Working Drummer

Latest Episodes:

187 – Elmo Lovano: The Founder of JAMMCARD on Networking, Community, and Branding Sep 27, 2018

Show notes

Los Angeles native Elmo Lovano built a successful career as a touring and studio drummer with Juliette Lewis, Miley Cyrus, Christina Perri, James Fauntleroy, Avril Lavigne, Paul Oakenfold and many more. He began to see the need for a legitimate networking platform for professional musicians because, “as creatives, we don’t use Linkedin, and as professionals, we don’t use Craigslist.” After a couple years of beta testing among friends and colleagues he launched the Jammcard app in 2017. After a successful rollout amongst L.A.-based musicians, Jammcard then launched in Atlanta, followed by Nashville.

In this podcast, Elmo talks about:

* How networking for musicians is pretty much the same at any level

* Fully completing your product (album, app, whatever) before you market it and release it

* The team he assembled to help him create, maintain, and grow Jammcard

* Best practices for Jammers

* Why Atlanta was chosen as the second launch city

* How to build a professional portfolio that will get you accepted to Jammcard

Elmo Lovano endorses Pearl drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, and Remo heads.

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

186 – Anthony Citrinite: Founder and CEO of The MeetHook App, The Director at The Collective School of Music in New York Sep 20, 2018

Show notes

MeetHook Founder & CEO Anthony Citrinite is an established pro musician with a number of career highlights including playing on live TV with the classic rock band Boston at the Fiesta Bowl in 2002, Katy Perry and Joe Perry in 2009 at Radio City Music Hall on the MTV Video Music awards, and playing percussion for Coheed and Cambria to a sold out show later that year. He can be heard on a number of notable major label releases & movie soundtracks with his band The SmashUp. Anthony has been a part of The Collective School of Music executive staff and board for 23 years.

Anthony is a visionary who is constantly coming up with new ways to help all people follow their passions while sustaining a career in music.

In this episode, Anthony talks about:

* What the MeetHook app is and how it’s used

* The personal experience that the app MeetHook offers

* How to tackle a daunting task

* Anthony’s journey

* The great teachers at The Collective

* Spreading the word about MeetHook

* The importance of making connections in the music business

Anthony endorses: MRP Custom Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vater Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads

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

185 – Jake Wood: Touring with “Hamilton,” The San Francisco Scene, Building an Independent Teaching Studio Sep 13, 2018

Show notes

Jake Wood has been touring with Hamilton since early 2017, playing percussion, keyboards, electronics, and running Ableton. With no prior experience in musicals, he landed the gig through a San Francisco acquaintance, and proved himself by taking a month away from pretty much everything else in his life to spend ten hours a day practicing and learning the show. In addition to Hamilton, Jake plays with Bay Area groups including Diego’s Umbrella and March Fourth, and has been running his own teaching studio for nearly a decade.

In this podcast, Jake talks about:

* How he landed the Hamilton gig with no prior experience in musicals

* Creating drum cover videos using songs with no drums

* How his social media content became a useful resume booster

* The month-long process of learning the show

* The intricacies of his part and learning to follow a conductor

* The mix of acoustic drums and samples in the pit set-up

* Playing continuous grooves vs. isolated single notes

* The Bay Area scene, and his musical life there outside Hamilton

* His strategy for building his teaching studio

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

184 – Ben Hans: Author, Editor & Performer for Hal Leonard Publishing, Performing Acoustically w/ Kip Winger, Partnering w/ John S. Pratt Sep 06, 2018

Show notes

Ben Hans is a musician and music instructor who keeps a busy performance schedule performing many genres of music. Ben performs as a freelance artist, who cut his teeth performing under the tutelage of Jazz Guitarist Jack Grassel and the late Swing Clarinetist Chuck Hedges.

Ben has shared the stage with a diverse list of artists such as singer/songwriter/composer and Grammy nominated C. F. Kip Winger. Legendary Rudimentalists John S. Pratt, Mitch Markovich, the great Jazz Pianist Barry Harris, celebrated Saxophonists Eric Morones, Johnny Padilla and Jesse Lee Montijo, Jazz Guitarists Scott DuBois, Jeff Schroedl and Steve Peplin. Guitar virtuosos Reb Beach, John Roth, Jorge Salan and Donnie Wayne Smith as well as rock vocalist Fiona Flanagan. Ben has also performed alongside many great regional jazz artists such as Rick Embach, Berkeley Fudge, Tom McGirr, Pete Billman, Aaron Gardner, John Babbitt, Michael Arnold, Kirk Tatnall, Mark Solveson, Jeannine Rivers, Swing Nouveau, and many more.

As an educator, Ben is currently teaching Music Business at SAE Institute in Nashville, TN. Past teaching positions include Milwaukee Area Technical College as well as the Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Ben is also an author, proofreader, freelance editor and session performer for Hal Leonard Publishing, with published works including: “Workin’ Drums – 50 Solos for Drumset,” “40 Intermediate Snare Drum Solos,” “Rudimental Solos for the Marching Snare Drummer,” “Modern School for Mallet Keyboard Instruments,” “HalLeonard School for Snare Drum,” and transcriptions of Ray Luzier’s “Double Bass Drum Techniques”, as well as performing on and writing for the Hal Leonard DVD “Traditional Rudimental Drumming”by John S. Pratt.

In this episode, Ben talks about:

* Building and developing his private teaching practice

* The importance of being able to read music

* Changes in the recording industry

* Diversifying your work load

* Successfully working through drum books – a strategy

* The history of John S. Pratt

* Ben’s gig with Kip Winger

Ben endorses Yamaha Drums, Aquarian Drumheads, Mike Balter Mallets, Vic Firth Drumsticks, and Tycoon Percussion

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

183 – Quinton Robinson Pt. 2: The Culture of a Musical, The Gig You Have vs. The Gig You Want Aug 30, 2018

Show notes

Quinton Robinson moved to Atlanta from Miami in 2010, and has established himself as a busy touring and session drummer for acts including Kenny Lattimore, Avery Sunshine, Algebra Blessett, and the newly released New-York-based musical “Born For This.” Jonathan Joseph served as his primary mentor on the drums, and Q has also made himself valuable as an expert Ableton practitioner and STEM producer. In addition to many roles as drummer, Quinton is also the musical director for Anthony David.

In this podcast, Q talks about:

The different type of fulfillment he gets from playing in musical theatre

How trust between a musical’s M.D. and drummer drives (and sometimes saves) the show.

What it means to be more than your job title

Navigating the culture clash that happens among people from different backgrounds on a musical

The enormous potential in musicals for drumming to contribute to emotional content

Honing your gift vs. honing the “vessel” that carries and delivers the gift

Being a good player vs. “living in musical excellence”

How being willing to do a little extra thing for free can lead to an income source

Using social media to make authentic connections and create genuine community

Quinton Robinson endorses Pearl drums, Vater sticks, Sabian cymbals, Humes & Berg cases, Reunion Blues gigbags, Audix microphones, Empire ears, Pighog cables, Ableton, Kickport, Drumdots, and Big Fat Snare Drum.

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

182 – Christian Matthew Cullen: Keyboardist, Composer, Sound Designer, Creative, Reaching Outside Your Comfort Zone Aug 23, 2018

Show notes

Christian Matthew Cullen started his professional career as a session musician and sideman for Jim Peterik (Ides Of March, Survivor) in his Wold Stage band where he gained the opportunity to play with notable rock artists such as Alan Parsons, Don Barnes (.38 Special), Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Kip Winger, Joe Lynn Turner ( Deep Purple, Rainbow), Mickey Thomas (Starship), and Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger).

Christian took over the keyboard chair in Night Ranger in early 2007. Joining up with original members Jack Blades and Brad Gillis, Reb Beach (Winger) and later, Joel Hoekstra (TSO, Rock Of Ages) , he toured the world supporting rock giants Journey, Styx, Boston, REO Speedwagon, Peter Frampton, Heart, Alice Cooper, Steve Miller and Eddie Money.

Christian launched a sample company called Sound Famous. It’s for Apple MainStage and features iconic synth sounds from classic records like Prince’s 1999 using analog and virtual synths captured through analog gear and processed to sound exactly like the records they came from.

Currently, he composes music and creates sound design for video games, animation and advertising. He has produced music for acclaimed clients such as Smirnoff, Party City, Hollywood Casino, The Kentucky Derby, Jeep, and the Florida Gators and award winning music for children’s media and toys for Tomy, Alex, Infantino, Fisher-Price, Radio Flyer, and Learning Curve.

In the episode, Christian talks about:

Recording with Abe Laboriel Jr

Being open to ideas in when recording

The benefits of “live tracking”

Defining the difference between composing and sound design

Finding out what your truly passionate about

Transitioning from live work to sessions and “in town” work

The influence of technology in the way we work and produce

The power of a peer to peer network to create work

Discovering new opportunities when you reach outside your comfort zone

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

181 – Quinton Robinson: JammCard, The Virtues and Stigmas of Gospel, The ABC’s of Ableton Aug 16, 2018

Show notes

In this podcast, Q talks about:

The advent of JammCard in LA, Atlanta, and Nashville

The mentorship of Jonathan Joseph and Will Kennedy

Making the jump from his gospel upbringing to the broader music world

The mixed reputation of the term “gospel drummer”

How church drumming makes you “road ready”

Why at least some Ableton literacy is almost necessary

How programming can be used as an enhancement or a crutch.

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

180 – Billy Thomas: Drumming for Vince Gill, The Time Jumpers, Singing and Drumming Aug 09, 2018

Show notes

Billy Thomas moved to Nashville from Los Angeles in 1987 and immediately began working with award winning singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Vince Gill. He has been a member of Gill’s touring band ever since and regularly sings and plays on Gill’s records. Billy is also a member of the multi Grammy nominated western swing band, The Time Jumpers.

Billy has recorded and/or toured with Patty Loveless, Emmylou Harris, Steve Wariner, Marty Stuart, Ricky Nelson, Don Williams, Earl Scruggs and Dolly Parton. During the early ‘90s, Thomas was a founding member of the MCA Records trio, McBride & The Ride. The band’s Top 10 singles included “Sacred Ground,” “Going Out Of My Mind,” “Just One Night” and “Love On The Loose, Heart On The Run.” Thomas’ songs have been recorded by McBride & The Ride, Gill, Dottie West, Little River Band, Ricochet, the Oak Ridge Boys and Andy Griggs, among others.

In this episode, Billy talks about:

* The current changes Nashville is experiencing

* The important role of the drummer

* Using technique as a vehicle for achieving a great feel

* Continuing to find joy in music after many years and experiences

* The importance of good health

* The willingness to be part of a team

* Touring and recording with Vince Gill for the better part of thirty years

* The Time Jumpers

* Singing and drumming

Billy endorses: Ludwig Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Pro-Mark Sticks, Evans Drumheads

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

179 – Dylan Wissing: A Living Library of Drum Sounds at Triple Colossal Studios Aug 02, 2018

Show notes

Dylan Wissing has been quietly amassing a resume of A-list recording credits including Jay-Z, Eminem, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, and John Legend. He grew up in Bloomington, IN, studied with Kenny Aronoff and Shawn Pelton, and toured for 13 years with the band Johnny Socko. When the band had run its course, Dylan ended up in the New York area in 2003 and began touring and recording with a huge variety of artists. He had worked with producer Ken Lewis on Johnny Socko’s last record, and Lewis began hiring him for new projects. This relationship has been central to Dylan’s career and continues to this day. In 2008, Dylan opened Triple Colossal Studios in Hoboken, NJ where he has been a go-to for just about any drum groove or sound anyone can think of.

In this podcast, Dylan talks about

* The early influence of Shawn Pelton and Kenny Aronoff

* The 13 years he spent on the road with Johnny Socko

* Making the transition from touring to doing more session work

* How studio carpentry and selling drums on Ebay put him in the drum and music world, and how he developed skills that he uses as a session drummer and studio owner

* Listening to drums with your ears, not your eyes

* The three pillars of his business: An arsenal of drums, a huge set of technological skills, and a lifetime of listening to and absorbing music

* A few of the essential drum breaks in the hip hop lexicon

* The importance of knowing how to achieve a wide variety of snare sounds

* Trends in tone

* “Gear with a vibe”

* His marketing strategy – delegating to experts when it comes to graphic design, mixing, etc.

Dylan Wissing endorses GMS Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Promark Sticks, Aquarian Drumheads, and TnR Products.

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

178 – Jake Gammon: Touring with Phil Vassar, Performing with Confidence, Staying Busy on Nashville’s Lower Broadway Scene Jul 26, 2018

Show notes

Jake Gammon is the touring drummer for accomplished singer/songwriter Phil Vassar. When not on the road with Phil, Jake keeps a full schedule performing many shows a week on Nashville’s legendary lower Broadway music scene.

Originally from Lexington Kentucky, Jake was learning the business side of music at an early age and by fourteen, he was a drummer for hire. His high school years were spent drumming for many Lexington based bands.

In October 2009, Jake made the long anticipated move to Nashville to continue his pursuit of a career in music. Jake has worked for Chase Bryant, Josh Gracin, Josh Adams, Lyndsey Highlander just to name a few. In the Summer of 2011 Jake completed an 11 city tour of Japan as the drummer for “Far from Idol”, that featured former American Idol finalists. The tour was part of an effort to support our Nations men and women serving in the military abroad.

In this episode, Jake talks about:

* Working with Phil Vassar

* Unique experience gained from working on lower Broadway in Nashville

* Recognizing the contributions of iconic Nashville drummers

* Balancing work and life

* Meeting Chad Cromwell as a 12 year old kid

* Spotify playlist: The Golden Age of Nashville

* Playing with confidence as an asset to those who employ you

* Finding inspiration in other players

Jake endorses Vater Sticks

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