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Originally recorded in October of 2021, this conversation with Sammy Merendino is a standout. Sammy is a Broadway veteran with decades of experience under his belt and a reputation for being one of the most reliable and musical drummers in the business.
In this episode, we discuss:
* Growing up in Akron, Ohio, and playing in several bands during his formative years.
* What it was like auditioning for Chubby Checker and getting an 18-month tour.
* The importance of playing live and playing with older and better players.
* Going to a cattle call for a Billy Idol tour and his many second-place finishes.
* How a $2.75 beer at the Prince Street Bar catapulted him to another level where he became the go-to guy for drum programming in New York City.
* Meeting Larry Blackman and recoding ‘ Single Life’ and eventually programming the drums for their breakout album “Word Up.”
* Working on commercials in the morning, then off to do sessions with Hall and Oates in the afternoon, and Cameo later at night.
* How he met Cyndi Lauper and got the drum chair at Kinky Boots.
This is the kind of episode that every drummer trying to break into theater should hear. Sammy is full of practical wisdom, and his calm, grounded approach is something a lot of players can learn from.
Sammy has recorded and/or performed with many top artists, including Cameo, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Foreigner, Lou Reed, Aretha Franklin, Ziggy Marley, Hall & Oates, The Beach Boys, Pat Metheny, Joan Osborne, Anita Baker, Sophie B. Hawkins, Carly Simon, Paul Rodgers, and many others. He has played on numerous Grammy-winning recordings and over 1,000 commercials and television themes, including Monday Night Football with Hank Williams Jr., Nightline, World News Tonight, and ABC Golf.Currently residing in Harlem, Sammy's turn-of-the-century brownstone is home to a state-of-the-art recording studio. Complete with Pro-tools HDX, Neve/API/BAE/ mic pre's and EQ's, vintage microphones, and compressors, his drums are always set up, and mic'd - ready to go!
If you’re serious about making a career in Broadway drumming, don’t miss this one.
Subscribe to Broadway Drumming 101 wherever you listen to podcasts, and visit broadwaydrumming101.com for more interviews, resources, and stories from the pit.
Clayton Craddock founded Broadway Drumming 101, an in-depth online platform offering specialized mentorship and a carefully curated collection of resources tailored for aspiring and professional musicians.
Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. As a skilled sub, he’s contributed his talents to Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Hadestown (tour), and many more. He has also appeared on major shows, including The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Deniece Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.
Clayton proudly endorses Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.
Learn more about Clayton Craddock here: www.claytoncraddock.com
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