The Shift with Mike & Joe
Welcome to ”The Shift with Mike and Joe,” the podcast that takes you on a journey into the world of entrepreneurship with your hosts, Mike and Joe! Mike is an 9-year veteran of the self-employment game and Joe is a recent entrepreneur who kicked off his journey about 3 years ago. Both hosts are not only business-savvy but also talented musicians, adding a unique twist to the entrepreneurial conversation. Mike runs the ”Kent Island Academy of Music,” a successful music school, while Joe operates ”Image & Sound Media,” a thriving photography and videography business. Beyond their entrepreneurial endeavors, these dynamic individuals are also solo musicians who occasionally team up in Joe’s band, ”Heavy Fred.” ”The Shift” strives for biweekly episodes filled with insights, advice, and real talk about breaking free from the traditional 9-5 job and making your own path in the business world. Mike and Joe will cover a variety of topics related to entrepreneurship, including the highs and lows of their own journeys, lessons learned, and tips for success. Beyond the world of business, the podcast will dive into various aspects of their lives, from hobbies and self-care to the adventures of fatherhood. Expect a mix of valuable insights and lighthearted banter as they share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, just starting out, or simply curious about the entrepreneurial lifestyle, ”The Shift with Mike and Joe” is your go-to podcast for inspiration and entertainment. Don’t miss out on the fun—subscribe now and join them every two weeks for a dose of wisdom, laughter, and the occasional dose of nonsense! #TheShiftPodcast #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessTalk #mikeandjoeshow
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Episodes
Wednesday May 06, 2026
Wednesday May 06, 2026
Jay Fleming on Documenting the Dying Waterman Industry + Preserving Chesapeake Bay Culture - EP 34
In Episode 34 of The Shift with Mike & Joe, we sit down with Maryland photographer Jay Fleming to talk about his career documenting the Chesapeake Bay, the seafood industry, and the people whose lives are tied to the water.
Jay shares how growing up around photography through his father, former National Geographic photographer Kevin Fleming, shaped his eye from an early age. He also talks about early wildlife photography, fisheries work, Maryland seafood marketing, and how those experiences led him toward his first major book, Working the Water.
What starts as a conversation about photography becomes a deeper look at the changing reality of the Chesapeake Bay’s watermen, the economics of local seafood, and why so much of this culture is disappearing so quickly.
We also get into Jay’s self-published books, his sold-out Smith Island photography workshops, documenting Tangier and Smith Island for Island Life, boat bow photography, underwater images of blue crabs and rockfish, AI’s impact on photography, his next book Atlantic Harvest, and the realities of working inside small island communities.
It’s a conversation about photography, preservation, local identity, and what it means to capture a way of life before it changes forever.
Question for you:What shift have you experienced in your life?
In this episode, we talk about:• Jay Fleming growing up around photography• Kevin Fleming’s National Geographic work• Learning photography on film with an old Nikon• Winning an EPA photo contest as a teenager• Working with DNR, Yellowstone fisheries, and seafood marketing• How Jay connected to the waterman industry• Creating Working the Water• Self-publishing, printing overseas, and taking a $40,000 risk• Selling books directly and building a local business• Island Life and documenting Smith and Tangier Islands• Chesapeake Bay island communities changing fast• The decline of the waterman industry• Rising costs, regulations, imports, and younger generations leaving the work• Luke McFadden and the new model for modern watermen• Local seafood vs. imported seafood• Crab meat, restaurants, and what people may not realize they’re eating• Jay’s sold-out Smith Island workshops• Bringing business and positive attention to island communities• The Tangier Island boat vandalism story• Boat bow photography and Jay’s fine-art print business• Next book project, Atlantic Harvest• Photographing commercial fishing from Canada to Cuba• Offshore fishing boats, rough seas, and dangerous conditions• Underwater photography in the Chesapeake Bay• Drone photography with the DJI Mavic 4 Pro• Jay’s editing philosophy and keeping images authentic• Adobe Bridge, Camera Raw, and Photoshop instead of Lightroom• AI, authenticity, and avoiding heavy manipulation• Email newsletters, open houses, and building a direct audience• Preserving local history before it disappears
Connect with Jay Fleming:Website: https://www.jayflemingphotography.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayflemingphotography/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JayFlemingPhoto/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JayPennFlemingWorkshops: https://www.jayflemingphotography.com/workshopsShop / Books / Prints: https://www.jayflemingphotography.com/shopWorking the Water: https://www.jayflemingphotography.com/shop/the-book-workingthewaterIsland Life: https://www.jayflemingphotography.com/shop/islandlife
Support The Shift with Mike & Joe:Website: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.comDonate: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com/giving-page-2-1Email: theshiftwithmikeandjoe@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheShiftwithMikeandJoeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshiftwithmikeandjoe/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61574975860350Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shift-with-mike-joe/id1813198065Podbean: https://joer7.podbean.com
Connect with Mike & Joe:
Image & Sound Media:https://imagesoundmedia.com
Joe Bryan Music:https://www.joebryanmusic.com
Kent Island Academy of Music:https://kentislandacademyofmusic.com
Michael Waskey Music:https://www.michaelwaskey.com
The Shift with Mike & Joe is fully produced by Image & Sound Media:https://www.imagesoundmedia.com
Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
From College TV Show to Global Cooking Classes + Why Chef Egg Still Wants to Be a Rock Star - EP 33
In Episode 33 of The Shift with Mike & Joe, we sit down with Eric Berlin, better known as Chef Egg, to talk about the unconventional career he built by teaching people how to cook. What starts as a conversation about culinary school and restaurant life quickly turns into a much bigger story about performance, education, and connection.
Eric breaks down how he carved out a lane far outside the traditional kitchen: teaching hands-on cooking classes at colleges, working with health departments and veterans groups, appearing on Baltimore and DC television, traveling internationally with the military, and helping people overcome the fear that keeps them from cooking for themselves in the first place.
We also get into the origin of the name “Chef Egg,” his early public-access cooking show, how relationships and follow-through created major opportunities in Baltimore, and why he still sees himself as a musician at heart. The conversation also touches on virtual cooking classes, Chef Egg soap, trying to turn creativity into income, and the 25-year journey of writing his first novel.
This is an episode about making things, staying open to unexpected opportunities, and chasing the kind of work that makes you feel most alive.
In this episode, we talk about:
Reconnecting after college
What Chef Egg actually does
Why restaurant life wasn’t the right fit
Cooking classes at colleges, schools, and community events
Teaching knife skills, sautéing, and kitchen confidence
Why people are scared to cook
Food habits, health, and convenience culture
Making healthier food without making it miserable
The origin of the name “Chef Egg”
The first Cooking with Egg show
Public-access TV and building creative projects with no money
Live TV cooking segments in Baltimore and DC
Farmers markets, festivals, and word-of-mouth growth
Music, performance, and the overlap between cooking and entertaining
Traveling gigs with the military in Egypt, Germany, and beyond
Hands-on classes and virtual cooking instruction
Why passive-income ideas never fully clicked
Chef Egg soap and unusual branding that actually worked
Tallow, bone broth, and whole-animal cooking
Time, priorities, and the real reason people say they don’t cook
Creativity, discipline, and accepting you can’t force people to change
Parenting, work ethic, and teaching kids responsibility
Curiosity, opportunity, and learning from other people’s work
Writing a novel 25 years in the making
Current music projects and still wanting to be a rock star
Performance mindset, preparation, and not fearing mistakes
Connect with Chef Egg:Website: https://chefegg.com/Book Chef Egg: https://chefegg.com/booking/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefegg/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChefEgg/
Support The Shift with Mike & Joe:Website: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.comDonate: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com/giving-page-2-1Email: theshiftwithmikeandjoe@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheShiftwithMikeandJoeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshiftwithmikeandjoe/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61574975860350Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shift-with-mike-joe/id1813198065Podbean: https://joer7.podbean.com
The Shift with Mike & Joe is fully produced by Image & Sound Media:https://www.imagesoundmedia.com
Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
Filming John Mayer & Santana at PRS + The Cancer Shift That Changed Everything | Andrew Dorbin (EP 32)
In Episode 32 of The Shift with Mike & Joe, we sit down with Andrew Dorbin, Senior Videographer at PRS Guitars in Stevensville, Maryland. Andrew takes us inside the PRS world—working around Paul Reed Smith, filming product demos where both lighting and audio have to be flawless, and capturing artists on the road. We talk PRS’s quality-first mindset (from SE to Private Stock), how custom builds work through dealers, and what changes when you’re filming legends like John Mayer and Carlos Santana.
Then the conversation goes deeper. Andrew shares how a testicular cancer diagnosis reshaped his priorities and led him to launch the Wayfinders Testicular Health Fund. He walks through early warning signs, how he discovered it, why early detection matters, and what’s next for the nonprofit— including Putts for Nuts and a potential comedy fundraiser. This is an episode about craft, pressure, meaning, and the kind of shift you don’t get to choose.
In this episode:
What makes PRS different (Paul + quality-first culture)
SE vs Private Stock + how custom builds work
Filming guitars: lighting challenges + capturing great audio
Artist shoots: the Santana lesson + working with John Mayer
Cancer, perspective shifts, and building Wayfinders
Wayfinders Testicular Health Fund: https://www.wayfindersthf.org/
Support / follow the show:
Website: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com
Donate: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com/giving-page-2-1
Email: theshiftwithmikeandjoe@gmail.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheShiftwithMikeandJoe
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shift-with-mike-joe/id1813198065
Produced by Image & Sound Media: https://www.imagesoundmedia.com
Wednesday Mar 25, 2026
Wednesday Mar 25, 2026
This week on The Shift with Mike & Joe, we sit down with Bobby Jackson — guitarist for MIGGS (M-I-G-G-S) — to talk about what it actually takes to build a band that works: chemistry, leadership inside the group, finding the right lineup, and keeping momentum without burning out.
Bobby breaks down his path from drummer → guitarist, how gospel + church music shaped his musicianship, and why modern country guitar has more overlap with the worship world than most people realize. We also get into the grind of building MIGGS from solo → duo → full band, how they finally landed the right players (yes… including the “is Tench his real name?” moment), and why the band is now focused on quality over quantity.
We also talk live-show reality: being the “glue” on stage, using talkback/MD-style cues, rehearsing transitions and show flow, handling crowd requests, and balancing family life with gigs and a day job in live events production.
And yes… Creed comes up. A lot.
Question for you: What matters more for a band’s success — talent, chemistry, or work ethic?
In this episode:
Bobby’s role in MIGGS + being the “glue” live
What an MD does (cues, saves, talkback mic, show flow)
Drummer-to-guitarist journey + why he switched
Gospel/church roots and how they translate to country
Pedals, tone, and the modern country/worship overlap
Florida vs Maryland music scene + the Nashville reality check
MIGGS origin story: solo → duo grind → full band lineup
Finding the right drummer/bassist + building a reliable team
Why “quality over quantity” matters (and how to avoid burnout)
Rehearsal strategy: parts, tones, transitions, and polish
Marketing consistency without repeating the same post
Recording in Nashville + using demos/AI for song ideas
Links & Support (Podbean-friendly)
Support The Shift with Mike & Joe
Website: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com
Donate: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com/giving-page-2-1
Email: theshiftwithmikeandjoe@gmail.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheShiftwithMikeandJoe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshiftwithmikeandjoe/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61574975860350
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shift-with-mike-joe/id1813198065
Podbean: https://joer7.podbean.com
Mike & Joe
Image & Sound Media (Joe): https://imagesoundmedia.com
Joe Bryan Music: https://www.joebryanmusic.com
Kent Island Academy of Music (Mike): https://kentislandacademyofmusic.com
Michael Waskey Music: https://www.michaelwaskey.com
MIGGS / Bobby Jackson
MIGGS (band): follow for show updates + new releases (link as available)
Wednesday Mar 11, 2026
Wednesday Mar 11, 2026
In this episode of The Shift with Mike & Joe, we sit down with Joey Malinsky of Across the Bridge Productions (ATB Productions) to talk about what it really looks like to build a video production career across multiple eras of the industry—big commercial sets, shifting budgets, and the current “content volume” economy.
Joey breaks down the meaning behind ATB (Across the Bridge), his early start in video, and what he learned working in high-end production environments. We get into the realities of running a lean team, scaling (and getting burned), and why comedy + original storytelling are still the north star—even when corporate/nonprofit work pays the bills.
We also go deep on AI in the production world: how Joey uses it across his workflow (from writing and planning to audio cleanup and AI-generated b-roll), what it means for creators, and the real backlash he faced when he was invited to teach an AI workshop—including how quickly the conversation can turn dark online.
You’ll hear about:
The shift from “one piece of content has value” to a volume-first era
Hiring and scaling challenges (especially finding great editors)
Music licensing vs AI-generated music (Suno) and client revision chaos
AI tools and workflows (prompts, transitions, b-roll generation, cleanup)
Ethics, deepfakes, and why this conversation isn’t going away
Balancing creativity, business, and family life while staying productive
🎧 Listen on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you stream.
▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube.
If you got value from this one, please follow/subscribe, leave a rating + review, and drop a comment—it helps the show grow.
Wednesday Feb 25, 2026
Wednesday Feb 25, 2026
Episode 29 — Justin Taylor
In this episode of The Shift with Mike & Joe, we sit down with Maryland-based artist and guitarist Justin Taylor for a wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts music nerd-out and real talk about the craft.
We talk about how Justin started gigging at 13, what those early years taught him, and how he built his career through relentless reps, touring, and staying obsessed with getting better. From there we dive deep into PRS guitars (including his Private Stock), tone-chasing, live rig choices, and why blending electric/piezo tones can make a three-piece band sound huge.
Justin also shares how songwriting in Nashville often starts as a simple conversation that turns into a finished song fast — and why he’s leaning into “Work Tapes,” voice notes, and imperfect recordings that feel more human than polished perfection. We wrap with a great discussion on live shows: winging it vs. choreography, the internet’s effect on performance, and why authenticity is having a moment again.
Guest: Justin Taylor
Find Justin: Instagram @JustinTaylorMD | Website JustinTaylorBand.com | Music: Hindsight (available on Spotify/Apple Music)
The Shift with Mike & Joe is produced by Image & Sound Media
www.imagesoundmedia.com
🎧 Support The Shift with Mike & Joe • 🌐 Website: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com  • 💸 Donate: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com/giving-page-2-1  • ✉️ Email: theshiftwithmikeandjoe@gmail.com  • ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheShiftwithMikeandJoe • 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshiftwithmikeandjoe/  • 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61574975860350  • 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shift-with-mike-joe/id1813198065  • 🎙 Podbean: https://joer7.podbean.com
Wednesday Feb 11, 2026
Wednesday Feb 11, 2026
Episode 28 is just Mike & Joe—no guest, no script, and a surprisingly useful behind-the-scenes breakdown of what we’re changing to actually grow The Shift.
We talk through what we’d do differently if we restarted the podcast from zero, the real reason clips are becoming our growth engine, and the “boring” stuff that matters more than people think: consistency, workflow, thumbnails, and division of labor. We also share the real-world time + cost of producing an episode, how the show has helped networking and business opportunities, and why we’re putting more intention into packaging (titles/thumbnails/clips) moving forward.
In this episode:
If we restarted from zero: what we’d change immediately (schedule + consistency)
Why clips are the fastest lever for growth (and what makes a clip work)
Learning DaVinci Resolve + collaborative editing (project sharing + workflow)
Thumbnail strategy: building the episode around “packaging” from the start
Our current publishing cadence and why we’re tightening the process
The real cost of an episode (time, editing, and what we outsource)
Sponsorship reality: why we’re focused on views + subscribers right now
Email list: why we still haven’t built it (and why we need to)
A “podcast tour” idea + how bigger guests could change the trajectory
Quick life/business updates: music gigs, lessons, video work, and what’s next
Question for you:
What’s the biggest growth lever for a smaller podcast right now—clips, thumbnails, consistency, or guests?
🎧 Support / Follow The Shift with Mike & Joe
Website: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com
Donate: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com
YouTube: @TheShiftwithMikeandJoe
🎸 Connect with Mike & Joe
Image & Sound Media (Joe)
Website: https://imagesoundmedia.com
YouTube: @imagesoundmedia
Joe Bryan Music
Website: https://joebryanmusic.com
Kent Island Academy of Music (Mike)
Facebook: @kentislandacademyofmusic
Michael Waskey Music
Website: https://michaelwaskey.com
🎥 Production Gear (Episode 28)
Main camera: Sony A7V + Sigma 24–70mm f/2.8
Joe cam: Sony FX3 + Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM
Mike cam: Sony A7 IV + Sony 70–200mm f/2.8 GM II
Lighting: Amaran 100x (rim), Amaran 200x (rim), Amaran F22x (key)
The Shift with Mike & Joe is fully produced by Image & Sound Media.
https://www.imagesoundmedia.com
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
How do you build a 700K YouTube channel, turn a reaction format into a real community, and then build a physical product that expands what music lessons can be?
The Shift with Mike & Joe — EP 27 (feat. Michael Palmisano / GuitarGate)
In Episode 27, we sit down with Michael Palmisano (GuitarGate / YouTube) to unpack the real behind-the-scenes path: starting early with a “perfect” build that almost nobody saw, learning distribution and traffic the hard way (Udemy → ads → owning your audience), discovering the breakthrough YouTube format that finally clicked, and then following customer demand into GuitarGate and the Teleport—a tool that’s turning guitar playing into something you can literally send to someone else.
We also get into product thinking (simplicity vs feature creep), community-led decision making, the reality of scaling a physical product (supply chain + lead times), and some unexpectedly deep life stuff that came up along the way.
In this episode:
How Guitar Teacher Reacts became a growth engine (and why it finally worked)
Why “build it perfect first” is usually the wrong move (and what to do instead)
Udemy vs owning your platform (customers, control, long-term leverage)
Turning audience feedback into a product roadmap (community-led execution)
The Teleport: what it is, how people actually use it, and why it’s so powerful
Content strategy: depth vs width (and why depth wins long-term)
Creativity vs “business brain” (and how to structure partnerships that work)
The friction that kills creativity (and how simplicity fixes it)
Michael’s personal journey with quitting alcohol
Question for you:
What part of Michael’s journey hit you hardest—YouTube growth, building GuitarGate, or the Teleport product story?
Support
The Shift with Mike & Joe
Website: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com
Donate: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com
YouTube: @TheShiftwithMikeandJoe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?
Instagram: @theshiftwithmikeandjoe
TikTok: @theshiftwithmikea
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…
Podbean: joer7.podbean.com
Connect with Michael Palmisano (GuitarGate)
YouTube (GuitarGate / Guitar Teacher Reacts): https://www.youtube.com/@Guitargate
GuitarGate (community + lessons): https://guitargate.com
Teleport (product info): https://teleport.guitargate.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guitargate/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Guitargate
Link hub: https://linktr.ee/guitargate
Connect with Mike & Joe
Image & Sound Media (Joe)
Website: https://imagesoundmedia.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?
Instagram: @imageandsoundmedia
TikTok: @imagesoundmedia
YouTube: @imagesoundmedia
Joe Bryan Music
Website: https://joebryanmusic.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?
Instagram: @joebryanmusic
TikTok: @joebryanmusic
Kent Island Academy of Music (Mike)
Facebook: @kentislandacademyofmusic
Google Maps: KIAOM on Google
Michael Waskey Music
Website: https://michaelwaskey.com
Facebook: @michaelwaskeymusic
Instagram: @michaelwaskeymusic
Podcast Production Gear (typical Shift setup)
Cameras: Sony FX3, Sony A7 IV, Sony A7C II, Sony A7RV
Lenses: Sony 70–200mm f/2.8 GM II, Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM, Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art, Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM
Mics: Shure SM7B (hosts), large-diaphragm condenser for guest
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 18i18 into 14” MacBook Pro
Audio: Reaper
Editing: DaVinci Resolve Studio
Lighting: Amaran softboxes & tube lights
The Shift with Mike & Joe is fully produced by Image & Sound Media.
https://www.imagesoundmedia.com
#TheShiftPodcast #MichaelPalmisano #GuitarGate #GuitarTeacherReacts #Teleport #YouTubeGrowth #ContentCreator #CreatorEconomy #OnlineMusicLessons #MusicEducation #GuitarLessons #GuitarCommunity #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
First Female Guests: Realtor & Loan Originator Talk Home Buying | The Shift with Mike & Joe — EP 26
Episode 26 starts with Mike and Joe rolling out the new intro song (and immediately arguing about who played what), then welcoming the show’s first female guests: Jeri Lynn Montgomery (Realtor, Long & Foster — Kent Island) and Maureen “Mo” Silvers (Loan Originator, My Community Mortgage). Before we get into real estate, we deal with the real emergency of the day: Joe’s “amazing” new mic stands… and Mike breaking one within minutes.
After that, we dive into the behind-the-scenes reality of buying and selling a home—what most people don’t see:
How Jeri Lynn and Mo got into their careers (tests, pass rates, learning curves, and why mentorship matters)
Why open houses are still a powerful lead engine
Networking and relationship-building in real estate and lending
Why “no credit” can be just as challenging as “bad credit”
What changes for self-employed buyers (documentation, history, and expectations)
Retail lenders vs. brokerages (shopping rates/fees, account execs, and how fast deals can close)
The stress points that make deals complicated: contingencies, inspections, title searches, appraisals vs. market value
What happens when a home doesn’t appraise (and how deals get saved or fall apart)
A few side quests on marketing (billboards, photography/video), routines, and why the process is smoother with the right people guiding you
Support
The Shift with Mike & Joe
Website: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com
Donate: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com
YouTube: @TheShiftwithMikeandJoe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?
Instagram: @theshiftwithmikeandjoe
TikTok: @theshiftwithmikea
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…
Podbean: joer7.podbean.com
Connect with Mike & Joe
Image & Sound Media (Joe)
Website: https://imagesoundmedia.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?
Instagram: @imageandsoundmedia
TikTok: @imagesoundmedia
YouTube: @imagesoundmedia
Joe Bryan Music
Website: https://joebryanmusic.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?
Instagram: @joebryanmusic
TikTok: @joebryanmusic
Kent Island Academy of Music (Mike)
Facebook: @kentislandacademyofmusic
Google Maps: KIAOM on Google
Michael Waskey Music
Website: https://michaelwaskey.com
Facebook: @michaelwaskeymusic
Instagram: @michaelwaskeymusic
Podcast Production Gear (typical Shift setup)
Cameras: Sony FX3, Sony A7 IV, Sony A7C II, Sony A7RV
Lenses: Sony 70–200mm f/2.8 GM II, Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM, Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art, Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM
Mics: Shure SM7B (hosts), large-diaphragm condenser for guest
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 18i18 into 14” MacBook Pro
Audio: Reaper
Editing: DaVinci Resolve Studio
Lighting: Amaran softboxes & tube lights
The Shift with Mike & Joe is fully produced by Image & Sound Media.
https://www.imagesoundmedia.com
#TheShiftPodcast
Wednesday Dec 31, 2025
Wednesday Dec 31, 2025
🎙️ Justin Singleton: From Metal Riffs to Country Twang (and the Real Business of Gigging) | The Shift with Mike & Joe — EP 25
In Episode 25 of The Shift with Mike & Joe, we sit down with Justin Singleton — a Maryland-based country artist with roots in Kent County and a background that includes heavy rock/metal guitar, classic country influences, and years of learning the grind of gigging the hard way.
We get into what most people don’t see: the behind-the-scenes reality of working as a full-time working musician. Justin breaks down how he thinks about booking, pricing, responding fast to venues, tips vs. base pay, and why the “just show up and play” myth is exactly that — a myth. We also talk gear and workflow (yes, the humble cart gets the respect it deserves), plus how community, consistency, and staying positive play a bigger role than most people realize.
We also preview the upcoming classic country tribute show on February 21 and trade stories about tribute sets, artist picks, and why those shows are some of the most fun you can have as a local musician.
If you’re a musician, a creative, or anyone trying to turn a passion into a real business — this one’s for you.
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🔗 Connect with Justin Singleton
• Website: justinsingletonmusic.com
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/22qJ35RI4cGwc6n6xtNIkC
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustinSingletonMusic
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justinsingletonmusic
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinsingletonmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justinsingletonmusic
⸻
🎧 Listen + Follow The Shift with Mike & Joe
• Website: www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com
• YouTube: @TheShiftwithMikeandJoe (full episode link in the comments on the post)
• Podbean: joer7.podbean.com
• Facebook: @theshiftwithmikeandjoe
• Instagram: @theshiftwithmikeandjoe
• TikTok: @theshiftwithmikeandjoe
⸻
🎸 Connect with Mike & Joe
Image & Sound Media (Joe)
• Website: https://imagesoundmedia.com
Kent Island Academy of Music (Mike)
• Facebook: @kentislandacademyofmusic
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If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show and share it with a friend who loves live music, local artists, and real creative-business talk.