Welcome back to the Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast! In this episode, host Bree Noble and special guest Tara Brueske (joined by the always-insightful Bobby Owsinski) take a deep dive into one of the most effective ways independent musicians can stand out and connect with their audiences: themed show programs.
Whether you’re already running regular gigs like Tara (who juggled an amazing 16 shows in one month!), or you’re focusing on selective performances and mentoring like Bree, themed programs can open up new opportunities for every kind of artist.
Why Themed Programs Matter
As Bree and Tara discuss, giving your shows a theme does two major things:
It brings your audience on a journey—whether through nostalgia, genre exploration, or timely connections to holidays.
It makes your show way easier to market—venues, community centers, and event planners love being presented with a ready-made package!
Tara shares her experience with seasonal and holiday-themed shows, like her multiple St. Patrick’s Day concerts, patriotic events, and the classic Christmas and Mother’s or Father’s Day programs. Bree reminds us that even if you don’t have a specific program at first, being known for something (say, singing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium) can spark demand or help you naturally build a themed repertoire over time.
Ideas for Themed Show Programs
Holiday & Seasonal Shows: From Easter to Halloween, or even unique ones like St. Patrick’s Day, there’s always a demand for something festive—especially if you live somewhere with pronounced seasons like Minnesota!
Genre or Tribute Shows: Audiences love reliving the music of their favorite genres or legendary artists. Tribute shows are a big seller, and you can even build programs around influential songwriters like Dolly Parton or Willie Nelson.
Historical & Educational Programs: Combine music with storytelling—shows about women in history, a period of the past, or music from a certain era work especially well in libraries and community centers.
Personal Narrative Programs: Weaving your original songs into a personal story, or focusing on major life themes, can create a deeply moving show that really resonates.
Songwriter Spotlights: Highlight the creations of legendary writers or weave your own writing journey into your shows.
How To Structure and Market Your Show
Weave Stories & Trivia: Audiences love learning little-known facts and stories behind songs. Adding a trivia section or bits of research (like the origin of a holiday or a famous song) keeps people involved and attentive.
Have Multiple Programs Ready: If you can offer, say, a Mother’s Day show and a patriotic show, event planners will love that you can help fill multiple slots in their calendar.
Follow Up & Rebook: After a successful gig, always follow up. Mention your other themed programs and keep yourself top of mind for future bookings.
Social Proof & Testimonials: Collect and showcase testimonials specific to each program. Screenshots from Facebook comments or direct feedback are powerful!
Multimedia Promotion: Don’t be shy about sharing on different platforms—socials, reels, images, short video snippets, and especially via your email newsletter.
Get Featured Elsewhere: Reach out to radio and podcasts for guest spots, especially if your story connects to a bigger trend or event.
Tip: Build On What You Already Do
Start from what you love and what you’ve already performed. If you have a collection of love songs, shape them into a Valentine’s-themed show. If you have a knack for Broadway, turn it into a cabaret night!
And don’t forget to lean into your unique strengths and the feedback you get from your audience—if people love your Broadway numbers, or always ask you about a particular cover, that’s your clue!
Important Links Mentioned
Bree Noble on Instagram: @ProfitableMusicianLLC
Tara Brueske on Instagram: @TaraBrueskeMusic
Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast on Castmagic: https://castmagic.io
Email List Building Tips: Look for Bree’s advice throughout her podcast episodes and via her Profitable Musician resources
Ready to attract more bookings and create memorable experiences for your audiences? Start brainstorming your theme—and don’t forget to share your ideas with Bree and Tara on Instagram. Let us know what themes you’d love to try or what’s worked for you!
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes. Next up? On-stage mishaps and how to recover—because if you perform enough, you’ll have some stories of your own!
Did this episode spark ideas? Drop us a message or DM—your next theme show could be the one that sets you apart!