What happens after the show is over?

For most musicians, the reality of a music career isn't private jets, sold-out arenas, or million-dollar record deals. It's long drives, inconsistent income, side gigs, creative fulfillment, and the constant challenge of making a living while pursuing a craft they love.

In this episode of Backstage Money, host Jason K. Powers sits down with Franz Nicolay — musician, writer, educator, current member of The Hold Steady, and author of the acclaimed book Band People: Life and Work in Popular Music.

Named one of Rolling Stone's best music books of 2024, Band People explores the lives of the working musicians who make up the backbone of the music industry. Franz shares lessons from decades on the road, stories gathered from musicians across the industry, and his work advocating for artists through organizations such as the Future of Music Coalition, including bringing the concerns of working musicians to Congress.

This conversation dives into the realities of building a sustainable music career and why musicians need to think beyond the stage if they want longevity.

• What Franz learned from interviewing dozens of career musicians
• The concept of the "musical middle class"
• Why musicians often struggle to talk about money
• Touring, side gigs, and the realities of making ends meet
• Songwriting, publishing, and long-term income streams
• Band dynamics and career longevity
• Music advocacy and taking musicians' concerns to Congress
• What younger artists should know about building a sustainable career

If you're trying to build a career in music, this episode offers a rare look at the people who make the industry work, even when nobody sees their names on the marquee.

Website: https://franznicolay.com

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Book: Band People: Life and Work in Popular Music

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What does it take to build a tribute band into a full-time business?

In this episode of Backstage Money, host Jason K. Powers talks with Nikki Starr, founder, owner, manager, and guitarist of That Arena Rock Show, about building one of the hardest working tribute bands on the circuit from the ground up. Now up to 94 shows a year, Nikki shares the real business decisions behind the stage show - reinvesting merch money, door deals, betting on yourself, and what it actually takes to make music your full-time job.

If you're trying to build a sustainable career in music, this episode is packed with real, hard-won lessons from someone who figured it out.

Topics include:

• Building a tribute band into a real business
• Reinvesting merch and show money to grow your production
• Door deals and why they changed everything
• Finding the right band members who share your vision
• The reality of life on the road vs. the dream
• What it takes to go from 20 shows to 94 shows a year

Follow Nikki Starr & That Arena Rock Show

Website: https://www.thatarenarockshow.com

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThatArenaRockShow

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Free Guide for Musicians Download A Musician's Guide to Financial Stability https://1024wealth.com/music

What does it really take to survive - and build a long career - in the music industry?

In this episode of Backstage Money, host Jason K. Powers sits down with Shawn Duncan, drummer for L.A. Guns and founding member of Odin, to talk about the realities of life as a working musician.

Shawn has spent decades performing, recording, and touring in rock music. From the legendary Sunset Strip scene to stages around the world, he shares lessons musicians often learn the hard way about professionalism, persistence, and navigating the business side of music.

This conversation dives into the realities behind the stage lights and what it actually takes to build longevity in a tough industry.

In this episode we discuss:

• Lessons from decades in the rock music world
• The realities of touring and performing professionally
• What younger musicians often misunderstand about the industry
• Why relationships and professionalism still matter
• The mindset required to stay in the music business long-term

If you're an artist trying to build a sustainable career, this episode offers insight from someone who has lived it.

Official Website: https://www.lagunsmusic.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L.A.GunsOfficial/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laguns/

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In Part 2 of this Backstage Money conversation, host Jason K Powers continues his discussion with music industry mentor Chris Fletcher, founder of Music Biz Mentors.

This half of the conversation focuses on the practical realities of building income as a musician and thinking creatively about career sustainability. Chris shares examples of overlooked opportunities that musicians often miss, from session work and voiceover jobs to writing for television, teaching, production work, and other ways artists can monetize their skills beyond touring and streaming.

The discussion also explores sponsorships, endorsements, crowdfunding, and subscription platforms like Patreon. Chris explains how artists can attract brand support, why audience size and engagement matter to sponsors, and how independent musicians can fund projects without taking on unnecessary debt.

Jason and Chris also talk about financial discipline for musicians, including tracking income, understanding expenses, negotiating performance fees, and learning how venues actually make money. Chris shares practical advice from years of working with artists on how to price gigs, manage finances, and avoid common mistakes that derail careers.

If you are an independent musician, songwriter, or artist trying to turn your skills into sustainable income, this episode offers real-world insight into the business side of staying in the music industry long term.

This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. Part 1 covers starting a career in music, building industry connections, and what most artists misunderstand about getting momentum in the music business.

Backstage Money is real-world finance for musicians, where music and money collide through honest conversations with artists and industry professionals who are living it.

Connect with Chris Fletcher

Music Biz Mentors

https://musicbizmentors.com

Backstage Money

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Before you grow your music career, you need to know where you really stand.

In this episode of Backstage Money, Jason K. Powers sits down with Chris Fletcher, founder of MusicBizMentors.com, artist development coach, and longtime music business instructor at Musicians Institute.

Chris shares how she got started helping artists, how she built her career in music business and education, and why musicians need to honestly assess their songs, skills, and business habits before trying to level up.

This conversation covers:

1. How Chris Fletcher got started in artist development
2. What “baby bands” need most early on
3. How to tell whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced artist
4. Why releasing music matters more than chasing perfection
5. Why musicians still need an email list
6. How consistent small actions build momentum over time
7. Why creating and business growth go hand in hand

If you’re trying to get more serious about your music career, this episode will help you think more clearly about your next steps.

Learn More About Chris Fletcher

MusicBizMentors.com

Backstage Money

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Free Financial Resource for Musicians

Get the free ebook A Musician’s Guide to Infinite Banking at https://1024wealth.com/music

In this episode of Backstage Money, host Jason K Powers sits down with Jason Hartless, touring drummer for Ted Nugent and co-owner of Sound City Entertainment, to talk about what it actually takes to build and sustain a career in the music business.

Jason shares his story of growing up around music, developing his craft as a drummer, and eventually stepping into the role of touring drummer for rock legend Ted Nugent. Along the way he explains how musicians get hired, what bandleaders are really looking for, and why professionalism, reliability, and attitude often matter just as much as talent.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of the modern music industry. Jason talks about touring life, working relationships inside a band, and how musicians navigate an industry where income streams have shifted dramatically over the last two decades. From touring and merchandise to fan engagement and career longevity, he offers a candid look at what it takes to stay working as a musician today.

Jason also shares insights into the business side of music, including how artists adapt to the streaming era, how independent musicians can build sustainable careers, and why understanding the financial realities of the industry is essential for long term survival.

If you are a drummer, touring musician, band member, or independent artist trying to build a career that lasts, this episode offers a real world look at the music business from someone who has lived it on stage and behind the scenes.

Backstage Money is real world finance for musicians, where music and money collide through honest conversations with artists and industry professionals who are living it.

Connect with Jason Hartless

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonhartless

Sound City Entertainment: https://www.instagram.com/soundcity_musicgroup

Backstage Money

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Free Financial Resource for Musicians

Get the free ebook A Musician’s Guide to Infinite Banking at https://1024wealth.com/music

In Part 2 of this Backstage Money conversation, host Jason K Powers continues his discussion with Danny Zelisko, veteran concert promoter and founder of Danny Zelisko Presents.

This half of the conversation dives into touring risk, ticket sales realities, and what actually keeps bands alive long term.

Danny explains how promoters evaluate risk, why overpaying for a show can sink everyone involved, and how ticket pricing must match what the market will bear. He shares candid insight on loyalty, competition between promoters, and why chasing higher guarantees without understanding your draw can backfire fast.

The discussion also tackles VIP packages, meet and greets, rising ticket prices, and the growing cost of live entertainment. Danny offers a blunt perspective on what helps artists build sustainable careers versus what accelerates burnout or audience fatigue.

Toward the end, he gives practical advice for up and coming bands on protecting themselves financially, putting agreements in writing, understanding club deals, and avoiding the common mistakes that lead to bad shows and broken relationships.

This episode is essential listening for touring musicians, independent bands, managers, and anyone trying to understand the real economics behind live music.

This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. Part 1 covers guarantees, ticket pricing fundamentals, and why some bands get booked while others don’t.

Backstage Money is real-world finance for musicians, where music and money collide through honest conversations with artists and industry professionals who are living it.

Website: https://dzplive.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dannyzeliskopresents

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In this episode of Backstage Money, Jason K Powers sits down with Danny Zelisko, a veteran concert promoter whose career spans back to 1974 and includes working with some of the biggest artists in live music history.

Danny shares his origin story and how he got into concert promotion, from discovering music as a teenager to booking his first shows and learning the business through real-world trial and error. He breaks down what concert promoters actually do, how booking decisions are made, and why understanding the market matters more than ego.

The conversation dives into guarantees, ticket pricing, and the hard realities of live music economics. Danny explains why some bands keep getting booked while others don’t, how pricing mistakes can stall careers, and why promoters have to balance risk, audience trust, and long-term relationships.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Part 2 goes deeper into touring risk, selling tickets, market realities, and what it really takes to survive in live music over the long haul.

Backstage Money is real-world finance for musicians, where music and money collide through honest conversations with artists and industry professionals who are living it.

Website: https://dzplive.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dannyzeliskopresents

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dzpresents/

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Get the free ebook A Musician’s Guide to Infinite Banking

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