The “starving artist” cliché has been perpetuated through the ages. Stereotypes exist for a reason, but you can’t just yield to accepted norms if you hope to be successful. After all, successful people are abnormal. Which should tell you something, namely that questioning and abandoning the norms is part of the hero’s journey.

In this episode of The David Andrew Wiebe Show, David illuminates the often forgotten value of creativity and its many benefits and applications, the key reasons artists starve, and why setting meaningful boundaries is crucial to becoming a Renegade Musician.


In This Episode:

- Why creating is godlike


- The devastating trend that plagues creativity in the education system


- How creativity benefits the development of the child (and individual)


- Why creative and innovative solutions in business are essential


- The real reason artists starve


- Why taking initiative is the real flex

Key Resources:

- The Renegade Musician: Step out of the shadow of the old music career model

The Starving Artist Syndrome


Starving artist stereotype notwithstanding, no artist needs to succumb to a full-blown syndrome. The way forward? Question everything. Disconnect from unhelpful individuals and advice. Don’t let others steal your dream. Don’t listen to those who say you can’t do it. Your purpose is uniquely yours, and only you can bring it into reality.

To be a Renegade Musician means to be different. Not just different from people who don’t call themselves artists, but also from artists who are doing things exactly as other artists are doing them. “Because everyone else is doing it” is a horrible reason to get drawn into a game of “follow the leader.” You can’t let others write your story. You must write your own.

For a step-by-step guide to accomplishing this, pick up your copy of The Renegade Musician on Amazon.


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Until next time, stay empowered. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/the-renegade-musician-starving-artist-syndrome/

David began work on The Renegade Musician during the pandemic and, later, what he describes as “One of the most tumultuous times in my life,” as he was surfing from couch to hotel, hotel to Airbnb, Airbnb to car.

The book that emerged is his gritty, no-nonsense magnum opus and has received acclaim from artists, influencers, and publishers alike.

In this episode of The David Andrew Wiebe Show, David begins the all-new Renegade Musician series by illuminating the significance of the book cover and how it applies to the content inside.


In This Episode:

- Why the wolf appears on the book cover


- The most important personal development audio ever recorded


- Why “follow the leader” is a bad music career strategy


- The qualities the wolf symbolizes


- The one skill most people think they have but don’t


- Steps to figuring out your personal formula for success

Key Resources:

- The Renegade Musician: Step out of the shadow of the old music career model

Symbology of the Wolf


The lone wolf: The lone wolf imagery plays right into the idea of being a renegade, someone who rejects the norms and intentionally takes different approaches to their mission.

David contrasts this with a concept espoused by Earl Nightingale and other well-known figures, that if everybody is doing things one way, you ought to turn and run the other way. In other words – do as you would do, not as others expect.

Significance of the wolf: As David shares, the wolf broadly represents loyalty, family, teaching, communication, intelligence, and wisdom, among other qualities. These qualities are congruent with what it means to be a Renegade Musician.

In this installment, David highlights and expands on:

- Community: Renegade musicians lead their communities.


- Intelligence: Renegade musicians think for themselves.


- Wisdom: Renegade musicians seek to complement their intelligence with wisdom – in other words, real-world experiences. Theories that have stood the test, not just ideas of “how things should work.”

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Thank you for tuning in. If you enjoyed this episode of The David Andrew Wiebe Show, please take a moment to subscribe (it’s free!). Once signed up, you will receive notifications about new episodes, along with other powerful music career tools to help you achieve your creative goals. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/?p=28882

In March 2026, David was invited to conduct interviews at the Music Pro ’26 conference at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA.

From sitting in up close and personal sessions with the likes of Steve Vai and T Bone Burnett, to catching up with friends like Justin Longo and Sunavana Grace. The three-day music conference brought with it highs and lows, excitement and disappointment, and even crucial realizations.

In this episode of The David Andrew Wiebe Podcast, we start at the very beginning and take you all the way to the end. From pre-conference preparation to post-conference reflections, this episode features the complete Music Pro ’26 journey.


In This Episode:

- What David was told to do just one week before the conference began


- Why David’s experience at the Music Pro ’26 wasn’t all a bed of roses


- Why David ended up making a new T-shirt design in anticipation of the conference


- What David was looking forward to most at the conference


- The people David had the opportunity to interview and connect with


- The surprise opportunity David ended up finding at the event


- The swag David brought back from the conference


- David’s “unacceptable” behavior at the event


- Why you ought to seize the moment when opportunity presents itself


- Why how you show up matters


- The passion David ended up returning to

Key Resources:

- Printful: print-on-demand merchandise (affiliate link)


- Kit: email marketing platform for creators (affiliate link)


- What I’m Taking Away from Music Pro ’26: David’s blog post that was published shortly after the conference

David’s 5 Lessons from Music Pro ‘26


At the end of this episode, David shared his top five takeaways from the Music Pro ’26 conference. Here, we’ll unpack these lessons and look at how they can apply to your career or business.


Be Grateful for Every Opportunity


When all was said and done, David expressed his gratitude for being invited to the Music Pro ’26 conference and for taking the time to visit Hollywood for the occasion.

We all receive invitations, and perhaps there are some you’d rather not respond to. Or, there are those you’re a little unsure or skeptical about.

There are times when the answer should be “no.” But there can also be times when the answer is going to be a begrudging “yes.”

Much has been said about being “paid in exposure,” but even unpaid opportunities can have their perks. It’s well worth taking the time to evaluate each opportunity independent of income, as there are occasions that pay off in other ways.

When an opportunity has been accepted, dive in with both feet, and regardless of what happens, express gratitude for the invitation.


Opportunity Likes Speed


David made some connections at the conference on Day 1, with whom he’d hoped to schedule an interview on subsequent days. But not only did those individuals not return to the conference, but David hasn’t been able to get in touch with them since.

The best plan? Seize the moment, because it may not come around again.

You may hope for better timing or better circumstances, but sometimes they never come around. You might even be nervous to make the ask, but even if the answer is “no,” you’re no worse or better off for having asked in the first place.

Next time an opportunity shows up for you, act with speed. It may not be how you’re used to doing things, but if you do it enough, you’ll gain practice, and soon, it will become habit.


How You Present Matters


To the best of your ability, show up to conferences looking and feeling your best.

Sometimes it’s a tricky balance to strike, because you don’t want to be on either extreme of aloof or arrogant (unless these are specifically part of your shtick), but you want to find that middle ground where you’re both relaxed and confident.

You can sometimes find that sweet spot by pretending you’re a celebrity – someone people want to meet, but someone who also has the responsibility to value the people around them and act with humility.

David mentioned that, as he’s becoming more recognized as an emerging public figure/celebrity, he is more mindful of how he shows up in every situation.


Preparation Precedes Triumph


Although Music Pro ’26 was an unpaid opportunity for David, he still wishes that both he and the conference were better equipped for the role he was meant to play (interviewer).

Ultimately, David still captured quite a bit of footage and conducted five interviews, but given the right circumstances and access to equipment, David feels he could have done a lot more.

Whatever you’ve been asked to do, prepare for the opportunity. Make a checklist and ensure that you’ve got the tools you need, or that the tools will be available at the destinations you visit.

Note: David is available to be a (paid) interviewer at your event, whether it’s to capture the vibes of the conference, talk to attendees, gather testimonials, glean insights from presenters and celebrities, all the above, or otherwise. Contact us for more information.


Music: The Passion That Won’t Die


David doesn’t necessarily regret the meandering journey he’s been on, as he’s aware that virtually every successful person goes on the same kind of adventure to get to where they’re going. The journey to success is rarely a straight line, as has often been said.

But David didn’t really know that he would be returning to music (both as a studio musician and a musician coach) in a more concerted, intentional way. In fact, if he had known, he says he might not have taken some of the detours that he did.

What this underscores is the cruciality of staying locked in. Sometimes, it’s so easy to deviate from the path you’re on. What at first appears to be micro adjustments can actually be unintended pivots that take you away from doing what’s needed to get to escape velocity.

David is surprised by what he’s been able to accomplish just by staying locked in for the last three months. He does anticipate additional opportunities arriving, but more than ever, he’s appreciating the value of staying steady, as he’s enjoyed some early benefits.


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How would you like to see the Music Pro ’26 conference through the eyes of an attendee?

Well, you’re in luck, because while in Hollywood, CA, at the Musicians Institute, David caught up with Linda Blaise to have her share about her experience at Music Pro ’26, the sessions, the celebrity musicians, her takeaways, and more.

Be sure to take a moment to thank her for her time!


In This Episode:

- The truth about music royalties


- How “professional” Music Pro ’26 conference really was


- The cool thing that happened at Paul Reed Smith’s session


- The qualities that Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Erick Walls exudes


- What Linda would like to see at future Music Pro conferences


- What the ideal release schedule is


- Why Linda believes people need time to absorb your new music

Key Resources:

- Kit: email marketing platform for creators

The Music Pro ’26 Conference


David attended the Music Pro ’26 conference from March 27 through 29, 2026 at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA.

While there as a “token interviewer,” he had the opportunity to connect with Justin Longo, Mitch Glazier, and Tiamo De Vettori, among others.

The sessions were wide ranging. Here are but a few of the highlights:

- Opening keynote with Steve Vai (interviewed by BandLab’s Kevin Breuner)


- Paul Reed Smith’s session on Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony (featuring Tim Pierce, Curt Bisquera, and Alex Al


- What the Music Directors Want with Dory Lobel


- Stop Chaing Viral. Start Building a Career with Kevin Breuner


- The TikTok Wizardry of Kira Lise presented by Shure


- A Fireside Chat on Digital Distribution with DistroKid’s Mike Fink


- Closing keynote with T Bone Burnett

With concurrent sessions, there was no way for David to attend all or meet everyone, but his coverage of the conference is one-of-a-kind.

Conferences will be eager to hire David to interview attendees, staff, organizers, volunteers, celebrities, and panelists in the future, to capture the authenticity and aliveness of their events.


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What if you could make $15,000 per gig, without being a celebrity, without being polished, without even having to build your own audience?

In this episode of The David Andrew Wiebe Show, David passes the mic with Musicpreneur Academy’s Tiamo De Vettori at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA, at the Music Pro ’26 conference.

Covering the unique concept of keynote concerts, Tiamo introduces an exciting opportunity to play at conferences for an adoring, supportive audience and earn a substantial income.


In This Episode:

- Tiamo’s story of struggle and burning out on endless gigging


- Why keynote concerts offer disproportionately higher income


- Why singing and speaking are the unique value proposition


- Why you don’t have to become a celebrity to command higher fees


- Why Tiamo believes anyone could get started with keynote concerts


- Why being relatable is more important than trying to be a polished speaker


- How Tiamo realized he could teach other musicians how to do keynote concerts


- How keynote concerts lead to diversified income streams


- The surprising leap the conference market is set to make in the next two to three years


- What Tiamo and David both believe about the value of human connection moving forward


- Why starting small is a valid option, especially if you’re validated

Key Resources:

- thrivingmusician.com: Tiamo’s free webinar


- Tiamo Keynote Concerts: See Tiamo in action


- Kit: email marketing platform for creators

The Advantages of Keynote Concerts


Here’s how keynote concerts compare to the grind-it-out traditional model most independent artists find themselves pursuing:

- You can earn $15,000+ per conference for an hour of work


- You can inspire a captive audience with your stories and music


- You get the celebrity/rock star treatment as a keynote speaker


- You don’t have to be a celebrity to play conferences


- You don’t have to be a polished speaker (this could actually inhibit engagement)


- On top of the fee you’re paid as a keynote speaker, there are opportunities to earn from album sales, merchandise sales, custom songs, private concerts for VIP guests, and sync licensing opportunities


- One keynote concert per month could help you earn a great living


- The conference market makes $890 billion annually, but is projected to grow to $2 trillion in the next two to three years


- It’s currently a low-competition space

You’re Invited!


Thanks for tuning in. If you enjoyed this episode, we have more on the way. Please take a moment to subscribe to the show. You will receive weekly email notifications, along with other powerful music career tools to take your passion beyond. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/?p=28826

Now for something a little different…

While at Music Pro ’26 in Hollywood at the Musicians Institute, David caught up with his friend and collaborator Sunavana Grace (of S.H.I.N.E. TV Global Network) to talk about relationships and love.

Whether you’re in a relationship now or want to be, this episode of The David Andrew Wiebe Show offers an opportunity for you to reflect on how you’re connecting with yourself, your significant other, and the world.


In This Episode:

- The spontaneous California adventure Sunavana went on


- Musician Institute’s proximity to Hollywood Boulevard


- Sunavana’s collaboration with Andrew Michael Houghton of Extraordinary Men’s Network


- The funny thing Andrew did while going live on Zoom


- The biggest challenge people are facing in relationships


- How uncovering your true self is the pathway to love


- Why Sunavana left her husband


- Why Sunavana believes forgiveness is the hardest part


- How time plays a role in getting to know someone


- How you can end up repeating relationship patterns you don’t recognize

Key Resources:

- Spark Infinity


- S.H.I.N.E. TV Global Network


- Extraordinary Men’s Network


- Kit: email marketing platform for creators

Key Insights from Sunavana


Here’s a recap of some of the insights Sunavana shared with us regarding relationships:

(Remember – you can just as easily apply this to band communication, pitching to bloggers, asking for the gig, etc. Doing internal work can also help prepare you for new opportunities.)


Believe in Love


Many people feel like they’ve been burned and have a hard time believing that they can love again. Working through childhood challenges and trauma can help you remove the masks you’ve been wearing (to survive) and drive down to the core of who you are.


Forgiveness is Key


Forgive others. But also forgive yourself for being the kind of person who attracted, or said “yes” to someone you regret saying yes to. As Sunavana adds, unforgiveness is like drinking poison, and forgiveness is like drinking the remedy.


Communication Improves Through Time Together


It can be hard to read someone when you’re first getting to know them. But quality time can help you learn their idiosyncrasies, which may not be the red flags you’ve envisioned them to be.


You’re Invited!


Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll be pleased to know we have more on the way. Please take a moment to subscribe to the show. You will receive weekly emails notifying you of the latest episodes. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/authentic-connected-relationships-with-sunavana-grace/

Now for something a little different…

While at Music Pro ’26 in Hollywood at the Musicians Institute, David caught up with his friend and collaborator Sunavana Grace (of S.H.I.N.E. TV Global Network) to talk about relationships and love.

Whether you’re in a relationship now or want to be, this episode of The David Andrew Wiebe Show offers an opportunity for you to reflect on how you’re connecting with yourself, your significant other, and the world.


In This Episode:

- The spontaneous California adventure Sunavana went on


- Musician Institute’s proximity to Hollywood Boulevard


- Sunavana’s collaboration with Andrew Michael Houghton of Extraordinary Men’s Network


- The funny thing Andrew did while going live on Zoom


- The biggest challenge people are facing in relationships


- How uncovering your true self is the pathway to love


- Why Sunavana left her husband


- Why Sunavana believes forgiveness is the hardest part


- How time plays a role in getting to know someone


- How you can end up repeating relationship patterns you don’t recognize

Key Resources:

- Spark Infinity


- S.H.I.N.E. TV Global Network


- Extraordinary Men’s Network


- Kit: email marketing platform for creators

Key Insights from Sunavana


Here’s a recap of some of the insights Sunavana shared with us regarding relationships:

(Remember – you can just as easily apply this to band communication, pitching to bloggers, asking for the gig, etc. Doing internal work can also help prepare you for new opportunities.)


Believe in Love


Many people feel like they’ve been burned and have a hard time believing that they can love again. Working through childhood challenges and trauma can help you remove the masks you’ve been wearing (to survive) and drive down to the core of who you are.


Forgiveness is Key


Forgive others. But also forgive yourself for being the kind of person who attracted, or said “yes” to someone you regret saying yes to. As Sunavana adds, unforgiveness is like drinking poison, and forgiveness is like drinking the remedy.


Communication Improves Through Time Together


It can be hard to read someone when you’re first getting to know them. But quality time can help you learn their idiosyncrasies, which may not be the red flags you’ve envisioned them to be.


You’re Invited!


Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll be pleased to know we have more on the way. Please take a moment to subscribe to the show. You will receive weekly emails notifying you of the latest episodes. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/authentic-connected-relationships-with-sunavana-grace/




Does AI pose an existential threat to artists and humanity? Does it spell certain doom for original creativity? Are there any legal protections or policies going into place to protect the independent creator?

In this episode of The David Andrew Wiebe Show, David wrangles RIAA CEO Mitch Glazier into a conversation at Music Pro ’26 about AI technologies and their broader implications for artists and the music industry.


In This Episode:

- What the RIAA has identified as the major issues surrounding AI


- How AI disclosure is becoming essential


- Why Mitch feels AI represents a major opportunity for artists


- Why the AI literate will be positioned to take advantage of more opportunities


- How the music industry has adapted and thrived through multiple significant shifts


- Why AI policy is crucial for protecting creatives, especially now


- What Mitch thinks of David’s MRCT framework


- Why the fans are in control and how to avoid an authenticity backlash


- How Mitch describes the artist model for 2026


- Why David doesn’t believe in outsourcing his brain to AI


- How Hypebot suggests creators utilize AI (great quote!)

Key Resources:

- Recording Industry Association of America: advocating for the music ecosystem through policy


- Kit: email marketing platform for creators

David’s Best Tips for Leveraging AI


AI can be a blessing or a curse (or both, or even something in between) based on your understanding and context of how it works. And this isn’t something we can get across in a paragraph.

What we can offer, however, is a high-level view of how you can effectively leverage AI in your creative work. Here’s David’s framework:


Study Prompt Engineering


If you want to get better outputs from AI chatbots, you must speak their language. That’s the essence of prompt engineering.

You don’t necessarily need to become a professional prompt engineer. Taking a couple of Udemy courses should prove more than enough to get started.

Subscribing to newsletters like Superhuman AI for ongoing inspiration.


Experiment Broadly


Before wholesale adopting and implementing AI in your ecosystem, experiment. Try a variety of things, from researching relevant topics to analyzing a dataset.

AI is seductive in its appeal. But you can’t look at its work through rose-tinted glasses, or you will be in danger of believing everything it does is great. Reality check – it isn’t.

You’ve got to push its limits and question its outputs. Notice what it does well and notice where it fails. Then, learn how to steer it towards useful generations.

This part doesn’t come together overnight. Experiment broadly, and make level-headed observations.


Determine Where AI is Most Useful and Effective


Also see the previous point. As you experiment, identify where AI can be of productive assistance to you. This will vary from creator to creator, but it’s crucial to determine where it can and cannot provide efficiencies before committing to its outputs.

David uses a mix of tools to create social media posts, podcast transcripts, short videos (clips), podcast show notes drafts, and more. But he doesn’t use AI for any of his writing.


Create Frameworks


Creating repeatable processes makes it possible to generate more consistent and predictable results.

Using the same chat for the same tasks is a good start, but crafting a prompt that works every time is the real flex.

Document and store the frameworks that boost your efficiency and make your life easier.


Establish a Central Repository


While AI can go beyond your prompt and search the web for additional information, it still hallucinates and digs up useless and inaccurate reference points.

A better strategy is to create a central repository (in Google Drive) for key contextual information (style guides, audience research, frameworks, etc.) and give your AI model access to this information.

Keep in mind, though, that you need to keep your repository up-to-date, or chatbots will assume earlier context.


Be the Final Reviewer and Decisionmaker


There are things AI can provide and those it cannot.

This James Schramko video explains it very well:

To summarize, AI can provide structure, discipline, consistency, and speed. But you’re the only one who can provide taste, context, authority, experience, and final calls.

Whatever you’re generating, use your filter of taste, context, authority, experience and final calls to improve outputs.


Be Real


Disclose AI use. Let people know when and where you’re utilizing it, especially where it’s likely to become a legal requirement (e.g., creator platforms).

AI hate is strong and growing. You have nothing to gain and everything to lose by hiding your use of AI.

And if you’re still one of the real ones creating real content, be proud of this fact and let your audience know.


You’re Invited!


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Have you ever thought about predicting music trends and earning income from them?

Perhaps not, because this is still an emerging idea. But it’s a very interesting one, particularly for independent artists looking to diversify their income streams.

In this episode of The David Andrew Wiebe Show, David catches up with Justin Longo of MarinNation in Hollywood, CA, while attending the Music Pro ’26 conference.

Besides getting an update on Justin’s progress on his still-in-development skill-based music prediction market platform, the two also touch on how AI is changing the music industry landscape and strategies modern artists can adopt to ensure their human advantages are properly leveraged.


In This Episode:

- What Justin noticed about David after meeting him for the first time


- How MariNation shifted from an investment platform to a skill-based music prediction platform (and what that means)


- The real story behind Justin’s entrepreneurial and musical journey


- How Justin suggests supporting yourself while growing your hustle


- The secret formula David learned from Andrew Dubber


- David’s framework for human-driven independent music success


- Justin’s experiments with TikTok and what it has taught him about content volume


- Why Justin believes people will never buy music again


- What Steve Vai said about utilizing AI in music


- How David views current news headlines concerning AI developments


- The contentious ideas David thinks musicians need to start “shaking hands” with

Key Resources:

- MariNation: Justin’s music prediction platform


- Kit: email marketing platform for creators

David’s MRCT Framework for Human-Driven Independent Success


The MRCT Framework lays out the advantages that humans have over AI. Now that AI can produce convincing-sounding pop music, which creates a new skill floor for musicians, musicians must emphasize human connection.

This framework, of course, could work with the assistance of AI. But that part is key – with the assistance of. Use AI to enhance working processes and scale viable opportunities, not enhance mistakes and scale insanity.


M – Message


The core of your artistic identity. What do you stand for? What are you about? What’s your mission? These might not be easy questions to answer, but the sooner you can figure this out, the sooner you can organize your activity around a singular purpose.

Your Message should drive your brand, your image, everything you do. It should inform your musical choices, lyrics, stage costumes, merchandise, and fan conversations.

A great band without a message might make great music, but that’s not a differentiator or a competitive advantage. Plenty of artists make great music. What will attract people to you is a meaning they can rally behind.


R – Relationship


A fan base grows stronger through Relationship. People want to feel like they belong. They want to feel like they’re part of a movement. They want to feel good about themselves and to share that with like-minded others.

You can offer this to your fans, particularly in the early going. You can learn everyone’s names, send them a text every week or two, maybe even organize a wings night now and then. Read How to Win Friends and Influence People while you’re at it. It will help!


C – Community


At some point, Relationship will become unscalable. It’s still a good idea to get to know your fans and stay connected to them, to the extent possible, but at some point, you’ll need to transition to building your Community.

You can introduce new fans to old fans. Heck, you can make your old fans the leaders of the community. You can teach and instill in them in the values that built the culture.

And you can start doing things that will scale for a long time to come – play birthday parties, organize album signings, do live streams.


T – Taste-making


You can introduce your fans to things you enjoy. They are bound to trust your recommendations, and assuming you share quality things, they will keep returning to you for more.

This positions you as the go-to person for entertainment and fun. People will want to talk to you, just because you know about the coolest lounges, restaurants, bookstores, and so on. This will also lead to more gigs, because people will want to book you for their personal events.

AI can only make suggestions. You can be a tastemaker!


You’re Invited!


If you want to keep up with podcast updates and support the show, please take a moment to subscribe. You will receive weekly emails notifying you of the latest. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/music-prediction-markets-with-justin-longo/

I knew it would be important for me to attend Music Pro ’26, I just didn’t know why. Even as the date approached, I had some reservations about making the trip down to Hollywood.

I was aware from the outset that there probably wouldn’t be much income potential for me, but I also knew that connections could be made and opportunities could be created. So, I took a leap of faith.

What I’m taking away from Music Pro ’26, however, is a little unexpected, even for me. Here’s what happened…

(By the way, none of what I share here is meant as a slight to Music Pro ’26, its organizers, sponsors, or otherwise. As far as I’m concerned, they pulled off the conference with flying colors, and I give them kudos for having kept the train on track to the very end.)


The Music Business isn’t for Me


And by that I mean the do-it-for-your-passion, do-it-because-you-love-it, grind-it-out-until-you-make-it method most musicians are told to follow and subject themselves to.

For those not in the know – I already slogged through those years (documented in The New Music Industry), and I need to put them where they belong – squarely behind me.

Technically, I’m not saying anything new; I’m just finally putting into words what was previously only a feeling.

At the conference, I came across a higher leverage model that utilizes other people’s audiences (OPA) and allows for higher income and freedom. If I’m going to pursue anything in live performance, it would be a model like that.

So, if you ask me whether I have any gigs coming up and I answer “no,” this is why. If I’m playing any low-paying or pro bono gigs, it will only ever be once or twice per year, and it probably won’t be widely promoted.


I Must Put a Price on My Presence


It feels a little gross even saying this, but I have come to a point in my career where I can’t be indiscriminately showing up to events, going unacknowledged, and not receiving in return what I give.

I have a long history of putting in and giving far more than was ever expected of me, even when I wasn’t getting paid to do it.

The thing is, I can just as soon stay home and work at my day job or write another blog post for a larger audience. I can do any number of things that might be more fulfilling or value-adding.

Yet, there have been many times at events when I have been specifically told that my presence made a difference. It didn’t matter much whether I was a stage manager, tech host, or interviewer. My work was appreciated, but more than that, my presence was.

Pattern observed. It’s time for me to charge for what people find valuable.


I’m Inching Closer to My Purpose (by Process of Elimination)


In my last session with her, my coach gave me the task of identifying my values and ultimately my purpose. This has proven challenging for a few reasons:

- When I followed what I thought my purpose was previously, I ended up feeling like a martyr. I didn’t feel like I was getting back what I was giving.


- There isn’t a singular turning point in my life. There have been many, and therefore, many pain points. Which pain am I meant to share and heal in others?


- I’ve realized that the mode of delivery (blog, podcast, concert, video, live stream, etc.) is just a means of communicating the message, not the message itself.

Yet, having realized that the music business isn’t for me has given me increased clarity, and more importantly, motivation, again. Even if I don’t know exactly what I’m supposed to be doing yet, I know one more thing I’m not supposed to be doing, and that gets me closer to where I need to be.

Have you been reflecting on the direction of your career lately? Have you come to any major realizations? I would love to hear your thoughts. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/what-im-taking-away-from-music-pro-26/




🎒 What did I actually bring back from Music Pro '26?

- Not a PRS guitar (unfortunately 😄)…


- But definitely a bag full of music industry goodies.

In this video, I’m unpacking everything—from tote bags and earplugs to stickers, promo materials, and a few unexpected items that somehow made it into the mix.

But more than that, this video represents a bit of a shift for me…

Instead of just pushing out content for consistency’s sake, I’m focusing on:

- ✅ Finishing what I start


- ✅ Putting real care into what I create


- ✅ Letting the process breathe a bit

Sometimes that means simpler videos like this — but they’re still part of the journey.

So here’s my question for you:


If you went to Music Pro '26…


👉 What would you have hoped to walk away with?

More insights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes from Music Pro '26 coming soon 👀

Don't miss out on the limited-time T-shirt bundle. Order yours now. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/?p=28398




The "Peacocking" Shirt has arrived! 📦🔥

If you followed one of my last videos, you saw the "vanilla vs. star" design struggle. Well, the bag finally showed up (a few days late, but we’ll forgive them!), and it was time for the moment of truth.

I’m doing a full unboxing and fit test of the new T-shirt. As someone with a "pro wrestler" build, finding the right fit is always a gamble, but I’m happy to report that this "walking business card" was ready for its Los Angeles debut at MusicPro26!


Inside the video:

- ✅ The first look at the logo in print.


- ✅ Why I use Printful for my custom gear.


- ✅ How you can grab one for yourself (by popular demand!).

I’ve put together a special T-shirt bundle for those of you who wanted to rock the look. Check out the link in the comments to get yours!

More Music Pro '26 updates coming soon—stay tuned!

#SparkInfinity #MusicPro26 #MerchReveal #Unboxing #CreativeEntrepreneur #TShirtDesign #Printful #NetworkingHack https://davidandrewwiebe.com/the-big-reveal-unboxing-my-custom-peacocking-t-shirt-for-music-pro-26/




The "Peacocking" Shirt has arrived! 📦🔥

If you followed one of my last videos, you saw the "vanilla vs. star" design struggle. Well, the bag finally showed up (a few days late, but we’ll forgive them!), and it was time for the moment of truth.

I’m doing a full unboxing and fit test of the new Spark Infinity T-shirt. As someone with a "pro wrestler" build, finding the right fit is always a gamble, but I’m happy to report that this "walking business card" was ready for its Los Angeles debut at MusicPro26!


Inside the video:

- ✅ The first look at the logo in print.


- ✅ Why I use Printful for my custom gear.


- ✅ How you can grab one for yourself (by popular demand!).

I’ve put together a special T-shirt bundle for those of you who wanted to rock the look. Check out the link in the comments to get yours!

More Music Pro '26 updates coming soon—stay tuned!

#SparkInfinity #MusicPro26 #MerchReveal #Unboxing #CreativeEntrepreneur #TShirtDesign #Printful #NetworkingHack https://davidandrewwiebe.com/?p=28283

Most of us are trying to be like people we weren't wired to be like, and then sit around wondering why we’re not as successful as they are.

This is why I can’t help but cringe when I see an artist walk onstage at open mic night, wearing their singular influence on their sleeve. This phenomenon is the ugly twin of a cover band.

(“Okay, already. We know you like Bob!”)

Maybe that’s cruel. I know we all have to start somewhere, and I’m not down on newbies. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. No one is without influence, and we are all derivative of something. The thing is…

Artistry comes from taking various ingredients to make your own soup. Expression comes from accepting and speaking your authentic truth.

It’s easy for an artist, a side hustler, or even an entrepreneur to bypass this process entirely, thinking they are shortcutting their path to success. But they are really shooting themselves in the foot. Maybe they’re not missing out on the success or the money (debatable), but they are almost certainly missing out on themselves.

It’s so often said that it’s about the journey and not the destination. I agree, because most of my achievements weren’t met with rousing fanfare. I had to be intentional about stopping and celebrating myself, because if I couldn’t show myself the way, who would follow?

Where are you trying to get to? If the destination is worthwhile, then surely the journey is too.

Sure, it would be nice to be rich, to be famous, to be as fit as a Spartan. Most people who want those things agree that the sooner they can get them, the better. Maximizing time and freedom is the goal.

But without the challenges, the obstacles, the character-building hardships, do you even have the container to hold all that you wish to create? Wouldn’t you just as quickly lose all you’ve gained if you weren’t properly equipped to handle it?

Morgan Freedman was 50 when he achieved his first Hollywood breakthrough. Abraham Lincoln was 52 when he was inaugurated as the 16th President. Colonel Sanders sold his “Secret Recipe” at 65.

Things don’t always happen on a preset timeline. Because it’s not about time as much as it is the connection you have with yourself.

So, the question is – who are you?

There is a you apart from programming, expectation, and comparison. Getting in touch with this you should be your greatest undertaking, because that’s what it actually means to value yourself.

I used to read books to learn how to be more successful or help other people. Now I read them because I enjoy them and I want to.

I used to follow other people’s methods because I thought they were smarter. And I met a lot of great people and received world-class training. But their processes didn’t work for me, and I gave them more than a fair shake. I don’t follow other people’s formulas anymore.

I used to compare. Look at where others were versus where I was. How much work I’d produced versus how much they produced. What I got and what they got. I don’t see the point anymore, because they’re not in my shoes, and I'm not in theirs.

I have fully embraced my journey. I no longer expect it to look like someone else’s.

Artists fail because they’re trying to duplicate someone else’s success, when that was never a possibility to begin with. It’s their authentic expression that’s wanted.

What ingredients go in your soup? What is the authentic truth you want to express? https://davidandrewwiebe.com/the-1-reason-artists-fail/




Hollywood is calling! 🌴 I am beyond excited to head to the Musicians Institute for Music Pro 26, and I want to bring some of you along with me.

This isn't just another music conference; it’s a masterclass in Creative Entrepreneurship featuring some of the biggest names in the game. Whether you're a gear head, a songwriter, or an independent artist looking for Creative Expansion, this event is built for you.


What’s happening at Music Pro 26?


✨ A keynote from guitar icon Steve Vai on the art of composition.


✨ Insights into the "unlimited distribution" model from the experts at DistroKid.


✨ A look at the legendary craftsmanship of Paul Reed Smith (Paul, if you're watching, I'm still waiting on my PRS! 😉).


✨ Deep dives into session work and hits with David Paich of Toto.


✨ ...and much more

The best part? I have a limited number of FREE badges to give away to my followers! 🎟️

If you can get yourself to Hollywood, I can help get you through the door. I can't cover your flight or your hotel, but I can get you into the room where it all happens.


HOW TO CLAIM YOUR FREE BADGE:


Drop a comment below and tell me why you want to go!


Stay tuned as I’ll need to collect some quick details to get you registered with the event organizers.

Let’s make some moves in the music industry together. Like this post and share it with a musician friend who needs to be there! https://davidandrewwiebe.com/?p=28253




Lately, I’ve been going live a bit extemporaneously, taking you behind the scenes of what I’m working on creatively. A lot of entrepreneurs have camera crews following them around, turning their day into content. I don’t have that (yet!), but this is my DIY version of that idea.

In this new video, I walk you through the real, messy process of designing a custom t-shirt I’ll be wearing at Music Pro '26 in Hollywood later this month—something that basically introduces who I am and what I do before I even say a word.


You’ll see:

- 🎬 Time-lapse from Session 1: Me trying a bunch of ideas that were way off from what I actually wanted (welcome to my neurospicy process).


- 💬 How Your Feedback Changed Everything: I missed some of the live comments at first (thanks, StreamYard…) but when I finally saw them, I realized the design was a bit too vanilla and not “peacocking” enough.


- ⭐ The Star That Changed the Design: A member of my Facebook group said, “Your brand needs a star.” I was skeptical… then I dropped a star into the design and immediately went, “Oh. That actually works.”


- 🧠 Photoshop Meltdowns & Scratch Disk Chaos: Session 2 got cut short thanks to Photoshop issues and me re-discovering scratch disk settings the hard way.


- 🤖 How I Actually Used AI: I didn’t have AI design the shirt. Instead, I fed it my design, asked questions, iterated three times, and refined it with AI as a creative partner.

The shirts are now ordered in a few different colors. If you’re coming to MusicPro26 at Musicians Institute (March 27–29), you’ll see me wearing one—and you won’t have to ask “So what do you do?” unless you really want to.


🎥 Watch the video to see:

- The full behind-the-scenes timelapse of both sessions


- How group feedback and tiny tweaks (like one star) can completely change a design


- Why I still love designing by hand in an AI world

👇 Your turn:


If you were designing a t-shirt that told people who you are before you opened your mouth, what would absolutely need to be on it? A symbol? A word? A color? An inside joke?

Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your ideas and maybe borrow some inspiration for future designs.

And if you’d like to see more behind-the-scenes content (like me awkwardly practicing piano for reasons I don’t fully understand), let me know below. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/my-music-pro-26-t-shirt/

Answering emails. Crushing to-do lists. Creating. Publishing. Showing up to every meeting. Being a good facilitator. Jumping on every opportunity. Demonstrating kindness. Helping others shine.

That was me.

But it wasn’t always for me. That’s the part that I think some people struggle to understand.

I often sacrificed myself for others. Because I believed in them when they didn’t believe in themselves. Because kindness to me is not a ruse – it’s exactly who I am.

But that person is gone. It’s not me anymore. And I’m probably more surprised than anyone.

In the last few months, and especially in January, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my past, all the people who didn’t show up for me when I needed them to, the betrayers who sabotaged me when it mattered most, the countless challenges that nearly took me out, and the loneliness I’ve felt on this journey…

(Okay, some of you reading this really don’t think I’ve gone through anything hard, but just in the last three years, I’ve gone through things that would make a grown adult go home crying to their mommy and never want to go outside again. Slices of my recent experiences here and here.)

But what matters is this – I let it all go. The people, the circumstances, the pain.

And someone was waiting for me on the other side – it was me. The real me. The me I’d forgotten. The me that you probably never got to meet. The me “they” never wanted me to remember.

But I remembered.

Which might make it sound like…

“So, you’re not a creative, kindness was a mask, and helping others shine was manipulation.” (This assumes that I got something out of it – I wouldn’t invest a single penny in that stock.)

And that’s not what I’m saying. I stand by what I did and who I was.

I’m still creative, I’m still kind, and if it made sense, I would still help another shine. These are not things you can take away from me.

What I’m saying is this:

From now on, it’s got to work for me too, not just for those I serve.

I can’t work for pennies on the dollar. I know my worth, and I’m unwilling to compromise.

I can’t give my time away to just anyone. Only to those who value the relationship.

I can’t work on projects just for the sake of it. Only projects that are aligned with my purpose.

From here on out, it’s not about productivity, quantity, or volume; it’s about alignment and purpose.

Have you ever had a moment where you finally “remembered” who you were before the world told you who to be? https://davidandrewwiebe.com/i-remembered-and-i-was-never-supposed-to/




It's December 24th as I record this—Christmas Eve for those who celebrate. Whatever you celebrate (or don't), I hope you have an amazing holiday season. Eat all the delicious food. Get together with people you love. Have a great time.

Here's wishing you a fantastic holiday season.

As you've probably figured out, these behind-the-scenes videos are just vlogs. A chance for me to be a little more unfiltered and raw.

I hope you've enjoyed the video series so far. There's more to come, but there will be a short break in content for the holidays.

Here's where to find more: Bookmark davidandrewwiebe.com. Join my Facebook group, Spark Infinity. Subscribe to the Creativity Excitement Emotion podcast (I'm reviving it!).

What's been happening with this video series? I've been documenting the results of creating these videos—videos where I virtually never introduce myself and never give a call to action (except maybe to ask for comments). So what am I getting out of it?

I document that in the Indie Career Formula Newsletter. In the December issue, there's something called Leadership Lab Bootcamp, Part 1. That's the documentation of the video series I've been creating. There's going to be a Part 2. And depending on how long this goes, there will be Part 3 and Part 4. Because there are 90 video ideas, and I've only put out about 20 so far. That means there's still 70 more to go.

People have been connecting with them. I've been getting comments. They've been enjoying these videos. So there's a good reason to continue on.

I'm taking a short break for the holidays to reflect. I feel like that's the most important work you could be doing during the holidays.

More content to come. See you in the New Year.

In this video, I share what's been happening with this video series, why I'm taking a short break for the holidays, and what's coming in 2026. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/?p=28081

Are you hoping against hope that the Spotify thing is going to work out for you?

Look at all the news stories. All the musician coaches. All the people pushing Spotify. It's got to be a good thing, right?

If you've been an artist for any length of time, you know payouts for streaming royalties are dismal. Maybe you've seen a little improvement year over year, depending on how your listenership has increased. But you can't possibly believe this is someday going to work out for you—that you're going to make a living wage from streaming royalties.

It's crazy to me that people spend so much time and energy on this. Even at conferences, musicians flock to the sessions about Spotify and ignore the ones about music entrepreneurship—which is where they should be going.

As artists, we are entrepreneurs. That's just a fact of life. That's the way things are now.

I can point you to so many opportunities that are far better than Spotify. If you just replace all that time and energy you're putting into Spotify—into creating products, into creating offers that people want—for the same amount of time and energy and money and resources, you're probably going to be making a much higher income.

Don't get me wrong. Spotify can be a great promotional tool. I'm not saying it's a complete bust for listeners or even artists. But the delusion has permeated the industry. No wonder the industry is so enthusiastic about it. They benefit from Spotify. Not you.

The bottom line: there are things you could be working on that are far more productive—both in terms of your overall satisfaction and fulfillment, as well as your income.

Maybe you just want to continue putting your faith in things that don't work. Maybe that's the way we've been conditioned—that believing in something is its own reward, and that's all we should ever expect to get out of it.

But there are other roads you can take. If you took the same amount of time, money, and energy you're putting into Spotify and put it somewhere else, it would dramatically change your results.

To become a successful independent artist, you must approach things from a different angle.

In this post (and video), I share why hoping Spotify will work out for you is a delusion—and what you should be doing instead. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/?p=28076

Why you need multiple teachers over a lifetime, not just one system.

Have you taken a lot of courses? Stuck to a personal development program for 5, 10, even 20 years?

Here's what I've noticed: people resist reverting back to their old ways. When they do, they make themselves wrong. They make themselves the enemy.

"There must be something wrong with me. It's not the program's fault. It's not the coach's fault. It's my fault. I'm not tying in tight enough. I'm not doing the work."

That's not how I've gotten to where I am.

I'm not someone who enjoys staying stuck. I give things time—maybe 3 years, maybe 5. But beyond that, if I'm not seeing progress, I'm not going to blame myself. I'm also not going to blame the program. The program was fine. I got what I got out of it. But I'm also going to say, "It might be time for something new."

So ask yourself: are you okay with being stuck? You can tie in tighter to the program. You can be more vigilant. But you're probably still going to revert back to those behaviors, feelings, and thoughts you don't like.

It's sometimes been said you can only ride one horse to the finish line. But the finish line is 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years into the future. Maybe longer. So you need more than one horse. One horse gets you to the first finish line. You need another horse for the next finish line. And so on.

The problem? You think you're not doing the system well enough. "If I just did it better, harder, with more vigilance, I'll get where I want to go." But if you've been at this for 5, 10 years, stop and ask yourself: "Is that the case? Or do I need a fresh perspective?"

You're not discarding what you've learned. You're not discarding the distinctions of the program. You're not discarding the hard work you've done. By allowing yourself to reevaluate, you're giving yourself compassion. You're loving yourself. If you're just trying to work the program harder, you're not loving yourself at all. You're hating yourself. You're saying, "The program's not working because I'm not working." You're placing the blame on yourself.

It would be convenient if one coach, one teacher, one system got you everything you ever wanted. And some people have had that experience. But how many teachers and coaches and programs did they go through before getting to that point? You don't know the journey that got them there.

I remember struggling with a concept on the guitar. I wanted to solo across the entire fretboard. But I kept getting stuck in a little box. I kept reading different articles. I took advice from different teachers. I watched different videos. Then one day, I read an article by Eric Johnson. Finally, I made the connection. "Aha, that's it." I unlocked that ability. I could solo. I could play leads across the entire fretboard.

Different teachers specialize in different things. Hearing things from their perspective could be helpful to you. To this point, you've been counting on one teacher to explain it to you. They've explained it the same way 10, 20, 30 times. It's not landing. That means one teacher can't take you over the finish line. You have to be open to looking for additional resources, additional coaches, additional teachers.

If you're done being uncomfortable, if you're done living in purgatory, if you're done repeating the same year over and over, find another coach. Find another program. Find another course. Be open-minded. Be teachable. Be willing. Be open to learning and seeing things from a different perspective.

It might not even be new material, but it'll be explained differently. You'll have a connection that makes sense. You'll have a breakthrough you're not getting right now.

In this post (and video), I share why you need multiple teachers over a lifetime, not just one system. https://davidandrewwiebe.com/?p=28071