Tribute Band Sessions

Tribute Band Sessions

Tribute Band Sessions takes you behind the curtain of the billion-dollar tribute industry—where legendary music is reborn every night. Hosted by creator, music producer, musician, and talent manager Mike Gendler, along with rotating celebrity co-hosts, each episode features unfiltered conversations with tribute performers, booking agents, and insiders. From tour life and gear to sold-out shows at venues like Red Rocks, this is your all-access pass. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

Episodes

March 18, 2026 58 mins
Simon Napier-Bell has managed some of the biggest names in music history — and he’s not holding back.In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Simon pulls the curtain back on fame, power, money, and the brutal realities of the music business.From Wham! and George Michael to global productions like Raiding the Rock Vault, nothing is off-limits.This is the side of the industry fans were never meant to hear.If you love music, this epi...
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More Than a Tribute: How The Iron Maidens Earned Iron Maiden’s Respect   The Iron Maidens aren’t just a tribute band — they’re a global force.In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, we sit down with Kirsten to explore the discipline, musicianship, and pressure behind honoring one of metal’s most legendary catalogs.We talk legacy, authenticity, and what it really takes to earn respect in the Iron Maiden universe.From internationa...
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In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, we go behind the curtain of one of Florida’s most respected live venues with Randy Singer, Managing Partner of Boca Black Box. Randy shares how he went from real estate into live entertainment—and why he says he’s not in the music business, but in the business of selling happiness. This conversation is emotional, funny, and brutally honest about what makes a venue thrive and why tribute ba...
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In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, we sit down with Marcus Linial, founder of ML Presents, one of the most influential forces in the modern tribute-band world. Marcus shares his journey from owning New York City live music venues to managing and producing some of the most successful tribute brands in the country—including Jessie’s Girl (’80s), ’90s shows, and the explosive phenomenon Let’s Sing Taylor. We dig deep into how...
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In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, we sit down with Jaymz Lennfield of Beatallica — the legendary band that fuses The Beatles and Metallica into mind-bending mashups that somehow feel like both bands wrote them on purpose. Jaymz breaks down the wild origin story: how a one-night spoof festival in Milwaukee led to homemade CDs, BitTorrent chaos, and the internet effectively naming the band “Beatallica” for them. Then things ...
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In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, hosts Mike Gendler and Ray Yslas (Chicago) sit down with powerhouse vocalist Rudy Cardenas — known for his stunning work with FJ Tribute (Journey & Foreigner) and The Classic Rock Show, one of Europe’s largest touring rock productions. Rudy shares his journey from growing up with Latin, pop, and rock influences to becoming a season 6 American Idol finalist, auditioning in front of Simon Co...
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The Dual Threat: How to Sing Boston, Styx & Foreigner AND Become a Max-Level Agent Frank Vestry (Smokin' Renegade / Maximum Bands) spills the secrets on what agents really look for, the 6-month rehearsal marathon, and why fans think they're using tracks. Welcome back to Tribute Band Sessions! Today we have an absolute double threat in the house: the incredible Frank Vestry. Not only is he the powerhouse vocalist for the legendary ...
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In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, host Mike Gendler sits down with Bill “Billy” Jolly – a three-time Emmy Award–winning producer, writer, and musical director and the MD of Love TKO: The Teddy Pendergrass Tribute Band. Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Bill shares how Motown bass lines, James Brown’s “Cold Sweat,” and the lush productions of Tom Bell, Gamble & Huff shaped his ears. He walks us through his journey from ...
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Why the Original Funk King WON’T Call It a Tribute Prince, The Family, and the Undeniable Funk of the Minneapolis Sound — A Celebration with St. Paul Peterson We’re going deep into Minneapolis Funk history this week!  Get ready to groove as we sit down with the one and only Saint Paul Peterson — Mr. Minneapolis Funk himself — for a no-holds-barred conversation about life, legacy, and the sound that changed pop music forever. At ...
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🎸 Get ready to crank it up! This week, we’re joined by Rachel Hill, co-founder of Blue Raven Entertainment, a powerhouse in tribute band and national act management. From her classical piano roots and corporate label days to launching Blue Raven with Shawn Gildea, Rachel shares the journey that shaped her music career. We dive into the booming tribute band industry—what truly separates tributes from cover bands, why visuals and p...
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Viral creator Nick Harrison – Mr. Professor 318 joins Tribute Band Sessions! In this episode, Nick shares how he went from Louisiana school teacher and radio host to a full-time content creator with millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube. We dive into the story behind his AI soul reimaginations of rock and metal classics—turning Foo Fighters, Disturbed, Slipknot, Korn, Stone Temple Pilots, Jo...
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What does it really take to build a world-class tribute band? From Led Zeppelin reunions to Pink Floyd global tours, Taylor Swift tributes selling out shows, Vegas residencies, American Idol backstories, insane vintage gear, and the grind it takes to make it big—this episode dives into the real stories, sacrifices, wins, and lessons from the top tribute artists in the world. You’ll hear firsthand experiences hanging with legends l...
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Celebrate the season with our Holiday Special Edition of Tribute Band Sessions! This special episode highlights the best moments from our standout 2025 guests while exploring the musical journey of tribute artists—from their early local gigs to national touring success. We dive into the fast-growing tribute scene, the importance of vocal health, the professionalism behind every live performance, and the powerful emotional connecti...
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Ever wondered what it takes to not just replicate, but truly embody the sound of a legendary band like Pink Floyd? In this episode, I'm absolutely thrilled to welcome Steve Mac and Colin Wilson from the world-renowned The Australian Pink Floyd Show! We dive deep into their incredible journey, from their early days in the Adelaide pub scene to selling 5 million tickets worldwide. They share the secrets behind perfecting their craft,...
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Get ready to rock and roll with another incredible interview! This week, we're sitting down with the powerhouse members of Tusk, the definitive tribute to Fleetwood Mac. For 17 years and over 90 shows a year, Scott McDonald, Kathy Phillips, and Kim Williams have been captivating audiences with their authentic and passionate performances. In this episode, we hear the unbelievable backstories from life on the road, including what hap...
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Zep's Golden Ratio: Bonham, Buddha, & the Power of Passion Clem from Zepparella on Finding Spiritual Flow and Hammering out Zeppelin Rhythms Hold onto your hi-hats, this one goes deep! We’re kicking it with the absolute powerhouse of rhythm, Clem from Zepparella, the world’s longest-running, all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band. Get ready for an origin story unlike any other, as Clem reveals the lightning bolt moment that pulled ...
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Hey everybody, welcome to another unforgettable episode of Tribute Band Sessions! This week, we're setting sail with Kevin Sucher, the mastermind behind The Docksiders — Las Vegas’s ultimate Yacht Rock experience. You think you know Yacht Rock? Wait till you hear Kevin’s story. From Grammy-nominated engineer and producer to label owner and executive producer of an Oscar-winning film, Kevin’s journey is a masterclass in creativity a...
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Get ready to plug in and turn it up, because we have an absolute legend in the house! This week, we sit down with the incredible Adrian Conner , the powerhouse lead guitarist for the world-famous, all-female AC/DC tribute band, Hell's Belles. For over two decades, Adrian Conner and her bandmates have been shaking audiences to their foundations, and she's here to pull back the curtain on their electrifying journey. We get into how s...
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Ever wondered what it takes to transform timeless Disney melodies into stadium-rocking anthems? In this captivating episode, we sit down with Alexis Babini of The Little Mermen & The Princess Pals, a band that’s redefining what it means to be a tribute act. From his family’s rich musical heritage, including a grandfather who played cello for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and on iconic Motown tracks, to his own Berklee education, A...
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🎸 Alright Rock ’n’ Rollers — buckle up! This episode of Tribute Band Sessions dives into the electrifying world of Kiss Nation with Billy May, the powerhouse frontman who doesn’t just play Paul Stanley — he becomes the Starchild. Billy shares his journey from lifelong KISS superfan to stepping into those platform boots and living the dream on stage. From his early days as a confident performer (but shy offstage) to fronting one ...
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