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

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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

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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:
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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

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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

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

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Today we welcome to the show talented drummer, videographer, and Nashville-native, Branndon Center. Starting in the warehouse at Meinl Cymbals, Branndon would soon move into the Artist Relations / Media & Content Producer role, a position he's held for over 7 years. Branndon gives us a peek 'behind the lens' into his day-to-day where he's running professional video shoots with some of the biggest names in drumming across the Meinl roster. In addition to production and drum content, we cover some really interesting topics including the future of music in the AI era and the globalization of drum education. We learn of Brandon's extensive experience in drum corps and his practice of 'un-learning' to adapt as a modern player, and his current gig as the drummer for Nashville metal group, Yugen. Branndon discusses the nuances of maintaining a balanced life amidst a high-pressure job, the challenges and opportunities in Nashville's evolving music scene and communities, and his love for gardening. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro 
1:52 Welcome, Branndon! 
3:06 Video Production for Meinl Cymbals 
22:51 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
23:33 The Overhead Shot, Drum Content & Social Media 
28:10 The Future of Music and AI 
34:50 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
35:32 Branndon's Upbringing 
41:43 High School Band Experience 
48:04 College and Drum Corps 
50:08 Developing Groove and Feel 
1:02:49 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 
1:04:02 Joining Yugen and Nashville's Metal Scene 
1:11:12 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
1:12:12 Nashville's Venues, Changing Landscape 
1:28:50 Sonique Drums (Sponsor) 
1:29:30 Gardening and Tomato Season 
1:32:58 Favorite Food and Coffee Spots in Nashville 
1:38:41 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 Branndon:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branndoncenter

Music Featured in this Episode:
"STAY" - Yugen
"PAN" - Yugen

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

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

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome to the show Wilmington, NC native Brian Russell Collins! Having been in Nashville for over a decade, Brian is a familiar, friendly face in our community who has endured more than most of us ever will in a lifetime. We dive into Brian’s journey of perseverance and heartbreak, including beating cancer multiple times and the recent loss of his mom and sister - experiences that have greatly impacted his outlook on music and life. He reminisces on meeting his musical heroes Huey Lewis and Garth Brooks, shares tales from tour opening for Jelly Roll, and stresses the importance of advocacy, charity, and being there for others. Join us for an inspiring and engaging conversation filled with resilience, community, and rock and roll. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
1:31 Welcome, Brian! 
5:34 On Tour Opening for Jelly Roll 
11:27 Take the Audition 
20:05 Gear Talk and Drum Tuning 
25:59 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
26:59 Watching Cody Ash 
37:39 Meeting Huey Lewis: A Lifelong Inspiration 
44:34 Charity Events and Community Impact 
44:53 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
45:36 Battling Cancer, Personal Loss, Hosting Charity Events 
1:05:24 Supporting the Next Generation of Drummers 
1:10:56 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
1:11:37 Impacting Others 
1:19:40 Tour Bus Tales and Night Terrors 
1:23:32 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 
1:24:44 Chick-fil-A and Celebrity Encounters 
1:35:26 Sonique Drums (Sponsor) 
1:36:06 Closing Questions 
1:42:17 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 Brian:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianrussellcollins
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brianrussellcollins

Music Featured in this Episode:
"The Heart of Rock & Roll - Huey Lewis and the News
"I Want a New Drug - Huey Lewis and the News

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

Support the show

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

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

We’re excited to welcome Matt Nolan to the podcast! Since 2020, Matt has been the touring drummer for Lainey Wilson, in addition to working with artists including Maggie Rose, Them Vibes, Brandon Whyde, The Morrison Brothers Band, and Rude Music - a rock and roll group led by Matt and his brother Kevin. In this wide-ranging interview, Matt shares his unique musical journey from studying Jazz in New Orleans to moving to Nashville and eventually landing the gig with Lainey Wilson. Matt shares valuable insights on handling moments of pressure, playing bigger stages, supporting your bandmates, touring sober, and the importance of listening. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
2:26 Welcome, Matt! 
8:52 Behind the Scenes: CMA Awards 
27:56 Drumming Influences 
35:23 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
36:08 Early Musical Influences and Upbringing 
39:01 Getting Booed at Your 1st Gig 
55:08 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
56:11 Goals in High School 
1:00:11 Johnny Vidacovich and New Orleans Jazz 
1:10:32 Discovering Country Music 
1:21:48 Dealing w/ Competition & High-Stakes 
1:24:44 The Drummer's Role 
1:26:59 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
1:27:37 Playback & Tracks 
1:42:48 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 
1:44:06 Recording Lainey's 3rd Studio Album 
1:55:48 Touring Sober and Band Dynamics 
2:00:37 Mental Health on the Road 
2:04:39 The Importance of Listening 
2:10:23 Pre-Show Rituals and Techniques 
2:14:39 What Makes a Successful Show? 
2:29:30 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 
2:30:13 Closing Questions 
2:34:47 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

Sonor Drums
https://www.sonor.com

Hercules Stands
https://herculesstands.com

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

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


Connect with Matt:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattnolandrums

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Whirlwind" (Live) - Lainey Wilson
"Burn" - Matt Nolan

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

Support the show

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

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Hailing from Charlotte, NC, Raven Pfeiffer moved to Nashville in 2021 where she currently performs, co-writes, and tours with several artists across different genres, most notably with American folk sibling trio, Girl Named Tom. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Raven studied under renowned performer, composer, and producer, Rick Dior (James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles), and earned a B.A. in Music with a concentration in percussion and a B.A. in German Translation. 

In this conversation, we discuss the importance of committing to gigs that push you to learn new skills, like mastering Ableton, and dive into an emotional discussion about physical health as Raven opens up about her intense health scare in 2017. From battling illness to thriving on stage, her story is a testament to resilience and dedication. We also explore her musical influences, from Jen Ledger of Skillet to jazz greats like Elvin Jones and Dave Weckl, and her experience in landing endorsements, including Doc Sweeney Drums and Paiste Cymbals. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
2:13 Welcome, Raven! 
8:39 Forensic Anthropology, Early Years 
15:24 College Years and Musical Growth 
20:17 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
21:00 Studying German Translation 
26:42 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
27:42 Choosing Nashville Over Academia 
42:49 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 
44:00 Musical Inspirations and Influences 
55:48 Raven's Favorite Crayon 
1:00:47 Endorsements and Networking 
1:08:29 Marketing & Social Media for Musicians 
1:13:59 Sonique Drums (Sponsor) 
1:14:38 Health Journey, Diet & Lifestyle Changes 
1:30:22 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)
1:32:40 Learning Songs Quickly 
1:38:34 Favorite Local Spots in Nashville 
1:42:07 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

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


Connect with Raven:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravenpfeiffer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raven.pfeiffer.7
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ravenpfeiffer
Website: https://www.ravenpfeiffer.com

Music Featured in this Episode:
"What A View" - Girl Named Tom
"Get A Little Lost" - Girl Named Tom

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

Support the show

Connect with us:
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Facebook

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

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Grace Goodman is a Nashville-based drummer known for her dynamic performances and versatility across a wide range of musical genres. A recent graduate of Belmont University (Class of 2024), we dive into Grace's rapid transition from college to professional touring into Nashville's indie rock scene. Since graduating, Grace has toured with Odie Leigh, opening for Shakey Graves, and recently wrapped up a three-month headlining tour across the United States and Canada. Over the past year, she has also performed at prominent festivals such as Treefort Music Fest, Shaky Knees Festival, Kilby Block Party, Calgary Folk Festival, Hinterland Music Festival, and Outside Lands Music Festival. Grace shares insights on her drumming techniques, the significance of inclusivity in the music industry, and memorable moments from tour. We discuss topics essential for aspiring drummers, such as professionalism, stage energy, showmanship, and the importance of following your Plan A. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
1:46 Welcome, Grace! 
2:39 Graduating from Belmont 
6:03 On Tour w/ Oston and Knox 
17:26 Touring While in College 
21:00 Early Life and Musical Influences 
32:13 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
32:55 All-Female Bands and Empowerment 
40:00 Women Supporting Women in Music 
42:07 Finding Community in Nashville 
43:33 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
44:32 'Bro Really Went Flying' (Showmanship) 
52:14 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 
53:25 Learning Music Without Charts 
1:05:57 Sonique Drums (Sponsor) 
1:06:55 Closing Questions / Tattoo Stories 
1:18:24 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com


Connect with Grace:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracegoodmandrums
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gracegoodmandrums

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Either Way" - Odie Leigh
"Who's Mary" - CLAYTON

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded February 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