stands. This sleek, intuitive prompter empowers musician...2025-04-0827 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 59: From Berklee to Blockbusters: Juan Cortés’ Path to Scoring Award-Winning FilmsFor the entire interview transcript, please click here.In this episode, we’re joined by Juan Cortés Arango. He is a Colombian composer, orchestrator, and music producer based in Los Angeles, known for blending unconventional sounds with traditional composition to create emotionally resonant scores. He is the composer ofFunny Birds, his second collaboration with directors Marco La Via and Hanna Ladoul, following the 2018 romantic dramaAnywhere With You. With contributions from vocalist Elline and lyricist Adam Brock, Cortés crafted a beautifully authentic score forFunny Birds, drawing inspiration from its multigenerational tale of family and traged...2025-02-1833 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 58: Turning Listeners into Loyal Fans: Expert Tips from Hypeddit Founder John GoldFor the entire interview transcript, please click here.
In this episode, we’re joined by John Gold, the founder of Hypeddit, a groundbreaking platform that simplifies music promotion for artists worldwide. John shares his journey of transitioning from focusing solely on making music to mastering the art of building an engaged fan base. Discover how Hypeddit helps musicians automate promotion, save time, and grow authentic connections with their audience in a competitive industry.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, you’ll learn the crucial balance every musician needs to strike between creating gre...2024-12-0334 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 57: Will and Brooke Blair on Minimalist Scoring, Collaboration, and Work-Life HarmonyFor the entire interview transcript, please click here.
In this episode of Successful Musicians, we are joined by Will and Brooke Blair, a brother duo known for their work in the world of film and TV scoring. They share their journey, offer practical advice for musicians, and discuss how they’ve adapted to the fast-paced demands of the industry.
They are long-term collaborators with director Jeremy Saulnier, scoring his first feature, “Murder Party,” which won the Slamdance 2007 Audience Award.
Brooke and Will Blair’s music enhances the emotional and narrative depth of the pr...2024-10-2937 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 56: Music Marketing Tips and Outsourcing Hacks with Zach SprowlsFor the entire interview transcript, please click here.
In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Zach Sprowls, an American pianist and composer known for his evocative and heartfelt piano compositions. He often uses the piano as his primary storytelling tool, creating music that resonates deeply with listeners.
Some of his notable works include:
“All Beginnings Are Hard” - This piece features both a solo piano version and a version with a string quartet. The solo piano version was recorded live on an acoustic piano.
“I Thought I Knew” - Anoth...2024-10-0150 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 55: Leveraging Social Media for Your Music Career with Ryan WaczekFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Ryan Waczek is an Emmy-winning soundtrack composer, producer, and songwriter. He is known for his diverse background and accomplishments, including scoring the award-winning documentary “Floating Horses: The Life of Casey Tibbs” (2017) and composing for the Emmy-Winning television show “Theater Corner” with Dulé Hill and Daniel J. Watts (2021). His hybrid orchestral style has drawn comparisons to renowned composers such as Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard. He is also the founder of the Indie Music Academy, an online resource that provides musicians with training on how to grow their audie...2024-06-0444 min
Hymn Talk Twin Talk97. Let the Lower Lights Be BurningThank you for finding Hymn Talk Twin Talk and joining us on the hymn journey surrounding this hymn treasure: Let the Lower Lights Be Burning. What a hymn!Thank you to Ashley for suggesting this one for the podcast. It really has it all... a great hymn story, a legendary hymn writer, and effective metaphors for Christian living. We really appreciate the message behind this hymn. We want to be the lower lights!Here are some of the things we talk about in this episode:Let the Lower Lights Be Burning sheet music 2024-05-201h 07Successful MusiciansEpisode 54: Beyond the Funnel: Redefining Marketing with Steven J LarsenFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Steve Larsen is a renowned entrepreneur and marketing strategist, best known for his expertise in creating high-converting sales funnels. He gained prominence as the Lead Funnel Builder at ClickFunnels, where he honed his skills by constructing over 500 sales funnels and working directly with Russell Brunson. After leaving ClickFunnels, Larsen quickly made his mark by building his own million-dollar company within just 13 months. He shares his knowledge through his podcast, Sales Funnel Radio, and educates others via courses like Secret MLM Hacks, OfferMind, and OfferLab. His success story is...2024-04-3028 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 53: Inspiring Change: Shannon K's Commitment to Positive InfluenceFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Shannon K, is an American-Indian singer and actress. She collaborated with Poo Bear on the song “A Long Time” in 2018, and her music video for this track has over 41 million views on YouTube. Shannon K also acted in the movie “The Big Feed” (2020) and is currently involved in the American drama series “Mystical Inheritance of Adina Hassan” and a short film called “Rolling,” which focuses on mental health awareness. Her versatility, passion, and dedication continue to make waves in the entertainment world.
What You’ll Learn2024-03-2620 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 52: Cultivating a Personal Brand for Lasting Success with Eric ThayneFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Eric Thayne is a professional director, DP, and film educator. He is known for his work in cinematography and film production. Eric shares his expertise through educational content on platforms like YouTube and Cinema Mastery.
What You’ll Learn
From Eric Thayne's insights, we can glean several valuable lessons:
Entrepreneurial Thinking: Understanding the difference between creatives and entrepreneurs is crucial. Entrepreneurs start with identifying problems and then develop solutions, often involving assembling teams to execute them. Creatives can b...2024-02-2737 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 51: Carlos Baker's Evolution Through Cancer, Parenthood, and PassionFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Lead vocalist, bassist, and lyricist Carlos Baker hails from the United States and, together with his spouse, relocated to Northern Germany in 2009. Identifying himself as a seasoned artist, lyricist, and storyteller, Carlos authored the novel "SONGS For IVY" in 2020, now accessible on Amazon. With a repertoire spanning over 50 compositions, his musical range extends from country tunes to heartfelt ballads, and from rock anthems to bluesy melodies. Carlos crafts songs infused with the genuine sentiment, many delving into his personal encounters and battles with depression. Ab...2024-01-2342 min
Modern Musician PodcastEntrepreneurship in Music: Funnels, Masterminds, and Making an Impact with Jason TonioliMeet Jason Tonioli, an accomplished New Age pianist, ninja entrepreneur, and Modern Musician Gold Artist alum. With eight self-published albums and piano books under his belt, Jason hit a 7-figure year with his music. His entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond music, as he also owns Amazing Vacations Costa Rica, a travel agency known for arranging unforgettable experiences.They explore the nuances of optimizing funnels over streaming platforms, building relationships, creating horizon experiences, and the profound impact of masterminds.Here’s what you’ll learn about: Unique strat...2024-01-221h 11Successful MusiciansEpisode 50: Chris SD and the Ultimate Music Supervisor PanelFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Chris SD is the go-to person for indie songwriters aiming to feature their music in top shows, movies, and ads. Initially an award-winning music producer, Chris recognized the potential for indie projects to gain greater visibility. He observed the impact of a single sync placement propelling artists onto charts and generating lucrative income. Beyond teaching indie songwriters the ropes, Chris actively connects them with key figures, opening doors to top music supervisors in TV and film.
What You’ll Lear...2024-01-0926 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 49: The Collective Mind: Michael Walker's Mastermind SecretsFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Joining us in our podcast today is Michael Walker, founder of Modern Musician, a successful and highly renowned musician and entrepreneur. He is a husband, father and keyboardist for the band Paradise Fears, who made headlines years ago for a technique he started called “tour hacking.”
He spent around 10 years touring full time and during those years, their band released an album that hit number 2 on iTunes as an Alternative Rock Album. They got about 24 million streams on Spotify and toured around the world, playing music...2023-12-2648 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 48: The Psychology of Songwriting: Valuable Insights from Friedemann FindeisenFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our guest for today is a prolific songwriter and the creator of Holistic Songwriting Academy, Friedemann Findeisen. He’s the author of the bestseller “The Addiction Formula'' (available on Amazon and Audible). His YouTube channel “Holistic Songwriting” has gathered over 400,000 subscribers.
Friedemann teaches people how to change their lives by empowering them to write awesome songs. He helps songwriters, musicians, producers and artists to find their message and express it in a way that resonates with others.
What You’ll Learn
2023-10-3132 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 47: Unveiling the PR Mastermind with Andrew Seth CohenFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our guest for today is the Director of Publicity and Co-Founder of Impact24, Andrew Seth Cohen. Andrew graduated from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Film Studies, and incorporated his love of film and storytelling into all his endeavors.
Impact24, Inc. is a distinguished entertainment public relations agency specializing in empowering behind-the-camera creatives, esteemed industry leaders, and visionary content creators. They are a broad team of communication experts and natural storytellers with diverse experience and professional acumen. They are located in...2023-10-2423 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 46: Matt Novack's Notes on Networking and Overcoming RejectionFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our guest for today is a Los Angeles-based composer for film, TV, and video games Matt Novack. Matt has worked on multiple projects that really show his knowledge and skills in composing music that fits the project perfectly. He has worked on Medical Police which stars Erinn Hayes, Rob Huebel, and Tom Wright. Matt is a true creative who is very passionate about his work and creating soundtracks that are a stand-out factor for his projects. Some of Matt’s other notable credits include working cu...2023-10-1727 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 45: Unveiling the TrackStage Magic with Scott and Robina BarkerFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Robina & Scott Barker are the husband-and-wife team behind TrackStage. Robina Barker is the co-founder and CEO. She is also a composer and producer who creates music for film, TV, and video games under the name Robott. Scott Barker is the co-founder and CTO. He developed the software to help independent musicians manage their sync licensing career with a powerful and comprehensive suite of tools.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Scott and Robina share what TrackStage is and why it's a...2023-10-0339 min
Stripping Off with Matt HaycoxI Never Said Can't! Podcast w/Lizzie CundyTell us what you like or dislike about this episode!! Be honest, we don't bite!In this week's episode, I’m excited to introduce the vibrant Lizzie Cundy. She's a British socialite, TV and radio personality with a career spanning over two decades, known for her infectious charisma. Lizzie's inner circle includes A-listers like her close friend, music mogul Simon Cowell, and her best friend, the former Strictly judge, Bruno Tonioli. Beyond her celebrity connections and original WAG status, her dynamic life story and charitable efforts add depth to her persona and interesting career and life! Join us...2023-09-1338 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 44: Balancing Acts: Work-Life Harmony with Dr. Matt LarsenFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Dr. Matthew F. Larsen is a dedicated and compassionate psychiatrist with a unique blend of medical expertise and artistic flair. Hailing from his hometown of Idaho Falls, Dr. Larsen's journey has been marked by a commitment to healing minds and hearts through his dual board certifications in adult and child psychiatry. Dr. Larsen has a strong interest in suicide prevention and in helping teens who are chronically suicidal or self-harming.
Outside the realm of medicine, Dr. Larsen's artistic spirit shines. With hobbies...2023-08-2932 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 43: Crafting Sync Library Hits to Propel Artist Fanbases with Skye EmanuelFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today is Skye Emanuel. He is a Los Angeles-based guitarist, composer, and music producer. He was born in London, England in 1999. He started playing the guitar when he was 13 and he was heavily influenced by rock and blues music. At the age of 17, he was recognized by Guitar Player Magazine and was presented the 2017 Ronnie Montrose Official Rock the Nation Award for upcoming young guitar players.
He has worked as a session guitarist and music producer for various...2023-08-1516 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 42: Chasing the Dangling Carrot: Sherri Chung's Path to Creative FulfillmentFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Sherri Chung is a composer for film and television and currently composes the scores for Riverdale (CW) and Blindspot (NBC). Her most recent show, The Red Line, produced by Greg Berlanti and Ava DuVernay, is a limited series that premiered on CBS and currently airs on CBS All Access. Not only a composer, Sherri is also a pianist, vocalist, and songwriter. She has recorded and produced 2 original albums and performs with her band in Los Angeles. She is also the first female governor of...2023-08-0840 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 41: From Assistant to Composer: Joy Ngiaw's Quest for Creative InspirationFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today is Joy Ngiaw. She is an award-winning Malaysian composer for film and TV. Graduating summa cum laude from Berklee College of Music, Joy possesses a deep affinity for narratives that evoke nostalgia and forge meaningful connections.
Joy's music can be heard in Apple TV+ and SkyDance's debut animation Blush, Walt Disney Animation Studio's Short Circuit: Jing Hua, and Netflix's Rescued By Ruby. Most recently, Joy scored the music for the Netflix show Glamorous.
Her talent ha...2023-07-1137 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 40: The Release Roadmap: Steps to Successfully Launch Your Music with Bree NobleFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Joining us for the second time is Bree Noble. She is a talented singer/songwriter, speaker, and music business coach who is passionate about sharing her story and helping others. She coached thousands of artists and helped them become successful. Bree has become a pioneer for women’s voices in Podcasting. She has her own podcast called Profitable Musician. Bree has recently launched an innovative tool called Release Concierge, which provides invaluable guidance and support throughout the music release process. She even shares a FRE...2023-07-0448 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 39: Mastering the Score: Tom Third's Fusion of Music and ArtFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Tom Third has scored over 250 hours of film and television, and has been nominated for the Canadian Screen Award seven times, winning in both 2010 and 2014. He was also the winner of the 2004 Volkswagen Score Competition sponsored by the Berlin Film Festival and juried by Walter Murch. After graduating from The Ontario College of Art, with a major in new media and film studies, he went on to sign a recording deal with Nettwerk Productions, and then pursued film scoring after the release of three...2023-06-2737 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 38: Friendship and Music: How Fabrizio Mancinelli Found Lifelong Connections in the IndustryFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Fabrizio Mancinelli is an Italian-American composer, songwriter, and conductor whose passion for music and fine arts was cultivated within the medieval walls of L’Aquila, Italy, a city of narrow streets surrounded by Baroque and Renaissance churches. His impressive list of clients and collaborators includes The Walt Disney Studios, Lionsgate, Warner Bros. and NBC. He has written the score for notable titles like Disney’s Growing Up with Nine Old Men, Universal’s The Snow Queen 4: Mirrorlands, and the feature thriller Coyote Lake, and has co...2023-06-2037 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 37: How Authenticity Fuels Meaningful Connections with Tara BrueskeFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Tara Brueske is a music entrepreneur, performing artist, and voice and piano teacher based in Minneapolis. She has released several albums, such as "How Can I Keep From Singing", "Those Timeless Vintage Melodies" and "Wonder Days". She also mentors indie musicians on how to book gigs and keep their voices healthy. She has performed at venues such as Madison Square Garden Theater in NYC, the Sonshine Festival, and the MN State Fair.
What You’ll Learn
In this episod...2023-06-1343 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 36: Beyond Vanity Metrics: Monetizing Music with Lil CrossFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today is a rapper and producer from Detroit, Michigan. He is known for his songs such as "DTW", "No Cap" and "Money Moves". He has collaborated with artists such as Big Sean, Tee Grizzley, and Sada Baby.
He is the founder and CEO of the company Dead to the World. They empower artists to take control and create careers for themselves in the music industry through education. They’ve helped dozens of creatives transition into becoming full-time and offer servi...2023-06-0629 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 35: Venture Virtuoso: Jon Cheney's Business-Music Balancing ActFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Jon Cheney is a multifaceted entrepreneur, composer, and adventurer. He is the founder and CEO of **Velocity Access**, an augmented reality platform that helps businesses create immersive experiences for their customers. He is also an angel investor, a student of the metaverse and Web3, and a lover of all things outdoors. He has a passion for whitewater kayaking and has explored rivers around the world.
Jon Cheney started playing piano at the age of three and composing his own music at 15. He...2023-05-3045 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 34: Building Lasting Connections: The Importance of Fostering Relationships with Fans feat. Eli LevFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today’s episode is Eli Lev. Eli is a full-time grassroots folk-pop musician from Maryland. He’s raised tens of thousands of dollars through crowdfunding and has built a truly authentic and powerful connection to his tribe.
Eli is a singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt lyrics, soulful melodies, and captivating live performances. With a unique blend of folk, rock, and world influences, Eli's music resonates with audiences worldwide, touching on themes of love, resilience, and the human experience.
2023-05-2349 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 33: Balancing Passion and Family: Tony Parlapiano's Journey to SuccessFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today is Tony Parlapiano. He is a piano instructor who specializes in teaching popular styles of music through interest-led learning. He is the creator of popMATICS, a course that teaches students how to play popular songs by breaking them down into smaller parts and teaching them how to play each part. Tony Parlapiano has also been featured on YouTube where he talks about approaches to chords and teaching pop music. He was also named Fons Provider of the Month for...2023-05-1732 min
Female Entrepreneur Musician with Bree Noble334. Growing Sheet Music Sales To 7 Figures with Jason Tonioli2023-04-2752 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 32: Insider Tips for Audio Engineering Success with IRKOFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our dynamic guest for tonight is Maurizio Sera known professionally as IRKO. He is an Italian multi-platinum audio engineer currently based in Los Angeles, California. He has worked with artists such as Kanye West, Jay-Z, 88-Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Rick Ross, Diddy, David Guetta, and many more.
He is also the man behind the SpeakEasy Workshop. Irko's goal is to give back and empower individuals to find their voice through workshops.
What You’ll Learn
In...2023-04-2627 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 31: Breaking Boundaries: Embracing Versatility in Music with Sherry FinzerFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today is Sherry Finzer. She is an acclaimed flutist, creative composer, and multifaceted musician. She was one of the first musicians asked to livestream on the Insight Timer app and performs weekly on this platform. Recently Sherry's song "Distant Rivers" was programmed on the PBS show "From Sea to Shining Sea".
She has recorded over 30 New Age & Contemporary Instrumental CDs and has released many singles.
Sherry is the founder and president of the Heart Dance Records...2023-04-1924 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 30: Mastering the Craft: The Secrets of Success with Alex SharpeFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our very special guest for today is Alexandria “Alex” Sharpe. She is one of the original members of Celtic Woman, a group that has become a worldwide sensation, enchanting millions with their unique blend of music.
As a vocalist, Alex Sharpe has a voice that is both powerful and ethereal, with a range that can soar to the heavens or whisper a lullaby.
Sharpe has a background in musical theater. She began her career by playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz...2023-04-0535 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 29: How to Find Your Inner Compass in Songwriting with Michael AverillFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Michael is the Willy Wonka of songwriting coaches, a skilled host, and a motivator who helped hundreds of artists along their path through his workshops and mentoring. He is committed to deepening that journey with Write Songs You Love.
He has literally walked over 4,000 miles of Canada over an 8-year tour called “I’d Rather Walk,” sharing songs and encouraging others to share their stories on his way. Michael specializes in boutique songwriting for special occasions, group workshops for artists or businesses, and co...2023-03-0134 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 28: Unleashing Your True Musicality with Christopher Sutton of Musical UFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today is Christopher Sutton, owner and director of UK-based Easy Ear Training Ltd. a London-based music education technology company. Their leading product is Musical U, a membership site providing comprehensive and fully-supported training for the “inner skills” of musicianship.
Originally trained as a computer scientist, he specialized in developing music-related software for desktop and mobile with the goal of creating cutting-edge training tools to help musicians develop their ears for music.
What You’ll Lea...2023-02-0834 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 27: Crafting the Perfect PR Pitch with Kaytee Long BeckerFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Kaytee Long Becker is the owner and founder of DIY PR, INC. in Los Angeles. She is a public relations and communications strategist. In addition to full-service PR and coaching, she has worked with many major recording artists and award shows such as the Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, and the American Music Awards. She is the creator of the DIY Music PR Academy.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Kaytee tells us her story of how sh...2023-02-0131 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 26: The Paramount Impact of Music Promotion and Mentorship with Tobias RauscherFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Tobias Rauscher is a “Modern Percussive Fingerstyle” guitar player from Germany and part of the modern acoustic guitar movement that is led by players like Andy McKee, Mike Dawes, and Tommy Emmanuel.
In 2015 Tobias created his own Guitar Academy to teach other aspiring guitarists how to play Modern Percussive Fingerstyle.
In October 2017 he published his first guitar book “Fingerstyle Guitar Secrets”.
Tobias has been playing shows around the world, from China to Singapore and Taiwan to the USA.
2023-01-2531 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 25: How to Get Nominated for a Grammy with Cheryl B. EngelhardtFor the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest, Cheryl B. Engelhardt, is a GRAMMY®-Nominated New Age Composer and Recording Artist. She and her music have been featured in People, Bazaar, ABCFamily, GrammyAwards, Forbes, Keyboard, Newage and many more.
Her creation “The Passenger” has been nominated for a Grammy for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album.
Cheryl is also a trauma-informed master coach and uses that skill set to mentor other independent musicians in her mastermind called AMPLIFY.
What You’l...2023-01-1825 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 24: Unfolding Sync Licensing Success with Chris SDOur special guest today is Chris SD. He is an award-winning music producer who’s helped hundreds of musicians and artists get their music placed in top shows on networks such as Netflix, Hulu, ABC, Fox, NBC, FX, HBO, CBS, and more. Chris shares his industry knowledge on his website, syncsongwriter.com, and offers a program called “the Art of the Song Pitch” to help musicians get their music licensed.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Chris shares how he figured out a way of making music, satisfying his soul, and helping...2023-01-1139 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 23: How to Generate Sync Placements on a Consistent Basis with Michael ElsnerMichael Elsner is a guitarist/songwriter/producer with over 2500 TV and Film placements to his name.
His songs have been placed in over 180 individual television series, accounting for over 850 individual episodes. Some of these include American Idol, The Voice, Good Morning America, Impractical Jokers, EXTRA, The Sing-Off, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Tracks he’s written have been used in international commercials for Audi, Mazda, Skechers and Verizon, as well as trailers for Star Wars: The Mandalorian, Maleficent 2, Disney’s Cinderella, Ocean's 8, Susperia, Narcos, Sneaky Pete, as well as a Super Bowl Ad for Amazon Prim...2023-01-0444 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 22: Music Improvisation Essentials with Ion Zanca of Dallas String QuartetOur special guest for today is Ion Zanca, a violist and the principal founder of the Dallas String Quartet.
In October 2022, Zanca charted at #2 on the Classical Album and Classical Crossover Album Billboard Charts with DSQ's latest album, "Love Always." Under Zanca’s tutelage, The group has played for multiple sitting U.S. presidents, the NFL, the NBA, performed at the wedding of music legends Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, released a collaboration with The Piano Guys, charted on Billboard, and acquired over 50 million streams on Spotify.
As of November 2021, the group has more than 600 mi...2022-12-2836 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 21: Transcend from a Struggling Artist to a Musicpreneur with Tiamo de VettoriTiamo De Vettori is the Founder of the Musicpreneur Academy. He is an acoustic-pop singer/songwriter and was recently named as "Singer/Songwriter of the Year" by LA Music Awards.
Tiamo has been featured on FOX, CBS, NBC and MSNBC. He performed live for over 100,000 people, and recently performed on stage at the Jimmy Kimmel Show.
He is also a motivational speaker who combines his on-stage charisma with his inspiring personal stories, original songs, and acoustic guitar to provide "Keynote Concerts".
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, we...2022-12-2129 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 20: Sync Licensing Essentials with Derick SebastianOur guest for today, Derick Sebastian, is an accomplished international ukulele virtuoso. Derick’s critically acclaimed instrumental album, “From His Heart”, earned a Na Hoku Hanohano 2010 nomination.
Derick has shared the stage with singer/songwriter pop star Jason Mraz, the melodic Raining Jane, powerhouse Trombone Shorty, country star icons Thompson Square and Sara Evans, fellow ukulele ace Jake Shimabukuro and R&B sensations, Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight, and a highlighted private performance and ukulele lesson with Oprah Winfrey.
Along with his star-studded musical collaborations, Derick is a cultural practitioner teaching private ukulele LESSONS at a m...2022-12-1420 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 19: How to Reach Over a Million Monthly Spotify Listeners with Chris ‘Manafest’ GreenwoodOur special guest for today is Chris Greenwood A.K.A Manafest. He is a Canadian Christian rapper and rock artist from Pickering, Ontario, Canada. He has won multiple awards for the GMA Canada Covenant Awards, GMA Dove Awards, and has been nominated for multiple Juno Awards. He is a billboard charting artist with over 1,000,000 monthly Spotify listeners.
Chris Greenwood launched Fanbase University which trains independent musicians to make it in the music industry, with an emphasis on not signing with a label.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Man...2022-12-0734 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 18: How to Transform Your Voice Using The Singing / Straw™ Method with Whitney NicholeOur special guest is a vocal coach, studio owner, singer/songwriter and creator of the Singing / Straw™ & the S/S method which helps singers develop a healthier, stronger and more balanced voice.
She is the Founder and Lead Vocal Coach of Songbird Studios - a premier vocal coaching studio that offers singing lessons, voice lessons, vocal coaching, songwriting workshops, group classes, master classes, summer camps, and performance showcases in-person in San Francisco, California and online all over the world.
What You’ll Learn
Let us discover how The Singing / Straw™ is the...2022-11-3025 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 17: Isabella Bedoya’s Cutting-Edge Social Media Strategies for a Lucrative Musical CareerOur special guest today is Isabella Bedoya, founder of Fame Hackers, an artist accelerator that helps independent artists establish profitable and sustainable music careers so they can get paid doing what they love. As a former A&R for a label under Sony Music, and working for an award-winning social media marketing agency in the past, Isabella helps artists excel in the new music industry by using strategies that work in today’s social media.
Isabella has been invited to speak at the Musicians Institute, BoldTV, Ticker News, iHeartRadio, NBC, KCAA Radio, Beat The Clock Podcast, and pu...2022-11-2320 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 16: The Significance of Mentorship In the Music Industry with Jason Lyle BlackJason Lyle Black is an award-winning piano entertainer, published arranger and composer for the piano, having authored three bestselling piano books with the world’s largest music publisher, Hal Leonard. His most popular book, Disney Medleys for Piano Solo, is an Amazon bestseller, with over 10,000+ copies sold nationwide.
Jason performed on the Ellen Degeneres show in Hollywood, where Ellen called him “Unbelievable!”
What You’ll Learn
Jason Lyle Black shares with us how he started in the cruise industry and some first-hand tips on how to have a career for life on s...2022-11-1634 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 15: How to Break In to the Exciting World of SCORING with Aoife O'LearyAoife O'Leary, Aoife (pronounced “EE’fa”) is a composer, producer, songwriter, singer and founder of PoppyMoth Productions - a one-stop music production company for music, film, TV, games and session services. Aoife created 3 songs for the movie, Code Name Banshee, starring Antonio Banderas and Jaime King, including Banshee, for the end credits.
She is also the female vocalist of the band Moth Complex. It combines bruising rock with off-kilter electronics – all underlying singer, Aoife O'Leary’s powerful and gentle vocals. The band was featured as “Best Unsigned Band” in major genre-based European magazines and had been touring extensively acr...2022-11-0926 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 14: Simplifying and Demystifying Music Production with Kris Bradley of Produce Like a BossOur special guest this week is Kris Bradley, a songwriter/producer who has done some amazingly cool things with Sony BMG, Rolling Stones Magazine, Fox, LinkedIn and Miramax.
She’s the founder of Produce Like a Boss and BoomFox Productions. Kris is a 6-figure musician and a producer business coach. She teaches musicians how to produce their own music from home, and how to build a business as a freelance musician/recording artist.
What You’ll Learn
Kris shares her story on how it was very challenging for a singer/songw...2022-11-0232 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 13: Michele McLaughlin on How Branding and Story is Critical in Achieving SuccessOur special guest for today’s episode is Michele McLaughlin. She is a self-taught contemporary solo pianist and composer. She has released twenty-one albums, many of which have received multiple nominations and awards.
She has over 1.5 Billion spins on Pandora radio and has been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine, both online and in print. Her albums “Undercurrent”, “Life” and “Memoirs” all debuted at #5, #4, and #3 on the New Age Billboard Charts.
She has performed in over 200 concerts. She has been featured on radio stations worldwide, including SiriusXM, MusicChoice Soundscapes, Whisperings Solo Piano Radio and Echoes.
...2022-10-2620 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 12: Steve Rivera’s Life-Changing Advice on Following Your DreamsOur guest for today is a multi-talented pianist and composer who’s worked with a lot of notable musicians over his career. Steve chose to work with one of the premier new age and contemporary instrumental producers in the world; the GRAMMY-winning founder of the legendary Windham Hill Records, Will Ackerman. Along with Will’s roster of world-class studio musicians at Imaginary Road Studios, Steve has created two albums that have garnered critical acclaim from highly regarded reviewers in the genre.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Steve will take us with h...2022-10-1922 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 11: How to Find your Voice in Music with Lynn TredeauOur special guest for today is Lynn Tredeau. She is an incredible and renowned pianist who lives and performs in the Pacific Northwest.
After discovering the music of Michele McLaughlin on Pandora, Lynn found her calling in the world of New Age music. She released her debut album, Echoes of Life, in January, 2015, which brought multiple nominations including Best New Artist 2015 by Enlightened Piano.
Lynn’s second album, SnowLight (A Christmas Memory), was released in September 2015. It quickly went to #1 on OWMR received many nominations and won Best Holiday Album 2016 at Enlightened Piano Radio.
...2022-10-1220 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 10: Matt Johnson’s Epiphany About Tuning Pianos and What He Considers As The Holy Grail of PianosOur special guest today is a Registered Piano Technician with the Piano Technicians Guild. He is a Bechstein Factory Trained Concert Technician. Suffice it to say, he has the knowledge and experience to best help customers fall in love with their piano again.
He has worked alongside and learned so much from some of the best piano technicians in the world. Among whom are Rick Baldassin, Keith Kopp and Torben Garlin.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, we would learn how Matt Johnson started with music and how he en...2022-10-0524 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 9: Katie Zaccardi’s Holistic Approach to Strategy and MindsetJoining us in our podcast today is a musician, business coach, and a MINDSET STRATEGY coach. She's done tons of expertise in branding, helping monetize your music online, wellness, time management coaching, building a fan base online, nurturing those fans and introducing an offer that you can sell so you can make money online.
She has a podcast called “The Out to Be Podcast”. It is a podcast for musicians, music entrepreneurs, music industry coaches, and music teachers, that discusses all things music biz strategy.
So far, she has helped hundreds of women in music grow...2022-09-2823 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 8: Michael Walker’s Idea of Success and Finding Life’s Fulfillment Part 2 of 2Joining us in our podcast today is Michael Walker. He is the founder of Modern Musician, a successful and highly renowned musician and entrepreneur. He is a husband, father, and keyboardist for the band Paradise Fears, who made headlines years ago for a technique he started called “tour hacking.”
He spent around 10 years touring full time and during those years, their band released an album that hit number 2 on iTunes as an Alternative Rock Album. They got about 24 million streams on Spotify and toured around the world, playing music full-time, independently without a record label. He also coac...2022-09-2119 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 8: Michael Walker's Tour Hacking Technique and Advice on How Having the Right Producer can Make or Break your Music Career Part 1 of 2Joining us in our podcast today is Michael Walker, founder of Modern Musician, a successful and highly renowned musician and entrepreneur. He is a husband, father, and keyboardist for the band Paradise Fears, who made headlines years ago for a technique he started called “tour hacking.”
He spent around 10 years touring full time and during those years, their band released an album that hit number 2 on iTunes as an Alternative Rock Album. They got about 24 million streams on Spotify and toured around the world, playing music full-time, independently without a record label. He also coached thousands of inde...2022-09-1417 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 7: Doug Hammer on Transcending Technological Barriers and How to Be Effective Without A Major Label Record DealJoining us in our podcast today is multi-award-winning pianist, composer and producer Doug Hammer. He is educated in contemporary, jazz and classical music styles. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston, he opened his own studio and production company called Dreamworld Productions. He has over 14 albums under his belt. Doug tours regularly and has performed in the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Doug’s 14th release, Night, debuted at number 1 for a week on both Amazon Hot New Releases and Best Seller New Age Charts.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Doug...2022-09-0725 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 6: How a Career Shift Paved the Way to True Happiness - Luke RobertsOur special guest for today is Luke Roberts "LJR". He is a multi-talented musician with a very unique story. He is very skilled when it comes to doing film and music videos.
Having a Ph.D. in Aerobatics, let's discover how LJR went from programming robotic birds to pursuing his creative process, writing, audio production, video production, business, and marketing.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, LJR will share about his music journey on how he became a Meyerhof scholar, working on autonomous aerobatics and navigation, flapping wings and mi...2022-08-3134 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 5: Marvin Goldstein’s Advice on How to Find Fulfillment in Music and His Takeaways from Being a Musician for 60 YearsJoining our podcast today is Marvin Goldstein, an internationally acclaimed pianist, piano performer, arranger, music producer, composer and entertainer for over 60 years.
Goldstein has recorded over 50 albums. He also has arranged multiple piano solo arrangement books. Goldstein is listed in “Who’s Who in Music” in European Cambridge, England. He has extensively traveled and performed at places such as the Sydney Opera House, the Jerusalem YMCA, Europe, Egypt, South America, Canada, Mexico and more.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Goldstein shares how he started learning piano at 9 years old, his...2022-08-2418 min
The Profitable Musician Show78. Music Marketing Funnel: An Effective Marketing Tool For A Seven-Figure Music Business With Jason TonioliAs a musician, you know that success doesn't come easy. It takes years of practice, dedication, and determination to make it in the music industry. What if there are other ways to be successful in the music world. Today, Jason Tonioli joins Bree Noble to talk about a music marketing funnel that can skyrocket music sheets to a 7-figure business. Jason is a musician, marketer, and entrepreneur. He built and scaled multiple companies to over seven figures, and his music streams over 100 million times worldwide. Tune in to find out more.Become more Profitable in just 3...2022-08-2344 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 4: Bree Noble’s Income Guide to Make Money with MusicBree Noble is a talented singer/songwriter, speaker, and music business coach who is passionate about sharing her story and helping others. She coached thousands of artists and helped them become successful.
In 2007, she founded an online radio station, Women of Substance Radio, to promote quality female artists in all genres. The station became a highly respected and sought-after source of promotion for female artists before it was transformed into a podcast in 2014 which dominated the #1 spot on iTunes.
Bree has become a pioneer for women’s voices in Podcasting. In fact, she was recently fe...2022-08-1729 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 3: How to Reach 1 Billion Streams on Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, and other Music Streaming Apps with David NevueOur special guest today is David Nevue who is considered “the pioneer in the new age piano recording world”. He is an internationally recognized pianist, composer, and recording artist. David began promoting his music online in 1995 - an "internet age" before iTunes (or even Google) existed.
David's music has surpassed 1.6 Billion spins on Pandora Radio, and hundreds of millions, maybe a billion mark on Spotify and Apple.
He founded Whisperings: Solo Piano Radio in 2003, the very first internet radio station that was solo piano only. After almost twenty years "on the air," Whisperings: Solo Piano Radi...2022-08-1030 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 2 - Joe Bongiorno On How to Prepare for Your First Studio Session, His Take on Signature Songs and How to Earn From Your MusicJoining us today is Joe Bongiorno. He is a piano player with a very incredible story. He shares with us his path to success in the music world,
from having a restaurant business to being a renowned concert performer. In this episode, Joe will tell us how he got on top of his career
earning 6-digits, getting out of debt, investing, and living the dream.
In this episode you will learn:
- how to earn from your music
- how to get an artist to give...2022-08-0227 minSuccessful MusiciansEpisode 1 - Bobby Owsinski: Audio Engineer and Author's Definition of Success, Musician's Mistakes and Advice to Young MusiciansI am excited to introduce our very first guest, Bobby Owsinski. He is an audio engineer, producer, musician, and author. He produces and mixes records, has written dozens of books, many of which are used in hundreds of universities, has hundreds of blog posts, and creates podcasts and online courses. He's made an enormous impact on the music industry and become a mentor and coach to countless musicians.
In this episode, Bobby will give us a glimpse of how he started in the music industry and his experiences on how he started writing books. We also talked...2022-07-2819 min
Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle PodcastEpisode 419 – Pianist Jason Tonioli, Songs Uploaded To Spotify, And Streaming Level NormalizationJason Tonioli has managed to do something that everyone thought was impossible these days, and that’s crack 7 figures of income with only sheet music sales.
He’s recorded 8 albums and created more than a dozen piano solo books as well as dozens of individual pieces of sheet music that he’s self-published. One of Jason’s secrets is that he creates music that’s simple and fun to play, yet sounds more complicated and advanced than it really is.
When Jason isn’t playing piano he’s also a well known thought leader in the banking industry, runs a record label...2022-05-0339 min
Modern Musician PodcastLessons learned from Making $1,000,000 as a Musician with Jason TonioliJason Tonioli is a New Age pianist, ninja entrepreneur, and Modern Musician Gold Artist alum who’s self published eight albums and eight piano books. He had a 7 figure year last year with his music.He also owns the travel agency Amazing Vacations Costa Rica which arranged our awesome retreat. We talk about the Costa Rica Retreat and much more on this powerful episode of the podcast.Here’s what you’ll learn about: The power of the mastermind groupsSimple mindset tools to remove obstacles from your lifeThe 2 keys to having all of the success...2022-01-1039 min
The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat'Simple Gifts' and 'Life Reflections' from Jason TonioliYou might not know it from listening, but some of Jason Tonioli's hymn arrangements and piano pieces have come to him at unusual times and places; like while he was white-water kayaking or boarding a bus to leave a little town in Argentina he'd come to love. In every case though, they are heartfelt expressions of his life and what he feels.In this audio interview you'll hear what convinced him to keep practicing piano as a reluctant teenager (moms take note!) in Hooper, Utah, and why he posts many of his arrangements for free online. It's a...2012-01-2000 min
The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat'Simple Gifts' and 'Life Reflections' from Jason TonioliYou might not know it from listening, but some of Jason Tonioli's hymn arrangements and piano pieces have come to him at unusual times and places; like while he was white-water kayaking or boarding a bus to leave a little town in Argentina he'd come to love. In every case though, they are heartfelt expressions of his life and what he feels.In this audio interview you'll hear what convinced him to keep practicing piano as a reluctant teenager (moms take note!) in Hooper, Utah, and why he posts many of his arrangements for free online. It's a...2012-01-2022 min