Drummer's Weekly Groovecast

We know you like drum talk. The emails and forums tell no lies. So, here's one for the gear heads! In today's episode we dedicate the entire show to snare drums. For most drummers the snare represents many different things. Not only is it our most played drum but it is many times a reflection of our personality. We discuss our favorite snare drums according to style (rock, jazz, etc) as well as specific sound applications. The discussion also covers topics such as: drum heads, snare wires, die cast vs. spun hoops, strainers, tuning tips, shell composition, and more. Then keeping with the 'gear theme' Phil and Jon both pick a piece of must have equipment. Join us every Monday for a brand new show. We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean and all of your favorite podcast apps. Subscribe today!

We start this week with news of the weird. The Todd Sucherman lawsuit is discussed and debated. After too long of an absence we address reader mail. When we get to the primary topic of the day we discuss the always delicate balance of being an artist versus being a businessman. The pros and cons of each mindset are discussed along with tips and ideas for becoming a balanced artist capable of making a living without compromising the artistic vision. Our final segment of the show has both guys picking a great drum track. Join us every Monday for a brand new show. We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, and all of your favorite podcast apps. Subscribe today!

This week the Groovecast is delighted to publish an exclusive interview with Joel Rosenblatt. Most of you know Joel from his work with Michel Camilo and later with Spyro Gyra. In this episode we discuss his early flirtations with trumpet and a chance encounter with drums. From there we get to his college studies with Ed Soph and Randy Jones which helped prepare him for his first major gigs. We then cover the gigs with: Matt Murphy, Pure Prairie League, Michel Camilo, and Spyro Gyra. We spend a good amount of time talking about Joel's early adoption of the home studio. We also discuss Joel's grip/technique change and his personal teaching practice including his own set of play along tracks. Finally he falls victim to the DWG personality test...We'd also like to send our condolences to the Allman Brothers family on the sudden loss of founding member, Butch Trucks. In the outro (under a bed of the ABB's "Hotlanta") we discuss Butch's influence and importance. Join us every Monday for a brand new podcast. We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher and all of your favorite podcast apps. Subscribe today!

A good percussionist can add that special touch that turns a regular gig into pure magic. Then again if the drummer and percussionist are not agreeing on time feel, instrumentation, or timbre the gig can turn into a big, inarticulate pile of mush. In this week's show we discuss the different types of percussionists you might encounter and their particular characteristics. We then talk about what you can do to prevent issues before they happen and ultimately work well together moving forward. In the final segment of the show we each pick an underrated drummer. Join us every Monday for a brand show. We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, and all of your favorite podcast apps. Subscribe today!

Adam Deitch has played with The Average White Band, Meshell Ndegeocello, John Scofield, Pretty Lights and currently leads the duo Break Science and funk jam icons, Lettuce. During Lettuce's current tour we were fortunate enough to meet up with Adam for a few hours before show time and talk about life, music, and drums. Knowing that Adam has done several other podcasts along with a host of print interviews we decided to take a slightly different direction. We delve into topics such as: drumming with parents who are drummers and the pressure associated with that, growing up with and managing ADD and how it shaped his drumming, early teachers and what he learned, getting into Berklee, the classwork, the ensembles, and the early origin of Lettuce, first big gigs, handling adversity on the gigs, his teaching and giving back to other musicians. Join us every Monday for a brand new episode. Subscribe today on your favorite podcast app, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, or Itunes. And while you're in Itunes if you would please leave us a brief review we'd greatly appreciate it!

We can't do it all by ourselves. No matter how much responsibility we have to practice and perfect our art form in private we eventually interact with other musicians, business people, clients, and the public in general. In this podcast we specifically address the incredible importance of building and maintaining positive and fulfilling relationships that last well beyond the gig. To finish up the show Phil and Jon both pick a great, underrated drum track. Join us every Monday for a brand new show. Subscribe today! We're available on all your favorite podcast apps as well as Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and Itunes. While you're inside Itunes if you would please take a moment to leave a review we'd be forever grateful.

To kick off a new year the Groovecast, much like everyone else, is in self-improvement mode. Everyone wants to be better, right? We can safely assume that everybody would like to improve their drumming as well as all the different facets of their life. To do this we need to practice. Seems logical, doesn't it? Well, it's easy to say and a no-brainer in the 'duh' department. However, having a specific goal and then consistently acquiring the motivation and determination to get there is easier said than done. Whether you're starting out and the goals seem unattainable or you're an accomplished musician wanting to attain a new level we all have to find the passion and discipline to reach the finish line. In this podcast Phil and Jon outline the desire to get better and then talk about the concepts and psychology behind practice and the different techniques (both physical and mental) it takes to stay interested, motivated, and ultimately satiated. Join us every Monday for a new episode. Subscribe today on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, and all of your favorite podcast apps!

Happiest of Holidays to the Groovecast Nation! This week we take a moment to reflect on the first year of the podcast. We took the highlights from various shows along with great moments from our interviews to make our "Best of 2016". It's our little gift of retrospective all wrapped in a bow and delivered in the timeliest of fashions! We think you'll enjoy reliving some of the moments from earlier this year. Plus it's a great way to invite some of your friends to listen for the first time! We'll be back next Monday with a brand new show to start the new year. As always, thank you for listening and we wish you all the best for a wonderful 2017.

The most commonly known ways to make a living as musician are performing, recording, and teaching. But is that all there is? Well, those might be the most glamorous. But let's face it, the music business is anything but glamorous. In this episode Phil and Jon spend some time revealing a host of other ways to make money inside the music business that may not be nearly as obvious. And no, these other ways do not involve Uber or the phrase, "You want fries with that?" The guys talk about things that others and that they've done (and continue to do) to include multiple streams of revenue to their income. For their weekly segment the guys each choose an underappreciated drummer for you to check out. Join us every Monday for a brand new episode. Subscribe today on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and all of your favorite podcast apps.

Lil' John Roberts is one of the most sought after drummers in the music business. His resume crosses all genre lines (Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Elton John, Quincy Jones, drummer for many TV house bands, etc.). His drumming peers may know him for his prodigious chops however Lil' John would rather allow his time feel and legendary groove to speak for themselves. In this interview John briefly discusses his early musical upbringing and how that led him to study at the Berklee College of Music. After that he spends the rest of the time detailing how his move to Atlanta jump started his professional career which ultimately led to his twenty year association with Janet Jackson. Throughout the show we touch on: studying, practicing, preparing, teaching, touring, studio work, professionalism, and how the music business has changed over the past 20 years. Join us every Monday for a brand new show. We're available on Itunes, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and all your favorite podcast apps. Please leave us a review on Itunes during your next visit. We'd be forever grateful.