Episode #51 "Solo Skills Pay The Bills" featuring Marshall Stone

This week I sit down with an absolute phenom of a local musician, Marshall Stone. Marshall is an award-winning solo acoustic musician as well as the lead singer of the band LODI. He performs over 200 gigs annually at venues all over PA, MD, and WV. Marshall’s vocal range and guitar abilities wow audiences and keep them coming back for more, making him one of the most successful AND in-demand artists in our area. In this episode, we discuss what Marshall does to stand out in a sea of live performers, including:

  • The formation of LODI

  • The difference between band performance and solo

  • Booking advice

  • The importance of taking requests

  • Being willing to take risks and learn new things

  • Pushing through difficulties

  • The importance of being genuinely you

  • The future for Marshall

Thursday Thoughts 12.26.2024

SHOWS THIS WEEKEND:

  • FRIDAY 12/27 - Carlisle Moose Lodge ~ Carlisle, PA 7-10PM

  • SATURDAY 12/28 - Antietam Brewing Company ~ Hagerstown, MD 6-9PM

My Thursday Thoughts this week are about the wisdom in the book “Skip the line” by James Altucher, the 10,000 hour rule, how practice is best served focused, and the need for reflection and improvement.

https://www.amazon.com/Skip-Line-Experiments-Surprising-Reaching-ebook/dp/B08BLLF3RD

Episode #50 "Rock Mill Industries" featuring Logan Summey

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Logan Summey. Logan is the owner of Rock Mill Industries in Mechanicsburg, PA. Rock Mill is a musician’s paradise, incorporating a tattoo studio, recording studio, live stream studio, practice room, and an embroidery and screen printing & DTF space. This is a must listen for entrepreneurs and anyone looking to take a leap into business ownership.

Logan and I talked about a BUNCH of things, including:

  • His vision with Rock Mill

  • His love of all things audio

  • Engineering Live sound vs. Recording

  • The creative process in-studio

  • Owning a small business

  • Persevering through difficulties

Thanks for listening!!

Thursday Thoughts 12.19.2024

SHOWS THIS WEEKEND:

  • THURSDAY 12/19 - Middletown Hunters & Anglers Club ~ Middletown, PA 7-10pm

  • FRIDAY 12/20 - Lebanon Valley Brewing Company ~ Lebanon, PA 5:30-8:30pm

  • SATURDAY 12/21 - Balla Cloiche Vineyards ~ Stewartstown, PA 7-10pm

My Thursday Thoughts this week are about

  1. 2025 Booking changes

  2. Not pretending to be anyone other than me

  3. Being okay with turning things down

  4. My history with the CPMHOF

Episode #49 "Buffalo Lessons" featuring Chris Auxt

This week’s guest is Chris Auxt. Chris has been in and around the music scene in Central Pennsylvania for decades. Chris currently provides some slick pickin’ and gritty vocals in the powerhouse acoustic duo Hank The Buffalo (with previous guest Stephen Robert). He’s also now offering GUITAR LESSONS at his studio space in Lemoyne, PA. Chris and I talked about a ton of topics, including:

  • His start in music

  • His years as a guitar instructor

  • Tips for learning songs

  • How the room can dictate your playing style

  • Tips for learning how to solo

  • His live performance gear & in depth pedalboard analysis

  • Hank the Buffalo

  • Central Pennsylvania Music Awards

  • His newest venture into teaching guitar

Thanks for listening, and be sure to reach out to Chris to schedule a lesson and follow Hank the Buffalo on all the things!!

https://www.facebook.com/hankthebuffalo

Ep #48 "The Ten Commandments Review" featuring Colin Alvarez

Before you listen to the episode, check out Frank Persico’s Youtube video running down the 10 Commandments of Solo Acoustic Musicians at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TMzg54A18s

In Episode 48, Colin Alvarez joins me again to break down an amazing video from a 25-year NYC based solo acoustic veteran, Frank Persico. We break down Frank’s list adding our thoughts and personal experiences. I feel like Frank’s video and this podcast are a MUST LISTEN for anyone who is interested in stepping into the world of solo gigs, and they’re also a great listen for anyone looking to step up their performance game.

Thursday Thoughts 12.5.2024

Shows this weekend

  • Thursday 12/5 - Shy Bear Brewing ~ Lewistown, PA 6-9pm

  • Friday 12/6 - Republican Club ~ Hanover, PA 7-10pm ** Members Only **

  • Saturday 12/7 - Upper Deck Sports Bar ~ Mt.Airy, MD 3-6pm

My Thursday thoughts this week are about guitar lessons, practice, and open mics! Thanks for listening!