Working Drummer

Latest Episodes:

436 - David Garibaldi: Creating Art, Being Yourself, The Early Days of Recording with Tower of Power, His Latest Book: DG’s Notebook Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

David Garibaldi has became one of the most influential drummers of his generation and became known as an innovator in funk drumming. As a writer and performer David has worked with such artists as Patti Austin, Natalie Cole, Mickey Hart's Planet Drum, Boz Scaggs, The BBC Orchestra, Gino Vannelli, Talking Drums, The Buddy Rich Orchestra, Ray Obiedo, Wishful Thinking, and many others. David is once again performing and recording with the Tower of Power.

David was Modern Drummer Magazine - readers Poll Winner "R&B/Funk" category six times. Five consecutive years from 1980-1985, and again in 2003. His name now permanently resides in that polls honor roll category for his lasting contributions to the percussive arts.

David's first book, "Future Sounds", was rated one of the 10 greatest drum books by Modern Drummer Magazine (August 1993)

In this episode, David talks about:

The importance of good overall health
The early days of recording with Tower of Power
Creating art and being yourself
Adjusting his approach over time
Getting hit by a train and the recovery
His latest book: DG’s Notebook

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435 - Couples Counseling: Partners' Perspectives on Doing Life with a Drummer Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

This week we’re joined by Christina Albetta (Zack's wife), Liz Shadbolt (Matt's wife) and Kevin Leon, drummer for St. Paul & The Broken Bones and his wife Erin Johnson. Over the years Matt and Zack and many guests have talked about life partners and balancing relationships with our music careers, and we thought it was high time to hear from the other side of this equation about what it’s like to do life with a drummer. A long term committed relationship with a musician or any type of creative presents some unique challenges in terms of money, time, kids, trust, and so much more, and Christina, Liz and Erin offer some valuable perspective on all of it.

In this episode, the couples talk about:

How finances and other responsibilities in a relationship are never 50/50
Being willing to do whatever you have to do to support kids
Creating your own traditions and celebrations on your own schedule
How you can support your drummer without feeling obligated to come to every single gig
Trusting your partner during time apart
Normalizing therapy/counseling for individuals and couples

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434 - Danny Douchette: Managing Forks Drum Closet, The Underground Nature of Metal, Local Events that Connect Musicians Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

Danny Douchette is one of the rare Nashville Tennessee natives living and working in his home town as a musician. He has been working at Fork’s Drum Closet since 2005 and currently manages the legendary drum shop. Known as a skilled metal drummer, Danny can be seen around music city performing at one of the many community supported events like “Rare Hair”, “Industrial Night” and “The Rock and Roll Residency” just to name a few.

In this episode, Danny talks about:

Local events that connect musicians with each other
Growing up with a parent who was a professional musician
The underground nature of metal
Managing Forks Drum Closet in Nashville, TN
The challenges of maintaining an original band

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433 - Mike Dillon: His "Punkadelick" Trio, Rooting the Avant Garde in the Traditional, Making Creativity More Intentional Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

Mike Dillon's decades-long career as a vibraphonist, percussionist, and drummer has included work with Ani DiFranco, Les Claypool, Stanton Moore, Rikki Lee Jones, and many others. He has also led bands in his own right, the latest of which is Punkadelick, with Brian Haas on keys and Nikki Glaspie on drums. Their new record is called Inflorescence. When not on the road, Mike splits his time between New Orleans and Kansas City.

In this episode, Mike talks about:

His new trio, Punkadelick with Brian Haas on kers and Nikki Glaspie on drums
Finding his place at North Texas as a percussionist rather than a drumset player
Committing to mastering the blues and jazz harmony in the improvisatory context
The influence of Johnny Vidacovich as an improvisor
How the scenes of Kansas City and New Orleans have shaped him
How his wife, visual artist Peregrine Honig, has influenced his art and creative process

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432 - Jon "Ginger" Hamilton: Drumming for Sam Smith, Preparing for the Gig You Want, Touring in the 21st Century Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

Originally from South East London and currently residing in Nashville, TN, Jonathan 'Ginger' Hamilton developed his love for music growing up in church. By age fourteen was holding it down for the UK's leading worship leaders and groups. A few years later, he made his Pop music debut and has gone on to work with artists like, Jessie J, Olly Murs, Lianne La Havas, N Dubz, JLS and Westlife. Since 2017, he has been the touring drummer for Sam Smith. *** Use code: JGHDRUMS15 for 10% off at hyperice.com

In this episode, Jon talks about:

Managing drumming and repetitive stress injuries
Acclimating to Nashville, TN from London
Influence of Caribbean and African music in gospel music in the UK
Bringing positivity to every situation and gig
Preparing for the gig you want
Drumming for Sam Smith
The touring rig for the 21st century
Mentorship
His clothing line, Drum and Drummer

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431 - Tina Raymond: Her New Record, Running a College Jazz Program, Setting Boundaries Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

Tina Raymond is an accomplished drummer, composer, bandleader, and educator based in Los Angeles, CA. A unique voice in the contemporary improvised music scene, Raymond blends traditional jazz vocabulary with African polyrhythm and classical percussion technique. She is the Director of Jazz Studies at Cal State Northridge, and her new trio album Divinations will be released October 6th.

In this episode, Tina talks about:

Creating a jazz program where students don’t feel like they’re in competition with each other
Putting boundaries around her professional life, whether it’s as an educator or a performer
How she tries to help her students become well rounded people, not just good jazz musicians
Her new record “Divinations” and its tarot theme
Building drum solos around accompaniment
Making her record “drums forward” both in performance and mix

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430 - Chris DiGirolamo: Two of the Show Media, Diverse Opportunities in the Industry, Responsibilities of a Publicist Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

Chris DiGirolamo has been the owner and operator of Two of the Show Media since 2006. Chris started studying drums at the age of five and still performs to this day. From his time at Berklee College of Music, to his tenure at the well known Systems Two Recording Studio in Brooklyn, NY, to engineering at the legendary Record Plant Recording Studio in California, music has always been number one.

When Chris started Two for the Show Media, a private music publicity firm in Queens, NY, the mission was to provide hard work, honesty, trust, and guidance to the independent musicians of today. With two Grammy wins and over thirty nominations, Chris has fulfilled his goal times ten.

A fraction of the clients he has worked with include: Dafnis Prieto, Jamie Wollam, Cindy Blackman Santana, Simon Phillips, George Coleman Junior, JR Robinson, Bobby Sinabria, Steve Gadd and Manu Katche.

In this episode, Chris talks about:

The benefits of technology with PR
Responsibilities of a publicist
Artist development
Carlos Santana and the thank you letter
Marketing instruments like A&F Drums
Meeting Bill Kreutzmann from The Grateful Dead as a kid
Diverse opportunities in the music industry

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429 - Lucy Ritter: Touring with "Jagged Little Pill," Moving to LA, Followers vs. Relationships on IG Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

Lucy Ritter grew up in New Jersey with a good dose of NYC. She attended music school at Indiana University where Steve Houghton encouraged her to focus on drumset rather than classical percussion or music education. She left school to join the first national tour of the musical An Officer and a Gentleman, and followed that up with the first national tour of Jagged Little Pill. She recently decided to leave that tour and move to LA full time.

In this episode, Lucy talks about

Following through to make IG connections IRL
Learning how to record audio and video for college during COVID
How Steve Houghton encouraged her to focus on drumset rather than classical percussion and music education
How different types of music come with different lifestyles/subcultures
All the different ways professionalism has to be present in how you present yourself.
Seeking out female mentors

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428 - Jody Stephens: Drumming for Big Star, Those Pretty Wrongs, Ardent Studios and it's Rich History Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

Jody Stephens is a drummer based in Memphis, Tennessee, who has played in Big Star and is the last surviving original member. Along with his over three decades working at the historical Ardent Studios in Memphis, he continues to record and tour with groups like Golden Smog (with members of the Jayhawks and Wilco) and Those Pretty Wrongs with Luther Russell.

In this episode, Jody talks about:

Meeting his hero, Ringo
Ardent Studios in Memphis and it’s rich history
The importance of building relationships in the industry
What he learned during the recording of the first Big Star record
His work with Golden Smog
Playing music for fun not money
His duo Those Pretty Wrongs

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427 - Petar Janjic: Hitting His Stride in Nashville with Cory Wong, Uncle Bronco, and More Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

Petar Janjic is best known for playing with Cory Wong these days, but stays busy playing live and recording with many other Nashville artists. Petar's journey in music began with a solid educational foundation in his hometown of Kraljevo, Serbia . He pursued his passion by moving to the United States and earning both a Bachelor's and Masters degrees from McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul. He moved to Nashville in 2019. With his expertise and versatile skills, Petar Janjic continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his dynamic drumming and unwavering dedication to his craft. His contributions to the music industry and collaborations with esteemed artists have solidified his reputation as a true force to be reckoned with in the realm of percussion.

In this episode, Petar talks about:

How the old guard of Nashville studio drumming has influenced his approach
How the Cory Wong gig has fun/goofy aspects, but also takes preparation and quality control very seriously
The Minneapolis approach to time and groove that he and Cory both come from
Releasing an online drum course with Cory, and his "overtone control" cymbal dampeners
Playing with Victor Wooten
Uncle Bronco, his trio project with organist Ty Bailie and guitarist Adam McPhail

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