The Career Musician
Learn the secrets of the music industry and how to build a lasting career!
Episodes
February 3, 2026 • 86 mins
Award season is here — and in this episode of The Career Musician, Nomad and the TCM Pro Team sit down for a post-show Green Room debrief after working an awards-show house band gig in the trenches.
We kick things off with a real talk “post-Grammys” perspective: why awards can help your career (visibility, awareness, doors opening)… but why music will always remain opinion-based and subjective — and why no trophy should ever defin...
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January 19, 2026 • 46 mins
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: chil...
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January 13, 2026 • 19 mins
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 executi...
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December 29, 2025 • 10 mins
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...
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December 23, 2025 • 11 mins
Welcome to the 2025 Year in Review Wrap-Up episode! Celebrate our milestones, meet the team, and discover the top 10 career tips that defined this year. From building your brand to mastering auditions and networking, this episode is your guide to thriving as a professional musician. As we approach our 200th episode, Nomad reflects on a year of incredible growth, community, and music industry insights.
This episode features reflect...
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December 15, 2025 • 27 mins
🎙️ From Baltimore hustle to shaping a music career on his own terms.
Drummer, producer, father, and brand-builder — Bryant Wilson (aka The Beatqualizer) proves that success isn’t defined by location or industry hype. After COVID nearly knocked him out of the game for years, he rebuilt from the ground up: steady wedding gigs, a home studio, his own sample pack, and even branded cereal. Yes — cereal. 🍽️🥁
Bryant’s story is a blue...
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December 15, 2025 • 81 mins
How a versatile bassist built a career touring with today’s pop stars
From Six Flags shows to Coachella, Bonnaroo, and headline runs with modern chart-toppers like Dominic Fike and Remi Wolf, bassist Sean Sobash has built a sustainable touring career through community, versatility, and smart business decisions.
He shares how jam sessions led to major gigs, how to negotiate fair pay, when to say no — and why prioritizing relations...
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November 30, 2025 • 32 mins
In this episode, host Nomad sits down with Ron Perry, aka RPP, a seasoned outbound sales leader and former aspiring guitar hero, to unpack the universal principles of success in music and business. Broadcasting from Breckenridge, Colorado, they dive deep into why building a strong personal brand is just as important—if not more so—than mastering your craft.Key
Topics: Why “brand” matters as much as talent for musicians and profes...
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November 24, 2025 • 17 mins
Inside the House Band: What It Really Takes To Play an Elite Hollywood Awards Show
with Joel Meza — Drummer/Playback Tech, The Career Musician House Band
Most musicians see the glitz, the cameras, the red carpet, and the highlight reels…
But very few ever get to experience what really goes down behind the scenes of an elite Hollywood awards show—like the Hollywood Music in Media Awards—especially from the vantage point of the hous...
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November 17, 2025 • 96 mins
🎙️ The Career Musician Podcast — Featuring Rob Garland
From England to Los Angeles, navigating soul bands, jazz fusion, and iconic guitar hero moments.
Rob Garland has built a lasting career through sheer passion, persistence, and the willingness to evolve. From teaching 40+ students during the pandemic to interviewing legends like Steve Vai and Dweezil Zappa, Rob embodies what it means to be a true Career Musician — adaptab...
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November 10, 2025 • 73 mins
The Imaginaries | Dynamic Duo of Music and Business
From Norman, Oklahoma to Muscle Shoals and Hollywood, The Imaginaries — the husband-and-wife duo of Maggie McClure & Shane Henry — are carving a bold path as artists, entrepreneurs, and relentless creators. Whether they’re touring the country in their Honda Pilot packed with gear, releasing music infused with Americana soul, or taking business risks that lead to major wins, the...
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November 3, 2025 • 74 mins
🎙️ The Career Musician Podcast — Featuring Carly Lyman
From the mountains of Colorado to the heart of Los Angeles’ music scene, Carly Lyman has carved a dynamic path as a songwriter, producer, performer, and creative visionary. As VP of Music for Devin Powers / Powers Music Group, Carly has been at the helm of projects spanning K-Pop chart-toppers, indie artist collaborations, and music for film, trailers, and commercials.
Her c...
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October 28, 2025 • 71 mins
Introduction & Background
Casual, authentic conversation with insights into the music industry.
Focus on TV and film scoring, specifically unscripted reality TV and production music.
Personal stories illustrate industry evolution and building a career.
Industry Insights & Knowledge
Importance of building client relationships ("clients, clients, clients").
Overdelivering as a key to standing out and s...
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October 21, 2025 • 46 mins
Nomad kicks off TCM’s new Talk 'n Tunes jam-in-the-round format with drummer Joel Meza (new TCM co-host) and bassist Maxx Diaz—two working pros with real-world receipts.
We break down Maxx’s “audition” that wasn’t an audition at all (a full day at Disneyland to test chemistry), the mindset shifts that beat imposter syndrome, and why saying yes (fast) often beats over-preparing. We also trade stories from the road, touch the four ...
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October 20, 2025 • 24 mins
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Host and creator Nomad welcomes drummer & playback tech Joel Meza as a guest and officially announces him as the new co-host! Together, they dive deep into the realities of touring, the secrets to building a successful music career, and reveal a brand new show format: 🎶Jam Talk 🗣
Episode Highlights
✈️ Life on the Ro...
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May 13, 2025 • 23 mins
🎙️ EPISODE 187: Real Talk: Banding Together as Career Musicians
SUMMARY:
Feeling stuck, isolated, or overwhelmed in your musical journey? You're not alone. This episode highlights the power of community, emphasizing how important it is for career musicians to band together, support each other, and rise collectively. Nomad shares real-life insights into overcoming challenges, navigating responsibilities, and maintaining your pa...
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May 7, 2025 • 13 mins
In this energetic episode, Nomad takes listeners on a ride to a non-music event, demonstrating firsthand the power of his four essential rules for building meaningful relationships and standing out as a musician.
Key Takeaways:
Rule #1: Get Up, Dress Up, Show Up
Nomad emphasizes the importance of physically showing up to events, even when you’re not explicitly required to attend. Commitment and presence are key.
Rule #2: C...
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May 1, 2025 • 10 mins
Tired of chasing gigs? You’re not alone.
In this real talk session, NOMAD flips the script and explains why letting go may be the key to making work come to you.
Show Notes:
Why "work begets work" in the gig economy
The trap of hustle culture and how to escape it
How creating your own momentum leads to unexpected opportunities
Practical advice: build your rig, finish the project, and stay ready
Key mindset: The gigs are co...
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April 28, 2025 • 11 mins
Getting ghosted sucks — especially when it’s a gig you really wanted.
Here’s how to deal with the silence, follow up like a pro, and protect your mental space.
Show Notes:
The emotional sting of being ghosted (we’ve all been there)
The “3 strikes” method for professional follow-ups
How to close loops, track your contacts, and stay mentally free
Create a contact spreadsheet to manage outreach
Let it go — and keep moving forw...
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April 24, 2025 • 9 mins
Ever met a musician who pours on the love… but disappears when it matters?
In this episode, NOMAD calls out fake support and makes the case for keeping it real.
Show Notes:
What “insincere sincerity” sounds like in the music world
How to spot it, avoid it, and never be that person
The difference between honest encouragement and hollow hype
Why integrity and authenticity matter more than ever
Be the real one in a room full o...
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