The Gigging Musician Podcast

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The Gigging Musician Podcast

Jared Judge

289 episodes

1 week ago

In this episode, Jared shares a critical mindset shift that separates struggling gigging musicians from those who earn full-time incomes from their music. He breaks down why doing more isn’t always the solution — and how a shift in strategy, positioning, and pricing can unlock high-end performance opportunities without burning out. Whether you’re tired of playing in bars for peanuts or wondering how to finally get off the hamster wheel of low-paying gigs, this episode will challenge your assu...

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Entrepreneurship,

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In this episode, Jared shares a critical mindset shift that separates struggling gigging musicians from those who earn full-time incomes from their music. He breaks down why doing more isn’t always the solution — and how a shift in strategy, positioning, and pricing can unlock high-end performance opportunities without burning out. Whether you’re tired of playing in bars for peanuts or wondering how to finally get off the hamster wheel of low-paying gigs, this episode will challenge your assu...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship,

Episodes (20/289)

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Stronger in the Shadows: Raising Your Rates and Owning the Business of Music

In this episode, Jared reflects from the top of his favorite mountain in Scottsdale and shares a powerful message for musicians who want to break free from the starving artist mindset. He opens up about his journey from $250 gigs to consistently booking $2,500 high-end performances—and the mindset and skills that made it possible. If you're tired of hustling for low-paying gigs and ready to earn what you're truly worth, this is the wake-up call you’ve been waiting for.

1 week ago

13 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Why More Gigs Aren’t the Answer: How to Scale Your Music Career Smarter

In this episode, Jared shares a critical mindset shift that separates struggling gigging musicians from those who earn full-time incomes from their music. He breaks down why doing more isn’t always the solution — and how a shift in strategy, positioning, and pricing can unlock high-end performance opportunities without burning out. Whether you’re tired of playing in bars for peanuts or wondering how to finally get off the hamster wheel of low-paying gigs, this episode will challenge your assu...

1 week ago

13 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Merch, Mindset & Monetization: Bridging the Gap Between Gigging and Fanbase-Building

In this episode, Jared sits down with Jack McCarthy from Indie X and Indipreneur to explore how gigging musicians—especially those playing corporate events and weddings—can tap into e-commerce strategies traditionally reserved for artists with large fanbases. They discuss the power of owning your audience data, creative ways to introduce merch even without original music, and how to ethically increase your revenue per gig. Whether you play 200 shows or 30 shows a year, this conversation is pa...

3 weeks ago

48 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Why Wedding Gigs Are the Best Training for Corporate Events

In this episode, Jared breaks down why wedding gigs are more than just love songs and aisle walks—they're bootcamp for high-end corporate events. He challenges the misconception that weddings are beneath serious musicians and makes a bold case that mastering weddings is essential if you want to book—and keep booking—lucrative corporate gigs. He shares how professionalism, gear standards, collaboration, and performance versatility all overlap between the two event types, and how saying “no” to...

2 months ago

9 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

How One Awful Gig Turned Into a Life-Changing Call

In this episode, Jared shares the surprising story of how his lowest-paid, most frustrating gig became the unexpected gateway to a high-paying corporate performance. From chaotic load-ins to venue staff indifference, you'll hear how perseverance and professionalism—even at your worst gigs—can pay off in ways you’d never expect.

2 months ago

15 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

The Art of the Follow-Up: How I Got on a Venue’s Preferred Vendor List

In this episode, Jared shares the rollercoaster journey of finally getting on the preferred vendor list of a prestigious wedding venue in Colorado—after years of getting ignored. From strategic outreach to a well-timed performance and a surprising twist involving an injured coordinator, you’ll hear how persistence, empathy, and daily follow-ups ultimately opened the door. Jared breaks down key lessons for musicians who want to break into high-end events and why sometimes not pitching is the m...

2 months ago

9 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Why I Charge $1,500+ for a One-Hour Gig (And Why You Should Too)

In this episode, Jared shares what goes into delivering a high-end solo performance—and why most musicians are drastically undercharging for their time, gear, and expertise. From setting up three PA systems to handling last-minute corporate inquiries and playing multiple locations in one wedding, he breaks down the true value of what musicians provide. You’ll learn the difference between low-end and high-end gigs, why pricing is often arbitrary, and how charging what you're worth leads to bet...

3 months ago

14 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Wealth Denotes Speed: How Raising My Rates Changed Everything

In this episode, Jared reflects on the quote “Wealth Denotes Speed” and how it radically shifted his approach to building a thriving music career. He shares the exact progression of how he raised his solo act rates—from $495 to $1,500+—and what that meant in terms of income, lifestyle, and gig volume. You’ll learn why your prices should start as “WAGs” (wild-ass guesses), how to tell when it’s time to raise your rates, and why understanding basic math could be the difference between gigging b...

3 months ago

15 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

How Helping Event Planners Can Help You Get More Gigs (and Why Most Musicians Miss This)

In this episode, Jared shares how building genuine relationships with event planners—and actually helping them with their challenges—can lead to more bookings and long-term success as a gigging musician. Hear how a conversation with a hospitality professor and planner sparked ideas for collaboration, and how musicians can use video sales letters to stand out, avoid time-wasting tire kickers, and create a sustainable career—even in uncertain times.

3 months ago

12 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

The Funnel That Pays My Bills: How I Book High-End Gigs Without Agents or Gig Apps

In this episode, Jared breaks down the exact online marketing system he uses to book high-paying weddings and events—without relying on agents, gig apps, or social media algorithms. From getting on preferred vendor lists to using a video sales letter and closing leads on Zoom, this is the blueprint for musicians who want control, consistency, and confidence in their career. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a system that actually gets you gigs, this one’s for you.

4 months ago

13 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

How to Confidently Play Weddings (and Why Cocktail Hours Are the Easiest High-Paying Gigs)

In this episode, Jared takes you behind the scenes of a high-paying wedding gig in Estes Park, Colorado. He shares exactly how to approach playing ceremonies and cocktail hours—even if you’ve never done it before. From planning your prelude set to nailing the timing of the recessional, this is your crash course on wedding gigging success.

4 months ago

11 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Why I Played This Gig for Free—And Would Do It Again

In this episode, Jared shares why he intentionally performed for free at a high-end venue—and how it aligns with his strategy to get more paid gigs. You'll hear how this corporate event at the Denver Botanic Gardens was more than just a performance—it was a smart move to build relationships with decision-makers and secure future bookings. He also explains the right and wrong way to do "free gigs" so they actually benefit your career.

4 months ago

8 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Banned from GigSalad?! Why Diversifying Your Gig Sources Matters More Than Ever

In this candid episode, Jared shares how his electric violin act was banned from GigSalad—and why that may have been a blessing in disguise. He explores the danger of relying on a single lead source (hello, Dan Kennedy’s “most dangerous number is one” rule), and walks through the power of diversification, especially through preferred vendor lists. If you've ever felt too dependent on one gig platform, this episode is your wake-up call—and your roadmap to building a more stable, sustainable gi...

4 months ago

9 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Why I Charged $1,000 for an Acoustic Gig—and You Should Too

In this episode, Jared reflects on a unique acoustic wedding gig at the Denver Botanic Gardens—and how it exposed both the raw vulnerability of playing unplugged and the mindset traps musicians face around money. He opens up about his own struggles with limiting beliefs around pricing, shares what it takes to justify high fees, and challenges you to rethink your worth as a performer. If you've ever felt guilty about raising your prices, this episode is your nudge to level up.

4 months ago

10 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

The Full Blueprint: How to Launch Your High-End Gigging Career in 2025

In this episode, Jared unveils the exact step-by-step strategy behind his newly launched High-End Gigs Launchpad course. Whether you're new to the private events industry or looking to upgrade your current approach, Jared walks you through the entire process—from crafting your sizzle reel and building a high-converting website, to networking with venues and closing high-paying gigs using video sales letters and strategic consultations. This is the roadmap musicians need to thrive in the high-...

6 months ago

11 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Why Leading with Price Could Be Killing Your Gigs

In this episode, Jared shares a powerful strategy shift that’s helped him consistently land high-paying gigs—without leading with price. After playing at the prestigious Governor’s Citizens Award ceremony, he breaks down why talking about price too early can turn potential clients away and how to reframe the conversation to highlight your value as an artist. Jared reveals his proven video sales letter (VSL) process and how one small change led to a $1,250 gig booking on the spot. If you're ti...

6 months ago

20 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

How Helping Event Planners Can Help You Get Booked

In this episode, Jared shares a behind-the-scenes look at a $1,800 performance booking at a hospitality school fundraiser—and how it turned into a powerful networking opportunity. He explores the importance of becoming a true resource to event planners, not just musically but also through marketing insights that can help them grow their businesses. From sharing video sales letter strategies to offering genuine support with websites or outreach, Jared breaks down how giving value first can ope...

6 months ago

12 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Kicking Off Wedding Season… and Witnessing a DJ Disaster

In this episode, Jared kicks off the 2025 wedding season with a stunning mountain gig—and a reminder that professionalism always matters. He reflects on how doubling his soloist rates was a game-changer, shares how he problem-solved a ceremony-to-cocktail transition like a pro, and recounts a cringeworthy run-in with a DJ who wasn’t quite ready for prime time. This behind-the-scenes peek at what it takes to thrive (and stand out) at high-end weddings is packed with lessons—and a little bit of...

6 months ago

13 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Back-to-Back High-End Gigs, Buc-ee’s Pit Stops & Building Strategic Partnerships

In this episode, Jared reflects on two high-end gigs—one at a Wyoming governor’s gala and another at the luxurious Broadmoor Hotel—and the lessons they offer for musicians looking to break into elite events. From the power of repeat bookings and sound engineering tips to nurturing relationships with destination management companies (DMCs), Jared shares actionable insights to help you elevate your gigging game in 2025.

6 months ago

12 minutes

The Gigging Musician Podcast

Making 2025 Your Year of High-End Gigs: Reflect, Refocus, and Rise

In this episode, Jared reflects on his 2024 gigging experiences—the wins, the lessons, and the challenges—and shares practical tips for setting meaningful goals for 2025. He guides listeners through evaluating the quantity and quality of their gigs, understanding the importance of boundaries, and making the necessary shifts to ensure a successful year. Whether you're looking to book more high-end gigs, increase your income, or simply find more fulfillment in your music career, this episode is...

9 months ago

11 minutes