The Drum Shuffle

Simon Phillips needs no introduction. His playing with artists such as Jeff Beck, The Who, Toto, Jack Bruce, and Judas Priest has now spanned six decades. In addition to countless recordings and tours with an A-list of music icons, Simon has been composing and recording his own music under the Protocol banner since 1989. On episode 141, Simon joins Jamie to discuss the upcoming and brilliant Protocol V album as well as allowing Jamie to delve into his storied past. Simon's career is legendary, his playing is other-worldly, and he continues to be a true ambassador for the drumming community.

Rich Wiley is not only a talented guitarist and songwriter, he is also the co-founder of TnR Products, the makers of True Vibe drum isolation mounts. On episode 140, Jamie and Rich catch up on all things TnR, talk about being successful in the music business (whatever that means) and how a guitarist helped invent the best floor tom isolation product of all time.

Simone Prattico joins us for episode 139 to discuss his unique career that is based out of Italy, France, and the US. He has just released his second album as leader, Oriundo. The album is fantastically composed and played and the production is top-shelf. Simone and Jamie discuss not only this great new record, but also Simone's early years as a student of the late Robero Spizzichino, making the decision to base his career from three different countries, and how to be yourself behind the kit. Simone's playing is wonderful and his personal story is inspiring.

Lucas Garcia of Down Again stops by on episode 138 to cover a lot of ground. We catch up on his start into music, the formation of Down Again, and the band's new EP, video, and tour plans for the near future. Lucas is a great up-and-coming drummer in a fantastic band. If they aren't already, Down Again and Lucas should be on your radar!

Russ Kunkel has a legendary list of albums that contain his drumming. It is simply mind-boggling and too vast to list here, but some artist highlights include Warren Zevon, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks, Bill Withers...The list goes on and on and on. Russ has been playing and recording with Leland Sklar, Danny Kortchmar, and Waddy Wachtel, for many years on some of these records. That core group along with Steve Postell have recently released a self-titled album, The Immediate Family, which is simply incredible. On episode 137, Jamie and Russ talk about his legendary career and this stellar new album from this super group of A-list players. You don't want to miss this one!

Jared Schonig joins Jamie on episode 136 of The Drum Shuffle to discuss his fantastic new double album release, Two Takes: Volume 1 - Quintet and Volume 2 - Big Band. This is an ambitious release with differing takes on some brilliant material that sounds simply stunning. Jared is classically-trained, yet his Jazz drumming chops are very organic and shine on this release. Even though this is his debut as a leader, Jared has played with who's who in the Jazz world and he has filled the Broadway seat for The Color Purple and Moulin Rouge over the past few years. This is a can't miss episode.

Our good friend, Doug Clifford joins Jamie again this week to discuss a new release from Cosmo's Vault, Clifford-Wright. In the years following his success in Creedence Clearwater Revival, Doug started producing other artists. One of the bands that he assembled in those years consisted of Doug on drums and Steve Wright on bass from The Greg Kihn Band, and a stable of great guitarists including Greg Douglass (Steve Miller Band), Jimmy Lyon (Eddie Money) and a young gun named Joe Satriani before he was a solo artist. Doug and Steve wrote 11 great songs and rounded out their recording lineup with keyboard players Tim Gorman (The Who) and Pat Mosca (Greg Kihn Band) and Keith England on vocals. After the songs were recorded, Doug put them away in his vault until now. This record is a great example of power pop and rock and should be in everyone's library. The first single, For All The Money In The World, hit the street on August 27th. On episode 135, Doug discusses this project/album, the other contents of his vault, his label, Cliffsong Records, and a lot more. Doug has been a champion of The Drum Shuffle since our humble beginnings and he is such a wealth of musical knowledge for the world. Here on The Drum Shuffle podcast, we are grateful to Doug for his friendship and can't wait to hear what else he has up his sleeve over the next few years!

Roger Earl has spent the past 50 years as the drummer of Foghat. After 50 years and selling several million records, what's left for a fellow to do? Go on tour, of course. Foghat is out on the road this summer supporting their brilliant new live album, 8 Days on the Road that was recorded at Live at Daryl's House Club. On episode 134, Roger stops in to discuss his career with Foghat, the new album, their tour, and we even get into a little history of Savoy Brown...The one thing that rings true about Roger Earl is his wonderful attitude towards life and making music and that he is indeed a rock n' roll lifer. He graciously shares a ton of great knowledge and advice in this fantastic interview.

Todd Sucherman is certainly one of the world's great drummers. His playing with Styx for the past 25 years is legendary. He is also a first-call session drummer and clinician. On episode 133, Jamie catches up with Todd during the Styx tour to support their new album, Crash of the Crown. They discuss the new album, Todd's solo album from 2020, Last Flight Home, how Todd remained busy during the pandemic shutdown and lots more.

Uncle Tupelo. Wilco. Those two names ring out as the founding fathers of the No Depression movement in Americana and Alt-Country Music. Ken Coomer was behind the drums for both. Ken is a Nashville native that grew up playing in punk bands (such as Clockhammer) before joining Uncle Tupelo and later, Wilco. After his years in Wilco, Ken began recording and building some studio clientele. He is now a sought-after producer in Nashville as the owner of Cartoon Moon Recording. He has remained active as a session drummer recording or performing with artists including Al Green, Steve Earle, Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, and Roger McGuinn. On episode 132, Ken joins Jamie to discuss his entire career and he shares some terrific advice and stories that are bound to help all musicians navigate the waters of the modern music industry.