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PODCAST

Tribute Band Sessions

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.

music music interviews

All Episodes

55:22

Randy Singer (Boca Black Box) – How a Venue “Sells...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2026/03/04

In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, we go behind the curtain of one of Florida’s most respected live venues with Randy Singer, Managing Partner of Boca Black Box.Randy shares how he went from real estate into live entertainment—and why he says he’s not in the music business, but in the business of selling happiness. This conversation is emotional, funny, and brutally honest about what makes a venue thrive and why tribute bands have exploded. You’ll hear unforgettable stories (including a

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65:09

Marcus Linial (ML Presents) – Building Tribute...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2026/02/25

In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, we sit down with Marcus Linial, founder of ML Presents, one of the most influential forces in the modern tribute-band world. Marcus shares his journey from owning New York City live music venues to managing and producing some of the most successful tribute brands in the country—including Jessie’s Girl (’80s), ’90s shows, and the explosive phenomenon Let’s Sing Taylor. We dig deep into how tribute bands evolved from bar gigs to sold-out theaters, why

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51:27

Jaymz Lennfield (Beatallica) – Beatles x Metallica...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2026/02/18

In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, we sit down with Jaymz Lennfield of Beatallica — the legendary band that fuses The Beatles and Metallica into mind-bending mashups that somehow feel like both bands wrote them on purpose. Jaymz breaks down the wild origin story: how a one-night spoof festival in Milwaukee led to homemade CDs, BitTorrent chaos, and the internet effectively naming the band “Beatallica” for them. Then things got real — licensors got involved, the Beatles side became

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45:00

Rudy Cardenas – Journey & Foreigner Tributes,...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2026/02/11

In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, hosts Mike Gendler and Ray Yslas (Chicago) sit down with powerhouse vocalist Rudy Cardenas — known for his stunning work with FJ Tribute (Journey & Foreigner) and The Classic Rock Show, one of Europe’s largest touring rock productions.Rudy shares his journey from growing up with Latin, pop, and rock influences to becoming a season 6 American Idol finalist, auditioning in front of Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul. He opens up about the real

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49:30

Tribute Bands STOP Playing For Peanuts! Top Agent &...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2026/02/04

The Dual Threat: How to Sing Boston, Styx & Foreigner AND Become a Max-Level Agent Frank Vestry (Smokin' Renegade / Maximum Bands) spills the secrets on what agents really look for, the 6-month rehearsal marathon, and why fans think they're using tracks.Welcome back to Tribute Band Sessions! Today we have an absolute double threat in the house: the incredible Frank Vestry. Not only is he the powerhouse vocalist for the legendary Smokin' Renegade—a tribute covering the monstrous catalogs

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60:43

Bill “Billy” Jolly – Love TKO, Teddy Pendergrass...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2026/01/28

In this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, host Mike Gendler sits down with Bill “Billy” Jolly – a three-time Emmy Award–winning producer, writer, and musical director and the MD of Love TKO: The Teddy Pendergrass Tribute Band.Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Bill shares how Motown bass lines, James Brown’s “Cold Sweat,” and the lush productions of Tom Bell, Gamble & Huff shaped his ears. He walks us through his journey from local drummer to touring pianist with Norman Connors (“You Are My

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41:05

Prince & The Revolution: St. Paul Peterson’s “Tribute...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2026/01/21

Why the Original Funk King WON’T Call It a TributePrince, The Family, and the Undeniable Funk of the Minneapolis Sound — A Celebration with St. Paul Peterson We’re going deep into Minneapolis Funk history this week! Get ready to groove as we sit down with the one and only Saint Paul Peterson — Mr. Minneapolis Funk himself — for a no-holds-barred conversation about life, legacy, and the sound that changed pop music forever. At just 17, St. Paul was discovered by Prince, joining the Purple

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49:52

Beyond the Stage: Rachel Hill on Revolutionizing the...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2026/01/14

🎸 Get ready to crank it up!This week, we’re joined by Rachel Hill, co-founder of Blue Raven Entertainment, a powerhouse in tribute band and national act management. From her classical piano roots and corporate label days to launching Blue Raven with Shawn Gildea, Rachel shares the journey that shaped her music career. We dive into the booming tribute band industry—what truly separates tributes from cover bands, why visuals and production value matter, and how acts like Kashmir raised the bar for

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67:07

Nick Harrison “Mr. Professor 318” – Viral AI Soul...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2026/01/07

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

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52:38

🔥 Inside the Tribute Band Revolution: Led Zeppelin,...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2025/12/31

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

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37:15

Holiday Special: The Journey of Tribute Bands | Best...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2025/12/24

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

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57:21

The Australian Pink Floyd Show: The Gold Standard of...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2025/12/17

Ever wondered what it takes to not just replicate, but truly embody the sound of a legendary band like Pink Floyd? In this episode, I'm absolutely thrilled to welcome Steve Mac and Colin Wilson from the world-renowned The Australian Pink Floyd Show! We dive deep into their incredible journey, from their early days in the Adelaide pub scene to selling 5 million tickets worldwide. They share the secrets behind perfecting their craft, the immense pressure of recreating Pink Floyd's iconic sound, and

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64:27

Tusk: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Experience - More...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2025/12/10

Get ready to rock and roll with another incredible interview! This week, we're sitting down with the powerhouse members of Tusk, the definitive tribute to Fleetwood Mac. For 17 years and over 90 shows a year, Scott McDonald, Kathy Phillips, and Kim Williams have been captivating audiences with their authentic and passionate performances. In this episode, we hear the unbelievable backstories from life on the road, including what happens when a lead singer completely loses their voice on the day of a

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44:03

Clem Drummer from Zepparella Reveals the Shocking...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2025/12/03

Zep's Golden Ratio: Bonham, Buddha, & the Power of PassionClem from Zepparella on Finding Spiritual Flow and Hammering out Zeppelin Rhythms Hold onto your hi-hats, this one goes deep! We’re kicking it with the absolute powerhouse of rhythm, Clem from Zepparella, the world’s longest-running, all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band. Get ready for an origin story unlike any other, as Clem reveals the lightning bolt moment that pulled her into drumming at 27 and why the sheer genius of John Bonham was

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56:21

The Swiss Army Knife of Yacht Rock: Kevin Sucher of...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2025/11/26

Hey everybody, welcome to another unforgettable episode of Tribute Band Sessions!This week, we're setting sail with Kevin Sucher, the mastermind behind The Docksiders — Las Vegas’s ultimate Yacht Rock experience. You think you know Yacht Rock? Wait till you hear Kevin’s story. From Grammy-nominated engineer and producer to label owner and executive producer of an Oscar-winning film, Kevin’s journey is a masterclass in creativity and reinvention. We dive into how The Docksiders bring nostalgia to

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39:11

AC/DC Tribute Band Spotlight: Adrian Conner on...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2025/11/19

Get ready to plug in and turn it up, because we have an absolute legend in the house! This week, we sit down with the incredible Adrian Conner , the powerhouse lead guitarist for the world-famous, all-female AC/DC tribute band, Hell's Belles. For over two decades, Adrian Conner and her bandmates have been shaking audiences to their foundations, and she's here to pull back the curtain on their electrifying journey. We get into how she went from learning Zeppelin riffs in her bedroom to auditioning

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53:55

Beyond the Castle Walls: Rocking Disney with The...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2025/11/12

Ever wondered what it takes to transform timeless Disney melodies into stadium-rocking anthems? In this captivating episode, we sit down with Alexis Babini of The Little Mermen & The Princess Pals, a band that’s redefining what it means to be a tribute act. From his family’s rich musical heritage, including a grandfather who played cello for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and on iconic Motown tracks, to his own Berklee education, Alexis brings a unique perspective to the magic of Disney. He shares

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57:32

Billy May's Kiss Nation As The Starchild's EP : 006

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2025/11/05

🎸 Alright Rock ’n’ Rollers — buckle up!This episode of Tribute Band Sessions dives into the electrifying world of Kiss Nation with Billy May, the powerhouse frontman who doesn’t just play Paul Stanley — he becomes the Starchild. Billy shares his journey from lifelong KISS superfan to stepping into those platform boots and living the dream on stage. From his early days as a confident performer (but shy offstage) to fronting one of the most respected KISS tributes in the world, he reveals what it

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57:32

Billy May's Kiss Nation As The Starchild's His...

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2025/11/05

🎸 Alright Rock ’n’ Rollers — buckle up! This episode of Tribute Band Sessions dives into the electrifying world of Kiss Nation with Billy May, the powerhouse frontman who doesn’t just play Paul Stanley — he becomes the Starchild. Billy shares his journey from lifelong KISS superfan to stepping into those platform boots and living the dream on stage. From his early days as a confident performer (but shy offstage) to fronting one of the most respected KISS tributes in the world, he reveals what it

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47:15

Kiss and Tell: The Journey of Mr. Speed Ep 005

Tribute Band Sessions ·

2025/10/29

Get ready to rock! This week on Tribute Band Sessions, we hang with Rich Kosak, frontman of Mr. Speed—the Kiss tribute that’s been igniting crowds for 31 years. Rich shares his journey from early influences like Cat Stevens and Peter Frampton to the first Kiss concert that lit the fuse. Hear how Mr. Speed was born from a record-show encounter and a shared love of guitar—and how the band evolved into one of the world’s most authentic Kiss tributes.Rich reveals the dedication behind the spectacle: a

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31 results

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