Larry Lelli is a veteran Broadway musician. He’s played drums and/or conductor in over 40 Broadway shows.   Some of his  Broadway drumming credits include The Producers. Assassins, How To Succeed In Business, Million Dollar Quartet. 

He’s recorded and performed with  Melissa Etheridge, Josh Groban, Anne Hathaway, Nick Jonas, Vanessa Williams, Heather Headley, The Mamas & The Papas, Anika Noni Rose, ), Audra McDonald, Neil Patrick Harris, Patti LuPone, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bernadette Peters, Sebastian Bach, Anika Noni Rose, Doug Stone, Lesley Gore, Larry Gatlin, Darlene Love and The New York Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Larry is also a clinician for Yamaha Drums and Sabian Cymbals, and he’s currently performing in the Tony Award-winning hit, Come From Away.

https://www.larrylelli.com

In this episode, we discuss:

* Growing up in the midwest, playing in baton and drum corps.

* Moving to Nashville and touring with the country star Doug Stone.

* How a jazz cruise led to him moving to New York City to pursue a career on Broadway.

* Why subbing for Michael Hinton on Miss Saigon was his big break.

* Meeting John Redsecker led to subbing at Beauty and The Beast and many more shows.

* Working with Paul Gemignani and learning how unstable the business of Broadway can be.

* How long does it take for him to learn a show.

If you haven’t yet, please become a paid subscriber today. This podcast can only survive if we have enough people willing to fund its future. Your subscription will ensure its survival.

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Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM! Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

For more: claytoncraddock.com

As a studied musician of several decades, Dena'sversatility has afforded her opportunities to play in various settings - from arenas to rock clubs and Broadway theaters to recording studios.  

She has been highlighted in several drum publications, including the September 2018 issue of Modern Drummer Magazine. ​ Dena has held the drum chair for the following Broadway and Off-Broadway productions: Little Shop of Horrors; Kristin Chenoweth: For the Girls; Head Over Heels; Cher Show (sub drummer); Magic Mike the Musical, Broadway Lab; & Galileo, Reading.

Before she transitioned to Broadway, Dena spent nearly 20 years with the all-female rock band Antigone Rising. The band constantly toured for several years, racking up 260+ shows per year. They were signed by Lava/Atlantic Records and released "From the Ground Up" in conjunction with Starbucks' Hear Music Debut Series, which has sold well over 250,000 copies. Other opportunities included a VH1 Special, appearances on the Today Show and Tonight Show, A&E’s Breakfast with the Arts and Emeril, as well as twice serving the U.S. State Department as Arts Envoys to Israel and Palestine, and Vietnam.

Dena also worked with Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas for several years as a member of the “R.T. Quartet.” She has performed live with the following artists: Bernie Worrell (Parliament-Funkadelic, Talking Heads), The Go-Go's, Allman Brothers Band, Chris Daughtry, Roseanne Cash, Christopher Jackson, Leslie Uggams, Alice Ripley, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Shannon McNally, Williams Honor, Michelle Malone, & Anita Cochran.  

She has worked in the studio with the following industry professionals: Robert Randolph, Lisa Loeb, Leland Sklar, Rob Thomas, Michael Barbiero, Neil Dorfsman, Oliver Leiber & David Bendeth. ​ Additionally, Dena has shared bills with the following artists: Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Allman Brothers Band, Joan Jett, The Bangles, Cheap Trick, B-52s, Michael McDonald, Blue Oyster Cult, Lucinda Williams, Matt Nathanson, Tonic, Arlo Guthrie, The Mavericks, Stephen Kellogg, & O.A.R. ​

She has appeared on Good Morning America and many regional T.V. segments. 

For more: https://www.denatauriello.com

If you haven’t yet, please become a paid subscriber today. This podcast can only survive if we have enough people willing to fund its future. Your subscription will ensure its survival.

Please click the button below and subscribe. Thank you!

Subscribe now

Become a regular listener HERE

Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM! Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

For more: claytoncraddock.com

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Paul Pizutti has over fifty years of experience playing shows. He is a person everyone should listen to when it comes to understanding what it takes to have a successful career playing broadway musicals.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Sight reading the TONY Awards show.

* Leaving the business altogether for a shot period of time.

* Being the China club house drummer on Wednesday nights.

* Recording the cast albums for Assassins and Crazy For You.

* Working on Gypsy with Patti Lupone.

* Observing the transition from playing shows with no monitors to personal monitoring systems in Broadway pits.

Here is a partial list of the shows he’s done:

* She Loves Me

* Far Away Places: Live at 54 Below w/Patti LuPone

* The Other Duke: Tribute to Duke Pearson, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

* Merrily We Roll Along

* Another Monday Night, The Lady with the Torch w/Patti LuPone

* Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, in Concert from Carnegie Hall

* Pacific Overtures

* Big Band Blues

* Into the Woods

* The Frogs/Evening Primrose

* Kiss Me, Kate

* Fifteen-Year Anniversary w/ Betty Buckley

* Big

* A Christmas Carol

* Crazy for You, Assassins

* Cats

* Merrily We Roll Along

and many more!

If you haven’t yet, please become a paid subscriber today. This podcast can only survive if we have enough people willing to fund its future. Your subscription will ensure its survival.

Please click the button below and subscribe. Thank you!

Become a regular listener HERE

Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM! Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

For more: claytoncraddock.com

*original music by Clayton Craddock

Paul Pizutti has over fifty years of experience playing shows. He is a person everyone should listen to when it comes to understanding what it takes to have a successful career playing broadway musicals.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Working on the musical ‘Candide.’

* How he wound up playing the original ‘Godspell.’

* How he handled playing a show during the New York City blackout of 1977.

* What it was like working on the original ‘Evita.’

* Why ‘Merrily We Roll’ Along came and went but is now a classic.

* How a series of minor connections led to working seven years at ‘Cats.’

Here is a partial list of the shows he’s done:

* She Loves Me

* Far Away Places: Live at 54 Below w/Patti LuPone

* The Other Duke: Tribute to Duke Pearson, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

* Merrily We Roll Along

* Another Monday Night, The Lady with the Torch w/Patti LuPone

* Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, in Concert from Carnegie Hall

* Pacific Overtures

* Big Band Blues

* Into the Woods

* The Frogs/Evening Primrose

* Kiss Me, Kate

* Fifteen-Year Anniversary w/ Betty Buckley

* Big

* A Christmas Carol

* Crazy for You, Assassins

* Cats

* Merrily We Roll Along

and many more!

If you haven’t yet, please become a paid subscriber today. This podcast can only survive if we have enough people willing to fund its future. Your subscription will ensure its survival.

Please click the button below and subscribe. Thank you!

Become a regular listener HERE

Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM! Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

For more: claytoncraddock.com

*original music by Clayton Craddock

In this episode, we discuss:

* What he learned at Manhattan School Of Music in New York City

* His experience being mentored by Bernard Purdie

* What’s meant by the saying, “If you're not early, you’re late.”

* His time learning Dear Evan Hansen and taking over the drum chair.

* Why playing exactly like the chairholder matters when you are subbing a show.

* Who are his favorite five drummers of all time.

* What he suggests when reaching out to drummers who have chairs on Broadway.

Jake Goldbas has taken the music scene by storm with various artists, including legends Aretha Franklin, Dave Brubeck, Candido Camero, Patti Austin, Gil Goldstein, Joshua Redman, Stefon Harris and Christian McBride. He has performed at the world’s most distinguished venues from Carnegie Hall to Madison Square Garden and Broadway (The Color Purple, Dear Evan Hansen). A respected educator and clinician, Goldbas leads a band for Jazz’s new education program, Jazz for Young People.

Goldbas earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the Manhattan School of Music(MSM) as a Presidential Scholarship recipient. In 2010, he was nominated for a Grammy Award with Bobby Sanabria and the MSM Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra on Kenya Revisited Live!!! Goldbas was also named the Best American Musician of 2012 by Amsterdam's Keep an Eye Jazz Competition.

Goldbas has been appointed musical director the National Arts Awards for the past two years, where he has led tributes to Tony Bennett, Herbie Hancock, Lady Gaga, and Esperanza Spalding. He is also an integral part of the sensational sound of Michael Blume, the viral success of John Splitoff’s latest release, “Sing to You,” as well as his work with The Knocks on their debut album "55".

Jake proudly endorses Reunion Blues Gig Bags, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, and Greats Brand Sneakers.

Striking All the Right Notes

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/fashion/weddings/kate-christopher-and-jake-goldbas-vows.html

Become a regular listener HERE

Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM! Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

For more: claytoncraddock.com

Jesse-Ray Leich is a versatile percussionist and drum set player who received his Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Percussion from the University of Rhode Island in 2017.

Raised in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Jesse-Ray started playing the drums at four years old.  He has played drums throughout the years, achieving multiple All-State, and All-Eastern Division musician rankings.  Growing up in the music world of Rhode Island, Jesse-Ray has performed for various bands, musicals, and ensembles.  Some credits include drummer/percussionist for the URI Big Band at the world-famous Newport Jazz Festival, productions of West Side Story, Footloose, Guys and Dolls, and performance competitions in Boston at the Hard Rock Cafe, among much more.

From 2013-2017, Jesse-Ray worked in Newport, RI, at the Newport Playhouse Dinner Theater, playing drum set for the Cabaret, sparking his interest in musical theater.  From September 2017 to June 2018, Jesse-Ray embarked on his first National Tour as drummer/percussionist for the 3rd National Tour of "Motown the Musical" through Work Light Productions.  After the Motown tour, Jesse-Ray joined the 2018-2019 2nd National Tour of “Something Rotten!” the hit Broadway musical as drummer/percussionist. 

Most recently, Jesse-Ray was drumming for the 1st National Tour of “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” from August 2019-March 2020. 

Upcoming, Jesse-Ray will be drumming for the Broadway-bound musicals Mr. Saturday Night featuring Billy Crystal and “KPOP” in 2022.

Become a regular listener HERE

Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM! Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

For more: claytoncraddock.com

In this episode, we discuss:

* His experience subbing at ‘Jagged Little Pill’ on Broadway.

* What approval vs. designation means.

* Why being confident without being arrogant is important.

* The musicals he’s working on next.

Today, I’m interviewing educator/Audio Engineer/Synth & Drum Programmer/Composer, fantastic drummer Dennis Arcano. I’ve known Dennis for over 20 years. He was one of my regular subs at tick, tick… BOOM! and Altar Boys, and he later subbed for Follies (the 2001 Revival), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and is now subbing on Jagged Little Pill on Broadway.

Dennis is also the resident music contractor, synth & drum programmer, and house drummer/percussionist for ACT (A contemporary theater, an award-winning professional regional Equity theater in Ridgefield, CT.

PART ONE

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Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

For more: claytoncraddock.com

Today, I’m interviewing educator/Audio Engineer/Synth & Drum Programmer/Composer, fantastic drummer Dennis Arcano. I’ve known Dennis for over 20 years. He was one of my regular subs at tick, tick… BOOM! and Altar Boys, and he later subbed for Follies (the 2001 Revival), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and is now subbing on Jagged Little Pill on Broadway.

Dennis is also the resident music contractor, synth & drum programmer, and house drummer/percussionist for ACT (A contemporary theater, an award-winning professional regional Equity theater in Ridgefield, CT.

In this episode, we discuss:

* His experience in several regional theater productions.

* Why he chose Western CT State University.

* What it was like subbing at Follies (2001 Revival)

* Why he feels subbing is like being a featured actor on SNL.

* Why knowing the conductor of shows can be more important than knowing drummers when it comes to landing gigs.

Become a regular listener HERE

Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

For more: claytoncraddock.com

Joshua Samuels and I go way back. We met shortly before I left the off-Broadway show Altar Boyz and went to play the Broadway musical Memphis. He was eager to get into the scene and did everything the right way to network his way into playing shows. He eventually subbed for me at Altar Boys and moves on to play several shows afterward.

Josh is classically trained, and his experience as a percussionist has led him to many different genres of music, allowing him to perform for many different music groups, not only orchestras.

In this episode we discuss:

* How meeting Gary Seligson helped launch his career in New York City.

* The methods he used to network and meet people.

* The way he handles notes.

* The story of how he landed the job at Radio City several times.

* Landing the percussion chair at Beetlejuice.

* Why having great time is so important.

His theater credits include: 

Radio City Christmas Spectacular (multiple seasons)

"Heart and Lights" Radio City 2014 - Percussionist

"NY Spectacular" Radio City Summer 2016 - Drum chair

Broadway:

"Beetlejuice" (Percussion)

"Aladdin" (sub drums)

"Miss Saigon" (sub drums)

"Sunset Boulevard" (sub drums)

"Jersey Boys" (sub drums)

"A Bronx Tale" (sub percussion)

"On The Twentieth Century" (sub drums)

Nice Work If You Can Get It" (sub drums)

"Chaplin" (sub drums)

"Godspell" (revival - sub drums)

Tours:

"Aladdin" First National Tour (Percussion)

"Anything Goes" First National Tour (Drums)

"Jersey Boys" Second National Tour (Drums) 

Off-Broadway:

"Sister's Follies" (drums/perc.)

"Heathers" (sub drums)

"Carrie" (revival - sub drums)

"Altar Boyz" (sub drums)

"The Marvelous Wonderettes"

(sub drums/drums)

"Triassic Parq" (sub drums)

"Peter and I" (drums, perc.)

"Two By Two" (drums, perc.)

"Mardi Gras/The Last Word"(drums, perc.)

"The Rescignos" (drums)

"Hot Mess in Manhattan" (drums)

"Top 8 the Musical" (drums)

For MORE: https://joshuamarksamuels.com

Become a regular listener HERE

Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

For more: claytoncraddock.com

In this episode, we discuss:

* How he met Cyndi Lauper and got the drum chair at Kinky Boots.

* What he looks for in new subs.

* What it was like at Pretty Woman.

* How he landed the gig at Diana The Musical.

* Why he memorizes each show he plays.

Sammy Merendino is one of NYC's top drummers. He is currently performing at Diana a True Musical Story on Broadway at the Longacre Theater.

He has recorded and/or performed with many top artists, including Cameo, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Foreigner, Lou Reed, Aretha Franklin, Ziggy Marley, Hall & Oates, The Beach Boys, Pat Metheny, Joan Osborne, Anita Baker, Sophie B. Hawkins, Carly Simon, Paul Rodgers, and many others. He has played on numerous Grammy-winning recordings and over 1,000 commercials and television themes, including Monday Night Football with Hank Williams Jr., Nightline, World News Tonight, and ABC Golf.

Currently residing in Harlem, Sammy's turn-of-the-century brownstone is home to a state-of-the-art recording studio. Complete with Pro-tools HDX, Neve/API/BAE/ mic pre's and EQ's, vintage microphones, and compressors, his drums are always set up, and mic'd - ready to go!    

Become a regular listener HERE

Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

For more: claytoncraddock.com