Drummers Pathway Podcast

For this episode, I welcome back Mickey Curry for his second appearance on the podcast.

Over a career spanning more than five decades, Mickey has worked with artists including Bryan Adams, Hall & Oates, The Cult, Tom Cochrane, Alice Cooper, and many more, earning his place among the most respected drummers in the business.

In this episode, we reflect further upon his experiences working with many of the industry's top artists and producers, dealing with imposter syndrome, the importance of prioritizing a positive work/life balance, and the joy of finding inspiration through the work of others.

This episode features my conversation with Peter Von Althen. Based in Ottawa, Peter is an in-demand drummer who has collaborated with artists including Kathleen Edwards, Skydiggers, Starling, Fred Eaglesmith, and more. 

In this episode, we talk about how his early inspirations influenced his musical approach, the importance of sonic exploration when recording in the studio, and why embracing a professional reset is essential to sustaining both your career and work/life balance.

This episode features my conversation with drummer Aubrey Dayle. Based in Toronto, Aubrey's career has spanned jazz, blues, funk, and rock. Born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Montreal, he started on accordion at age five before turning to percussion, eventually earning a Bachelor of Music in classical percussion performance from McGill University, then continuing his studies at the Manhattan School of Music in New York.

From there, he built a career as a first-call sideman, touring and recording with James "Blood" Ulmer, Hassan Hakmoun and Zahar, God Street Wine, and the John Popper Band, among many others. He recently held the drum chair for the North American premiere of the musical "It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken," based on the music of The Tragically Hip.

Aubrey is a composer and leader of his own project, My id, and is also a longtime collaborator with Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid. He is the author of the book "Narada Michael Walden: Drumming, Spirit and Music," an in-depth analysis and tribute to the music icon.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of formal education, the mentors who helped him establish his career, his approach to composition, and how his exploration and style analysis of Narada Michael Walden led to him writing his book and developing a friendship with the icon.

This episode features my conversation with drummer Tony Braunagel. Tony is an award-winning drummer, producer, and songwriter who has brought his signature grooves to Blues, R&B, and Rock records for over five decades.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas and currently based in Los Angeles, he’s worked with artists like Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, Eric Burdon, Rickie Lee Jones, Bette Midler and more. Beyond his work as an in-demand drummer, Tony has also built a career as a Grammy-winning producer.

In this episode, we discuss how his career began organically at 15 after being mentored by a neighbour, his musical development through Blues, R&B, Reggae, and African influences, and why music production has become his primary focus at this stage of his career.

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This episode features my conversation with drummer Curt Bisquera, also known as "Kirkee B." Curt is a Grammy-nominated session and touring drummer who's been laying down grooves for some of the biggest names in music for over three decades.

Born in Santa Maria, California, Curt started drumming almost as soon as he could walk and later studied at the Percussion Institute of Technology, where he crossed paths with legendary session drummer Jeff Porcaro, a connection that helped launch his career.  He's gone on to work with artists like Mick Jagger, Elton John, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Céline Dion, Johnny Cash, Sarah McLachlan, Seal, Bonnie Raitt and more.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of embracing simplicity and letting the song take centre stage, look back at his time studying at the Percussion Institute of Technology, explore how his connection with Jeff Porcaro led to unexpected opportunities, and dig into the challenges of navigating social media while building a professional career.

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This episode features my conversation with drummer Fred Eltringham. After moving to Nashville in 2007, Fred quickly established himself as a sought-after session musician, recording with hundreds of artists, including Willie Nelson, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Tears for Fears, Vince Gill and more.

Fred has been playing with Sheryl Crow since 2012 and has previously toured with a wide range of notable acts, including k.d. lang, The Chicks, The Wallflowers, Juliana Hatfield, Ben Kweller, and Boston power-pop rockers Gigolo Aunts.

He is also a two-time recipient of the Academy of Country Music's Drummer of the Year award.

In this episode, we get into his early experiences and the journey that brought him to Nashville, explore how genuine connections can open doors to unexpected opportunities, and reflect on some of the career-defining moments along the way.

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This episode features my conversation with drummer Herman Matthews. Born and raised in Houston,Texas, Herman began his musical journey at age seven and went on to become one of the most in-demand drummers in the business. Now based in LA and celebrated for his powerful and soulful groove, he is known for his work with Tom Jones, Tower of Power, Kenny Loggins, Timothy B Schmit, Hugh Laurie, Richard Marx and many more. In 2022, Herman founded the progressive blues, rock and soul band Phatback, Earl & Me.

In this episode, we talk about his early inspirations, his take on why simplicity matters, and look back on some of the career-defining moments he's had.

This episode features my conversation with Bucky Berger. As an in-demand freelance musician in the Toronto music scene for over 5 decades, Bucky has collaborated with a wide range of local and international artists.

In this episode, we talk about his early musical inspirations, the importance of being adaptable to any musical scenario, and reflect on some of the experiences that have shaped his path.

For this episode, I welcome back Rich Redmond for his second appearance on the podcast, and this time, he is joined by Jon Hull, his drum tech of more than 15 years.

In this episode, Rich and Jon break down what it really takes to make the drummer-tech relationship work, from building trust on the road to staying grounded when the grind gets tough. They also dig into the importance of humility, keeping an open mind, and holding onto your goals even when the path forward feels uncertain.

For this episode, I welcome back Tim Carman for his second appearance on the podcast. 

Tim recently relocated to Nashville, where he continues to be an in-demand touring and session musician and bandleader. He is also a member of the bands Parlor Greens and Canyon Lights.

As an educator, he is the author of 5 books including the highly regarded Haynes-ISM & Philly-ISM methods. His forthcoming book is entitled “The Shuffle Book - The Language, Lineage and Art of Shuffle Drumming” which is the first volume of this series.

In this episode, we talk about his recent move to Nashville, explore the key concepts from his upcoming Shuffle book, and why it’s crucial to play with other musicians to develop your creative confidence.