On The Hook with Matt Wilson

On The Hook with Matt Wilson

Author, songwriter, musician, and performer Matt Wilson explores topics covered in his book Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician. Guests from all walks of life share personal and professional experiences on performance, confidence, courage & fear, perspective, creativity, expectations, management, and skills.

Episodes

July 31, 2024 82 mins

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Drawing on the concepts presented in Matt's book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Cliff & Susan Prowse join Matt to discuss

  • the impact of AI and automation on the music industry and artists, 
  • the increasing value of live performance-based careers,
  • the importance of identifying where to invest time and resources as a performer, and 
  • the necessity of discernment and build...
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Drawing on the concepts presented in Matt's book, Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician, Kat Edmonson joins Matt to discuss

  • 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's a...
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December 29, 2022 73 mins

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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 a ...

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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. His ...

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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 variety o...

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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 succ...
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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.co...

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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 auth...

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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 comp...
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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 assoc...
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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,” Rick...

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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 exem...

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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 counselo...

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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 start...

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