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
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...
- 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...
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.
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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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