MN Music Note - Ep 32 - The Sound Behind The Scene with Rick Dobbelmann

In this episode of Minnesota Music Note, we sit down with Minnesota sound engineer and live audio tech Rick Dobbelmann, one of the key people behind some of the biggest tribute bands and live shows in the local scene.Born and raised in Saint Paul, Rick shares how he first got into audio through car stereos and basement band rehearsals before stepping away from music for nearly 18 years to build an online auction business and study web development. But in 2018, something pulled him back into live music, and since then, his journey has completely exploded.We talk about:• Running sound for bands like Hybrid Theory, Queen of the Reich, Exit Stage Right, and Arch Allies• What it’s really like touring and working behind the scenes in live music• Building PA systems, mixing huge festival stages, and handling massive live productions• Why loud cymbals are every sound engineer’s nightmare• The rise of AI in music, business, and content creation• How he uses AI daily for websites, eBay listings, graphics, and more• The reality of burnout, reinvention, and finding your way back to music later in life• Why passion matters more than money in the live audio world• Minnesota venues, festivals, tribute bands, and the local music communityThis episode is a deep dive into the people behind the curtain, the ones making the music sound incredible while rarely standing in the spotlight themselves.Also, at the end of this episode we are doing a giveaway for free tickets to The Legends of Rock event happening June 6, 2026. Be sure to watch until the end of the episode to find out how to enter.Resources:Minnesota Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnotePodcastCrew YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastCrew-MN/podcastsLegends of Rock Event Page:https://www.facebook.com/events/2024521578116577