Working Drummer

Latest Episodes:

107 – Wayne Salzmann: Living and Drumming in Austin, Gigging Early and Often, Partnership Between College Program and Pro Scene, The Importance of “The Hang” Mar 16, 2017

Show notes

Wayne Salzmann has been at the top of the Austin scene for nearly a decade. Even before graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a Master’s degree in jazz performance, he was working his way into the many musical circles Austin has to offer. He has since compiled a long list of performance credits including Steve Miller, Kris Kristofferson, Joe Satriani, Mike Stern, Joe Bonamassa, Bobby Mcferrin, Jeff Coffin, and Oz Noy. He also holds down regular gigs with his own trio and with Austin favorites Bob Schneider and Eric Johnson, and is a member of the adjunct jazz faculty at UT Austin.

In this episode, Wayne talks about:

Why Austin is the self-proclaimed “live music capital of the world,” and why it’s a destination for musicians from all regions and backgrounds

The small but mighty jazz program at UT Austin, and how he uses the Austin scene as a training ground for his students.

His early musical life in Stevens Point, WI, the town that was the basis for That 70’s Show

Creating a live music scene in his small college town where there wasn’t one before

Receiving a grant to travel to New York for an independent study project with Bill Stewart, Billy Martin, Joey Barron and Ari Hoenig.

His gigs with real-life guitar hero Eric Johnson, singer-songwriter Bob Schneider, and his own groups, The Wayne Salzmann Trio and Groove Society.

Wayne Salzmann endorses Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Evans heads, and DW Drums, pedals, and hardware.

This episode is sponsored by Mapex drums.

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106 – Nick Ruffini from Drummer’s Resource & WDP Host’s Zack Albetta and Matthew Crouse: Drumming Podcast Host Roundtable, Adapting to Major Life Changes and Transitions Mar 08, 2017

Show notes

In this episode Working Drummer hosts Zack Albetta and Matthew Crouse have a unique opportunity to join forces with Nick Ruffini from Drummer’s Resource to have a “host-full” conversation. We take a break from our normal interviews and spend some time to talk about ourselves and some major transitions all three of us are going through.

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

Adapting to major life changes and transitions

Changing the Narrative of what its like to be a working musician

Finding non-playing gigs in the music business

“Shedding the ego related badge of only playing for a living'”

Nick Ruffini’s anticipated transition to San Francisco

Zack Albetta’s transition to Atlanta after a year

Matt’s transition from life as a touring drummer to finding work closer to home in Nashville

Being selective about work

The pitfalls of comparing ourselves with other people

This episode is sponsored by Mapex Drums

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105 – Tony Austin: Playing with Kamasi Washington, The West Coast Get Down, Redefining West Coast Jazz Mar 01, 2017

Show notes

Tony Austin was born and raised in Los Angeles. He is one of two drummers (the other being Ronald Bruner Jr.) who are part of The West Coast Get Down, a collective of LA musicians making their mark on the modern jazz scene. The collective’s flagship is saxophonist Kamasi Washington’s recent release, “The Epic,” a three disc set of compositions involving dozens of musicians and ranging from free jazz to soul to electronica, on which Tony played multiple roles as drummer, engineer and producer.

As a kid, Tony was part of the Big Brothers program and was mentored by Roger Linn, a pioneer inventor of electronic musical instruments including the MPC60 drum machine. He credits Roger with nurturing his interest in music and re e maintains that relationship to this day.

In this episode, Tony talks about:

Growing up in North Hollywood and learning about music, electronics, and recording from Roger Linn

The origins and mission of The West Coast Get Down

The unique, “co-op” approach to recording Kamasi Washington’s “The Epic”

Playing double drums with Ronald Bruner Jr.

His friendship, musical partnership, and current duo project with bassist Miles Mosley

Carving out creative and profitable projects for yourself, not just being at the mercy of the sideman hustle

The experiences he had as a kid under the mentorship or Roger Linn

Tour managing and playing with groups that performed on military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tony Austin endorses Tama drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks, and Remo drumheads.

This episode is sponsored by Sonor.

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104 – Black Drummers Of Nashville Round Table: Building Relationships Upon the Common Ground of Music, Creating a Support System Feb 22, 2017

Show notes

In this episode we have the opportunity to share the unique perspective of a group of talented black musicians who make their living in Nashville, Tennessee. They share stories of resilience and realism in an unpredictable work environment.

Our guests include Keio Stroud, Derek Phillips, Jeremy Roberson, Marcus Finnie and Hubert Payne. Their respective artist gigs include Big and Rich, Chase Rice, Hank Williams Jr., Kirk Whalum, Little Big Town as well as other live and studio work that keeps these drummers busy.

In this podcast, this round table discusses:

Building relationships upon the common ground of music

Being the only black person at an arena gig

Influencing the culture on and off the kit

Learning how to develop thick skin

Being mistaken as the band’s security

The influence of urban music in country music

“Kanye Twitty”

“Don’t step on the money” – AKA the melody – Keb Mo

Hands = knowledge / Ears = wisdom

Driving the band

Creating a support system

This episode is sponsored by Sonor drums

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103 – Andy Sanesi: From Avant Garde Jazz to Pop, Altering Your Cymbals, Making the Most of a Steady Feb 16, 2017

Show notes

Andy Sanesi is a New York native who has spent the last decade in L.A. His time in New York was highlighted by playing with saxophonist John Zorn but the quality of life in L.A. and the opportunity to do better than just scrape by drew him west. He got busy soon after moving, thanks to a few friends in L.A.’s latin, jazz, fusion and rock scenes, and eventually landed the gig with Missing Persons, a drum chair originally occupied by Terry Bozzio.

In this podcast, Andy talks about:

Growing up with the jazz influence of his dad and the pop/rock influence of his older sisters

How a John Zorn tribute show in college led to actually playing with Zorn

Not being the best at any one thing, but really good at many things

How working his way onto the LA scene hinged on just a few key contacts

Playing in Missing Persons, and making that drum chair his own

The difference between being told what to play and told how to play

The tools and techniques he uses to alter the sound of his cymbals

His long-standing weekly steady with the Julian Coryell Trio at Trip in Santa Monica

His (and Zack’s) favorite cocktail

Andy Sanesi endorses DW drums, Aquarian drumheads, Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks, and Humes & Berg cases.

This episode is sponsored by Sonor drums

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102 – Wil Easterwood: Drumming for Trick Pony, Expecting the Best From Yourself, Singing While Drumming Feb 08, 2017

Show notes

When not out touring with country duo Trick Pony, Wil Easterwood spends his time as a freelance drummer and vocalist for live performances and studio sessions in Nashville, Tennessee. He also has several years of experience as an audio engineer live/studio.

Originally from Cedartown, GA, Wil moved to Nashville in 2008 and quickly began working steadily as a drummer on lower Broadway. The exposure and experience on lower Broadway lead to many performance opportunities for Wil including his work with Trick Pony. At the age of 29, his musicality and approach to the instrument has a maturity that has been well-recognized by his peers of all ages and experience.

Before moving to Nashville, Wil played with Georgia based groups in both indie rock and country genres. While in Georgia, Wil worked for several Atlanta market FM and smaller “hometown” AM radio stations as an On-Air Personality. And, from 2005 to 2007, Wil served as the house engineer and assistant technical director for his hometown one thousand seat auditorium/theater.

Repairing, cleaning, tuning and general maintenence of drums has always been something Wil has had a love and talent for. Under the name, “Circus Bear Drum Services”, Wil is now offering this service to the drumming community.

In this episode, Wil talks about:

Singing while playing drums

Expecting the best from yourself

How the Trick Pony gig happened

In-Ears vs a wedge

Playing lower Broadway gigs in Nashville

Early small town musical influences

Wil’s engineering experience

Circus Bear Drum Services and its back story

Diversifying your workload

This episode is sponsored by Sonor Drums

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101 – Gary Hobbs: Touring with Stan Kenton, Applying Jazz Training to All Music, Breaking Jazz Out of Its Own Box Feb 01, 2017

Show notes

Gary Hobbs resides just outside Portland, OR, literally steps from the house he grew up in. His father and grandfather were both semi-pro drummers, but the drum bug didn’t bite Gary until his senior year in high school. He attended a Stan Kenton Jazz Camp where he studied with legendary jazz drummer and educator John Von Ohlen, who convinced him to pursue drumming professionally. After a stint in the army, Gary was invited to join the Kenton Band and toured with them almost non-stop for two and a half years. Since then, his hometown has been his home base from which he has commanded a successful career as a drummer and educator. In addition to playing all over the Pacific Northwest, Gary teaches at The University of Oregon. He has traveled the world as a sideman with jazz greats such as Randy Brecker, Anita O’Day, and Eddie Harris, and in his own right as an educator and clinician.

In this podcast, Gary talks about:

The influence of his mentor, John Von Ohlen

Having to turn down the first call he got from Stan Kenton

Networking and hanging – difference between being a presence and being a nuisance

The Kenton touring experience – two and a half years on a bus – and how there is no substitute for that kind of experience

How he keeps his students from developing short-sighted, condescending, or egotistical notions about being a pro musician

How live jazz can and should diversify away from jazz clubs

What “hippopotamus music” is

Gary Hobbs endorses Yamaha Drums and Sabian Crescent Cymbals

This episode is sponsored by Sonor Drums

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100 – 100th Episode Special: A Very Non-Serious Nashville Drummer Round Table Jan 25, 2017

Show notes

We are excited to share a special edition of our 100th episode by bringing you a fun round table discussion among a group of Nashville drummers, AKA “The Cocksmiths”. This round table should have some familiar names as many have been guests on this podcast. It includes: Kevin Murphy, Ben Sesar, Billy Freeman, Tucker Wilson, Kyle Wilkerson, Keio Stroud, Wil Easterwood, Rob Mitchell and Jeff Brown. Missing from the discussion were Russ Whitman & Zack Stewart.

Covering a wide range of ages and music career experiences, this group of friends has evolved into a “support group” of drummers that utilizes its collective experiences as well as sick sense of humor to create a safe space for the members to hang, have fun and be there for each other.

In this podcast, the group talks about:

Playing Cards Against Humanity for drummers

The “origin story” of this group and why it exists

The intentional safe space they’ve created for each other to show support as well as give each other total shit

A group of honest friends, not a “networking” group

Favorite Spinal Tap line / scenario

Favorite Buddy Rich line ever

What would you do if you didn’t play drums

What we need more of / What we need less of

Taking honest advice from your buddies

This episode is sponsored Sonor drums

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099 – Pete Cater: Building on Legends’ Legacies, Big Band Drumming 101, Going Beneath the Surface of Buddy Rich Jan 17, 2017

Show notes

London-based drummer and bandleader Pete Cater has built on the traditions of Buddy Rich, Joe Morello, and many others to carve a niche for himself as the U.K.’s keeper of the big band flame. The son of a semi-pro drummer in Birmingham, Pete was gigging with his dad’s colleagues by the time he was in his early teens. Throughout his 20s, he had plenty of work locally in Birmingham and on resorts and cruise ships, but after awhile he felt the need to see what he could do in London. He moved there at age 30

In this podcast, Pete talks about:

His “apprenticeship” – sitting in with and eventually working with the bands his dad played in

How moving to London at the relatively late age of 30 was actually an asset, in that he went there with a lot of seasoning and experience that younger drummers there didn’t have

The integral role that arts funding from the British government played in getting his band going

Concepts of big band drumming, and how they translate to other styles

Playing with authority to gain the band’s trust

The ways in which Buddy Rich is misunderstood, and which lesser-known and sometimes maligned Buddy album is one of his favorites.

What he considers the best book about Buddy

How to emulate your idols in a way that fits your body and your playing

Pete Cater endorses Premier Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, and Vater Drumsticks

This episode is sponsored by Sonor Drums

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

098 – Hubert Payne: Drumming for Little Big Town, “Stepping Out On Faith”, Rising Above Great Adversity, Building a Simple But Effective Recording Rig Jan 11, 2017

Show notes

Hubert Payne was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Although, he was heavily influenced by his father who was a professional drummer, he was encouraged to focus on sports and higher education. During high school Hubert excelled at football and won two State Championships. His athletic skill landed him with a scholarship to play college football. While at Maryville College in Tennessee, he was voted captain by his teammates, and received All Conference honors.

Throughout his youth and into college, Hubert had always retained his love and interest in drumming. But it wasn’t until 2006 that he began working as a professional musician in Nashville. From 2006-2009, he was a member of the Tyrone Smith Revue Funk Band, and decided in ’09 to move to Los Angeles to hone his craft at the LA Music Academy.

In January of 2010, Hubert was tragically attacked by a stranger at a Nashville concert venue. He was stabbed multiple times in the hand and leg. Hubert underwent surgery on a severed hand tendon, and required a year of rehabilitation. Even after sustaining a permanent handicap in his left hand from the attack, Hubert applied the discipline he learned during his athletic career to his musical goals.

Since then, Hubert Payne has landed positions with many nationally-touring country artists including: Love & Theft, Jana Kramer, David Nail, Casey James, Josh Gracin, Danielle Peck, Joel Crouse, and currently (since January 2015) resides as the drummer for Little Big Town.

Hubert added a couple impressive recording credits in 2016 including Little Big Town and Pharrell Williams.

When he is not on tour with LBT, Hubert travels all over the country telling his story. His motivational speeches surround his message of how to “Prepare for the Performance Moment”, which is the routine that Hubert has perfected.

In this podcast, Hubert talks about:

Being a person of color, touring through middle America with a country act and the challenges and opportunities it presents

His gig with Little Big Town

Recording with Pharrell Williams

Creating a recording environment to practice and learn how to perform in the studio

Building a simple recording rig that works

The influence of his pro drumming father

Studying at the LA Music Acadamy

Getting stabbed in the hand and leg at a night club

“Stepping out on faith” and opening himself up to new opportunities

Hubert endorses: Sakae Drums, Vicfirth sticks, Zildjian cymbals, Cymbolt Percussion Dynamics

This episode is sponsored by Sonor Drums