Working Drummer

Latest Episodes:

207 – Carmine Appice: The GUITAR ZEUS Project, Mixing Technique with Power and Volume Feb 28, 2019

Show notes

One of the premier showmen in rock, Carmine Appice became known worldwide for his astonishing live performances and a highly sought-after session drummer, He is known As the drummer for many ground breaking rock bands in the late 60’s to early 70’s like Vanilla Fudge Cactus as well as one of the first super groups with Jeff Beck, Beck, Bogert & Appice.

In 1976, he joined Rod Stewart’s band, touring, recording and writing two of Stewart’s biggest hits, “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” and “Young Turks.” In the early 1980s, he toured with Ozzy Osborne and Ted Nugent. In the mid ’80s, he formed King Kobra for two Capitol albums and international touring. In the late ‘80s, he formed Blue Murder with Whitesnake’s John Sykes and The Firm’s Tony Franklin. In the early ’90s, he pounded away soul-style for The Edgar Winter Group.

As an educator, Carmine was the first to legitimize rock drumming with his landmark book, The Realistic Rock Drum Method, selling over 400,000 copies

His latest project is a re-release of his GUITAR ZEUS project, a compilation album featuring a who’s who list of the best and world-renowned guitarists on the planet including Brian May, Slash, Neil Schon, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Richie Sambora, Dweezil Zappa, Vivian Campbell, Steve Morse, Dug Pinnick, and many others

In this episode, Carmine talks about:

* The GUITAR ZEUS project, a compilation album

* New projects and a stage in Carmine’s career

* Life leading up to Vanilla Fudge

* The influence of drummers in the 60’s

* Mixing technique with power and volume

* Carmine as educator and his very successful book

* Advice for teachers

Carmine endorses Vic Firth, ddrum, Evans drum heads, Sabian cymbals, DW Pedals, Anvil Cases, The Carmichael Throne, Zoom

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206 – John Bryant: The Dallas Scene, Playing with Ray Charles, Teaching Drums and Production, Musical Partnership with Stewart Copeland Feb 21, 2019

Show notes

John Bryant is a drummer, percussionist, composer, educator, and music producer residing and working in Dallas, Texas. Originally from Virginia, he moved to Dallas and majored in music at the University of North Texas, where he performed and recorded with the One O’Clock Lab Band. He has recorded and/or performed with numerous artists including Ray Charles, Delbert McClinton, Joe Walsh, Lightnin’ Hopkins, the Paul Winter Consort, and Doc Severinsen. Bryant has played, composed and produced music for many different types of projects that include regional artists, touring shows, major motion pictures, and documentary films for PBS and National Geographic. His latest project is playing and co-producing for a new record with Glen Clark, a hit singer/songwriter and veteran of Bonnie Raitt and Delbert McClinton.

Bryant is a founding member of the world music percussion group D’Drum, and acted as producer of the group’s collaboration with composer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer Stewart Copeland and the Dallas Symphony on the world premiere of Gamelan D’Drum, a three-movement concerto commissioned for D’Drum.

Bryant has recorded across the country in some of the most important recording studios pivotal to the history of American popular music. These include A & R / Columbia Studios in New York with Phil Ramone, RPM Studios with Ray Charles, and Sound Castle Studios in Los Angeles, Criteria Studios in Miami, The Automatt in San Francisco, Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ardent Recording in Memphis, Arlyn Studios in Austin, and most every recording studio in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

In this podcast, John talks about:

* The pros and cons of the Dallas scene, and what keeps him and other working musicians there

* Leaving school in the middle of his last semester to join the Paul Winter Consort

* How living and working in Dallas helped him get the gig with Ray Charles

* Dallas’s role in the jingle recording industry

* Teaching drumset and music production at Southern Methodist University, and the role of listening in both

* One of the keys to nailing a style: the balance or “EQ” between the voices of the drumset in that style

* Practicing for coordination/ideas vs. practicing for sound/touch

* Playing with Ray Charles, and his experience as a white musician in that predominantly black band

* His long friendship and musical partnership with Stewart Copeland

BBC SERIES: HISTORY OF DRUMSET WITH STEWART COPELAND

HISTORY OF THE BASS WITH TINA WAYMOUTH

HISTORY OF GUITAR WITH LENNY KAYE

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205 – BaldMan Percussion: Drummers Mike McKee & Danny Young, Creating The Junk Hat, Promoting with Integrity Feb 14, 2019

Show notes

Danny Young (bald) and Mike McKee (bald) met a few years back while touring together and very quickly bonded over their mutual love for all things drums/percussion. Since then, they started a very nerdy friendship of developing and creating new instruments to use on their respective gigs: Mike with Delta Rae and Danny with Dan Tyminski.

In 2018, the two officially joined forces and created “BaldMan Percussion”. The baldmen are continually developing new and unique instruments to help take the drum and percussion world to the a new sonic space! Their first release, The Junk Hat™, is now making it’s way across the world and they are currently in the test stages of their next product!

Mike McKee of Raleigh, North Carolina is the drummer/percussionist for the band Delta Rae. He has traveled the world with Delta Rae since 2009, and has performed on Conan O’ Brien, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The Late Show with Seth Meyers.

When not traveling with Delta Rae, Mike teaches private drum lessons, records for various artists, and conducts team building programs with Drum Team Collective™.

Mike endorses Ludwig Drums, Remo Drumheads, and Vic Firth Drumsticks.

Danny Young has been playing drums for 18 years in every sort of band, ensemble, and setting imaginable. He is currently based in Nashville, TN where he plays drums, sings and music directs for Eastland, Lucie Silvas, and 14-time Grammy award winner, Dan Tyminski. Danny can also bet seen playing with Thompson Square, Brandy Clark and Lindsay Ell.

In addition to touring, Danny is also heavily involved in the studio, both playing drums and singing. He has worked for a wide range of clients including singer-songwriters, pop, rock and country artists, several Cruise lines, theme parks, music publishers and more.

Danny endorses Treehouse Drums, Snareweight, Vic Firth and Humes & Berg

This episode is sponsored by Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs. Go to www.discovervibes.com and use promo code WDP to get 15% off plus free shipping (free shipping only applies to customers in the USA)

In this episode, Danny and Mike talk about:

* Representing at NAMM

* Current news with podcast alumni Danny Young

* Modernizing the approach to recording in the publishing world

* Mike drumming for the band Delta Rae

* Mike’s project “Drum Team Collective”

* Describing The Junk Hat and it’s many uses

* Promoting yourself all while maintaining authenticity

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204 – Sam Wisman: One Foot in Drumset, One Foot in Percussion, Both Feet in Kansas City Feb 07, 2019

Show notes

Drummer/Percussionist Sam Wisman is a versatile fixture in Kansas City’s thriving creative music scene. He is a member of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, the Mark Lowrey Trio, Roger Wilder Quartet, Kinnor Philharmonic, Marimba Sol de Chiapas, and the People’s Liberation Big Band. He has performed with the Kansas City Symphony, the Topeka Symphony, New York Voices, Bobby Watson and more. He has worked extensively as a percussionist in musical theater including the Kansas City Repertory Theater, New Theatre Restaurant, Unicorn Theater, Musical Theater Heritage, and the Coterie Theater. Sam has helped premiere works by Harry Connick Jr., Stephen Schwartz, Shirley Jones & Richard Maltby Jr., Henry Krieger & Bill Russell, Samsel/Anderson & Jodi Picoult, and Ahrens & Flaherty. You can also listen to Sam as a DJ for Jazz Afternoon on 90.1 FM KKFI.

In this podcast, Sam talks about:

How his career of late has become centered around musicals

Straddling the classical and jazz departments in college

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203 – Dillon Napier: Drumming for Grammy-Nominated Margo Price, Recording at Sun Studios, The Benefits of Learning Multiple Styles Jan 31, 2019

Show notes

For over 10 years, Dillon Napier has been the drummer for Grammy Nominated artist Margo Price. From performing at the O2 in London and Red Rocks in Colorado, to performing on multiple TV shows including Saturday Night Live, Margo’s success in recent years has afforded Dillon many unique and bucket list opportunities with many more to come. You can hear Dillon on Margo’s 2016 record, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter as well as the recording, All American Made from 2017 that features Willie Nelson on one track.

Well before his work with Margo, Dillon was already a familiar face behind the drums in Nashville’s most popular rock clubs, honky tonk bars, and studios. Dillon has been a go-to hired gun on record and on the road for country, rock, and Americana artists such as Chris Knight, Caitlin Rose, Patrick Sweany, Sonia Leigh, and many more.

In this episode, Dillon talks about:

* Working with Margo Price

* The subtle intricacies of traditional country drumming

* The benefits of learning different styles

* Recording at Sun Studio

* Feeling the positive influence of JJ Johnson’s drumming

* Recognizing the difference between a good drummer and a great drummer

Dillon endorses: Sabian Cymbals, Promark sticks, Evans drumheads, Sakae drums

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202 – Bob Knight Part II: Building a Live Resume, What Your IG Feed Tells Employers, TV Gigs Jan 24, 2019

Show notes

Bob Knight was our guest on episode 165 and was so informative and entertaining, we had to go back for more. Bob lives in London where he commands somewhat of a dual career, both as an in-demand drummer and a music agent or “fixer,” matching musicians with bands or artists who need backing. He graduated from the jazz program at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London and has gone on to work with some of the biggest names in pop music including Sting, Cee-Lo Green, Charlotte Church, and Jennifer Hudson. His company, BEK Music, has provided musicians for a huge variety of acts from Andrea Bocelli to Eminem.

In this episode, Bob talks about:

* Custom-building a new practice/rehearsal studio

* Being a session drummer week in, week out vs. casting yourself that way on social media

* The results of a few months of intensified practicing

* Being more committed, confident, and consistent in his timekeeping, and the positive response it’s gotten

* The Yamaha EAD10

* Using social media to shine a light on others, and how social media factors into his hiring decisions

* “Not playing” with Sting, the other artists he’s done sideline TV gigs with, and the prep involved with that kind of gig

* His most recent TV gig as drummer and M.D. on Celebrity Game Night

* Not taking himself seriously while taking what he does seriously

* The strategy in turning down certain gigs, even when you’re available

* His thoughts on the ”tribute” trend

This episode is sponsored by Motion Pro Drum Thrones

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201 – Drummers Fitness Round Table: Danny Elliott, Mark Poiesz, Matt Iceman, Dave McAfee and Corbin Cagle Jan 18, 2019

Show notes

In this episode we share stories and experiences of five accomplished drummers who maintain standard fitness practices as part of their daily and weekly routines. This roundtable includes Matt Iceman – (David Nail), Dave McAfee – (Toby Keith), Corbin Cagle – (indépendent), Mark Poiesz – (Tyler Farr), and helping to moderate the conversation is fitness expert and life coach Danny Elliott. Danny is a drummer and owner at Heart Body Soul.

In this episode, the roundtable talks about:

* What each of them is doing to stay healthy and their personal journey

* Matt Iceman talks about losing over 110 pounds

* The importance of nutrition in conjunction with exercise

* “You can’t out-exercise a bad diet” – Matt Iceman

* Misconceptions about products that claim to be healthy

* How your exercise routine changes as you age

* Back pain

* Warm up routines and staying hydrated

* The power of a healthy mental attitude

* The benefits of a daily meditation practice

* Substance abuse and it’s adverse effects

* Self awareness

This episode is sponsored by Motion Pro Drum Thrones

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200 – Chris McHugh, “Best Of” Roundtable: Seth Rausch, Harry Miree, Travis McNabb & Hubert Payne Jan 16, 2019

Show notes

To celebrate our 200th episode, we invited four of our favorite past guests – Seth Rausch, Travis McNabb, Hubert Payne, and Harry Miree – to participate in a roundtable discussion. We then did an extended interview with Chris McHugh. The show was recorded and filmed at The Drum Pad in Nashville at Drum Paradise.

Seth Rausch is a skillful drummer currently working as the touring drummer for Keith Urban. Other artists he’s worked for include Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, Phil Vassar, and Little Big Town. While he was with Little Big Town, he had the opportunity to record on two of their records and work with producer Jay Joyce. He continues to collaborate and record with some of Nashville’s top writers, musicians, and producers.

Travis McNabb is best known as a longtime member of the band Better Than Ezra, and brings his style and integrity to every situation. In mid-2007, He became the full-time touring and recording drummer with Grammy-award winning act Sugarland. He puts his years of recording and engineering experience to use in his own home studio and in recent years he’s been the drummer for country artist, Frankie Ballard.

Hubert Payne excelled at football in high school and college and won two State Championships. His athletic skills as well as superb drumming skills continue to inspire. He has worked with many nationally-touring country artists that include Love & Theft, David Nail, Casey James, and since early 2015, Little Big Town.

Harry Miree has built a successful YouTube channel where he covers many topics like “The True Life of a Side Musician, Open Handed Techniques, alternatives to playing a Cajon and many other useful videos. He has over 76,000 subscribers and is currently the touring drummer for LoCash.

In this podcast, the roundtable panel talks about:

* Goals and intentions for 2019

* Physical and psychological challenges

* What listening means to them

* Memorable mistakes and lessons learned from them

Chris McHugh is one of the most sought-after drummers in the Nashville recording scene. His playing can be heard on thousands of recordings dating back to the mid-1980s. He has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Michael Bolton, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McIntire, Faith Hill, Kenny Rogers, Jars of Clay, Trace Adkins, Jewel, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Lionel Richie, and countless others.

In this podcast, Chris talks about:

* How his playing has changed conceptually over the years

* What it means for your playing to have character

* Being mentored by Larry Londin, and the current state of mentorship in Nashville

* The homogenization of the recording industry (Nashville vs. L.A.)

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199 – Dusty Simmons: Playing with The Cris Jacobs Band, The Richmond Renaissance, Concepts from a Self-Taught Drummer Dec 20, 2018

Show notes

Dusty Simmons was born and raised in Richmond, VA, which he still calls home. He tours and records with The Cris Jacobs Band, and is part of multiple projects in Richmond. Dusty’s dad is a musician and had a garage full of instruments when Dusty was a kid. This is where and when Dusty began learning about music, and he was gigging by his sophomore year in high school. It has been non-stop gigging since then, be it in bands on the road and in the studio, in music stores, or as a drum tech and audio engineer. During his adult life, he has seen an explosion of art and music in Richmond, driven by locally grown creatives, locally owned and operated venues, labels, studios, and the prestigious art school at Virginia Commonwealth University.

In this podcast, Dusty talks about

* His main gig with the Cris Jacobs Band

* His three Richmond-based tribute projects

* Secretly practicing on his dad’s gear as a kid

* The vibrant music and arts scene in Richmond

* His Instagram Live show, “Diggin’ with Dusty”

* How he learned to conceptualize drumming and music as a self-taught

* The early experience that turned him off from formal music education

* Thinking of a groove to a dance

* Teching for Lamb of God’s Chris Adler

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198 – Rod Morgenstein: Drumming for The Dixie Dregs, Winger, The Steve Morse Band Dec 13, 2018

Show notes

Rod Morgenstein’s unique, dynamic and musical drumming style has led to Rod’s winning the Best Progressive Rock Drummer award in Modern Drummer Magazine’s Reader’s Poll 5 years in a row (1986-1990) and Best All-Around Drummer (1999), earning him a permanent position in the magazine’s prestigious Honor Roll. Rod was a founding member of the groundbreaking group the Dixie Dregs. Rod is also very well known as a member of the award winning rock group Winger. These two groups have reunited in recent years and continue to tour regularly.

Other projects that Rod has been involved with are The Steve Morse band, The Rudess/Morgenstein Project, the jam band Jazz Is Dead, Platypus, whose two recordings feature John Myung (Dream Theater), Ty Tabor (King’s X) and Derek Sherinian (Planet X) as well as an offshoot of Platypus, The Jelly Jam, a power trio featuring Rod, Ty Tabor and John Myung.

In addition to his recording and touring credits, Rod is very active in drum education. He recently retired from the position of Professor of Percussion at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. Also, his highly recognized instructional materials include videos, audio cassettes and books. His most recent offering is Drum Set Warm-Ups, touted as the definitive text for developing and improving all aspects of drum set playing.

In this episode, Rod talks about:

* Diversifying your workload

* How his teaching position came about at the Berklee College of Music

* The early years of the Dixie Dregs

* The unique challenges the Dixie Dregs faced within the music business

* The Steve Morse band opening up for Rush in 1985

* The awesome story of what lead to Rod playing on the Burning for Buddy project

* His audition for Winger

* His audition for Journey in 1986

* Taking chances on stage and the benefits of his book: “Drum Set Warm-Ups”

* Developing Berklee online courses https://online.berklee.edu/courses/rock-drums

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