Workshop & 2×4 Showcase: Stairway to Success with Rick Iacoboni

Cleveland Rocks: PPF’s Professional Development Workshops are held on the third Monday of the month. Each workshop will focus on a different music-related topic, followed by a 2×4 Songwriter Showcase featuring 4 different artists, 2 songs each. Stairway to Success: Gig More. Earn More. Mon, May 18, 2026 • 7pm Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd) Free Event! RSVP here Want to get better at booking gigs? Here is a workshop about using practical marketing strategies to perform more and earn more. Speaker: Rick Iacoboni The event will kick-off with the 2×4 Songwriter Showcase at 7pm, followed by the workshop. May 2×4 Artists TBA. This event is made possible with support from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and The Ohio Arts Council. About the Speaker: Rick Iacoboni In 2004, I began my quest to become a successful solo event musician. By 2024, I had performed at 2,000+ events. In 2004, I was on top of the world. Had a marketing job for a Fortune 500 company and played in a 6-piece horn. Suddenly, my world came to a screeching halt. I was laid off by my corporate job, and my long-time band ran its course. I had zero income and three kids and a wife to support. Rather than feel sorry for myself, I had an idea: Why not apply my marketing experience into building a solo event business? Most musicians aren’t marketers. They’re doctors, truck drivers, teachers, salespeople, realtors, etc. I felt I had an advantage. So, I ran with it. Fast forward to the present: the idea worked! Through aggressive marketing and perseverance, I have played over 2,200 engagements – mostly on weekends! Now it’s time to give back. I would like to share my success with other musicians facing similar challenges in achieving their dreams. Acoustic Guitarist (performed 2,000+ events) Blossom Music Center (intern) Agora Ballroom (National Talent Buyer) Bowling Green State University (Talent Buyer) Masters Thesis: BGSU “Cleveland Rocks: An Industry Side Pattern For Achieving Commercial Success in Popular Music in Cleveland” Guitar Lessons (2016 to 2026) 2×4 Bios to come