This Morning More Fox5 TV Spotlights A Heavy Vegas Weekend: The Bones & Cyanide Live Inside The Tuscany Suites Copa Room Saturday August 22nd

 

Watch Patrick Vitagliano and Jason Feinberg interview < Here >

Huge shoutout to Fox5 Las Vegas and the killer crew over at the More Fox5 morning show — airing Monday through Friday locally at 10am. They dropped an awesome interview with Local Las Vegas music scene heavy‑hitter Patrick Vitagliano and Jason Feinberg, shining a bright spotlight on The Bones and Cyanide and their upcoming gig this Saturday, August 22nd. Doors at 7:30pm, show detonates at 8pm inside the Tuscany Suites & Casino Copa Room.

If you’re craving a full‑blast, metal‑fueled chaos fix, this is exactly where you need to be. Hit the link below for more info and ticket details.

(6) Cÿanide & The BONES – Live at the Copa Room | Facebook

{My Take}

Nights like this are why the Vegas music scene keeps its crown. With More Fox5 shining the spotlight and The Bones and Cyanide gearing up to blow the roof off the Tuscany Copa Room, the city’s music heartbeat is pounding louder than ever. If you’re ready for a Saturday night built on riffs, adrenaline, and pure mayhem, this is your stop. Hit the link above, grab the tickets, and get ready to throw down!

Gary England

The First Riff Of Every Show: The Secret Weapon Every Musician Should Be Using!

 

Click on the pic to enlarge

Today’s blog hits with a little backstage spark. When my friend, Rock Legend Les Warner fired over his gig flyer last night, I didn’t just glance at it — I jumped on it. I blasted out a feature post on my blog, dropped it on Facebook, and let that thing ride straight into the feeds.

And while I was doing all that, it smacked me right in the face just how crucial these flyers really are. They’re not just pretty graphics — they’re the fast‑acting adrenaline shot that gets butts in seats and fans through the door. A sharp flyer is the quickest way to turn a gig announcement into a packed room and a loud night.

It's all about giving the fans the essentials in one quick look. 

You want to cover the big three: who’s playing, when it’s happening, and where to show up. So, start with the band or artist name—make it bold and easy to spot. Then drop in the date and time, nice and clear. Finally, pop in the venue details and maybe a ticket link or a QR code if you’ve got it. Keep it simple, punchy, and let that flyer do the talking!

{My Take}

These flyers (Like the one up top) aren’t just promo pieces — they’re the opening riff to every great night of live music. They spark the buzz; they rally the crowd and set the tone long before the first note hits the air!

Keep ’em bold, keep ’em blazing, and keep ’em rolling out like fresh riffs off a hot sizzling amp!

Gary England

Rustic Lounge

Les Warner

Social Media For Bands And Musicians: Which Social Media Platforms Work Best

To all of my bands and musicians: Which social media platforms do you use? Which one works best?

Seems like social media platforms work best in certain conditions. 

Here's what I found out from a cross-section of professional musicians and professional publicists in the biz from across the US.

Here’s a clear, strategic breakdown of how Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram stack up for working musicians, based on their strengths, audiences, and the type of content that performs best. This comparison reflects current industry insights on how artists use social media platforms to grow visibility and fan engagement.

1. TikTok — Best for Viral Discovery & Fast Audience Growth

TikTok remains the most powerful platform for breaking new artists and pushing songs into the algorithmic spotlight.

Strengths

• Short‑form video drives massive organic reach

• Music‑driven trends help unknown artists go viral

• Great for personality‑driven content and behind‑the‑scenes moments

• Younger audiences discover new music here first

Best For

• Performance clips

• Song teases

• Humor, personality, and storytelling

• Quick fan engagement

2. YouTube — Best for Long‑Term Growth & Professional Content

YouTube is the most important platform for sustained career-building because it serves as both a social network and a search engine.

Strengths

• Ideal for full performances, music videos, and long‑form storytelling

• Strong monetization opportunities

• Fans use YouTube to search for artists, covers, and tutorials

• Evergreen content continues to grow over time

Best For

• Official music videos

• Live show footage

• Lyric videos

• Behind‑the‑scenes documentaries

• Tutorials or gear breakdowns

3. Instagram — Best for Branding, Aesthetics & Fan Relationships

Instagram is where musicians build visual identity and maintain a polished brand presence.

Strengths

• Reels offer strong reach (similar to TikTok)

• Great for photos, posters, and aesthetic storytelling

• Strong DM culture for fan and industry networking

• Ideal for promoting shows and merch

Best For

• Reels (performance clips, teasers)

• High‑quality photos

• Tour posters and announcements

• Stories for daily engagement

4. Facebook — Best for Event Promotion & Local Gig Marketing

While not the trendiest platform, Facebook remains essential for working bands, especially those who rely on live shows.

Strengths

• The best platform for event pages and RSVPs

• Strong reach among adults 30–65

• Local venues, promoters, and fans still rely on Facebook

• Great for community building and longer posts

Best For

• Show announcements

• Event invites

• Local fan engagement

• Band updates and longer storytelling

Final Takeaway

• TikTok grows your audience.

• YouTube deepens your audience.

• Instagram brands your audience.

• Facebook activates your audience—especially for live shows.

In the end, no single platform carries the entire load for a modern working band. TikTok fuels discovery, YouTube builds long‑term credibility, Instagram shapes visual identity, and Facebook remains the backbone of local gig promotion. 

In a crowded digital world, the bands that win are the ones who show up consistently, play to each of the social media platforms’ strengths, and stay impossible to ignore.

GE

So You've been Asked To Be A Last-Minute Lead Singer Fill-In For A Band That You've Never Played With !

 So, you're a new vocalist in the music industry, and you've been asked to be a last-minute fill-in for the lead singer of a band that you've never performed with? That’s a high-pressure task, but a totally doable gig if you stay calm and focused. 

Here are some suggestions for how to handle the job like a pro!

Get the Essentials ASAP

Setlist: Even a rough version helps. Prioritize the most likely songs.

Recordings: Ask for any live videos, rehearsal recordings, or even a phone video from a recent show.

Lyrics/Charts: Grab song lyrics if available.

Prioritize the Set

Triage the songs: Focus first on the songs you must lead vocally (especially openers, closers, and crowd favorites).

Familiar tunes? Knock those out first — even if your version is a bit different, confidence sells it.

Don’t sweat perfection: If you’re not 100% on every word, own the vibe. Energy > accuracy in a pinch.

Communicate With the Band

Meet before the set (or during setup): Ask for any “watch-me” cues or unusual arrangements.

Use Onstage Crutches (if needed)

Lyric sheets/iPad: Totally acceptable in emergencies — just don’t live in them. Glance and go.

Monitors: Make sure you can hear yourself. Confidence takes a hit if you can’t.

Own the Stage

Be bold, even if you’re winging a verse. People want a show — give it to them.

Smile, move, and keep the crowd engaged. Your presence can smooth over any lyrical fuzz.

Keep It Cool

If something goes off the rails? Laugh it off. The band will appreciate your calm and flexibility.

{My Take}

Remember: You're helping them out on very short notice. If there are a few mistakes, so be it!

It is what it is! Do the show and go on. It's worth the experience!

GE

Which Pay Structure Is Used More In The Music Business Pay To Play Three Walling, Or Four Walling And Where Are They Used??

 {Part 3 Musicians & Pay}

Part 1 - The Good The Bad And The Not So Ugly Sides Of Pay To Play In The Music Industry

Part 2 - What Are Three Walling And Four Walling In The Music Business?

Part 3 Today - Which Pay Structure Is Used The Most For Musicians To Get Paid, And Where Are They Used?

In the music business, the most commonly used structure depends on the level of the artist, venue, and market. 

Here's a breakdown of each model and its prevalence in the business.

Pay to Play

This is more common in smaller venues, especially in major cities with competitive music scenes (e.g., Los Angeles). Unsigned or emerging artists often face this model, where they must sell a certain number of tickets or pay upfront to perform. While it's frowned upon by many musicians, it's still widely used for local showcases and battle-of-the-bands events.

Three-Walling

This is a hybrid approach where the venue handles some aspects (like the bar, security, or ticketing), while the artist/promoter rents the space for the performance. This model is more common in mid-sized venues or independent theater-style venues that aren't primarily music clubs.

Four-Walling

In this model, the artist or promoter rents the entire venue and controls ticket sales, production, and all associated costs. This is most commonly used for higher-level independent artists or promoters who are confident in their ability to sell tickets and make a profit. It's often seen in theaters, casinos, and some larger independent venues.

Where Are They Most Commonly Used?

Pay-to-play dominates small club scenes but is mostly avoided by established artists.

Three-Walling is common for mid-tier artists and promoters who want some venue support.

Four-Walling is used by bigger independent acts, tribute bands, or promoters who want total control.

In general, three-walling and four-walling are more prevalent in the industry than pay-to-play, especially for artists with an established following. 

All three are forms of self-financing in the music business, where artists or promoters cover upfront costs. Three-walling simply means renting a venue while sharing profits with the house. Four-walling is fully renting a space and keeping all revenue, while Pay-to-play requires artists to buy or sell tickets to perform.

Pick Your Poison (Wisely)

GE