Never Lose the Gig: Joel Meza Joins as TCM Co-Host (Episode 188)

Get the gig. Keep the gig. Build the career.

Episode 188 kicks off a new season of The Career Musician. Nomad welcomes drummer and playback tech Joel Meza, calling in from Calgary on a theater run, and officially announces him as the show's new co-host. Together they get into what it really takes to never lose the gig: road routines, hiring pros, preparation, communication, and why "making it" is a myth.

Artists: hire pros, not hobbyists

Joel's current artist originally built his US band off someone he met in a jiu-jitsu class who said he was a drummer. That player turned out not to be fully on it. The lesson for artists: look for players who are actually doing the job and get recommendations from working pros, not random people who play as a hobby. Pros cost money, but they change the whole game of your show.

Build a road routine

Nomad's day on tour starts with the important work, the kind that isn't urgent and won't pay you today but matters to your future and your goals. Coffee and a morning routine, a workout, that important work, then practice the show you are playing that night to keep your muscle memory ready. Then get cleaned up for lobby call, soundcheck and the show.

Always have your go bag. Nomad has regretted leaving his laptop, his iPad, even his cap in the hotel room more times than he can count. The road has no structure, so you have to build your own. The people you tour with will respect your groove, because they have one too. And be a good hang.

The point of all that routine, as the table put it: bring your best self to the stage every night. You are only as good as your last gig. You could do it right a hundred times, but tonight's audience deserves a perfect show just as much as last night's did.

Joel's path: show up until they know you

Joel grew up in a non-musical family in Salt Lake City and saw Drumline at 13 or 14. He cut his brother's nunchucks in half and used them as drumsticks. In college, his private teacher told him that if he worked hard, he could do this for a living. Hours of pattern work in the practice room built his timing and independence.

Then he wanted the coolest gig in town, with a blues artist who already had a drummer. So Joel went to every show, said hi, hung out and learned the songs. When the drummer needed a sub, they knew him. Over the next six months that drummer transitioned out, and Joel toured with the artist for three years. The band didn't like him much at first and didn't pull punches. It was, he says, one of his fastest periods of growth. Work begets work.

Be present to win, and care more

A lesson with drummer Thomas Pridgen pushed Joel forward. Can you play every day in Salt Lake? Three times a day? Big tours pick their players out of LA and Nashville, out of rooms like the Baked Potato. So he moved to Nashville and faced five blocks of Broadway clubs, a brick wall of talent. The way in was the same as at home: show up, make friends, be cool, and work harder than anyone expects you to.

"That's kind of the formula for getting in there and beating people out for their gigs: caring more."

Joel Meza, 10:50

Joel's warning is about complacency. Good players can do the job without much effort, so they prepare at the last minute. Meanwhile, the hungry player memorizes everything. Nomad tied it to his definition of luck: when preparedness meets opportunity. Luck = preparation + opportunity.

Nomad's first and last Danny Elfman session

Nomad shared the hard way he learned it. After moving to LA in 2005, he got hired by Danny Elfman to play on the Men in Black 3 score. His A rig lived at a Hollywood studio where he wrote almost daily, so he had cartage bring his B rig. Elfman asked for a Vox or Cry Baby wah. Both were in the A rig. The no-name wah on hand didn't give him the sound.

"My ill-preparedness, my lack of being prepared, cost me that. He never called me again."

Nomad, 13:10

Thirty guitars and a pile of pedalboards, and one missing piece is what hurt. Now, when Joel builds bands, the number one thing he looks for is players who care.

Earn it every day, and answer your messages

Joel admitted that months into rehearsals with Nomad, he still didn't feel the gig was his. He had gotten comfortable and forgotten some tools.

"I've never fully earned this gig. I need to earn it every day."

Joel Meza, 15:26

Bring every tool, every time. Even with backline provided, a drummer brings backup sticks, brushes, rods and mallets. And respond to emails and texts. Joel passes that rule on to his own bands: he will stop hiring people who don't respond. Lock-in times are real. The week before an award show is not the time for a vacation. Reliability beats virtuosity.

The takeaway

The new Jam Talk format brings guests into the room to play and talk shop. Why share all this? Because if you level up the game for everyone, it means better work for everyone. When one player walks away from a negotiation having lowered the bar, everyone gets paid less. So care more, prepare fully, communicate fast, and earn your seat every night. Before your next call, grab the free Get the Gig guide.

Get the gig. Keep the gig. Build the career.

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