Most gigging musicians spend years mastering their craft, but zero hours learning the actual economy of the rooms they play. In an era where post-pandemic "homebody culture" is the new norm, simply showing up and playing a good set isn't enough to keep the doors open—for you or the venue.

Today, we sit down with Joby Bowman, owner of Cincinnati’s BrewRiver Creole Kitchen, to bridge the professionalism gap. Joby gives us a rare, vulnerable look at the "Restaurant Squeeze" of 2026, revealing why:

• Playing a "good set" is only 50% of the reason you get booked.
• A venue's utility costs have more than doubled since 2018, making every $35 cover critical for survival.
• Your "posse" of 10 engaged friends is worth more to an owner than 10,000 cold followers on Instagram.

🎁 EXCLUSIVE BREWRIVER PERK: Joby is offering a $10 carry-out gift card to any listener who visits BrewRiver and mentions this podcast, along with the two iconic Cincinnati musicians discussed in this episode. This offer is valid through February 28th, 2026.

STOP THE NAPKIN MATH: This episode is powered by MoneyGigs, the app built by and for musicians to calculate real hourly rates and locate top-rated venues. Join our growing community of performers who are using data to protect their creative autonomy and Know Your Worth.

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https://brewrivercreolekitchen.com/

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Cincinnati music legend Tracy Walker shares 25 years of hard-won wisdom about staying authentic, knowing your value, and building sustainable venue relationships. We talk about the magic of grocery store gigs, why musicians can't save struggling venues, and the moment Tracy learned to step in for herself. Perfect listening while cooking or taking a quiet moment from family. Fitting material for release during Thanksgiving, 2025.

https://tracywalker.com/

Music provided by Strange Spaghetti

https://themoneygigs.com/podcast

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Copyright (c) 2026 MoneyGigs, LLC