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Tribute Band Sessions

Tribute Band Sessions

Written by: Mike Gendler
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 Tribute Band Sessions takes you behind the curtain of the billion-dollar tribute industry—where legendary music is reborn every night. Hosted by creator, music producer, musician, and talent manager Mike Gendler, along with rotating celebrity co-hosts, each episode features unfiltered conversations with tribute performers, booking agents, and insiders. From tour life and gear to sold-out shows at venues like Red Rocks, this is your all-access pass. New episodes drop every Wednesday.All Rights Reserved 2025 Music
Episodes
  • Nick Harrison “Mr. Professor 318” – Viral AI Soul Covers, Gen X Comedy Tour & Tribute Bands EP 015

    Nick Harrison “Mr. Professor 318” – Viral AI Soul Covers, Gen X Comedy Tour & Tribute Bands EP 015
    Jan 7 2026
    Viral creator Nick Harrison – Mr. Professor 318 joins Tribute Band Sessions! In this episode, Nick shares how he went from Louisiana school teacher and radio host to a full-time content creator with millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube. We dive into the story behind his AI soul reimaginations of rock and metal classics—turning Foo Fighters, Disturbed, Slipknot, Korn, Stone Temple Pilots, Journey, ACDC and more into classic soul and Yacht Rock–style covers. Nick opens up about the powerful messages he gets from fans with PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and why his mission is “to be a light in a dark world” and create unity through music. Nick also talks about his hit album “Artificial Soul” (packed with viral soul covers), the Gen X Takeover Comedy Tour, their sold-out shows, and the upcoming Gen X Takeover cruise. We get into tribute bands like Yachtly Crew, Tragedy (Bee Gees metal), The Iron Maidens, Get The Led Out, and why great tribute bands keep classic music alive for new generations. If you love tribute bands, mashups, AI music, Gen X nostalgia, and soul-flavored rock, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and drop a comment to let us know which song you want to hear get “the Professor treatment” next! 🎸 Listen & Follow Tribute Band Sessions: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🍎 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📘 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎵 ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🐦 ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠ 👉 ⁠⁠⁠Watch Tribute Band Sessions on YouTube Find Nick Harrison – Mr. Professor 318 https://nxconnect.me/mrprofessor318 00:00 How Mr. Professor’s videos help fans with PTSD & depression01:30 Going viral: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook & YouTube numbers03:00 Meet Nick Harrison – Mr. Professor 318 from Louisiana05:00 From radio host to “The Professor” and elementary school teacher07:30 Covid, essential work & the push to start creating on TikTok09:30 Wrestling entrances, classroom videos & going viral with Korn ABCs12:00 Inside the AI soul covers: prompts, arranging & sonic “gumbo”16:00 Why Nick refuses to release “AI slop” and cares about album quality19:00 Keeping rock alive & educating the next generation about music history22:30 What makes a great tribute band vs a bar cover band26:00 Mashups, medleys & making fans rediscover the original songs31:00 TikTok vs Instagram vs Facebook vs YouTube – who shows up where34:30 Picking songs: fan requests, his wife’s picks & “selfish” deep cuts43:00 “Interstate Love Song” as soul & getting praised by the original writers48:00 Why soul remakes reveal lyrics in a whole new way53:30 Balancing touring, homeschooling, content creation & family life55:30 The Gen X Takeover Comedy Tour & sold-out shows56:50 Gen X Takeover Cruise & Dodgeball at sea59:20 Reclaiming the stand-up dream & exploding into a full tour1:02:20 Artificial Soul, what to promote & where to find Nick online Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • 🔥 Inside the Tribute Band Revolution: Led Zeppelin, Taylor Swift, KISS, Pink Floyd & More | Career, Gear & Secrets

    🔥 Inside the Tribute Band Revolution: Led Zeppelin, Taylor Swift, KISS, Pink Floyd & More | Career, Gear & Secrets
    Dec 31 2025
    What does it really take to build a world-class tribute band? From Led Zeppelin reunions to Pink Floyd global tours, Taylor Swift tributes selling out shows, Vegas residencies, American Idol backstories, insane vintage gear, and the grind it takes to make it big—this episode dives into the real stories, sacrifices, wins, and lessons from the top tribute artists in the world. You’ll hear firsthand experiences hanging with legends like Brian May, John Paul Jones, and Paul McCartney… moving across the world for a dream… how social media drives ticket sales… why authenticity matters… the business mindset musicians MUST have… and the heart, humor, and hustle behind every performance. If you love rock, tribute culture, music industry strategy, or simply incredible storytelling—you’re gonna love this. Subscribe for more in-depth conversations and massive surprises coming in 2026! 🎸 Listen & Follow Tribute Band Sessions: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🍎 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📘 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎵 ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🐦 ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠ 👉 ⁠⁠⁠Watch Tribute Band Sessions on YouTube 00:00 – New Year Message + What’s Coming in 202600:56 – Led Zeppelin Reunion Story + Hanging with Rock Legends02:50 – Vintage Gear vs Modern Tech: What Really Matters05:30 – Social Media Strategy: TikTok, Instagram & Selling Tickets08:05 – Crafting Authentic Tribute Performances11:15 – Music vs Costume: What Tribute Fans Really Want12:40 – From Touring Bands to Tribute Success Stories14:30 – All-Female Zeppelin Tribute Journey & Lessons Learned16:15 – First Big Breaks & Building a Unique Show20:00 – Creative Videos, Records & Branding22:30 – Moving to Vegas for a Residency – The Ultimate Commitment24:30 – The Business Mindset Musicians MUST Have28:15 – Touring Worldwide & Building Momentum30:30 – Being Discovered by Prince + Career Highlights34:00 – Working with Icons & Becoming “Walmart Not Dunkin Donuts”37:00 – American Idol Behind-the-Scenes Truth43:00 – Entering the Tribute World: Journey & Foreigner46:30 – Vocal Challenges & Legendary Performances47:50 – Professionalism, Band Chemistry & Longevity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Holiday Special: The Journey of Tribute Bands | Best of 2025 Guests + 2026 Sneak Peeks EP 013

    Holiday Special: The Journey of Tribute Bands | Best of 2025 Guests + 2026 Sneak Peeks EP 013
    Dec 24 2025
    Celebrate the season with our Holiday Special Edition of Tribute Band Sessions! This special episode highlights the best moments from our standout 2025 guests while exploring the musical journey of tribute artists—from their early local gigs to national touring success. We dive into the fast-growing tribute scene, the importance of vocal health, the professionalism behind every live performance, and the powerful emotional connection musicians create with audiences. You’ll also get exclusive sneak peeks of the incredible episodes coming in 2026. Happy holidays, everyone—and thank you for supporting Tribute Band Sessions! 🎸 Listen & Follow Tribute Band Sessions: 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🍎 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📘 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎵 ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🐦 ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠ 👉 ⁠⁠⁠Watch Tribute Band Sessions on YouTube 🎬 VIDEO CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Holiday Message & What’s Coming in 2026 Mike welcomes listeners, thanks the team, and previews what’s ahead for Tribute Band Sessions. 01:11 – From High School Bands to the Birth of Get The Led Out Early musical influences, answering a music store ad, and the first steps toward GTLO. 03:08 – Bridgeport Rib House: Where It All Took Off How packed local shows turned into a real movement—and why doing Zeppelin “like the record” mattered. 04:54 – Touring Outside the U.S. & International Logistics England, Hawaii, Barbados, and why overseas touring is both exciting and complicated. 06:20 – Band Chemistry, Humor, and Never Changing Members Why laughing together and keeping the same lineup matters on long tours. 07:28 – Staying Healthy on the Road Sleep, stamina, vocal care, and why partying after shows eventually had to stop. 08:38 – When a Singer Loses Their Voice: The Show Must Go On Real-world examples of adapting setlists when illness strikes. 10:36 – Upgrading to an RV: Touring Smarter How better travel logistics helped preserve voices and energy on long runs. 12:10 – Favorite Songs to Perform vs. Favorite Songs to Hear Audience reaction, staple songs, and why some tracks can never be dropped. 14:27 – The Rise of the Tribute Band Scene How the tribute world has evolved from bars to theaters and major venues. 15:50 – Venue Sizes, Festivals & Touring Strategy From 200-cap rooms to 10,000-person festivals—and why theaters are the sweet spot. 17:38 – Using Tracks, Acoustic Sets & Show Flow Breaking down how modern tribute shows blend live performance with tracks. 19:55 – Keeping Audiences Engaged Without Dead Air Transitions, visuals, pacing, and maintaining nonstop momentum. 20:39 – Serious Tribute vs. Parody Acts Why authenticity matters—and how nostalgia connects generations. 22:13 – Emotional Fan Stories & the Healing Power of Music Powerful moments where tribute music becomes therapy for audiences. 24:21 – What Agents Look for When Signing Tribute Bands Professionalism, energy, behavior, and why reputation matters. 26:42 – Band Relationships & Roster Fit Why talent alone isn’t enough—chemistry and respect are critical. 27:32 – Discovered by Prince at 17 An incredible story of auditions, Purple Rain, and working with a legend. 30:25 – Tribute Band vs. Cover Band: What’s the Difference? Loving the music, knowing your audience, and staying in your lane. 32:32 – Final Advice for Aspiring Tribute Bands Authenticity, discipline, and doing one thing better than anyone else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
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