What happens when a Southern University snare drummer puts the sticks down for 20 years… then comes back and builds one of the most unique drum pad companies in the percussion world?
On Episode 58 of The Drum Lounge Podcast, Jeremie Foster and Bryon Russell sit down with Nissan Ballard, founder and owner of Rudimental Control, to hear the story behind the man, the drummer, and the brand.

Nissan takes us back to growing up in the rich musical culture of New Orleans, learning the Louisiana style of drumming, and eventually becoming a two-year section leader at Southern University during the 1990s. He breaks down the origins of Louisiana’s signature playing style, the influence of traditional drum-and-fife drumming, his experiences inside the Human Jukebox, and some unforgettable Southern University band memories.

But Nissan’s story didn’t stop with marching band.

After putting the sticks down for nearly 20 years, a move to Texas during the COVID era led him back to drumming—and eventually to an idea that would become Rudimental Control.
We dive into how Nissan developed his signature real-head, real-hoop practice pad, why articulation and realistic feel were so important to the design, how long it takes to build each pad, custom drum pads, his signature sticks, future improvements to the product line, and his vision of getting Rudimental Control pads into drumlines across the country.

Nissan also drops some incredible gems for entrepreneurs about building a business organically, listening to criticism, protecting your brand, staying focused when you have a million ideas, choosing the right people to join your team, and why sometimes you have to put the idea out there before it feels perfect.

We also discuss the importance of Black entrepreneurship within the percussion community and what it means for young drummers to see someone who looks like them building a successful brand in the industry.

🥁 IN THIS EPISODE:
-Nissan Ballard’s journey from New Orleans to Southern University
-Becoming a Southern University snare section leader
-The history behind the Louisiana drumming style
-Southern University band culture in the 1990s
-Putting the sticks down for nearly 20 years
-The creation of Rudimental Control
-Why the real-head, real-hoop design matters
-Building and improving drum pads by hand
-Rudimental Control signature drumsticks
-Custom pads and memorial drum pads
-Customer service and building trust with drummers
-Black entrepreneurship in the percussion industry
-Lessons for aspiring business owners
-Taking constructive criticism and using it to improve
-Nissan’s vision for the future of Rudimental Control
-Why your practice pad might be exposing your dirty playing 👀

🥁 5th Quarter Picks
Jeremie’s Pick: 
Southern University – “Controlla” (2016)

Bryon’s Pick: 
Southern University – “Who Can I Run To” (1995)

Nissan’s Pick: 
Southern University – “In the Stone” (1993)

🟣 JOIN US LIVE ON TWITCH
Follow @TheDrumLoungePod on Twitch and join us live on Sundays for:
• Podcast behind-the-scenes content
• Drumline and band reactions
• Live percussion discussions
• Drum lessons and music assistance
• Competition watch parties
• Unfiltered conversations with Jeremie and Bryon

🔥 Woodies Drumsticks Deal
Level up your drumming! Grab a pair of Woodies Drumsticks and use promo code THEDRUMLOUNGEPOD for 10% off your order:
https://woodiesdrumsticks.com/TheDrumLoungePod

🎙️ Stay Connected
-Subscribe to The Drum Lounge Podcast on YouTube and all major podcast platforms
-Follow us on Instagram (@TheDrumLoungePod) for clips, highlights, and HBCU drumline content
-Like, comment, and share this episode to support the culture


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-drum-lounge-podcast--3683925/support.

The Drum Lounge Podcast — where HBCU band culture lives, breathes, and evolves. 🥁🔥

Band camp fever is officially HERE! On this episode of The Drum Lounge Podcast, Jeremie and Bryon break down the start of the 2026 HBCU marching band season, beginning with Jackson State’s highly anticipated Merge. We react to the freshman and upperclassmen coming together, the size and sound of the Sonic Boom, Jackson State’s drumline, their new-look Stingray drums, and whether the line is bringing the same energy we’ve seen in previous years.

We also check in on North Carolina A&T’s band camp, the Blue & Gold Marching Machine’s preparation for the season, and the importance of the physical side of surviving band camp. Of course, we couldn’t talk band camp without checking in on our alma mater, Bethune-Cookman University, and remembering exactly what it feels like when Dr. Wells yells “PERCUSSION!” 😂

Then we head to South Carolina State, where their drumline is already putting out some ridiculous new material. We break down SCSU's percussion instructor Marc’s writing style, why SCSU’s cadences sound unlike just about anything else in HBCU percussion, and whether complex writing still needs to be easy on the ears.

Later, we get nerdy with the music writers! Jeremie breaks down why he still uses Finale + Virtual Drumline, while Bryon makes his case for MuseScore. That conversation leads to a challenge: Finale vs. MuseScore in a 15-minute cadence-writing battle! Both of us will have the same amount of time to write something from scratch, and YOU will decide who came with the better cadence.

🔥 TOPICS COVERED
-Jackson State’s 2026 Merge
-JSU freshman vs. upperclassmen drumline
-Jackson State’s Stingray drums
-North Carolina A&T band camp
-Bethune-Cookman freshman band camp
-Why academics still come before marching band
-How long it takes to reach “college-level” snare ability
-Adjusting to different HBCU drumline styles
-South Carolina State’s new drumline material
-Marc’s “mad scientist” approach to writing
-Finale + Virtual Drumline vs. MuseScore
-Our upcoming 15-minute cadence-writing battle
-Our FIRST Twitch livestream!

🥁 LOUNGE & CHOP
For Lounge & Chop #57, Jeremie teaches a two-measure lick featuring buzzes, blurtas, 32nd-note passages, accented “grandmas,” a nine-stroke roll, paradiddle-diddles, a crossover, backsticks, flams, and double stops.
Grab your sticks, slow it down, and add this one to the repertoire!

🥁 5th Quarter Picks
Jeremie's Pick:
Jackson State University – “Gin and Juice” | 2026 Merge
Bryon's Pick: 
South Carolina State University – “Raise Up” | 2025

🟣 JOIN US LIVE ON TWITCH
Follow @TheDrumLoungePod on Twitch and join us live on Sundays for:
• Podcast behind-the-scenes content
• Drumline and band reactions
• Live percussion discussions
• Drum lessons and music assistance
• Competition watch parties
• Unfiltered conversations with Jeremie and Bryon

🔥 Woodies Drumsticks Deal
Level up your drumming! Grab a pair of Woodies Drumsticks and use promo code THEDRUMLOUNGEPOD for 10% off your order:
https://woodiesdrumsticks.com/TheDrumLoungePod

🎙️ Stay Connected
-Subscribe to The Drum Lounge Podcast on YouTube and all major podcast platforms
-Follow us on Instagram (@TheDrumLoungePod) for clips, highlights, and HBCU drumline content
-Like, comment, and share this episode to support the culture

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-drum-lounge-podcast--3683925/support.

The Drum Lounge Podcast — where HBCU band culture lives, breathes, and evolves. 🥁🔥

The Drum Lounge is expanding! In this episode, Jeremie Foster and Bryon Russell announce that the podcast is officially heading to Twitch, where viewers will be able to join the conversation live, submit drumline clips for reactions, receive help with music, and watch the unedited behind-the-scenes experience of recording the podcast.

The guys also share another major announcement: The Drum Lounge Podcast has been submitted for three Black Podcast Awards—Best Arts Podcast, Best Hosting Duo, and Best Podcast Outro!

This week’s flashback episode takes us to North Carolina for a complete recap of the Rep Your City Drumline Competition. Bryon shares his experience attending the competition with Face Place and explains why the event felt like the “red carpet” of drumline competitions.
The guys react to standout performances from:
• Faith's Place
• Ice Cold Experience
• Brooklyn United
• T.W. Andrews High School
• R.J. Reynolds High School
• Grimsley High School

They also discuss the growing importance of themes, storytelling, entertainment, and crowd engagement in modern drumline competitions. Playing clean is no longer enough—the best groups are creating complete productions that audiences can understand and enjoy.

🥁 5th Quarter Picks

Jeremie’s Pick:
Bethune-Cookman University's Sudden Impact — "Spirit Groove" (2017)

Bryon’s Pick:
North Carolina A&T's Coldsteel Drumline— cadence from battle vs. NCCU (2023)

🟣 JOIN US LIVE ON TWITCH
Follow @TheDrumLoungePod on Twitch and join us live on Sundays for:
• Podcast behind-the-scenes content
• Drumline and band reactions
• Live percussion discussions
• Drum lessons and music assistance
• Competition watch parties
• Unfiltered conversations with Jeremie and Bryon

🔥 Woodies Drumsticks Deal
Level up your drumming! Grab a pair of Woodies Drumsticks and use promo code THEDRUMLOUNGEPOD for 10% off your order:
https://woodiesdrumsticks.com/TheDrum...

🎙️ Stay Connected
-Subscribe to The Drum Lounge Podcast on YouTube and all major podcast platforms
-Follow us on Instagram and Twitch (@TheDrumLoungePod) for clips, highlights, and HBCU drumline content
-Like, comment, and share this episode to support the culture



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-drum-lounge-podcast--3683925/support.

The Drum Lounge Podcast — where HBCU band culture lives, breathes, and evolves. 🥁🔥

Band camp season is here! In Episode 55 of The Drum Lounge Podcast, Jeremie Foster and Bryon Russell share everything they learned from experiencing HBCU band camp as freshmen, returning upperclassmen, and section leaders at Bethune-Cookman University.

For incoming freshmen, we break down how to prepare physically and mentally before arriving on campus—from staying hydrated, eating before those early-morning sessions, improving your conditioning, and practicing with a metronome to researching your school’s sound, music, traditions, and technique. We also explain why earning a band scholarship does not automatically guarantee your preferred instrument, what to expect during drumline auditions, why adaptability matters, and why every percussionist should have a secondary instrument in mind.

We also speak directly to returning upperclassmen about avoiding complacency and continuing to improve every year. Your experience should make you one of the strongest examples in the band—not someone who returns out of shape, unprepared, or unwilling to follow the standard.

For the section leaders, we discuss the responsibility that comes with carrying the culture of your program. That means eliminating laziness, maintaining your own playing ability, setting the example at every rehearsal, developing the next generation, bringing new ideas to the section, enforcing expectations consistently, and removing favoritism or politics from your leadership.

Beyond the music, we also explain why students must stay on top of financial aid, housing, registration, and academics. You cannot fully enjoy the college band experience if your enrollment or eligibility is constantly in jeopardy.

🥁 5th Quarter Picks
Jeremie’s Pick:
Bethune-Cookman University's Marching Wildcats — "Outstanding" (2012)

Bryon’s Pick:
Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South — “King’s Affirmation” (2025)

🔥 Woodies Drumsticks Deal
Level up your drumming! Grab a pair of Woodies Drumsticks and use promo code THEDRUMLOUNGEPOD for 10% off your order:
https://woodiesdrumsticks.com/TheDrumLoungePod

🎙️ Stay Connected
-Subscribe to The Drum Lounge Podcast on YouTube and all major podcast platforms
-Follow us on Instagram (@TheDrumLoungePod) for clips, highlights, and HBCU drumline content
-Like, comment, and share this episode to support the culture

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-drum-lounge-podcast--3683925/support.

The Drum Lounge Podcast — where HBCU band culture lives, breathes, and evolves. 🥁🔥

The official Pre-2026 Marching Season HBCU Drumline Tier List is here, and no school is safe!
In this loaded episode of The Drum Lounge Podcast, Jeremie Foster and Bryon Russell evaluate HBCU drumlines based on everything they witnessed throughout the Fall 2025 marching season and Spring 2026 battle season. Each line is judged using four major categories: ensemble sound, visual appeal, level of complexity, and overall energy.

South Carolina State, Florida Memorial, Virginia State, and Norfolk State continue to prove why they belong among the elite—but several programs made major moves. Jackson State and Fort Valley State earn their way into Tier One, Hampton finds itself right on the edge of joining them, and FAMU makes one of the biggest jumps on the entire list.

Jeremie and Bryon also have to make a painful, unbiased decision regarding their alma mater, Bethune-Cookman University. They discuss Sudden Impact’s talent, lack of exposure, missed performance opportunities, and the consistency issues that ultimately affected their ranking.
From established powerhouses to emerging programs finally putting themselves on the map, this episode breaks down where the HBCU drumline world currently stands—and what every line must do to move up during the 2026 season.

🥁 5th Quarter Picks

Jeremie’s Pick:
Alabama A&M University Drumline — 2025 Fan Day Performance

Bryon’s Pick:
South Carolina State University Drumline — Classic Vic Firth Performance

🔥 Woodies Drumsticks Deal
Level up your drumming! Grab a pair of Woodies Drumsticks and use promo code THEDRUMLOUNGEPOD for 10% off your order:
https://woodiesdrumsticks.com/TheDrumLoungePod

🎙️ Stay Connected
-Subscribe to The Drum Lounge Podcast on YouTube and all major podcast platforms
-Follow us on Instagram (@TheDrumLoungePod) for clips, highlights, and HBCU drumline content
-Like, comment, and share this episode to support the culture
The Drum Lounge Podcast — where HBCU band culture lives, breathes, and evolves. 🥁🔥

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-drum-lounge-podcast--3683925/support.

The Drum Lounge Podcast — where HBCU band culture lives, breathes, and evolves. 🥁🔥

We're back! After a two-month hiatus, The Drum Lounge Podcast returns with plenty to catch up on. Jeremie Foster and Bryon Russell kick things off by announcing their exciting partnership with Rudimental Control, sharing why they believed in the brand long before joining the team and what viewers can expect from the collaboration moving forward.

The conversation then shifts to the surprising news surrounding Xymox Percussion, as the guys reflect on the company's apparent closure, discuss its impact on the percussion community, and share personal stories about how Xymox influenced their drumming journeys.

With marching season right around the corner, the Drum Lounge Tier List is making its return! Jeremie and Bryon break down the four major categories they'll be using to evaluate HBCU drumlines this season, explain what they look for in a great drumline, and invite current members and alumni to submit their best videos before next week's rankings.

The episode wraps up with reactions to several summer band battles, including GAMB vs. the New Orleans All-Star Band, a look at the latest A1 Media footage, and discussions on what has them most excited heading into another HBCU marching band season.

Be sure to subscribe, leave a comment, and let us know which drumline you're looking forward to seeing this season!

🥁 5th Quarter Picks
Jeremie's Pick: Georgia Mass Band playing 'Janice STFU' (2026)
Bryon's Pick: Space City All-Star Band (2026)

🛒 Support The Drum Lounge Podcast

Check out my Amazon Storefront for the drum gear, recording equipment, and tech I use:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/thedrumloungepod

Grab official Drum Lounge Podcast merch:
https://the-drum-lounge-podcast.myspreadshop.com/

🎙️ Stay Connected
📺 YouTube: @TheDrumLoungePodcast
📸 Instagram: @TheDrumLoungePod

Don't forget to Like, Comment, Subscribe, and share this episode with another drummer, band member, or HBCU marching band fan.

#DrumLoungePodcast #HBCUDrumline #MarchingBand #Drumline #RudimentalControl #Xymox #Percussion #HBCUBands #SummerBand #MarchingPercussion


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-drum-lounge-podcast--3683925/support.

The Drum Lounge Podcast — where HBCU band culture lives, breathes, and evolves. 🥁🔥

In this episode of The Drum Lounge Podcast, Jeremie Foster and Bryon Russell break down the Dollar Watson Classic, featuring intense battles between Palm Beach Lakes, Jonesboro, and South Cobb. The conversation dives into musicality, power, and the growing influence of Florida drumlines in Georgia.

They also react to the Red Smooth Classic drumline battle, highlighting the importance of technique, uniformity, and overall presentation.

On the college side, the guys discuss the Hampton vs Norfolk drumline battle, Hampton’s rise, and what it takes for a program to build a true identity. Plus, major updates on band leadership changes at Alabama State and Alabama A&M and what that means for the culture moving forward.
If you’re into drumlines, HBCU bands, and competition breakdowns—this one is for you.

🥁 5th Quarter Picks
Jeremie’s Pick:
Alabama State University – “Neck” (2008 Hall of Fame Battle of the Bands)
Bryon’s Pick:
Jersey Surf vs Crossmen – DCI Drumline Battle

🔥 Woodies Drumsticks Deal
Level up your drumming! Grab a pair of Woodies Drumsticks and use promo code THEDRUMLOUNGEPOD for 10% off your order:
https://woodiesdrumsticks.com/TheDrumLoungePod

🎙️ Stay Connected
-Subscribe to The Drum Lounge Podcast on YouTube and all major podcast platforms
-Follow us on Instagram (@TheDrumLoungePod) for clips, highlights, and HBCU drumline content
-Like, comment, and share this episode to support the culture

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-drum-lounge-podcast--3683925/support.

The Drum Lounge Podcast — where HBCU band culture lives, breathes, and evolves. 🥁🔥

Welcome back to another episode of The Drum Lounge Podcast with Jeremie Foster and Bryon Russell, where we break down everything that went down at Destination HBCU 2026—one of the most INSANE drumline events we’ve ever witnessed.

From Piper H.S. setting the tone in the high school division, to Brooklyn United delivering a movie-level performance in the community division, to the intense and controversial college battles featuring Norfolk State, South Carolina State, Fort Valley State, and Florida Memorial, we cover it all with real reactions and in-depth analysis from being there LIVE.

We also talk about our live stream experience, what went wrong, and how we’re leveling up for future events so the quality matches the moment.

To close it out, we bring our 5th Quarter Picks, highlighting Florida Memorial’s cinematic final cadence and South Carolina State’s explosive performance that had the crowd going crazy, plus another Lounge & Chop segment to help take your hands to the next level.

Huge shoutout to Created 2 Play for putting on an incredible event for the culture. If you were there, you already know… and if you weren’t, this is the next best thing.

Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe—and as always… go practice. 🥁🔥

🎶 5th Quarter Picks:
Jeremie’s Pick: Florida Memorial University – Final Cadence (Destination HBCU)
Bryon’s Pick: South Carolina State – Final Battle Cadence vs Norfolk

🔥 Woodies Drumsticks Deal
Level up your drumming! Grab a pair of Woodies Drumsticks and use promo code THEDRUMLOUNGEPOD for 10% off your order:
https://woodiesdrumsticks.com/TheDrum...

🎙️ Stay Connected
-Subscribe to The Drum Lounge Podcast on YouTube and all major podcast platforms
-Follow us on Instagram (@TheDrumLoungePod) for clips, highlights, and HBCU drumline content
-Like, comment, and share this episode to support the culture

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-drum-lounge-podcast--3683925/support.

The Drum Lounge Podcast — where HBCU band culture lives, breathes, and evolves. 🥁🔥

Episode 50 is here, and Jeremie Foster and Bryon Russell are back with a BIG one. In this episode of The Drum Lounge Podcast, we celebrate 50 episodes of Season 3 and dive straight into one of the most stacked events of the season: Destination HBCU Drumline Competition in Augusta, Georgia.

We break down the loaded collegiate, community, and high school divisions, talk through the drumlines we’re most excited to see, and explain why this year’s event could be one of the craziest yet. From Norfolk State, South Carolina State, Florida Memorial, Fort Valley State, and Talladega to community powerhouses like Brooklyn United, Faith’s Place, Shark City, Toxic Elite, and Atlanta Drum Academy, this lineup is serious.

We also react to recent drumline moments around the activity, including Jackson State’s “A Day With the Boom,” a look at Delaware State and Virginia State, and a wild viral clip from Dutchtown that had the whole community talking.

Of course, we also bring back Lounge & Chop, where Jeremie teaches a fresh snare lick for Episode 50, then we close it out with another 5th Quarter you do not want to miss.

If you’re into HBCU drumlines, drumline battles, band culture, percussion chops, and drumline education, this episode is for you.

Make sure you subscribe, like, and drop a comment:
Who are you most excited to see at Destination HBCU?

🎶 5th Quarter Picks:
- Jeremie’s Pick: Jackson State – “Sangria Wine”
- Bryon’s Pick: Florida Memorial – Destination HBCU floor show clip

🔥 Woodies Drumsticks Deal
Level up your drumming! Grab a pair of Woodies Drumsticks and use promo code THEDRUMLOUNGEPOD for 10% off your order:
https://woodiesdrumsticks.com/TheDrumLoungePod

🎙️ Stay Connected
-Subscribe to The Drum Lounge Podcast on YouTube and all major podcast platforms
-Follow us on Instagram (@TheDrumLoungePod) for clips, highlights, and HBCU drumline content
-Like, comment, and share this episode to support the culture

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-drum-lounge-podcast--3683925/support.

The Drum Lounge Podcast — where HBCU band culture lives, breathes, and evolves. 🥁🔥

In this episode of The Drum Lounge Podcast, Jeremie Foster and Bryon Russell react to a long-awaited moment — Bethune-Cookman University’s Sudden Impact finally unveiling their new percussion feature 🔥

From the jump, the guys break down what made this performance special — the massive drumline size, creative use of the drum set player, unique arrangements, and Cookman’s signature sound. If you love HBCU drumline culture, this is one you don’t want to miss.

The conversation then shifts to Beatdown 10 in Atlanta, where Bryon gives a firsthand recap of Faith’s Place competing against Tucker High School. They discuss:
 • The intensity of the battles
 • Judging controversies 
 • Lessons learned from competition
 • And the current state of Atlanta drumline culture
Jeremie also shares insight on how Atlanta’s sound has evolved over time — and why identity, musicality, and discipline matter now more than ever.

Later, they react to multiple college drumline battles, including:
 • Talladega vs Tennessee State
 • Jackson State vs Lane College
They break down sound quality, writing styles, dynamics, and execution — plus give honest reactions to what stood out and what could improve.

🥁 Lounge & Chop Segment:
Bryon teaches a clean but challenging lick built off paradiddles and hybrid sticking. Learn it, practice it, and tag us when you nail it!

🎶 5th Quarter Picks:
 • Jeremie’s Pick: B-CU Sudden Impact (2015) – “Twisted”
 • Bryon’s Pick: Tuskegee Tuba Section – Teen Titans Go Theme

🔥 Woodies Drumsticks Deal
Level up your drumming! Grab a pair of Woodies Drumsticks and use promo code THEDRUMLOUNGEPOD for 10% off your order:
https://woodiesdrumsticks.com/TheDrum...

🎙️ Stay Connected
-Subscribe to The Drum Lounge Podcast on YouTube and all major podcast platforms
-Follow us on Instagram (@TheDrumLoungePod) for clips, highlights, and HBCU drumline content
-Like, comment, and share this episode to support the culture

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-drum-lounge-podcast--3683925/support.

The Drum Lounge Podcast — where HBCU band culture lives, breathes, and evolves. 🥁🔥