A musician’s journey to from open mics to cover bands, tribute acts, and gigging seriously

Hi. My name is Brian and it’s nice to meet you. Currently, I’m based in South Florida after a stretch of digital nomading that taught me you can work from anywhere as long as the wifi holds. 

I’ve been playing guitar and singing as an amateur musician and hobbyist since the 7th grade. Which means I’ve been doing this long enough to know three things: 

1. I’m never going to be famous. 
2. I don’t care. 
3. And I’m never going to stop.

For most of my life that’s looked like:

• open mic nights
• living room jams
• impromptu backyard party singalongs
• and the occasional amateur event where nobody was (too) harsh a critic.

I’m also a solopreneur and content/SEO consultant by trade. Music has always been just one of the things I do when I’m not doing that.

That’s changing.

I’m working on building a solo Dave Matthews tribute act. Real gigs, real setlists, real audiences. I’m also working with a friend on a cover band project that I’m equally excited about.

Neither of these things exists yet in any finished form, and that’s kind of the whole point of this site.

The Covert Musician is where I document the journey.

This is not the a site detailing the story of an experienced and successful musician back from their start playing open mic nights. 

No, this is the journey of an amateur musician who basically has no idea what they are doing and is finally ready to start figuring it out. Where I’m learning: 

• which Dave Matthews songs hold up solo acoustic and crowds actually enjoy
• how to get booked, for real, at a venue 
• what it costs to do this right 
• and whether a 43-year old guy with an acoustic guitar and strong opinions about the Stand Up album can build something legit.

Along the way I’ll share everything I learn. About

• tribute bands
• cover bands
• setlists
• the business and legal side of playing other people’s music
• and what it actually takes to go from open mic nights to (hopefully) something more serious.

My content/marketing brain doesn’t turn off either just because I’m clocked out. I bring that lens to everything here including how musicians like us can think smarter about positioning, local visibility, and building an audience. 

It’s a weird combination. It works.

If you’re a musician who plays covers at open mic nights, runs a cover or tribute act, or is thinking about starting one, you’re in the right place.

Come along for the ride.

Brian
The Covert Musician