Jake Sommers attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia (UArts) as a music performance major. He was fortunate to study under Marc Dicciani, Jimmy Paxson (Ben Harper, Stevie Nicks, and Natalie Maine), Gerry Brown (Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross), Marcus Baylor (Yellowjackets), as well as Erik Johnson. He graduated from University of the Arts in May 2013 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Music Performance. He was awarded the prestigious Paul D. Patterson Drum Set Award. Jake also studied under Dom Famularo and John Favicchia. Jake relocated from his hometown in New York to Nashville, TN to pursue playing drums. Jake started drumming at the honky tonk scene on Broadway in downtown Nashville. Shortly after, he met singer-songwriter /artist by the name of Luke Combs. Jake became Luke Combs touring drummer in 2015. Over the course of Jake’s time touring with Luke Combs, Jake has made appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Today Show and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. In addition to touring Jake teaches lessons and plays on recording sessions. In this episode, Jake talks about:    Building a home studio client base    How he got the Luke Combs gig    Networking in a new town    His responsibilities in the Luke gig    The value of charting skills    Studying at The University of the Arts Philadelphia

Working Drummer

341 - Jake Sommers: Drumming for Country Artist Luke Combs, The Value of Charting Skills, Studying with Dom Famularo

Shawn Zorn is a drummer from Memphis, TN who now splits his time beween Nashville and Memphis. He has performed or recorded with artists such as Twin Forks, Allen Mack Myers Moors (featuring Zach Myers of Shinedown) Amy LaVere, Will Sexton, Cory Branan, Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing), Anthony Raneri (Bayside), Dashboard Confessional, Susan Marshall, Luther Dickinson, John Paul Keith, and more. He is a creative studio performer who does sessions in the Nashville or Memphis areas and also records remotely from his studio in Memphis. In this episode, Shawn talks about: What got him a foothold in Nashville, but why he ultimately prioritizes Memphis Tracking drums vs. mixing drums The unique process/experience of recording with Mike Doughty Creating a sample pack and finding a marketable angle for it A few of the Memphis drummers that have influenced him

340 - Shawn Zorn: Memphis Over Nashville, Playing with Mike Doughty and Other Songwriters

In 2021, drummer Dave Matthews become the newest member of the band Saving Abel. Originally from a small Mississippi town (Philadelphia), Dave eventually made his way to Nashville, Tennessee in 2017. In between raising a young family and holding down a full time job, Dave took every opportunity to introduce himself to the rock scene in Nashville through jam nights, tribute shows and subbing gigs for other drummers. His dedication and attitude paid off when a chance encounter with the original singer for Saving Abel turned into a touring and recording gig of a lifetime. In this episode, Dave talks about: Humble beginnings in Mississippi and making the move to TN Finding his voice at jam nights, tribute shows in Nashville Getting the gig with Saving Abel Dave’s personal experience in Nashville Learning from podcasts like Drummer’s Resource, Big Fat Five and WDP

339 - Dave Matthews: Drumming for Saving Abel, Finding His Own Voice in a Town Like Nashville, Learning from Podcasts!

Sam Merrick has been in the drum chair for the touring production of Hamilton since January 2018. Prior to that, he was a busy freelancer in New York, working a bartending job for some of that time, and playing a wide range of gigs from weddings to Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. When the pandemic shut down Hamilton, he relocated to the Washington, DC area and set up a home studio where he has done remote tracking and a sample pack which he has just released through The Drum Broker. In this episode, Sam talks about The random wedding gig that led to the Hamilton gig The various learning curves the show presented, from reading to energy How the show forced him to reckon with some physical issues Creating "normal" life away from home "De-Hamilton-izing" his playing over the break, and seeking out inspiration and motivation from others rather than waiting it for to come from within The sample pack partnership between drummer, producer (Jeremy Page) and platform (Drum Broker)

338 - Sam Merrick: Resuming the "Hamilton" Tour, Building Cred in Multiple Cities, The Team Effort of a Sample Pack

As a drummer/percussionist, producer, engineer, arranger, songwriter, conductor and composer Chuck Palmer has performed and recorded with a myriad of artists including Foreigner, AG, Gil Goldstein, RJD2, Frank Ocean (Channel Orange), Dave Eggar, Esperanza Spalding, Norah Jones, Cellogram, Dr. Ralph Stanley, The City And Horses, John Patitucci, Earwig, Five For Fighting, Amber Rubarth, O.A.R., Waway Saway with the Talaandig Tribe, and Amy Lee of Evanescence. In this episode, Chuck talks about: Using your skills and expertise as a drummer to produce, engineer, mix, write and create  His experiences and growth as a musician in New York City  Collaborating with cellist, pianist and composer Dave Eggar Conducting and creating string arrangements for the band Foreigner 

337 - Chuck Palmer: Applying Drumming Expertise to Produce, Write, Arrange, Conduct and Create, Collaborating with Cellist Dave Eggar

Cameron Tyler has been based in Las Vegas since 2017, where he is involved with numerous shows including Cirque du Soleil's Ka. He spent the first chapter of his career in Los Angeles learning the ropes of touring and recording, but relocated to Vegas in search of more affordable housing and studio space, and more creative autonomy as a drummer and producer. In this episode, Cameron talks about: Why he chose to relocate to Vegas, and how he got involved with Ka How reading and Ableton are table stakes for most Vegas gigs The importance of treating your space for optimal sound The piece of gear that has upped his mixing game

336 - Cameron Tyler: Carving a Niche in Las Vegas On and Off the Strip

Bobby Jarzombek is currently the drummer for progressive metal band Fates Warning, vocalist Sebastian Bach, and country music legend George Strait. He has also recorded and toured extensively with the Halford band, featuring legendary Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford as well as the long-running New York City metal institution Riot. Bobby made his recording debut with Juggernaut on "Baptism Under Fire" in 1986. Other touring and recording credits include his work with Spastic Ink, CED Earth, Demons & Wizards, Rob Rock and John West among others. In this episode, Bobby talks about:    Early interests that shaped his drumming    Tracking from home for different projects    Getting the gig with George Strait    Adapting to changes in live performances

335 - Bobby Jarzombek: From Fates Warning to George Strait, Splitting Duties Between Metal and Country

George Sluppick is an American drummer born in Memphis, Tennessee, specializing in blues, funk, soul and R&B music. In 1986, he graduated from Overton, a prestigious creative & performing arts high school. Growing up in Memphis, he shared the stage with many legends, including BB King and Rufus Thomas and just one year after his high school graduation at age 19, he went on the road with blues guitarist Albert King. He has since played with Charlie Hunter, JJ Grey & MoFro, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, and many others, and has just released a Memphis-infused sample pack through Yurt Rock. In this episode, George talks about: The process of creating and marketing his new sample pack Why he moved from his hometown of Memphis to the smaller town of Greensboro, NC The influence of Idris Muhammed and the idea of genre-free drumming

334 - George Sluppick: The Memphis Vibe, The Sample Pack Business Model, Erasing Genre

Joe McCarthy has led a diverse career as drummer/percussionist, bandleader, producer and educator in a myriad of settings from symphony orchestra to bebop, big band, afro cuban, theater and beyond. Joe is the founder, leader, producer and drummer of The New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, winner of the 2008 Latin Grammy for Latin Jazz Album of the Year, and nominated in the same category for the 51st Grammy Awards for the Heads-Up release “Afro Bop Alliance”, featuring Dave Samuels. Active in education, Joe has held adjunct appointments at the collegiate level since 1992 upon graduating from the University of North Texas with a Masters in Percussion Performance. Previous adjunct positions include Texas Wesleyan University, Delaware State University, Georgetown University, George Mason University and Washington College. As a clinician, Joe has been a featured performer and clinician at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), Jazz Educators Network International Convention (JEN), numerous PAS Days of Percussion, MusicFest Canada, The National Jazz Workshop, George Mason University Summer Jazz and Percussion Seminars, The Jazz n Youth Exchange of Germany, and many others. Joe has been featured at many of the nation’s top collegiate music institutions and festivals, in addition to numerous high school jazz festivals as a guest soloist, clinician and adjudicator. As an author, Joe is published by Alfred music with “Joe McCarthy’s Afro Cuban Big Band Play-Along Series”, featuring a book/CD play-along and Vol’s I & II DVD’s. Joe spent a twenty-year tour as Chief Petty Officer with The United States Naval Academy Band, where he served as principal percussionist with the wind ensemble and Chief in Charge/drummer of the Next Wave Jazz Ensemble- one of the Navy’s two premier big bands. In this episode, Joe talks about:    Living and working in Miami Florida    How he spends his practice time    Teaching in the 21st century    The value of learning multiple styles    His B.A.S.I.C. Training lesson program - Balance, Alignment, Substitution, Interdependence, and Control    Band leading the New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band

333 - Joe McCarthy - Band Leading the New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, His B.A.S.I.C. Training Lesson Program, Living and Working in Miami Florida

Stephen Chopek is a musician living and working in Atlanta, GA. Prior to releasing his first solo album in 2012, he spent over 10 years drumming on tour and in the studio with Charlie Hunter, John Mayer, and Jesse Malin among many others. He had just returned home from a tour playing drums with former Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty when an explosive songwriting streak hit him. While in the throes of his creative deluge, the Pandemic put most of the world on indefinite lockdown. With no other commitments for the foreseeable future, he finally had the latitude to take his time with the new songs. It was a luxury that he, as a touring musician for the last two decades, is normally not afforded. His new EP, Dweller, is out now. In this episode, Stephen talks about: How Memphis changed his playing Studying with Leon Parker and playing with Charlie Hunter in his early New York-based career Playing on the John Mayer Room for Squares tour Taking a year away from drumming to volunteer with Americorps and delve into other instruments Taking the opportunity during the pandemic to fully realize his original songs

332 - Stephen Chopek: Playing with John Mayer, Charlie Hunter and More; Writing, Recording, and Mixing His Own Original Songs

August 7th, 2021 the first annual Music City Drum Show was held in Nashville Tennessee. Music City Drum Show was created to unite the drumming community in the Greater Nashville area and beyond. Organized by drummer Landon Hall, the Music City Drum Show was focused on drum displays, sales, networking, and clinics. Big thanks to all who participated in our "Front line war correspondence recording". Not all the interviews were usable due to the volume in the room and it could be hard to listen to at times. But, we hope you enjoy this collection we created from what was a super fun weekend. This episode features    JC Clifford, AJ Maland - (Recycled Rhythm), Drummers Hands, Sam Bacco, Dan Ainspan - (Nashville Drummer Podcast), Josh Touchton - (Ludwig), Rodney Edmonton, Chris from UFIP Cymbals, Kayleigh Moyer, Angela Lese, Mike McKee from Baldman Percussion, Bryson Nelson from Nelson Drumshop and Evan Hutchings These fine people were interviewed but the recording didn’t work out due to external volume:    Vincent Dee, Brian Zach, Arjuna Contreras, Marshall Richardson, Jeremy McCormick, Dan Douchette, Jeff Brown, Po Shy from Po’s Percussion representing the Rogers Booth

331 - Music City Drum Show: "Flash Interviews" Featuring Former and Future Guests and Many More

Aaron Serfaty was born in Caracas, Venezuela. He began playing drum set at the age of fifteen and started to play professionally at seventeen. He did extensive work as a session and touring drummer from 1980 until 1991 with local and international artists. In 1991 he moved to Los Angeles to study Jazz and African American studies at the California Institute of the Arts. Aaron has also taken lessons with Peter Erskine, Joe LaBarbera, Jeff Hamilton, Jerry Steinholz, and Juan Oliva. Since his move to the US he has played with artists like Arturo Sandoval, Sergio Mendes, Jon Anderson, Oscar Hernandez, Otmaro Ruiz, Denise Donatelli, Kristin Korb, Kathleen Grace, Bill Cunliffe, Shelly Berg, and Alan Pasqua among many others. He has taught at Los Angeles College of Music (1997-2014), at The California Institute of the Arts (2000-2014) and is currently on faculty at the University of Southern California (1997-present) where he conducts the Latin Jazz Ensemble, teaches drum set, and a Latin Percussion class. In this episode, Aaron talks about: Growing up in Caracas and the many types of music he was exposed to through his dad's business His experience studying jazz at Cal Arts, and privately with Peter Erskine Bringing your "accent" to every musical conversation you have His teaching philosophy His tuning approach

330 - Aaron Serfaty: Playing With Your "Accent," A Universal Teaching Approach, Paying Attention to What Your Drums Tell You

This episode features six amazing drummers with a wide range of experience, discussing the many unique aspects of gigging in Nashville's downtown tourist district known as lower Broadway. Some have referred to it as "The Honkytonk Industrial Complex". This scene is not for everyone but, for those who are willing to slug it out in the trenches of lower Broadway and perform for a mostly over served audience, the money can be good, great music can happen and important connections can be made. In this round table discussion, the group talks about:  Explaining what the lower Broadway scene is The pros and cons of gigging on lower Broadway in Nashville  The unique skill set that’s needed to play lower Broadway  Advice for the player that wants to break in to the scene  Essential gear to carry with you when playing lower Broadway 

329 - Nashville's Lower Broadway Roundtable: Kelly Bamberger, Eddie Bell, Billy Freeman, Jake Gammon, John Root & Derek Smith

As the touring drummer for Childers, Rod Elkins is the heartbeat of a rhythm section that includes Elkins’ high-school friends and college bandmates who’ve been playing together for the past 10 years. That band, The Food Stamps, has performed sold out concerts around the world, including a headline debut at Red Rocks Amphitheater, concerts at the Ryman Auditorium, The Grand Ole Opry, Mountain Stage, and festivals around the world including Bonnaroo, Stagecoach, Lollapalooza. The band also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and has opened for everyone from Willie Nelson and The Raconteurs to Guns N’ Roses. Rod still lives in his hometown of Huntington, West Virginia, where the band was formed. In this Episode, Rod talks about: How his existing band became the backing band for Tyler Childers, and how they caught the attention of Sturgill Simpson What he learned from the Nashville musicians who have recorded Childers' albums Finding ways to create variety in songs with the same groove at the same tempo How his lifelong anxiety showed up in his playing, and how he dealt with it Why he stays in Huntington, WV, where he grew up and where the music and bands he's a part of were cultivated

328 - Rod Elkins: Playing with Tyler Childers, Overcoming Anxiety Issues, Staying in His Small Hometown

Blake Fleming is a percussionist known for his involvement with several influential experimental bands and has recently written his first book, The Book of Rhythm, an unprecedented collection of 5,096 meticulously organized rhythms for all instruments. His drumming has been written about in such major publications as The New York Times, NPR.com, Spin, Rolling Stone, MOJO, Modern Drummer, DRUM!, Dangerous Minds, and Pitchfork. He was included in SPIN’s 100 Greatest Drummers of Alternative Music and has recorded and toured extensively, working with luminaries in the jazz, rock and avant-garde worlds. Alongside a variety of studio work, he also enjoys teaching students worldwide with live online lessons and is an adjunct professor at The State University of New York at Oneonta. In this episode, Blake talks about: Quality over quantity  A homogenization of music and drumming  Early experimental bands His book: The Book of Rhythm Asking yourself “Why?” And being self aware

327 - Blake Fleming: Quality Over Quantity, The Book of Rhythm, Speaking Honestly About the State of Music and Drumming

Real Drummers. Real Stories. With over a 200 episodes and counting, Working Drummer Podcast is the source for those interested in what it’s like to be a professional drummer. Each weekly interview showcases a performer with a sometimes less recognizable name but always impressive body of work. This unique approach has garnered a niche audience hungry for unfiltered stories about what it takes to make a living as a musician today. Working Drummer hears from a diverse range of musicians who represent many different genres and scenes. The podcast has also featured some drumming heroes and mentors such as Peter Erskine, Eddie Bayers, Gregg Morrow, Steve Smith, Rich Redmond, Jason Sutter and Chad Cromwell. The hosts of Working Drummer, Matthew Crouse and Zack Albetta, are full-time musicians with the experience and insight to ask the often-overlooked questions. Providing technical and production assistance, Mike Jackson helps to maintain the high quality that listeners have come to expect from Working Drummer.

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Working Drummer

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