Making It with Chris G. podcast

#172: Corey Paul on Cowboy Bebop Live, Gigging in Orlando & Music Career Truths - From Anime Obsession to National Tour

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What do anime, jazz trombone, and a sold-out national tour have in common?

In this episode of Making It with Chris G, we sit down with musician, creative director, and founder of Cowboy Bebop LiveCorey Paul — for a high-energy, deeply honest conversation about the real journey of building a music career from scratch.

🎷 From growing up on classical and jazz in Orlando to turning his anime fandom into a full-blown multimedia concert experience, Corey shares the behind-the-scenes of how he built a career in live music — from local jam sessions to performing with David Foster and Ariana Grande, to selling out venues with his anime-jazz tribute band.

🎧 In this episode, we dive into:

  • Corey's early days playing trombone and switching from classical to jazz

  • Why UCF's location (not ranking) helped launch his music career

  • The importance of community, the “hang,” and showing up like a pro

  • A breakdown of Orlando’s gigging ecosystem: weddings, parks, corporate gigs & more

  • How Cowboy Bebop Live went from dive bar to nationwide phenomenon

  • What it’s really like to tour for 9 weeks straight with 13 people

  • Financial realities: health insurance, taxes, unions, and planning for retirement as a freelance musician

  • Corey’s advice for new musicians navigating the road, logistics, and creative fulfillment

Plus: anime fans, this one's for you — hear how Corey reverse-engineered a dream show for fans and newcomers, and how he landed partnerships with Crunchyroll, Bandai, and Live Nation.

🔗 Connect with Corey Paul:
Instagram: @cowboybeboplive
Website: https://www.cowboybeboplive.com

🔗 Connect with the Making It Academy Network
🎓 Website + Courses: makingitwithchrisg.com
📺 YouTube: @chrisgoyzueta
💼 LinkedIn: Making It Academy
💥 Patreon (Bonus Content + Live Workshops): patreon.com/makingitacademy

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