1883405620
Now That’s Bass

Advertise on podcast: Now That’s Bass

Rating
★★★★★
5
from
1 reviews
This podcast has
30 episodes
Language
English
Explicit
No
Date created
2026/03/07
Latest episode
2026/10/13
Average duration
62 min.
Release period
9 days

Description

Now That’s Bass is a podcast about the real world of professional bass playing. Hosted by bassist Pete Roythorne, the show features frank conversations with working bass players — touring musicians, session players, educators and gospel players — about what it actually takes to sustain a career in music. No fantasy. No gear flexing. Just the reality of the job. The podcast is also part of a personal mission. Just before Christmas Pete was made redundant. Approaching his 60th birthday, he decided it was time to stop talking about doing something serious with his bass playing and actually do it. So he’s getting back out into the bass world. Each episode features honest conversations with bass players who’ve built real careers — touring internationally, working in sessions, teaching thousands of students, and sustaining a life in music for decades. Along the way Pete asks the questions many musicians want answered: What does it actually take to make a living playing bass? How do you build a reputation? And how do you stay in the game long term? If you’re serious about bass — not just the instrument but the long game of being a musician — this podcast is for you.

Unlock Now That’s Bass podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details

Email contact information

Direct podcast contact details

Listeners

Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details

Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Now That’s Bass podcast


How Richard Jones Got the Bryan Adams Gig — and Kept Getting Called Back
2026/10/13
What would you do if Bryan Adams called and gave you six days to learn his arena set? Richard Jones nearly said no. In this episode, The Feeling bassist explains how he tackled the challenge—and what years of gigs, setbacks and unexpected opportunities taught him about earning a living in music. Richard joins Pete Roythorne to explore why having your own sound can make you the right person for a gig, how a working rhythm section helped him land Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s audition, and why he temporarily stepped away from her band when their relationship began. There are practical lessons in learning songs quickly, building musical chemistry and recognising the value of gigs that appear to go nowhere. Richard also tells the story of the “Sewn” demo that survived an expensive studio remake, and makes the case for keeping live bass players onstage. In this conversation:• What ten shows a week taught The Feeling about playing together.• The value of learning by ear—and why Richard still wishes he could sight-read.• How Spike Stent helped preserve the performance behind “Sewn”.• Why an individual sound matters when people decide who to hire.• Preparing for Bryan Adams: manageable practice blocks, the hardest songs first and getting off the page.• Saying yes to a frightening opportunity without letting the next gig consume your time off. Follow Now That’s Bass for more honest conversations about working lives in music. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating on Spotify or a rating and review on Apple Podcasts—and share it with a musician who would find it useful. CHAPTERS00:00 Richard Jones: a working life in bass01:00 The Millennium Falcon bass story05:22 Finding bass—and your place in a band13:54 How bass shapes the whole arrangement19:10 What you lose when bass goes on track21:31 Music school, ear skills and real work27:36 How a covers gig built The Feeling32:28 The edge that won Sophie’s audition38:48 Hearing the hit inside the demo44:29 Why Richard stepped out of Sophie’s band49:52 Why the “Sewn” demo beat the remake53:10 Finding the sound that gets you hired1:02:42 The call from Bryan Adams1:08:25 Learning an arena set in six days1:18:00 Stop letting the next gig consume you
How I Got the James Blunt Gig — And Kept It for 18 Years | John Garrison
2026/10/05
What does it actually take to build — and sustain — a career as a professional bass player? John Garrison has spent 18 years playing bass with James Blunt and has recorded with artists including Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran, Christina Aguilera, Josh Groban, Passenger and Benson Boone. But his route into that world wasn't built around sight-reading, virtuosity or chasing the spotlight. In fact, John can't read music. Chapters for easy navigation 00:17 John Garrison: 18 Years at the Top03:46 How John Accidentally Became a Bass Player06:52 The Roadie Who Helped Launch His Career11:14 From Aspiring Artist to Professional Bass Player15:38 How John Landed the James Blunt Gig19:34 What Keeps You Hired for 18 Years?22:09 Learning to Serve the Artist — Not Your Ego26:28 Why Major Producers Keep Calling John31:58 Inside Lewis Capaldi's “Forget Me”36:53 Why the Notes Are Only 30% of the Job42:25 The Extra Skills That Get Bass Players Hired45:23 What Great Players Get Wrong About Building a Career51:43 Glastonbury, Jay-Z and Life at the Top55:06 Peter Gabriel, Kylie Minogue and a Very Surreal Dinner57:06 The Bass That Ended Up on Arctic Monkeys' Debut In this episode of Now That's Bass, John explains why being able to play is simply the starting point — and why speed, musical judgement, preparation, backing vocals, versatility and being someone other musicians actually want to spend time with can matter just as much. We get inside the session for Lewis Capaldi's “Forget Me”, including why John had to re-record the bass part on a different 1970s Precision before discovering it was about to become the first single. John also reveals how he can turn around major-label bass sessions in less than an hour, why being a songwriter changed the way he approaches bass, and why his younger self had to learn that playing 23 notes a second wasn't necessarily going to get him hired. We also talk about the unexpected “beer test” that helped him land the James Blunt gig, the challenge of moving from frontman to sideman, surviving 18 years on the road with the same artist, social-media comparison, ego, work ethic — and the question every aspiring professional musician should ask: Would the rest of the band actually want to have a coffee with you on the day off? Plus: playing Glastonbury with James Blunt, getting applauded by Jay-Z, asking Kylie Minogue to pass the HP Sauce, accidentally lending his bass to the Arctic Monkeys — and the two bass lines John believes players should spend some time with. If you're trying to turn being a good bass player into actually getting hired, there's a lot in this one. Now That's Bass — honest conversations about bass playing, careers and what it really takes to make a living in music.
Nick Owen on the Bass Centre, Gary Barlow and Vintage Bass Bargains
2026/09/28
Nick Owen spent ten years at London’s Bass Centre during an era when it brought together bass players from around the world. He remembers the famous names who passed through, the clinics, the unlikely encounters and, above all, the community that formed around a shop where people could try an instrument and talk to someone who knew it inside out. What did working there teach him about basses and the people who play them? And could a place like that exist again? Chapter guide 00:00:00 Nick Owen’s Unusual Bass Career00:05:46 Inside the Bass Centre00:15:25 Clinics and Bass Centre Legends00:23:06 From a Dep Gig to Sway00:29:11 The Jeff Beck Audition00:41:17 Music and the London Taxi00:48:11 Basses Kept, Sold and Remembered00:59:37 What Nick Would Do Differently Nick’s story goes well beyond the counter. He talks about the dep that led to nearly 30 years with Sway, work with Ronan Keating, Gary Barlow, Bonnie Tyler and Dirty Vegas, a daunting Jeff Beck audition, and the complicated freedom of driving a London taxi alongside a playing career. The final part is a treat for gear lovers. Nick discusses the basses he misses, the boutique instruments that left him cold, and what years of handling vintage Fenders taught him about judging an old bass on more than its age or price. If you visited the Bass Centre, we’d love to hear your memories.
Guy Pratt: Pink Floyd, Madonna & the Truth About Making It as a Bass Player
2026/09/23
Guy Pratt has played bass with Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Bryan Ferry, Robert Palmer and some of the biggest names in music. But behind that extraordinary CV is a much more interesting story about confidence, instinct, relationships — and what it actually takes to survive for decades as a professional musician. In this episode of Now That's Bass, Guy talks candidly about the imposter syndrome he felt working alongside the world's elite session musicians, why Bernard Edwards asking for him still seems extraordinary, and why being good in the room may have been as important to his career as being good on the bass. Want to jump to the cool stuff? 00:34 Why bell ringing got Guy more press than playing bass03:22 How Guy first found the bass07:29 Learning by ear and making music without reading09:56 When playing bass became a possible career11:32 The first jobs: making a living with no plan B20:49 Why people kept calling Guy back23:40 Does imposter syndrome ever go away?26:31 What Bernard Edwards meant to Guy32:00 From band member to session player35:13 Murder on the Dancefloor and the bass line you barely notice37:08 Guy’s process for creating a bass part40:34 Has the music business become harder for working players?43:38 What Guy would tell his younger self about a music career47:38 The relationships that disappear between tours49:32 How to handle life when a tour ends51:22 Bass lines Guy wishes he’d written54:35 The bass part Guy is proudest of56:28 The bass players who give Guy stage fright58:47 How Guy became a stand-up storyteller1:01:43 Recording with Robbie Robertson1:04:41 The time Michael Jackson hid in the studio1:07:21 One bass line every player should learn Still want to read more... We get into how Guy actually creates bass parts in the studio, why he sometimes starts with absolutely no idea what to play, the 17-minute session that produced his bass part on Murder on the Dancefloor, and why he believes a great bass player can sometimes be like a great waiter: you barely notice them, but everything gets done. Guy also reflects on an industry that has changed almost beyond recognition. He explains why the music business may look bleak while opportunities for working players aren't necessarily as bad as they appear, why personal relationships matter so much to making great music, and the huge amount of downtime that nobody sees behind a successful touring career. Plus: playing with Bernard Edwards, being wound up by David Gilmour before a Pink Floyd bass solo, recording Earth Song and Like a Prayer, working with Robbie Robertson, the bass lines he wishes he'd written — and why bell ringing has somehow generated more media attention than almost anything else he's done. Subscribe to Now That's Bass for honest conversations with professional bass players about playing, careers and what it really takes to make a life in music. #GuyPratt #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #PinkFloyd #DavidGilmour #NowThatsBass #madonna
“Playing Music Shouldn’t Feel Like Work” | Nathan Mays on Music, Burnout & Finding a Better Way
2026/09/11
What happens when the career you spent years building starts taking away the thing you loved about music in the first place? Nathan Mays has been playing bass for more than 23 years, working across country, variety bands, musical theatre and more experimental music while also studying music composition to Master's level. But after years of gigging, Nathan found himself becoming increasingly disillusioned with the professional music scene. Music was becoming a job — and, in his words, "playing music shouldn't feel like work." So he stepped back. Today, Nathan's focus is increasingly on music education, where his experiences as a player, composer and teacher have come together in his own approach to learning bass: Feel, Form and Function. In this episode of Now That's Bass, we talk about: • Why Nathan stepped away from the professional music grind • The darker side of the music world that musicians don't always talk about • What real gigs teach you that music school can't • Why chops don't matter if you can't actually do the job • The problem with collecting information instead of actually learning • Why so many bass players practise without a target • Whether "feel" can really be taught • Why pocket changes depending on the music you're playing • Nathan's Feel, Form and Function approach to bass • Why recording yourself could transform your practice • The problem with cookie-cutter music education • Why young musicians need to learn to take criticism • And why Nathan thinks every bass player should learn "Chameleon" It's a conversation about bass, but also about something bigger: what happens when your definition of being a successful musician changes. If you enjoy honest conversations about the realities of building a life around the bass — not just gear and chops — subscribe to Now That's Bass for more interviews with working bass players, educators and musicians. #NowThatsBass #NathanMays #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #BassLessons #BassEducation #MusicEducation #BassPractice #WorkingMusician #BassPlayers
“They Made Me an Offer I Couldn’t Refuse” | Morgan Nicholls on Muse, Gorillaz & 30 Years of Saying Yes
2026/08/28
Morgan Nicholls has built the kind of music career that's almost impossible to plan. From starting out with Senseless Things to playing with The Streets, Gorillaz and ultimately spending 15 years onstage with Muse, Morgan's story is one of versatility, relationships, being in the right place at the right time — and being ready when the phone rings. In this episode of Now That's Bass, Morgan talks about being "relegated" from guitar to bass, learning his craft through relentless gigging, discovering the bi-amped bass sound that changed his playing, and the phone call that gave him just days to learn a Muse set after Chris Wolstenholme broke his wrist. We also get into his first terrifying Muse show, how a temporary bass dep turned into 15 years with the band, the chaos of early gigs with The Streets, performing with Gorillaz, and why getting on with people may be one of the most important skills a professional musician can have. Morgan also shares what he wishes he'd learned when he was younger, the bass lines that influenced him, the instrument he'll never sell — and somehow we end up with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elton John and a packet of Old El Paso tacos. A brilliant conversation about longevity, adaptability and building a life in music without ever really having a master plan. In this episode: Being "relegated" from guitar to bass 150 gigs a year with Senseless Things Why Live at Leeds changed Morgan's approach to bass Finding his bi-amped bass sound The unexpected call from Muse Learning Chris Wolstenholme's bass parts in days What went wrong during Morgan's first Muse show How a temporary dep became 15 years with Muse Playing with Gorillaz and The Streets Why personality matters on tour The importance of treating the crew as part of the band What Morgan wishes he'd learned when he was younger Glastonbury, Arnold Schwarzenegger and tacos at Elton John's house #MorganNicholls #Muse #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #NowThatsBass #Gorillaz #TheStreets #SenselessThings #ChrisWolstenholme #BassPlayers #ProfessionalMusician #TouringMusician #SessionMusician #MusicPodcast #BassPodcast #MusicianLife #BassCommunity #BassGuitarist #BritishMusic #MusicIndustry
“Bass and Drums Aren’t Two Instruments… They’re One” | Smiley Barnard | The Rhythm Section
2026/08/19
The Rhythm Section: Smiley Barnard What do bass players look like from the other side of the drum kit? Welcome to The Rhythm Section, an occasional Now That’s Bass series where I turn the tables and talk to drummers about the bass players they’ve worked with, what makes a great rhythm section — and what bass players can do to make drummers love playing with them. And there aren't many better people to start with than Steve “Smiley” Barnard. Smiley's career has seen him play with Robbie Williams, Joe Strummer, The Alarm, The Boomtown Rats, From The Jam, Archive and The Stranglers — putting him alongside an extraordinary list of bass players including Jean-Jacques Burnel, Bruce Foxton, Pete Briquette, Derek Forbes, Jonathan Noyce, Tony Visconti, Yolanda Charles, Dale Davis, Lee Pomeroy, Matt Round and many more. We talk about what separates the truly great bass players, why Smiley believes you can tell whether a bassist can play within the first five bars, and why feel, space and personality matter far more than showing everyone how clever you are. Smiley also explains why playing with a Chaka Khan bassist taught him to stop playing drum fills, why Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr may be the ultimate rhythm section, why Adam Clayton deserves far more respect — and why the bass player is the “pivotal glue” that completes a track. Plus: J.J. Burnel, Bruce Foxton, James Jamerson, Sting, Mani, Tina Weymouth, Joe Strummer, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, U2, The Beatles and the perils of musicians who simply won't stop playing between songs. This is The Rhythm Section — bass players, seen from the drummer's seat. #NowThatsBass #TheRhythmSection #BassPlayer #BassGuitar #Drummer #RhythmSection #BassPlayers #Drummers #Musicians #PaulMcCartney #RingoStarr #AdamClayton #TheStranglers #JoeStrummer #TheAlarm #robbiewilliams
“You Can’t Just Be a Bass Player” | Marcel Pusey on Building a Life in Music
2026/08/15
Bass player, composer, producer, educator and music entrepreneur Marcel Pusey has built the kind of career that rarely gets talked about enough. Rather than relying on one gig, one band or one big break, Marcel has spent decades creating a sustainable life around music — performing with Bassistry, composing for television and media, developing music education programmes, working in music technology and taking his work around the world. In this episode of Now That’s Bass, Marcel talks about starting out playing rock and learning largely by ear, blagging his way through reading gigs, discovering jazz and fusion, and finding his place in London's music scene. But the bigger story is how he learned to make music pay without giving up the music he actually wanted to make. We talk about why jam nights were crucial to building his network, why musicians need to understand the business side of their careers, the importance of creating multiple income streams — and what happened when Marcel said yes to opportunities he wasn't entirely sure he was ready for. There’s also a gloriously painful story involving an orchestra, a piece in 7/8 and the moment his sight-reading bluff was very publicly called. In this episode: Why learning music by ear remains such an important skill What old-school learning gave musicians that YouTube sometimes doesn't How jam nights helped Marcel build his career Why networking works best when it doesn't feel like networking Creating multiple income streams as a working musician Why your band doesn't necessarily have to make money to be valuable The business skills musicians often overlook Saying yes before you're completely ready Dealing with imposter syndrome Why getting something wrong can still move your career forward Marcel's advice to young musicians: go for the goal, but stay flexible If you're trying to build a sustainable career around playing music rather than simply waiting for the perfect gig to arrive, there's a lot in this conversation. #NowThatsBass #MarcelPusey #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #BassPlayers #BassCommunity #WorkingMusician #ProfessionalMusician #MusicCareer #MusicBusiness #SessionMusician #BassLife #MusicianLife #MusicEducation #Bassistry
“Nobody Cares About Your Degree” | Philip Mann on What Actually Gets Bass Players Hired
2026/08/10
What actually gets a bass player hired — qualifications, chops, contacts, versatility… or something else entirely? Philip Mann has spent nearly 30 years building a career across performance, education and publishing. He studied with Jeff Berlin, has worked with artists including Van Morrison, Leo Sayer and Billy Bragg, performed in West End shows, written extensively for the bass press and developed his own With Bass In Mind educational platform. But in this conversation, Philip is refreshingly candid about what he believes actually matters if you want to make a living from music. We talk about why collecting qualifications doesn't automatically make you employable, how studying with Jeff Berlin completely changed Philip's approach to the instrument, and why bass players can spend 90% of their practice time working on the 10% they'll rarely use professionally. Philip also explains why getting older doesn't necessarily mean fewer opportunities — but it may mean understanding where you now fit in the industry — and why a sustainable music career increasingly means developing multiple income streams. We get into the reality of competition for professional gigs, networking without manipulation, using social media strategically, the importance of investing in the right skills, and why relationships matter more than many musicians realise. And to finish, Philip makes the case for one of Britain's most underrated bass players: Queen's John Deacon — and explains why every bassist should take a closer look at "Killer Queen." In this episode: • Why Philip originally picked up the bass out of "100% jealousy" • Studying with Jeff Berlin and why it transformed his career • Why qualifications alone won't get you hired • Practising the 90% you're actually going to use • Why professional bass playing is about serving the song • Building relationships and putting yourself in the right rooms • Getting older — and finding the gigs that fit you now • Why musicians need a portfolio career • Is there really less work, or simply more competition? • Using social media to show people what you can do • The career decisions Philip would change if he were 20 again • Why maintaining relationships matters • John Deacon, "Killer Queen" and playing the right notes at the right time If you're trying to become a better bass player — or work out how to build a career around playing music — there's a huge amount to take away from this conversation. Let me know in the comments: what's the biggest lesson you've learned about getting — and keeping — gigs? #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #PhilipMann #MusicCareer #ProfessionalMusician #BassLessons #NowThatsBass
The Bass Found Me | Dan Hawkins on Building a Life in Music, Teaching & Never Stopping Learning
2026/08/03
What does a sustainable career as a professional bassist really look like? In this episode of Now That's Bass, Pete sits down with bassist, educator and online creator Dan Hawkins to explore the journey from an 11-year-old schoolboy discovering the bass to performing in the West End, touring with major artists and teaching thousands of bass players around the world. Dan shares how incredible teachers shaped his playing, why reading music opened doors throughout his career, and how adapting to technology helped him build a successful online business without ever losing his love of performing. They also dive into practice, motivation, overcoming plateaus, balancing family life with music and why the best bass players never stop learning. Whether you're an aspiring professional, a weekend player or somewhere in between, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest insight. In this episode: How one music teacher completely changed Dan's life Getting Grade 8 bass in just two years Learning from West End session musicians Why reading music still matters Following a professional bassist for work experience Building a career through teaching, sessions and live work Playing Les Mis, Martha Reeves and Katie Melua Creating a successful online bass business Why deliberate practice beats endless noodling The biggest mistakes bass players make when learning Life after moving from London to Singapore The importance of adapting your career over time If you enjoy these conversations with professional bass players, please Like, Subscribe and share the episode. It really helps the channel grow. #bass #bassplayer #bassguitar #musician #musiccareer #basslesson #basspractice #musiceducation #danhawkins #nowthatsbass
The Secret Isn't Talent, It's Consistency | Jimmy Sims on building a lasting bass career
2026/07/27
Everyone talks about getting "the big break." Jimmy Sims doesn't believe it exists. Having toured and recorded with artists including George Ezra, Brian Ferry, Amy Macdonald, Mika and Dido, Jimmy has built one of the UK's most respected freelance bass careers—not through luck alone, but through years of quietly building relationships, saying yes to opportunities and constantly improving his craft. In this episode Jimmy shares what touring is really like, why community matters more than networking, how the legendary Bass Centre helped launch his career, and why being a professional musician is often about handling the uncomfortable moments rather than the glamorous ones. If you're trying to build a sustainable career as a bass player—or as any musician—this conversation is packed with practical wisdom. In this episode we discuss: Building a career without a single "big break" How the Bass Centre became Jimmy's music college Touring with Mika, Brian Ferry and Amy Macdonald Why community beats networking The realities of life on tour Mental health and looking after yourself on the road Why versatility creates opportunities How to become the musician people recommend Learning theory without losing your creativity Why every rejection is simply another brick in the wall 🎸 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the world's best bass players. #NowThatsBass #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #MusicianLife #SessionMusician #TouringMusician #MusicCareer #BassCommunity #JimmySims #GeorgeEzra #BrianFerry #AmyMacdonald #Mika #Dido
Nobody Owes You a Gig | Chris Horrocks on Building a Modern Bass Career
2026/07/20
What does it actually mean to be a professional bass player in 2026? Chris Horrocks (That Guy On Bass) joins Pete to talk honestly about building a sustainable music career that combines session work, weddings, content creation, YouTube and podcasting. From getting made redundant and deciding to go all-in on music, to balancing gigs with running a successful business, Chris shares a refreshingly realistic look at life as a modern working bassist. Along the way they discuss networking, soft skills, learning songs without charts, social media, tone chasing, content creation and why simply being someone people enjoy working with is often more valuable than being the flashiest player in the room. Whether you're an aspiring session musician, weekend gigger or full-time pro, this episode is packed with practical advice that every bassist can use. In this episode: Chris's journey from guitarist to professional bassist Why redundancy became the best thing that ever happened The realities of today's wedding and function scene Why soft skills matter more than technical ability Building multiple income streams as a musician Content creation vs live performance Learning songs without charts Why audiences don't care about perfect note-for-note covers Tone chasing—and why Chris is trying to stop Advice for younger musicians The one song every bassist should learn If you enjoy these conversations, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share. #bass #bassplayer #bassguitar #sessionmusician #thatguyonbass #inthepocketpodcast #musician #musiccareer #basspodcast #nowthatsbass
From Postman to Paul Weller | Andy Lewis on saying yes to everything
2026/07/08
Most musicians spend years trying to plan the perfect career. Andy Lewis did something different. From discovering bass through Mod music, soul and funk... to becoming Paul Weller's bassist almost by accident... to building a hugely varied career as a producer, DJ and songwriter, Andy's story is a masterclass in following opportunities rather than chasing status. In this episode of Now That's Bass, Andy talks about learning by ear, why groove matters more than technique, the emotional side of music, life inside Paul Weller's band, and why saying "yes" has opened more doors than any long-term career plan ever could. This is a fascinating conversation about musicianship, creativity and building a life in music that lasts. In this episode we discuss: How Andy first discovered bass guitar Why listening is more important than reading TAB Learning music by ear The relationship between bass and drums How DJing shaped his understanding of groove The unexpected journey into Paul Weller's band Life touring at the highest level Producing records after Weller Why emotion always beats technical perfection Advice for young bass players The importance of staying curious The bass players everyone should study If you enjoy conversations about bass, musicianship and building a career in music, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share. #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #PaulWeller #AndyLewis #NowThatsBass #MusicPodcast #BassPlayers #Groove #MusicCareer #Producer #SoulMusic #FunkMusic #Mod #NorthernSoul
How Bass Players ACTUALLY Build Careers in 2026 | Jenn McCarron (Savage Fridays)
2026/06/26
In this episode of Now That's Bass, Pete Roythorne sits down with bassist, producer, creator and Savage Fridays founder Jenn McCarron to explore what it really means to build a music career in 2026. After years touring with bands, Jenn stepped into the corporate world before making the bold decision to return to music full-time. Today she's built one of the fastest-growing bass channels on YouTube while producing music, creating content and proving that modern musicians don't have to wait for opportunities—they can create them. This isn't just a conversation about bass playing. It's about creativity, resilience, entrepreneurship and finding your own voice in an industry that's changing faster than ever. Whether you're an aspiring professional bassist, a content creator, or simply trying to build a career doing what you love, Jenn shares honest advice, practical lessons and plenty of inspiration from her own journey. In this episode we discuss: Jenn's unconventional journey into bass guitar Why she left touring for corporate life—and why she came back Building a career through YouTube and the creator economy Why consistency beats perfection The importance of finding your own musical voice Touring versus creating content Learning from criticism instead of fearing it Why community matters more than follower counts Balancing creativity with earning a living Multiple income streams for today's musicians Why every musician should stop waiting for opportunities and start creating them If you're serious about building a career in music, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 👍 If you enjoy the conversation, please like the video, subscribe to the channel and let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments. About Jenn McCarron Jenn McCarron is a bassist, producer, songwriter and content creator best known for her growing Savage Fridays YouTube channel, where she shares bass demos, music production insights, gear reviews and honest conversations about life as a modern musician. Subscribe for more interviews with great bass players. #bass #bassguitar #bassplayer #musiccareer #musician #creator #youtubecreator #musicindustry #basscommunity #savagefridays
I Almost Didn't Get the Amy Winehouse Gig: Dale Davis on Persistence, Bass & Finding Your Own Sound
2026/06/20
Dale Davis is one of the UK's most respected bass players, best known as the bassist and musical director behind the Amy Winehouse Band. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Dale has worked with artists including Paul Young, Tina Turner, Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), Freak Power and many more.   Chapters 02:23 Where did your bass journey start? 05:37 Northern soul influence 10:08 Working with Paul Young 13:27 The Amy Wnehouse Gig 17:35 Beats International 19:29 Where the opportunities came from 20:34 The Hofner relationship 27:14 Finding your own sound 30:39 Did you ever have a plan B? 31:54 Where should people focus their attention to get more gigs? 34:16 Advice to the young Dale? 39:11 One bass line to rule them all?   In this episode of Now That's Bass, Dale shares the remarkable story of how a love of Northern Soul, relentless gigging, and trusting his own musical instincts helped shape a career that has taken him from local pubs in Reading to stages around the world. We discuss finding your own voice as a bass player, why playing with people matters more than practising alone, the importance of perseverance, how he landed the Amy Winehouse gig, and why he believes making mistakes is one of the most valuable parts of becoming a musician. Whether you're a beginner, aspiring professional, or simply love hearing how great musicians built their careers, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration. In this episode: • How Dale discovered bass after seeing Danny Thompson live • Growing up on Mod, Northern Soul and classic rock • The importance of saying yes to gigs early on • Why playing with people accelerates your development • Building a unique sound instead of copying others • Working with Norman Cook, Freak Power and Paul Young • Getting the Amy Winehouse gig (after initially not getting it!) • The role of perseverance in a music career • Why mistakes can be your greatest teacher • Advice Dale would give to his younger self • Learning by ear versus formal music education • The bass lines and players that shaped his approach If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and share it with another bass player. #NowThatsBass #BassPlayer #BassGuitar #AmyWinehouse #DaleDavis #SessionMusician #BassLessons #MusicCareer #BassCommunity #MusiciansLife

Podcast reviews

Read Now That’s Bass podcast reviews


5 out of 5
1 reviews

Podcast sponsorship advertising

Start advertising on Now That’s Bass relevant audience podcasts


What do you want to promote?