Working Drummer

Robert Blair is a Nashville TN based drummer with decades of live and studio experience. Originally from South Carolina, Robert's early love and commitment to drumming led him to working and touring by the age of 16 with players many years his senior. At the age of 21, he made the move to Nashville where he's built a reputation as a solid and reliable player with a professional sound. Not only does Robert stay busy in Nashville, live and in the studio, he has become the first call sub for country super star Martina McBride as well as the iconic pop band Wang Chung. In this episode Robert talks about: His early interest in drumming Acclimating to Nashville and it’s scene Learning from Nashville’s legends Finding ways to nurture growth in your playing Staying “awake” when performing The power of therapy Being your authentic self Communicating the time feel from the count off to the last chorus Subbing on the Martina McBride gig Subbing with Wang Chung

Jose Medeles is the owner of Revival Drum Shop in Portland and the author of several books including The Stoic Drummer. In his former life, Jose was an LA based working drummer and toured and recorded with The Breeders and many other artists, and also did a stint working at the famed Pro Drum Shop in Hollywood. Most recently, Jose became the brand manager for the relaunch of Slingerland Drums. In this episode, Jose talks about: His LA-based playing career prior to moving to Portland and opening Revival Working at Hollywood Pro Drum and learning the value of connection and community from Stan and Jerry  Making the decision to leave the road and move out of LA, and grieving the loss of his old life while embracing his new life  Recognizing when making a sacrifice for an opportunity is or isn't worth it Revival Drum Shop’s origin story and mission HIs new role as brand manager for Slingerland Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

Rich Scannella has played for some of the most iconic superstars in the music industry. Rich has played, toured, and or recorded with legendary artists: Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Jon Bon Jovi & The Kings of Suburbia, Tonic, Brian Fallon (Gaslight Anthem), Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Joe Elliot (Def Leopard), Neal Schon (Journey), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Gene Cornish (The Rascals), and Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf), to name a few. He has toured the USA, Europe, UK, Japan, Canada, and South America. Rich began drumming at age 9 under the direction of his father, Joe, a band leader and Juilliard graduate. It was in his father’s jazz band that Rich first gained invaluable experience, and he turned pro at age 16 by joining the Trenton Musicians Union Local #62. His dad’s influence soon gave way to a love of rock & roll and he never looked back. Along the way he attended New York City’s premier drum school Drummers Collective. Hungry for all the knowledge he could get, he focused intense study w

A native of South Florida, percussionist Murphy Aucamp studied classical percussion at Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, while simultaneously studying rumba in the streets of south Florida. He is a graduate of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he studied under Steve Rucker, Dafnis Prieto, and John Yarling. Murphy’s performing credits include appearances with Blue Man Group, Gloria Estefan, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Quincy Jones, and Nu Deco Ensemble, He has toured internationally with trumpeter Brian Lynch’s “Spheres of Influence” band, and contributed arrangements and percussion on two Grammy-winning albums: “The Omni-American Book Club” – Brian Lynch Big Band, and “American Dreamers” – John Daversa Big Band. He currently resides in New York City, where he performs in the acclaimed off-Broadway show, Blue Man Group. In this episode, Murphy talks about: Growing up in Miami and getting exposed to all kinds of music and instruments at an early age Studying drumset at University of

Tim Baltes is a drum-centric American music professional living in Nantes, France. Tim has accrued years of social strategy, copywriting, product development, and MI retail operations experience bolstering manufacturers, distributors, and retailers alike. Tim has advised drummers including Curt Bisquera (Johnny Hallyday, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Tom Petty), Michael Urbano (Sheryl Crow, Smash Mouth, Third Eye Blind), and Nic Collins (Phil Collins, Genesis), educating them on audio engineering, audio/video editing techniques, and content marketing strategies. In this episode Tim talks about:     ◦    Adjusting to living and working in France     ◦    Creating real friendships thru social media connections     ◦    The differences between IG and YouTube     ◦    Being authentic on social media     ◦    His drumless loops - Sloux     ◦    Streamlining content creation Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

Ben Hilzinger is a Los Angeles-based drummer and songwriter with 20+ years of performing, recording and teaching experience.  Currently the drummer for Eve 6 and Cannons, Ben has also written, recorded, and/or toured throughout the USA/internationally with MXPX, Fitness, Mike Herrera, Party Nails, We Shot The Moon, Glorybots, Ever So Android, Jake Cummings, Josh Eacrett, Dave Cavalier, and many more. In addition to performing and teaching, Ben is the Director of Artist / Client Relations for Big Fat Snare Drum and hosts the ‘Big Fat Five’ podcast. Before moving to Los Angeles in 2016, Ben also taught drums/percussion/music theory both privately and at Off The Wall school of music in Seattle, WA.  In this episode, Ben talk about: His new book, “Drummers On Drumming,” a compilation of content from his podcast of same name Giving yourself grace about your path, approach, etc.  Taking self-inventory about how your skillset, learning style, and goals overlap Being diagnosed with ADHD and imposing structure on

Dylan Wissing is a session drummer based in Hoboken, New Jersey, who has recorded for such artists as John Legend, Drake, Kanye West, Jay-Z and Eminem. He is best known as the drummer on Alicia Keys’ Grammy award-winning hit, “Girl on Fire,” and is heard in national ads for AT&T, American Airlines, Valvoline, Behr Paints and Banana Republic. Dylan teaches the art of recording and session drumming at his website, Creating the Sound, and is a proud endorser of WTS Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads, Innovative Percussion sticks, Prologix practice pads, TnR Products, and the Cymbal Resonance System. In this episode, Dylan talks about:    Pros and cons of tech when tracking remotely    Changes with Dylan since we last spoke in 2018    His three kit set up in his studio    His website and educational content    Providing live drums in a sea of loops and samples    Useful plug-ins    Andrew Marsh introduces WTS Drums Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

Master Gunnery Sgt. Chris Rose has spent the majority of his professional career in his role as percussionist, drumset specialist, and soloist with the United States Marine Band. "The President’s Own" comprises 160 members and takes various forms depending on the event or occasion they’re playing for and the instrumentation needed for it. As you’ll hear, this affords Chris the opportunity to play a huge variety of musical roles, from classical percussion to marching drums to jazz and rock drumset. In this episode, Chris talks about: Studying classical percussion at Rice University, and his first post-school gig in Branson with Andy Williams What makes The President’s Own unique among military bands Getting outside yourself in service to the music and the event it’s part of The incredible variety of musical roles he plays in a given week The potential for musical development and upward mobility within the band The various drummers he channels in various drumset roles Life in DC, and looking ahead to lif

In years past for milestone episodes, we would do something kinda special or make a big deal out of it in some way. This is definitely our biggest milestone yet but it comes at a time when neither of us (Zack & Matt), really have a lot of time to organize anything much more involved than a regular episode. We tried to line up a special guest but the scheduling didn’t quite work out. We’re confident that person will join us for an episode in the near future, just not this one. This podcast has always been a side project for both of us, and has often taken a backseat to the main aspects of our personal and professional lives, and it’s kinda ironic and fitting that our 500th episode is no exception. So for this episode, we take the opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come, talk about what's been learned along the way, where we’re at in life at the moment, and what’s coming up, and of course to thank you all for your support in helping us get this far. In this episode Zack and Matt talk about:     ◦    Zack’

Dave DiCenso began his career in the late 80s on the metal scene in his hometown of Boston. He later studied at the Drummers Collective in New York and went on to enjoy a successful and varied career touring and recording with Steve Morse, Hiromi, John Petrucci, Duran Duran, Josh Groban, and many others. He is the author of several books including Universal Rhythms for Drumset and his most recent, Fluid Fills and Musical Phrasing, and just celebrated the milestone 30 years of teaching at Berklee. In this episode, Dave talks about: Self identifying as a “backbeat” drummer and that being the common thread in all the music he's played Possible reasons for modern drum recordings sounding “safe”  How your limitations can actually benefit you and help you define yourself How his teaching approach has evolved over 30 years at Berklee  “Mastering the instrument that plays the instrument” i.e. self-mastery Taking a break from performing in an effort to finally address a physical issue that has dogged him his who

Dango is a professional drummer based in Nashville, TN who is currently drumming for Grammy award winning artist Scott Stapp – the voice of Creed. He is also a member of the platinum selling worship band, Sonicflood. He has performed with bands and artists all over the world, from the US, to South Africa, to Europe, and South America. He graduated from Belmont University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance, studying under the legendary Chester Thompson. Dango is a longtime member of the punk band Amber Pacific, having songs on TV shows, movie soundtracks, video games, Monday Night Football, an album on Billboard Top 100, and four music videos on MTV. With Amber Pacific he has performed four full summers on the Vans Warped Tour and toured almost a decade together. Dango has also performed or toured with the multi platinum selling rock band RED, Fireflight, Superchick, All Time Low, Mxpx, Nofx, Manafest, Scarlet White, Tricia, Warren Barfield, Phil Joel, Tommy Walker, Craig Campbell, The Swon Brother

Jano Rix is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer who has been the third member of The Wood Brothers for over a decade. He started as a hard core jazz pianist, earning a degree from the University of Miami and playing experimental jazz on the New York scene, but he gravitated back to the drums, his dad's instrument, and steered his path back to other styles of music. The Wood Brothers are currently on tour and in the process of recording their next album. In this episode, Jano talks about: How recording to tape changes not just the result, but the entire experiencing of playing and listening during the tracking process  How playing keys and drums at the same time brings cool ideas out of both The idea of following flexible time instead of dictating steady time  How his jazz education focused too much on the music’s theoretical result and not enough on its emotional process.  What he took (and left behind) from his jazz days What he learned from his dad Luther Rix about pla

Brandon Green is a biomechanics specialist, fitness educator, gym owner and drummer. Brandon’s online presence, often recognized as “Drum mechanics”, explores educational biomechanics perspective on fitness, drums and life. Brandon provides a series for all called the "Drum Ergonomics Blueprint" as well as his "Drum Forever Fitness Community". In this episode, Brandon talks about: The Drum Ergonomics Blueprint Physical demands of drummers in the modern age Understanding your range of motion and working within that Brandon’s podcast: The Drum Mechanics Podcast Hacks for setting up backline kits consistantly The importance of recovery & being able to interpret sensation(s) https://www.youtube.com/@brandondrummechanics https://www.instagram.com/drummechanics Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

Aaron Redfield grew up in San Diego and started his career on that scene. In addition to his long tenure as the drummer for The Greyboy Allstars, he has compiled a long list of touring and recording credits including Elton John, Ceelo Green, and Foster the People. After 15 years living and working in LA, he has moved is family back to San Diego and operates from there. In this episode, Aaron talks about: The new Greyboy Allstars record and how it came together The musical meaning and history of the word Boogaloo The San Diego scene and how it shaped him His non-profit that pairs professional producers and artists with aspiring teenage musicians The powerful negative effects of isolation The three A’s: Affable, Able, Available Relocating from LA to San Diego Finding world-class musicians and studio spaces in San Diego Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

Martina Barakoska is a drummer and musician who in her considerably short career has gained notable achievements. Deep and thoughtful yet energetic and playful, her style reflects her love of modern music and her fascination with the power of the drums. Throughout the years, she has maintained continuous growth of success preaching individuality, quality, and persistency.Winning an award for the best drummer at “T’k Tak” drum competition when she was only 17 was followed by many successful music projects. She is actively involved in North Macedonia's music scene, currently working and touring with Funk Shui. She's also worked with artists like Swindle, Emmy Meli, Luboyna, Vladimir Chetkar, MPNG, Efterklang, Duper, Luboyna, Vladimir Chetkar, etc. Her projects have taken her on tours across Europe and the Balkans.In 2022 she released her second solo album named "Sunrise” and took part in the “Yamaha Drum Days” Festival in Paris. She was also a part of the line-up at the workshops in Salzgitter Drum Meeting 2022

Caleb Whitlock grew up in Charlotte and has been based there for two years after having attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He tours nationally with singer/songwriter Ethan Regan, plays locally with a variety of acts, records in his home studio, and also works as a post-production engineer. Making part of his living doing post-production and editing, and how that differs from mixing How doing post production on acapalla vocal music has influenced how he hears and records drums Neutralizing his room acoustically rather than try to make it sound amazing The Charlotte scene and how he returned to it after college, a couple years of work in "The Triangle" (Raleigh/Durham Chapel Hill), and a few months in a Catholic monastary. Being clear-eyed about finances, how much different types of work earn, and saying yes and no to gigs according to your lifestyle goals Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

Chad Wackerman’s professional career began in 1978 with the Bill Watrous Refuge West Big Band. Since then he has amassed a remarkable body of work including a seven year association with Frank Zappa, with whom he toured the USA and Europe and recorded 27 albums including the London Symphony recordings. He has also recorded 8 albums and toured with guitar legend Allan Holdsworth, played on the ‘One Voice’ album and video with Barbra Streisand, and recorded albums and toured with artists as diverse as James Taylor, Steve Vai, Andy Summers, Steven Wilson, Men At Work, Ed Mann, Albert Lee, Colin Hay, Dweezil Zappa, Pasqua/Holdsworth/Haslip/Wackerman Group, Terry Bozzio, Carl Verheyen, David Garfield,John Patitucci, Jennifer Batten, Joe Sample, Robbie Kreiger, Banned From Utopia and The World Drummers Ensemble (Bill Bruford, Luis Conte, Dou Dou Ndiaye Rose and Chad Wackerman) . As a band leader and composer Chad has five critically acclaimed CDs: ‘Forty Reasons’, ‘The View’, ‘Scream’, ‘Legs Eleven’ and his latest

John R. Beck, Professor of Percussion at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, also teaches at Wake Forest University. He is the principal percussionist of the Winston-Salem Symphony and is a member of the Greensboro Symphony, Brass Band of Battle Creek, and the Philidor Percussion Group. A former member of the United States Marine Band, for 10 years he performed regularly with the National and Baltimore Symphonies, Washington and Baltimore Operas, and the Theater Chamber Players of the Kennedy Center. Beck has toured the United States as a xylophone soloist with the Jack Daniel's Silver Cornet Band, Brass Band of Battle Creek, and the New Sousa Band. John is a Past President of the Percussive Arts Society and presents clinics endorsing Yamaha percussion instruments, Zildjian cymbals, Innovative mallets, and is a Remo Endorsed Drum Circle Facilitator in the Health and Wellness community. In this episode, John talks about: What it means to play credibly How his thoughts on versatility vs. spec

As a performer, session player, instructor, producer and clinician, Matt Crowning is more than a "drummer's drummer.” He is a "musician's drummer" that brings a wealth of talent, experience, and style to each situation. Matt's diverse performance background ranges from Country, Pop, Rock, Big Band, Jazz and R&B. His work includes performances with various Curb Records, Disney Records / Disney Channel artists, Love and Theft, College 11, Kiki Sanchez, Vanilla Monk, Matt Farr and Kerrie Roberts. Currently, Matt is performing with Country Artist, Amber Leigh, on tour and in the studio. These shows include support act performances with Kenny Chesney, Trace Adkins, Lady Antebellum, Gloriana and many others. In this episode, Matt talks about:    Navigating the remote tracking world    Buying a house with a home studio built in    Playing drums with his wife Amber Leigh    Maintaining a family/work balance    Making a good impression as a sub    Running tracks in a live show    Using traditional grip Here's

Originally from the Bay Area, Martin Diller spent over a decade on the LA scene, touring, recording and playing locally with a wide range of acts including Post Modern Jukebox and his own quartet. Over the pandemic, he went back to school and became a licensed therapist, and returned to the Bay Area where he still maintains an active performance schedule alongside his therapy practice. In this episode, Martin talks about: The 7-day-a-week grind of freelancing in LA Playing with Post-Modern Jukebox and other LA artists How his career shift coincided with a desire to relocate back home to the Bay Area How he incorporates music and drumming into his therapy practice Developing intentional ways of maintaining mental health and balance as a musician, especially on the road