Studio Musician Academy

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Steve Brewster- Drums (Dierks Bentley, Faith Hill, Chicago) Oct 24, 2023

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Todays guest is first call, Nashville session drummer, Steve Brewster. Over the past 30+ years, Steve has lended his eclectic approach on the drum set to records for a vast array of artists such as Richard Marx, Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley, Michael W. Smith, Chicago, and Jewel.
Steve has mastered the art of session playing, with an approach that puts the artistic vision of the song and the big picture of the band performance before his own instrument. Utilizing what he refers to as his “stylistic mix dial.” Steve fine tunes his approach to serve each unique song.

In this episode, hosted by session drummer Miles McPherson, we explore a range of career necessities such as how to use your creative voice to fit the track, treating the drum set for the room, secret weapons for you session bag, and the art of communication to achieve the clients vision.

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Mike Waldron - Guitar (Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, Jon Bon Jovi) Oct 10, 2023

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Todays guest is Mike Waldron. Mike has been picking through major tours and studio sessions for over 30 years. As a first call guitar player, he’s supported artists like Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, Luke Combs, and Hillary Scott.

Starting his career in LA club scene, Mike followed the “say yes to every gig” mentality which helped him polish his craft and connect with countless artists and songwriters. One of those songwriters, Jan Buckingham, suggested he make the trek to Nashville and with her help, Mike was playing the Grand Ol Opry a few short weeks later.

Since then, Mike has become a master at the craft of session playing. He’s participated in around 15,000 sessions, several of which have earned #1 status and coveted Grammy nods. Mike has learned countless lessons along his journey that he was kind enough to share with us in this incredible episode. From how to make your own luck to refining technique to get guitars to cut in a mix, and managing the ups and downs of the fickle music industry, Mike’s experiences are a priceless collection of light bulb moments that we hope will help you continue to grow as a player.

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Greg Morrow- Drummer (Dixie Chicks, Bob Seger, Luke Bryan) Sep 04, 2023

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Greg Morrow has dominated the drum chair in Nashville record sessions for nearly 3 decades. He’s laid the groove for artists spanning from Deana Carter and Steve Earl to Garth Brooks and Dixie Chicks to Luke Combs and Jon Pardi. Greg is a two time, ACM Drummer of the Year award winner, and can be heard on countless number one records.

Greg found his passion for drums early. He starting a band as a pre-teen and played club gigs around his hometown of Memphis through high school. Through a chance meeting at a festival and the help of fellow Memphis raised studio legend, Chad Cromwell, Greg landed his first major tour with Mercury recording artist, Larry Raspberry and the Highsteppers, before he was out of high school. After touring with Amy Grant, DeGarmo & Key, and Faith Hill, eventually Greg’s path led him to Nashville where he quickly rose as a first call studio Drummer and touring musician.

Greg believes that one of the keys to success in the recording industry is filling a deep well of musical knowledge that can fill up a variety of buckets at a moments notice. In this interview, I learned how deep that well reaches through the incredible stories of both success and temporary detours that Greg has masterfully navigated throughout his incredible career.

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TODD LOMBARDO (KACEY MUSGRAVES, NIALL HORAN, MORGAN WALLEN) Aug 21, 2023

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Todays Guest is Todd Lombardo! Todd’s career has been a masterful balancing act of execution as a first call studio musician, songwriter and producer.
His catalog of recording credits have amassed over 3 billion streams. He’s earned 2 nominations for ACM acoustic guitar player of the year, and has collaborated with artists ranging from Niall Horan and James Bay, to Morgan Wallen and Sam Hunt, to Kacey Musgraves and Vince Gill.

Todd’s path into the upper echelon of the recording industry started with his exploration of creating demos in his home studio and collaborating with a variety of songwriters. Eventually those projects caught the ears of many of Nashville’s top producers and Todd found himself on the tracking floor as one of the select few, first call guitar players in the studio scene.

While keeping up with a demanding schedule in the studio, Todd continued to carve out time for his Instrumental projects under the name TOLO, as well as songwriting and producing with artists such as Lera Lynn, Jana Mila, and Sarah Buxton.

This episode rounds the bases of Todd’s home run career, covering topics like building confidence in the chair, creating parts that fit the track, home recording ear, and so much more!

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Jeffery Roach - (Tim McGraw, Ne-Yo, Giorgio Moroder) Aug 07, 2023

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Today’s guest is Jeff Roach! Jeff is a phenomenal keyboardist, and arguably one of the best sound design/synth programmers out there. The man doesn’t even own Omnisphere. That’s how much of a badass he is. Always a great energy in the room, and an incredible ear for music. If you’re looking for clues on how to maintain a consistent career on an instrument that has buried many in its ever-evolving, technological wake- you'll love this episode!

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Tom Bukovac- Guitarist (Steve Nicks, Willie Nelson, Joe Walsh) Jul 18, 2023

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Today's guest is Tom Bukovac. If you're unaware of this man, strap in. Yes, he's played on everything. Yes, he's toured with Joe Walsh, Faith Hill, Ann Wilson, and more. And yes, he's handsome.
Most importantly however, he cares for the craft on a level that is truly awe-inspiring. Prepare for some wisdom, laughs, and tales from one the self proclaimed "soon-be-legends."
But he's already a legend in our hearts and minds.

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Dylan Wissing- Drummer (Alicia Keys, Drake, Jay Z, Kanye West) Jul 05, 2023

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Today's guest is Dylan Wissing!

Dylan is an in demand session drummer, studio owner, and educator. The New York Times applauded Dylan as “a musicians white whale.” We definitely agree and are honored to have been able to catch him for this incredible interview.

Dylan’s work can be heard on records for artists including John Legend, Alicia Keys, Drake, Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Eminem to name a few. A student of chasing down the perfect sound, Dylan has put his sonic stamp on sample packs for companies like Native Instruments, Cymatics, and Soundtrap.

In this interview, we discuss the power of mentorship and share stories from Dylan’s work with his first drum mentor, the legendary Kenny Aronoff. We explore lessons learned on the stage during Dylan’s time as the founder of ska band, Johnny Socko, unpack the breakthrough moments in his transition into a session drummer, and dive deep into the technical and creative approaches Dylan has mastered over the past three decades of work as a professional drummer, and explore what it takes to build an maintain a drum overdub recording facility.

We are blessed to have Dylan join us for the special edition of the Studio Musician Academy Podcast, live from the Namm Show in Anaheim CA. Lets dive in!

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Caroline Jones- Singer/Songwriter (Zac Brown Band) Jun 12, 2023

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Today’s guest is Caroline Jones. Caroline is a multi-instrumentalist and multi-genre singer songwriter. Her latest solo project reached #4 on the iTunes country charts. She’s been featured on the Grand Ole Opry, The Tonight Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and The Today Show.
Caroline is also the first female member of the iconic Zac Brown Band. Caroline brings an amazing perspective as both the hired musician and as artist hiring the musicians, depending on which side of the glass she’s sitting on for a session.
Exploring multiple instruments through the creative vision for her own songs, once she got introduced to the Nashville session musician world, Caroline found herself immersed in a passion for learning from the greats, and rising to that greatness. Caroline’s journey thus far is an amazing testament to the power of mentorship, and the many forms it can take.
From Zac Brown to Jimmy Buffet, Mac Macanally and Kenny Chesney, Caroline’s incredible talent, and relentless passion for her craft, has earned her way into some of the most coveted creative circles.
Opportunities that have led to invaluable experiences to fuel her artistic success. We are honored to have the opportunity to share Caroline’s amazing story. Let’s dive in!

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Jenee Fleenor- Fiddle (Jon Pardi, Steven Tyler, Blake Shelton) May 25, 2023

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Today's guest is Jenee Fleenor! Jenee is a first call fiddle player, songwriter, vocalist, and recording artist. She is a 4 time CMA musician of the year award winner, and the first woman to be nominated for the award. In 2019, Jenee was the first fiddle player to win the award in over 20 years. In an era when her primary instrument was largely considered out of vogue in the mainstream market, Jenee discovered a unique path to bringing a fresh approach which landed her on records with artists like Jon Pardi, Steven Tyler and Blake Shelton.

Jenee’s focus on excelling as equal parts student and master of her craft has elevated her impact to the highest levels of the recording industry. Her passion for the craft of songwriting, intention of lyrics, and an unparalleled ability to deliver infectious melodic parts are a few of the cornerstones to success that stood out to me in this conversation. Beyond the playing, we explore the methods Jenee has discovered to maintain an inspired spirit, manage an intense schedule, and maintain longevity in an ever evolving industry.

Jenee has a strong belief in paying it forward through her experiences to empower others, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to share her story with you.

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Eli Beaird- Bassist (Willie Nelson, James Bay, Shawn Mendez) May 08, 2023

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Today's guest is Eli Beaird!
Eli is a first call session bass player and runs Beaird Music Group, one of Nashville’s most in demand demo studios. Eli is an ACM Bass Player of the Year Nominee and his bass laying can be heard on records for artists ranging from Shania Twain and Willie Nelson to James Bay and Shawn Mendez.
Eli’s perspective as a bass player, band leader and studio owner offers an amazing insight into the various pathways musicians can take towards the coveted chair of their instrument. In this episode we explore Eli’s career path, creative process, the value of pre-production, the band leaders role on sessions, and so much more! Here we go!

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