Welcome Billy Joe Freeman! Billy is the touring drummer and music director for country artist Dustin Lynch. A Garland, Texas native, Billy began his professional career at just 12 years old, playing in Texas' longest-running Opry House. In 2012, he landed a spot at the Guitar Center Drum Off grand finals, leading to a tour with country legend Neil McCoy. Billy moved to Nashville in 2013, and has been with Dustin Lynch ever since. In this candid conversation, Billy discusses professionalism on and off stage, how to best serve the song and the artist, the value of expanding your setup, the 'gig triangle' - when to say yes or no to a gig, how to balance home recording with live performance, and the ever-changing Nashville music scene. Billy also shares some fascinating stories and insights from his career, including his encounter with Virgil Donati at PASIC. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:15 Welcome, Billy!
6:31 Is Nashville Still a 10-Year Town?
18:49 The Evolution of Touring
24:23 Growing Up in the Texas Opry Scene
34:28 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor)
36:38 Expanding the Kit, Industry Trends
47:42 The Role of Electronics in Live Shows
51:05 Drum Box (Sponsor)
51:57 Becoming MD for Dustin Lynch
56:43 Value of Taking Broadway Gigs
1:00:57 Social Media's Impact on Musicians
1:01:22 Early Career and Influences
1:23:23 The Dallas Music Scene and Snarky Puppy
1:33:14 Home Recording
1:37:44 Balancing Family and Music
1:43:46 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
1:51:18 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
1:52:18 Career Highlights and GC Drum-Off
1:58:04 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)
1:58:47 Career Outlook
2:06:08 Bacon, BBQ, & Coffee
2:14:00 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Rezo Custom Drum Heads
https://rezoheads.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Music City Audiology
http://musiccityaudiology.com


Connect with Billy:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billyjoefreeman

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Red Alert" - Billy Freeman, Doug Bossi, David Garfield, John Pena

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

ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome Cleveland-native Jordan Carter! A conversation full of laughter, good hangs, and true words of wisdom, join us for Ep. 80 as we dive deep into Jordan's unique journey to Nashville as a professional drummer and music director. Hailing from small-town Cleveland, Jordan followed his passion for the drums from a young age, pursuing higher education at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he would live and work for the next 12 years playing with artists such as Oompa, Sing, Lisa Bello, Louie Bello, Marcela Cruz, among others. Jordan moved to Nashville in 2022 and currently plays for artists such as Kaylee Rose, Slim Gambill, and Aveva. Jordan reminisces about influential figures from his time at Berklee and discusses the importance of community, patience, and self-discovery. Jordan offers insights into the role of a music director, the importance of effective communication, and the challenges of adapting to Nashville's diverse and talented pool of musicians. We hope you enjoy!


Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:13 Welcome, Jordan!
2:46 From Cleveland to Nashville
3:26 Relearning the Drums: Challenges and Growth
23:11 Drum Box (Sponsor)
23:53 Boston Days at Berklee
40:15 Discovering Nashville's Music Scene
57:08 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
57:53 Finding the Right Gig
1:03:43 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
1:04:43 Memorable Shows and Venues
1:12:16 Drumming Influences
1:24:08 The Role of a Music Director
1:33:32 Therapy and Self-Improvement
1:40:19 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)
1:41:02 Madden, Harry Potter, Closing Questions
1:51:23 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Music City Audiology
http://musiccityaudiology.com


Connect with Jordan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordancarter.music
Website: https://www.jordancartermusic.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JordanCarter

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Sade" - Sing
"Joy Back" - Oompa

Support the show

Connect with us:
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Facebook

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

ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome Georgia-native Collin Dobbs! Collin is the touring drummer for legendary country duo, The Bellamy Brothers. We delve into Collin's fascinating journey to Nashville - starting from his Georgia roots and Florida upbringing, Collin shares his quick rise in the music industry, the importance of being prepared and professional, tips on tuning and technique, and the value of networking and social media in landing a dream gig. The episode touches on the importance of diversifying skills, embracing various music genres, staying humble, and using AI to your benefit. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:37 Welcome, Collin!
11:44 Early Life and Musical Beginnings
23:08 How to Prepare Like a Pro
27:06 Drum Box (Sponsor)
27:48 Love Your Sound Engineers
34:33 Tuning Techniques and Tips
40:18 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
41:00 Joining the Bellamy Brothers
43:15 Influences and Early Inspirations
48:35 Mountain Biking 51:07 Gig Security
55:03 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
56:02 Drumming Identity
59:03 Social Media & Content Creation
1:09:17 Lucky Drums (Sponsor)
1:10:16 Endorsements and Gear
1:15:38 Using AI to Your Benefit
1:18:18 Groove MPL (Sponsor)
1:19:29 Closing Questions
1:24:27 Memorable Gigs and Touring Experiences
1:27:11 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Lucky Drums
https://www.instagram.com/luckydrumsco

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 Collin:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collindobbsdrums
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collindobbsdrums
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@collindobbsdrums
Website: https://www.collindobbs.com

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Redneck Girl" - The Bellamy Brothers
"Let Your Love Flow" - The Bellamy Brothers

Support the show

Connect with us:
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Facebook

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

ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome Nashville newcomer Tim Carman! An international touring musician, session drummer, educator, and five-time published author, Tim currently records and tours extensively with Parlor Greens—a soul-jazz trio consisting of Tim on drums, Jimmy James on guitar, and Adam Scone on organ—and Canyon Lights, a garage rock group formed with singer/guitarist Pat Faherty, formerly the lead singer of GA-20. Tim also leads two of his own projects: Tim Carman & The Street 45s — a world-groove inspired funk band—and the Tim Carman Trio—a vintage organ jazz trio (à la Jimmy Smith) nominated for “Jazz Act of the Year” in 2022, 2023, and 2024 by the Boston Music Awards.

In this episode, we dive deep into Tim's diverse musical upbringing in Boston, his approach to absorbing musical vocabulary and the importance of studying music history, and his time spent in LA, Denver, and the eventual move to Nashville. We discuss how he manages multiple original projects, work-life balance, his joy for hockey, and his approach to networking, social media, and landing endorsements. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:43 Nashville's Best Chicken
9:19 Tim's Education Books
17:45 Boston Punk Upbringing
22:48 Drum Box (Sponsor)
23:31 Hockey Crossovers
28:31 Parlor Greens Formation
30:44 Fuji Rock Festival in Japan
32:11 Balancing Multiple Projects
33:12 Switching Between Genres
35:16 Work-Life Balance
37:22 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
38:04 Nashville's Scene
41:02 Punk Rock Influences
47:43 Networking and Opportunities
58:14 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
59:14 Social Media for Musicians
1:05:25 Memorable Concerts
1:09:29 Bucket List Venues
1:14:04 Groove MPL (Sponsor)
1:15:16 Endorsements and Gear Talk
1:23:17 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)
1:24:12 Closing Questions
1:29:43 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 Tim:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tcarmandrums
Website: https://timcarmandrums.com

Music Featured in this Episode:
"West Memphis" - Parlor Greens
"Let Me In" - Canyon Lights

Support the show

Connect with us:
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Facebook

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

ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

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:
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Facebook

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

ⓒ 2026 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:
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Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2026 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:
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Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2026 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:
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TikTok
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Facebook

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

ⓒ 2026 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
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Facebook

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

ⓒ 2026 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

ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC