Off Script with Jarvis 'Jeb' Barnes

About Off Script with Jarvis 'Jeb' Barnes

Off Script is the leading podcast on what it really takes to build a career in live entertainment. Hosted by Jarvis “Jeb” Barnes, the show pulls back the curtain on how great performances are built, careers are shaped, and real success in touring and entertainment is earned. Each episode features honest conversations with the professionals who make the stage happen, including musicians, dancers, music directors, creative directors, choreographers, tour managers, playback techs, and other leaders in live performance. This is where the highlight reel ends and the real story begins. Off Script explores how opportunities are earned, how rehearsals really work, how leadership decisions get made, and what separates raw talent from lasting success. From preparation and pressure to relationships, excellence, and professionalism, the show gives listeners a rare inside look at what it truly takes to build a career in music, touring, and live entertainment. Whether you are trying to break into the industry, grow within it, or simply understand what happens behind the performance, Off Script delivers real stories, real lessons, and real insight from the people shaping live entertainment at the highest level.

Publisher

Jarvis 'Jeb' Barnes

Category

business · music

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

2 Mar 2026

Latest episode

19 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

20 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Greg Clark Jr: You Can’t Learn This Online! Rates, Relationships & Getting the Call Ep. 20

   Drummer Greg Clark Jr. breaks down how to price yourself, earn trust, work with MDs and artists, and land endorsements, without a viral clip.Summary Drummer Greg Clark Jr. joins Jarvis “Jeb” Barnes for a straight conversation about what it takes to get hired, and stay hired, in the music industry. Greg moved from Washington, DC to Los Angeles in January 2020 after about a decade of traveling out for shows. He explains why even an established player has to start from scratch in a new city. From there, he and Jeb trace how church music and the DC/Maryland/Virginia drum scene shaped him. They get into what social media drummers can miss, how to set a fair rate, and what a musical director actually carries. Greg also walks through how he learns a full show and how he built his endorsements. Key takeaways Moving cities means rebuilding trust. Greg says it takes about two and a half to three years in LA for people to decide whether you’re reliable, so lead with humility. Relationships beat followers. Online views don’t tell an MD whether you show up on time, handle a rider, or stay easy to be around. Ask before you quote a rate. Call a trusted peer, don’t guess, and be wary if management says yes fast. Know your role. Greg’s rule is “we are of service”: the MD makes the musical calls, and the player brings concerns to them, not around them. Be direct and accountable. Greg calls people to say why a gig isn’t working out, so nobody is left guessing. Listen, don’t just mimic. Studying a song with your ears builds your own sound. Copying clips doesn’t. Show up knowing the music. Greg breaks down sounds, choices, patterns, and arrangement, then keeps color-coded notes he can read in real time. Find your sound before you chase endorsements. Try different gear, and be ready to explain why you want a partnership beyond free gear. CHAPTERS 00:00 Hook: “If management says yes fast, you messed up” 00:13 From DC to LA: Starting Over in a New City 07:20 Growing Up in Church and the DC Drum Scene 20:45 Humility, Triggers, and the Drummers Who Reshaped Modern Drumming 26:21 Social Media vs. Working Musicians: Why Relationships Get You the Call 38:54 What a Musical Director Really Does (and Knowing Your Role) 52:40 How to Set Your Rate (and Why a Fast Yes Is a Red Flag) 01:07:39 Reputation, Direct Communication, and Self-Accountability 01:14:39 Becoming a Go-To Drummer in Every Genre 01:26:09 How Greg Learns a Full Show 01:33:09 Greg’s Endorsement Journey 01:41:15 How to Approach Brands and What Artist Relations Look For 01:50:10 What’s Next: UK Drum Show, Running a Clinic, and Closing Thoughts

2. 

   5 Oct 2026

   American Idol Drummer RJ Kelly: Every Gig Is an Audition | Ep. 19

   American Idol drummer RJ Kelly joins Jarvis to talk about what it really takes to become a first-call musician in LA. RJ shares how getting fired from two jobs pushed him out of Kansas City, why he skipped music school (and what he'd tell young players now), and the mindset that's kept him working at the highest level for 15+ years. We get into treating every gig like an audition, Andy Ward's potluck analogy for serving the song, how to network without being awkward, what happens when an MD changes the music five seconds before air, staying calm with 60+ songs on deck, why he's stayed loyal to Tama and Meinl, and the big one: how do you know what to charge when nobody posts the rates? Real talk for drummers, session players, and anyone building a career in the music business. CHAPTERS 0:00 Cold open 1:00 From Kansas City to LA 8:31 Skipping music school: does RJ regret it? 20:52 Treat every gig like an audition 32:59 Serve the song 36:34 How to network in the music industry 44:34 Audition and gig prep advice 54:03 Inside the American Idol band 1:15:31 Drum endorsements 1:26:45 What should musicians charge? CONNECT WITH RJ KELLY Instagram: @rjkellymusic CONNECT WITH JARVIS Website: drummingwithjarvis.com Instagram: @jarvisjeb TikTok: @offscriptwithjarvis

3. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Payge Cooper: The Unwritten Rules Every Working Musician Needs | Ep. 18

   What does it really take to go from chasing opportunities to performing on some of the biggest stages in the world? In Episode 18 of Off Script, Jarvis “Jeb” Barnes sits down with Grammy-nominated producer, drummer, musical director, and creative Payge Cooper, better known as TurnThePAYGE. From leaving Atlanta and rebuilding his career in Los Angeles to touring with SZA and working alongside artists including Brandy, Eric Benét, Musiq Soulchild, Nipsey Hussle, and more, Payge’s journey is a lesson in preparation, patience, identity, and professional growth. But this conversation isn’t a highlight reel. Payge speaks honestly about adapting to the Los Angeles music scene, navigating pressure, preparing for rehearsals, finding the right mentors, and learning how to remain authentic while evolving into the musician each opportunity required. He and Jarvis also unpack the skills that rarely receive enough attention: restraint, repetition, character, self-awareness, healthy relationships, and knowing how to serve the music instead of your ego. Payge explains when endorsements actually become valuable, why musicians should develop an identity beyond one instrument, and how to balance social media visibility with genuine relationships in the real world. This episode is for every drummer, musician, and creative who wants more than a viral moment. It’s about building the preparation, reputation, and relationships required for a career that lasts. IN THIS EPISODE: • Starting over in a completely new music scene • Staying authentic while adapting professionally • Preparing for rehearsals and high-pressure opportunities • Why preparation matters more than appearing confident • Finding mentors who will tell you the truth • Building healthy professional relationships • When artist endorsements actually matter • Developing a brand beyond your instrument • Balancing social media with real-world networking • Why restraint and repetition make better drummers • The skills and ethics every working musician needs • Building relationships that create lasting opportunities What do you believe keeps musicians working: talent, preparation, character, or relationships? Join the conversation below. FOLLOW PAYGE COOPER: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnthepaygepro/ (https://www.instagram.com/turnthepaygepro/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@turnthepayge (https://www.youtube.com/@turnthepayge) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/payge.cooper (https://www.facebook.com/payge.cooper) Website: https://www.turnthepaygepro.com/ (https://www.turnthepaygepro.com/) CHAPTERS: 00:00 Starting Over and Breaking Into Los Angeles 07:26 Staying Authentic While Evolving 11:27 Navigating the Music Industry 26:25 Rehearsal Preparation and Performing Under Pressure 50:45 Mentorship and the Value of Wise Counsel 56:08 Healthy Relationships and Artist Endorsements 1:11:51 Diversifying Your Artistry and Building a Brand 1:25:06 Social Media vs. Real-World Networking 1:30:05 Restraint, Repetition, and Professional Musicianship 1:39:21 What Every Working Drummer Needs to Understand 1:53:51 Building Relationships That Create Opportunities Off Script goes beyond the performance to reveal what it really takes to build a career in live entertainment. Subscribe for honest conversations with the musicians, creatives, and professionals responsible for bringing the world’s biggest shows to life. #PaygeCooper #SZA #OffScriptPodcast

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Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

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Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.