Designated Drummer

In this weeks Podcast I finally get to talk to a long time friend and fellow drummer Joe Smyth from Sawyer Brown. I think he holds the record for the 'longest running drummer in a band and still playing’ category. He still holds together the groove with this amazing entertaining band as well as teaches drums and percussion at a school in (Brentwood) Nashville when he’s not touring. I have much respect and admiration for Joe and we had a great time chatting together.

Practice makes perfect. In this episode I discuss the benefits of a good practice routine giving specific examples that I use and sharing some of my favorite drummer's practice routines.

In episode 20 you will discover how a drum setup on stage can tell you something about the drummer before they even hit the stage. I talk all about drum equipment and why it’s important to have a great looking, awesome sounding drum kit. I share some stories about auditions in the early days I didn’t pass. I include details about how my stage setup improved over the years starting with my 1st hodgepodge drum set I managed to put together with my meager dollars.  You will also get the scoop on my personal favorite equipment. Let’s get into it!

In this episode, I talk with fitness trainer Jeremy Byrd, a Nashville area personal trainer and fitness coach. He gives advice on the importance of good nutrition and sleep helping with the physical demands of being a drummer. Jeremy brings his experience training Navy Seals into the Drummer's World, which I think is pretty awesome. So, grab your gym shorts and head band and let's go.

In this episode I share stories about the about past Christmas albums we’ve recorded and working up big holiday shows. You will hear about our biggest challenges in creating our Christmas albums and which Christmas song is my favorite one to play live.       

Booking agents may get a bad rap sometimes but I’m here to tell you they are incredibly important! My guest on this episode of Designated Drummer is Nick Meinema, a Nashville booking agent originally from Canada and a musician himself. He is our agent for Lonestar as well as other artists. We dive into how this whole entertainment booking scene works and some interesting stories along the way. We also talk about how a band like Lonestar that came up in the clubs in the early 90’s and struggled as a band, later to succeed in the industry, can draw from the years of struggle to create a concert experience that keeps people coming back year after year. Since I met Nick several years ago, he has always stood out to me as a very focused and passionate industry pro that loves what he does and puts his heart into his work. Join me on this episode and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

In this episode of Designated Drummer, I have a great chat with Brian Pruitt, drummer for Jake Owen, producer and session drummer. We talk a lot about getting inspired and being your own drummer. Brian is a powerful drummer but not afraid to get into the computer and use samples and loops and creating amazing tracks for a large range of music clients. We talk about getting inspired and focusing on drum parts and making them sound real. Check it out!

In this episode of Designated Drummer, I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Donnie Marple, drummer for Lee Brice and the winner of the 2007 Guitar Center Drum-Off! He talks about how the drum-off got things started for him and how it began his journey into music and eventually landing him the role as drummer for Lee Brice. He’s a very humble, unassuming gentleman and a great, great drummer. If you ever get a chance, look him up on YouTube and check out his solos, especially the one that won him the ’07 Drum-Off!

This episode I talk about some of my favorite drummers and why they make this list.  When I was growing up in the 70’s in Texas I listened to music in a way that formed who I am today. I started thinking about what it would be like to be a drummer in a band. My major influences were Sib Hashian of Boston, Buddy Rich, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jeff Porcaro, Stewart Copeland and more recently Paul Leim and Travis Barker. I talk a little bit about why these drummers in particular shaped the way I play today and how they inspired me to go on playing drums.

On this episode of Designated Drummer I talk about things I’ve learned along the way that that have stuck with me. Sometimes you just have to learn things the hard way and sometimes funny stories come out of the chaos. I share some stories about how being a drummer all these years has made me look back on things I’ve learned when ‘stuff happens.’