(This article was originally published on Spinditty in January 2017. It has been edited here to reflect the current time passed.)I've been playing in cover bands ever since I started learning an instrument nearly 40 years ago. There have been over forty different cover bands in which I was either a member or a frequent... Read more
Category: Tips & Tricks
Live Streaming Made Easy: A Musician’s Guide to Facebook Live
With the sudden and tragic outbreak of the coronavirus in March of 2020, many musicians all over the world found themselves without a gig. Shows were cancelled abruptly, tours were suspended, weddings postponed, and the music world was turned upside-down overnight.Relegated to performing from their homes, musicians quickly turned to the internet to find a... Read more
How-to Flip the Screen on Facebook Live Broadcasts So You Don’t Look Backwards
Live streaming has suddenly taken off as the best way to reach fans due to coronavirus outbreak. People are staying at home more than ever before, and musicians have turned to the internet to find their audience.Facebook Live debuted in late 2015, but didn't start rolling out to users until early 2016. Some early adopters... Read more
Marketing Bootcamp – Branding Your Band
Everyone claims to be a Marketer. And they are right. We are all “marketing” ourselves everyday whether it’s our job performance to our employer, our worthiness to our spouses, our opinions on social media, or why you should come see my band play Friday night. We are all trying to influence each other in one... Read more
Why We Don’t Allow Event Invites in the Cover Band Central Facebook Group
If you've spent any time whatsoever in the wildly popular Cover Band Central Facebook Group, you'll know that dozens of people every day post something about their upcoming event — usually a band performance.While I applaud people for trying to get the word out to get fans to come to their show, there are several... Read more
16 Tips for Working Musicians on How to Be a Successful Club or Bar Cover Band
If you want to excel in the cover music scene, it's not always a question of your level of skill, but often just a matter of focusing on the right things that makes a difference.In just about every city and town in the United States, as well as many around the world, you'll find a... Read more
50 Rock Songs That Every Cover Band Musician Should Know
One of the joys of playing music in a cover band is that you get to replicate some of the most popular songs in the history of music. Audiences throughout the world love these songs, which of course contributes to their longevity.Not every band will play all of these songs, in fact some won’t play... Read more
Top ’90s Rock Songs Every Rock Cover Band Musician Should Know
The 1990s were a time of major change in the world of popular rock music, unlike any that had been seen before—or since. The excess and showmanship of the '80s had grown tired, and a new paradigm emerged, temporarily obliterating every hair-metal and glam-rock band.The generation that grew up in that decade has now reached... Read more
5 Essential Social Media Tips for Musicians
If you play music either as a profession or just as a hobby, it's imperative to create and maintain an online presence.In these times, there is no easier way to get yourself out there, connect with the right people, and develop a rapport with industry folks and fans alike than by properly using social media.Below... Read more
Song Selection in a Cover Band – 10 Factors to Consider
Among the important decisions that you'll make when playing covers, one of the most vital for your success is the songs you choose.There are thousands of great songs to pick from that will work on the cover band circuit; but in order to have some longevity, you want to take into consideration the following factors.... Read more