Spotlight

Stagehand 101 Ft. Kenny Barnwell (Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Seal)

Crew

June 19, 2022

Everyone welcome one of the most enthusiastic people we’ve had on the bus, Kenny Barnwell! Over the past 20 years, Kenny has worked his way up from a local stagehand to touring with Bon Jovi, Justin Bieber, and Ariana Grande. Kenny also is the co-founder of Freedom Music events, an author, and teaches online courses for crew careers. Let’s get ready for this week’s episode of Don’t Shit on the Bus!

In this episode of the Don’t Shit On The Bus podcast we will learn:

• What someone can do to level up as a stagehand
• How Kenny went from living in his car to touring with A-list artist
• The value of working for free at the beginning in the music industry
• What Kenny believes people on the road now can do to help out new stagehands

(00:00) Intro

(03:05) Patreon

(03:59) Kenny gets on the bus

(06:12) How Kenny got started in the music industry

(17:04) Working for free

(19:31) How stagehands are hired on

(21:14) How Kenny transitioned into touring

(27:38) What is a stagehand

(33:12) It’s all about who knows you

(35:10) Missteps when reaching out to someone

(40:24) Can you be a good hang on tour

(43:38) Being a stagehand is like paid training

(48:07) First steps to being hired as a local stagehand

(55:22) Leveling up from a stagehand

(01:05:37) What people on the road can do now to help new stage hands out

(01:11:00) Wrap up notes

Kenny Barnwell – Guest

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekennybarnwell
► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennybarnwell
► Crew Coach: https://freedommusicevents.com/crew-coach
► Back Stage Crew Careers: https://www.instagram.com/backstagecrewcareers

Don’t Shit On The Bus Podcast

► Website: http://www.dontshitonthebus.com

► Spotify: http://bit.ly/DSotBspotify
► Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/DSotBapple

► TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dontshitonthebus
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/DSotBpodcast
► Instagram: https://instagram.com/DSotBpodcast
► Facebook: https://facebook.com/DSotBpodcast

► Patreon: https://patreon.com/DSotB

Adam Elmakias – Host

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/elmakias
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elmakias
► Website: https://www.adamelmakias.com

Edited & Produced by Connor Gaskey

Article By:  

Dont Shit On The Bus

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