Gig Nightmares

Richie Ranno is an American rock guitarist best known for his work in the 70’s bands Starz and Stories. He’s toured and performed alongside other legendary acts of the era such as Kiss, Pat Travers, ZZ Top, Peter Frampton, Ted Nugent, Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult, Bob Seger, Aerosmith, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Black Oak Arkansas, Johnny Winter, The Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Angel, Jeff Beck & Jan Hammer, just to name a few. He was one of three guitarists invited to audition to replace Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist Randy Rhoads after his tragic death in 1982.In today’s episode of GIG NIGHTMARES, Richie reflects on record label mismanagement, disillusionment with a "producer"’s drug habits in the studio, radio airplay payola, and how a disastrous music video shoot may have changed the course of Starz’s career.

Micke Mansfield is a bassist from Connecticut. In the 80’s & 90’s, he held down the low-end for the New England-based hardcore bands Chronic Disorder and Big Gulp. From 1996-2020, he led the cover band Kick everywhere from the Atlantic City boardwalk to Madison Square Garden to the Las Vegas Strip. He’s played alongside acts like Duran Duran, Green Day, Reel Big Fish, Filter, Staind, Moby, Allman Brothers Band, Molly Hatchet, Dave Mason, Descendants, Social Distortion, Blackfoot, GG Allin, Biz Markie, Don Felder, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Blackberry Smoke, and Suicidal Tendencies, just to name a few.On today’s episode of GIG NIGHTMARES, Micke tells stories of gigs getting shut down by police, getting banned from the University of Connecticut for life, being offered to NOT play gigs, and much more.

John Gallagher is the vocalist/bassist of the legendary heavy metal band Raven. Throughout his career, he has toured the world alongside acts such as Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Whitesnake, Twisted Sister, Testament, Kreator, The Stranglers, Hammerfall, Diamond Head, Girlschool, Riot, Accept, Saxon, and many more.In today’s episode of GIG NIGHTMARES, John reflects on pyrotechnic disasters, equipment failures leading to never-ending bass solos, combatting rowdy audience members, and much more.Note: This interview was recorded in early August before John’s recent hospitalization for Subdural Hematoma. We’re all hoping for a healthy recovery and encourage everyone to contribute to the GoFundMe for John’s medical expenses.https://gofund.me/eba81c4bf

Tony Daniels is a Canadian actor, Grammy-nominated musician, writer, producer, and audition coach. He has done ADR work for 680+ celebrity voices and has voiced iconic characters such as Tony the Tiger, Gambit & Wolverine from the X-Men series and countless more.In today’s episode, Tony recalls experiences working with hot-headed directors, a mixing board suddenly catching fire during a recording, getting sued by several A-list actors for his spot-on impressions, and much more on GIG NIGHTMARES.You can see Tony performing live with Heartbreak Waites ft. Thomas G Waites at Colony in Woodstock, NY on Thursday 11/20/2025.

Joshua Engle is the owner/engineer of Native Studios in Liverpool, Pennsylvania. He’s been part of the central PA music scene as the guitarist and producer for else//where (melodic hardcore) and Soulview (metalcore). In today’s episode, Josh talks about selling tickets to a show that had been cancelled without his knowledge, gigs getting cut short by angry soundmen, bands coming unprepared to his studio, and more on Gig Nightmares.

Kitchen Teeth is an original hard rock/alternative rock band based out of Bloomsburg, PA. Since their formation in 2023, they have had appearances on PA Live, The Popko Project, Pennsylvania Pipeline Music, and have been CPMA nominees. Oh, and their cat helps them write songs.They have also encountered their fair share of Gig Nightmares in the short time they’ve been together, including food poisoning, sound guys going AWOL, getting banned from an open mic night, and much more.

Tommy Dorfman is the CEO of Juice Entertainment and Founder/Owner of RD Enterprises. He spent 15 years as a promoter in the NJ/NY club scene, building up his reputation and fending off organized crime from the mafia. In 2011, he set out to organize what would be the largest EDM festival on the East Coast before it was shut down by Live Nation and he became blacklisted from the industry.In today’s episode, Tommy talks about the 15 year legal battle against them (Juice Entertainment v. Live Nation) and how their monopolistic business model hurts artists, venues, and fans alike. He is set to appear for a hearing in New Jersey Federal Court on October 17, and the U.S. DOJ’s antitrust case against Live Nation awaits trial in March 2026 to decide the future of the live music industry.

Joe Deninzon is a violinist from the NJ/NY area. He’s been the violinist for legendary rock outfit Kansas since 2023 and the co-founder/violinist/lead vocalist for the prog rock act Stratospheerius since 2001. Throughout his career, he has also worked with icons like Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, Phoebe Snow, Everclear, Ritchie Blackmore, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Robert Bonfiglio, Les Paul, and as a soloist with the NY City Ballet and Jazz at the Lincoln Center.In today’s episode, Joe tells of flaky bassists getting arrested for drug possession before a tour, multiple gear thefts in the same week, navigating the occult, equipment failures, and more on GIG NIGHTMARES.•Catch Joe live with Stratospheerius on October 5 at Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, PA and November 5 at Daryl’s House in Pawling, NY•

Justin Adams is a vocalist/guitarist based in Lebanon, PA. He’s been the leader of the metalcore outfit Oshian since 2011 and has recently joined the group Waiting for Eden.In today’s episode, Justin recounts a gig in 30 degree weather where the absence of mic stands led to audience members holding all of the band’s microphones for 3 hours.