Working Drummer

Latest Episodes:

016 - Jamie Rogan: Ten Years on the Road with Billy Currington, Staying in Shape May 20, 2015

Show notes

Jamie Rogan is a passionate drummer that for the last ten years has been working for country singer Billy Currington. But Jamie is so much more than that. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in music education, he stayed in Alabama for two more years as a band director. In 2000 Jamie moved to Nashville. Jamie continues to juggle many things outside his full time road gig with teaching and session work. When not on the road, Jamie works with a Grateful Dead tribute band called The Stolen Faces. Click herefor pictures

This interview was recorded April 7th 2015

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015 - Fred Eltringham: Drumming for The Wallflowers, Dixie Chicks, Sheryl Crow & Producer T Bone Burnett May 13, 2015

Show notes

Fred Eltringham has had arguably some of the coolest gigs you could have throughout the years he's been playing. While touring with RCA artists Gigolo Aunts from the mid to late 90's, Fred established many working and personal relationships with the bands they were sharing the stage with. This included The Wallflowers which eventually became Fred's gig for eight years after leaving the Gigolo Aunts. While on a break from The Wallflowers, Fred was recommended for the Dixie Chicks gig where more Nashville connections were made. After multiple moves between LA and New York, Fred moved his young family to Nashville in 2006 where he has become steadily busier as a live drummer working with Sheryl Crow as well as an in demand session drummer recording with strong talent such as Kasey Musgraves, Allison Moorer, KD Lang as well as producer T Bone Burnett. Click here for pictures.

This interview was recorded April 6th 2015.

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014 - Steve Ebe: Staying Busy "In-Town", Teaching Drums, Working in Tribute Bands May 06, 2015

Show notes

Before moving to Nashville in 1991, Steve Ebe spent his formative years in Memphis working with such legends as Carl Perkins and Donald "Duck" Dunn. Now, Steve is known throughout the Nashville music community as one of the busiest drummers in town. Whether it's teaching close to 50 students a week, or working with several bands who's primary focus is paying tribute to classic albums by performing them in their entirety, (The Long Players). Steve has carved a niche for himself that is truly unique. He still finds the time to work with other local bands as well, including a Steely Dan tribute called 12 Against Natureand an 80's party band with a strong reputation called Guilty Pleasures. For a little over 15 years, Steve has also been a member of a dedicated original band called Human Radio. This interview was conducted April 1st 2015. Click here for pictures.

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013 - Ed Toth: Drumming for The Doobie Brothers, Vertical Horizon, The Honest Truth About Endorsements Apr 29, 2015

Show notes

Ed Toth has held down two power house gigs for close to 20 years. Between 1996 - 2005, Ed was the drummer and member of the band Vertical Horizon. Since 2005, Ed has been playing drums with the legendary Doobie Brothers. Ed shares with us the joys and challenges that he experienced as a member of Vertical Horizon from its humble beginnings to multi platinum status as well as what lead to his transition into the gig with the Doobie Brothers.

We also cover the strong influence his musician father had on Ed's early education as well as his introduction to the music of the Doobies as a kid.

Ed's drum tech, Jeremy Denton joined us for the interview and took some great pictures. All photos in Ed's gallery are Jeremy's. Here is what Ed had to say about Jeremy:

"Jeremy Denton (jdenton03@gmail.com) is a Nashville based photographer. He's also my drum tech so he knows his way around the kit and knows what looks best for drummers. If you need some shots for you or your band, I highly recommend you drop him a line!" - Ed Toth

This interview was recorded April 2nd 2015

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012 - George Lawrence: Teaching Keith Carlock, LA in the 80's with Jeff Pocaro, Drumming for Poco Apr 15, 2015

Show notes

Not only has George Lawrence been the drummer for Poco for over a decade, he's known throughout the Nashville drumming community as a natural mentor with years of experience performing live and in the studio. His reputation as an influential teacher includes a long list of successful alumni like drumming great Keith Carlock.

In the early eighties George maintained steady work as a session drummer in Los Angeles and later at Muscle Shoals in Alabama. Some of George's current and past endeavors include owning his own drum shop, running the magazine "Not So Modern Drummer" as well as running the annual Nashville Drum Show. See photos here.

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011 - Ben Sesar (Part 2): Challenging Practice Techniques, Cymbal Placement, Touring with Brad Paisley Apr 08, 2015

Show notes

For the last 15 years, Ben Sesar has been the live and studio drummer for Grammy award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Brad Paisley. This gig has given Ben a perspective on the music industry that few drummers get to experience. Ben offers his insight and philosophy on the business and what obstacles up and coming drummers might face.

As a teacher, writer and professed life long student himself, Ben comes off as a true journey-man who is constantly looking for answers that plague his active drumming mind. And as a result of the depth of information we cover, we've decided to break this podcast into two parts.

In part 2, Ben gets into practice techniques that he's designed to challenge himself as well as his students. He also explains the reason and origin of his cymbal set up and why they are angled the way they are.

We have included the talents of photographer John Zocco in this podcast. You can check out all the great photographs from this interview on www.workingdrummer.net.

This interview was recorded February 10th, 2015

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010 – Jim Riley: Music Director and Drummer for Rascal Flatts, Humble Beginnings in Nashville, Author Mar 18, 2015

Show notes

For over 15 years Jim Riley has been the drummer for the hugely successful country group Rascal Flatts. After earning a degree in music education from North Texas, Jim found his way to Nashville in pursuit of higher musical goals. In pursuit of these goals, Jim shares with us his story of determination and perseverance. After establishing his drumming skills among his peers in Nashville, Jim quickly found himself with his first artist gig working with Mark Chestnut. As the group Rascal Flatts was beginning to take shape, Jim was asked to be the drummer. In spite of the newness of the group and its ground breaking pop style, Jim saw it as great opportunity and a risk worth taking. Within the first two years, Jim found himself in the position of musical director for Rascal Flatts and continues to maintain that position in the group. Jim discusses his role as "MD" and how it's responsibilities has evolved over years as the band's success has grown. Jim is also a dedicated educator. Sharing real world performance experiences with his students is at the core of Jim's teaching style. Jim is preparing to release his comprehensive book, Survival Guide For The Modern Drummer. Jim has also participated in many clinics across the country both large and small that have included Drum Daze in Columbus Ohio and Modern Drummer fest. Jim has defined success based on his own terms. He has found balance between performing with a successful band, teaching, writing music and writing about music as well as raising a family. See photos here.

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009 – Ben Sesar (Part 1): Sad Changes in the Music Industry, Drumming for Brad Paisley Mar 11, 2015

Show notes

For the last 15 years, Ben Sesar has been both live and studio drummer for the Grammy award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Brad Paisley. This gig has given Ben a perspective on the music industry that few drummers get to experience. Ben offers his insight and philosophy on the business and which obstacles up and coming drummers might face. As a teacher, writer and professed life long student, Ben comes off as a true journey-man who is constantly looking for answers that plague his active drumming mind. Due to the depth of information we cover, we've decided to break this podcast into two parts. Ben discusses the trials of the music business in this first part as well as his decision to reinvent himself by converting to traditional grip after playing match grip most of his life. He also explains how he divides drumming into the "what we play" and "how we play", and the benefits of understanding the difference. We have included the talents of photographer John Zocco in this podcast. You can check out all the great pictures from this interview on www.workingdrummer.net. This interview was recorded February 10th, 2015

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008 - Lee Kelley: Taking Chances, Pro Playing Without Formal Training, Carolina Beach Music Mar 04, 2015

Show notes

Lee Kelley has learned to adapt his drumming style to fit whatever gig has come his way. Lee's range of gigs have included backing up many artists in Nashville including Gary Allan, Mark Chestnut, Heidi Newfield as well as alt-country singer Chris Knight. Originally from the Charlotte North Carolina area, Lee learned drumming from his neighbor at an early age and continued his informal education working with and learning from popular local bands such as Sugar Creek and Too Much Sylvia. Encouraged by Eddie Bayers to move, Lee hit the streets of Nashville in 1996. After embracing the drumming style of classic country music, Lee quickly found himself working with country artist Gary Allan. Lee talks about the many artist gigs that followed and how he has continued to stay busy in the Nashville music scene. This interview was recorded February 3rd 2015. See photos here.

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007 - Matt Iceman: Taking Every Gig Seriously, Getting Along WIth Your Tour Mates, What Would Shannon Forest Do? Feb 25, 2015

Show notes

Matt Iceman is our featured drummer for our 7th podcast. Matt is a relatively young drummer who's been steadily making a name for himself in the Nashville scene since his move in the early 2000's. At the time of our interview, Matt was just finishing two busy years touring with singer/songwriter Eric Paslay. We discuss his role as band leader as well as life on the road. While on tour, Matt was able to watch other drummers perform with the artists that were sharing the stage. Since our interview, he has moved on and will be the touring drummer with country singer David Nail.

Matt's early influences in music, drums and music education lead him to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and eventually to Nashville. We discuss Matt's perspective on the music industry and the role of the modern drummer as his inspiration to invest in his own home studio. Pictures of his studio and the building process can be found at www.workingdrummer.net. Our interview was recorded December 18th, 2014.

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