Elation Podcast

The Reality of Touring and Event Production with Sami Slovy

Sami Slovy is a production manager and event producer in New Orleans. We sit down with Sami to talk about her journey from moving to New Orleans for college to building a career in live music, festival production, and touring. She shares stories from life on the road, managing everything from arena tours to international festivals, and breaks down the chaos, creativity, and problem-solving that come with producing live events at a high level. We also dive into how the music industry has changed over the years, from rising touring costs and merch culture to the impact of AI and technology on music production and live entertainment. Sami gives an honest look at what it takes to survive in today’s industry while explaining why real, in-person music experiences still matter more than ever. This conversation is all about the passion, community, and energy that keep live music alive. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ [https://www.instagram.com/elationent/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.elationent.com [https://www.elationent.com/]

Building the Future of Music: AI, Healthcare & Startups with Ryan Chavez

Ryan Chavez is a Managing Partner at Imprinted Group. We sit down with Ryan to break down his journey from working in music venues and launching festivals like Hangout Fest to building a venture studio focused on solving real problems in the music and entertainment industry. We get into how Imprinted Group was created, why the industry is still behind in adopting modern tools, and how his team is building companies that bring structure, efficiency, and innovation to a space that’s long been underserved. We also dive into the future of the industry, from AI-driven automation to improving access for independent artists and reducing the gap between creators and experienced managers. Ryan shares insights on companies like Trainable and StageCare, including the mission to provide healthcare for music professionals, and why purpose-driven solutions matter just as much as profitability. We also touch on the lack of infrastructure in cities like New Orleans and what it will take to truly move the culture and industry forward. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment: Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ [https://www.instagram.com/elationent/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.elationent.com [https://www.elationent.com/]

How To Build a Music Booking Business from Scratch with Jessica Weinberg

Jessica Weinberg is the owner of Catch 504, a New Orleans-based music booking company. We talk with Jessica about her journey from moving to New Orleans straight out of college to working with the Saints and Pelicans, where she quickly rose into a live entertainment role managing hundreds of performances. She shares what it was like stepping into a city with such a deep music culture, how she learned the industry through experience, and the pressure of producing live events at scale. We also dive into the moment she hit burnout, walked away from her job with no plan, and built Catch 504 from the ground up by identifying real needs from artists. Jessica breaks down the importance of relationships in the music industry, creating a business rooted in authenticity, and how she’s expanding beyond booking into artist development, branding, and major events like Wednesdays at the Square. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ Website: https://www.elationent.com

The Tech Behind the World’s Biggest Events: Inside WRSTBND with Conway Solomon

Conway Solomon is a CEO & Co-Founder of WRSTBND. We sit down with Conway to break down how his New Orleans roots and early experiences in live event production led to building a company that’s transforming how festivals, sporting events, and large-scale experiences operate behind the scenes. We get into the origin of WRSTBND, why existing tech solutions weren’t cutting it, and how his team built a platform focused on simplifying operations while unlocking powerful data insights for event organizers. We also dive into the real value of data in live events, how it drives revenue, improves guest experience, and helps organizers make smarter decisions year over year. Conway shares stories from working major events like the PGA Tour, Formula 1, and the Super Bowl, along with his perspective on where the industry is heading, from personalized attendee experiences to the growing demand for seamless, frictionless entry and engagement. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ [https://www.instagram.com/elationent/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.elationent.com [https://www.elationent.com/]

The Truth About Music & Health in New Orleans with Dr. Peggy Honoré and Gregg Hill

Dr. Peggy Honoré is the Board President of the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and Assistance Foundation, and Gregg Hill is a New Orleans-based artist. We sit down with both of them to talk about what it really takes to protect the people behind the music in a city built on culture. Dr. Peggy shares how her background in healthcare led her to advocate for musicians’ well-being, breaking down the real challenges artists face, from lack of health insurance to lifestyle-related health issues like hearing loss, respiratory problems, and chronic conditions. We also dive into the bigger picture of why musicians are a vital “natural resource” that needs to be supported for the culture to survive. Gregg brings his perspective as an artist and community builder, sharing how he turned a small fundraiser into a growing movement that supports the clinic and raises awareness. From navigating healthcare systems to building stronger community support, this conversation highlights the real work being done to sustain New Orleans music and the people who keep it alive. Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home.  Follow Elation Entertainment Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/elationent/ [https://www.instagram.com/elationent/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.elationent.com [https://www.elationent.com/]