Music, Marketing, and Mischief with Bruce Bennett

Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

Get ready for an exciting episode of Gig Gab! Join host Dave Hamilton as he chats with Bruce Bennett, a seasoned musician and entrepreneur, about the ins and outs of the music industry.

Dive into Bruce’s journey from playing in bands to launching successful music-related businesses. Discover how he turned his passion into a thriving career, creating opportunities like SuperDups and New England CD. Bruce shares his wisdom on treating music as a business, emphasizing the importance of understanding and growing your fan base.

Explore the world of tribute bands with Bruce’s experience in Shot of Poison, a Poison tribute band that gained fame on Jimmy Fallon’s Clash of the Cover Bands. Learn about their marketing strategies and how they leveraged media exposure to their advantage.

But that’s not all! Bruce introduces HelloBand, an innovative app designed to help musicians connect directly with their fans. Say goodbye to social media algorithms and hello to seamless fan communication, tipping, and event management.

Throughout the episode, you’ll hear anecdotes and technical discussions that provide a deeper understanding of the music business. Whether you’re a musician looking to expand your reach or a fan eager to learn more, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice. Tune in and discover how to make your mark in the music world!

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 460 – Monday, December 16th, 2024
  • December 16th: National Stupid Toy Day
  • Special Guest: Bruce Bennett from Helloband, Shot of Poison, More
• 00:01:58 From loving music to creating it…and being a business owner
• 00:03:44 Music Business
• 00:04:41 99% of the money in this industry is made by 1% of the participants
• 00:05:26 Always saying “yes” and accruing the tools
  • Parthenon Huxley on Gig Gab
• 00:08:50 Musician Psychology
• 00:09:40 Bruce “Mr. Tact” Bennett…can’t shut up!
• 00:12:38 Becoming the producer
  • Red Light Syndrome
• 00:13:46 Be aware of your opportunities
  • The birth of SuperDups, which is New England Compact Disc, Next Day Disc (and all of its other names)
  • Picks and Shovels of the Music Business
• 00:17:44 The Power of Networking
• 00:18:54 How can I help?
  • Bruce did all the music for the original Playstation NASCAR Racing
• 00:23:02 Shot of Poison, a Poison tribute
  • Seated Theater Shows
  • Fortune’s Show: “Watch how perfect we play these songs”
• 00:29:11 Ultimate Tribute Bands
  • Get the Led Out
  • Gary Mullen and The Works: One Night of Queen
  • Lotus Land Rush Tribute
• 00:30:05 Don’t wait for someone to invite you to level-up
  • Get asses in the seats
  • Four-wall the event: buy the theater for the night
• 00:34:21 The drug of the eighties was alcohol
  • The power of eighties music
• 00:35:49 Believe the Power of Your Network…Build it!
  • “I’m gonna be that guy.”
• $10,000 startup capital and an LLC
  • The $2,500 litmus test
  • Dirty Deeds, AC/DC Tribute
• 00:41:17 Shot of Poison on Clash of the Cover Bands
• 00:44:17 Being able to market and sell
  • Fans are customers
  • Strategic Inflections
  • Your network will grow you and push you. Let it!
  • Be kind, don’t worry about being nice
• 00:47:59 Here’s how to make a million dollars
  • Give your fans the product that they want
  • Think about $20 increments
• 00:49:39 Sell free tapes
  • And build a database of fans!
• 00:51:10 Postcards in the mail
  • Susie Majors with RagDolls on Gig Gab
• 00:54:05 Promoting Shows in 2024 (and beyond)
  • HelloBand (GIGGAB20 gets you 20% off!)
• Messages from the crowd to the stage
  • One QR Code does it all
• 01:02:49 You’re in a business
• 01:04:16 Talk Nerdy To Me
  • Nothin’ But a Good Time
  • Come Together
• 01:09:07 Sugar Packets on Sweet Emotion
• 01:09:42 Work with an agent?
  • Shot of Poison is not exclusive with any agents
  • Agents are very valuable…when used properly
• 01:12:04 Gig Gab 460 Outtro
  • Follow Bruce Bennett and HelloBand (GIGGAB20 gets you 20% off!)
  • Contact Gig Gab!
    • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
    • [e-mail]
    • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

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