Drumeo Gab Podcast

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Brian Frasier-Moore (Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Usher) - #BFMThoughts Part 2 Jun 28, 2020

Show notes

"New decade. New year. New Goals. New Energy."

Brian Frasier-Moore is one of the GOATS in the pop music scene. He has been a major player in the business for nearly three decades and has worked with some of the biggest names in pop. Another aspect of Brian that is quite exceptional is his ability to continue adapting and also innovate within the industry. I am not kidding when I say that BFM World will soon have VR capabilities for students. You will hear more about it in this episode.

I interviewed Brian at the Victoria Drum Festival all the way back on episode 118. It was my first time meeting him and the interview went great. We had a really nice time breaking bread and having some drinks together at the dinner table with our friends after the interview. It was an incredible moment that I won't soon forget.

The theme of that interview was something that I felt was unique and Brian said that he had not experienced an interview quite like it before. I took some of Brian's "gems" and we got talking about some of the ideas and concerns that he has addressed in the past. I wanted to have Brian on the show again simply because he has such a real attitude. He tells it how it is and it is all based on considerable amounts of experience. So, we went with some newer "gems" and we get down to some very real subjects and break down some big issues here.

You Will Hear About….

Adapting to the times and VR innovations for BFM World.
Social media and the lack of authenticity that exists.
How is this year affecting Brian's goals and ambition?
Why don't people want to pay for content?
The "old you" and how people can hold you to that standard.
Brian's new signature snare from Pearl drums.

Why Should You Listen?

This is not evergreen content. Meaning that we are talking a lot about the times we are currently living in. However, this was recorded during the COVID crisis but not during the BLM protests after George Floyd's death. So, keep that in mind when you are listening.

Overall, we need to self-evaluate as people. What are your relationships like with people and technology? Do people hold you to old standards when you are indeed making a strong effort to be the best version of yourself? Would you consider supporting more creatives in the industry who are providing us with music, apparel, or other collectibles? Did you have big dreams this year that have been somewhat crushed by the events happening in the world? If you reflected on any of these questions, consider deeply listening to this conversation.

This is literally Brian and I just hanging out and being real about some big subjects. I hope that you enjoy the ride.

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Signature Snare Drum by Pearl!

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VIP - 06/24/20 - The Lessons Learned Episode Jun 24, 2020

Show notes

VIP is created in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com.

Today we are talking about lessons learned. I read a bunch of comments, tell a couple of personal stories about lessons I have learned and we have some great news from a fellow listener Mark Pederson.

The beat featured is by Joe Lyle

Stephen Taylor (Stephen's Drum Shed) - Show Up And Be Yourself Jun 21, 2020

Show notes

"Don't be afraid to sing in your own voice."

Stephen Taylor is a drummer and drum set educator living in Nashville, TN. He is the founder of StephensDrumShed.com and also the creator of the Drum Better Daily system. While Stephen has been utilizing the internet and social media to create an online drum education business for quite a while now, he started off playing a lot in clubs on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. He eventually left that scene to further his education by attending University of Southern Mississippi and obtained his jazz studies degree under the instruction of Dr. John Wooten.

Stephen did have a professional career as a touring musician with the band, Lovers and Liars and was signed to Universal Republic Records but in other interviews I have heard Stephen talk about how this situation was as amazing as people may think. It was time for him to take control of the wheel and do something that was his own.

Since this time, Stephen has poured his energy into Stephen's Drum Shed. He has a close relationship with his online students and focuses on providing value to the drumming community.

You Will Hear About….

Our thoughts about engaging with our audience.
Living in the culture of where music originated from and how that adds a legit quality to music.
Why you may not be happy with your sound.
Establishing rules to work within to explore your creativity.
Making your strengths stronger.
Why your story matters.

Why Should You Listen?

There are many things that I enjoy about Stephen's content but one thing in particular is how pragmatic he is about character building. It is something he tends to focus a lot on. Basically, how you develop your character off the kit helps your playing while on the kit. The two things exist simultaneously. So, knowing this about Stephen, we dove headfirst into topics about self-acceptance, courage, your voice, making your strengths stronger and why your story matters.

All of these topics are inspirational and it is all obtainable with enough soul searching and kind spritness towards yourself and others. I think that there is something for everybody and every skill level in this interview.

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VIP - 06/17/20 - The Human Connectivity Episode (Midnight Thoughts) Jun 17, 2020

Show notes

VIP is created in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com

Today's episode is a solo episode where I improvised late at night last Thursday. I began talking into my phone to record some ideas and realized that I was actually making something. I expressed some concerns about the financial burdens of living in an amortized world that I feel prevents people from experiencing more freedom. Also, the heightened stress of living outside of your means when something like COVID hits the world. I also mention some stuff regarding virtue-signaling online and how social media infiltrates our lives and I do talk a bit about BLM and how I am learning a lot but also that I am discovering in the process how complex institutionalized racism really is. Each day I am looking into this stuff further and further and my mind is getting blown each time I dig. And finally, I talk about the preciousness of human life and why we need to be in touch with what is going on and how there is no guarantee for anything.

I featured some music from my friend Sam Cino's band "Chipotle" and share a brief story about how Sam and I met many years ago.

Gregory Storey (Mrgregles) - Tourette's Makes Me Who I Am Jun 14, 2020

Show notes

"Find the benefits it has, draw it out and use it to your ability. It doesn't have to be a roadblock it can actually be a leg up."

Gregory Storey has a very compelling story. He has been featured on many BBC documentaries regarding his life with Tourette Syndrome. In these documentaries you will see just how severe his tics were during his childhood and into adulthood. Interestingly enough, drumming seems to be his relief from this awful neurodevelopmental disorder.

Once he began playing the drums the tics went away. He experienced such an overwhelming feeling from this relief that it brought him to tears. An entire childhood of having no control over his tourette's and now suddenly the big red guy with a megaphone has been silenced.

Gregory is now a full-time streamer on the platform Twitch. He has hosted a handful of streams where he performs on the drums for over 10 hours to raise money for certain charities concerning Tourette's. For a person to overcome so much in his life and continue to shine positivity certainly makes Gregory a great role model for other kids and adults who suffer from Tourette's and other disorders.

You Will Hear About….

Gregory talks about his, now dissolved, tech company Aspartech.
How Gregory became a streamer on Twitch.
Gregory's past with Tourette Syndrome and how drums helped him overcome that.
The language he invented "seldom".
What tolerance means to Gregory.
Some details regarding his Roland drums and a story about his hero Craig Blundell.

Why Should You Listen?

I think in order to understand how amazing it is that Gregory was able to perform this interview the way he did, you need to watch some of the documentaries he has been featured on. Check this one for example.

He coughed maybe six times in this interview, which is hard to determine whether it was simply a cough or a tic. He explains in this interview how he manages to maintain as much control as possible. He was, in fact, using a technique during the interview to not tic. What he was doing is astounding to say the least.

I think that this episode really educates people about Tourette Syndrome. For years, I thought it was just people who shouted profanity and had physical tics. As it turns out, I knew nothing about it. Only 10% of people who have Tourette Syndrome shout profanity though. Gregory is part of that 10%.

You will also understand the willpower that Gregory has. For a person who has been through so much torment in his life has managed to achieve considerable success for himself. Gregory is a tremendous example of perseverance who we can all learn from.

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VIP - 06/10/20 - The Favorite Albums Episode Jun 10, 2020

Show notes

VIP is created in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com.

Today we are talking about our favorite albums. Take notes and maybe you will find something new to listen to.

Casey Cooper (Coop3rdrumm3r) - Do What You Love Jun 07, 2020

Show notes

"I want you to do it because you love it and because you want to create something cool and see what happens."

Casey Cooper is a very well known YouTuber who has established his online presence by providing content that encourages beginner to intermediate drummers to have fun playing drums. He has created content for YouTube officially since 2011 and has since then become the largest YouTube drumming account in the world.

However, these claims of major success online through views and subscribers appeal very little to Casey. His major focus is communication between his audience and creating a strong positive message to drummers who need encouragement and reminding them that having fun needs to exist within drumming.

In this episode, we go over his humble beginnings, the purpose of his content, and the realities of being a YouTuber.

You Will Hear About….

Casey talks about being a "bridge" for drummers.
What do Casey's fans say to him in emails?
There are different points of where we are with our journey with drums.
The financial realities of being a massive YouTube drummer.
What is the best approach and reason to create content?

Why Should You Listen?

Casey falls into a bit of a unique presence online. He keeps his drumming content approachable and doesn't focus on displaying highly advanced drumming. Yet, he managed to create a large brand. This is rare and very difficult to pull off and so Casey gets backlash for that here and there. I think there is a fairly small but fierce sub-community of drummers that is very focused on the art of drumming. These drummers take this stuff very seriously and we all know that it is incredibly tough to break through the noise. And then there is Casey who has a huge following and is perceived to be quite successful. And he very much is, but not the way you might think.

No one needs to be barraged by wanna-be pro drummers and I think this episode clearly informs listeners that Casey doesn't make a ton of money, at all, from YouTube. He is providing entertainment, his kind, and approachable spirit to engage younger drummers to stick with it and hopefully find themselves playing for years. Eventually, they may venture off into more "artsy" stuff and no longer watch Casey. It happens to him. That is why he considers himself a "bridge".

Casey's content, to the more experienced musician, still has value though. He reminds you of why you play. He somehow has a legit sense of "beginner's joy" or "honeymoon phase" when he plays. What is special is how that hasn't seemed to wear off. A lot of drummers probably lose that as they develop. It becomes something else or it simply evolves as we go through our seasons.

Casey's content is about some fun gimmicks, inspiration, and overall positivity. He has something that is very good for the industry, so it makes more sense to just appreciate what he's doing. I can't see him breaking down Tony Williams parts from Eric Dolphy's "Out To Lunch" anytime soon but there is a person for that I am sure.

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VIP - 06/01/20 - The #blacklivesmatter Episode (A Tribute To George Floyd) Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

#blacklivesmatter #GeorgeFloyd

Tommy Igoe (WIM Trio, Groove Conspiracy) - Be A Leader May 31, 2020

Show notes

"Social media is what we make of it."

Tommy Igoe is an intensely passionate guy. He is a world-class performer, educator, and speaker as a result of a lifetime of hard work. His educational materials, "Great Hands For A Lifetime" and "Groove Essentials" Vol.1 and 2 are iconic and used by an incredibly vast amount of drummers all over the world.

If you have been following Tommy's career for any length of time, it is fair to say that excellence and the pursuit of it is a leading priority in Tommy's life. And again, if you have been following Tommy for a little while, you already know that he is very direct and vocal, especially when it concerns conduct on social media.

I think the friction that occurred back in 2019 had so much positive effect to cut through the noise online. I mean, at one point or another, someone in the world was probably talking about the trolling stuff this time last year. People love drama and this was the best soap going in the drumming community.

It was a moment where his audience would be able to 100% trust who they were aligning with because I have never seen Tommy break his word online. If he says he is doing something, he does it and doesn't stop doing it. I have serious reverence for that level of commitment. His #igoechallenge is going on over two months! He has been serving while out of work to improve other drummers and by doing so he is also improving. Setting a positive example.

This #igoechallenge became the reason why I saved this one for last. His words have become more substantiated by his actions during these difficult times. He is doing a great job of including people, creating a safe place for drummers to develop, providing quality education, encouraging drummers in an honest way, and showing respect based on what is deserved. He rewards strong work ethic and good behavior. He is a very good leader and that cannot be argued.

You Will Hear About….

The world debut of WIM Trio.
Shit on a snare and other Instagags.
The purpose of Tommy's Instagram.
Tommy's thoughts on what happened in 2019 with the trolling.
Tommy addresses the trolls.
The importance of leadership.
Only providing feedback when it is being asked for.

Why Should You Listen?

For starters, this episode has some hilarious moments, often. And, haven't we all been wondering what was going on in Tommy's backstage with the trolling stuff? I mean, let's be real. The whole thing with Tommy getting trolled was like a rabid pack of hyenas on the biggest hunk of roadkill imaginable. If I went through that, it would most definitely become a constant thought throughout my day and negatively affect my life.

I would imagine that there will be people who will listen to this and still mutter to themselves that Tommy is an asshole or something or avoid listening out of spite. At the same time, at the heat of the Tommy vs Trolls war last year, my episode with him shot up in downloads immediately. There is something attractive about the whole thing but what is great is that now he has risen to the occasion that befalls every working musician on the planet and is practicing what he preaches. I think Tommy is hard to fault these days. If you do because of what you thought last year, then you have a life with very little worry or concern and you should be stoked AF.

I wanted to host an interview getting Tommy speaking what matters to him and further strengthen his name in the community. I think we did that here and we had a lot of fun too.

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Photo: Ronn Dunnett

VIP - 05/27/20 - The Practice Episode May 27, 2020

Show notes

VIP is created in part by YOU, the audience. Submit your media to Seamus@drumeo.com.

Today we are talking about practice! I have reached out to several friends to contribute their thoughts about practice. Each of these artists has services available. Click the links below if you wish to learn more about these amazing musicians/educators.

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