#188: Never Lose the Gig! New Season w/co-host Joel Meza episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 20, 2025 · 24 MIN

#188: Never Lose the Gig! New Season w/co-host Joel Meza

from The Career Musician · host The Career Musician

🎟 Grab your ALL Access VIP Pass here:  ⁠⁠https://thecareermusician.com/membership/all-access-vip-pass/⁠⁠ Host and creator Nomad welcomes drummer & playback tech Joel Meza as a guest and officially announces him as the new co-host! Together, they dive deep into the realities of touring, the secrets to building a successful music career, and reveal a brand new show format: 🎶Jam Talk 🗣 Episode Highlights ✈️ Life on the Road: Joel joins from Calgary, Canada and shares insights into balancing music, workouts, and adventure during a tour. Nomad and Joel reminisce about their favorite on-the-road routines, emphasizing the importance of structure and self-care. 🫵 Building a Career Band: Learn why it’s crucial for artists to hire pros, not just hobbyists, and how picking the right team can make or break your show. 📘 Daily Habits of Successful Musicians: From morning routines to practicing for the gig, discover work habits, such as the Priority Matrix that will help you sustain a long-term career in music. 💪 Earning the Gig Every Day: Joel talks about the constant pressure to deliver your best performance—the myth of “making it,” and how every show is an opportunity to keep your spot. 💼 The Power of Preparedness: Together they share personal stories about the cost of complacency, whether forgetting a key piece of equipment or not responding to communications quickly. Nomad learned this the hard way on his first and last Danny Elfman session! 🌎 Joel’s Musical Journey: Find out how movies like Drumline inspired Joel’s drumming path, and how mentorship and relentless networking opened up touring and blues circuit opportunities. 🏙 Moving to Major Music Cities: Why musicians need to “be present to win”—Joel’s lessons from Salt Lake City to Nashville, and the hard-hitting advice from famed drummer, Thomas Pridgen, that moved him forward. 🤳 Communication is Key: Why answering emails and texts promptly is a non-negotiable part of working with Nomad, Joel’s own bands and ANY band you find yourself working with! 🤓 Notable Quotes: “You’re only as good as your last performance, your last gig.” “The definition of luck is when preparedness meets opportunity.” “A rising tide raises all ships—the better we all get at working this business, the better it is for everyone.” If you’re a musician seeking practical advice, motivation, and the wisdom that comes only from real industry experience, this episode is packed with the real stuff. Connect, Share, Level Up: Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and share with your fellow musicians! The more you share, the more our community grows—and the more everyone succeeds. 🎟 ALL Access VIP Pass 🎟 If you're ready to take your music career to the next level and want access to all the tools, knowledge, and resources discussed in the TCM Podcast episode, don’t miss out on the VIP Pass which gives you: The book Ethos (endorsed by David Foster!) in ebook, audiobook, and workbook formats Pro-level recording sessions from home, a full course with over 30 lessons to up your studio chops The Diversify or Die masterclass, teaching you how to create multiple income streams as a musician All designed to get you road ready for touring and put you on the fast track for success in the studio 🙅‍♂️ No excuses—level up your game and make music your business! ⁠https://thecareermusician.com/membership/all-access-vip-pass/⁠ 📲 Subscribe to the Career Musician Podcast on your favorite platform, and follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok #TCMPodcast #CareerMusician #MusicBusiness #TourLife #JamTalk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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#188: Never Lose the Gig! New Season w/co-host Joel Meza

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