Wong Notes Goose's Rick Mitarotonda: Can Jambands Write Great Songs? Yes!
8 snips
Sep 3, 2025 
Rick Mitarotonda, the talented guitarist and vocalist of Goose, shares insights into the band's journey and songwriting process. He tackles the debate on whether jam bands can craft great songs and discusses the balance between structured songwriting and improvisation. Rick recounts pivotal moments that shaped Goose's rise, including impactful tours and creative partnerships. He also reflects on his musical influences and the importance of maintaining creativity while on the road, offering practical advice for aspiring musicians.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Prepare To Stop Performance Nerves
- Prepare thoroughly for big gigs to avoid nervousness.
- Cory Wong says he only gets nervous when he feels unprepared.
Songcraft Preceded Jamming
- Rick Mitarotonda emphasizes that songcraft mattered to him before improvisation became central.
- He traces his love of hooks and melody back to radio hits and early influences like Dave Matthews and Dispatch.
Covington Sparked Momentum
- Goose's breakthrough energy started in Covington, Kentucky when a small, passionate group showed up and sang along.
- That room-to-room momentum helped the band realize they could connect with strangers, not just hometown friends.