Dougie Brown is a festival producer, promoter, artist manager and very much more. He is the music dynamo behind The Gathering and Belladrum music festivals that have brought some of the biggest artists on the planet to the Highlands, supported talent including the irresistible songs of Katie Gregson-MacLeod and is a champion for the region on so many levels. In episode of 12 of the Good Stuff In Between podcast, he talks to host Shaun Milne about how it all began with a passion for drums and love of Guns n Roses, gigs in pubs and harbourside hotels, how vision and determination are among the qualities that can lift any situation, and how team work, talent and having the right people around can be everything. His is a story that is inspirational, fascinating and is essential listening or anyone looking to make their way in the live music scene.

Episode 12, Dougie, streaming now.

Show Links

• Belladrum
• The Gathering
• Episode 1: Naomi
• Good Stuff In Between substack

Xan Tyer has enjoyed a sparkling career spanning the fun and theatrical Death Bang Party and The Tarantinos to globe trotting pop duo Technique and Alan McGee's label Creation Records.

Now she is embarking on a new solo chapter with her debut album 'Holding Up Half the Sky' which is already attracting critical acclaim after working with the likes of Boo Hewerdine, a host of multi talented musicians and a cast of female artists for a unique twist.

In Episode 11 of the Good Stuff In Between she talks to host Shaun Milne about her inspirations, journey in music, the challenges of funding and launching an album, and the lessons she has learned along the way.

Elephant Sessions mandolin player and founding member Alasdair Taylor talks with host Shaun Milne about how they went from ceilidh band to award-winning global trailblazers, the stories and people that have helped them along the way, plans for a new tour in the UK and US, and their first venture into staging a home grown festival with Black Isle Calling. Good Stuff In Between podcast Episode 10, now playing.

Innes Strachan has conquered the musical world as electro-trad pioneers Niteworks. Four years after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis he has used the diagnosis to push on with a long planned new project, electro-pop act LUSA, collaborating with co-songwriter Donald Macdonald, vocalist Beth Malcolm, fellow Niteworks founder Ruairidh Graham, Laura Wilkie on strings, Keir Long on piano and actor Lorne Macfadyen delivering a poem by Colin Bramwell. In Episode 9, Innes talks to host Shaun Milne about the inspiration and process behind the new work.

Seán McLaughlin has a pedigree of critically acclaimed music that takes in working alongside the likes of Idlewild's Rod Jones on The Birthday Suit, with his own band Dante and now a brand new project, Seán R. McLaughlin and The Wind-Up Crows. Ahead of the launch of their first album Goodnight, Lad he sits down with podcast host Shaun Milne to discuss the inspiration behind the new music, collaborations with the likes of Jeremy Backofen of The Felice Brother, Andy Monaghan of Frightened Rabbit and Indian violinist Ragini Shankar, the process of getting songs out there, and a trip down memory lane.

Episode 8, out now.

(Image Credit: R. McLaughlin)

Katie Macdonald has been immersed in the music business all her life.

From family to friends, to clients and concerts, hers is a career that saw her break new ground for female leadership in the industry responsible for some of the best attended events in the world.

She can reel off names of colleagues and people she has supported like others would read a playlist. The famous, the uber famous, and emerging talent too. Her passport has stamps from across the world, it was as good as it could get in many ways.

But the drive, determination as self-sacrifice to reach those dizzy heights as the go to person, the one everyone relies on and respects, inevitably came at a cost.

Burn out, health issues, emotional trauma.

Yet like the decades of work that had gone before, she took on this new challenge, found a way to own it, a better way to live her life in the fullest way she can and a new business was born.

Now instead of enduring the stresses and strains, she is coaching others on how to cope with her pioneering health and well-being organisation Well On Tour, travelling with artists and their entire crew to make sure they taking the steps necessary to make every count.

In this show she talks to host Shaun Milne about the highs, discusses the lows, and how she has come full circle with one of the most exciting projects in the music industry right now.

Episode 7, ´Katie´is streaming now.

Kevin Mackay's career could have gone in many directions including politics, international relations or his first love, music and touring. In the end he's managing to do them all at once as the first Sustainability Co-ordinator for live entertainment giants DF Concerts and Events. He talks to Shaun Milne about what may be one of the most important jobs in the industry, the ripple effects and what the future holds. Episode 6: Kevin is streaming now.

Craig Corse is the founder of CCM Live, one of the world's leading folk-based music agencies, representing artists such as Siobhan Miller, Talisk, Blazin' Fiddles, Rura, Saltfishforty, Madison Violet, Mec Lir to name a few. He also helps steer the Orkney Folk festival, Scotland Expo and is a regular feature at Celtic Connections and industry talks around the world. He talks about where his journey began, examines the growing need for others to consider careers representing talent, and offers a rare insight into the workings of a top flight agency. Episode 5: 'Craig' now streaming wherever you get your podcasts.