{"id":51352,"date":"2025-06-16T06:00:05","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T13:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/?p=51352"},"modified":"2025-06-16T09:35:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T16:35:59","slug":"gary-shea-of-new-england-alcatrazz-shares-business-lessons-from-his-new-book","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/2025\/06\/gary-shea-of-new-england-alcatrazz-shares-business-lessons-from-his-new-book\/","title":{"rendered":"Gary Shea of New England &#038; Alcatrazz Shares Business Lessons from His New Book"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Gary Shea of New England &amp; Alcatrazz Shares Business Lessons from His New Book\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OT7ew4-quXE?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h1 class=\"style-scope ytd-watch-metadata\">Bassist Gary Shea has led a long career performing in 17 countries and recording music around the world.<\/h1>\n<p>Episode 645: An outstanding account of the music business, A riveting story of determination and focus, Musical teenage dream come true, Against all odds musical ups and downs, Defying logic following your heart, Climbing the musical ladder of success, Fearless journey on the road to stardom, (You won\u2019t read about the heads of chickens being bitten off or mounds of drugs being snorted from the naked bodies of sweaty groupies. No, what you will read about on these pages is the deep and intense journey into the very heart of rock and roll and what it takes to come out the other side. Gary Shea took that ride and has survived to tell his thrilling tale and there is no need for embellishment nor hyperbole\u2014the truth is more unbelievable than fiction.<\/p>\n<p>Gary is the bassist and co-founder of New England and Alcatrazz, two bands that burned very brightly during the late \u201870s and early \u201880s. Along the way, Shea walked amongst giants including Steve Vai, Paul Stanley, Todd Rundgren, Yngwie Malmsteen and a slew of others. He guides us through the machinations, madness and magic of the music world, beginning with his early fascination for bass players and rock and running all the way through to standing on big stages in big arenas in front of big crowds. For every step forward, the industry took two bites of his soul but owing to perseverance, passion and no little amount of pigheadedness, he endured and now reveals all his secrets. No Bass, No Party: Sketches of My Life in Music are masterfully told stories of what lies in the corners and \u2018neath the bright lights of the music business. A rock and roll memoir you must read.<\/p>\n<p>Bassist Gary Shea has led a long career performing in 17 countries and recording music around the world. He is a founding member of two iconic groups, New England and Alcatrazz, with gold and platinum records to his credit.<\/p>\n<p>From his high school days growing up in Connecticut to the present, he has seen the over, under, and sideways aspects of the music business. This is his story as he tells of his love for music and the trials and tribulations of playing with some of the top muscians and producers in the major leagues of rock.<\/p>\n<p>He currently resides on Amelia Island, Florida where he is active in music production and writing. Gary is a father and a grandfather. Aside from music he loves to travel. He and his wife Caren have just completed a trip to the Antarctic Peninsula beginning in Santiago, Chile and returning through Buenos Aires, Argentina.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">Visit: No Bass No Party <\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/a.co\/d\/7dnJNLf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/a.co\/d\/7dnJNLf<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">Download Jay Gilbert\u2019s Release Planner. &#8211; <\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/39EDAyD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/bit.ly\/39EDAyD<\/a><br \/>\n<\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">Download Michael Brandvold Release Checklists. &#8211; <\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3ue9X0m\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/bit.ly\/3ue9X0m<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Our Sponsors:<br \/>\n\u2022 Music Biz Weekly podcast listeners can go to <a href=\"https:\/\/bandzoogle.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bandzoogle.com<\/a> to try it free for 30 days, and use the promo code \u201cmusicbizweekly\u201d to get 15% off the first year of any subscription.<br \/>\n\u2022 Get free shipping on CD orders of 100+ from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discmakers.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DiscMakers.com<\/a> with code FREEBIZ (up to a $150 value!).<br \/>\n\u2022 Visit Hypebot for music business news and insights. www.Hypebot.com<br \/>\n\u2022 Visit Bandsintown to manage your tour dates and communicate with your fans. www.Bandsintown.com<\/p>\n<p>If you are interested in speaking with Michael about what he can do to assist with marketing needs\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/contact-michael-brandvold-marketing\/\">message him with the contact form.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you like the podcast I ask that you visit iTunes and please Rate &amp; Review The Music Biz Weekly podcast. h<a href=\"http:\/\/smarturl.it\/musicbiz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ttp:\/\/smarturl.it\/musicbiz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For all discussions, training, tips and tricks related to music marketing don&#8217;t miss any episode of The Music Biz Weekly Podcast.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"Download The Music Biz Weekly from iTunes\" href=\"http:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/michael-brandvold-music-marketing\/id400401604\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Download The Music Biz Weekly Podcast from iTunes.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/show\/the-music-biz-weekly_1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Listen to The Music Biz Weekly Podcast on Spreaker.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/michaelbrandvoldmarketing\/sets\/the-music-biz-weekly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Listen to The Music Biz Weekly Podcast on SoundCloud.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Please rate and review The Music Biz Weekly Podcast on iTunes.\" href=\"http:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/michael-brandvold-music-marketing\/id400401604\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Visit iTunes and please Rate &amp; Review The Music Biz Weekly.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Music Biz Weekly Podcast Facebook Page\" href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/musicbizweekly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Visit The Music Biz Weekly Podcast on Facebook.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Follow Michael on Twitter:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/michaelsb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/michaelsb<\/a><br \/>\nFollow Jay on Twitter:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/labellogic1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/labellogic1<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Michael Brandvold is a freelance music industry consultant based in Northern California. Having launched Michael Brandvold Marketing to leverage his years of experience to provide direction to large and small clients in the areas of online &amp; social marketing as well as e-commerce and customer acquisition and retention.<\/p>\n<p>Gene Simmons of KISS first tapped Michael&#8217;s skills as a pioneering online marketing strategist to launch and manage all aspects of Kissonline.com&#8217;s multi-million dollar enterprise, including their ground-breaking VIP ticket program.<\/p>\n<p>Michael has also managed the online efforts for KISS, ACCEPT, SOiL, Tantric, Killer Dwarfs, Dream Theater, Little Caesar, Narada Michael Walden, Motley Cr\u00fce, Rod Stewart, Madonna, Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna and Britney Spears to name only a few.<\/p>\n<p>If you are interested in speaking with Michael about what he can do to assist with your marketing needs contact him online at<\/p>\n<p>email: me (at) mikebrandvold.com<\/p>\n<p>website: www.MichaelBrandvold.com<\/p>\n<p>&#8212;-<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>As a teenager in the Pacific Northwest, Jay smuggled his Canon F-1 into rock concerts to get the perfect shot of the likes of Van Halen, Queen and Cheap Trick. After college, he toured as a musician gaining invaluable experience in what it takes to create and promote an album. He later translated that knowledge as an executive with Universal, Sony and Warner Music Groups.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>He moved to San Francisco and finally to Los Angeles for Universal Music where he worked for 18 years, most recently as VP New Media and Online Marketing for Universal Music Enterprises.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Jay has been on the cutting edge of Digital Sales &amp; Marketing with Universal, Starbucks Entertainment, Fox and Warner Music. It is this unique perspective as a musician, music executive, and fan that makes Jay\u2018s approach to Digital Strategy and Online Marketing so artist-friendly.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Jay co-founded Label Service company LABEL LOGIC and also works with clients as an independent consultant. He publishes a weekly industry news email called Your Morning Coffee. Subscribe here:\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s3\"><i>email: <\/i><a href=\"mailto:jay@jaygilbertconsulting.com\"><span class=\"s2\"><i>jay@jaygilbertconsulting.com<\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s3\"><i>Website:\u00a0<\/i><a href=\"http:\/\/www.jaygilbertconsulting.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\"><i>http:\/\/www.jaygilbertconsulting.com<\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_5697\"><!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-51352-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/musicbizweekly\/www.michaelbrandvold.com\/audio\/musicbiz\/645-061625musicbizweekly.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/musicbizweekly\/www.michaelbrandvold.com\/audio\/musicbiz\/645-061625musicbizweekly.mp3\">https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/musicbizweekly\/www.michaelbrandvold.com\/audio\/musicbiz\/645-061625musicbizweekly.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/musicbizweekly\/www.michaelbrandvold.com\/audio\/musicbiz\/645-061625musicbizweekly.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/?powerpress_pinw=51352-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/musicbizweekly\/www.michaelbrandvold.com\/audio\/musicbiz\/645-061625musicbizweekly.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"645-061625musicbizweekly.mp3\">Download<\/a><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a><\/p><!--powerpress_player-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bassist Gary Shea has led a long career performing in 17 countries and recording music around the world. Episode 645: An outstanding account of the music business, A riveting story of determination and focus, Musical teenage dream come true, Against all odds musical ups and downs, Defying logic following your heart, Climbing the musical ladder [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1209,"featured_media":51353,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[371,28,769,12,277],"tags":[1320,3647,2347,3730,3192,3421,2628,2530,913,712,2316,3847,2526,2013,3215,2130,3266,3183,3504,2692,855,1424,877,3341,3818,2708,2261,636,470,2915,2391,2467,2733,3475,2396,2693,2694,2695,587,2505,768,686,25,2362,2724,2603,3763,3846,2723,346,3184,2002,2401,3687,980,3395,200,31,668],"class_list":["post-51352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-audio","category-marketing","category-music-biz-weekly-podcast","category-music-marketing-2","category-videos","tag-acquire-fans","tag-ad-platform","tag-album-release-strategy","tag-alcatrazz","tag-artist-relations","tag-band-management","tag-band-merchandise","tag-bandsintown","tag-bandzoogle","tag-branding","tag-building-a-fan-base","tag-business-lessons","tag-connect-with-your-fans","tag-crowdfunding","tag-crowdfunding-platforms","tag-defining-fan-value","tag-digital-asset","tag-digital-marketing","tag-discmakers","tag-diy-music-marketing","tag-e-commerce","tag-fan-club","tag-fan-connection","tag-finances","tag-gary-shea","tag-help-with-your-online-strategy","tag-how-to-monetize-your-content","tag-hypebot","tag-interviews","tag-jay-gilbert","tag-marketing-industry","tag-marketing-interest","tag-marketing-plan","tag-marketing-team","tag-marketing-your-music","tag-marketing-your-music-online","tag-marketing-your-music-video","tag-marketing-your-own-music","tag-michael-brandvold","tag-music-biz","tag-music-biz-weekly","tag-music-business","tag-music-marketing","tag-music-marketing-consultant","tag-music-marketing-strategy","tag-musician-profession","tag-musician-resources","tag-new-england","tag-online-marketing-strategy","tag-podcast","tag-product-management","tag-radio-promotion","tag-social-media-industry","tag-social-media-marketing-for-bands","tag-spotify","tag-streaming-promotions","tag-touring","tag-youtube","tag-youtube-marketing"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/645.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1209"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51352"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51355,"href":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51352\/revisions\/51355"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}