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The Career Musician

The Career Musician

By: The Career Musician
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Learn the secrets of the music industry and how to build a lasting career!Copyright © 2015 Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Music
Episodes
  • #201 The NAMM Show | TCM Pro Guide

    #201 The NAMM Show | TCM Pro Guide
    Jan 19 2026
    Your professionalism is already “enough.”Don’t put management or “important people” on a pedestal. Show up prepared, play great, be a pro. Prioritize relationships over “impressing.”Instead of trying to win over the top boss, find one person in the firm or at the company you can genuinely connect with. Be a good hang; that’s your X-factor.There are tons of great players. What separates you is being a solid human: chill, personable, easy to be around, making others feel comfortable. The “care less, play better” mindset.When you’re too hyped or anxious, your performance suffers. You generally play better when you’re relaxed, not gripping so hard. For introverts: small, doable behaviors.You don’t have to turn into a cartoon extrovert. Just push your comfort zone a bit: smile, say hi, repeat people’s names, be present for a moment. Energy is currency (ETHOS: Attitude + Vibe).Bring positive, high-vibe energy into sessions, shows, and NAMM. Like Kenny Aronoff, you can “save” a room just by the energy you bring. NAMM is for friends, not “networking.”Use the 3-foot rule: if someone’s within three feet, talk to them. Go to NAMM with clear goals, not delusions.Don’t show up thinking, “I’ll get signed to five endorsements in a day.” Instead, go with 1–2 concrete missions. Understand what endorsements really are. Beware of “fake” endorsements that are just tiny discounts and bad support. Real endorsement = you truly back the product, and the company truly backs you. Relationships outlast companies and reps.Artist reps leave. Deals lapse. That’s normal. Keep nurturing relationships so you can re-ignite deals. Say “yes” more, but stay discerning.Don’t shut down opportunities just because they don’t fit your old mental picture (tours, panels, gear deals, etc.) NAMM is more than a gear expo.The NAMM org does year-round work: lobbying in D.C., helping with regulations (woods, tariffs, shipping), and creating educational panels on social media, AI, mental health, business, etc. Everything is an audition — including content.Whether it’s a tour, a bar gig, a podcast, or your IG reel, people are always seeing you “audition” for the next thing. Don’t be jaded — let yourself be excited.Locals love to say “It was better 10 years ago.” That mindset kills joy and keeps you stuck in the past. Exclusive Career Musician Resources 🌟 Nail the Audition and Get the Gig! (Audition Secrets—Free Guide) → https://thecareermusician.com/audition/ 🎛 PA Rehearsal Studios Official Sponsor (L.A.) Get 20% OFF your next booking Use code NOMAD → https://parehearsalstudios.com/ 🎸 JamPlay Guitar Lessons (Free Trial) Sharpen your skills & stay inspired Use code NOMAD → https://jamplay.com/get-free-access?code=NOMAD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecareermusician/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCareerMusician/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecareermusician TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecareermusician Apple: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Apple Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Spotify 📚Online Courses → https://www.thecareermusician.com/store 💼Expert Career Coaching → https://www.thecareermusician.com/coaching 💡 TCM Pro Tip: Don't fall into the trap of being jaded, go to ENJOY NAMM and watch your future blossom! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • #200 Ways To Win as a Career Musician

    #200 Ways To Win as a Career Musician
    Jan 14 2026
    Welcome to Episode 200 of The Career Musician Podcast! This milestone episode celebrates 200 conversations, lessons, and real-world strategies for working musicians. Nomad reflects on recent gigs with legendary bassist Nathan East, introduces the TCM Pro team (Joel Meza and Emily Lauren), and dives deep into the philosophy that's driven the show from day one: action over resolution, principles remain methods change, and execution over perfection. 🎯 Core Philosophy: Action over resolution: Why consistent action compounds into results Methods change, but principles remain The importance of having a Plan of Attack (POA) Done is better than perfect 👥 Meet the TCM Pro Team: Joel Meza and Emily Lauren share their transformative goals for the year Emily's focus: Being present and not "watering all the flowers at once" Joel's commitment: Actively using a CRM (Contacts Relations Manager) to maintain relationships 💡 Key Insights: The danger of over-scheduling and setting unrealistic daily goals How to stay "top of mind" in the music industry The power of sincere relationship building vs. transactional networking Why execution beats perfection every time 🎸 Real Talk: How Nathan East kept the Eric Clapton gig for over 40 years Working with legendary artists (Aretha, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, David Foster) The importance of auditioning with intention Minimum Viable Product (MVP) mindset for musicians 📊 Practical Tools Discussed: CRM/Contacts Relations Manager for musicians Plan of Attack (POA) worksheet Audition preparation framework Balancing work, life, and creative pursuits Exclusive Career Musician Resources 🌟 Nail the Audition and Get the Gig! (Audition Secrets—Free Guide) → https://thecareermusician.com/audition/ 🎛 PA Rehearsal Studios Official Sponsor (L.A.) Get 20% OFF your next booking Use code NOMAD → https://parehearsalstudios.com/ 🎸 JamPlay Guitar Lessons (Free Trial) Sharpen your skills & stay inspired Use code NOMAD → https://jamplay.com/get-free-access?code=NOMAD 📲 Follow The Career Musician Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecareermusician/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCareerMusician/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecareermusician TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecareermusician 🎙 Stream The Podcast: Podcast Hub: https://thecareermusician.com/podcast/ Apple: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Apple Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Spotify iHeart: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-iHeart Stitcher: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Stitcher-Pod 📚Online Courses → https://www.thecareermusician.com/store 💼Expert Career Coaching → https://www.thecareermusician.com/coaching 🔖Read Our Blog → https://www.thecareermusician.com/blog/ 💡 TCM Pro Tip:Done is better than perfect. Execute faster than anyone else, and get it to market first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    20 mins
  • #199: Still Making New Year’s Resolutions? Serious Musicians Do This Instead

    #199: Still Making New Year’s Resolutions? Serious Musicians Do This Instead
    Dec 30 2025
    Action > Resolution New year.New you.New gigs. But not just more gigs. The right gigs. In this episode, Nomad breaks down why New Year’s resolutions don’t work for musicians—and what to do instead if you want real progress this year. Instead of setting goals you’ll forget by February, Nomad introduces a simple Plan of Action (or as he calls it, a Plan of Attack) designed to help you stop procrastinating, stop chasing the wrong opportunities, and start taking consistent action toward the career you actually want. This episode is built around Nomad’s ETHOS framework and the core pillars of The Career Musician—helping you improve your mindset, your business decisions, and your gig and studio life. Why “more gigs” isn’t better if they’re pulling you in the wrong direction The real reason New Year’s resolutions fail musicians How to replace resolutions with a simple Plan of Action Why Nomad also calls it a Plan of Attack (and what you’re actually attacking) How to beat procrastination, self-doubt, complacency, and excuses A clear, easy-to-follow framework you can use all year—not just in January This episode is practical, simple, and built for real working musicians—not hype, not motivation, just action. To go along with this episode, Nomad created a free, fillable one-page Plan of Action worksheet you can use immediately. 👉 Download it here:https://thecareermusician.com This worksheet walks you through: Telling the truth about where you are Choosing one clear focus for the next 90 days Identifying simple weekly actions Building daily momentum—even when you don’t feel motivated This episode and worksheet come directly from ETHOS: The Career Musician’s Code—Nomad’s complete framework for building a sustainable music career. ETHOS shows you how to: Think like a career musician Make smart decisions Take consistent action that leads to real opportunities Learn more at:https://thecareermusician.com Resolutions are easy to break. Action—done consistently—changes everything. If you’re ready to stop hoping and start building, this episode is your starting point. 👉 Download the free worksheet👉 Take action👉 Get after the right gigs 🌟 Nail the Audition and Get the Gig! (Audition Secrets—Free Guide) → https://thecareermusician.com/audition/ 🎛 PA Rehearsal Studios Official Sponsor (L.A.) Get 20% OFF your next booking Use code NOMAD → https://parehearsalstudios.com/ 🎸 JamPlay Guitar Lessons (Free Trial) Sharpen your skills & stay inspired Use code NOMAD → https://jamplay.com/get-free-access?code=NOMAD 📲 Follow The Career Musician Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecareermusician/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCareerMusician/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecareermusician TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecareermusician 🎙 Stream The Podcast: Podcast Hub: https://thecareermusician.com/podcast/ Apple: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Apple Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Spotify iHeart: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-iHeart Stitcher: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Stitcher-Pod 📚Online Courses → https://www.thecareermusician.com/store 💼Expert Career Coaching → https://www.thecareermusician.com/coaching 🔖Read Our Blog → ⁠https://www.thecareermusician.com/blog/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Some of the biggest names in the music biz are right here on this podcast...telling us exactly how they made it. I’m really impressed with the production quality and the hosts ability to deliver the information in such an understandable manner and develop a story arc while doing so.
Kudos, Nomad and thank you for this insightful free resource!

Amazingly comprehensive career advice for any musician seeking to go pro!

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