Working Drummer

Latest Episodes:

157 – Johnny Rabb: Drumming for Collective Soul, Creating Loyalty, Excitement vs. Reality Feb 28, 2018

Show notes

Johnny Rabb became a household name in the drumming community as a product developer and clinician. For years, he worked the clinic and convention circuit to great success, but he missed actually being in a band and playing shows. In 2012, a chance meeting at NAMM with Collective Soul‘s Will Turpin led to Johnny becoming the band’s new drummer, and he still tours and records with them today.

In this podcast, Johnny talks about:

Being a hired gun vs. being “the new guy” in a band vs. being a full-fledged member

How commitment to a group and prioritization of it result in job security

Diversifying income streams, musical and otherwise

Why he lives in Indianapolis

How excitement can sometimes blind you to potential red flags

Maintaining perspective and gratitude

Johnny Rabb endorses ProLogix, Remo heads, Meinl Cymbals and Percussion, Cympad, Audix Microphones, and of course, Johnny Rabb drumsticks.

This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums.

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156 – Doug Belote: Drumming for Dobro Master & 14-time Grammy Winner Jerry Douglas, New Orleans Documentary: “Street Beat – Drumming Below Sea Level”, Straddling New Orleans & Nashville Feb 21, 2018

Show notes

South Louisiana native Doug Belote grew up in Cajun country, immersed in the sounds of jazz, rock, funk, R&B, Cajun, zydeco, Dixieland, gospel, Latin and New Orleans second line rhythms. He began playing the drums at age 12 and worked in clubs and at recording sessions while still in high school. After just a semester at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, he sold everything he owned including his drums and hit the road for The Drummers Collective in New York City, where he studied with Ricky Sebastian and Kim Plainfield and broadened his musical palette.

In his early 20s, Belote began touring Europe, Japan and the Caribbean with a variety of New Orleans-based jazz, blues and funk artists. He has recorded on more than 100 albums and his resume includes work with Mike Gordon, Jeff Coffin, George Porter Jr., Willie Nelson, Sonny Landreth, Henry Butler, Delfeayo Marsalis, Anders Osborne, Cyril Neville, Ivan Neville, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Allen Toussaint, Fred Wesley, Steve Masakowski, Charlie Hunter, John Oats Shane Theriot, Derek Trucks, Susen Tedeschi as well as a 2010 performance with Eric Clapton at the Crossroads festival.

Doug currently lives in New Orleans and tours with 12-time Grammy winner Jerry Douglas.

In this episode, Doug talks about:

Recording in New Orleans for T.V. shows and commercials

Working with Jerry Douglas and the funny story of his “audition” for Jerry

His understanding of recording in Nashville

His documentary: Street Beat – Drumming Below Sea Level

Studying with Kim Plainfield at Drummers Collective

Playing with Sonny Landreth and Eric Clapton on the 2010 Crossroads concert

Living in flood prone New Orleans

Doug endorses: Yamaha drums,Zildjian cymbals, Shure in-ear monitors and Pro-Mark drumsticks

We’d like to recognize and thank listener James Osborne and his support of this podcast through Patreon. See and hear more about James at: jamesosborne.com.au

This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

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155 – Lemuel Hayes: Playing with Cindy Wilson, Recovering From a Serious Injury, Choosing Nashville Over L.A. Feb 14, 2018

Show notes

Lemuel Hayes is the drummer for B52s founding member Cindy Wilson’s solo project. Originally from Gainesville, GA, he didn’t set his sights on a music career until age 22, after a few years as a mechanical engineering major at Georgia Tech. After playing and teaching around Gainesville, Atlanta, and Athens for a couple years, he decided to move to Nashville. But he then began to think LA would be a better fit and made plans to relocate. Weeks before he was supposed to move, a broken arm not only kept him in Nashville but put him on the sidelines of music for months. While working at Guitar Center and rehabbing his arm, Cindy Wilson’s project got going and he also caught on with some artists under Jack White’s Third Man Records.

In this podcast, Lemuel talks about:

Hosting a jazz radio show in college

What made him quit engineering school to focus on music

Flying out to LA to spend a day with Josh Freese

What first brought him to Nashville, and the freak accident that kept him there

The physical and psychological challenges of rehabbing his arm

Working at Guitar Center to stay afloat

The random gig in Athens, GA that connected him with Cindy Wilson

Teching for Sterling Campbell

How Cindy’s band is a band, not a solo artist with hired guns

This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums.

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154 – Drummers Resource / WDP Roundtable #2: Catching Up From Last Year’s Episode, Time Management, Ageism in the Music Business Feb 08, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Nick Ruffini, host and creator of The Drummers Resource sit down with Zack Albetta and Matt Crouse, the hosts of Working Drummer to catch up from last year’s episode. The idea behind this round table came from the fact that all three of us were going through major life changes that effected our music careers in one way or another. We decided to check back in close to a year later and discuss some of the many things that have transpired over that time.

In this episode Nick, Zack, and Matt talk about:

* Catching up from last year’s roundtable

* Opportunities in the music business outside of performing

* The “Gig Triangle” – the money, the music, the hang

* Allowing other things outside music to be a part of your identity

* How and what we practice

* Handling failures

* Time management and finding ways to be productive throughout each day

* Ageism in the music business

* Upcoming guests for Drummers Resource and WDP

* This weeks episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

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153 – Rodd Bland: Drumming for his Dad Bobby Blue Bland and B.B. King, The Past and Present Memphis Scene, Life After Dad Jan 31, 2018

Show notes

Rodd Bland was born and raised in Memphis, the son of Bobby “Blue” Bland and the godson of B.B. King. He began playing drums at age 3, and learning at the feet of legendary drummers like Tony Coleman, and Jabo Starks. The time soon came for Rodd to move into the drum chair for his dad’s band, and he remained for much of his career, until Bobby Bland’s death in 2013. Since then, Rodd has remained active with Memphis-based artists such as Rev. Shawn Amos, Brimstone Jones, and Otis Clay.

In this podcast, Rodd talks about:

Starting on percussion in his dad’s band as a high school student

The variety of sub-genres that culminated in his dad’s music and in the Memphis sound

Howard Grimes, Tony Coleman, and other Memphis drummers that have influenced him

His (and my) favorite Bobby Bland song

Jabo’s advice about cultivating your own sound

How to take different types of cues from singers and figure out what they need without asking

The history of Beale St.

Having to reintroduce himself to the Memphis scene as more than Bobby Bland’s son/drummer

His love of 90’s rock and grunge, and his relationships with Chad Smith and Matt Cameron

This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums.

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152 – Elton Charles: Touring with Thompson Square, Creating Great Drum Sounds Through Recording Experiences, Building Relationships in the Music Community Jan 24, 2018

Show notes

Elton Charles is a Guyanese drummer/engineer based in Nashville. Originally from New Jersey, he started playing drums at the early age of five. Elton worked on learning the instrument over the years and, combined with a natural tenacity for playing, was accepted to study at Berklee college of music. After moving to Nashville in 2012, Elton’s experience has been a blur of touring, recording, and building his musical relationships within the music community. When not supporting up and coming artists and writers in music city, Elton is building upon studio clientele offering his talents as a drummer and producer. Elton is currently on the road with multi-award winning country duo Thompson Square.

In this episode, Elton talks about:

The challenges of running a home studio

Studying at Berklee and creating a learning experience for himself

Great drum sounds coming from the player

Working with a click when performing live

Translating programed drum parts to acoustic when performing live

Snare tuning and playing style

A better understanding of drum sounds from recording experiences

Attracting new business in creative ways

Elton endorses: Anchor Drums, Evans Drumheads, Promark Sticks, Puresound, Drumtacs, Paiste Cymbals, Porter and Davies, Sensaphonics in-ear monitors and Smokin Ace Cymbal Shields

This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

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151 – Seth Hendershot: Touring with Randall Bramblett and Kishibashi, Life in a Small Town, Owning/Operating a Venue Jan 17, 2018

Show notes

For almost 20 years, Seth Hendershot has lived in the college town of Athens, GA. He has played in a variety of original and cover bands and for eight years has owned and operated Hendershot’s. What started as a simple coffee house has since become a beloved bar, restaurant, and live music venue. For a city its size, Athens boasts a vibrant and influential music scene, with a place in the origin stories of many bands including R.E.M., The B-52’s, and Drive-By Truckers.

Seth’s current playing activity is centered around two touring acts, multi-instrumentalist and singer Randall Bramblett and violinist Kishi Bashi. In addition to playing and running one of the city’s best and busiest venues, Seth is involved with The Athens Music Project in partnership with The University of Georgia to document and highlight the past, present and future of the city’s music, and is on the faculty for Camp Amped, a yearly rock camp for kids.

In this podcast, Seth talks about:

What brought him to Athens in the late 90’s

The pros and cons of Athens’ “bubble” nature

How he’s working to strengthen the ties between the Athens scene and the University of Georgia

Balancing his playing career with life as a business owner

Why he opened Hendershot’s, and what it has become since then

His current gigs with Randall Bramblett and Kishi Bashi

His involvement in Camp Amped and Nuci’s Space

This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums.

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150 – Matt Johnson: Touring with St. Vincent, Distilling Down Your Groove From Which to Build Upon, Creating Grooves with More Complexity & Less Density, Drumming on Jeff Buckley’s album Grace Jan 10, 2018

Show notes

Matt Johnson has played on some of the most critically acclaimed records in almost everyone’s collections. He’s also performed on some of the more memorable tours from the early 90s on. From recording the seminal cult-creating album Grace with Jeff Buckley in 1993 at age 22, he’s worked with a wide spectrum of artists over the past two decades including Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Elysian Fields, Australia’s Angus and Julia Stone, Beth Orton, Keren Ann, Duncan Sheik, and the beloved St. Vincent, the avant-garde guitarist, songwriter and performer who continues to astonish listeners and concertgoers everywhere with her ever-evolving musical statements.

In this episode, Matt talks about:

Learning how to adapt for a live performance based on a programed or highly produced rhythm track

Creating grooves that have more complexity with less density

Teaching yourself to feel the space between quarter notes in unique ways

Getting your brain to think differently by using a “role reversal” method with your limbs

Distilling down your groove to to it’s most basic place in order to build it into a solid performance

Failure seen as an experience on the way to some type of success that you could never have planned on

The value of “grit” and the power of will and dedication

Learning to utilize a double kick pedal

Incorporating electronics to an acoustic set up

Working with Rufus Wainwright

Matt endorses: Tama Drums, Istanbul Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Vater Sticks

This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

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149 – Justin Boyd: His Career in Chicago, Going Back to School, Intentionally Diversifying His Experience Jan 03, 2018

Show notes

With the exception of a few high school years, Justin Boyd has spent his entire life in Chicago. From the beginning of his career, he thought it important to be open to all of Chicago’s musical scenes instead of choosing one and staying in it. As a result, his experience there has been incredibly diverse. He disregarded the invisible barrier between North Side and South Side, and has managed to float smoothly between the many different genres and circles the city has to offer. He also put himself through two different educations – one in the professional world and one in academia, capped off recently by earning his master’s degree in composition from DePaul University.

In this podcast, Justin talks about:

Spending his high school years in South Carolina, and the influence it had on him as a musician

Returning to school to get his master’s degree

Racial dynamics in Chicago

Other Chicago drummers who have influenced him

How going back to school for his master’s filled some gaps in his “real world” education

The city’s jazz and blues scenes, and why he prefers not to go all in on either

His role as an educator in the Chicago Public Schools “All City” music program

His current projects, both as a leader and sideman

Justin Boyd endorses Humes & Berg Cases and Evans Drumheads.

This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums.

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148 – Rob Hammersmith: Drumming for Skid Row, Staying Positive & Open-Minded, Chemistry Among Band Members Dec 28, 2017

Show notes

Rob Hammersmith’s musical journey began at an early age in a small town outside of Buffalo, NY. After a brief detour to California, Rob settled in Atlanta, GA, where his drumming quickly gained attention in the rock underground. Rob spent many years touring and recording with Atlanta rockers “Rockets to Ruin” and toured with “Gunfire 76” featuring “Murderdolls” frontman Wednesday 13. Rob also maintains a busy schedule of recording and working with many different bands and artists throughout the country.

In 2010, Rob was offered the drum position in the multi-platinum selling rock band Skid Row. When asked about working with the band Rob says “Having always been a fan, it is an honor to be asked to join the band. The band’s music and history holds a special place in both my life, and the lives of so many loyal fans. To be a part of that history is the chance of a lifetime.”

In this episode, Rob talks about:

Balancing family and touring

Chemistry among the band members of Skid Row

Staying positive and open minded

How he got the Skid Row gig

The mechanics of the live show

Warming up before hitting hard (pre-show routine)

Working in the studio with Skid Row

Rob’s 5 desert island records

Rob endorses: Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads, Pearl Drums, Drumtacs, Vater Drumsticks

This episode is sponsored by Crush Drums

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