The Cover Band Central Podcast
Veteran musicians Steve Witschel and Tony Bienert are here to inform, entertain, and delight you with all topics related to playing music in a cover band...and everything that comes with it!
Episodes
April 4, 2024 • 77 mins
First to Eleven is perhaps the single most ambitious and prolific cover band in the country. Their YouTube channel boasts hundreds of high-quality videos with a new clip posted every week. Just ahead of the band heading out on tour, we'll have a chat with founder and guitarist Ryan Krysiak and lead singer Audra Miller and talk about their creative process, their upcoming shows, what keeps the band motivated, and much more!
https://...
Mark as Played
April 3, 2024 • 58 mins
This past weekend, Steve went to see Geoff Tate (lead singer of Queensryche), and noticed that there were no amps on stage. The topic of IEMs and backing tracks comes up often in the Cover Band Central Group, so Steve and Tony weigh in on this growing trend. Also, the conversation starts with the wide use of A.I. and how it's affecting the art industry.
Make more money! If you can take tips, sign up at https://app.mysetmusic.com/si...
Mark as Played
March 20, 2024 • 53 mins
One of the biggest challenges for musicians is knowing how to manage the confusing landscape of social media. Steve has written the blueprint for building your online audience and reaching the people who will actually support you and come see you play. Tony has read the ebook, and the two of them dig deeper into the wisdom shared.
To get the ebook - www.getemtotheshow.com
Take tips at your show? Get the best app who requests and ti...
Mark as Played
February 29, 2024 • 59 mins
The Cover Band Central Facebook Group is the most active and vibrant community of musicians on the internet. This episode, Steve and Tony check in on what people are posting and talking about, and add their own unique thoughts.
Join the Group at www.facebook.com/groups/coverbandcentral
Get the ebook - www.getemtotheshow.com
Subscribe to our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/coverbandcentral
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Mark as Played
February 21, 2024 • 53 mins
Since American Idol debuted in 2002, music contest shows have become ubiquitous. In most cases, singers (and sometimes bands) vie in a competition to achieve stardom. Most don't see anything beyond a few minutes of screen time (if they even get that), but a select few have gone on to major success...all while performing covers to get there.
Steve and Tony discuss this 21st century phenomenon and how it has affected the community at...
Mark as Played
February 7, 2024 • 58 mins
Nobody's perfect. Yes, that is a cliche', but when it comes to being a musician, it's important to remember this. From the kid jamming in his bedroom, to the multi-platinum rock stars, everyone makes mistakes, struggles with confidence, and sometimes wants to throw in the towel. Steve an Tony discuss this and more including Steve working at the Grammy Awards in 1991, this years' Grammys, and the amazing Netflix special "The Greates...
Mark as Played
January 31, 2024 • 56 mins
We all love getting a shiny new piece of musical equipment. The old joke is that if you get new gear, you'll improve at your craft. But is there any truth to this? Steve and Tony explore this topic, along with anything else that comes up.
Get the ebook! - www.getemtotheshow.com
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Mark as Played
January 24, 2024 • 62 mins
After an extended leave, Steve and Tony are back to talk about all that's going on in the world of cover bands and musicians! They'll recap what's been going on in their respective careers since the last episode, and discuss random topics that come up. Join us!
Check out the BRAND NEW website at www.coverbandcentral.com
Get your copy of the ebook at www.getemtotheshow.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...
Mark as Played
August 30, 2023 • 64 mins
Whether we are intentional or not, we as musicians are always learning and teaching. We absorb what happens when we play with others, and many of us give our advice joyfully to other players.
Some of us though, who are looking to excel at what we do, seek guidance from those who are accomplished. Today, Steve and Tony discuss their experiences with learning and teaching through the years, the benefits of having an instructor, and d...
Mark as Played
August 9, 2023 • 63 mins
We've all been there. Something that completely humiliates you happens under the lights in front of many gazing eyes. Even the best of them have had an embarrassing moment on stage. This episode, we'll scroll through some of the events you were kind enough to admit.
Available Now! A new micro-course ebook that helps you with promoting yourself on social media so that you get more people to your shows, and ultimately make more money...
Mark as Played
July 12, 2023 • 63 mins
Like it or not, social media like Facebook, Instagram, and now Threads are an important part of the game in maintaining a working band. The most successful cover bands and artists of today have a presence on all of the major platforms...and provide content on a regular basis. Some of the older generation are reluctant to participate, but it's not going away any time soon.
Subscribe to the Cover Band Central YouTube channel at www.y...
Mark as Played
June 29, 2023 • 63 mins
Any long time musician knows that in order to persevere, you need to constantly be practicing, studying, and improving. Ask any player if they've gotten as good as they can get, and most times they will answer "No." Being aware of this fact is important if you want to get work and make good money.
Subscribe to the Cover Band Central YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/coverbandcentral
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...
Mark as Played
June 8, 2023 • 62 mins
People make lists all of the time. Shopping lists, rankings, to-do lists, etc. But the importance of lists for musicians cannot be overstated. Being organized is primary for your success as a band or individual player. Steve and Tony discuss this...and much more!
Subscribe to the Cover Band Central YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/coverbandcentral
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
May 24, 2023 • 69 mins
200 hours. That's how much content we've provided with the Cover Band Central podcast.
For this celebratory episode, we've brought in special guests who have been a huge part of the Cover Band Central journey from nearly the beginning. This round table discussion is full of memories, wisdom, tips, and laughs.
Joining us on this episode are:
Jeff Yonker aka Chonk - Silent Bark/Robots Attack/Website guru
Dan Ray - The Clanky Lincolns...
Mark as Played
May 10, 2023 • 62 mins
It takes a lot of work to manage a band. You need focus, organizational skills, ability to delegate, diplomacy, motivation, and many other traits to be successful. Bands can get away with less, but the most successful ones have someone in charge that knows what they're doing.
Subscribe to the Cover Band Central YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/coverbandcentral
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
April 26, 2023 • 62 mins
9 years ago today we had a clever idea of creating a home for musicians all over the world who play covers. Thus...the Cover Band Central Facebook Page was created. Now it has over 670,000 followers, and is on track to a million by early next year. Steve and Tony talk about the history and intention of CBC, and what the future holds.
Subscribe to the Cover Band Central YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/coverbandcentral
Learn more ...
Mark as Played
April 12, 2023 • 65 mins
You've likely heard the phrase "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have." That advice can be taken literally in the general workforce to better your chances of moving up the corporate ladder, but it's also a metaphor that attempts to motivate you to strive for more, and to do it in the present. It means—act as if you are in the place or position that you prefer even before you get there.
This nugget of wisdom can also be a...
Mark as Played
March 29, 2023 • 64 mins
This podcast focuses on musicians and all that comes along with playing covers—either for fun or work. This week, Steve and Tony explore the other perspective...the cover band fan. What makes a person become a fan of a particular cover band, and what gets them coming back to shows and telling other people about them? The question was asked on the Cover Band Central Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/coverbandcentral), and there were m...
Mark as Played
March 22, 2023 • 64 mins
Some of us in the cover band scene have been at this for years—even decades. If we had an opportunity to do it all over again, what are some things we would change? More importantly, though, what advice can we give to younger musicians with our wealth of experience?
Steve and Tony give their answers in this episode, as well as field comments from the live viewers. They also scroll through the post that was recently put up in the Co...
Mark as Played
March 8, 2023 • 65 mins
There are two schools of thought with cover band performances. The first is that it's a show, and there is a separation between the band and the crowd. In other words, the fourth wall remains up and there is little to no interaction between the two.
The second is that the people in attendance are actually part of the show...where requests are taken and there is banter back and forth.
On this episode, Steve and Tony discuss the diff...
Mark as Played
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