Giggs Podcast

#69 Accurate Staging | The Family Business Holding Up Travis Scott, Ye, Chevy Commercials, and Underwater Stages

Accurate Staging has spent 25 years building the structures underneath some of the biggest names in live entertainment — Travis Scott, Ye, Zara Larsson — without most of the audience ever knowing the company's name. Founded in 2001 by brothers-in-law Jose Cantu and Freddy Gomez, the company has grown from a single warehouse into facilities across Los Angeles, Nashville, and Atlanta, staffed by sons, grandsons, nephews, and decades-long employees who call each other family too. Giggs went behind the scenes at their LA and Nashville shops to see how a company this size builds everything from a viral Chevy commercial to the rolling stage that carried players onto the field for the FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium — and even certifies its own crew to build stages at the bottom of a lake. What you'll learn: What it takes to launch Travis Scott onstage from a hydraulic "toaster" Inside the inflatable dome hiding a 32-foot scaffold structure that becomes Kanye West's rotating globe stage The overnight scramble that built an NBA All-Star basketball court from 250 decks after a single 5 p.m. phone call The behind-the-scenes story of a viral Chevy commercial build, including a custom track system built to roll five cars into position Why some crew members are scuba certified, and what it actually takes to build a stage structure underwater What it took to survive months without pay after opening four months before September 11, 2001 and again during the COVID pandemic How three generations of one family — including Jose's grandson Adrian — are running the company's next chapter Featured guests: Jose Cantu — Co-Founder & COO Jose started welding stages for another entertainment company at 18 years old in 1986, building the first Mötley Crüe drum riser early in his career. In 2001, he and his brother-in-law Freddy Gomez left steady jobs to start Accurate Staging from a single warehouse — surviving a near-total business wipeout after 9/11 and going on to build for Kanye West, Travis Scott, and a viral Chevy commercial, among hundreds of other projects. Freddy Gomez — Co-Founder & CEO Freddy came from construction and design, with earlier experience at Showlites, before partnering with his brother-in-law Jose to start Accurate Staging in 2001. He worked every role in the company's early years — designer, fabricator, installer — through 20- and 30-hour days, and has helped grow the company from a single flatbed truck's worth of gear to a multi-city operation. Adrian Wexler — Project Manager & Executive Assistant Jose's grandson, Adrian grew up in the company's warehouses and has worked his way from painting decks and washing truss as a kid to leading Accurate Staging's operational modernization — including introducing Slack-based systems for job communication and site updates. Herman McDonough — Operations Manager & Crew Chief Herman has spent over 20 years in the live events industry, starting out building props for Las Vegas magicians before moving into staging. As crew chief, he oversees inventory, crew staffing, and job prep across Accurate Staging's LA warehouse. Johnny Cantu — Sales Rep Jose's eldest son, Johnny has been around the family business most of his life and has worked professionally at Accurate Staging for over 15 years, handling client relationships across touring, corporate, and festival work. Mike Munoz — Sales Rep Mike, a member of the Cantu family, has spent 16 years at Accurate Staging and leads major touring accounts, including work with Kanye West and Travis Scott, out of the company's Nashville facility. Joe Castellanos — Sales Rep Joe has spent 16 years at Accurate Staging, starting out cold-calling from a client binder before building a career in sales and project management. He still gets in the field with the install crew on jobs. Jake Lacher — Lead Project Manager & Technical Designer Based in Nashville, Jake came from a background in technical theater direction before joining Accurate Staging, where he now leads custom design and CAD work for touring clients including The Red Clay Strays and Zara Larsson. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

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Ask Giggs #9 | What Great Crews Do That Nobody Notices

On this edition of Ask Giggs, Nikki Sanz answers questions straight from the Giggs community on topics like when trying to look competent on a job site becomes the problem, how to know when to step in as a leader versus letting someone figure it out, and when to say yes or no to a gig. What you'll learn: Why pretending to know what's going on is the fastest way to look like "a big dummy" on a job site The line between stepping in as a leader and letting someone learn it the hard way Why the catering gig Nikki didn't want to take ended up leading to the gig that changed her career Why asking someone how they take feedback matters more than the feedback itself What actually makes a crew member irreplaceable Why one bad moment doesn't have to define your reputation, and where the real line is Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

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#68 Adam Wells | From Pub Sound Guy to Ed Sheeran's Audio Systems Engineer

Adam Wells has spent nine years inside Ed Sheeran's touring operation, working his way from PA tech to audio systems engineer, the role responsible for the entire technical backbone of one of the most complex stadium shows on earth. He was offered the job twice before he finally said yes, then stepped into it for the first time in front of a quarter of a million people at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Along the way he's worked on productions for Bryan Adams, Tom Jones, Queen & Adam Lambert, Russell Brand, Tim Minchin, and the Tokyo Olympic Games. Adam sits down with Nikki to talk about coming up through South Wales' concert sound scene, losing his first freelance tour overnight before it even started, and what it actually takes to run audio for an artist who refuses to use a backing track or a click track anywhere in the show. What you'll learn: Why Adam turned down the top audio job on Ed Sheeran's tour twice before finally saying yes What happened when his first freelance tour fell through nine months out, and how he rebuilt from zero Why Ed Sheeran's show has never used a backing track or a click track, and what that actually costs the audio team How growing up around South Wales' concert sound scene shaped the way he works What it felt like to run audio for a quarter of a million people over two nights in Melbourne for the first time Why humidity, elevation, and an empty stadium change how a show actually sounds The one piece of advice Adam gives every young engineer starting out Sponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Adam Wells Bio: Adam Wells is an audio system engineer who has spent nine years with Ed Sheeran — working his way from PA tech all the way to the top technical role on one of the most complex and distinctive stadium productions in the world. He grew up in South Wales and got his start at a production company called Sonalyst. Adam has a vast array of experience not only in concert touring but in large scale theatre production, broadcast, festivals, and television. In addition to Ed Sheeran, he’s worked with Bryan Adams, Tom Jones, Queen & Adam Lambert, Russell Brand, Tim Minchin, Strictly Come Dancing UK, and the Tokyo Olympic Games to name a few. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

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#67 Rachel Deeb | Why The Lumineers Media Director Can’t Stay Away from Touring

Rachel Deeb got fired from a cubicle job three months after moving to Nashville, sat in her closet crying, and called her dad for help with the car she'd just bought. That was the beginning. Ten years later, she's the Media Director for The Lumineers — managing a global team of photographers and videographers across a two-year stadium tour cycle — Nashville Scene's Best Photographer three years in a row, and the founder of ELEKTRIK Haus Creative, a matchmaking agency connecting the music industry with visual creatives worldwide. Along the way she's toured with Maren Morris and Carly Pearce, painted Carrie Underwood's Vegas residency jacket on a beer pong table in three days, and built a custom art line — Elektrik Denim — that started with one birthday jacket and turned into guitars, railings, and boots for Megan Maroney and Kelsea Ballerini. This episode covers the whole arc: the abandoned warehouse she broke into at night to paint her first mural, the Warner Music call she said yes to before she knew what BTS meant, the email she drafted to quit The Lumineers from Germany and decided not to send, and the agency she built because she kept meeting people who needed what she'd spent ten years learning the hard way. Also in this episode: why she won't take coffee meetings, what it actually looks like to be a touring photographer at a stadium show, and why "say yes to everything, lower your ego, and don't expect anything from anybody" is the whole career advice. What you'll learn: What it actually takes to go from freelance photographer to media director within the same band Why the touring photographer has one of the loneliest roles in a camp — and how to navigate it What Rachel looks for when she's matching creatives to tours through ELEKTRIK Haus Why she thinks coffee meetings are the wrong way to get into someone's world — and what works instead How to ask for more within a camp once you've built trust What burnout looks like for a touring creative — and how to know when you actually need to stop Sponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Rachel Deeb bio: Rachel Deeb (RKDEEB) is a Southern California-born, Nashville-based photographer, creative director, muralist, and founder of ELEKTRIK Haus Creative. She holds a BA in Advertising and Graphic Design from the University of Alabama and has spent ten years building a full-time freelance career across lifestyle, music, fashion, fitness, and concert photography. Her work has been featured in Billboard, Rolling Stone, People, E!, Pollstar, Music Row, Nashville Scene, and more. She has been voted Nashville Scene's Best Photographer three consecutive years (2018, 2019, 2020), was named to Nashville's 30 Under 30 in 2022, and currently serves as Media Director for The Lumineers, where she manages a global team of photographers and videographers across a two-year stadium tour cycle. Her past touring credits include Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, and a roster of country and independent artists. In addition to her touring work, Rachel has created murals and original artwork in locations throughout Nashville, and has painted custom pieces for artists including Carrie Underwood, Megan Maroney, and Ashley Cooke. ELEKTRIK Haus Creative, her creative matchmaking agency, connects the music industry with photographers, videographers, designers, and visual artists worldwide — bridging the gap between industry professionals and the creatives who bring their visions to life. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

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#66 Nikki Boon & Tyler Corrado | The Entrepreneurial Artist Managers Behind Kane Brown, Nightly, & Restless Road

Two artist managers from Neon Coast — one who came up through the road with Kane Brown, one who came up through finance, record labels, and social media — and both will tell you the same thing: you just have to figure it out. Nikki Boon has been with Kane Brown since before his first show — a 750-cap club in Darlington, South Carolina that sold out in 30 minutes, then again in 8 minutes the following night. She's been with him from van and RV to his own bar on Broadway. She also manages alt-pop band Nightly, who she recently took to Tokyo, Osaka, and Manila on a two-week run that sold out in two days — proving to everyone who said the numbers didn't add up that the fans were real. Tyler Corrado came from accounting, then record label marketing — working on number one hits for Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean, and Jelly Roll at BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville — before stepping into artist management. He manages Restless Road, stepped in as tour manager for Ella Langley right as "You Look Like You Love Me" was breaking, and has spent the last year building the UK market for one of his artists from pub shows to festival main stages to supporting Jon Pardi. What you'll learn: Why touring experience is the single biggest advantage in artist management The Kane Brown origin story: Darlington, SC to two-times diamond certified artist How to manage a major label artist and an independent one simultaneously — without either feeling it The real difference between managing on a major and managing indie How to chase a market that's raising its hand — Asia, the UK, wherever the fans are Why a lull in your artist's career is not a red flag What "you just have to figure it out" actually looks like in practice Sponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Nikki Boon Bio: Nikki Boon is an artist manager at Neon Coast in Nashville. She's been part of Kane Brown's team since 2015, starting as his tour manager and helping grow him into a two-times diamond certified artist with 17 billion streams, 12 Billboard number ones, and the first Black solo artist to headline Fenway Park. She also manages indie pop band Nightly — signing them in 2021 and helping grow their TikTok following by 6,000 percent — and has taken them to Lollapalooza, Super Bowl Music Fest, and sold-out shows across Asia. She's also helped secure sync placements for the band on the Twisters soundtrack and Fast X. Tyler Corrado Bio: Tyler Corrado is an artist manager at Neon Coast in Nashville, where he manages Restless Road — who recently sold out their Europe and UK headline tour. Before Neon Coast, he led social media and fan engagement at BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville on number one hits for Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean, and Jelly Roll, and stepped in as tour manager for Ella Langley right as "You Look Like You Love Me" was breaking. He also previously managed Niko Moon, whose single "GOOD TIME" hit number one on both Billboard Country charts. Learn more at: https://neon-coast.com/ Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

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#65 | How Rock-It Moves the FIFA World Cup & The World's Biggest Tours

The Rock-It Company has been the logistics engine behind the world's largest music tours for 47 years. Every stage you've ever stood in front of — odds are, they got it there. This summer, they're doing that and something else: serving as the official logistics partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the largest sporting event in world history, spanning three countries, 16 host cities, and 104 matches. Giggs traveled to Los Angeles for an inside look at the people and systems making both happen at the same time. What you'll learn: What the control tower really means — and why 16 cities require a system, not just people Why anyone can move cargo in ideal conditions — and what makes Rock-It different when they're not How music touring expertise translates directly to the World Cup What it looks like to run the world's biggest tours and the world's biggest sporting event simultaneously Why "failure is not an option" is the operating principle behind every decision this team makes The stories behind the motto: Manila customs prayers, a 747 emergency in Hawaii, Metallica in Antarctica Learn more about Rock-It at https://rockitcompany.com/ Featured Voices: Alex Becker — Senior Operations Manager, Worldwide Events Alex Becker has spent 13 years at The Rock-It Company, working across compliance, music touring, and sports operations before rising to Senior Operations Manager for Worldwide Events. He's been inside the FIFA World Cup 2026 operation since day one and leads the Control Tower team — the system responsible for keeping 16 host cities, three countries, and a continent-wide web of shipments synchronized in real time. Justin Carbone — EVP, Live Touring Justin Carbone is the EVP of Live Touring at The Rock-It Company, where he's led the company's music touring business through some of the biggest years in the industry's history — including a 2026 Parnelli Award for Freight Forwarding Company of the Year. If your favorite artist has toured the world in the last six decades, there's a good chance Rock-It's team moved the gear that made it happen. He marks 20 years with the company this year. Nancy Alvarado — Director, Live Events Special Projects Management Nancy Alvarado is a 15-plus year veteran of live event logistics, operations, and project management — a CAPM-certified pro who has spent her career navigating high-pressure, high-stakes environments. She started at The Rock-It Company in 2008 as an entry-level operator, built her own book of business, spent time in Fortune 500 corporate events, and came back. She now works alongside Justin Carbone building the Next Gen program to develop emerging artists and the next generation of agents. Stew Heathcote — President of Live Events Stew Heathcote is the President of Live Events at The Rock-It Company, overseeing music, experiential, film, and television across Rock-It's entire family of brands. He came to Rock-It after two decades at AEG Presents, where he led global partnerships and helped launch the marketing campaign behind Taylor Swift's 1989 World Tour — including an Emmy-winning interactive experience. Billboard named him a Brand Power Player multiple times. Before that, he led marketing at the San Francisco 49ers. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

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#64 | Backstage at the 20th Annual CMA Touring Awards

For the 20th annual CMA Touring Awards, Giggs went backstage at The Pinnacle in Nashville and talked to over 20 winners, nominees, and industry leaders across one night. We open with outgoing CMA CEO Sarah Trahern — her 13th and final Touring Awards — and SVP of Industry Relations Tiffany Kerns, on peer recognition, what this event means to the touring community, and what they're building for the next generation. Winners featured in this episode: Meg Miller — Tour Manager of the Year | Lainey Wilson Allison Noah — Stage Manager of the Year | Carly Pearce / Lainey Wilson Ryan Dell — Front of House Engineer of the Year | Lainey Wilson Curt Armstead — Monitor Engineer of the Year | Lainey Wilson Caleb Garrett — Coach/Truck Driver of the Year | Luke Bryan Kerri Edwards — Manager of the Year | KP Entertainment (Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell) Zac Coren — Lighting Director of the Year | Morgan Wallen Jen Conger — Business Manager of the Year | FBM Olivia Hanceri — Publicist of the Year | OH Creative Catherine Powell — Videographer/Photographer of the Year | Kelsea Ballerini Robert Bull — Support Services Company of the Year | Clair Global Trent Allison & Mike DuCharme — Venue of the Year | The Pinnacle, Nashville Diana "Lemonade" McBride — Unsung Hero of the Year | Grand Ole Opry Also on the red carpet: Chris King, Sam "Sambo" Coats & William Coats (Eric Church), Chris Daniels (Luke Bryan), Brad Baisley (Blake Shelton), Josh Phillips (Hardy), Troy "Tracker" Johnson (Track Management), Evan Sander (ASCOT Travel Services), Aslan Freeman (Lainey Wilson), Megan Truesdell (Chris Stapleton), Margie (Chris Stapleton), Brittany Hitch (Bridgestone Arena), Dane & Lolo Kinser (Post Malone/Kane Brown). What you'll learn: Why Caleb Garrett bought Luke Bryan's CD before signing on — and what 17 years of believing in your artist looks like What Kerri Edwards means when she says it was scarier not to take the leap Why Allison Noah says stage management is a service role How Meg Miller went from driving Lainey's van to Tour Manager of the Year twice What managing 23 mixes at Stagecoach taught Curt Armstead about staying calm Why Diana "Lemonade" McBride calls herself "whatever needs to be done" — and why that became an award What outgoing CMA CEO Sarah Trahern wants the next generation to stop doing to themselves Sponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

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#63 Alex McNamara | How the Trades Saved Her Life

Alex McNamara is a technical director, welder, rigger, and Yale School of Drama graduate who installed the turntable for the original Hamilton production, led 600 workers on a $300 million Soundstorm build in Saudi Arabia, and built her career one job site at a time as one of the only women in the room. She's also the founder of Built Pretty — which she started a year ago on a forklift at an LA art fair and has since grown to 350k+ followers. This episode covers the tools she keeps on her belt at every festival (including the Klein 11-in-1 and a tape measure trick most people don't know), the recovery story that led her to the trades, what it actually looks like to be a woman in carpentry and rigging, and why she left Juilliard and a one-bedroom on the Upper West Side to go back to freelance. What you'll learn: The tools worth having on your belt at any live event or job site How recovery led Alex to the trades — and why working with her hands changed everything What Hamilton taught her about building simple, effective sets How she led 600 workers in Saudi Arabia on the $300M Soundstorm build — and learned construction Arabic to do it The honest reality of being a woman in carpentry and rigging How a forklift video turned into a 350k-person audience in under a year Why the trades are dying in America — and what Built Pretty is doing about it Built Pretty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/built.pretty/ Alex's full tool list: https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-81ff6575 Sponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Alex McNamara bio: Alex McNamara is a technical director, welder, rigger, and construction educator based in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a Yale School of Drama graduate and has worked across Broadway, large-scale music festivals, and live entertainment builds around the world. She is also the founder of Built Pretty, where she teaches the language of the trades through construction storytelling, tool history, and jobsite education to a growing audience across social media. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

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#62 Ryan Maag | The Creative Director Who Choreographed the Olympics

Ryan Maag started as a backup dancer on the Weird Al Yankovic tour in 1998 and figured out fast that the person choreographing makes more than the person performing. Twenty-something years later, he's been creative director for NFL halftime shows on two continents, the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, and the D-Day ceremonies in Normandy, France — shaking hands with five-star generals and the President of the United States and quietly asking himself how a kid from Philadelphia got here. Now he runs TSP Creative in Nashville — an artist development ecosystem he calls "zero to Coldplay." TSP works with emerging artists from before they've released a single song, building identity, brand, staging, performance coaching, and creative direction from the ground up alongside his business partner, Sooner Routhier and her company, The Playground. This conversation covers the full arc — what a creative director actually does, why the music industry has inverted (brand before music now), how to know if an artist has what it takes, and why AI is a looping machine, not a replacement. What you'll learn: Why creative direction comes from the stage up, not the lighting board down How the music industry has flipped — and why brand identity now comes before music The scope process TSP uses to evaluate and develop emerging artists What the end goal question reveals about whether an artist is ready Why a good creative director works with vulnerability, not around it How Ryan thinks about AI as a creative tool (input, not output) What separates a stadium artist from an arena artist — and why it matters Sponsor: Musicians On Call is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a MOC volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Ryan Maag bio: President, Creative Director, & Choreographer — TSP Creative A born performer with roots in dance, theater, and stage productions, he refined his craft through studies in music, entertainment, and business at Temple University, Drexel University, and New York University. His career has spanned global stages, performing alongside A-list artists before transitioning into choreography and large-scale production design. As the founder of a choreography and creative production company, his work has ranged from intimate theater performances to international events, including the Olympic ceremonies. An accomplished dancer, vocalist, and actor, he now leads TSP Creative with a vision shaped by both artistry and experience. His passion lies in empowering artists, building brands, and designing immersive live experiences that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

#61 Neville Shende | What Prince Taught a Bus Driver about 5-Star Service

Neville Shende — known on the road as NELVIS — has spent more than 40 years in the concert touring world. He started as a guitarist and guitar tech in Winnipeg, stumbled into bus driving on a 9/11-disrupted Aerosmith run, and spent the next four decades driving for some of the most iconic artists in the world: Prince, Madonna, Alicia Keys, Black Sabbath, Shakira, Ronnie James Dio, Papa Roach, Disturbed, and many more. This one is full of stories. Prince skipping soundcheck to look at a lake, a secret code system developed for a 975-mile run, the convection oven bought at midnight from a Best Buy, the Elvis plate that became an early test, and the only person on the Musicology Tour who never signed an NDA. But it's also a masterclass in what elite service actually looks like: doing your homework before every city, reading the room, decorating the bus like a five-star hotel, and folding toilet paper with a gold dot. Neville now serves as Fleet and Driver Operations Manager and Director of Tour Relations, and runs CDL Platinum — a 30-day training program built to bring commercial drivers into concert touring at the right level. What you'll learn: How Neville's CDL saved on the side of the road during an Aerosmith tour became a 40-year career Why Prince rode the bus instead of private planes — and what that meant for the driver The philosophy of five-star service from behind the wheel Why Neville hires for character over experience every time How to read the room at every level — artist, crew, venue, and road family What the F.U.E.L. and G.R.E.A.T. frameworks actually mean in practice The off-ramp for experienced commercial drivers who want to get into touring Book and course: Pick up Neville's book — The Entertainer Bus Driver: An Inside Look: Concert Tour Transportation — and his onboarding courses at https://cdlplatinum.com/ Sponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Neville Shende bio: Neville Drew Shende, born May 10, 1961, in Winnipeg, is a 40+ year transportation veteran and respected figure in the concert touring industry. After moving to the United States in 1998 to pursue his music career, he built a unique path from guitarist and guitar technician to elite entertainer coach driver and industry leader. Known as "NELVIS," Neville has worked with some of the world's most iconic artists, including Prince, Alicia Keys, Madonna, Black Sabbath, Papa Roach, Shakira, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Disturbed, and the list goes on. His professionalism, discretion, and commitment to excellence have made him a trusted presence in the music industry. Neville has advanced into leadership roles including Fleet and Driver Operations Manager and Director of Tour Relations for a leading Nashville-based entertainer transportation company. He is also the founder of CDL Platinum, a 30-day commercial driver lifestyle transformation program built on his F.U.E.L. principles: Focus, Uplift, Energy, and Leverage — designed to help drivers become G.R.E.A.T.: Good, Reliable, Energetic, Accountable, and Trustworthy. Driven by passion and powered by purpose, Neville elevates and educates drivers to their highest level. He is also the author of a published book titled The Entertainer Bus Driver: An Inside Look: Concert Tour Transportation, available on Amazon and Audible. With a deep passion for music, service, and personal growth (Kaizen), Neville continues to inspire drivers and industry professionals to elevate their performance and live with purpose both on and off the road. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

#60 Mandi Naylor | Feeding Thousands at the NFL Draft, Super Bowl, & Bonnaroo

Mandi Naylor has spent over a decade running food and beverage at some of the biggest events in the country — the NFL Draft, the Super Bowl, Bonnaroo, ACL, Lollapalooza, CMA Fest, KAABOO, and the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. She's managed catering for commissioners, artists, and crews of thousands. Now she leads events for the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce in Tennessee. This conversation gets into what catering actually looks like at scale: feeding thousands of people three to four meals a day for a month at the NFL Draft, donating thousands of pounds of leftover food, and running the ice and water operation that nourishes every department on site. Mandi — better known as Festy Mom (#festymom) to anyone who's worked with her — also gets honest about coming off the road after a health scare, raising two kids while traveling, and why catering is one of the best places in this industry to start a career. What you'll learn: Why the NFL Draft is harder than the Super Bowl How to spot a catering hire who's actually going to make it What it really costs to feed thousands of people across a month-long build Why decor, A/C, and music in the catering tent aren't extras — they're the job The mental load of catering: small talk, performance, and being the only place crew can decompress How to advance F&B numbers when half the departments forget to send theirs in Mom guilt, the road, and knowing when it's time to come home Sponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Mandi Naylor bio: Mandi Naylor is an experienced event professional with more than a decade of leadership in large-scale festivals, national sporting events, and community-driven productions. She currently serves as Event Manager for the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce, where she leads the planning and execution of events that support local business growth, community engagement, and regional visibility. Mandi's background spans some of the country's most high-profile events, including the NFL Draft, Super Bowl, NASCAR Chicago Street Race, and major music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, CMA and Austin City Limits. Her expertise includes food and beverage management, credentialing, site operations, logistics coordination, and vendor management—often overseeing complex, multi-layered event environments with thousands of attendees. Throughout her career, she has held key leadership roles including Catering Manager, Beverage Manager, Credential Manager, and Accreditation Inventory Manager. She is known for her ability to manage large teams, streamline operations, and deliver exceptional guest experiences under high-pressure conditions. Mandi holds a degree in Organizational Communication from Middle Tennessee State University, where she focused on employee communication, special events, and fundraising. She combines her strong organizational skills with a passion for creating memorable, impactful events that bring people together. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

Giggs Rewind: Rachael Bronstein | Managing Money on the Move

We're bringing back one of the most practical conversations from the Giggs archive. Nikki Sanz sits down with Rachael Bronstein, founder of Life's Jam — a financial coaching service built specifically for the touring and live events community. 70% of music industry professionals are freelancers. Just under half report feeling financially anxious or stressed. Rachael has spent the last few years building the resources most of this industry never had — coaching tour managers, road crew, and music professionals through the unique financial chaos of feast-and-famine income, 1099 tax surprises, and the lack of a safety net most W2 jobs come with. This episode gets into the actual mechanics: how to handle 1099 tax planning, when to set up an LLC (and when not to), how to build an emergency fund big enough to handle the off-season, what order to put your money in (debt, retirement, brokerage), and why mental health and financial health are more interlaced than most people realize. What you'll learn: Why financial coaching is different from financial advising — and why most touring pros need the coach first How to plan for taxes when you're paid as a 1099 freelancer The pyramid approach to where your next dollar should go Why MusiCares now subsidizes coaching for industry pros who qualify How to use credit cards strategically (and when to cut them up) Why "spend less than you make" is still the simplest financial wisdom there is How to build a plan that handles both the tour high and the off-season low Sponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

#59 Brandon "Fitz" Fitzgerald | Rigging Beyoncé's & Post Malone's World Tours

Recorded live at Rock Lititz, Brandon "Fitz" Fitzgerald is back by popular demand after his previous episode (#19) became one of the most-DM'd conversations we've ever put out. One year later, Fitz comes back with a year on the road that includes Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter, Post Malone's world tour, Playboi Carti, and a set up in New Orleans during the city's biggest snowstorm in 55 years. Fitz gets into what it was like joining a Beyoncé rigging team full of legends he watched as a 19-year-old stagehand, the mental upheaval of jumping camps tour after tour, and why sometimes the job means people stressed out crying in the corner 20 minutes before showtime but knowing you made it happen. He also gets technical in a way that's accessible: snow load, dynamic load, why a 101,653-pound show isn't always a 101,653-pound show, and why riggers carry legal liability most fans never think about. What you'll learn: What it's like to logistically pull off Cowboy Carter Why mentor relationships are the currency of a rigging career How dynamic load and snow load can quietly threaten a show The real mental health cost of going from camp to camp without a break Why riggers are "the bad guys" — and why that's a good thing The two golden rules of rigging (and which one matters more) How memorizing your rig changes everything about how you problem-solve under pressure Sponsor: MOC is looking for new volunteers to help share the joys of live music. Volunteer Guides are the friendly faces who host the programs as volunteer musicians perform hopeful songs to put a smile on the faces of hospital patients, families, and caregivers. To learn more about becoming a Musicians On Call volunteer, visit https://www.musiciansoncall.org. Brandon "Fitz" Fitzgerald bio: Brandon "Fitz" Fitzgerald is a tour rigger from Washington, DC, with deep roots in IATSE Local 22 and a foundation built across stagehand work, permanent installs, counterweight rigging, Vectorworks drafting, and the full breadth of touring production. Over the last year, he's worked as a production rigger for Playboi Carti, Post Malone, and Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour — joining a rigging team led by industry legends he watched as a 19-year-old stagehand. He's also crossed into creative production and one-off events, including a high-profile New Orleans gig that ran headfirst into the city's biggest snowstorm in 55 years. Fitz is a vocal advocate for mentorship, safety culture, and giving credit to the local rigging crews who keep this industry standing — literally. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

Giggs Rewind: Marty Hom | Tour Managing Legends… Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Shakira, Olivia Rodrigo

We're bringing back one of the most popular conversations from the Giggs archive. Nikki Sanz sits down with Marty Hom — a true legend of the touring world with 40+ years of experience tour managing The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Fleetwood Mac, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Nicks, Shakira, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Van Halen, Olivia Rodrigo, Lionel Richie, and more. Marty started with Bill Withers in 1985 as one of the only Asian Americans in the industry. Four decades later, he's the guy making $150,000 calls in a control room during a Beyoncé stadium evacuation, canceling a sold-out Shakira show over a buckled stage roof, and staffing Olivia Rodrigo's world tour with a 49% female crew. This one is full of stories, hard-won wisdom, and real talk about what it takes to build a career, and a life, on the road. What you'll learn: How Marty got his first tour management gig with Bill Withers — and how his early mentor Howard Kaufman shaped his whole philosophy The Beyoncé Renaissance Tour evacuation and the $150K decision made in a control room Why he canceled a 60,000-person Shakira show in Romania over a buckled stage How touring has changed from pay phones and binders to today's massive productions The real challenge of work-life balance in a 40-year touring career Why work ethic and attitude beat experience every time when hiring crew How the industry is (slowly) becoming more diverse — and why representation on tour matters Marty's push for healthcare access for touring professionals Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

#58 Doug Wilson | From Van Driver to Tour Director

Recorded live at Rock Lititz, Nikki Sanz sits down with Doug Wilson — long-time tour manager and Director of Touring — for a grounded, honest look at what 20 years on the road teaches you. Doug's path started with a chance encounter with a tour manager in catering in Glasgow, Scotland. He bought a Sprinter van, converted it with his dad, and four months later was on his first US tour. From there: bus tours, arenas, eight years with Half Moon Run, world tours with Fletcher, and a final show that ended on March 11, 2020 — one day before the world shut down. Then he talks about his transition off the road, in LA, running touring and production for Black Ink Presents, a Sony Music Masterworks company that builds IP-based concert experiences (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, Ghostbusters, La La Land, Batman). This one gets real about perfectionism, the pressure of being the person who says no, the "off-ramp" problem for tour managers, and why getting off the road feels a little like kicking an addiction. What you'll learn: How to break in when you don't have a technical discipline (audio, lights, etc.) Why chasing perfection is the biggest mistake new TMs make How to grow with an artist from clubs to arenas — and what separates the crew that makes it from the crew that gets replaced The hidden financial tradeoffs tour managers navigate when artists level up Why lack of understanding of other people's jobs causes more tour drama than anything else What the tour director role actually looks like — and why more management companies are building it in-house How to plan an off-ramp from touring before the window closes Listen, follow, and leave a review if this one hits. Episode Sponsor: RoadCase has given Giggs listeners a free month of RoadCase Pro. Head over to https://roadcase.app/giggs for an exclusive discount. Doug Wilson Bio: Doug Wilson is a highly respected music industry professional with extensive experience in touring, concert production, and artist management. Having spent nearly 20 years on the road as a Tour Manager, Doug then transitioned to Director of Touring and Production at Black Ink Presents, a Sony Music Masterworks live event production company. Originally from Scotland, Doug now lives and works in Los Angeles, but still spends time on the road traveling to oversee events and check in on touring productions. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

#57 The Future of Virtual Production | Kingfisher by LEO Events

Recorded in Nashville, TN, this special docuseries episode of The Giggs Podcast steps inside Kingfisher Production Studio, the new virtual production offering from LEO Events. Nikki Sanz walks through the space and talks with the team behind it to see how virtual worlds are built, lit, filmed, and finished. This episode is worth your time if you work in production, post, creative, live events, or brand storytelling and want to understand what virtual production actually takes. The team breaks down how Unreal Engine, motion tracking, lighting, editorial planning, and post all work together to create worlds that feel real on camera. You’ll also hear why this kind of studio can open new options for corporate shoots, music content, branded storytelling, and location-based concepts without the same travel, permitting, and logistics challenges of a traditional shoot. We highly recommend watching this one on video on either Spotify or YouTube for the full episode experience. What you’ll learn: How Kingfisher uses virtual production to build believable environments Why lighting and motion tracking matter as much as the digital world itself How Unreal Engine fits into the production pipeline What post-production teams receive after a virtual shoot Why pre-production planning still matters in a “limitless” environment How this workflow can save time, travel, and location costs What kinds of skills help people thrive in studio, animation, and editorial roles About Kingfisher: Kingfisher by LEO Events is a virtual production studio based in Nashville, Tennessee, built to help brands, creators, and clients tell stories in flexible digital environments. In this episode, Nikki Sanz talks with members of the team behind the space, including Stacey Ladd, Sr. Director of Media Production, Brett Clark, Director of Studio & Editorial, Tyler Montanino, Video Production Specialist, Matt Dimodica, Senior Media Animator, and Josh Ickes, Senior Editor. Together, they walk through how Kingfisher blends creative development, lighting, motion tracking, Unreal Engine, and post-production to turn ideas into polished visual stories. To learn more about the Kingfisher Production Studio and LEO Events, visit https://leoevents.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kingfisher.made and https://www.instagram.com/leoevents/ Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

#56 The Music Industry’s Health Crisis | Theresa Wolters (MusiCares)

What does real support for music professionals actually look like when the gigs stop, the bills pile up, or the stress gets too heavy? In this episode, Nikki Sanz sits down with Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares, to talk about the health, financial, and emergency realities facing people across the music industry. They get into the gap between how glamorous the industry can look from the outside and how vulnerable it often feels from the inside. Theresa shares how MusiCares helps with rent, therapy, medical bills, substance use treatment, and disaster relief, and why better data is finally helping the industry confront what so many people have lived for years. This conversation also digs into the Wellness in Music Survey, why preventive care and health coverage remain major issues for freelancers and touring professionals, and what meaningful change could look like from here. What you’ll learn What MusiCares actually does day to day for music professionals Why so many people in music still lack stable health and financial support How MusiCares responds to emergencies, from lost gigs to natural disasters What the Wellness in Music Survey is revealing about stress, money, and health Why Theresa believes sustainability is now one of the biggest issues in music careers How friends, coworkers, and managers can help someone reach out before things get worse Take the Wellness in Music 2026 survey: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8718804/scs-2026-Wellness-in-Music The survey is completely anonymous, and participation directly contributes to shaping resources and support for the community. The survey is open from April 6 – 17th. Qualifying music professionals can reach out to MusiCares for support at any time at https://www.musicares.org/get-help A minimum of five years employment in the music industry (three years for disaster relief), OR six commercially released recordings or videos (singles) For more information on MusiCares or to donate, please visit www.musicares.org Theresa Wolters bio: Theresa Wolters is the Executive Director of MusiCares, where she leads the organization’s mission to provide a critical safety net of health, human, and social services for music professionals. She joined MusiCares in 2022 as Vice President of Health and Human Services, a role that built on her two decades of global leadership expanding access to health, financial, and emergency services. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

#55 Patrick Ledwith | Building Stadium Tours for U2, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Beyonce

Recorded live at Rock Lititz, this episode features Patrick Ledwith, Managing Director of North America for ES Global, reflecting on a career that spans nearly four decades across touring, staging, and large-scale live production. Patrick takes Nikki Sanz from his start as a 17-year-old stagehand in London to building stages on U2’s Joshua Tree run, managing major tours, and eventually stepping into executive leadership. Along the way, he shares what has changed in live events, what has not, and why fan experience still sits at the center of great shows. For anyone working in touring, production, project management, or live entertainment, this conversation is a grounded look at how careers are built over time. Patrick talks about problem solving, leadership under pressure, the evolution of stadium-scale production, and the values that still matter when the trucks get bigger and the timelines get tighter. What you’ll learn: How Patrick got his start as a stagehand and found his path into touring What it was like building stages during U2’s Joshua Tree era Why the best artists stay obsessed with fan experience How production managers think about responsibility, morale, and problem solving What separates entertainment builds from traditional construction How tours like Iron Maiden and Beyonce scale from creative vision to live execution What legacy means after a lifetime on the road Patrick Ledwith Bio: With nearly 40 years in the events, music and film business Patrick amassed a wealth of experience working on numerous different large scale projects and ceremonies around the world. Patrick’s structural and technical background in the business has set a solid foundation for a career as a Production/ Project Manager and Technical Director working with many of the largest production companies in the world including, Balich WS, Five Currents and ES GLOBAL. After working for ES GLOBAL on and off since the 1980’s it was an easy decision to join the company full time. Touring work in the entertainment business has, among others, included world tours with the U2, Van Halen, Grateful Dead, David Bowie, Rolling Stones, Scorpions, Metallica, Guns n Roses, and Iron Maiden. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

#54 Kyana White | From WME Intern to Tour & Production Manager

Recorded live at Rock Lititz, this episode features Kyana White, a tour manager and production manager whose path into touring did not start on a bus. It started in TV, in internships, in low-paid PA work, and in learning how major productions actually come together behind the scenes. Kyana walks Nikki Sanz through the real story: how she went from the WME mailroom and award show production into touring, how cold outreach helped her land opportunities with Janelle Monáe’s camp, and how those early one-off gigs turned into bigger roles with Ari Lennox and beyond. This one matters if you’re trying to break in, level up, or understand what separates people who stay stuck from people who create their own lane. Kyana gets specific about preparation, advocacy, transferable skills, and why calm leadership matters so much in live production. What you’ll learn How Kyana moved from TV production into touring Why cold emailing and using your network still works What transferable skills matter most when changing lanes What a small touring crew actually needs at the club and small-room level Why being both a tour manager and production manager can be such an advantage What Kyana is learning now as she looks toward arena and stadium-level production Kyana White bio: From Atlanta, currently residing in New Orleans, Kyana’s start in touring was unconventional. She got her start in entertainment when she landed the WME Mailroom gig in 2013 the summer before graduating from UAB. She returned to LA summer of 2014 and landed an internship at Octagon Entertainment where she worked on a tv pilot there and decided she wanted to do tv. In the summer of 2015 she did her last internship with Jesse Collins Entertainment on the BET Awards. From there she worked as a PA, coordinator, and Executive Producers Assistant on award shows (Grammy’s, Hip Hop Awards, Billboard Awards, Emmy’s, Oscars, etc) until 2018. She decided to leave LA because she had set a goal to buy a duplex by 30 and realized moving up in tv wasn’t going to happen fast enough to achieve that in LA. She started sending cold emails out to people in touring and this woman named Kim responded saying she loved her resume and wanted to keep in touch. She had ties to Janelle Monae’s camp and in fall 2018 Kyana did her first one off touring gigs in Janelle’s camp as a PA. Early 2019 she was back working on the Grammy’s when she got a call to work a 2 week underplay tour as a coordinator with Anderson.Paak so she quit the Grammy’s and went on her first bus tour. Summer 2019 she became road manager for Ari Lennox and by end of 2019 she was her Tour & Production Manager. She’s been a TM+PM ever since and she currently works with Tank & The Bangas, noname, Kiana Ledé, and Samara Cyn. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz

#53 What Tour Life Really Does to Families | Stage Wives

Behind every tour is a whole other job happening offstage: parenting, schedules, safety, emotions, and the quiet pressure of “don’t make this harder for them.” In this episode, Nikki Sanz talks with Rachel Smith and Rhyan Shirley, founders of Stage Wives—a support community built for women navigating life while their partners work in the touring industry. They share what this lifestyle can do to connection, communication, and family rhythms—and the practical tools that help couples stay aligned when time, sleep, and distance are working against you. You’ll also hear the frameworks they lean on in real life, from how to start hard conversations (“facts, then feelings”) to the one question that can stop a fight before it starts. What you’ll learn: Why touring families can feel isolated and what actually helps (community + real tools) A simple communication order: facts → feelings → “listen or fix?” How touring impacts kids (and why ages 3–4 can be especially tough) Staying “present” from the road with routines The “two-week / three-week” approach some families use to stay connected mid-run What to do when therapy isn’t built for the realities of touring life The resources they’re building for stage families (Touring Tales + The Invisible Backpack) Check out all Stage Wives has to offer as well as The Invisible Backpack pre-sale info: https://www.stagewives.com/ Check out Stage Wives on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stagewives Stage Wives bio: Stage Wives is a Nashville-based support community for women whose husbands or significant others work in the touring industry—including musicians, artists, sound engineers, lighting techs, stage managers, road managers, and crew members of all kinds. If your partner tours, Stage Wives exists for you. Stage Wives was founded by Rachel Smith and Rhyan Shirley, two women who know firsthand the unique challenges and emotional demands of life on the road. Rachel Smith has spent over ten years as a tour wife. She is a pyographer aka wood-burning artist and the owner of Cinder Bella Studios and Raye Ann Pyrography. Her husband has toured full-time since they were married, and together they are raising their five-year-old daughter. Rhyan Shirley is an award-winning songwriter and recording artist. In addition to writing full-time and leading Stage Wives, she is a single mom to a four-year-old son. Rhyan was a stage wife for ten years, during which her former husband toured an average of 300 days a year. In spite of her personal journey, she has developed a deep passion for strengthening families and helping marriages not only survive, but thrive, within the demands of touring life. Together, Raye and Rhy are committed to empowering women to step out of isolation and victimhood and into confidence, wholeness, and emotional health. Their heart behind Stage Wives is to support the mental and emotional well-being of women at home while also strengthening marriages by ensuring touring husbands feel supported, loved, and at peace knowing their families are cared for. At its core, Stage Wives, their podcast Offstage and On Duty, and the other resources they provide are built on the belief that prioritizing women’s mental health is essential to creating healthy stage families. Find your next Gigg and join the #1 community for the live events industry: https://www.giggs.live/ Stay up to date: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggs.live Youtube: https://youtube.com/@giggs-live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggs-llc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggs.live Host: Nikki Sanz