On The Hook with Matt Wilson

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• choosing the right environment to spark and capture inspiration,
• coping with criticism and expectations in high-exposure performance opportunities,
• gaining strength through improvement, perseverance, and creativity,
• realizing one'...

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Drawing on the concepts presented in Matt's book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Phil Pritchett joins Matt to discuss the expectations and realities of the working musician. 

Topics include

• stories from the studio and the stage, 
• how to approach and evaluate performance,
• reassessing career goals, and
• focusing on meaning and being grateful.

Phil Pritchett is...

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Season 2, Episode 3 - Geoff Smith, Katie Pinder Brown, and Ken Gustafson join Matt to talk about the longstanding tradition of the piano bar. Topics include

• the allure and accessibility of the show, 
• multiple strategies for an ideal performance,
• balancing entertainment and musicality,
• and how a piano bar show can affect an audience.

Guests

Geoff Smith is a prolific American music producer and performer. H...

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Drawing on the concepts presented in Matt's book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Stuart Malina  joins Matt to discuss

• his role in creating Movin' Out and a reflection on the show 20 years later,
• multiple strategies for masterful performance,
• utilizing and discerning opinions,
• and maintaining a balanced perspective professionally and personally.

In a wide variet...

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Drawing on the concepts presented in Matt’s book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Ross Shafer joins Matt to discuss

• Identifying and aligning skills for reinventing yourself professionally.
• Finding meaning within the mundane and how to reframe your day-to-day endeavors.
• How to draw confidence from what sets you apart.
• A few performance tips for the stage.
• Recreating s...

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Drawing on the concepts presented in Matt’s book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Dan Holmes joins Matt to discuss

• specific tips for building and maintaining an online presence,
• the role specificity plays in your brand, and
• the importance of finding joy in what you are selling.

Dan Holmes is a professional musician, songwriter, entertainer, and founder of Allrequestpiano...

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Drawing on the concepts presented in Matt’s book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Tim Levy joins Matt to discuss

• the importance of personal and professional reinvention and how to do it,
• why you should seek to find meaningful and challenging endeavors, and 
• the pitfalls of becoming attached to the future and what it means to choose a wide or narrow gaze.

Tim Levy is an a...

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Drawing on the concepts presented in Matt’s book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, the Reverend Merrill Wade joins Matt to discuss

• tactful delivery and the art of remaining composed during a performance or presentation,
• finding faith in the ability to build confidence,
• how to discern and manage anxious environments and communication, and
• the necessity and benefits of sincere c...

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Drawing on the concepts presented in Matt's book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Debbie joins Matt to discuss

• the 4-part sequence to learning, 
• identifying Learned Helplessness and Imposter Syndrome, 
• how to identify and allocate your most valuable resources,
• identifying and managing Frustration Tolerance,
• strategies for managing difficult team members, bandmates, and as...

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Drawing on the concepts presented in Matt’s book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Rickey joins Matt to discuss

• Reprogramming our minds for better preparation and performance,
• How to choose excitement over anxiety and depression,
• How to use experience as a resource, and
• How to apply the Opportunity Reaction Management System to future endeavors.

THE ULTIMATE “MR. HAPPY,” R...

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Focusing on Hook #47 in Matt’s book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Matthew Friedman shares how he transformed from practicing law in New York City to playing the role of the Piano Man in Movin’ Out on Broadway. A tale complete with rockstar encounters, overcoming naysayers, building skill and confidence, witnessing tragedy, and years of waiting and hoping, Matthew’s story e...

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Drawing on the concepts presented in Matt’s book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Nicole Brogdon (MAC,LPC,LMFT) joins Matt to discuss:

• How to regulate emotions onstage and within relationships,

• How to maintain perspective during significant changes and moments,

• How to apply a process-oriented approach to performance and life. 

Nicole Brogdon is a licensed professional couns...

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Drawing on the concepts presented in Matt's book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Darrell and Matt tell a few stories, discuss tools and techniques, and share strategies anyone can use to prepare mentally and consistently deliver in high-pressure performance situations.  

Darrell May is a former MLB player with over 16 years at the professional level. Darrell st...