Drum Channel Podcast

Drum Channel Podcast

By Don LombardiMusic
Download on the App Store

Drum Channel Podcast episodes

  • S2 E95 - Billy’s Bubble - Raven Drum Foundation

    Hello everyone, welcome to Billy’s Bubble! This episode features a behind-the-scenes look into Def Leppard’s Rick Allen and singer/songwriter Lauren Monroe’s organization Raven Drum Foundation.  The organization was started twenty years ago by Rick & Lauren to raise awareness of healing through music, with drum circles, (with many top drummers & musicians) and raising funds for Veterans, First Responders, and people suffering from trauma.  This show features a conversation between a few Raven drummers, Styx’s Todd Sucherman, Godsmack’s Shannon Larkin, Widespread Panics Duane Trucks, Allman/Betts John Lum, Ace Frehley/Mr.Big Matt Starr, session legend Alvin Taylor, myself, and Rick Allen and Lauren Monroe.  We dig in deep on this one! Enjoy!

    55 min
  • S2 E94 - Fred Coury
    Hello everyone, Billy Amendola here.   My guest today Fred Coury is mostly known as the drummer from the eighties MTV-multi-platinum-band Cinderella.    Coury and Cinderella parted ways in 1991 and Fred joined Stephen Pearcy of Ratt to form the band Arcade and record two albums.    Fred also briefly substituted for GnR’s drummer Steven Adler in 1987 when health issues forced Adler off the road.   At age five, Coury started taking violin lessons and by age six, studied at the Beirut Conservatory of Music in Beirut, Lebanon. At age ten, he added the trumpet to his repertoire, and at age twelve he started playing the drums. Shortly after, as a teen, Coury was accepted to Berklee School of Music in Boston, for violin.

    These days Coury spends most of his time in his Los Angeles recording studio, Double Forte Music, composing as an Emmy multi-award-winning composer for top television shows and sports teams. 

    In 2021, Coury also co-produced pop sensation and singer/songwriter Debbie Gibson’s “The Body Remembers” 

    An avid hockey fan, Coury combined his love of the sport with his musical skills to create the “Goal Song” theme for the LA Kings hockey team. 

    Let’s welcome Fred. Enjoy! 

    1 hr 13 min
  • S2 E93 - Cole Marcus
    Hello everyone! Billy A. here with my guest Cole Marcus, who is no stranger to our Drum Channel audience.

    I remember meeting and seeing Cole mesmerize a crowd at a NAMM SHOW when he was four years old, which doesn’t sound odd these days, but over two decades ago, it wasn’t as common as now.

    These days, now twenty-five years old, Cole has released a new single “Cause & Effect,” which he wrote, recorded, sang, as well as playing all the instruments.  

    In this segment, we talk about recording, songwriting, his early years appearing in movies, and TV commercials, and transitioning into composing for films.

    Let’s welcome Cole back to Drum Channel. Enjoy!
    51 min
  • S2 E92 - Earl Young R&B Legend
    Hello everyone, Billy Amendola here on Drum Channel with my long-time friend and R&B/Soul legend Earl Young.    Earl, known as the founder and singer of the group The Trammps, (and recording drummer) took the disco world to the mainstream pop charts with their smash hit “Disco Inferno” among others.    Always having success as both a vocalist as well as a drummer, many didn’t realize that Earl, along with the rhythm section, of the late, Ronnie Baker and Norman Harris, created what’s known as TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)   Along with producers/songwriters Gamble & Huff, the trio went on to record classic R&B/Soul hits throughout the 70s. Creating a sound all their own.    When the Baker, Harris, and Young hit-making machine stretched out to form MFSB and Salsoul Orchestra, the trio took their trademark sound with them.    Let’s listen in on how Earl’s career started from his early childhood to his teens, to an adult, to a now young 84-year-old, who’s still out playing and touring with his version of Earl Young and The Trammps. This show is a history lesson for sure. Enjoy! 
    1 hr 19 min
  • S2 E91 - Vicki & Debbi Peterson with John Cowsill
    Hello everyone! John Cowsill is back, and this time he brought his beautiful wife Vicki.    Most of you on Drum Channel should be familiar with John’s career, he’s been drumming almost as long as he’s been walking.    We’re going to talk about his appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show at age eight years old with his family band The Cowsills, and their hit song, “The Rain The Park and Other Things” (which most people know as “The Flower Girl” song.) and also the inspiration for the popular TV show The Partridge Family and more.    We speak to Vikki about her group The Bangles, featuring Debbi Peterson (Vicki’s sister) on drums & vocals, Susanna Hoffs on guitar & vocals, and bassist Micki Steele (who before joining in 1983, was in The Runaways for a minute) replacing original and now current bassist Annette Zilinaskas.   The female foursome went on to become one of the most popular bands of the eighties with hits, “Manic Monday,” Walk Like an Egyptian,” Eternal Flame,” and “Hazy Shade of Winter,” along with sold-out tours all over the world.   Vicki’s sister Debbi also joins us, via Zoom, to talk about her experience as the drummer/singer in the Bangles, getting started, a few of her influences, and more.    Happy New Year! Let's enjoy! 
    1 hr
  • S2 E90 - Rick Astley
    Hello, my Drum Channel family! Billy Amendola here in my “Bubble” with, our special guest, superstar Rick Astley.    Before exploding on the pop charts in the 1980s, Astley was playing drums in bands and singing from behind the kit. Once he stepped out front, a new calling began. He was labeled one of the best singers to come out of the U.K. and take America by storm with his powerhouse vocal style with his two number-one hits, “Never Gonna Give You Up” and “Together Forever.”    Working for songwriters/producers Stock, Aitken, and Waterman, the most successful songwriting and producing teams of the 80s, scoring more than 100 UK top 40 hits and selling over 40 million records, Rick became an international star.    In 1993, Rick took a six-year hiatus to take a break from stardom to raise a family. He was itching to return after seeing how much he was missed and respected in the industry by writing, recording, and playing all the instruments in his home studio as a present to himself, turning 50 years old.    He has since released new music, played huge shows, and found out Dave Grohl and one of his favorite bands, the Foo Fighters, were huge fans.    Rick talks about his insight into the songwriting and recording process, as well as his continued passion for playing drums.    Listen to this one with your family and friends. Enjoy the words & music. 
    50 min
  • S2 E89 - Narada Michael Walden

    Hello Hello! Billy Amendola in my “Bubble” with today’s guest, who is not only one of the most respected musicians/producers on the planet, but he’s also been a mentor, an inspiration, and a dear friend to me for decades.

    He appeared on the scene in NYC from Michigan as a drummer and teacher. A few of his students include Omar Hakim, the late Tony Thompson, and many others who launched successful careers.

    At 21, he joined the Mahavishnu Orchestra on the recommendation of their previous drummer (who was at the top of his game with the title “greatest drummer”), the one and only Billy Cobham.

    Now a band-member, he goes from the road into the studio to work on the next Mahavishnu album with John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, and legendary Beatles producer George Martin.    A few years later, he took the world by storm on the dance floor by releasing his solo album; singing, writing, producing, and playing, and he became a star in his own right.   If that wasn’t enough, a few years later, he became one of the world’s Top Ten producers of all time, crafting number-one hits for Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Cindy Blackman, the list goes on and on.   With Multiple hit records, Grammy after Grammy, as a band leader, solo artist, producer, singer/songwriter, spiritual leader, and drummer, touring with Jeff Beck, Journey, and his band, there’s nothing the man can’t do.   We catch up to discuss his latest album “Euphoria” and more. Please welcome Narada Michael Walden back to Drum Channel. Enjoy! 
    1 hr 7 min
  • S2 E88 - Liberty DeVitto

    Hello Everyone, welcome to “Billy’s Bubble” on Drum Channel.

    Today’s show features my co-host, longtime friend, and the beat on every Billy Joel hit, Liberty DeVitto.  

    Lib & I got together to honor and pay tribute to the late great Hall of Fame drummer Dino Danelli. 

    The legendary drummer best known as an innovator, inspiration, and influence to thousands of musicians, first with the 60/70s band The Rascals, featuring Gene Cornish, Felix Cavaliere, and Eddie Bragati (managed by Sid Bernstein), and then as a band member of Bulldog, FotoMaker, and Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul. 

    The day this podcast is airing is the one-year date Danelli passed away on December 15, 2022, at age 78.

    Billy & Lib, along with a little help from a few fellow admires, and friends, to talk all things Dino, The Rascals, and more. Enjoy this special episode. 

    47 min
  • S2 E87 - Gethin Davies

    Hello everyone! This is a “Billy's Bubble” segment here on Drum Channel, and my guest today is a friend and drummer/bandmate for one of the most popular pop/rock bands on the planet, The Struts.

    The new album “Pretty Vicious” is the band's fourth album, and each gets better and better. The band is ending the 2023 tour and already getting prepared for 2024.

    Gethin and I talk about a few tracks from the latest album, advice on keeping a band together, keeping egos in check, and what it’s like to be a “Rock Star.”

    I’m happy to welcome Gethin back. It’s always a pleasure. Enjoy!

    56 min
  • S2 E86 - Jorge Palacios
    Hello everyone, Billy A. and my guest today on Drum Channel is Rick Springfield’s Jorge Palacios.    Jorge has been touring and recording with Springfield since 2010.    The gig was originally scheduled for three days as a fill-in for drummer Roger Carter, who was going through health issues at the time and it became the start of a long music relationship with Rick and the band.    In the nineties, Jorge was playing in the Mustard Seeds with two members who also went on to be part of Springfield’s band, guitarist George Bernhardt and bassist Matt Bissonette.    Let’s find out about touring with Rick, Jorge’s early days, his personal family sacrifices, and more. 

    Let’s welcome Jorge Palacios to Drum Channel. Enjoy! 

    1 hr 4 min

About Drum Channel Podcast

From the publisher's feed

The Drum Channel Podcast is where you will hear conversations with the world's greatest drummers and percussionists. Hear their stories and be inspired to take your drumming to the next level.