• #11 Interview with Thomas Reed Smith - heavy right off the bat
    Jan 22 2023

    This was one of my favorite interviews to date.  Thomas Reed Smith is an accomplished musician in Northeast Ohio that can be found playing the local winery/restaurant circuit.  He played in a true rock-n-roll bands in the 90s.  He is a singer/songwriter with multiple records released that you can find at https://thomasreedsmith.bandcamp.com/.  He has a passion for Harley Davidson's and is just a really nice guy.  Enjoy this interview - lots of great content.  

    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-andrews2/support
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    1 hr and 37 mins
  • #10 Interview with Jim Ales - Lost Sheep Band - Solo Gigs - Neo Music History
    Jan 12 2023

    This was a fun interview I did with Jim Ales from the Lost Sheep Band among others right before Christmas.  Very entertaining conversation - give it a listen! 

    The Lost Sheep Band | Facebook

    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-andrews2/support
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • #9 Rob Lundi Interview - Neo Musician, Key West Scene
    Dec 8 2022

    Catch my interview with local musician Rob Lundi.  Lots of great info packed into this episode!  Enjoy. 


    https://roblundi.com/home

    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-andrews2/support
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • #8 Stage Banter; What Do You Say Between Songs
    Dec 5 2022

    I played a show with Mike Mannarino this weekend and he did a really good job engaging with the crowd.  I thought it would make a good topic to talk about.  Mike is an experienced solo musician in north east Ohio western Pennsylvania.  I met him a few years ago on the strip in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio,  where we both play in the summer.  He also travels and plays in Key West in the winter months.  He’s a pro.

    I consider myself average on stage banter.  I can hold my own and I am comfortable on stage especially when I know people and they are pretty active.  However, I was reminded Friday at how good Mike really is at this.  Listen to this episode as I explain how he tactfully got thing going..

    1. Speaking between songs is an art.
    2. When do you need to speak between songs
    3. Go to other peoples shows, watch on YouTube - both famous and locals.  See what they do.
    4. Be yourself - do YOUR thing.  You don’t have to be Mike Mannarino, but you can learn and do your own thing.  Be yourself and dont force it.
    5. Have some “go-to” subjects or things to talk about.
      1. “The more wine you drink the better i sound”.
      2. “Whos celebrating something tonight?”
      3. Who’s first time here?  Is anyone visiting from out of state?”
      4. Thank the staff - point out their tip jar….and yours.
      5. Introduce the song - or experience that relates you to the song.
      6. Announcements from the venue (drink specials, food specials).
    6. Write stuff down on your set list
    7. Practice/ Plan
      1. Look up the venues website - get the history
      2. Look up the city history for interesting facts
    8. Be flexible and “present” to the room.  Keep observant and be spontaneous.  Read the room.
    9. Ask the crowd easy yes / no questions.  How great are the bartenders here?  How’s the wine?  Are you ready to rock?
    10. Don’t talk about technical difficulties - PA system problems or broken guitar strings.  Don’t make a bunch of excuses - keep entertaining.  People are there to forget their problems - they don’t want to hear about yours.  Tell them to time you while you change your strings.
    11. Mix it up - dont say the same things between each song.
    12. Thank everyone that tips you - even during songs and between songs.
      1. “Thanks for the love”
      2. If you like what you hear and can help me with a gallon of gas I would appreciate it.
    13. Try different things - see what works for you.
    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-andrews2/support
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    20 mins
  • #7 How To Read The Room
    Nov 28 2022

    I was talking with another local musician this week at one of my shows and we were talking about how to read the room.  Sometimes you are the focal point and sometimes you are background music.  Either is fine and can be a great show but you need to be aware of the mood of the room.  Todays show looks at how to read the room.

    1. Noise level
      • Check with management
      • Look at people
      • Set up in front of your Stick or use a monitor
    2. Song Choice
      • Be flexible
      • Wagon Wheel vs Wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald
      • 70’s, 80’s,90’s
    3. Mood Can Change - look for it
      • Ask for special occasions
      • Bachelorette parties
      • People’s moods after some wine
    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-andrews2/support
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    21 mins
  • #6 Craig Day - Legend - Addiction and Music Therapy, Winery Startup, Open Mics, No Sweet Caroline
    Nov 24 2022
    Brought to you by Eric Andrews Basement Recordings  www.ericmichaelandrews.com   https://wordpress.com/home/thelocalmusiciansidehustle.wordpress.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087894253352 Please Enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-andrews2/support
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    59 mins
  • #5 Staying Organized With Your Side Hustle
    Nov 21 2022
    There are three things you need to stay organized with your side hustle:  There are other things (website, business cards, YouTube channel, etc,) but 3 things you absolutely need to STAY ORGANIZED: Email Outlook, gmail Email address Organize your inbox Reply, Reply Later (Waiting For Info), Archive or save Today Urgent, Not Urgent, Waiting If save - send to your notebook Mailing list - capture email addresses Constantcontact.com Mailchimp.com Wix.com Calendar Google Calendar Set up a music calendar Record gigs right away when you book Look at holidays and days you may not want to play, eg. Super Bowl Consider Outlook Notebook Evernote OneNote Google Keep PARA - 2nd Brain - Tiago Forte.  This is how I organize my my electronic notebook --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-andrews2/support
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    26 mins
  • #4 Interview with Scott Marut; The Smartest Dumb Guy You'll Ever Meet
    Nov 17 2022
    Scott Marut is a successful small business owner (Marut & Sons Excavating Inc). Today we talk: What led you to believe I could be a working local musician?  Tell me in your words the history of my side hustle, Eric Andrews Basement Recordings You own a small business – what do you love about running a business? How do you manage tasks in your business that you don’t enjoy or are not as skilled at?  How would you advise a local musician getting a side hustle music business together  with this same question? How do you measure success in business?  What about life? Do you have any advice for a musician, or anyone, about starting a new business? What do you think about social media for a musician?  What do you see you like and what is annoying? Do you have any financial advise for a musician starting a side hustle? What kind of product would you recommend a musician put out there.  I know you’re not a musician per se, but you and I have talked and you’ve made suggestions over the years  that have helped me.  Can you talk about what you think a musician – again trying to do this as a side hustle – what kind of “product” they should deliver at restaurant/winery/bar venues? This kind of goes with the question about, but what would recommend to a musician from an image standpoint?  You told me once when I cut my hair that I now looked like a responsible  and professional 50 year old singer – what did you mean by that?  Is it true you make your office staff dress appropriately? Your daughter sings – she’s fantastic.  She’s sang with me at solo gigs and recently played a set with me and my friends.  I know you had thought that maybe she could put  together a side hustle.  Ultimately that’s her choice and commitment, but please share what advise you gave her.  Why you thought it would be cool.  I think that insight may help my audience as they take the next step or progress in their current business. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eric-andrews2/support
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    41 mins