If you have ever dreamed of spending time with your favorite 80s rockers or learning about podcasting, then the Rocknpod Expo is for you.
Eager fans waited for early entry into The Fairgrounds to be the first to be able to talk to their favorite artists from the 80s at the 2023 Rocknpod Expo. The early access also allowed fans to have memorabilia signed and a photo opportunity with them without being rushed or waiting in long lines.
Among other things to do at the expo was the opportunity to shop. Shoppers bought gaming characters, Legos, and a vast selection of character Pop Heads. You could shop at boutiques that offered custom and hard-to-find apparel and handbags that fit the rocker lifestyle. Other items fans could find were art paintings and vinyl records for sale.
When expo attendees were not shopping, they could catch one of many educational podcasts on the Podcaster Educational Track stage. Podcasters and newcomers began their day at 10 am with Podcasting Best Practices with Christian Swain & Jerry Danielson. At 11 am, Larry Roberts with Red Hat Media spoke on Using ChatGPT to Grow Your Podcast. At 11:45 am, Non-Pod Media for Podcasters. Presented by Maximilian Piris (Headliner), Eric Dahl (Fox17), Leslie Hermsdorfer (WXNA), and Stu Gray (Voiceover). At 1 pm, Growing Your Podcast via Podcast Networks. Presented by Christian Swain, Ilan Fong, and Danny Meyers. At 1:45 pm, 7 Ways to Monetize Your Podcast. Presented by Dave Jackson (School of Podcasting). At 2:30 pm, Booking Superstar Guests. Presented by Chuck Shute (The Chuck Shute Podcast), Gary Kraren (WRLT), and David Hooper (Music Business Radio).
The Live Podcast Stage started at 11 am. Steve Blaze (Lillian Axe) spoke to The Electric Crush. Dylana Nova Scott spoke at 11:45 am with Straight to Video. The legendary Bob Berryhill (The Surfaris) spoke at 1:15 pm with A2Z Radio. At 2 pm, photography legend Mark ‘Weissguy” Weiss gave a stellar interview with Hair Em’s podcast host Bobby Dreher. The discussion talked about Wiess’s book The Decade That Rocked. Mark also spoke about his collaboration with Missy Whitney on her book Keep on Rollin about Quiet Riot’s frontman, Kevin Dubrow, and managing the Quiet Riot Fan Club. Stevie Rachelle (Tuff/ Metal Sludge) spoke at 2:45 pm with Decibel Geek. Sandy Gennaro (Joan Jett, Monkees) spoke at 3 pm with The Commute. KISS Talk hosted an interview with Paul Taylor (Winger) at 4:15 pm. Closing out the day at 5 pm, Bob Chiappardi of Concrete Management talked about What’s Hot in the Strip Clubs.
On the Main Stage beginning at 11:30 am, Eddie Ojeda’s (Twisted Sister) interview with moderators Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys) and Dave Glessner (Talk Louder Podcast/Rock Journalist). The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years Panel began at 11:30 am with Riki Rachtman (MTV Headbangers Ball), Stevie Rachelle (Tuff/Metal Sludge); Rik Fox (Steeler), and Mark Andrews (Seduce) with Lisa Axelrod as the moderator. Women Who Rock Panel participants Leilani Kilgore and Bebe Buell spoke at 1:30 pm with Lynz Novella (Asylum Radio Network). Eric Martin (Mr. Big) gave a live interview at 2:30 pm with host Don Jamieson (Comedian). Moderator David Hooper hosted Listening With Your Eyes: A Reality TV Panel at 3:30 pm with guests Jon Brennan (MTV Real World), Nicole Boggs, and Alicia Michilli (America’s Got Talent). To close out the day, Asylum Radio Network’s Diego Taormina spoke to Brett Carlisle (Great White), Jake Johnson (Guillotine), and Tuk Smith (Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts) about Keeping Rock Alive.
To sum the day up, there were many interviews and podcasts to listen to so be prepared to schedule must-see interviews if you attend a future expo. The stories are priceless, and it is incredible to see so much support in the music community, old and new. The humble musicians from the 80s to current up-and-coming bands to meet and converse with. Even some wrestlers made an appearance and lots of shopping for all in attendance. This expo is one to check out next go-round.
A complete list of expo guests and podcasters, along with their weblink can be found on the official Rocknpod Expo website.
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