John Blackburn
Live entertainment coach
Hi, I’m John Blackburn — a live entertainment coach, business strategist and drummer. These days, I work with creatives, venue owners, agents, promoters and performers who want to stop running themselves into the ground, and start running their careers like the dynamic, profitable and purpose-led ventures they should be.
I help people in live entertainment build better businesses, book better gigs, get better clients, and reclaim their time. That might sound simple — but as anyone in the creative world knows, it rarely is.
Watch my interview here.
I spent my early career as a drummer, touring, recording and living the full-on performance lifestyle — chasing gigs, juggling admin, and constantly wondering when the next opportunity might appear. And while I loved the creative side, I could never shake the feeling that there had to be a better, more sustainable way to make it work.
That instinct led me into coaching — first in a completely different arena: professional sport. I spent over 15 years in US collegiate tennis, coaching teams to record-breaking NCAA performances and leading high-performance athletes as Director of Tennis at two major universities. I gained deep experience in mindset, leadership, performance strategy, and building systems that allow talent to thrive — and now, I bring that same level of structure and support to the world I came from: live entertainment.
Through my coaching business, I offer one-to-one programmes, most notably Booked Solid, a six-month, high-impact experience designed specifically for creative professionals. We look at your goals, your pricing, your bookings, your mindset, your messaging — everything that supports a thriving live career. I also run The Vivid Business Club, a community hub for creatives who want to stop winging it and start leading with confidence, clarity and strategy.
Whether you’re a gigging musician, an arts organisation, a festival organiser, or a venue manager, my job is to help you:
Book more gigs, with less stress
Charge what you’re worth, without apology
Build a business that works for your life — not the other way around
Actually enjoy your creative journey again
I don’t do fluffy pep talks. I’m not about vague motivational slogans. I’m here to get you results — with clear processes, real coaching, and support that meets you where you are.
I now live in London with my amazing wife Christie and our daughter Jenavieve. When I’m not coaching, I’m podcasting (check out No Rest for the Vivid), thinking about live music over coffee, or annoying the neighbours with my practice pad.
If you’re in the live entertainment world and you’re ready to grow without burning out — I’m here to help.
