When Your Band Replaces You… and How to Replace Them Back

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When Your Band Replaces You… and How to Replace Them Back — Gig Gab 496 episode image

This week, you’ll hear how Paul Kent is clocking an impressive 160 gigs this year while navigating the realities of new bands, new towns, and the politics of live music scenes. From the sting of finding out your band might replace you, to turning that around with a “sub for a sub” mindset, Paul shares what it’s like to balance loyalty, opportunity, and staying sharp on stage. You’ll get a peek into the 27-year run of The Houserockers, tackling shows without a co-lead singer, and the ever-present “it’s my calendar” problem every working musician knows too well.

Dave and Paul dig into why a full band creates better music, the importance of subs in keeping the show alive, and even prepping for difficult productions. This sparks a deep dive into the question every musician should answer: what is your brand? Whether you’re juggling hundreds of gigs or building your scene from scratch, the takeaway is clear: Always Be Performing.

00:00:00 Gig Gab 496 – Monday, August 25th, 2025
- August 25th: International Banana Split Day (also Gene Simmons and Billy Ray Cyrus’s Birthdays!)
- Guest co-host: Paul Kent
00:02:40 160 Gigs this year for Paul!
00:05:06 Wait…who is Paul Kent?
00:09:00 Starting anew with a new band in a new place is… tough!
- Scenes are a thing…and there’s regionality to it!
- What happens when your band wants to replace you…some of the time?
- It’s never fun to find out that your band is plotting without you.
- Effectively: “If you’re going to sub me out, I have to sub you out, too.”
00:19:32 Paul’s band, The Houserockers, are in their 27th year!
00:20:19 Doing gigs without your co-leadsinger
- Stinkfoot Orchestra, Nick’s Zappa tribute
00:25:55 The “it’s my calendar” problem
00:29:00 SPONSOR: GigSalad. Always Be Performing means “Always Be Booking”, too. Head to GigSalad.com to create your free profile today!
00:30:25 SPONSOR: Gig Performer is a plugin host, an audio mixer, a backing tracks player, and more that gives you real-time control…live. Visit GigPerformer.com/GigGab for 10% off.
00:32:16 A Band Makes For Better Music
- Adam Moskowitz on Gig Gab
00:43:53 Prepping for Taylor Swift
00:46:15 Subs are important to making the show happen
00:47:14 Dave Friesema listened to … every episode of Gig Gab ever… and had some thoughts!
00:49:06 What is your brand?
00:50:40 Gig Gab 494 Outtro
- Follow Paul Kent
- Contact Gig Gab!

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