In this episode, I sit down with drummer Kim Trammell for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about groove, identity, longevity, and finding your way back to joy in music. Kim is an intensely musical player whose feel, touch, and sound are unmistakable, and this conversation traces her path from early classical training to decades of professional drumming in Memphis and beyond. We talk about how her background in piano and orchestral percussion shaped her approach to the drum set, why timpani was such a formative instrument for her, and how classical technique translated naturally into tone, touch, and control on the kit.

Kim shares her early musical story, starting with Suzuki piano at a young age, followed by rudimental snare drum training and a strong classical percussion education at the University of Memphis. She explains how she never took formal drum set lessons, instead transferring everything she learned in orchestral percussion into real-world playing situations. We talk about the importance of sound production, the influence of Fred Hinger’s timpani approach, and why understanding how to pull sound from an instrument matters more than simply hitting it.

A significant chapter of the conversation centers on Kim’s years playing professionally in Memphis, including formative experiences on Beale Street and a pivotal five-year house gig at a casino in Tunica, Mississippi. Kim describes playing eight hours a day across constantly changing genres, learning how to truly listen, and developing pocket by following seasoned musicians who demanded restraint, patience, and deep time feel. She reflects on how those experiences reshaped her sense of groove, taught her how to place notes behind the beat, and forever changed how she hears music.

We also dive into Kim’s decision to step away from full-time performing and pursue a second career as a massage therapist. She speaks candidly about burnout, the physical toll of decades of drumming, and the emotional cost of turning music into a constant source of income. Kim explains how studying body mechanics and healing work transformed her relationship to her own body and helped her rediscover music as a source of joy rather than obligation. We talk about posture, self-care, and why musicians so often neglect their bodies until something breaks.

The conversation turns deeply personal as Kim and I discuss sobriety, presence, and self-forgiveness. Kim shares her long journey of choosing sobriety, recognizing unhealthy patterns, and reclaiming clarity, health, and emotional honesty. We talk about how the music industry can normalize destructive habits, why change is frightening but necessary, and how being fully present is one of the greatest gifts musicians can give themselves and others.

We also explore Kim’s perspective on social media, identity, and self-worth. She reflects on joining Instagram later in life, why she shares music without chasing validation, and the dangers of tying personal value to views, likes, and algorithms. Kim speaks powerfully about separating self-worth from musical ability, encouraging younger musicians to protect their mental health and remember that music is something they do, not who they are.

We close by talking about groove, pocket, bass, and drum relationships, favorite drummers, Memphis’s rich musical legacy, and the importance of honoring the song above all else. This is a thoughtful, vulnerable, and profoundly human conversation about music, healing, and staying connected to what matters most.

Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at [email protected].

The theme song, "Playcation", was written by Mark Mundy.