Working Drummer

Latest Episodes:

287 – Neil LaFortune: Hosting the “Gretsch Afternoon Drum Break”, Working with Tribute Acts, Adapting to the Socioeconomic Climate of Your Scene Sep 17, 2020

Show notes

Neil LaFortune has covered many styles throughout the years from Classic Rock, Funk, R&B, Country, Latin, Pop, Jazz, and Blues based cover bands, to original acts. Studies at Ontario College of Percussion in Toronto and later studies with Jim Blackley helped prepare Neil for professional settings that required reading and versatility.

The last several years Neil has been busy with Tribute acts such as Abba Revisited, Police tribute “Message In A Bottle,” as well as many other tributes in the U.S. and abroad. Neil’s work included gigs with his duo Sticks and Tones as well as rising Canadian country singer Meghan Patrick opening for the likes of Rascal Flatts, Dwight Yoakam and Kiefer Sutherland. In 2020 Neil started hosting his weekly interview series called the Gretsch Afternoon Drum Break.

Teaching is another passion and Neil teaches lots of private lessons at home and does clinics and workshops locally and abroad. His teaching efforts earned him the Drummers Choice’s Teacher of The Year in 2003.

In this episode, Neil talks about:

* Differences between the music scenes in Canada compared to the U.S. * Hosting the “Gretsch Afternoon Drum Break” * Navigating the world of endorsements * Adapting to the socioeconomic climate of your scene* Working with tribute acts* Good health after 50

This episode is sponsored by Beier Drums

Neil proudly endorses: Gretsch drums, Dream Cymbals and Regal Tip products

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286 – Cooking Drummers: Marcus Finnie and Zack Albetta Talk Food Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

Marcus Finnie and Zack Albetta both have a deep and abiding passion for food and cooking. So since a lot of us are probably doing more cooking these days, we wanted to talk what we’ve been up to in the kitchen, share some resources, recipes, tips, tricks, and hacks, in hopes that it will inspire some others to push their kitchen game a little higher.

In this episode, Marcus and Zack talk about

* What got them into cooking* The importance of quality, sharp knives, and the difference between sharpening and honing* Pans: the versatility of non-stick, and moving on to stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron* Cooking for kids and how to make delicious veggies* A few basic tips to make simple things like pasta or roast chicken AWESOME* Venturing into baking* Parallels between cooking and music

Links to stuff we talked about:

Smitten Kitchen

The Paprika III recipe organization app

“Ruhlman’s Twenty” Cookbook

Instant Pot

Knives: Shun, Wustoff, Global, Cutco

This episode is sponsored by Beier Drums

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285 – Mike Hansen: Recording the New Hurricane Album, “Cross-blending” with Acoustic and Electronic Drums, Covering Ted McKenna’s Drum Parts on a Rory Gallagher Tour Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

Originally from Chicago and spending over 35 years and in the Los Angeles music scene, Mike Hansen had the opportunity to work with many great artists such as the band Hurricane, Steve Vai, George Lynch, Doug Pinnick of kings X fame, The Pointer Sisters, Albert Lea, the band tribe after tribe and many others.He’s been spending this last year living in Chicago taking care of his parents and tending to his fathers needs who’s been suffering from cancer. His father was an important figure in Mike’s musical development as his father was a professional guitar player and exposed Mike to many great musicians and opportunities throughout his life.

In this episode, Mike talks about:

* Working “non-music” gigs * The influence of his father* Using the Roland TM-6 drum module to mix with his acoustic kit live and when recording* Recording the new Hurricane record* Covering Ted McKenna’s drum parts on a Rory Gallagher tour* Working with Dug Pinnick* Touring in the mid-80’s

This episode is sponsored by Beier drums

Mike endorses: Aquarian drum heads, Sawtooth Drums, Soundbrenner, Kickport, Beier Drums, JBL, Cymbal Sox, Techra drumsticks, ChromaCast and Chicago Drum company

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284 – Christopher Allis: The Never-Ending Journey of Home Recording, Reassessing Our Relationship with Music, Balancing Career and Caregiving Aug 27, 2020

Show notes

Christopher Allis has been active on the LA scene for over a decade doing session, touring, commercial and jingle work. He has lent his talents for TV spots for Coca-Cola, Discovery Channel, and others. His playing can also be heard a variety of commercial music for shows including “Smash”, “The Voice”, “True Blood”, “Sons of Anarchy”, “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, and a variety of children and young adult shows on ABC, ABC Family, Nickelodeon, and the Disney Channel. Film music includes “Planes – Fire and Rescue”, “The Hills Have Eyes”, and overdub sessions for the James Bond films “Gold Finger”, “The Man With the Golden Gun”, and “Dr. No”.

His latest touring stints have been with Deanna Carter and Michael Nesmith. He has also entered the world of academia as a special guest lecturer at the USC Thornton School of Music where we works with production classes to discuss and demonstrate modern studio drumming techniques.

In this episode, Christopher talks about:

* Tailoring your home recording rig to your skill level and your target market* The flexibility of minimal mic’ing techniques* Acquiring recording gear that you’ll grow into * His listening habits during COVID* Leaning into a particular aesthetic to find his place on the LA scene* Reassessing what we really want out of music and how to get it* How his life and career have changed as a result of his wife’s ongoing battle with cancer* Not asking “why?” but rather, “what now?”

Christopher endorses Ludwig drums, Istanbul Agop Cymbals, Remo Drum Heads, Vater drumsticks, Canopus Snare Wires and Accessories, Big Fat Snare Drum, Snare Weight, SKB Cases, Yamaha DTX Electronic Drums, andToontrack software.

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283 – Danny Gottlieb: New Duo Record with Mark Egan, Drumming for Pat Metheny, Studying with Joe Morello Aug 20, 2020

Show notes

Danny Gottlieb is one of the most popular drummers in jazz and contemporary music. While best known as the drummer in the original Pat Metheny Group, of which he was a member for six years, Danny, during the past 30 years, has performed and recorded with some of the world’s greatest musicians including Airto and Flora Purim Group, Al DiMeola Project, Blues Brothers Band, Bobby McFerrin Trio, Elements (co-leader with Mark Egan), Gary Burton Quartet, Gil Evans Orchestra, WDR Big Band, Gary Sinise’s band: Lt Dan Band and many more.

Danny has been on the covers of Modern Drummer, Down Beat, Drums and Percussion, Rhythm, and Drum Scene magazines.

In this episode, Danny talks about:

* Teaching at the University of North Florida* The multicultural experiences of music * Drumming with the Pat Metheny Group* Recording in the late 70’s* The new recording “Electric Blue” with Mark Egan* Reflecting on Lyle Mays* Studying with Joe Morello * Drumming for the Gary Sinise’s band: Lt Dan Band

Find the new recording here: https://markegan.com/wavetone

This episode is sponsored by Beier Drums

Check out Troy Lucketta rocking the Beier 4 x 15 snare here

Danny currently endorses: Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drum Heads, Basix Drums, Hot Sticks, Eames Drum Shells, Calato Brushes, Vic Firth Mallets, Alternate Mode-Kat products, Shure Microphones, Hammerax Products.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

282 – Jack Jones: Making YouTube Videos with Rick Beato, Diving Into Creativity and Improv During COVID, Playing in a Hard-Working Cover Band Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

Jack Jones has been performing and teaching music for 25 years. Jack has has toured the U.S. and Japan extensively with jam band luminary Col. Bruce Hampton, Texas Blues artist Chris Duarte, and Blair Crimmins and the Hookers. In 2019, Jack was featured in YouTube music channel host, Rick Beato’s videos, Top 20 Drum Intros of All Time and Top 20 Drum Fills of All Time, which have collectively received more than 3 million views. He has a B.M. in Music Education from the University of LA at Monroe, and a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University, and he has worked with many local and national artists such as Scott Henderson, Keven Bales, and the Joe Gransden Big Band. He is currently the full time drummer with The Mike Veal Band, a well known Atlanta cover band. He also composes music and leads his own project, The Jack Jones Trio, a jazz trio with which he will be recording in the coming year.

In this episode, Jack talks about:

* Using the last few months to explore his creative process and improvisatory instincts* Planting seeds for a collection of original compositions* Trying to find a “free” state of mind in musical situations with defined parameters * Rick Beato’s in-the-moment approach to producing his Youtube videos* His main live gig with the Mike Veal Band, a long-time Atlanta favorite

This episode is sponsored by Beier Drums

Check out Troy Lucketta rocking the Beier 4 x 15 snare here

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

281 – Stephen Taylor: Stephen’s Drum Shed, New and Creative Ways to Teach Drums, Staying Focused on Family while Building a Career in Music Aug 06, 2020

Show notes

Stephen Taylor is the founder and owner of StephensDrumShed.com as well as the creator of the Drum Better Daily system. The website is membership based and offers a way to learn the drums online in an organized and goal oriented fashion. Stephen has written three drum method books and also offers downloadable video drum lesson packs and individual lessons on his site.

Stephen began playing professionally at the age of 16. During his formative years, he studied under drumming phenom Henrique De Almeida (Current Associate Professor of Percussion at Berklee College of Music). In his late teens and early twenties, he cut his teeth playing nightly in clubs on Bourbon Street, in New Orleans, LA. After three years of gigging up to ten hour days, he relocated to pursue his education. While obtaining his degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern Mississippi, he studied under Dr. John Wooton.

Stephen currently maintains a busy teaching and playing schedule in Nashville, TN. He has played and toured with independent and major label artists including Danielle Peck (Big Machine Records), Jason Jones(Warner Music), Meshach Jackson, and many others. In late 2008, Stephen began playing with an original project, Lovers and Liars. They signed with Universal Republic Records between 2010 and 2011, had several songs featured on MTV, and had the opportunity to share the stage with Hoobastank, Finger Eleven, Civil Twilight, Candlebox, Hurt, Cavo, Hinder, Fuel, Eve 6, Hawthorne Heights, Red, Thriving Ivory, Theory of a Deadman, Saving Abel, Framing Hanley, 10 Years, Seether, Shinedown, and many others. Stephen also has a passion for teaching with current and past students having achieved or been featured on MTV, NBC, The Grammies, VH1, The Real World, the Dove Awards, and various college scholarships. In addition, Stephen was part of a feature article in the October 2013 issue of DRUM! Magazine entitled “The Drum Stars of You Tube”.

In this episode, Stephen talks about:

* His online drum school: Stephens Drum Shed* Finding new and creative ways to teach drums* Lear...

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280 – Beth Goodfellow: Loops and Layers with Drums, Percussion, and Voice, How COVID will Effect the Lives and Livelihoods of Working Musicians Jul 30, 2020

Show notes

Beth Goodfellow is an LA-based drummer, percussionist, and vocalist. She studied classical percussion at San Jose State while playing gigs around the San Francisco Bay Area, simultaneously serving as a drummer in the California Air National Guard Band of the West Coast. While residing in San Francisco Elizabeth appeared on two episodes of America’s Got Talent as a drummer in The Emily Anne Band and subsequently relocated to Los Angeles. Since moving to L.A. Elizabeth has released two albums of her original music, recorded with artists including Boygenius, Per Gessle, and Crossrecord, and has toured with Iron & Wine and Madison Cunningham.

In this episode, Beth talks about:

* Her varied background of drumset, percussion, classical music, musical theatre, military band, and songwriting* What leading creative projects taught her about working as a side player on others’, and vice versa* The National Independent Venue Association* The Restart Act* The questions musicians need to be asking ourselves, each other, and our employers during and after COVID* How Ableton aligned perfectly with the layered and looped way she likes to make music

Check out Beier Snare’s here – https://www.beierdrums.com

David Northrup is the 2nd drummer in the Beier ad. You can find his solo CD here.

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279 – Eric Darken: Percussionist, Composer, Performing with Jimmy Buffett, From Congas to the Garden Weasel Jul 23, 2020

Show notes

For over 30 years Eric Darken has worked as a studio and touring percussionist for some of the biggest bands and artists in the world. Just a few of his recording credits includes Taylor Swift, BonJovi, Jewel, James Bay, Maren Morris, Bob Seger, Carrie Underwood, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and new artists Carly Pearce and Moon Taxi.

Eric has traveled around the world and throughout the United States performing with artists such as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Take 6 and Bob Seger. He currently tours with Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band and frequently performs live with Mac McAnally.

An accomplished composer and producer, Eric has written original underscores for TV and film. These shows include Dateline NBC, 20/20, Fox Sports, the Discovery Channel, The NFL Network, National Geographic and the film, The Fantastic Four – Rise of the Silver Surfer. Other projects include A Drummer Boy’s Christmas and Sunday Drive.

In this episode, Eric talks about:

* Taking advantage of the downtime to grow, learn, write and record from home* “Owning the instrument” learning all the tones and possibilities an instrument can deliver* Working with Jimmy Buffett* Creating percussion parts that are felt but not always heard* From household items to gardening tools to create percussion sounds * Building a sample library

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR SPONSOR – BEIER SNARE DRUMS

Spotify link to Damon Johnson Live record with Jarrod Pope playing the 6.5×14 Beier Snare

Eric endorses Meinl Percussion, Paiste Cymbals, Mike Balter Mallets, The Trashkat and Shure Microphones

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278 – Rudy Royston: An Album of Solo Drumming, Storytelling on the Drumset Jul 16, 2020

Show notes

First-call New York drummer Rudy Royston has honed a thoroughly engaging voice as a composer and bandleader, and has also performed as a sideman with Dave Douglas, Bill Frisell, and many other jazz greats. His releases include his compelling debut ‘303’ (2014), the raw and bracing trio follow-up ‘Rise of Orion’ (2016) and the chamber quintet release ‘Flatbed Buggy’ (2018). His latest release, “PaNOptic,” is a collection of four suites for solo drumset, the proceeds of which are going to MusiCares to benefit musicians in need during the pandemic. Check it out

In this episode, Rudy talks about:

* The making of his new record* Communicating emotional or story-driven ideas on the drumset* How Denver shaped his development as a student and young professional* How gospel and jazz share an “in the moment” ethos* What he took from his experience as a public school music teacher

Rudy endorses Canopus drums, Vic Firth sticks, Gibraltar hardware, and Sabian cymbals.

This episode is sponsored by Beier snare drums – CHECK THEM OUT HERE!

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