Wayne Bergeron – Finding Your “Why” Behind Musical Greatness

The first episode of the Louis Dowdeswell Podcast kicks off with an extraordinary conversation featuring the legendary trumpet player Wayne Bergeron. Instead of just another podcast about playing high notes and trumpet hacks, Lou sets the stage by diving deep into the "why" behind musical success—the mindset, motivations, and personal experiences that shape world-class musicians.

Introducing the Podcast: Uncovering the "Why"

From the outset, Louis Dowdeswell emphasizes his unique approach. In a world saturated with endless “how-to” videos and quick fixes, he argues that understanding why musicians excel is far more important. Louis Dowdeswell mission is clear: seek deeper truths about musicianship, craft, and the human experience, believing that once you grasp your “why,” the “how” naturally unfolds.

Wayne Bergeron: The Trumpet Legend

My first guest, Wayne Bergeron, is widely considered one of the greatest lead trumpet players alive today. Their friendship and mentorship span over a decade, beginning when Wayne first reached out after stumbling upon Lou’s YouTube videos. Their dynamic—mentor and mentee evolving into close friends—is evident in their easygoing, candid conversation.

Facing Challenges: Wayne's Recent Health Scare

Wayne openly shares his recent struggle with diverticulitis, a condition that landed him in the hospital and put him on a restrictive liquid diet. Yet even amid illness, Wayne continued performing, including recording for the hit show Family Guy. His positivity and resilience offer powerful lessons on overcoming adversity.

Origin Story: From Online Discovery to Lifelong Friendship

The tale of how Louis Dowdeswell and Wayne first connected is both heartwarming and amusing. Wayne recounts discovering Lou on YouTube and admits feeling a blend of admiration and envy over Lou’s impressive trumpet playing. Lou humorously recalls skipping math class to call Wayne—a conversation that would change the trajectory of his musical journey forever.

London Calling: The First In-Person Meeting

Their initial meeting in London in 2012 at Craig Wild’s band gig was legendary. A sold-out crowd, fire marshals at the door, and trumpet icon Derek Watkins in the audience created an unforgettable, nerve-wracking experience. Yet, after the gig, camaraderie flowed as naturally as the post-show Chinese food, laying a foundation for lasting friendship and collaboration.

Global Adventures and Lessons Learned

Their stories stretch far beyond the UK. From hanging out in Los Angeles—despite Lou’s broken ankle—to unforgettable trips to Japan with the Big Phat Band, their shared experiences shaped not only their musical careers but also their personal growth. Particularly memorable is a candid recollection of a humbling lesson with trumpet legend Gary Grant, whose brutal honesty profoundly impacted both Lou and Wayne.

Trumpet Father, Trumpet Son

Lou affectionately calls Wayne his "trumpet father," and Wayne reciprocates, considering Lou his musical son. This mutual mentorship highlights the podcast's underlying message: real growth comes from shared wisdom. Wayne proudly describes his investment in recording equipment, driven by Lou’s insights into modern music production—evidence of their dynamic, two-way learning.

Navigating Real-Life Tragedies: California Wildfires

The conversation shifts emotionally when Wayne details the devastating Southern California wildfires, which affected numerous musician friends. Wayne stresses community support, mentioning GoFundMe campaigns and underscoring the importance of compassion during crises—a powerful reminder that music careers don’t exist in a vacuum.

Digging Deeper: Why Musicians Do What They Do

Central to the episode is Lou’s inquiry into the motivations behind Wayne’s phenomenal career. Wayne openly discusses the tension between intuition and technical skill, emphasizing the importance of balance. Both acknowledge the dangers of perfectionism, with Wayne noting that intuition is invaluable but inevitably hits a wall, prompting a more analytical approach.

Studio Pressures and Realities of Professional Musicianship

Wayne recounts his experiences from major studio sessions, including playing for Milt Bernhart, Pat Williams, and the recent West Side Story film. These anecdotes highlight the pressures of performing flawlessly under intense scrutiny, emphasizing how a healthy mindset and supportive teamwork can make or break a career.

High Notes and Humility

Despite Wayne’s reputation for sky-high trumpet playing (jokingly making "double D the new double C"), he shares humble stories of struggling with high notes earlier in his career. The humorous and relatable story of failing miserably at a high D during "O Holy Night" humanizes Wayne, reinforcing the value of resilience and humility.

Navigating Leadership and Professional Growth

Discussing his transition from young trumpeter to Hollywood’s leading studio musician, Wayne underscores the critical importance of attitude, humility, and team spirit. He passionately advocates for mentoring younger musicians, quoting Simon Gardner: “You’ve got to look after the young guys because one day they'll be looking after you.”

Intuition, Technique, and Authenticity

The podcast wraps up by exploring what truly defines great musicians. Wayne emphasizes the importance of foundational classical training for precision and control, balancing technical analysis with intuitive musicianship. He urges young musicians to experiment, innovate, and challenge tradition rather than merely imitating past masters.

Advice and Reflections: What Wayne Would Change

Reflecting candidly, Wayne shares his regrets—wishing he’d been a better student, learned piano earlier, and embraced composing. He emphasizes that orchestration and composition skills provide financial stability and creative fulfillment beyond trumpet playing alone.

Gratitude and Final Thoughts

Closing the episode, Wayne thanks trumpet legends Vinny DiMartino, Jerry Hey, and Bobby Shew for their mentorship, highlighting how even conflicting advice shaped his journey. Lou expresses heartfelt gratitude for Wayne's openness, capturing the podcast's essence: a genuine exploration of music, life, and growth.

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