I apologize for going so deep into the Cameo story in this episode; the music of Cameo had such a profound impact on my life and my drumming. It’s all part of the story of why I play the shows I play and how I play them. Sammy’s drum programming on the mid-’80’s Cameo records was stellar and set a high bar for drum programming from that point forward.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Growing up in Akron, Ohio, and playing in several bands during his formative years.

* What it was like auditioning for Chubby Checker and getting an 18-month tour.

* The importance of playing live and playing with older and better players.

* Going to a cattle call for a Billy Idol tour and his many second-place finishes.

* How a $2.75 beer at the Prince Street Bar catapulted him to another level where he became the go-to guy for drum programming in New York City.

* Meeting Larry Blackman and recoding ‘ Single Life’ and eventually programming the drums for their breakout album “Word Up.”

* Working on commercials in the morning, then off to do sessions with Hall and Oates in the afternoon, and Cameo later at night.

* How he met Cyndi Lauper and got the drum chair at Kinky Boots.

Sammy Merendino is one of NYC's top drummers. He is currently performing at Diana a True Musical Story on Broadway at the Longacre Theater.

He has recorded and/or performed with many top artists, including Cameo, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Foreigner, Lou Reed, Aretha Franklin, Ziggy Marley, Hall & Oates, The Beach Boys, Pat Metheny, Joan Osborne, Anita Baker, Sophie B. Hawkins, Carly Simon, Paul Rodgers, and many others. He has played on numerous Grammy-winning recordings and over 1,000 commercials and television themes, including Monday Night Football with Hank Williams Jr., Nightline, World News Tonight, and ABC Golf.Currently residing in Harlem, Sammy's turn-of-the-century brownstone is home to a state-of-the-art recording studio. Complete with Pro-tools HDX, Neve/API/BAE/ mic pre's and EQ's, vintage microphones, and compressors, his drums are always set up, and mic'd - ready to go!    

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Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms: 

Instagram

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For more: claytoncraddock.com

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