Giggs Podcast

Chris Rippy's parents gave him a Canon Rebel T5 for Christmas his freshman year of college. A few years later, he'd left school, moved in with a rising country artist to film his life on the road, and found himself backstage on a Snoop Dogg tour, double-booked to shoot two artists on the same night.Chris is a Nashville-born creative director, videographer, and photographer who has spent the last several years capturing the touring world from the inside. His work has appeared in CMT and People, and he's traveled the road with artists including Snoop Dogg, Darius Rucker, Chase Matthew, Cole Swindell, and Austin Williams. On this episode, he talks with Nikki Sanz about the cold DM that got him hired within 24 hours, the year and a half he spent living and touring with Chase Matthew, and the week he came home from that Snoop Dogg tour and had to call his dad for rent money.What you'll learn:How a cold DM to Chase Matthew turned into moving in with him and touring for a year and a halfWhat separates being a fly-on-the-wall on stage from directing the shotWhy he had to call his dad for rent money after coming home from a Snoop Dogg tourHow getting double-booked for Snoop Dogg's opener turned into shooting Snoop Dogg tooWhy he didn't know what a retainer client was until it cost himHow Chris uses AI tools like Higgsfield, Nano Banana Pro, and Seedance to solve problems he can't fix on-siteWhy a nine-second video of his own hand became his most-viewed post ever, at 14 million views and countingChris Rippy Bio:Chris Rippy is a Nashville-born creative director, videographer, and photographer who has spent the last several years capturing the touring world from the inside — his work has appeared in CMT and People magazine, and he's traveled the world, on the road with artists including Snoop Dogg, Darius Rucker, Chase Matthew, Cole Swindell, Austin Williams, and more. He also helps other freelance visual creators with different courses and education content on social media.Sponsor:MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

In 1972, Ted Cohen talked his way through a crowd of 70,000 people and onto the side of the stage at a Led Zeppelin show in Atlanta. He had no ticket, no pass, and no plan beyond finding the tour manager. By Monday morning, the president of Atlantic Records had offered him a job.That's the version of the music industry Ted Cohen came up in. He spent the next five decades inside it: artist development at Warner Bros. and Atlantic for Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac, Prince, Talking Heads, The Who, and The Pretenders, then negotiating Warner's digital deals with EMI, iTunes, Napster, and Rhapsody as SVP of Digital Development.What you'll learn:How Ted got hired by Atlantic Records’ president before he’d even left the Led Zeppelin stadiumWhy he never gave Prince a single note of direction across years working with himThe stunt that had Van Halen roll into record stores in an armored car and a stagecoachHow he snuck Coca-Cola branding into a venue locked into an exclusive Pepsi contractWhy he calls himself a “forgiveness executive, not a permission executive”What artist development actually did for touring bands, and why the job doesn’t exist anymoreThe bar coaster he still puts on the table before every negotiationTed Cohen Bio:Ted Cohen has spent five decades in nearly every corner of the music industry — from artist development at Warner Bros. with Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac, Prince, Talking Heads, The Who, and The Pretenders, to negotiating the label's digital agreements with EMI, iTunes, Napster, and Rhapsody as SVP of Digital Development, to co-creating the Leadership Music Summit. He's made Billboard's Power 100 list three years running, founded TAG Strategic, and now teaches at the University of Tulsa. He's been in more rooms where the industry got built — and rebuilt — than almost anyone still working.Sponsor:MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Accurate Staging has spent 25 years building the structures underneath some of the biggest names in live entertainment — Travis Scott, Ye, Zara Larsson — without most of the audience ever knowing the company's name. Founded in 2001 by brothers-in-law Jose Cantu and Freddy Gomez, the company has grown from a single warehouse into facilities across Los Angeles, Nashville, and Atlanta, staffed by sons, grandsons, nephews, and decades-long employees who call each other family too. Giggs went behind the scenes at their LA and Nashville shops to see how a company this size builds everything from a viral Chevy commercial to the rolling stage that carried players onto the field for the FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium — and even certifies its own crew to build stages at the bottom of a lake.What you'll learn:What it takes to launch Travis Scott onstage from a hydraulic "toaster"Inside the inflatable dome hiding a 32-foot scaffold structure that becomes Kanye West's rotating globe stageThe overnight scramble that built an NBA All-Star basketball court from 250 decks after a single 5 p.m. phone callThe behind-the-scenes story of a viral Chevy commercial build, including a custom track system built to roll five cars into positionWhy some crew members are scuba certified, and what it actually takes to build a stage structure underwaterWhat it took to survive months without pay after opening four months before September 11, 2001 and again during the COVID pandemicHow three generations of one family — including Jose's grandson Adrian — are running the company's next chapterFeatured guests:Jose Cantu — Co-Founder & COOJose started welding stages for another entertainment company at 18 years old in 1986, building the first Mötley Crüe drum riser early in his career. In 2001, he and his brother-in-law Freddy Gomez left steady jobs to start Accurate Staging from a single warehouse — surviving a near-total business wipeout after 9/11 and going on to build for Kanye West, Travis Scott, and a viral Chevy commercial, among hundreds of other projects.Freddy Gomez — Co-Founder & CEOFreddy came from construction and design, with earlier experience at Showlites, before partnering with his brother-in-law Jose to start Accurate Staging in 2001. He worked every role in the company's early years — designer, fabricator, installer — through 20- and 30-hour days, and has helped grow the company from a single flatbed truck's worth of gear to a multi-city operation.Adrian Wexler — Project Manager & Executive AssistantJose's grandson, Adrian grew up in the company's warehouses and has worked his way from painting decks and washing truss as a kid to leading Accurate Staging's operational modernization — including introducing Slack-based systems for job communication and site updates.Herman McDonough — Operations Manager & Crew ChiefHerman has spent over 20 years in the live events industry, starting out building props for Las Vegas magicians before moving into staging. As crew chief, he oversees inventory, crew staffing, and job prep across Accurate Staging's LA warehouse.Johnny Cantu — Sales RepJose's eldest son, Johnny has been around the family business most of his life and has worked professionally at Accurate Staging for over 15 years, handling client relationships across touring, corporate, and festival work.Mike Munoz — Sales RepMike, a member of the Cantu family, has spent 16 years at Accurate Staging and leads major touring accounts, including work with Kanye West and Travis Scott, out of the company's Nashville facility.Joe Castellanos — Sales RepJoe has spent 16 years at Accurate Staging, starting out cold-calling from a client binder before building a career in sales and project management. He still gets in the field with the install crew on jobs.Jake Lacher — Lead Project Manager & Technical DesignerBased in Nashville, Jake came from a background in technical theater direction before joining Accurate Staging, where he now leads custom design and CAD work for touring clients including The Red Clay Strays and Zara Larsson.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

On this edition of Ask Giggs, Nikki Sanz answers questions straight from the Giggs community on topics like when trying to look competent on a job site becomes the problem, how to know when to step in as a leader versus letting someone figure it out, and when to say yes or no to a gig.What you'll learn:Why pretending to know what's going on is the fastest way to look like "a big dummy" on a job siteThe line between stepping in as a leader and letting someone learn it the hard wayWhy the catering gig Nikki didn't want to take ended up leading to the gig that changed her careerWhy asking someone how they take feedback matters more than the feedback itselfWhat actually makes a crew member irreplaceableWhy one bad moment doesn't have to define your reputation, and where the real line isFind your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Adam Wells has spent nine years inside Ed Sheeran's touring operation, working his way from PA tech to audio systems engineer, the role responsible for the entire technical backbone of one of the most complex stadium shows on earth. He was offered the job twice before he finally said yes, then stepped into it for the first time in front of a quarter of a million people at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Along the way he's worked on productions for Bryan Adams, Tom Jones, Queen & Adam Lambert, Russell Brand, Tim Minchin, and the Tokyo Olympic Games.Adam sits down with Nikki to talk about coming up through South Wales' concert sound scene, losing his first freelance tour overnight before it even started, and what it actually takes to run audio for an artist who refuses to use a backing track or a click track anywhere in the show.What you'll learn:Why Adam turned down the top audio job on Ed Sheeran's tour twice before finally saying yesWhat happened when his first freelance tour fell through nine months out, and how he rebuilt from zeroWhy Ed Sheeran's show has never used a backing track or a click track, and what that actually costs the audio teamHow growing up around South Wales' concert sound scene shaped the way he worksWhat it felt like to run audio for a quarter of a million people over two nights in Melbourne for the first timeWhy humidity, elevation, and an empty stadium change how a show actually soundsThe one piece of advice Adam gives every young engineer starting outSponsor:MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org.Adam Wells Bio:Adam Wells is an audio system engineer who has spent nine years with Ed Sheeran — working his way from PA tech all the way to the top technical role on one of the most complex and distinctive stadium productions in the world. He grew up in South Wales and got his start at a production company called Sonalyst.Adam has a vast array of experience not only in concert touring but in large scale theatre production, broadcast, festivals, and television. In addition to Ed Sheeran, he’s worked with Bryan Adams, Tom Jones, Queen & Adam Lambert, Russell Brand, Tim Minchin, Strictly Come Dancing UK, and the Tokyo Olympic Games to name a few.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Rachel Deeb got fired from a cubicle job three months after moving to Nashville, sat in her closet crying, and called her dad for help with the car she'd just bought. That was the beginning.Ten years later, she's the Media Director for The Lumineers — managing a global team of photographers and videographers across a two-year stadium tour cycle — Nashville Scene's Best Photographer three years in a row, and the founder of ELEKTRIK Haus Creative, a matchmaking agency connecting the music industry with visual creatives worldwide. Along the way she's toured with Maren Morris and Carly Pearce, painted Carrie Underwood's Vegas residency jacket on a beer pong table in three days, and built a custom art line — Elektrik Denim — that started with one birthday jacket and turned into guitars, railings, and boots for Megan Maroney and Kelsea Ballerini.This episode covers the whole arc: the abandoned warehouse she broke into at night to paint her first mural, the Warner Music call she said yes to before she knew what BTS meant, the email she drafted to quit The Lumineers from Germany and decided not to send, and the agency she built because she kept meeting people who needed what she'd spent ten years learning the hard way.Also in this episode: why she won't take coffee meetings, what it actually looks like to be a touring photographer at a stadium show, and why "say yes to everything, lower your ego, and don't expect anything from anybody" is the whole career advice.What you'll learn:What it actually takes to go from freelance photographer to media director within the same bandWhy the touring photographer has one of the loneliest roles in a camp — and how to navigate itWhat Rachel looks for when she's matching creatives to tours through ELEKTRIK HausWhy she thinks coffee meetings are the wrong way to get into someone's world — and what works insteadHow to ask for more within a camp once you've built trustWhat burnout looks like for a touring creative — and how to know when you actually need to stopSponsor:MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org.Rachel Deeb bio:Rachel Deeb (RKDEEB) is a Southern California-born, Nashville-based photographer, creative director, muralist, and founder of ELEKTRIK Haus Creative. She holds a BA in Advertising and Graphic Design from the University of Alabama and has spent ten years building a full-time freelance career across lifestyle, music, fashion, fitness, and concert photography. Her work has been featured in Billboard, Rolling Stone, People, E!, Pollstar, Music Row, Nashville Scene, and more.She has been voted Nashville Scene's Best Photographer three consecutive years (2018, 2019, 2020), was named to Nashville's 30 Under 30 in 2022, and currently serves as Media Director for The Lumineers, where she manages a global team of photographers and videographers across a two-year stadium tour cycle. Her past touring credits include Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, and a roster of country and independent artists. In addition to her touring work, Rachel has created murals and original artwork in locations throughout Nashville, and has painted custom pieces for artists including Carrie Underwood, Megan Maroney, and Ashley Cooke.ELEKTRIK Haus Creative, her creative matchmaking agency, connects the music industry with photographers, videographers, designers, and visual artists worldwide — bridging the gap between industry professionals and the creatives who bring their visions to life.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Two artist managers from Neon Coast — one who came up through the road with Kane Brown, one who came up through finance, record labels, and social media — and both will tell you the same thing: you just have to figure it out.Nikki Boon has been with Kane Brown since before his first show — a 750-cap club in Darlington, South Carolina that sold out in 30 minutes, then again in 8 minutes the following night. She's been with him from van and RV to his own bar on Broadway. She also manages alt-pop band Nightly, who she recently took to Tokyo, Osaka, and Manila on a two-week run that sold out in two days — proving to everyone who said the numbers didn't add up that the fans were real.Tyler Corrado came from accounting, then record label marketing — working on number one hits for Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean, and Jelly Roll at BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville — before stepping into artist management. He manages Restless Road, stepped in as tour manager for Ella Langley right as "You Look Like You Love Me" was breaking, and has spent the last year building the UK market for one of his artists from pub shows to festival main stages to supporting Jon Pardi.What you'll learn:Why touring experience is the single biggest advantage in artist managementThe Kane Brown origin story: Darlington, SC to two-times diamond certified artistHow to manage a major label artist and an independent one simultaneously — without either feeling itThe real difference between managing on a major and managing indieHow to chase a market that's raising its hand — Asia, the UK, wherever the fans areWhy a lull in your artist's career is not a red flagWhat "you just have to figure it out" actually looks like in practiceSponsor:MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org.Nikki Boon Bio:Nikki Boon is an artist manager at Neon Coast in Nashville. She's been part of Kane Brown's team since 2015, starting as his tour manager and helping grow him into a two-times diamond certified artist with 17 billion streams, 12 Billboard number ones, and the first Black solo artist to headline Fenway Park. She also manages indie pop band Nightly — signing them in 2021 and helping grow their TikTok following by 6,000 percent — and has taken them to Lollapalooza, Super Bowl Music Fest, and sold-out shows across Asia. She's also helped secure sync placements for the band on the Twisters soundtrack and Fast X.Tyler Corrado Bio:Tyler Corrado is an artist manager at Neon Coast in Nashville, where he manages Restless Road — who recently sold out their Europe and UK headline tour. Before Neon Coast, he led social media and fan engagement at BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville on number one hits for Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean, and Jelly Roll, and stepped in as tour manager for Ella Langley right as "You Look Like You Love Me" was breaking. He also previously managed Niko Moon, whose single "GOOD TIME" hit number one on both Billboard Country charts.Learn more at: https://neon-coast.com/ Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

The Rock-It Company has been the logistics engine behind the world's largest music tours for 47 years. Every stage you've ever stood in front of — odds are, they got it there. This summer, they're doing that and something else: serving as the official logistics partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the largest sporting event in world history, spanning three countries, 16 host cities, and 104 matches.Giggs traveled to Los Angeles for an inside look at the people and systems making both happen at the same time.What you'll learn:What the control tower really means — and why 16 cities require a system, not just peopleWhy anyone can move cargo in ideal conditions — and what makes Rock-It different when they're notHow music touring expertise translates directly to the World CupWhat it looks like to run the world's biggest tours and the world's biggest sporting event simultaneouslyWhy "failure is not an option" is the operating principle behind every decision this team makesThe stories behind the motto: Manila customs prayers, a 747 emergency in Hawaii, Metallica in AntarcticaLearn more about Rock-It at https://rockitcompany.com/Featured Voices:Alex Becker — Senior Operations Manager, Worldwide EventsAlex Becker has spent 13 years at The Rock-It Company, working across compliance, music touring, and sports operations before rising to Senior Operations Manager for Worldwide Events. He's been inside the FIFA World Cup 2026 operation since day one and leads the Control Tower team — the system responsible for keeping 16 host cities, three countries, and a continent-wide web of shipments synchronized in real time.Justin Carbone — EVP, Live TouringJustin Carbone is the EVP of Live Touring at The Rock-It Company, where he's led the company's music touring business through some of the biggest years in the industry's history — including a 2026 Parnelli Award for Freight Forwarding Company of the Year. If your favorite artist has toured the world in the last six decades, there's a good chance Rock-It's team moved the gear that made it happen. He marks 20 years with the company this year.Nancy Alvarado — Director, Live Events Special Projects ManagementNancy Alvarado is a 15-plus year veteran of live event logistics, operations, and project management — a CAPM-certified pro who has spent her career navigating high-pressure, high-stakes environments. She started at The Rock-It Company in 2008 as an entry-level operator, built her own book of business, spent time in Fortune 500 corporate events, and came back. She now works alongside Justin Carbone building the Next Gen program to develop emerging artists and the next generation of agents.Stew Heathcote — President of Live EventsStew Heathcote is the President of Live Events at The Rock-It Company, overseeing music, experiential, film, and television across Rock-It's entire family of brands. He came to Rock-It after two decades at AEG Presents, where he led global partnerships and helped launch the marketing campaign behind Taylor Swift's 1989 World Tour — including an Emmy-winning interactive experience. Billboard named him a Brand Power Player multiple times. Before that, he led marketing at the San Francisco 49ers.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

For the 20th annual CMA Touring Awards, Giggs went backstage at The Pinnacle in Nashville and talked to over 20 winners, nominees, and industry leaders across one night.We open with outgoing CMA CEO Sarah Trahern — her 13th and final Touring Awards — and SVP of Industry Relations Tiffany Kerns, on peer recognition, what this event means to the touring community, and what they're building for the next generation.Winners featured in this episode:Meg Miller — Tour Manager of the Year | Lainey WilsonAllison Noah — Stage Manager of the Year | Carly Pearce / Lainey WilsonRyan Dell — Front of House Engineer of the Year | Lainey WilsonCurt Armstead — Monitor Engineer of the Year | Lainey WilsonCaleb Garrett — Coach/Truck Driver of the Year | Luke Bryan Kerri Edwards — Manager of the Year | KP Entertainment (Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell)Zac Coren — Lighting Director of the Year | Morgan WallenJen Conger — Business Manager of the Year | FBMOlivia Hanceri — Publicist of the Year | OH CreativeCatherine Powell — Videographer/Photographer of the Year | Kelsea BalleriniRobert Bull — Support Services Company of the Year | Clair GlobalTrent Allison & Mike DuCharme — Venue of the Year | The Pinnacle, NashvilleDiana "Lemonade" McBride — Unsung Hero of the Year | Grand Ole OpryAlso on the red carpet: Chris King, Sam "Sambo" Coats & William Coats (Eric Church), Chris Daniels (Luke Bryan), Brad Baisley (Blake Shelton), Josh Phillips (Hardy), Troy "Tracker" Johnson (Track Management), Evan Sander (ASCOT Travel Services), Aslan Freeman (Lainey Wilson), Megan Truesdell (Chris Stapleton), Margie (Chris Stapleton), Brittany Hitch (Bridgestone Arena), Dane & Lolo Kinser (Post Malone/Kane Brown).What you'll learn:Why Caleb Garrett bought Luke Bryan's CD before signing on — and what 17 years of believing in your artist looks likeWhat Kerri Edwards means when she says it was scarier not to take the leapWhy Allison Noah says stage management is a service roleHow Meg Miller went from driving Lainey's van to Tour Manager of the Year twiceWhat managing 23 mixes at Stagecoach taught Curt Armstead about staying calmWhy Diana "Lemonade" McBride calls herself "whatever needs to be done" — and why that became an awardWhat outgoing CMA CEO Sarah Trahern wants the next generation to stop doing to themselvesSponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Alex McNamara is a technical director, welder, rigger, and Yale School of Drama graduate who installed the turntable for the original Hamilton production, led 600 workers on a $300 million Soundstorm build in Saudi Arabia, and built her career one job site at a time as one of the only women in the room. She's also the founder of Built Pretty — which she started a year ago on a forklift at an LA art fair and has since grown to 350k+ followers.This episode covers the tools she keeps on her belt at every festival (including the Klein 11-in-1 and a tape measure trick most people don't know), the recovery story that led her to the trades, what it actually looks like to be a woman in carpentry and rigging, and why she left Juilliard and a one-bedroom on the Upper West Side to go back to freelance.What you'll learn:The tools worth having on your belt at any live event or job siteHow recovery led Alex to the trades — and why working with her hands changed everythingWhat Hamilton taught her about building simple, effective setsHow she led 600 workers in Saudi Arabia on the $300M Soundstorm build — and learned construction Arabic to do itThe honest reality of being a woman in carpentry and riggingHow a forklift video turned into a 350k-person audience in under a yearWhy the trades are dying in America — and what Built Pretty is doing about itBuilt Pretty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/built.pretty/ Alex's full tool list: https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-81ff6575Sponsor:MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org.Alex McNamara bio:Alex McNamara is a technical director, welder, rigger, and construction educator based in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a Yale School of Drama graduate and has worked across Broadway, large-scale music festivals, and live entertainment builds around the world.She is also the founder of Built Pretty, where she teaches the language of the trades through construction storytelling, tool history, and jobsite education to a growing audience across social media.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Ryan Maag started as a backup dancer on the Weird Al Yankovic tour in 1998 and figured out fast that the person choreographing makes more than the person performing. Twenty-something years later, he's been creative director for NFL halftime shows on two continents, the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, and the D-Day ceremonies in Normandy, France — shaking hands with five-star generals and the President of the United States and quietly asking himself how a kid from Philadelphia got here.Now he runs TSP Creative in Nashville — an artist development ecosystem he calls "zero to Coldplay." TSP works with emerging artists from before they've released a single song, building identity, brand, staging, performance coaching, and creative direction from the ground up alongside his business partner, Sooner Routhier and her company, The Playground.This conversation covers the full arc — what a creative director actually does, why the music industry has inverted (brand before music now), how to know if an artist has what it takes, and why AI is a looping machine, not a replacement.What you'll learn:Why creative direction comes from the stage up, not the lighting board downHow the music industry has flipped — and why brand identity now comes before musicThe scope process TSP uses to evaluate and develop emerging artistsWhat the end goal question reveals about whether an artist is readyWhy a good creative director works with vulnerability, not around itHow Ryan thinks about AI as a creative tool (input, not output)What separates a stadium artist from an arena artist — and why it mattersSponsor: Musicians On Call is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a MOC volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org.Ryan Maag bio:President, Creative Director, & Choreographer — TSP CreativeA born performer with roots in dance, theater, and stage productions, he refined his craft through studies in music, entertainment, and business at Temple University, Drexel University, and New York University.His career has spanned global stages, performing alongside A-list artists before transitioning into choreography and large-scale production design. As the founder of a choreography and creative production company, his work has ranged from intimate theater performances to international events, including the Olympic ceremonies.An accomplished dancer, vocalist, and actor, he now leads TSP Creative with a vision shaped by both artistry and experience. His passion lies in empowering artists, building brands, and designing immersive live experiences that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Neville Shende — known on the road as NELVIS — has spent more than 40 years in the concert touring world. He started as a guitarist and guitar tech in Winnipeg, stumbled into bus driving on a 9/11-disrupted Aerosmith run, and spent the next four decades driving for some of the most iconic artists in the world: Prince, Madonna, Alicia Keys, Black Sabbath, Shakira, Ronnie James Dio, Papa Roach, Disturbed, and many more.This one is full of stories. Prince skipping soundcheck to look at a lake, a secret code system developed for a 975-mile run, the convection oven bought at midnight from a Best Buy, the Elvis plate that became an early test, and the only person on the Musicology Tour who never signed an NDA. But it's also a masterclass in what elite service actually looks like: doing your homework before every city, reading the room, decorating the bus like a five-star hotel, and folding toilet paper with a gold dot.Neville now serves as Fleet and Driver Operations Manager and Director of Tour Relations, and runs CDL Platinum — a 30-day training program built to bring commercial drivers into concert touring at the right level.What you'll learn:How Neville's CDL saved on the side of the road during an Aerosmith tour became a 40-year careerWhy Prince rode the bus instead of private planes — and what that meant for the driverThe philosophy of five-star service from behind the wheelWhy Neville hires for character over experience every timeHow to read the room at every level — artist, crew, venue, and road familyWhat the F.U.E.L. and G.R.E.A.T. frameworks actually mean in practiceThe off-ramp for experienced commercial drivers who want to get into touringBook and course: Pick up Neville's book — The Entertainer Bus Driver: An Inside Look: Concert Tour Transportation — and his onboarding courses at https://cdlplatinum.com/Sponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org.Neville Shende bio:Neville Drew Shende, born May 10, 1961, in Winnipeg, is a 40+ year transportation veteran and respected figure in the concert touring industry. After moving to the United States in 1998 to pursue his music career, he built a unique path from guitarist and guitar technician to elite entertainer coach driver and industry leader.Known as "NELVIS," Neville has worked with some of the world's most iconic artists, including Prince, Alicia Keys, Madonna, Black Sabbath, Papa Roach, Shakira, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Disturbed, and the list goes on.His professionalism, discretion, and commitment to excellence have made him a trusted presence in the music industry.Neville has advanced into leadership roles including Fleet and Driver Operations Manager and Director of Tour Relations for a leading Nashville-based entertainer transportation company.He is also the founder of CDL Platinum, a 30-day commercial driver lifestyle transformation program built on his F.U.E.L. principles: Focus, Uplift, Energy, and Leverage — designed to help drivers become G.R.E.A.T.: Good, Reliable, Energetic, Accountable, and Trustworthy. Driven by passion and powered by purpose, Neville elevates and educates drivers to their highest level.He is also the author of a published book titled The Entertainer Bus Driver: An Inside Look: Concert Tour Transportation, available on Amazon and Audible.With a deep passion for music, service, and personal growth (Kaizen), Neville continues to inspire drivers and industry professionals to elevate their performance and live with purpose both on and off the road.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Mandi Naylor has spent over a decade running food and beverage at some of the biggest events in the country — the NFL Draft, the Super Bowl, Bonnaroo, ACL, Lollapalooza, CMA Fest, KAABOO, and the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. She's managed catering for commissioners, artists, and crews of thousands. Now she leads events for the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce in Tennessee.This conversation gets into what catering actually looks like at scale: feeding thousands of people three to four meals a day for a month at the NFL Draft, donating thousands of pounds of leftover food, and running the ice and water operation that nourishes every department on site. Mandi — better known as Festy Mom (#festymom) to anyone who's worked with her — also gets honest about coming off the road after a health scare, raising two kids while traveling, and why catering is one of the best places in this industry to start a career.What you'll learn:Why the NFL Draft is harder than the Super BowlHow to spot a catering hire who's actually going to make itWhat it really costs to feed thousands of people across a month-long buildWhy decor, A/C, and music in the catering tent aren't extras — they're the jobThe mental load of catering: small talk, performance, and being the only place crew can decompressHow to advance F&B numbers when half the departments forget to send theirs inMom guilt, the road, and knowing when it's time to come homeSponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org.Mandi Naylor bio:Mandi Naylor is an experienced event professional with more than a decade of leadership in large-scale festivals, national sporting events, and community-driven productions. She currently serves as Event Manager for the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce, where she leads the planning and execution of events that support local business growth, community engagement, and regional visibility.Mandi's background spans some of the country's most high-profile events, including the NFL Draft, Super Bowl, NASCAR Chicago Street Race, and major music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, CMA and Austin City Limits. Her expertise includes food and beverage management, credentialing, site operations, logistics coordination, and vendor management—often overseeing complex, multi-layered event environments with thousands of attendees.Throughout her career, she has held key leadership roles including Catering Manager, Beverage Manager, Credential Manager, and Accreditation Inventory Manager. She is known for her ability to manage large teams, streamline operations, and deliver exceptional guest experiences under high-pressure conditions.Mandi holds a degree in Organizational Communication from Middle Tennessee State University, where she focused on employee communication, special events, and fundraising. She combines her strong organizational skills with a passion for creating memorable, impactful events that bring people together.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

We're bringing back one of the most practical conversations from the Giggs archive. Nikki Sanz sits down with Rachael Bronstein, founder of Life's Jam — a financial coaching service built specifically for the touring and live events community.70% of music industry professionals are freelancers. Just under half report feeling financially anxious or stressed. Rachael has spent the last few years building the resources most of this industry never had — coaching tour managers, road crew, and music professionals through the unique financial chaos of feast-and-famine income, 1099 tax surprises, and the lack of a safety net most W2 jobs come with.This episode gets into the actual mechanics: how to handle 1099 tax planning, when to set up an LLC (and when not to), how to build an emergency fund big enough to handle the off-season, what order to put your money in (debt, retirement, brokerage), and why mental health and financial health are more interlaced than most people realize.What you'll learn:Why financial coaching is different from financial advising — and why most touring pros need the coach firstHow to plan for taxes when you're paid as a 1099 freelancerThe pyramid approach to where your next dollar should goWhy MusiCares now subsidizes coaching for industry pros who qualifyHow to use credit cards strategically (and when to cut them up)Why "spend less than you make" is still the simplest financial wisdom there isHow to build a plan that handles both the tour high and the off-season lowSponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Recorded live at Rock Lititz, Brandon "Fitz" Fitzgerald is back by popular demand after his previous episode (#19) became one of the most-DM'd conversations we've ever put out. One year later, Fitz comes back with a year on the road that includes Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter, Post Malone's world tour, Playboi Carti, and a set up in New Orleans during the city's biggest snowstorm in 55 years.Fitz gets into what it was like joining a Beyoncé rigging team full of legends he watched as a 19-year-old stagehand, the mental upheaval of jumping camps tour after tour, and why sometimes the job means people stressed out crying in the corner 20 minutes before showtime but knowing you made it happen.He also gets technical in a way that's accessible: snow load, dynamic load, why a 101,653-pound show isn't always a 101,653-pound show, and why riggers carry legal liability most fans never think about.What you'll learn:What it's like to logistically pull off Cowboy CarterWhy mentor relationships are the currency of a rigging careerHow dynamic load and snow load can quietly threaten a showThe real mental health cost of going from camp to camp without a breakWhy riggers are "the bad guys" — and why that's a good thingThe two golden rules of rigging (and which one matters more)How memorizing your rig changes everything about how you problem-solve under pressureSponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org.Brandon "Fitz" Fitzgerald bio:Brandon "Fitz" Fitzgerald is a tour rigger from Washington, DC, with deep roots in IATSE Local 22 and a foundation built across stagehand work, permanent installs, counterweight rigging, Vectorworks drafting, and the full breadth of touring production. Over the last year, he's worked as a production rigger for Playboi Carti, Post Malone, and Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour — joining a rigging team led by industry legends he watched as a 19-year-old stagehand. He's also crossed into creative production and one-off events, including a high-profile New Orleans gig that ran headfirst into the city's biggest snowstorm in 55 years. Fitz is a vocal advocate for mentorship, safety culture, and giving credit to the local rigging crews who keep this industry standing — literally.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

We're bringing back one of the most popular conversations from the Giggs archive. Nikki Sanz sits down with Marty Hom — a true legend of the touring world with 40+ years of experience tour managing The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Fleetwood Mac, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Nicks, Shakira, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Van Halen, Olivia Rodrigo, Lionel Richie, and more.Marty started with Bill Withers in 1985 as one of the only Asian Americans in the industry. Four decades later, he's the guy making $150,000 calls in a control room during a Beyoncé stadium evacuation, canceling a sold-out Shakira show over a buckled stage roof, and staffing Olivia Rodrigo's world tour with a 49% female crew. This one is full of stories, hard-won wisdom, and real talk about what it takes to build a career, and a life, on the road.What you'll learn:How Marty got his first tour management gig with Bill Withers — and how his early mentor Howard Kaufman shaped his whole philosophyThe Beyoncé Renaissance Tour evacuation and the $150K decision made in a control roomWhy he canceled a 60,000-person Shakira show in Romania over a buckled stageHow touring has changed from pay phones and binders to today's massive productionsThe real challenge of work-life balance in a 40-year touring careerWhy work ethic and attitude beat experience every time when hiring crewHow the industry is (slowly) becoming more diverse — and why representation on tour mattersMarty's push for healthcare access for touring professionalsFind your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Recorded live at Rock Lititz, Nikki Sanz sits down with Doug Wilson — long-time tour manager and Director of Touring — for a grounded, honest look at what 20 years on the road teaches you.Doug's path started with a chance encounter with a tour manager in catering in Glasgow, Scotland. He bought a Sprinter van, converted it with his dad, and four months later was on his first US tour. From there: bus tours, arenas, eight years with Half Moon Run, world tours with Fletcher, and a final show that ended on March 11, 2020 — one day before the world shut down.Then he talks about his transition off the road, in LA, running touring and production for Black Ink Presents, a Sony Music Masterworks company that builds IP-based concert experiences (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, Ghostbusters, La La Land, Batman). This one gets real about perfectionism, the pressure of being the person who says no, the "off-ramp" problem for tour managers, and why getting off the road feels a little like kicking an addiction.What you'll learn:How to break in when you don't have a technical discipline (audio, lights, etc.)Why chasing perfection is the biggest mistake new TMs makeHow to grow with an artist from clubs to arenas — and what separates the crew that makes it from the crew that gets replacedThe hidden financial tradeoffs tour managers navigate when artists level upWhy lack of understanding of other people's jobs causes more tour drama than anything elseWhat the tour director role actually looks like — and why more management companies are building it in-houseHow to plan an off-ramp from touring before the window closesListen, follow, and leave a review if this one hits.Episode Sponsor: RoadCase has given Giggs listeners a free month of RoadCase Pro. Head over to https://roadcase.app/giggs for an exclusive discount.Doug Wilson Bio:Doug Wilson is a highly respected music industry professional with extensive experience in touring, concert production, and artist management. Having spent nearly 20 years on the road as a Tour Manager, Doug then transitioned to Director of Touring and Production at Black Ink Presents, a Sony Music Masterworks live event production company. Originally from Scotland, Doug now lives and works in Los Angeles, but still spends time on the road traveling to oversee events and check in on touring productions.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Recorded in Nashville, TN, this special docuseries episode of The Giggs Podcast steps inside Kingfisher Production Studio, the new virtual production offering from LEO Events. Nikki Sanz walks through the space and talks with the team behind it to see how virtual worlds are built, lit, filmed, and finished.This episode is worth your time if you work in production, post, creative, live events, or brand storytelling and want to understand what virtual production actually takes. The team breaks down how Unreal Engine, motion tracking, lighting, editorial planning, and post all work together to create worlds that feel real on camera.You’ll also hear why this kind of studio can open new options for corporate shoots, music content, branded storytelling, and location-based concepts without the same travel, permitting, and logistics challenges of a traditional shoot.We highly recommend watching this one on video on either Spotify or YouTube for the full episode experience.What you’ll learn:How Kingfisher uses virtual production to build believable environmentsWhy lighting and motion tracking matter as much as the digital world itselfHow Unreal Engine fits into the production pipelineWhat post-production teams receive after a virtual shootWhy pre-production planning still matters in a “limitless” environmentHow this workflow can save time, travel, and location costsWhat kinds of skills help people thrive in studio, animation, and editorial rolesAbout Kingfisher:Kingfisher by LEO Events is a virtual production studio based in Nashville, Tennessee, built to help brands, creators, and clients tell stories in flexible digital environments. In this episode, Nikki Sanz talks with members of the team behind the space, including Stacey Ladd, Sr. Director of Media Production, Brett Clark, Director of Studio & Editorial, Tyler Montanino, Video Production Specialist, Matt Dimodica, Senior Media Animator, and Josh Ickes, Senior Editor. Together, they walk through how Kingfisher blends creative development, lighting, motion tracking, Unreal Engine, and post-production to turn ideas into polished visual stories.To learn more about the Kingfisher Production Studio and LEO Events, visit https://leoevents.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kingfisher.made and https://www.instagram.com/leoevents/Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

What does real support for music professionals actually look like when the gigs stop, the bills pile up, or the stress gets too heavy? In this episode, Nikki Sanz sits down with Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares, to talk about the health, financial, and emergency realities facing people across the music industry.They get into the gap between how glamorous the industry can look from the outside and how vulnerable it often feels from the inside. Theresa shares how MusiCares helps with rent, therapy, medical bills, substance use treatment, and disaster relief, and why better data is finally helping the industry confront what so many people have lived for years.This conversation also digs into the Wellness in Music Survey, why preventive care and health coverage remain major issues for freelancers and touring professionals, and what meaningful change could look like from here.What you’ll learnWhat MusiCares actually does day to day for music professionalsWhy so many people in music still lack stable health and financial supportHow MusiCares responds to emergencies, from lost gigs to natural disastersWhat the Wellness in Music Survey is revealing about stress, money, and healthWhy Theresa believes sustainability is now one of the biggest issues in music careersHow friends, coworkers, and managers can help someone reach out before things get worseTake the Wellness in Music 2026 survey: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8718804/scs-2026-Wellness-in-Music The survey is completely anonymous, and participation directly contributes to shaping resources and support for the community. The survey is open from April 6 – 17th.Qualifying music professionals can reach out to MusiCares for support at any time at https://www.musicares.org/get-helpA minimum of five years employment in the music industry (three years for disaster relief), OR six commercially released recordings or videos (singles)For more information on MusiCares or to donate, please visit www.musicares.orgTheresa Wolters bio:Theresa Wolters is the Executive Director of MusiCares, where she leads the organization’s mission to provide a critical safety net of health, human, and social services for music professionals. She joined MusiCares in 2022 as Vice President of Health and Human Services, a role that built on her two decades of global leadership expanding access to health, financial, and emergency services.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Recorded live at Rock Lititz, this episode features Patrick Ledwith, Managing Director of North America for ES Global, reflecting on a career that spans nearly four decades across touring, staging, and large-scale live production.Patrick takes Nikki Sanz from his start as a 17-year-old stagehand in London to building stages on U2’s Joshua Tree run, managing major tours, and eventually stepping into executive leadership. Along the way, he shares what has changed in live events, what has not, and why fan experience still sits at the center of great shows.For anyone working in touring, production, project management, or live entertainment, this conversation is a grounded look at how careers are built over time. Patrick talks about problem solving, leadership under pressure, the evolution of stadium-scale production, and the values that still matter when the trucks get bigger and the timelines get tighter.What you’ll learn:How Patrick got his start as a stagehand and found his path into touringWhat it was like building stages during U2’s Joshua Tree eraWhy the best artists stay obsessed with fan experienceHow production managers think about responsibility, morale, and problem solvingWhat separates entertainment builds from traditional constructionHow tours like Iron Maiden and Beyonce scale from creative vision to live executionWhat legacy means after a lifetime on the roadPatrick Ledwith Bio:With nearly 40 years in the events, music and film business Patrick amassed a wealth of experience working on numerous different large scale projects and ceremonies around the world. Patrick’s structural and technical background in the business has set a solid foundation for a career as a Production/ Project Manager and Technical Director working with many of the largest production companies in the world including, Balich WS, Five Currents and ES GLOBAL. After working for ES GLOBAL on and off since the 1980’s it was an easy decision to join the company full time. Touring work in the entertainment business has, among others, included world tours with the U2, Van Halen, Grateful Dead, David Bowie, Rolling Stones, Scorpions, Metallica, Guns n Roses, and Iron Maiden.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Recorded live at Rock Lititz, this episode features Kyana White, a tour manager and production manager whose path into touring did not start on a bus. It started in TV, in internships, in low-paid PA work, and in learning how major productions actually come together behind the scenes.Kyana walks Nikki Sanz through the real story: how she went from the WME mailroom and award show production into touring, how cold outreach helped her land opportunities with Janelle Monáe’s camp, and how those early one-off gigs turned into bigger roles with Ari Lennox and beyond.This one matters if you’re trying to break in, level up, or understand what separates people who stay stuck from people who create their own lane. Kyana gets specific about preparation, advocacy, transferable skills, and why calm leadership matters so much in live production.What you’ll learnHow Kyana moved from TV production into touringWhy cold emailing and using your network still worksWhat transferable skills matter most when changing lanesWhat a small touring crew actually needs at the club and small-room levelWhy being both a tour manager and production manager can be such an advantageWhat Kyana is learning now as she looks toward arena and stadium-level productionKyana White bio:From Atlanta, currently residing in New Orleans, Kyana’s start in touring was unconventional. She got her start in entertainment when she landed the WME Mailroom gig in 2013 the summer before graduating from UAB. She returned to LA summer of 2014 and landed an internship at Octagon Entertainment where she worked on a tv pilot there and decided she wanted to do tv. In the summer of 2015 she did her last internship with Jesse Collins Entertainment on the BET Awards. From there she worked as a PA, coordinator, and Executive Producers Assistant on award shows (Grammy’s, Hip Hop Awards, Billboard Awards, Emmy’s, Oscars, etc) until 2018. She decided to leave LA because she had set a goal to buy a duplex by 30 and realized moving up in tv wasn’t going to happen fast enough to achieve that in LA. She started sending cold emails out to people in touring and this woman named Kim responded saying she loved her resume and wanted to keep in touch. She had ties to Janelle Monae’s camp and in fall 2018 Kyana did her first one off touring gigs in Janelle’s camp as a PA. Early 2019 she was back working on the Grammy’s when she got a call to work a 2 week underplay tour as a coordinator with Anderson.Paak so she quit the Grammy’s and went on her first bus tour. Summer 2019 she became road manager for Ari Lennox and by end of 2019 she was her Tour & Production Manager. She’s been a TM+PM ever since and she currently works with Tank & The Bangas, noname, Kiana Ledé, and Samara Cyn.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Behind every tour is a whole other job happening offstage: parenting, schedules, safety, emotions, and the quiet pressure of “don’t make this harder for them.”In this episode, Nikki Sanz talks with Rachel Smith and Rhyan Shirley, founders of Stage Wives—a support community built for women navigating life while their partners work in the touring industry. They share what this lifestyle can do to connection, communication, and family rhythms—and the practical tools that help couples stay aligned when time, sleep, and distance are working against you.You’ll also hear the frameworks they lean on in real life, from how to start hard conversations (“facts, then feelings”) to the one question that can stop a fight before it starts.What you’ll learn:Why touring families can feel isolated and what actually helps (community + real tools)A simple communication order: facts → feelings → “listen or fix?”How touring impacts kids (and why ages 3–4 can be especially tough)Staying “present” from the road with routinesThe “two-week / three-week” approach some families use to stay connected mid-runWhat to do when therapy isn’t built for the realities of touring lifeThe resources they’re building for stage families (Touring Tales + The Invisible Backpack)Check out all Stage Wives has to offer as well as The Invisible Backpack pre-sale info: https://www.stagewives.com/Check out Stage Wives on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stagewives Stage Wives bio:Stage Wives is a Nashville-based support community for women whose husbands or significant others work in the touring industry—including musicians, artists, sound engineers, lighting techs, stage managers, road managers, and crew members of all kinds. If your partner tours, Stage Wives exists for you.Stage Wives was founded by Rachel Smith and Rhyan Shirley, two women who know firsthand the unique challenges and emotional demands of life on the road.Rachel Smith has spent over ten years as a tour wife. She is a pyographer aka wood-burning artist and the owner of Cinder Bella Studios and Raye Ann Pyrography. Her husband has toured full-time since they were married, and together they are raising their five-year-old daughter.Rhyan Shirley is an award-winning songwriter and recording artist. In addition to writing full-time and leading Stage Wives, she is a single mom to a four-year-old son. Rhyan was a stage wife for ten years, during which her former husband toured an average of 300 days a year. In spite of her personal journey, she has developed a deep passion for strengthening families and helping marriages not only survive, but thrive, within the demands of touring life.Together, Raye and Rhy are committed to empowering women to step out of isolation and victimhood and into confidence, wholeness, and emotional health. Their heart behind Stage Wives is to support the mental and emotional well-being of women at home while also strengthening marriages by ensuring touring husbands feel supported, loved, and at peace knowing their families are cared for.At its core, Stage Wives, their podcast Offstage and On Duty, and the other resources they provide are built on the belief that prioritizing women’s mental health is essential to creating healthy stage families.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Recorded live at Rock Lititz, this episode features Suzi Meyer, Chief of Staff, in a candid conversation about workforce development, burnout, leadership, and the future of live events.If you care about crew culture, retention, or building a sustainable career in this industry, this one hits home. Suzi breaks down what COVID exposed, why respectful leadership is outperforming pay in recent polling, and how we can stop “accidentally” entering the industry and start building real pathways.What you’ll learn:Why respectful leadership ranked above pay in industry pollingThe real reason burnout is rising on bigger toursWhat employers say is missing in new hires (hint: it’s not technical skill)How gatekeeping hurts long-term industry growthWhy structure doesn’t have to mean “corporate”What Workforce LIVE is doing to recruit and retain talentSuzi Meyer Bio:Versatility and creative problem solving have been the foundation of Suzi’s career. Over the past nine years at Rick Lititz, Suzi worked with the team to grow and expand the business, manage building operations and provide insight and care to those she leads. As Chief of Staff, she is able to focus on expansion into new geographic areas focusing on workforce development, leadership + inclusion, mental health and sustainability. Suzi also works with an incredible group of industry professionals through the non-profit Workforce LIVE, an organization focused in attracting and retaining talent in the live event industry. Suzi started her professional career working on college campuses creating community and leadership programming for college students in her role as Director of Residence Life + International Student Advisor. Suzi started her career in the live event industry in 2008, where she served as the Accounting and HR Director before finding her home at Rock Lititz in 2016.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Recorded live at Rock Lititz, Nikki Sanz sits down with touring production manager, Jesse Sandler, for a behind-the-scenes look at how a touring career actually gets built—one cosign, one good attitude, and one “figure it out” moment at a time.Jesse walks through his path from an early runner/production assistant role to touring internationally as an audio tech, and eventually stepping into the production manager seat—sometimes faster than expected. What you’ll learn:The difference between production assistant, production coordinator, and production managerWhy “pay attention and do your job” can beat formal training (early on)How mentorship actually shows up on tour (even when no one labels it “mentorship”)A calm leadership approach that keeps problems from becoming chaosHow to ask for the job without overstepping the roomWhy attitude is often the deciding factor when hiring crewsThe “cosign effect”: how introductions create career momentumJesse Sandler bio:Jesse Sandler is a highly respected touring professional with over 25 years of touring experience in production management and related disciplines. He has managed complex shows globally for top-tier artists, including Bon Jovi, Nickelback, Phish, The Eagles, Prince, Aerosmith, Morrissey, and Steely Dan. His diverse background includes roles as a production assistant, production coordinator, Clair audio technician, managing tour catering, ticketing and production accounting.Find your next Gigg: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@GIGGS-liveTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki SanzFind your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Recorded live from Rock Lititz, Nikki Sanz sits down with Butch Allen, VP of Global Business Development at TAIT, and a touring veteran who’s done nearly every job on the road (“everything but audio”).Butch breaks down what actually moves your career forward in live events: learning fast, contributing solutions, and being someone people want in the “fishbowl” when the pressure is high and the clock is ticking. If you’re trying to level up—whether you’re a stagehand, tech, designer, or production leader—this one is a blueprint.What you’ll learn:Why “make the effort” is the real unlock for growth on tourHow being a “good hang” can matter as much as raw technical skillWhat changed between early touring days and today’s professionalized crewsThe moment Butch knew he was done with the grind—and what he did nextHow show design really works: from blank page to build to realityWhy live events are “purely human” in an AI-heavy worldWhat it takes to thrive in touring’s “fishbowl” environmentButch Allen Bio:Ladies and gentlemen, technicians, professionals, and artists of questionable sleep schedules—this is fully Giggs’ fault with the full knowledge of TAIT, who bravely agreed to let Butch speak into a microphone unsupervised. Prepare for insights, unseeables, and the unfiltered thoughts of a man who once said, “Um, sure. Let’s do that,” before knowing what “that” was. Let the chaos begin. 🙃Butch Allen has spent years working in live entertainment, helping build shows, solve problems, and keep things moving—sometimes literally. He’s known for a practical approach, a dry sense of humor, and the ability to stay surprisingly awake when everyone else is out of coffee. His path through the industry has been shaped by collaboration, curiosity, and saying “yes” maybe one or two times too many. Now, he’s here to talk about the work, the people, and the oddities that come with it.Butch is the VP of Global Business Development at TAIT and a lifelong touring and live events professional who began in technical theater before falling in love with concert lighting. Over his career, he’s worn nearly every hat on the road—lighting director, production manager, stage manager, designer, backline, and even stepping in to drive a bus or truck when needed (everything but audio). He’s worked with major artists including Eric Church, The Eagles, Metallica, Melanie Martinez, and Paramore, and he’s passionate about building great teams, solving hard problems, and helping projects find their way from big idea to real-world execution.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Recorded live from Rock Lititz in Lititz, Pennsylvania, host Nikki Sanz sits down with Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer—the co-founders of Amber Health—to talk about what it really takes to support touring crews and live event professionals when the days are long, the pressure is constant, and the margin for error is basically zero.This conversation goes beyond “mental health awareness” and into what support looks like on the ground: proactive tools that help people manage the road and real-time backup for the moments that can derail a camp—conflict, crisis, burnout, and the stuff nobody wants to put on the comms channel.What you’ll learn:Why touring can be “lonely in a crowd,” even with a full crew around youWhat changes when support is built for the road, not a 9–5 worldThe difference between proactive training and crisis responseHow trust and industry fluency make care actually usableWhy this is shifting into a standard tour budget line itemHow support can reduce conflict, turnover, and operational riskDr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer bios:Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer, LMFT are the co-founders of Amber Health, the music industry's only full-service mental health and wellness provider. Since launching the organization in 2021, their team has pioneered a new standard of care specifically designed for the unique demands of the music business. Together, they've developed and implemented comprehensive mental health programs that serve everyone from touring crews and live event staff to A-list artists and major music companies. Their innovative approach addresses the full spectrum of mental health needs—from crisis intervention and ongoing support to preventative wellness initiatives and systemic cultural change. Amber Health has forged groundbreaking partnerships with industry leaders including Sony Music, Clair Global, and world-renowned artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Green Day, Ed Sheeran, and Billie Eilish and more.Dr. Newman holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and maintains a private practice specializing in clinical care for artists and industry members. He utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities—including ACT, CBT, Mindfulness, and traditional psychotherapy—to address the psychological and emotional challenges unique to the music world. With over two decades of involvement in the industry as a touring performer, event producer, and artist liaison, Dr. Newman brings firsthand insight into its distinct stresses. He was also the co-founder of the Tour Health Research Initiative (THRIV), dedicated to conducting research on mental health in the touring sector, and co-creator of the weekly Come Together music industry online support groups. In his spare time, Dr. Newman can be found studying ancient Jewish spirituality or surfing off the coast of Portugal.Zack is a Los Angeles-based licensed psychotherapist with a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. After spending a decade as a professional musician and songwriter, he transitioned into mental health with a deep understanding of the unique pressures faced by artists and music industry professionals. His dual background allows him to connect authentically with clients who navigate the intersection of creative expression and mental wellness.Together, Zack and Dr. Newman are committed to making mental health support accessible and stigma-free for an industry that has historically lacked dedicated resources.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Live video direction isn’t just calling shots—it’s reading the room, listening to the music, and trusting your crew to move with it.Recorded live from Rock Lititz, Nikki sits down with Nicholas Weldon “nicDUB”, a legacy roadie with over two decades of experience as a live video director.nicDUB shares how growing up around touring shaped him early, why he fell in love with the visual side of music in the MTV era, and the moment he decided he wanted to make the person in the very back row feel connected to the show. From projection to LED to directing massive multi-cam productions, he breaks down the roles, the pressure, and the people-skills that separate good operators from great ones.nicDUB bio:Nicholas Weldon, also known as nicDUB, is a father of four, a legacy roadie, and a Live Video Director with a 20-year career dedicated to telling stories through moving images. Over the last two decades, he has directed, shot, and executive-produced countless award shows, concerts, ceremonies, conventions, and special events across the globe. His philosophy is simple: every patron, in every seat, deserves to feel deeply connected to the moment. Video is the bridge that brings that connection to life. nicDUB’s credits spanning artists and productions including P!nk, Kings of Leon, Pierce The Veil, Ricky Martin, Tina Turner, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Cirque du Soleil, Google, Avril Lavigne, and more.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Ask Giggs is back, and this one is for anyone who’s ever said, “I’m in shape… but I’m not in tour shape.”In Ask Giggs #8, Nikki answers community questions about managing the physical toll of touring, building real stamina, and staying mentally steady when your body is cooked, but the show still has to go on. She breaks down why “touring shape” is its own category (and why so much of it is mental), shares simple recovery and reset rituals you can do on the road, and gets real about the habits that quietly wreck you over a long run (yes, including the dessert-and-no-lunch strategy).Plus, Nikki reads some of the wildest stories from the Giggs community—rapid-fire travel chaos, brutal turnaround schedules, and the post-tour comedown that hits when the movement stops and the house gets quiet.In this episode:Why touring stamina is as mental as it is physicalHow to reset fast when you’re exhausted and still on the clockSmall “grounding” rituals that make the day survivableRecovery basics that actually help: sleep, hydration, electrolytes, stretching, and self-massageReal talk from the Giggs community: the road, the sacrifice, and why people still do itFind your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

In this special docuseries-style episode, we’re taking you inside the construction of the brand new Rock Nashville—the highly anticipated live entertainment campus from the team behind Rock Lititz. Nikki Sanz gets a sneak preview of the build, explores what the campus is designed to solve for touring crews, and sits down with key people helping shape the vision, the community experience, and the future of live production in Nashville.For the best viewing experience, watch on our Spotify or YouTube channel.Robert "Bull" has worked in the live event industry for over 30 years. He began his career as a Monitor Mixer and Live Sound Engineer, developing a reputation for technical skill and team collaboration. Over time, he transitioned into sales and business development, becoming known as a natural communicator and connector. Bull is a longtime leader at Clair Global and was selected as Rock Nashville’s official advisor, helping build the network and partnerships that are making the campus possible. His nickname in town? "The Mayor of Nashville."Kindal Jumper was destined for live events because her parents, Ben and Katie Jumper, founded Crew One Productions, Mid-America Entertainment, and Catering to the Stars. Kindal grew up immersed in shows and tours, and after earning a rodeo scholarship to Troy University, she began her professional journey in hospitality management before joining Soundcheck Nashville in 2011. Now General Manager of Soundcheck, Kindal has led through tornadoes, floods, and pandemics — and is now playing a pivotal role in growing Rock Nashville.Marisa Rinchiuso is the Initiatives Program Manager for both Rock Lititz and Rock Nashville. A former touring stage manager and project manager at TAIT, she’s passionate about holistic support for live events professionals. With degrees in Technical Direction and Human Sexuality Education, Marisa brings a unique lens to crew wellness, collaboration, and sustainable career growth.Scott Appleton brings nearly four decades of experience in the live event industry. He began touring with Clair in 1987, spending over a decade on the road with some of the biggest names in music. Since then, he’s held nearly every role possible within Clair—operations, account management, and data services—eventually becoming General Manager of Clair Nashville. In 2023, he was named Vice President of Rock Nashville, helping lead one of the most anticipated expansions in the industry. Known internally as “The Package,” Scott is respected for his well-rounded expertise, calm leadership style, and ability to get the job done under pressure.Rachel Hales is the Sr. Global Manager of Brand + Content for both Rock Lititz and Rock Nashville. Rachel spent the early years of her career touring with artists like the Black Eyed Peas and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Today, she leads storytelling, messaging, and content strategy across the Rock campuses. She is also the author of the Tour Book, a visual and narrative love letter to the people behind the scenes of live music. Rachel is passionate about building authentic narratives and helping the industry be seen—not just for what it produces, but for who it is.Learn more about Rock Nashville at: https://rocknashville.com/ Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Allison Noah is a rising star in the industry — one of the few women in her role as Stage Manager, and a standout leader in the next generation of road crews.She got her start at Grammy-winning label Sono Luminus, where she did everything from engineering to photography. After moving to Nashville, she worked briefly at City Winery — then hit the road in 2021 on a small country tour, juggling nearly every tech role on the show.Since then, she’s become a full-time stage manager known for her calm focus and dedication. In 2025, she joined Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind World Tour and was nominated for Stage Manager of the Year at the CMA Touring Awards — the only woman in a category of eight.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Sooner Rae Routhier is a renowned Principal Designer who is a 2X Parnelli, Live Design Achievement, Live Production Summit Pinnacle, and multi Top Dog award-winning designer. Her designs can be seen on Jimmy Fallon, The AMA’s, The Ellen Show, The Voice, and The Billboard Music Awards. She has crafted iconic shows for artists such as Coldplay, Panic at the Disco, The Weeknd, KISS, Imagine Dragons, The Lumineers, and many more. Beyond her creative genius, Sooner has also been a driving force in shaping the modern landscape of entertainment lighting and design. Sooner is also part of Giggs' advisory board and we are so lucky to have her be part of the team.Follow along with Sooner:Instagram: @soonerrouthierThe Playground:Web: www.theplayground.liveInstagram: @the.playground.creativeEVEN:Web: www.theevennetwork.orgInstagram: @theevennetworkFind your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

We’re back with another Ask Giggs segment, where host Nikki Sanz answers real questions from the Giggs community. In this episode, we get honest about one of the hardest parts of working in live events: what the job asks of your personal life, and how to build something sustainable without losing the people you love.From “you can’t say no yet” to “you should be able to go to a funeral,” Nikki walks through the tradeoffs, the guilt, and the practical ways crew members stay connected on the road. Plus, we read powerful community comments about missed holidays, birthdays, funerals, and the moments that still sting years later.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Our guest is Zito — one of the most respected and accomplished production managers in the world. Over the past 25 years, he’s worked with artists like Green Day, Ariana Grande, Josh Groban, Babyface, OneRepublic, Blink-182, the Backstreet Boys, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, and many more.Starting in the late ’90s as a band member and part-time sound guy, he slowly worked his way up from vans and small clubs to stadiums and global tours across 80 countries. He’s the winner of the Patrick Stansfield Parnelli Award for Production Manager of the Year, he mentors young crew through ECCHOLive, and he recently joined 340 Productions to help shape the future of top-tier touring. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

This special episode of The GIGGS Podcast pulls the best Rapid Fire moments from across the series into one fast-moving, feel-good mashup. From first concerts and favorite venues, to after-show food, bus bunk politics, can’t-tour-without items, and the best career advice they’ve ever received, touring pros share the stories, laughs, and lessons that only happen on the road.You’ll hear:First concert memories ranging from New Kids on the Block to Anthrax, George Strait, and Loretta Lynn.Go-to tour comforts like Pop-Tarts, hydration packets, gaff tape, and the sacred personal pillow.Real talk on patience, mental health, team culture, “never quit” grit, and why being a good human still matters more than any title.Whether you work in the live industry, want to break in, or just love seeing how shows really come together, this is the perfect “best of” crash course in touring life.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Join us on a high-flying adventure as Nikki Sanz boards a VIP-configured Boeing 757 for Giggs’ first-ever in-flight episode with TrueSkies Aviation Group—the team moving A-list artists, sports teams, and high-profile clients around the world. Co-founders David Young and Christian Meiley share how they went from rock tours, EDM shows, and NASA launches to building one of the most trusted names in private aviation, and why they believe flying private is really a “time machine” for artists, crews and executives.Along the way, you’ll hear plane-facts trivia at 30,000 feet, stories of rescue missions after hurricanes, flying dogs across the country for a homesick pop star, and why transparency, safety, and mechanical recovery (trip protection) matter way more than champagne and selfies. The crew walks through TrueSkies’ Reserve model, Goodwin’s behind-the-scenes ops team in Columbus, and what tour managers and production teams should actually look for in a broker when the show cannot be late.If you’ve ever wondered if chartering a jet is really worth it, how pricing and “mystery fees” work, or what it takes to keep a VIP-configured 757 and a global roster of clients on time, this episode is your boarding pass. If you’re listening to the audio version, make sure to watch the full video on YouTube or Spotify for the best viewing experience!Learn more about TrueSkies Aviation Group at: https://flytrueskies.com/Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Learn more about Musicians On Call: https://www.musiciansoncall.org/Pete Griffin is the President & CEO of Musicians On Call, the nonprofit that brings live music to hospital patients, caregivers, and veterans across all 50 states. Under his leadership, MOC has grown from a local charity to an internationally recognized organization that’s delivered the healing power of music to over one million people. Before MOC, Pete led national campaigns at MTV, winning an Emmy for community service, and held executive roles at Big Brothers Big Sisters and IAVA. His work has taken him to the White House, the UN, and Oxford, and he’s been named one of America’s top nonprofit leaders by the Anthem Awards and Nonprofit Times. He is also recognized by the city of Nashville with a Silver Star for saving lives during a flood.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Step inside the shop that keeps tours moving. In this episode, we go behind the scenes at Extreme Lighting & Sound (ELS) for an exclusive look at their team, their process, and the ShowShuttle—the modular cart system built to speed up load-ins, reduce chaos, and keep crews safer.From welding bays to machining, you’ll see how ELS designs, fabricates, and stress-tests the gear that actually moves a show. We talk to employees and sit down with the owners to unpack the real-world problems they’re solving on the road—what breaks, what bottlenecks crews, and how smarter carts can save hours without compromising show quality. If you work in touring, production, or venue ops, this one’s for you: practical workflow ideas, design nuance, and the mindset behind equipment that pays for itself in efficiency.And if you’re listening to the audio version, make sure to watch the full video on YouTube or Spotify for the best viewing experience—the shop tour and product demos are where it clicks.Learn more about ELS and their products at: https://www.elsnashville.com/Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Shawn Worlow is the Founder and President of The Production Collective, which is the team behind some of the most complex large-scale events in the country: NFL Draft, Formula 1 Las Vegas, SEMA Fest, March Madness Music Festival, and more. He’s also the Founder of Collective Payroll, a company that simplifies workforce management for events. With nearly 30 years of experience across touring and special events, Shawn is the guy you call when things need to run smoothly — and on time.He’s an expert in city permitting, labor coordination, sponsor relations, site builds, and basically everything no one in the audience ever sees — but every show depends on.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Mark Oglesby, currently the tour manager for Post Malone, is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the music industry. His career began as road manager for The Clark Family Experience. Since then, Mark has managed tours for high-profile artists including Jennifer Nettles with Sugarland, Billy Carrington, Emerson Drive, Good Charlotte, Sum 41, Pink, OneRepublic, and Kane Brown.Keep up with Mark on the road:Instagram: @onemarkonlyFind your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Cristi Williams is the Founder of Shading the Limelight, a mental wellness coaching company for artists, actors, and entertainment professionals. She’s also an adjunct professor at Belmont University, where she developed the first-ever course on Social and Emotional Intelligence in the Entertainment Industry—a course that’s now required to graduate from the Curb College of Music Business. Cristi spent 17 years as a teacher before joining her daughter Hayley—yes, Hayley Williams of Paramore—on the road. That experience opened her eyes to what young entertainers face: pressure, perfectionism, identity loss, and more. She launched Shading the Limelight in 2008 and has been working with clients from Disney, Nickelodeon, Universal, and major labels ever since. She’s part educator, part counselor, part industry guide—and her work is changing the way creatives grow, connect, and stay well.Get your Artist Wellbeing Essentials Toolkit: https://bit.ly/GiggsPromoFind your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Ryan Lampa has spent 18 years touring the world with many artists, most notably TobyMac. But in 2008, his mission shifted—from tour life to nonprofit work. Ryan Lampa is the Founder and CEO of People Loving Nashville, one of the most impactful homeless outreach organizations in the city. It started with five meals and a simple prayer: ‘God, teach me how to love people.’ 17 years later, PLN has never missed a Monday night feeding over 800 people every week, and they have helped over 150 individuals find housing, and most recently opened a coffee shop downtown called Paradeisos, staffed by formerly unhoused neighbors. His story is proof that showing up every week can change everything.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

"How can I work in music industry?" Giggs Founder, Nikki Sanz, answers the most frequently asked question by sharing 18 practical strategies to break into the music, live event, and touring industry. In this episode, she organizes insights from top professionals and her personal experiences to provide actionable advice, moving beyond the typical "just meet the right people" suggestion. This episode is all about strategies you can put into practice.#1 - Build Your Network#2 - Research & Cold Calling#3 - Volunteering & Internships#4 - Attend Networking Events#5 - The 15-Minute Phone Call#6 - Always Ask for Introductions#7 - Stay Top of Mind#8 - Maintain a Clean Online Presence#9 - Find Mentors#10 - Research Local Production Companies & DMCs#11 - Never Say No to a Gigg#12 - Take Every Gigg Seriously#13 - Follow Up After Giggs#14 - Be a Sponge & Learn from Mistakes#15 - You Are Your Own Business#16 - Celebrate Others' Successes#17 - When One Door Closes, Another Opens#18 - Get on GiggsFind your next Gigg: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveHost: Nikki SanzProducer: Annabelle WiedowerFind your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

The duo behind one of the tour collective: The Beehive. Founded in 2016 by Vinnie Ferra and Jonny Stiegler, The Beehive was built to make the touring experience better—for artists, yes—but more importantly, for the crew. What started as two friends backing each other’s clients has become a full-service operation combining tour management, musical direction, custom arrangements, and crew development. They’ve helped shape the live sound and stage for artists like Gracie Abrams, Halsey, Masego, T-Pain, Gryffin, and Madison Beer, with a focus on long-term partnership and crew growth.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Founder & CEO Nikki Sanz answers YOUR questions from the Giggs Community.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz

Sean Porter - better known as Big Daddy - spent years touring with acts like Cage the Elephant, Elle King, Lifehouse, and American Idol. After one too many late nights with nothing but gas station snacks and cold pizza, he had a simple idea: start serving up real food to the late-night crowd. That idea turned into Daddy’s Dogs - a now-iconic Nashville brand with carts, shops, stadium booths, and a huge local following. Named Best Hotdog and Best Late Night Eats year after year, Daddy’s Dogs has become a cultural staple in Music City. With bars and new concepts on the horizon, Sean is building a business with soul, scale, and serious flavor.Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/Stay up to date:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.liveYoutube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.liveHost: Nikki Sanz