What Playing with an Earth, Wind & Fire Legend Teaches You About Live Performance

 Every working musician remembers the first time they shared a stage with someone whose skill level seemed miles ahead of their own. For vocalist Rene Fernandez, that moment happened during the 2020 pandemic when Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris agreed to sit behind the kit for a casino date at Pala Casino in Southern California. 

On a recent episode of The ZHZ Podcast, hosts Zak Davis and Matt Allen sat down with Rene to talk through his journey from sixth-grade trombone player and TV actor to fronting his soul group, The Beat Allegiance, and recording his single "We Got This." The conversation explored how live musicians navigate chaos, make smart business choices on stage, and keep their passion intact over decades of creative work.

Stepping on Stage with John Paris

When live touring paused in 2020, Rene reached out to see if John Paris was interested in playing a casino date. Paris agreed. But hours before showtime, Rene’s regular keyboard player had to go to the hospital with chest pains. A last-minute substitute showed up who only knew roughly half of the repertoire.

Facing an elite drummer on one side and a substitute keyboardist on the other, Rene had a choice: panic or step up.

"He was flawless. He had no mistakes, no errors, nothing," Rene recalled. "And I thought to myself: self, I better level up. I'm not gonna make any mistakes either. I'm not gonna do anything lazy. I'm gonna show up just like he did and work through this."

By staying locked on the groove and leaning into Paris's impeccable timing, the band delivered an exceptional set that had the room moving.

Why the Groove Matters More Than Mistakes

One of the most practical takeaways for independent artists from the interview centers on handling mistakes during a live set. Drawing from his background as an actor on shows like General Hospital and Terriers, Rene pointed out that performance errors only become trainwrecks when the artist stops the show or looks visibly panicked.

"You can't really correct an error. Time moves forward," Rene explained. "We can't go backward and change that scene. You just need to move forward and try to work with what you got at that moment."

As Matt and Zak highlighted during the conversation, audiences do not possess the sheet music. If the band stays in the pocket and commits to the groove, listeners barely notice a slipped beat or missed line.

Small Lineups, Big Sound: The Backing Track Strategy

Another honest topic covered was the economic challenge of booking large bands. While Rene loves the sound of a full brass section, paying a seven- or eight-piece band often eats the entire door fee or club guarantee.

To keep performing consistently and profitably, Rene frequently gigs as a duo with bassist Michael Kennedy, using custom backing tracks to fill out the frequency spectrum with auxiliary percussion, rhythm pads, and punchy horn arrangements. This hybrid setup lets them deliver the fullness of a large ensemble while splitting the paycheck only two ways.

The ZHZ Takeaway

Rene Fernandez’s story is a blueprint for what it means to be a working creator. You do not need to wait for a major-label record deal or a nationwide tour to make great music. By honoring the craft, treating collaborators with respect, investing in live horns when making records, and embracing the unexpected moments on stage, you build a sustainable musical journey on your own terms.

Follow Rene Fernandez

Catch the entire interview with Rene Fernandez, including his Soundtrack To My Life picks and Rapid Fire answers, by watching or listening at zhzpodcast.riverside.com.