Welcome, Andrew Besl to the podcast! Andrew is a Nashville-based drummer currently playing with Artists Noah Floersch, Neon Child, Pink Bubba, and Bee Kelly, among others. When he’s not on the road, he’s behind the kit as the in-house session drummer at Last Dollar Studios. In this candid conversation, Andrew shares valuable life lessons on gratitude and forgiveness as he details his journey from a self-taught musician to a sought-after working drummer in Nashville, both live and in the studio. Andrew touches upon his experiences with different bands, winning the Lightning 100's Music City Mayhem Competition with Bee Kelly, the significance of being a 'good hang,' and the importance of honest communication. Andrew's insights on life, music, and personal growth give us a compelling story of perseverance and self-discovery. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro 
2:16 Andrew's High School Journey 
5:56 Learning Drums Through Rock Band 
23:01 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
23:44 College Life, Belmont 
28:21 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
29:03 Balancing Music and Day Jobs 
37:38 The Big Decision: Tour or Puerto Rico? 
41:05 Lessons from 1st Tour Experience 
48:54 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
49:54 Music City Mayhem Competition 
1:02:57 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 
1:04:08 Post-Win 
1:08:53 Noah Floersch 
1:16:35 A Great Camp 
1:21:49 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 
1:22:31 The Role of a Studio Drummer 
1:33:37 Last Dollar Studios (Sponsor) 
1:34:32 Closing Questions 
1:41:24 The Power of Gratitude and Forgiveness 
1:45:32 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Music City Audiology
https://www.musiccityaudiology.com

Last Dollar Studios
https://www.lastdollarstudios.com


Connect with Andrew:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewbesldrums

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Bamboo" - Bee Kelly
"Restless" - Pink Bubba
"Long Gone" - Noah Floersch

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
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TikTok
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Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome, South-Florida native Dan Rubin! Dan is currently the touring drummer for rising country Artist Gavin Adcock. From Dan's DIY humble beginnings in punk bands to headlining sold-out stadiums, Dan's journey is both inspiring and relatable. We dive into how he landed the gig with Gavin and has had to adapt and embrace the ever-changing dynamics of a fast-paced tour life. Dan shares tactics for learning songs quickly and the importance of continually pushing yourself on the instrument, and his favorite food finds and moments from tour. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro 
2:40 Welcome, Dan! 
7:38 Landing the Gig w/ Gavin Adcock 
28:20 Balancing Tour and Personal Life 
33:01 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
33:44 On Tour w/ Gavin 
37:52 The Band's Chemistry and Flexibility 
38:28 Journey to Nashville 
52:17 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
52:58 Adapting Quickly 
1:08:16 Nashville Gig Connections 
1:16:21 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
1:17:42 Nashville Food Scene 
1:20:49 Pho, Traveling, and Experiencing New Cultures 
1:39:00 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 
1:40:11 Dreaming of Playing in Japan 
1:45:37 Keep Pushing Yourself 
1:49:10 Networking and Community 
1:51:07 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 
1:56:12 Balancing Practice and Performance 
2:10:52 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Music City Audiology
https://www.musiccityaudiology.com


Connect with Dan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steelydanrubin

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Terrible" - Mitch the Hero (Dan Rubin)
"Target" - Mitch the Hero (Dan Rubin)

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
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Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome, Memphis, TN native Ryan Beydler! Ryan is currently the touring drummer for 15-year-old rising country Artist Maddox Batson. In this episode, we cover Ryan's wide range of experiences in the music industry, as well as invaluable lessons from legendary drummers Ryan has been lucky enough to study with, including John "JR" Robinson, Shannon Forrest, and Zoro. Ryan takes us through tour life with Maddox and the band, including his techniques for integrating electronics into a hybrid setup, bucket list venues, and of course, Ryan's passion for finding the best food spots while on the road. Learn about Ryan's musical beginnings, the mentorships that shaped his career, and his thoughts on achieving balance and avoiding burnout in the competitive Nashville drumming scene.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:58 Welcome, Ryan!
2:20 On Tour w/ Maddox Batson
12:35 Implementing Electronics
20:36 Drum Box (Sponsor)
21:18 Ryan's Musical Beginnings
31:03 Belmont University & Mentorships
34:58 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
35:40 Studying w/ John JR Robinson
36:57 Gaining Confidence and Mastering Time
39:56 Influences and Inspirations
42:01 Nashville Drumming Community
48:18 Balancing Identity and Adaptability
52:35 The Art of Subbing and Respecting the Gig
53:42 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
54:42 Violin Roots
58:58 Groove MPL (Sponsor)
1:02:01 Personal Life and Hobbies
1:13:19 Favorite Food Spots on the Road
1:17:40 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)
1:18:22 Lessons from Touring
1:27:19 Working at Apple During COVID
1:38:11 Bucket List Venues
1:42:05 Closing Questions
1:46:48 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Music City Audiology
https://www.musiccityaudiology.com


Connect with Ryan:
Website: https://www.ryanbeydler.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbeydler
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNe6HaoKzTvHKJqeb2FrzKw/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryguy_615

Music Featured in this Episode:
"One Too" - Makenzie Schriner
"Wish You Gone" - Halle Kearns

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome Athens, GA native Jordan Arnold! Jordan is the current drummer for rising country artist Noah Hicks. Jordan shares his journey into his passion for music and the drums, starting from his early days inspired by Def Leppard, to his special relationship with his father both on and off the stage. Jordan stresses the value of important relationships within the music industry and shares insights and fun stories from life-long mentors and drumming legends Rich Redmond and Gregg Bissonette.

Jordan takes us through life on the road with Noah, including automating an entire set in Ableton, to how to be nimble and cope with high-pressure situations. We delve into Jordan's brief stint teching for drummer and close friend Eric Pritchard (Megan Moroney), how to pull off the perfect stick tricks, and ways you can become both a great player and a great hang! We hope you enjoy.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:56 Welcome, Jordan! 
3:06 Father-Son Musical Bond 
5:54 Balancing Multiple Gigs 
10:11 Ableton and Automation 
15:51 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
16:33 Noah Hicks & Career Trajectory 
29:50 Mentor Rich Redmond 
36:48 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
37:29 Gregg Bissonette & Dixon Drums 
41:51 Broadway Gig Adventures 
48:12 Dixon Drums & Gear Talk
56:06 Networking vs Making Friends in Nashville 
1:00:30 Teching for Eric Pritchard, Drum Tuning Insights 
1:07:41 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
1:08:42 Dream Gigs and Def Leppard 
1:13:02 Memorable Gigs and Stories from Tour 
1:22:45 Playing for the Military and Secret Service 
1:31:28 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 
1:32:39 Wrap-Up Questions 
1:41:29 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com


Connect with Jordan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanthedrummerwb
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JordanArnoldOfficial
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jordanthedrummerwb

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Dirt On It" - Noah Hicks
"Country Tonight" - Noah Hicks

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome Arkansas native and Nashville mainstay Kirby Bland! Kirby is best known as the drummer for country rock artist JD Clayton and has become a familiar face in the Nashville music scene over the past decade. Kirby shares his unique perspective on life as a “professional traveler,” reflecting on his musical journey, the importance of community, and the lessons learned from both the stage and the road.

From his early days growing up in Arkansas and discovering his love for drumming, to building a career in Nashville’s vibrant music community, Kirby opens up about the realities of balancing day jobs with gigging, the camaraderie of long-term bandmates, and the joy of performing live. He discusses his passion for travel, photography, and the creative process behind recording and reviewing live shows—plus, he shares memorable stories from the road, including the impact of the Route 91 Harvest Festival tragedy that took place in Las Vegas in 2017.

Kirby discusses overcoming self-doubt, finding his lane, and the value of authenticity in both music and life. The episode wraps with Kirby’s favorite Nashville food spots, his love of tattoos, and a reminder to embrace gratitude and community. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:58 Welcome, Kirby! 
6:45 Flexible Day Jobs for Musicians 
8:22 Kirby's Early Days in Nashville 
12:35 Drumming for JD Clayton 
15:16 The Joy of Playing Live 
19:03 The Game Footage 
28:08 Challenges of Playing to Click Tracks 
33:33 New York City Adventures 
35:05 Turning 30 and Embracing Change 
35:46 Finding Identity in Music 
39:01 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
39:43 Professional Traveler 
46:53 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
47:34 Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas 
59:36 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
1:00:35 Photography - Behind the Lens 
1:05:06 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 
1:06:16 Early Musical Inspirations 
1:18:47 Nashville Gig Scene 
1:23:00 Balancing Social Life and Music 
1:28:20 Tattoo Stories and Personal Expression 
1:32:50 Favorite Nashville Spots 
1:38:30 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

Connect with Kirby:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirbybland

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Arkansas Kid" - JD Clayton
"American Millionaire" - JD Clayton

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome Keyser, West Virginia native Donnie Marple! Donnie is best known as the full-time drummer for American country music singer and songwriter Lee Brice. He’s also the 2007 Champion of the storied Guitar Center Drum-Off.

Starting from his early love for drumming inspired by his musical family and church, Donnie describes his rise through the competitive ranks, from local area competitions to competing nationally in the Guitar Center Drum-Off and eventually performing a solo at the prestigious Buddy Rich Memorial Concert - where he would share the stage with legends like Neil Peart and Chad Smith. Donnie discusses the evolution of his career with Lee Brice, his continual efforts to improve, and his experience balancing fatherhood with a demanding touring schedule. He also reflects on his passion for golf and reading, and offers insights into overcoming overthinking and focusing on mental health. The episode wraps as Donnie emphasizes the importance of humility, gratitude, and balancing professional success with personal fulfillment. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:08 Welcome, Donnie! 
3:42 Lee Brice Audition 
18:50 Mental Health and Overcoming Challenges 
28:53 Golf and Drumming: Finding Balance 
31:55 Learning from Other Drummers 
37:14 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
37:57 Early Beginnings 
43:36 Guitar Center Drum-Off 
57:19 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
58:38 Buddy Rich Memorial Concert 
1:07:10 Reflecting & Inspiring the Next Generation 
1:10:35 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
1:18:08 Gear Talk and Endorsements 
1:24:31 Sonique Drums (Sponsor) 
1:28:43 Balancing Family and Career 
1:30:50 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

Connect with Donnie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnie_marple
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/donniemarple
Website: https://donniemarple.com

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Soul" - Lee Brice
"Rumor" - Lee Brice

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Attendee and exhibitor interviews from the Music City Drum Show July 19th & 20th, 2025.

Register for the 2026 Music City Drum Show
https://www.musiccitydrumshow.com

Interviews (in order of appearance)
00:00 Intro
0:11 Welcome 
2:02 Matt Bover 
5:04 Joel Edward McCoy 
7:44 Don Orrell 
11:01 Lillian Stegen 
12:14 Dave Brandwein 
14:45 Lleyton Brainard 
16:21 Jake Robinson 
18:05 Laurel Knopf (Roadkill Drums Podcast) 
23:05 Jim Wagy 
26:11 Brian Leszczynski
28:48 Mitch Zlotnik (Audimute) 
33:10 Landon Hall 
36:07 Josh Blount (Lucky Drums Co.) 
37:56 Brendan Golden 
39:40 Sully 
41:23 Joe Hamm 
45:00 Damon Hope
47:24 Outro

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome New Jersey-native and acclaimed drummer Jay Weinberg! Voted 4x "Best Metal Drummer" and "#1 Rock Drummer" in Modern Drummer Readers Polls, Jay Weinberg is known as the current drummer for American thrash groups Suicidal Tendencies and Infectious Grooves, and past tenure with the heavy-metal band Slipknot from 2014-2023. This episode dives deep into the intersection of art, music, and community. Having just wrapped support on Metallica's M72 World Stadium Tour, Jay recalls stories from the road and his approach to high-level performing. We learn the genesis of Jay's visual art career and his unique approach to balancing perfectionism and artistry. Jay discusses his important work with the Best Buddies of Tennessee, his approach to drum clinics and education, and his cherished collaborations with brands including SJC Drums, Zildjian, and Mixwave. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:10 Welcome, Jay! 
2:49 Nashville's Evolving Drum Community 
10:15 Hockey & Injury 
13:13 Reflecting on Life's Decisions and Creativity
22:21 Touring with Metallica: A Dream Come True 
33:29 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
34:11 Jay Weinberg: The Visual Artist 
36:44 Early Years: Jay' Father Max Weinberg, Bruce & the E Street Band 
37:27 Balancing School and Touring 
43:57 Exploring Visual Art and Oil Painting 
46:48 The Intersection of Music and Art 
53:50 Perfectionism & Patience 
1:04:55 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
1:05:36 Collaborations and Custom Drum Kits 
1:19:35 Mixwave Virtual Drums 
1:23:36 Zildjian Signature Bell 
1:26:09 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
1:27:09 Best Buddies of Tennessee 
1:35:36 SJC Drums (Sponsor) 
1:36:25 Drumming Accolades 
1:38:47 Music City Drum Show (2025 Clinic) 
1:46:55 Sonique Drums (Sponsor) 
1:47:35 Show Prep: Rituals and Routines 
1:51:47 The Physicality of Drumming 
2:01:17 Closing Questions (Tattoos, Coffee, & Food) 
2:11:13 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

SJC Drums
https://www.sjcdrums.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

Connect with Jay:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jayweinberg
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jayweinbergofficial
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jayweinbergdrum
Website: https://www.jayweinbergofficial.com

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Nero Forte" - Slipknot
"All Out Life" - Slipknot

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome drummer, percussionist, producer and educator Jordan Perlson! Jordan's career has spanned about as wide a stylistic reach as one can imagine. Be it with jazz legends Seamus Blake, Gary Burton,  folk heroes Alison Brown and Missy Raines, reggae giants Matisyahu and Trevor Hall, cutting-edge music innovators like Becca Stevens, Snarky Puppy, Banda Magda and Jeff Coffin, or progressive music with Adrian Belew, Echolyn or Kaki King. Jordan has credits on 100+ recordings, including national and international ad campaigns for Powerade, Netflix, The NY Rangers, Buick and more. Jordan is a passionate educator, having authored 2 books for Mel Bay publishing which have been translated into several languages and are used around the world by teachers and students of many levels. 

This episode covers a wide range of topics, including physical fitness for drummers, the balance of life as a father, and Jordan’s extensive career—from studying at Berklee and playing with the Blue Man Group to becoming a published author. Jordan shares his methods for continuous self-improvement and offers advice for other drummers looking to expand their skillsets and land the gigs they truly want. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro 
2:42 Welcome, Jordan! 
3:07 Dad Life 
11:09 How to Pursue a Gig 
20:21 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
21:04 Jazz Influence 
45:23 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
46:05 Navigating the New York Music Scene 
49:48 Blue Man Group 
57:04 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
58:04 Fitness for Drummers 
1:05:12 Balancing Family and Career 
1:13:16 Sonique Drums (Sponsor) 
1:13:56 Publishing Drum Books 
1:19:26 Remote Recording Trends 
1:28:57 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 
1:32:21 Influences and Inspirations 
1:51:09 Closing Questions 
1:54:56 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

Music City Audiology
https://www.musiccityaudiology.com


Connect with Jordan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanperlsondrummer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordan.perlson
Website: https://jordanperlson-music.com

Music Featured in this Episode:
"True Minds" - Becca Stevens
"Formant Trajectories" - Jordan Perlson

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded May 2025 in Nashville, TN

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
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Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome to the show Wisconsin native Andrew Nesbitt! In this wide-ranging interview, Andrew shares his journey through the music industry, the challenges and opportunities of breaking into the Nashville drumming scene, and his innovative approach to creating custom percussion accessories. Andrew recalls his time at Berklee College of Music studying under legendary drummer Mike Mangini, and his transition from the small town of Sturgeon Bay to NYC, and eventually to Nashville. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro 
2:16 Welcome, Andrew! 
3:30 Making Percussion Accessoroies 
11:47 Playing to the Click 
15:18 Body Awareness and Posture 
22:08 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
22:48 Meeting on Broadway 
28:49 Growing up in Wisconsin 
37:11 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
37:53 School and Early Years 
40:35 Navigating the Music Industry 
41:31 Breaking into Broadway 
50:10 Josh Freese and The Foo Fighters 
54:30 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
55:26 The Impact of Music Education 
1:17:57 Sonique Drums (Sponsor) 
1:18:37 Transitioning Between Cities and Music Scenes 
1:22:29 What to Do During Slow Season 
1:24:19 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 
1:25:28 Snacks and Gig Essentials 
1:27:52 Dreadlocks and Tattoos 
1:29:36 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 
1:30:19 Andrew's Cat 'Pandora' 
1:34:40 Influential Guitarists and Drummers 
1:56:23 Closing Questions 
2:01:37 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

Music City Audiology
https://www.musiccityaudiology.com


Connect with Andrew:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nezplaysmusic

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Realms" - Escaper

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded May 2025 in Nashville, TN

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC