The Modern Drummer Podcast

In this episode, Narada Michael Walden interviews Dominique McDowell. McDowell discusses his upbringing, influences and inspirational tales of his journey.

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This week on the Modern Drummer Podcast, Billy Amendola and David Frangioni bring you an exclusive interview with their special guest Rick Astley. Tune in as Astley talks about his early days as a drummer, leading up to his monstrous career with his number-one vocal hits “Never Gonna Give You Up” and “Together Forever.” Working in the mid-eighties with powerhouse producers Stock Aitken Waterman, who are considered one of the most successful songwriting and producing partnerships of all time, scoring more than 100 UK top 40 hits and selling over 40 million records. As part of the team, Rick became an international star. Rick also fills MD in on meeting the Foo Fighters, his insight on songwriting and recording process as well as his continued passion for playing drums. You don’t want to miss this one. We recommend you watch it with your family and friends. Please Share and Enjoy!

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Let’s kick off the weekend with this fly-on-the-wall “Pop Up Podcast” featuring a private filmed, streaming, virtual “ZOOM IN” press conference with Elizabeth Freund, Ringo, Modern Drummer,

and a few select friends.

Thank you, Beautiful Media and Ringo, for allowing us to post!

Today March 19, 2021, Ringo releases his EP titled Zoom In, which features five songs, all of which were recorded at Starr’s home studio between April-October 2020. Starr collaborated with songwriters and producers, and an ever-widening group of musicians playing on the songs, some socially distanced and joining him safely in his studio, always exercising an abundance of caution, and others working on their parts remotely.

“It just unfolds,” Ringo said of the recording process, “when I start making a record here in LA at home.” Joining Starr were musicians Nathan East (bass), Steve Lukather (guitar), Bruce Sugar (synth guitar), Benmont Tench (piano), and Jim Cox (string arrangements and synth) Dave Grohl, Ben Harper and Jenny Lewis also joined Starr among others, and all contributed to the first single, Here’s To The Nights. As Ringo recalled, “Diane Warren sent me the song and I loved the sentiment of it. She sent it in a chord I like to call F demented, it was very high, so Benmont Tench transposed it into a key human beings can actually sing - that's how we started with that song. We wanted to add a lot of voices singing on the chorus and so she asked her friends and I asked mine, and not only did we get a lot of people singing on the record, we had a lot of fun, which is how I think it should be, and I got to know a few new friends.” The title track, “Zoom In, Zoom Out,” was penned by Jeff Silbar and features the Doors Robbie Krieger on guitar. “I wanted to call this ‘Zoom In,’ which I think is great for this day and age. For this record, I wanted to get people I hadn't worked with before, so for this track we invited Robby Krieger.” Sam Hollander wrote and produced “Teach Me To Tango,” sending Ringo a nearly completed track onto which Ringo added vocals and, one drum fill. “I called Sam because I had so much fun with him on my last CD. What was great was when I was doing my vocals (Sam lives in New York so I did my part in my home studio here in LA), was there was one part of it and I felt there has got to be a drum fill there! So the credits now read ‘Ringo vocals and 1 drum fill’” (Blair Sinta lays down the drum track) Image Ringo co-wrote “Waiting For The Tide to Turn” with his engineer Bruce Sugar, adding Tony Chen and his extensive reggae

roots; “This was something my engineer Bruce Sugar started, but it didn't have a lot of words, so we wrote it together. I did my version of reggae and what was great was we had Tony Chen, who played with Bob Marley and lives here in LA, come over and play on it. He said, ‘hey Mon, that you on drums mon?’ and I said yes, and he said ‘great drums mon, very reggae!’ and my heart swelled! It was so great coming from him!” With four tracks completed, Ringo thought the EP was done. That is until Steve Lukather came over, with his friend and Toto band mate Joseph Williams, as Ringo tells the story: “We had 4 tracks - and then Lukather came over and brought this semi produced track, ‘Not Enough Love In the World’. The sentiment of it - not enough peace in the world, not enough love - I could not not do it - I had to do this track. So I put the vocals on, the drums on, Steve played a bit more guitar, Joe added some harmonies, and it all came together. In addition to making new music during the pandemic, Ringo also completed and released a new limited-edition retrospective hardcover book titled “RINGO ROCKS: 30 YEARS OF THE ALL STARRS 1989-2019.”Proceeds will benefit The Lotus Foundation.

Ringo also revealed news about his next All Starr tour with dates in 2022. “They’ll be no touring this year, “as Ringo told fans...

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Another week, another MD Podcast! Join David Frangioni & Billy Amendola talking with “The Godfather” himself, Gerald Heyward. Gerald talks about re-inventing himself in the “new norm,” as well as recording with Rob Thomas & Michael Jackson. Gerald spent most of his career on the road with the biggest R&B superstars; Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé, Mary J Blige, Janet Jackson and more. He talks about his mentor the late Jeff Lo’ Davis and playing in the church and shedding. Check it out for some very valuable advice from one of drumming’s greats!

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Join us for part two of the Modern Drummer Podcast as Billy Amendola & David Frangioni continue their talk with one of the world's most called session drummers, Nir Z. Listen and watch Nir in his home studio tell us about his new Sonor Vintage series drum kits. For engineers and studio lovers, this episode is a must, as Nir shares his studio setup and how he achieves his sound. Nir has played on numerous country, and cross-over pop hits with Blake Shelton and Dan & Shay, to name only two. He recorded in NYC on John Mayer’s debut album, and he’s recorded in England with Genesis. We had so much fun and knowledge from Nir to cover that we had to bring it to you in two parts. Watch part 1 again. Here’s part 2. Enjoy!

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In this episode, Narada Michael Walden interviews the four-time Grammy Award winner, influential drummer, composer, and producer Lenny White. Lenny talks about his drumming, the artists who have influenced him over the years, recording sessions, and life leading up to 2021 and more.

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Join us this week for part one of the Modern Drummer Podcast as Billy Amendola & David Frangioni talk with one of the worlds most called session drummers, Nir Z. Listen and watch Nir tell us how his journey from being born and raised in Israel and coming to NYC to pursue his career led him to Tennessee where these days he’s become “the guy” on the Nashville studio scene. Nir has played on numerous country and cross-over pop hits with Blake Shelton, and Dan & Shay, to name only two. He recorded in NYC with John Mayer for the promo of Mayer’s debut album and he’s recorded in England with Genesis. We had so much fun and knowledge from Nir to cover that we have to bring you a part 2. Stay tuned for more coming soon. Enjoy part 1.

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In this episode, Narada Michael Walden interviews world-renowned drummer and educator Todd Sucherman. Todd takes us through his early influences, family, role models and his legacy with legendry band STYXS.

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Join David Frangioni and Billy Amendola for this week's MD video/audio Podcast as they speak with legendary pocket-drummer Gerry Brown about his tours with Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, George Benson, Lionel Ritchie, and more. For drum tech tips, one of the best in the business, Carlos Guzman, pops in as a surprise guest to share a few of his stories working with Gerry. Carlos also shares his private (side of the stage) video clips of Gerry in action.

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