Rock, Reinvention, and the Craft of Performance: Patrick Stone from Hairball

Episode Overview In this episode, Kristan sits down with Patrick Stone, lead singer of Hairball, to talk about the craft behind performance — not just music, but transformation, confidence, and connection. What starts as a conversation about 80s hair-band culture quickly becomes a deeper discussion about purpose, creativity, and what it means to make people feel something through live music. What You’ll Hear in This Episode How Patrick’s love for music started with his sister’s record collection Growing up in Northern California and forming his first bands The difference between being a singer and being a performer The discipline behind stage confidence and transformation Why Hairball is more than a cover band — it’s an experience How confidence evolves through repetition, preparation, and growth The emotional connection between performers and audiences Why nostalgia and live music still matter today Key Takeaways Performance is a craft that takes just as much discipline as music itself Confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s built over time Great performers don’t just sing songs; they create moments Live music connects generations in ways few other art forms can Being a “maker” isn’t limited to physical crafts — performance is a craft too Featured Guest Patrick Stone – Lead singer of Hairball, performer, songwriter, and live-performance artist known for bringing the energy and spirit of 80s rock to audiences across the country. Host Kristan Vermeulen – Host of Makers of the USA, a podcast that highlights artists, creators, and makers across the country who bring passion, craftsmanship, and creativity to what they do. If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.