The Shift with Mike & Joe

🎙️ Charlie Kavoosi: Musician, Videographer & Kavoosi Films (Annapolis) | The Shift with Mike & Joe - EP 21
 
What was the most inspiring part of Charlie’s journey for you? Let us know in the comments below! 👇
 
Musician–videographer Charlie Kavoosi (Kavoosi Films) joins The Shift with Mike & Joe to unpack the real workflow behind indie music videos, live-session production, and life on (and off) the road with the Joey Harkum Band. We cover how a pop-up show series sparked his film career, the camera-audio → mix crossfade trick, managing client expectations vs. budget, and staying sane with data (NAS, backups, file structure). Charlie also talks The Betas duo, the Annapolis scene’s community roots, merch that actually sells (hello, “blue guy”), and why redefining success beyond fame—and showing up consistently—keeps creatives moving. Bonus: this is our first sponsor-supported episode, produced by Image & Sound Media.
 
If you found Charlie’s story inspiring, please leave a comment and subscribe to our channel for more episodes of The Shift!
 
⏱ Chapter Markers
00:00 – Cold open, sponsor bit, and the “Shift” jingle attempts
02:06 – Who is Charlie Kavoosi? Musician, videographer… into a monetized thing
05:30 – Pop-Up Shows: filming bands, Mark Peria, first “cinematic” shock
10:40 – Learning exposure triangle; Olympus E-M10 II; toilet-plumber banter
17:08 – Making live videos feel alive: start with camera audio, then crossfade
22:30 – Avoiding radio/TV “deadness”; live crowd energy vs studio vibes
27:22 – Cover gigs vs originals: “so important as a cover artist to know…”
33:50 – Lessons & consulting: guitar theory, DAWs, pedalboards, X Air basics
41:30 – Behringer X Air/Soundcraft: routers, aux sends, and fixes
54:00 – Annapolis scene: “Covers Each Other” at 49 West & the AMFM fund
1:02:20 – Touring with Joey Harkum: from bass to Bass VI to guitar
1:10:40 – Data wrangling & NAS workflow: backups, proxies, and sanity
1:16:56 – The Blue Guy logo story: doodle → brand → merch
1:22:40 – Rethinking success vs fame; marketing reality and thousand true fans
1:35:20 – Where to find Charlie; October shows; outro & thanks
 
🔗 Connect with Charlie Kavoosi & Kavoosi Films:
• 🌐 Website: https://www.kavoossi.com/
• 📘 Facebook:   / kavoossi
• 📸 Instagram:   / kavoossifilms
 
🎧 Support The Shift with Mike & Joe
• 🌐 Website: www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com
• 💸 Donate: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.co…
• ▶️ YouTube: @TheShiftwithMikeandJoe
• 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574975860350
• 📸 Instagram: @theshiftwithmikeandjoe
• 🎵 TikTok: @theshiftwithmikea
• 🎵 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…
• 🎙 Podbean: joer7.podbean.com
🎸 Connect with Mike & Joe
 
Connect with Mike & Joe
 
Image & Sound Media (Joe)
• 🌐 Website: imagesoundmedia.com
• 🌐 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?…
• 📸 Instagram: @imageandsoundmedia
• 🎵 TikTok: @imagesoundmedia
• ▶️ YouTube: @imagesoundmedia
 
Joe Bryan Music
• 🌐 Website: joebryanmusic.com
• 🌐 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?…
• 📸 Instagram: @joebryanmusic
• 🎵 TikTok: @joebryanmusic
 
Kent Island Academy of Music (Mike)
• 📘 Facebook: @kentislandacademyofmusic
• 📍 Google Map: KIAOM on Google
 
Michael Waskey Music
• 🌐 Website: michaelwaskey.com
• 📘 Facebook: @michaelwaskeymusic
• 📸 Instagram: @michaelwaskeymusic
 
🎥 Podcast Production Gear (Episode 18)
• 🎥 Main Camera (Wide Shot): Nikon Zf + Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2
• 🎥 Joe (Close-Up): Sony FX3 + Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II
• 🎥 Mike (Close-Up): Sony A7 IV + Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM
• 🎥 Guest (Close-Up): Sony A7C II + Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art
• 🎙 Main Audio: Shure SM7B (Joe & Mike)
• 🎙 Guest Audio: Neumann clone kit mic
• 🎚 Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 18i18
• 🎛 Audio Software: Reaper
• 🎬 Video Editing: DaVinci Resolve Studio
• 💡 Lighting: Amaran 100x & 200x softboxes + Amaran tube lights

Want to move from background bar sets to premium, repeat bookings? Americana artist Steve Boucher breaks down how he built a calendar of corporate, wedding, and listening-room gigs—plus the guitar tone & setlist strategies that keep clients calling.
What you’ll learn (fast, practical takeaways):• From bars to premium: using residencies and word-of-mouth to unlock higher-value shows (and say “no” more often).• Where the work is: PGA receptions, DC rooftops, Annapolis Boat Show, beach venues, house concerts—how each one books differently.• Repertoire that wins: why ~600 songs matters, pre-planning vs on-the-fly requests, and creating sing-along moments.• Listening rooms vs restaurants: designing shows for attention, not ambience—and how to become the night’s “anchor.”• Gear that sounds like you: K&K Pure Mini, simple DI/Bose chain, and when to add an all-in-one board (compression, verb, boost).• Guitar talk that clients notice: Adirondack spruce tops, torrified builds, and why this translates to feel + projection.• Service mindset: MC duties, using your PA for speeches, and setting the vibe that makes events run smoother.
Enjoyed the episode? Follow the show on Podbean, and leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Have a takeaway or question? Drop a Podbean comment or DM us on Instagram.
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Connect with Steve Boucher & Boucher GuitarsSTEVE BOUCHER — OFFICIAL & SOCIALWebsite: https://steveboucher.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevebouchermusic/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveBoucherMusic/
BOUCHER GUITARS — OFFICIAL & SOCIALWebsite (EN): https://boucherguitars.com/Website (FR): https://guitareboucher.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boucherguitars/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guitaresboucher/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCDcr-KKfbOr43tez5CyBsOg
Support The Shift with Mike & JoeWebsite: www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.comDonate: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com/giving-page-2-1YouTube: @TheShiftwithMikeandJoeFacebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574975860350Instagram: @theshiftwithmikeandjoeTikTok: @theshiftwithmikeaApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shift-with-mike-joe/id1813198065Podbean: joer7.podbean.com
Image & Sound Media (Joe)Website: imagesoundmedia.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094021747690Instagram: @imageandsoundmediaTikTok: @imagesoundmediaYouTube: @imagesoundmedia
Joe Bryan MusicWebsite: joebryanmusic.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550810556745Instagram: @joebryanmusicTikTok: @joebryanmusic
Kent Island Academy of Music (Mike)Facebook: @kentislandacademyofmusicGoogle Map: KIAOM on Google
Michael Waskey MusicWebsite: michaelwaskey.comFacebook: @michaelwaskeymusicInstagram: @michaelwaskeymusic
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Podcast Production Gear• Main Camera (Wide Shot): Nikon Zf + Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2• Joe (Close-Up): Sony FX3 + Sony 70–200mm f/2.8 GM II• Mike (Close-Up): Sony A7 IV + Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM• Guest (Close-Up): Sony A7C II + Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art• Main Audio: Shure SM7B (Joe & Mike)• Guest Audio: Neumann clone kit mic• Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 18i18• Audio Software: Reaper• Video Editing: DaVinci Resolve Studio• Lighting: Amaran 100x & 200x softboxes + Amaran tube lights

EPISODE 19 — Bobby Woolley (The Edge 360, Stevensville, MD)
How do you build a gym that becomes a community engine? In this conversation, Bobby Woolley of The Edge breaks down the evolution of Edge Training Academy, Edge Arena, and the Giving the Edge Foundation—collectively “Edge 360”—from athlete development to after-school programs and county-wide field days.
Bobby shares the playbook: hybrid training that blends skill and human performance, a “do good first” business model (no contracts), and why confidence is the most powerful byproduct of youth sports.
WHAT WE COVER- What “Edge 360” means: Training Academy, Arena, and nonprofit working together- Opening the gym to the public; serving teams, leagues, events- The Baltimore Brigade story and scaling operations with the right hires- Hybrid coaching: sport skills + performance + mindset = real results- After-school programs, field days, and community impact recognized by the Ravens- Why lowering barriers (no contracts, flexible space) grows real loyalty
TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Welcome to The Shift with Mike & Joe01:12 - Meet Bobby Woolley + the running intro jingle bit03:05 - What is The Edge? From training facility to public open gym05:42 - The three legs explained: Training Academy, Edge Arena, Giving the Edge Foundation08:56 - “Edge 360” branding and serving Stevensville, Maryland12:18 - Arena use cases: youth focus, adult leagues, proms, church services, parties15:40 - The Baltimore Brigade story: pro team practice → opening the public gym19:33 - Scaling up: staffing, operations, and unlocking daytime anchors22:47 - Why Bobby started The Edge: local athletes, recruitment, opportunity26:10 - Degrees, early coaching, and building a training culture29:28 - Financing curveball: turf purchase, conditional loan, hiring full-time staff33:02 - A day in the life: 5am workouts, “creator time,” and flexible schedules36:45 - Calendars vs. chaos: planning just enough to move fast39:58 - Hybrid coaching model: skills + performance for real-world gains43:22 - Personal training vs. at-home work: accountability and custom plans46:05 - Mindset and confidence: the unexpected ROI for kids and families49:31 - Supplements? Why The Edge stays people-first and avoids upsell traps53:04 - Lowering barriers: no contracts, community-priced memberships56:48 - Space as a service: rentals, photo/video shoots, events1:00:12 - Taking over after-school programming: answering a county-wide need1:04:36 - Field days, volunteers, and the Ravens recognition1:08:55 - Quiet impact vs. loud marketing (and why that’s changing)1:13:10 - Consolidating facilities: the vision for a single, expanded home1:17:22 - Parenting, purpose, and what really helps kids thrive1:21:48 - Nutrition, recovery, and staying in your lane as a coach1:25:10 - Final takeaways + how to find The Edge1:30:03 - Thanks for listening & wrap
GUESTBobby Woolley — The Edge 360 (Stevensville, MD)
GUEST LINKSWebsite: https://www.theedge360.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theedgeKIInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theedge_360/
FOLLOW THE SHIFT WITH MIKE & JOEWebsite: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shift-with-mike-joe/id1813198065Podbean: https://joer7.podbean.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574975860350Instagram: https://instagram.com/theshiftwithmikeandjoeTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theshiftwithmikeaYouTube: @TheShiftwithMikeandJoeDonate/Support: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com/giving-page-2-1
CREATOR LINKSImage & Sound Media (Joe)- Website: https://imagesoundmedia.com- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094021747690- Instagram: https://instagram.com/imageandsoundmedia- TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@imagesoundmedia- YouTube: @imagesoundmedia
Joe Bryan Music- Website: https://joebryanmusic.com- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550810556745- Instagram: https://instagram.com/joebryanmusic- TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@joebryanmusic
Kent Island Academy of Music (Mike)- Facebook: @kentislandacademyofmusic- Google Map: KIAOM on Google
Michael Waskey Music- Website: https://michaelwaskey.com- Facebook: @michaelwaskeymusic- Instagram: @michaelwaskeymusic
PRODUCTION NOTES- Main camera (wide): Nikon Zf + Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2- Joe (close): Sony FX3 + Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II- Mike (close): Sony A7 IV + Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM- Guest (close): Sony A7C II + Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art- Main audio: Shure SM7B (Joe & Mike); Guest: Neumann clone kit mic- Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 18i18- Audio software: Reaper- Video editing: DaVinci Resolve Studio- Lighting: Amaran 100x & 200x softboxes + Amaran tube lights

"When I was homeless or in prison, people that had what I wanted gave me hope."
Keith Edmonds Jr. learned to tattoo in prison — mixing ink from the soot of a Vaseline candle and building machines out of CD player motors and guitar strings. Ten years later he walked a red carpet at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for a documentary about the shop he owns.
In Episode 18 of The Shift with Mike & Joe, Keith is back at the table to tell the whole story. He's co-owner of Ink or Dye Studio in Centreville, Maryland, coming up on seven years in business, and this is the most candid conversation we've had on this show.
Keith walks us through the addiction that led to homelessness, crime, and prison time — and the recovery house on the other side of it, where he met his now-wife Cheryl. He tells us how he talked a guy with 25 years of experience into teaching him everything he knew, how the prison tattoo economy actually worked, and what it was like to get out with nothing but a 400 credit score and the clothes on his back.
Then the build: knocking on five shops before one said yes, a tattoo machine his brother bought him in exchange for a tattoo, and opening Ink or Dye on $17,000 — Cheryl's wedding money plus whatever was left on a credit card. It wasn't enough. What made it work was the recovery community: plumbers, electricians, drywall and flooring guys who either discounted the work or did it for free. As Keith puts it, this community built this shop.
We also get into "Ink or Dye," the short documentary directed by Lane Michael Stanley, who came up through the same Baltimore recovery circles. It got into Dances With Films — one of the top ten festivals in the country — and Keith and Cheryl scrambled to get to LA on three weeks' notice. And yes, Joe worked on the film's audio, using a phone held inside a plastic dog cone.
The back half turns into a genuinely useful business conversation: how the shop actually makes money, why more artists means a better shop rather than a bigger paycheck, commission structures and why deposits protect the artists more than the owner, and a long stretch on marketing — reading analytics, knowing your audience's age, why Ink or Dye leans on Facebook over Instagram, the Tuesday-morning posting window, and how a $500 geo-targeted Facebook ad pulled 48,000 views and 6,000 link clicks for their event.
We also talk about recovery houses and how they fail, the ten trips through rehab it took before it stuck, losing his mom and what that did to his recovery, free cover-ups for gang and hate-related tattoos, tattoo removal, aftercare, whether tattoo culture has gotten watered down, and the ongoing struggle to be present at home while running a business.
And we get the full rundown on Tattoos for a Cause — September 20 in Centreville, two streets shut down, five bands, ten artists, forty vendors, and the first Eastern Shore showing of the "Ink or Dye" documentary at 7 PM. The 2023 event raised $14,000 for the Recovery Awareness Foundation.
Question for you: What shift have you experienced in your life?
CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome — and why we re-recorded this one01:20 Housekeeping: moving to every other Wednesday02:30 Who Keith is and what Ink or Dye Studio is03:15 How a Hollywood director found a Centreville tattoo shop05:55 Dances With Films, the Chinese Theatre, and the red carpet07:53 The film itself — and Joe's phone-in-a-dog-cone audio rig10:33 Why they picked Keith and Cheryl: recovery is the real story11:52 "People that had what I wanted gave me hope"13:03 Cereal boxes, graffiti, and wanting to be a vandal15:46 The first tattoo, 1999 — and deciding not to chase it yet17:08 Art school, relapse, and going back to prison17:49 Learning to tattoo inside from a 25-year veteran18:29 Out with nothing: a 400 credit score and a recovery house19:52 Five shops before one said yes21:53 The prison tattoo economy23:13 Making ink from Vaseline soot25:54 Building a machine from a CD player and a guitar string28:41 What a tattoo actually cost in prison30:43 Opening Ink or Dye with $17,000 of wedding money33:23 How the recovery community built the shop35:27 Inside the shop: artists, commission, and how it runs37:27 The craziest tattoo Keith's ever done39:28 What to expect if it's your first tattoo45:31 Deposits, no-shows, and protecting your artists46:53 Designing tattoos — and where AI fits in51:36 Tattoos for a Cause: five bands, ten artists, forty vendors53:38 The Recovery Awareness Foundation and where the money goes56:25 "It took me 10 times before I actually got it"59:48 How recovery houses work — and how they fail1:02:32 Getting suicidal in prison, and deciding to change1:03:54 90 meetings in 90 days1:05:17 Grief, mental health, and staying in recovery1:08:41 A day in Keith's life1:10:45 Being present at home while running a business1:13:28 What Keith knows about marketing1:16:56 Reading analytics and knowing your audience1:19:38 The best time to post on Facebook1:21:00 A $500 Facebook ad, 48,000 views1:23:42 What a shop actually nets on a tattoo1:26:24 Why more artists means a better shop, not more money1:28:25 Keith's first tattoo ever: a staple and pencil graphite1:29:45 Has tattoo culture gotten watered down?1:35:09 Tattoo removal and covering up old work1:38:38 Aftercare and Recovery Derm1:41:20 Keith's own most painful tattoo1:42:44 Why tattoo therapy is a real thing1:45:29 Getting Cheryl on the show next time1:46:49 Tattoos for a Cause details and wrap-up
CONNECT WITH KEITH EDMONDS JR. & INK OR DYE STUDIOWebsite: https://inkordyestudio.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inkordyestudioInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkordyestudio/
"INK OR DYE" — THE DOCUMENTARYWritten and directed by Lane Michael StanleyDirector's page: https://lanemichaelstanley.com/ink-or-dyeIMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37702001/
TATTOOS FOR A CAUSESaturday, September 20, 2025 · 11 AM – 8 PMCourthouse Square, Centreville, MD (across from Ink or Dye Studio)Free to attend · "Ink or Dye" documentary screening at 7 PMEvent page: https://www.facebook.com/share/18WPif8CCT/Benefiting the Recovery Awareness Foundation
SUPPORT THE SHIFT WITH MIKE & JOEWebsite: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.comDonate: https://www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com/giving-page-2-1Email: info@theshiftwithmikeandjoe.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheShiftwithMikeandJoe-jf9otInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshiftwithmikeandjoe/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574975860350TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theshiftwithmikeaApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shift-with-mike-joe/id1813198065Podbean: https://joer7.podbean.com
CONNECT WITH MIKE & JOE
Image & Sound Media (Joe)Website: https://www.imagesoundmedia.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094021747690Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imageandsoundmediaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imagesoundmediaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imagesoundmedia
Joe Bryan MusicWebsite: https://www.joebryanmusic.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550810556745Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joebryanmusicTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joebryanmusic
Kent Island Academy of Music (Mike)Website: https://kentislandacademyofmusic.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KentIslandAcademyOfMusic/
Michael Waskey MusicWebsite: https://www.michaelwaskey.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelwaskeymusicInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelwaskeymusic
PODCAST PRODUCTION GEAR (EPISODE 18)Main Camera (Wide Shot): Nikon Zf + Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2Joe (Close-Up): Sony FX3 + Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM IIMike (Close-Up): Sony A7 IV + Sony 135mm f/1.8 GMGuest (Close-Up): Sony A7C II + Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ArtMain Audio: Shure SM7B (Joe & Mike)Guest Audio: Neumann clone kit micInterface: Focusrite Scarlett 18i18Audio Software: ReaperVideo Editing: DaVinci Resolve StudioLighting: Amaran 100x & 200x softboxes + Amaran tube lights
The Shift with Mike & Joe is fully produced by Image & Sound Media.https://www.imagesoundmedia.com
#TheShiftPodcast #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessTalk #mikeandjoeshow #KentIsland #EasternShore #Centreville #MarylandPodcast #TattooArtist #RecoveryStory #InkOrDye

“Whether you’re in charge of others or not, you’re always in charge of someone — and that someone is yourself.”
 
In this episode of The Shift, we sit down with Dale Walls, a former Marine turned entrepreneur, leadership consultant, and host of The Lion’s Guide Podcast. Dale opens up about the lessons that shaped his journey—from boot camp to building a leadership consultancy—and how embracing discipline, responsibility, and self-leadership transformed his life.
 
We talk about:
• The difference between leading others and leading yourself
• How Dale overcame the chaos of his early entrepreneurial years
• Why leadership starts long before you’re “in charge”
• Tactical frameworks he teaches business owners to scale with clarity and integrity
 
Dale’s mission is to equip people to live their best lives, lead with purpose, and leave a legacy—and this conversation is packed with mindset-shifting insight you’ll want to take notes on.
 
From bootcamp lessons to the boardroom, Dale breaks down how military principles shaped his leadership style, how to cultivate discipline without burnout, and how to unlock the high-performing version of yourself.
 
🎧 Full episode now available
Listen, subscribe, and explore more at 👉 www.theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com
 
💸 Support the podcast
Help us grow! Donate here: theshiftwithmikeandjoe.com/giving-page-2-1
 
🎬 This podcast is produced by Image & Sound Media
🎥 www.imagesoundmedia.com

In this episode, we sit down with Nicholas Ray, a local alt-country artist and Army veteran who’s diving into his music career after recently returning home from Kosovo. He shares stories from his military service, what inspired his songwriting, and how he’s building a creative life post-deployment.
 
We talk about growing up homeschooled, rediscovering identity through music, and the beauty of authentic storytelling in songwriting. There’s also plenty of laughter — Joe forgot to hit record (again), Mike roasts him, and we debut our ridiculous new podcast theme song… vocally.
 
We’re officially back on our biweekly schedule, and we’ve got awesome guests lined up soon: Dale Walls, Keith Edmonds, Steve Boucher, and more.
 
🎧 Available now on all major platforms.

EPISODE 15 – Shea Springer of Sweetfoot Studios: DIY Recording, Studio Life & the Art of Sound
 
In this episode, Mike & Joe sit down with local musician, producer, and self-taught engineer Shea Springer — owner of Sweetfoot Studios in Easton, Maryland. From building a control room in his basement to running cables through the living room, Shea shares how he transformed a split-level home into a fully functional recording studio.
 
We talk about room acoustics, mic techniques, tracking full bands in a house, and what it’s really like running a creative business from home. Shea also opens up about lessons learned, favorite sessions, and how his wife helps run the operation behind the scenes.
 
After a short hiatus, we’re back on track with our biweekly release schedule — and we’ve got more incredible guests on the way!

In this engaging episode of *The Shift with Mike and Joe*, the hosts welcome local musician Colby Sard for an in-depth conversation about his journey as a full-time musician, his experiences gigging around the Chesapeake Bay area, and his path to sobriety. The episode covers a wide range of topics, from the challenges and perks of performing live music to the realities of staying sober while working in the music scene. Key highlights include: - Colby shares humorous and candid stories about his gigs, including memorable tips and navigating tricky venues like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge commute. - The hosts discuss the unique pressures musicians face on stage, such as dealing with distracted audiences, live streaming performances, and the balancing act of playing popular covers versus original music. - Colby opens up about his six months of sobriety, the struggles of performing sober for the first time, and how sobriety has changed his perspective on music and life. - The conversation delves into the mental health aspects of addiction and recovery, emphasizing coping strategies, self-forgiveness, and the importance of taking sobriety one day at a time. - They also explore the behind-the-scenes work of booking gigs, working with agents, and the realities of making a living as a musician. - Mike and Joe share their own reflections on sobriety, the challenges of balancing creativity with personal well-being, and the evolving culture of sobriety in the music industry. - The episode includes lighthearted banter about music gear, favorite songs to play, and creative uses of AI tools like ChatGPT for designing flyers and managing projects. - The hosts discuss podcast production insights, distribution platforms, and the evolving landscape of video podcasts.

🎙 Episode 14 – Steven Dunn | Fishing, Gigging & Figuring It Out
In this episode of The Shift with Mike & Joe, we sit down with local legend Steven Dunn—gigging musician, charter boat captain, and full-time hustler on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. From navigating the waters of the Chesapeake to playing shows across Delmarva, Steve shares what it’s like balancing two unorthodox careers, building a business with his dad, and learning the art of not burning out.
 
Also covered:
🎣 Life on the water
🎸 Gig life and self-employment
🧠 Mental health, sleep, and the occasional loop pedal
😂 Footwear debates, food rants, and a ChatGPT confession
Whether you’re a creative, a fisherman, or just someone figuring it out—this one’s got something for you.
Watch, laugh, relate. And maybe book a charter.

In this episode of The Shift, Mike and Joe sit down with Joey Mitchell, a seasoned upright and electric bass player deeply rooted in the Eastern Shore music scene. Joey shares his journey from touring in England to performing with bands like Swampcandy, Mixed Business, and the Joey Harkum Band. He discusses his unique perspective as a sideman who also excels in booking music venues, offering insights into the dynamics of the music industry from both the stage and behind the scenes. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of balancing performance with venue management, highlighting Joey’s multifaceted role in the music community. It’s a candid and insightful discussion that sheds light on the often-overlooked aspects of a musician’s life.