Welcome! Today’s guest is John Allgaier, the owner of BC Characters, an entertainment company that started as a strolling fair act. If you think “slow and relaxed” defines a strolling act, then you’ve got the wrong idea here. John and his performers use body puppetry in costumes at a frenzied and energetic pace. Let’s find out more from John!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• To get an idea of John’s characters, think Fraggle Rock meets Captain Caveman, in full-size body costumes.
• Each costume is made of foam and metal, weighing 30-50 lbs.
• The fair industry IS John’s source of income.
• A physically demanding test of endurance
• Why your performance must be STRONG
• John’s business started in 1990, with only one costume. (The 12^th one is in process now!)
• Why John has NO regrets
• “You will always learn more from your mistakes than from your successes.”
• John looks forward to stepping aside and seeing his “guys” carry on the business.
• What’s important to be successful in the fair industry? Be flexible to change, adaptable, and understand your customer.
• The patrons are your #1 boss!
• There is a power in the costume.
• Why families trust a character in costume
• Be aware of interaction and contact with patrons.
• John’s biggest fear? Keeping his image and his quality of service
• Balancing family life, marriage, and life on the road
• John’s biggest mistake? Trying to push and grow too fast and losing quality in the process
• People have to know about your act and you have to be good enough to be invited back.
• John’s advice: Listen more than you speak, be flexible, and keep your demands low.
• Find out more about John: www.bigmouthe.com.

Welcome! My guest today is Michael Hilby, known as “Hilby, the Skinny German Juggling Boy.” He is a really great performer who was born in Germany and became a social worker. Soon he transitioned to becoming a street performer who traveled the world. He now lives in Ithaca, NY with his wife and kids. His act is in high demand and is one of the best comedy acts to ever perform. 

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Hilby learned to juggle at age 23 in India.
• He traveled with his wife to Hong Kong and Japan, but then settled in NY, where her family lived.
• For five years, he flew back to Japan once a year for six weeks to be a street performer.
• This was his full-time income for the entire five years!
• He learned to speak Japanese to help with his performance.
• He soon stayed in the US and worked at Busch Gardens in VA for six months each year and transitioned to performing in English.
• On his one day off from Busch Gardens, he would go work as a street performer and was amazed at the money.
• Soon he left the amusement park and began full-time as a street performer.
• Why a tagline for your name is important
• He learned to connect and engage with people.
• He has no regrets for leaving his social work career. “Why? What’s the point?”
• Hilby shares the uniqueness of this kind of performing and some of his venues.
• The worst gig ever was a college stint that was barely promoted and scarcely attended.
• The unexpected challenges make you a seasoned performer.
• Hilby has performed in 68 countries!
• Hilby loves to see performers who are committed and have a spark for what they do.
• His biggest fear is the age and physical limitations that will inevitably come to him.
• For young performers: practice your act, do all the work you can (NOTHING should be beneath you!), and take workshops.
• Performing can be a GREAT income!
• How learning to speak Japanese helped his performance there
• Hilby speaks Spanish, German, Japanese, and English—and will become a US citizen soon!
• Differences and surprises when he first came to the US
• Hilby still does cruise ship shows for German passengers.
• The hardest part of street performing is convincing them that it’s a job you are CHOOSING to do!
• “When you are training to be a great performer, the first thousand shows don’t really count.”
• Find him at www.hilby.net.

Welcome! Today we’re talking to Alyssa Daire Nelson about maximizing your strengths. The introduction to this episode was in last week’s Episode 10. Please listen if you haven’t! Alyssa is a personal strengths coach and the owner of Daire Success Coaching. She helps businesses and solo entrepreneurs maximize their innate strengths. Her greatest joy is seeing breakthroughs occur when people maximize their strengths instead of fixing their weaknesses. I met Alyssa at a podcast conference, where we were both learning about all aspects of our new journeys into podcasting. I was on her show recently and took her strengths test. She’s here today to talk about her work and to analyze the results of my test. 

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Alyssa shares her “Aha” moment in her early 30’s.
• The Strengthsfinder Profile test is the product of 40 years of research.
• The profile test has 180 questions, mostly based on “Would you prefer _____ or ______? It takes about 30 minutes to complete.
• The profile test helps you identify triggers about others that may “drive you crazy.”
• Why people are not meant to be well-rounded!
• We lean into our top 10-15 strengths ALL the time.
• Each strength has a need, and when the needs aren’t honored, we experience frustration.
• Alan’s top strengths are positivity, maximize, learner, individualization, and achiever. Alyssa explains each strength and the danger in its overuse.
• “Two-thirds of our weaknesses are just strengths misapplied.”
• In maximizing our strengths, we take care of many of our weaknesses.

Resources:

www.daire2succeed.com

www.strengthspodcast.com

Maximize Your Strengths podcast

Truth & Daire weekly email newsletter

Welcome to this Tailgate Talk episode! There is no guest today; it’s just you and me, and we’re talking all about YOU! We’ll focus on your relationships with others and maximizing your strengths in this two-part episode. Next week, we’ll be joined by Alyssa Dare Nelson, a strengths coach and host of the Maximize Your Strengths podcast. Visit www.strengthsfinder.com to find out how to take the online assessment test to identify YOUR strengths.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• The analogy of “the toolbox,” birthed from my own experience working in my little corner of my dad’s workshop, with child-sized tools and scraps of wood
• How each of us is given an individual “toolbox” in life, but many people don’t know what tools they have or how to use them
• The mark of a successful person is someone who KNOWS what’s in their toolbox and how to use it.
• The problem with school environments is that often we are put in places with no tools, with tools we don’t understand, or with tools we don’t know how to use.
• “Knowledge without action is useless.”
• Success means taking your toolbox knowledge of strengths and applying it for maximum result in all areas of life.
• We have to learn to apply strengths without OVERUSING them. (That’s our main focus for next week’s show!)
• The more SELF-AWARE that we are, the better we become at developing relationships with others.
• I’ll explain the self-awareness tool called the Johari Window—developed in 1955, using four “panes” to identify areas of strength and weakness.

On last week’s show, I asked for listener feedback about the future direction of the show and what you’d like to hear. I still want to hear from you, so let me know your thoughts. Thanks for listening!

Welcome, and thanks for joining me! We’ve made it to Episode 9, which is a milestone that most podcasters don’t achieve. Many start with a bang but quit before this point. I’m dedicated to bringing you quality content, but I want to give you what YOU want to hear. To this point, I’ve brought you  stories from performers in the fair industry, but you know there are many more people with amazing stories as well.  We call these people our “fair family,” and they are a cross-section of grass-roots Americana—wonderfully talented people with stories that need to be told.

So, here’s the question: Do you want the show to continue to highlight only performing artists? Or do I turn the spotlight on the huge variety of people that make up the many other aspects of our industry? I need to hear from you! 

Let me know what you think and what you want to hear. Email me: tailgateentertainer@gmail.com or ask to join our private Facebook community. Look for Tailgate Entertainer and ask me to include you so you can comment. Thanks!

I hope you’re ready for a fun time with my guest, Amanda McDaniel! Amanda is the co-owner of Friendly Farmer’s Barnyard Review, a music, magic, and comedy production. Amanda and I performed next to each other for a couple of years, and I’ll always think of her as someone whose stories WILL make you laugh. Join me to hear more of Amanda’s crazy story!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Amanda describes herself as a variety show entertainer who also owns a production company.
• She books variety entertainers for special events, spends four months each year as a fair entertainer, and has spent about ten years in the fair industry.
• She and her performing partner, Zakari Asiago, developed the idea of the farm-themed show.
• She and Zak are married, but NOT to each other! They are good friends who travel and perform together and are co-owners of the show.
• Although Amanda went to school to be a teacher, she has always loved the technical aspects of theater and started performing at a young age.
• While working at a fire department for 14 years, Amanda used her clown act to teach about fire safety, but she never dreamed of using her entertainment talent to generate an income!
• When she started doing paid entertainment at kids’ parties, she felt empowered and fulfilled.
• The thing she enjoys most about entertaining is being on stage, playing a character, and interacting with kids.
• The biggest struggle in the entertainment lifestyle is being away from home, away from her husband, and from her elderly parents.
• Amanda, a relative newcomer to the fair industry, estimates that it provides 75% of her income.
• Amanda likes the fact that there is a clear off-season during spring and summer, when she can work at resorts near her home.
• She shares her worst gig experience about being in the magician’s box when a severe thunderstorm hit in Hickory, NC.
• A big frustration for Amanda is agents who are unfair and charge more than the agreed-upon rate.
• Her advice for young entertainers? Put your show together and perform locally---A LOT! Talk to others in the fair industry, gather information, and ask questions. Be flexible and don’t undersell yourself. Don’t roll out your show until it’s a complete quality product. Be professional and be impressive.
• Common mistakes made by entertainers are being too demanding of fair managers and having a generally “crappy” attitude.
• Remember that everything is about relationships, especially between performers and fair managers.
• For more information, visit www.barnyardreview.wordpress.com and join the Tailgate Entertainer Facebook group! 

Today's guest is Shanae'a Moore. At only 23, her resumé eclipses her age. Shanae'a started in early life as a ballet dancer and expected that to be her career path. And injury changed her course, and eventually went on to study theater and drama. Her Mother was a drama teacher, so the process of simply growing up, Shanae'a was able to amass extensive theater credentials. Shanae'a graduated with a BFA from Sam Houston State University. She's mature beyond her years and doesn't fit the mold of how society thinks of millennials. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did!

In this episode, Shanae'a also discusses:

- Why she doesn't make plans

- What learning as much as you can, will do for your career

- Why writing a play is something she wants to do.....but not now

- How her "Social Justice, Warrior" personality can sabotage her

- Her secret to success! Let's just say, many people twice her age don't get this one

- The lessons she learned about connection from another actress and how it changed her

- The understated beauty and art that we miss every day

- Why she gets mistaken for a 14-year-old

- Why she coaches people more than twice her age

- Being around people her own age is difficult and why she avoids it as much as possible

- How just working on her is hard enough, so she's not stuck in the "competitive" phase of her career

- Strategies for "shutting off" in order to preserve her heart

- You are not your industry

- How her faith in God sustains her through tough times

- The world is so much bigger than music and art - it's a multi-verse, not a universe

You can connect with her website at:

www.shanaeamoore.com

Welcome! My guest today is Ken McMeans, an entertainer with many great stories to tell. Ken isn’t afraid to open up his life and his heart with total transparency so you can learn from his experiences. He has been in the entertainment industry for his entire life. He now performs and owns an entertainment company. Ken is a living example of someone who never quits, no matter what curve balls life throws at him. Join us!

What you’ll hear in Ken’s amazing life story:

• Ken grew up in a family of thoroughbred horse trainers in Washington, but spent his young adult years trying to get away from that to do something else.
• A creative writing teacher in high school awakened Ken’s interest in journalism and writing.
• He started playing guitar at age 17 and was enthralled by the country music scene.
• The bars and clubs he played, the record industry, and some harmful influences led to Ken’s drug problem.
• Through the 80’s, Ken was wheeling and dealing in the music industry, but became discouraged and left Hollywood in ’91 to enter rehab for his cocaine addiction.
• Interestingly, Ken joined the Screen Actors Guild and became a stunt rider and actor, doing small parts in over 200 movies and numerous TV shows.
• Even though acting provided his living for six years, it was not his passion; he knew there was “something else out there” for him.
• Ken, his brother, and a few friends put together a traveling cowboy comedy act to perform at small fairs.
• The popularity of his act exploded and soon he had multiple performing units traveling the fair circuit across the western US.
• Laugh with us as Ken shares a few of his “nightmare” stories about bad hires over the years!
• As a performer, Ken’s intention is to provide a “surprise” for every fair-goer around every corner.
• He loves interacting with kids and families and touching lives on a daily basis.
• Ken started playing music again a few years ago, and started his entertainment business because he saw the need to bring country and western artists to fairs.
• “My life is surreal in the last few years.”
• With a huge roster of artists, Ken’s company is now the largest country music agency in the western US.
• Later this year, Ken and his wife (The Stereo Chickens) will release a new album, produced by fellow artist/songwriter Travis Meadows.
• Ken’s advice for young performers:
• • No matter who you are, you’ll be playing fairs throughout your career.
  • Fairs are a gold mine for entertainment ideas.
• You can reach Ken and learn more at www.kenmcmeanspresents.com.

Welcome! Today’s guest is Steve Hamilton, aka Steve the Pretty Good. Steve is a magician originally from Prince George, BC, but is now a US citizen who lives near Seattle. Steve has performed his magic all over the globe and is very well-known in the fair industry. He is best known for his Flying Carpet! Let’s catch up with Steve!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Steve tells the story of the origin of his Flying Carpet,” necessity being the mother of invention.”
• After high school, Steve was a Marine and later worked as an EMT.
• Steve loves the left-brain/right brain component of magic.
• Steve started street performing with card tricks, which he calls “the best training for fair work.”
• A friend suggested that he go to China to do his show, even though it seemed impossible.
• His boss would not give him the time off to go to China, so after 25 years as a firefighter and paramedic, Steve turned in his resignation.
• Steve didn’t want to look back on his life with any regrets or questions like, “Could I make a living at magic?”
• Steve went to China and performed with over 80 performers from all over the world; it was amazing, inspirational, and scary at the same time.
• Steve shares the funny story of how his wife became involved in his magic show, even though she was at first adamantly against it.
• Steve shares about the loneliness of traveling the fair circuit when his wife isn’t able to travel with him.
• Steve’s worst gig ever? A small fair with a small stage where he and his wife attempted the “substitution trunk” act
• After 30 years, Steve still spends a great portion of his day saying, “How can I make my show better?”
• It takes skill to make the audience feel like a part of the show—to connect with them.
• How did Steve become known as “Steve the Pretty Good”? Listen in to find out!
• Steve’s advice to a younger person starting out in the industry? “Know the history of magic and appreciate your craft.”
• As a performer, you should always dress like you have somewhere better to go after the show. (i.e. dress better than the audience!)Dress like you respect your craft!
• Some younger performers are overconfident, which is a turnoff.
• Reach Steve at www.funnysteve.com or www.prettygoodmagic.com. 

Today’s guest is Washboard Willy, also known as Larry Hiskett. He is the person who changed the direction of my life and taught me some valuable lessons. Back in the mid-90’s, when I was learning to be a performer and run my business, I would run into him everywhere I went. He was a “Musical Mountain Man” and a wonderful entertainer. Join us!

Washboard Willy shares the following about his amazing life and work:

• Larry began working as a drummer in bars and clubs all over Kansas at age 15.
• In 1985, he worked as a landscape architect and a park planner in Colorado.
• He played in a band that specialized in German polka music!
• He had a motorcycle crash that paralyzed his girlfriend and sent him into therapy.
• He gave a 90-day notice and quit his job, and then discovered the washboard.
• He became obsessed with the instrument and modified it with all kinds of percussion instruments.
• Larry developed the Whiskett Rhythm Board, created his own musical tracks, and formed a band.
• Soon, he was invited to visit Japan in a Sister City program.
• A couple of years later, he was invited to go back to Japan for a 6-month visit and did a one-man show at a restaurant.
• The biggest challenge was figuring out how to connect with the children when he couldn’t speak their language.
• Find out how a few rhythm toys helped him bridge the gap and connect with children and their parents.
• When he returned to the US, he knew he wanted to give up his work in bars and clubs to become a children’s entertainer.
• He performed in preschools, schools, and ski schools around Colorado while still working as a landscape architect to supplement his income.
• Washboard Willy has been a musician for 50 years! He feels blessed and full of gratitude at what he gets to do.
• 80-90% of his revenue comes from the fair industry, even though younger entertainers have a negative view of the industry.
• Willy’s wife of 13 years has performed with him in the past, but now serves as his manager.
• He has teamed up with Lloyd Mabry to create “Lloyd and Willy,” which plays all kinds of music and musical comedy.
• Willy’s advice: “Stick to it. Don’t ever give up. Always look for opportunities.”
• Willy shares the story of moving his wagon around the Oregon State Fair and how he adapted and evolved his creative, fun, atmosphere at the fairgrounds.
• “Whatever you do, make it YOU. Don’t copy someone else.”
• Find Willy at www.washboardwilly.com or on Facebook at Willy’s Washboard Jamboree and at Lloyd and Willy.

Welcome! This is the first in the series of “Tailgate Talks,” designed to help artists who are working hard to further their careers and build better relationships with clients. Today, there is no guest to be interviewed; it’s just you and me. I’m taking this opportunity to share my 20+ years’ experience in what I’ve learned, even though I don’t consider myself a guru or one who has “arrived.” 

Today’s Topic: The Construction Zone

• This came from a recent highway trip that I took, encountering a large construction zone, an obstacle along the way.  The Construction Zones in life are where the work happens and where we grow as performers and people. None of us has “arrived” and we all run into bumps in the road along the path to where we are going.
• For example, I used to be scared to death to speak in front of people. My “road” became bumpy and I had to undergo “construction.” What did I do?
• • I tried Toastmasters International, but struggled to speak in front of peers.
  • I partnered with Junior Achievement, teaching junior high school students about business. I learned to overcome my fears, gave back to the community, and grew as a confident speaker.
• Remember, growth requires time, acquiring new tools, and accessing new materials. You’ll be able to look back and see why the “bumps” were there. Others are watching you go through your “Construction Zone.” How you handle yourself will define your character; your future and your bank account depend on your character growth.

Cody Beebe has an authentic sound and depth of soul to his music. Originally from the state of Washington, he received a civil engineering degree, but then decided to follow his heart to become a musician. He has since performed in 30 states and 5 foreign countries and is the creator of the band, Cody Beebe and the Crooks, along with a few others. He runs his own video production company and a metal print business. You might call him an artist and you might call him an entrepreneur; you would likely be correct on both counts! Join us!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why Cody said NO to civil engineering and following the inspiration from his uncle
• How the economic crisis pushed him onto the road with his music.
• How Cody got his band
• The best part of traveling on the road
• Cody shares a hilarious story of playing music in the bathroom of a hotel suite! It really happened!
• “Good impressions are critical!”
• Cody’s favorite song that he wrote
• Cody explains how Chinook Fest began and how it’s grown into the huge event that it is today.
• Cody's unique partnership with the Grandview School District
• Cody explains how artists have to create value before people will pay you for what you’re worth.
• The issues facing performers, like drugs and alcohol, can blow huge opportunities---and have done that for many.
• The thing talent buyers look for that will keep you out of the business
• “You don’t need to run through the wall; just keep pushing on it.”
• Find Cody at www.codybeebeandthecrooks.com. Find out more about Chinook Fest at www.chinookfest.com, and find Cody’s music on iTunes!

Welcome to our first guest episode! Roberto the Magnificent is an excellent performer who has been in the entertainment business for a long time. He started as a juggler at age 11, in 1981, and has now performed in fairs in 46 states! Roberto’s show includes interactive comedy with amazing stunts; he has opened for many well-known celebrities and artists and appeared on many TV shows. Let’s catch up with my friend, Roberto!

In this episode, you’ll hear the following:

• How he got his start at age 12!
• His first experience at "passing the hat"
• The best advice he got from his parents, regarding his unconventional career
• The Gentleman Jugglers
• Marriage to an entertainer is NOT easy! 
• During difficult times, Rob found therapy in his work
• Hear his story about falling during a New Zealand show and finishing the show despite a broken wrist!
• Rob has developed about 13 unique characters and themes
• “The greatest compliment is when a kid aspires to be just like me.”
• How Rob recommends getting started in the business
• “Part of learning is having things NOT go your way. Learn from mistakes and use them to your benefit.”
• Find Roberto at www.robertothemagnificent.com.

Welcome to our first episode! On this podcast, you will get a glimpse into the lives of some very talented and exciting people. You will meet some unusual artists and hear about the passion that drives them to do what they do.

Here’s what you can expect from this episode: 

• How this podcast received its name—from some of my favorite memories tailgating with other entertainers, sharing food, swapping stories, and forming friendships
• Where I come from in this industry—from designing, building, and performing in shows as an owner/operator of an entertainment company
• How you will hear from normal people who lead drastically abnormal lives, as jugglers, musicians, and hypnotists
• How the podcast will feature talent buyers who book corporate events and fairs in this industry
• “Tailgate Talks” will be a special feature of this podcast in which we address questions from you, the listener
• How we will tackle important business and financial issues unique to this industry
• Reach out to me! I would love to hear from you and know what you’d like to hear about on the show!