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

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Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded April 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 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

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

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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TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

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:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
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:
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TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

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

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

In this special episode of the Nashville Drummers Podcast, we welcomed back our good buddy Ethan Harb. Since his first appearance on the show back in Ep. 5 (Dec. 2021), Ethan's career has quite literally exploded, most recently through his viral social media video series of 'How to Get Fired from a Gig', amassing over 112 million views on one video alone, 450K followers on Instagram and 170K followers on TikTok. Ethan shares insights on the importance of consistency when building a social media presence, why you should record every gig, and how to balance being a professional musician with band camaraderie and humor. We learn how Ethan landed the touring gig with Trey Lewis, and he opens up about his journey dealing with the loss of his father.

**BONUS: get an inside view into Ethan's complete setup on tour w/ Trey Lewis in our NDP Backstage Rig Rundown! Available exclusively to Patreon, Buzzsprout, and Apple Podcast Subscribers. 

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
3:27 Welcome back, Ethan! 
5:26 The Viral Bonk Backstory 
14:24 Impact of Social Media on Your Career 
20:51 Skylines & Satellites, Silly Goose Hours 
29:00 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
29:43 Career Growth, On Tour w/ Trey Lewis 
35:00 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
36:00 Original Music & Band Camaraderie 
38:19 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 
39:19 Record Every Gig 
42:49 Sonique Drums (Sponsor) 
43:47 Dealing with Personal Loss 
46:49 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
47:31 Reflection, Praise & Gratitude 
1:00:08 Social Media and Consistency 
1:08:05 Closing Questions 
1:11:24 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

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com


Connect with Ethan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethanharbdrums
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ethanharbdrums

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Dicked Down in Dallas" - Trey Lewis
"Devil Woman" - Caleb Shirley

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

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
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TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

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

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Subscriber-only episode

**BONUS CONTENT: get an inside view into Ethan's complete setup on tour w/ Trey Lewis in our NDP Backstage Rig Rundown! Available exclusively to Patreon, Buzzsprout, and Apple Podcast Subscribers. 

Connect with Ethan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethanharbdrums
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ethanharbdrums

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 Harrisburg, PA native Aaron Chase to the show! Well-known as the drummer for Nashville pop duo Lost Stars, Aaron shares his journey to Nashville as a session drummer and content creator, including stories from his early drumming days, the challenges and benefits of recording at home, and the impact of running on his physical and mental well-being. Aaron hosts the 'Musicians Should Hang Out', a monthly coffee hang to foster community among local musicians. The conversation also delves into topics like mental health challenges, dealing with negative self-talk, and balancing marriage life with a drumming career. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
2:21 Welcome, Aaron! 
4:38 Musicians Should Hang Out 
11:14 Early Drumming Years 
27:50 YouTube and Content Creation 
34:55 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
35:37 Social Media in 2025 
37:12 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
40:22 Mental Health and Overcoming Challenges 
51:37 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 
52:38 Move to Nashville
55:11 Networking 
59:15 Joining Lost Stars: The Audition 
1:00:40 The Importance of Versatility 
1:16:25 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
1:17:07 Balancing Personal Life and a Drumming Career 
1:22:34 Favorite Drummers and Influences 
1:29:23 Closing Questions 
1:42:27 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com


Connect with Aaron:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronchasedrums
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronChaseDrums
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.chase.52

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Vertigo" - Lost Stars

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

Subscriber-only episode

Welcome to the inaugural NDP PANEL! Our 1st-ever live roundtable event was held on January 15th, 2025 at Drum Supply in East Nashville. 

We invited 6 former NDP guests — Kip Allen (Ep. 24), Jonn Bostwick (Ep. 23), Daniel Kozlowski (Ep. 26), Tim Miller (Ep. 42), Dylan Murphy (Ep. 34), and Luke Sumner (Ep. 44) for an open discussion on all things studio drumming in 2025. 

We covered a lot... from starting an effective home studio on a budget to navigating your own drumming identity with the demands of today's producers and artists, the panelists share their personal anecdotes about balancing live performance with studio work, the significance of saying no to the right gigs for career growth, and the process of marketing yourself as a session drummer. 

They share practical advice on mic placement, gain staging, acoustic treatment, understanding compression and EQ, and managing relationships with producers. The discussion wrapped with audience questions focusing on preparing stems for mixing engineers, the benefits and drawbacks of formal music education, and strategies for gaining confidence in the recording studio. We hope you enjoy!

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Shure
https://www.shure.com/en-US

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Audimute
https://www.audimute.com

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

Chapters:
00:00 Intro and Welcome 
0:53 Meet the Panelists 
12:20 Is there a Nashville Sound? 
15:03 Transitioning from Live to Studio 
30:05 Career Decisions 
41:16 Marketing Yourself as a Session Drummer 
41:51 Social Media as a Tool 
42:00 Where to Meet Producers 
46:51 The Evolution of Home Studios 
52:40 The Importance of Versatility 
58:45 Balancing Identity and Adaptability 
1:01:45 The Role of Relationships 
1:12:21 First Steps in Starting a Home Studio 
1:19:03 Gear Talk: Microphones and Recording Techniques 
1:30:45 Recording at Home: Tips and Tricks 
1:43:41 The Value of Music School and Learning on the Job 
1:52:11 Closing Remarks

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

We're super stoked to welcome Cody Ash to the studio to help us kick off 2025! In this raw and honest 3hr interview, Cody shares his unique journey from a small-town upbringing in Kentucky through his challenging high school years and various musical phases including joining metalcore bands Sylar and O'Kingdom. Cody recounts the pivotal experiences that led him to Nashville and meeting Jelly Roll, his evolution into country music, overcoming the challenges of learning new material under pressure, and his approach to drum solos. Cody reflects on the competitive spirit within the drumming community, his recent accolades; including nominations for Drumeo Country Drummer of the Year and the Modern Drummer Reader's Poll, and landing endorsements with DW Drums and Remo. This episode dives deep into Cody's passion for music and his philosophy of relentless hard work and community support. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
3:28 Welcome, Cody!
11:13 High School Struggles and First Bands
15:33 Joining O'Kingdom and Touring
18:14 Transition to Professional Drumming
21:21 Joining Sylar
29:47 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
31:54 Rediscovering Country Music
39:02 Transition to Nashville
43:32 Drum Box (Sponsor)
44:13 Meeting Jelly Roll
48:20 The Phone Call
53:12 1st Gig w/ Jelly Roll
1:07:55 Zildjian Factory Tour
1:09:45 Local Scenes, High School Band Memories
1:13:01 College and Music Theory
1:27:51 Groove MPL (Sponsor)
1:29:49 2025 NYE Performance (Nashville's Big Bash)
1:41:49 Mentorship and Giving Back
1:43:41 Hometown Memories and Inspirations
1:44:58 Buc-ee's & Food On Tour
1:54:49 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
1:55:31 The Art of the Drum Solo
2:04:19 Beer Smashing on Stage
2:15:28 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)
2:16:10 Gratitude for the Crew
2:16:39 2024 Accolades and Reflections
2:18:02 Competitive Drive in Music
2:26:52 DW Drums Endorsement
2:32:38 Closing Questions
2:43:32 The PORKCHOP Nickname
2:46:28 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Groove MPL
https://www.groovempl.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

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


Connect with Cody:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codyashdrums
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CodyAshDrums
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@codyashdrums
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshDrumsOK

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Seasons" - Sylar
"

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