The Rich Redmond Show

Drummer Chase Adams joins the Rich Redmond Show to talk about his journey from church, marching band, and Broadway gigs in Nashville to touring with The Frontmen. He shares what it’s like to perform a 90-minute show packed with 30 number-one hits, and how he also handles the band’s merchandise, social media, and drum tech duties.

Chase also talks about learning to be ready for every opportunity, his love of drums and gear, and the support he and his family received from the band through the loss of his son, Chapman. A conversation about music, family, perseverance, and making the most of every gig.

Timed highlights:
00:04:42 – Chase’s background and joining The Frontmen 
00:06:07 – A 90-minute show featuring 30 number-one songs 
00:06:40 – Chase’s roles in the band: drummer, merch designer, social media, and drum tech 
00:17:33 – Growing up in a musical family and starting drums at age three 
00:22:26 – Rich’s advice that helped inspire Chase to move to Nashville 
00:25:49 – Getting started on Broadway and building a life playing drums 
00:29:17 – How an unexpected gig became an audition opportunity 
00:31:47 – Learning The Frontmen’s show in just 10 days
00:36:56 – Marching band, technique, and finding his own feel 
00:53:58 – Chase’s first major studio session and his K Watt drums 
01:02:48 – Chase shares the story of his son Chapman and the band’s support 
01:18:46 – Breakthrough studio opportunities and advice for musicians 
01:28:53 – Where to find Chase and The Frontmen

Links:
The Frontmen tour dates: thefrontmenlive.com
Podcast Production: https://itsyourshow.co
Rich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.com
The Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

On this episode of The Rich Redmond Show, acclaimed Nashville session drummer Chris McHugh talks about the instincts and human connection behind great music. Chris reflects on growing up in a music-loving family, moving to Nashville with Whiteheart, and building a career spanning thousands of recording credits.

Rich, Jim, and Chris get into AI and music-making, the value of spontaneity in live performance and recording, the sounds and gear shaping today’s drum tracks, and what it takes to make it as a session musician. 

Timed highlights: 
00:38 – Chris’s Philadelphia-area childhood and musical upbringing 
05:04 – Dan Huff, Giant, and why songs connect across genres 
07:45 – A live session demonstration that brings the recording process to an audience 
09:59 – AI, creativity, and what human musicians bring to a performance 
12:42 – Spontaneous playing and responding to a singer in the moment 
19:54 – Chris’s move to Nashville and early years with Whiteheart 
22:02 – A career in recording: credits, records, and the changing role of liner notes 
29:30 – Live music, backing tracks, and what audiences respond to 
39:41 – Keith Urban’s Flow State and recording yacht-rock favorites together 
46:09 – Drum sounds, tea towels, and the trend toward thuddy snares 
57:27 – Tuning drums to a song’s key and preserving their dynamics 
1:03:09 – Developing feel through listening, practice, and playing with others 
1:23:55 – Chris’s advice for aspiring Nashville session musicians 
1:47:38 – Staying grounded after a demanding day in the studio 
1:50:27 – The band Chris would choose to tribute

Links:
Chris’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrismchugh/?hl=en
Chris’s Website: http://www.chrismchugh.com/
Podcast Production: https://itsyourshow.co
Rich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.com
The Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

On this episode of The Rich Redmond Show, Rich and Jim welcome Nashville-based drummer Jarred Pope for a wide-ranging conversation about life on the road, finding his place in the music business, and keeping rock and roll alive. Jarred shares stories from his work with Tom Keifer, Brother Kane, Gene Simmons, and other artists, and talks about the value of reading charts, learning by watching great players, and building a distinctive sound behind the kit.

Some records Jarred has done:
-Mother Funk Conspiracy
-Crosby Loggins  and the Light “We All Go Home” great album, but hard to find
-Damon Johnson “Echo” Ep, “Birmingham Tonight Live” live album, Memoirs of an uprising 
Damon Johnson and the Get Ready “Battle Lessons” my favorite DJ record by far…
Of course, The Brother Cane “Magnolia Medicine” and Tom Keifer Band “Rise”

Timed Highlights:
00:00 — Introducing Jarred Pope and his move to Nashville
05:00 — ’70s rock, touring, and life on the road
11:00 — Reading charts and learning songs
17:00 — Vinnie Colaiuta, drumming influences, and gear
23:00 — Nashville’s Rock and Roll Residency and the Gene Simmons band
30:00 — Touring with Tom Keifer and band chemistry
37:00 — California roots, early gigs, and musical influences
44:00 — Family, touring life, and Jarred’s grandson’s onstage debut
51:00 — Brother Kane, recording sessions, and favorite projects
58:00 — Rush, making music your own, and drummer influences
1:06:00 — Dream tribute bands and final thoughts
1:18:00 — Wrap-up and closing remarks

Links:
Jarred’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarredwpope/?hl=en
Podcast Production: https://itsyourshow.co
Rich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.com
The Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Peter Keys joins Rich Redmond and Jim McCarthy to talk about his wild journey from George Clinton and P-Funk to auditioning for, and ultimately joining, one of rock’s most legendary bands. Peter shares how he prepped for the Skynyrd audition in just days, why learning every part of a song changes your musicianship, and how his Stoner Creek Studio and label are shaping his next creative chapter.

Perfect for musicians, rock fans, and anyone obsessed with the craft and career of making music for a living.

00:00 – Intro: Show production tag & Rich’s gym accident (seven staples, hat talk)

02:20 – Hat fashion, personal branding & “on‑brand” looks

05:05 – Introducing Peter Keys: Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist & resume overview

08:10 – Musical philosophy: “12 notes,” learning every part of the song

12:30 – Drummers as “New York City traffic cops” & live arrangement triage

16:00 – Peter’s geographic journey: East Coast, NorCal, Atlanta, Detroit, Nashville

20:15 – San Francisco in the ’80s: club scene, name‑drops & musical influences

24:10 – George Clinton & P‑Funk era, alumni, “on the one,” funk talk

28:30 – Stoner Creek Studio: post‑COVID build, gear, coffee priorities

31:40 – Touring with Skynyrd: buses, routing, crews & road life realities

35:20 – Dad rock, “Drummer Dad” concept & social media content ideas

39:00 – Kids, marriages, blended family & starting Stoner Creek Records

42:10 – Peter’s kids as musicians, YouTube University & discouraging music careers

45:00 – AI & music (Suno, demos, soul vs. algorithms, using AI as a sketch pad)

49:00 – Nashville growth, Lower Broadway grind & musician survival odds

52:00 – Keyboard competition in Nashville & working live vs. studio

54:40 – Social media flyers, AI graphics & authenticity in visual art

57:10 – Zappa, Wackerman brothers, influences & mind‑bending arrangements

1:00:40 – How Peter joined Lynyrd Skynyrd: the full audition and “nerf piano” story

1:05:10 – Defining himself inside Skynyrd, Billy Powell’s parts & performance philosophy

1:07:30 – Plugs: Stoner Creek Studio/Records, All Time Low Stars, socials & show wrap

Links.

Peter’s Website: https://peterkeys.com

Peter’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/PeterKeys

Podcast Production: https://itsyourshow.co

Rich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.com

The Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

Guitarist, songwriter, producer, and real‑estate investor Erik Halbig joins Rich and Jim to talk Nashville showcase days, early Jason Aldean moments, writing number ones with the Wolfe Brothers, using AI tools like Suno, developing young artists, and building real passive income with rental properties. If you’re a working musician who cares about songs and your financial future, this one’s for you.

Timed Highlights:
00:00:00 – Cold open: low‑cash demos, $40 a song, and early Nashville hustle
00:06:10 – What Erik looks for in drummers: alpha energy, loud count‑offs, strong transients
00:15:30 – 90s/00s Nashville: 12th & Porter, Third & Lindsley, showcases, and Jason Aldean’s big break
00:27:45 – Writing wins: Wolfe Brothers number ones and why helping others pays off
00:39:20 – Side hustles: teaching for decades, guitar books, and “rock and roll real estate”
00:50:05 – AI and Suno: how AI demos are killing old‑school demos but creating new studio work
01:01:40 – Producing new artists: getting a “second meeting” and building a brand, not just tracks
01:11:10 – Real estate playbook: condos, tax hikes, equity, and planning a musician’s retirement

Links & Socials Mentioned

  Erik’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erikhalbig

  The Rich Redmond Show: https://therichredmondshow.transistor.fm/

  Podcast production studio: https://itsyourshow.co

  Drum intensive with Rich Redmond: https://drumtensive.com

Rock drumming powerhouse Tommy Clufetos sits down with Rich Redmond and Jim McCarthy to talk about the reality of life at the top of rock, why every gig matters, and how “playing at” rock is killing the feel in modern music.

Tommy goes deep on growing up in Detroit hauling gear for his dad’s band at age seven, earning gigs with Ted Nugent and Alice Cooper the hard way, and spending 15 years on the road with Ozzy and Black Sabbath. He breaks down drum solos as part of the show, his love/hate relationship with click tracks, and why he’d rather drive 16 hours to a gig and crush it than complain about the grind.

If you care about groove, conviction, and the craft of being a pro drummer, this one’s a masterclass in attitude and work ethic.

Timed Highlights:

00:00 Cold open: “Pound Town” drum container practice idea
03:45 Looking like a musician: leather jackets, visual brand, and “leather and latte season”
08:10 Old‑school parenting: no phone, no TV, and raising a kid on ’50s/’60s/blues
12:30 Meeting his wife on a Rob Zombie–directed CSI episode and reconnecting in Vegas
16:55 Leaving L.A. for Nashville and why he loves the South’s “old‑school” feel
21:40 Detroit roots: hauling gear for his dad’s band at age seven and baptism by fire
27:05 First time sitting in: Moni Moni, kids going wild, and learning patience for the gig
31:30 Playing for Mitch Ryder, Alto Reed, and getting in front of Ted Nugent
36:15 The Ted Nugent test: three rounds of 20 songs, winter drives, and 4 a.m. wake‑ups
42:40 Ozzy years: respect, leadership, and why Tommy won’t casually say “best friend”
48:20 Black Sabbath dynamics: serving Ozzy, Tony, and Geezer all at once
53:10 Planes, not buses: the grind of top‑level international touring
57:45 Clicks vs feel: why real rock needs to breathe and follow the crowd
1:03:20 Using a flashing light only as a tempo reference in Sabbath, then turning it off
1:07:40 Instagram drumming, overplaying, and why younger players “play at” music
1:12:55 Holiday Inn lesson: playing full‑tilt even when nobody is in the room
1:18:10 Tommy’s Rock Trip: original hard rock, young bandmates, and building work ethic
1:24:00 Money and integrity: walking out of a session at 16 when the pay was cut in half
1:29:10 Bob Seger, Alto Reed, and practicing to Seger records then and now
1:34:30 Drum solos as part of the show: structuring the solo so it lifts the entire set
1:39:00 Final advice: know what you’re getting into, focus on the music, and leave no regrets

Links:

The Rich Redmond Show: www.therichredmondshow.transistor.fm

Podcast production studio: https://itsyourshow.co

Drum intensive with Rich Redmond: https://drumtensive.com

Tommy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialtommyclufetos/?hl=en

Freelance Nashville drummer Carlos Guevara joins Rich and Jim to share his incredible journey from growing up in Venezuela under political and economic crisis to rebuilding his life and career in the U.S. Despite being born with arthrogryposis, Carlos became a first-call Broadway drummer, a devoted family man, and a model of resilience and positivity.

They dig into his escape from Venezuela, learning English through drum magazines, adapting his technique around physical limitations, grinding for gigs on Lower Broadway, and balancing music, Uber, and fatherhood. The guys also geek out on Stewart Copeland, Journey, Yamaha’s EAD-10, and the culture of world futbol vs. American sports.

Perfect for drummers, creatives, and anyone who needs a shot of perspective, gratitude, and hustle.

Timed Highlights:
0:00 Show open, Drummer Dad idea, and Yamaha EAD talk
3:30 Stewart Copeland stories and guys’ night at the Ryman
7:20 Meet Carlos Guevara: from Caracas to Nashville via Anaheim
11:00 Falling in love with country music and surviving Broadway
15:10 Family, teenagers, and fútbol culture (football is life)
20:00 Learning English from records, Drum Magazine, and method books
23:40 El Sistema explained: Venezuela’s free orchestral training
27:10 Life under Chavez and the decision to leave Venezuela
31:00 Colombia stopover and finally landing in Los Angeles with almost nothing
35:10 Driving Uber in the U.S. and wild passenger stories
39:00 Moving to Nashville, discovering Broadway, and first gigs at Mellow Mushroom
43:30 Breaking into the scene, networking, and always showing up at clinics
47:30 Arthrogryposis: Carlos’s condition and how he adapted his technique
51:00 Ergonomics hacks: extra hi-hat, jam block, and left-foot workarounds
54:10 Yamaha EAD-10 vs EAD-50 and why every drummer should consider one
57:00 Immigrant mindset, AI/apps, and Jam Juice shaking up Broadway bookings
1:01:30 Carlos’s goals: more tours, family balance, and motivational speaking
1:04:30 Venezuelan arepas, keeping traditions alive, and where to find Carlos online
1:06:40 Closing gratitude and episode wrap

Links:
Carlos Guevara Instagram: https://instagram.com/carlosdrums86

Podcast website: https://therichredmondshow.transistor.fm
Rich’s DrumTensive: https://drumtensive.com
Production studio: https://itsyourshow.co

Rich Redmond: https://richredmond.com

Rich and Jim sit down with Nashville drummer, producer, and drum tech Jeff Brown (Shrug Sound Studio) for a deep dive into a working musician’s reality: from opening for Rush and Van Halen to teching the Taylor Swift Eras Tour, tuning for stadiums, building a home studio career, and navigating divorce, burnout, and late-bloomer success.

Jeff shares stories from early days in Anaheim clubs, cruise ship gigs at 18, Nashville’s legendary 12th & Porter era, and playing with artists like Phil Vassar, Thomas Rhett, Steel Magnolia, Tom Kiefer, and more. He also breaks down hybrid drumming on massive pop tours, practical tuning approaches, remote session workflows, and why drum techs are part mechanic, part therapist.

Timed highlights:
00:00 The porta-potty on stage, bar hangs, and touring creature comforts
06:20 Foreigner at the Ryman: Kelly Hanson’s retirement and Luis stepping up to sing
14:30 Meeting Jeff Brown: Anaheim roots, moving to Nashville in ’93, and the 12th & Porter scene
21:40 Dreaming in English: publishing deals, opening for Rush, Weezer, and Van Halen
30:10 Studio work and Shrug Sound Studio: home recording since 2010 and mic choices
36:45 Simple drum recording setups and the Yamaha EAD10 for social content
44:00 Cruise ship gigs at 18: long sets, bad charts, and learning to memorize
51:30 From player to drum tech: Tom Kiefer, Kevin Murphy, and landing the Taylor Swift Eras Tour
1:02:00 High-pressure teching: triggers, MainStage, redundancy, and that one snare mistake
1:11:20 Tuning philosophy: coated vs clear heads, tom intervals, and consistency on tour
1:19:00 Influences: Rush, Stewart Copeland, Herb Alexander, Jimmy Chamberlin
1:27:10 Making people feel it: driving the band, backbeats, and keeping songs fresh
1:36:30 Drum tech as psychologist: honest feedback, compliment sandwiches, and road life
1:45:00 Managers, rates, and word-of-mouth: the business of remote sessions and mixing
1:54:00 Mixing, producing, and Andrew Scheps: falling in love with the mix process
2:01:30 AI, samples, and the future of music work
2:08:00 Writing with his dad, getting humbled, and grieving the “band” dream
2:15:30 Late bloomers, ergonomics, posture, and playing pain-free into your 50s
2:23:00 Social media, tech tips, and why documenting the studio process matters
2:30:00 New goals: sync music, instrumental releases, Shrug snare samples, and upcoming tours

Links:
The Rich Redmond Show:
www.therichredmondshow.transistor.fm

Podcast Filmed and Produced by:
https://itsyourshow.co

Rich’s intensive:
https://drumtensive.com

Jeff Brown – drums, studio, and merch:
https://jeffbrowndrums.com

Shrug Sound Studio
https://shrugsoundstudio.com

Rich sits down with drummer and biomechanics specialist Brandon Green of Drum Mechanics to unpack how drummers can play hard for life without breaking their bodies. They dig into pain‑free technique, throne and kit setup, strength training, cardio, nutrition, and longevity—plus stories about working with Thomas Lang, top touring drummers, and building a business around drummer health.

Timed Highlights:
00:00 – Cold open: Drumstick physics, carpal tunnel, and energy absorption
02:10 – Rich opens the show and introduces Brandon Green of Drum Mechanics
06:40 – Pain‑free drum set playing: Anatomy, physics, and setting up your kit to fit you
14:20 – How bad setup and stick physics create injuries (and how to avoid them)
19:30 – Why most drumming injuries are preventable with better ergonomics and strength
23:55 – Cardio vs. resistance training for drummers and playing into your 60s and 70s
30:05 – VO2 max, longevity, and why “drumming is athletic, but not always exercise”
36:10 – Rich’s snare angle, neck issues, and what changed after working with Brandon
44:00 – Throne height, leg angle, and why your lower back is begging you to fix your seat
52:20 – Brandon’s education: From personal trainer to biomechanics specialist for drummers
59:40 – Helping pro drummers: Thomas Lang, Art Cruz, Matt Billingslea,  and more
1:07:10 – Diet for drummers: Protein, carbs around gigs, and simple food rules that work
1:15:00 – Creatine, magnesium, fiber, and smart supplementation for performance and sleep
1:23:15 – Sunday meal prep, busy schedules, and staying sharp on the road and at home
1:30:40 – Drummechanics.com: Inside the membership, workouts, and live sessions
1:38:00 – Studio makeover, family, kids on drums, and music education in Canada
1:44:10 – Final thoughts: Drum forever, invest in your “fitness bank,” and where to find Brandon

Links:
The Rich Redmond Show site:
therichredmondshow.com

Rich Redmond:
richredmond.com

Podcast production:
itsyourshow.co

Drum-tensive study with Rich:
drumtensive.com

Brandon Green:

drummechanics.com

In this episode, Rich and Jim sit down with drummer, composer, and educator John Wackerman to talk about the Wackerman dynasty, from their band-director dad Chuck to brothers Chad, Bob, Brooks, and John’s own genre-hopping career.

John shares stories from the road and studio with Frank Zappa, Maynard Ferguson, Alan Holdsworth, Family Matters, Vegas headliners, and more. He breaks down his all-star drum duets project with Steve Gadd, Alex Acuña, Ronnie Tutt, Steve Smith, Terry Bozzio, Taylor Hawkins, and others, plus the origin story of DW Drums, a private masterclass with Stuart Copeland, and why discipline and reading still matter in a click-track world.

Timed Highlights
0:00 Show and sponsor intro
1:00 Jim on his son’s musical talent and parenting a creative kid
2:12 Rich on being an “overeducated rock drummer” and closet rocker
5:18 Mapping the Wackerman dynasty: Chuck, Chad, Bob, Brooks, and John
7:56 How the drum duets project was born and why Alex Acuña went first
12:12 The real DW Drums origin story: Drum Workshop, Camco, and the double pedal
16:00 Vegas era: Mandalay Bay, Zumanity, and drummer coffee hangs
21:12 Moving from L.A. to Vegas to Nashville and lifestyle tradeoffs
26:01 A half-day film-scoring masterclass at Stuart Copeland’s house
33:30 Recording Steve Gadd in Rochester when the SSL console dies
40:48 Maynard Ferguson’s band: 300 dates a year, buses, clinics, and survival
48:02 Growing up in a house full of drums, vibes, and serious practice
54:20 Their dad’s pioneering jazz program and what “passion” meant at home
1:03:00 Brooks’s journey from Bad For Good to Bad Religion to Avenged Sevenfold
1:10:20 Charts vs memory: how different drummers approach complex gigs
1:18:30 Drummers and cars: classic 911s, Audis, and gearhead confessions
1:32:40 John’s vegetarian routine, health, and daily fuel
1:40:52 Letting go of CDs and DVDs and living in a streaming world
1:49:05 John Wackerman Drum Academy plans and Rich’s clinic/tour schedule
1:52:10 Closing plugs, mugs, and where to find John online

Links:
The Rich Redmond Show site:
therichredmanshow.com

Rich Redmond:
richredmond.com

Podcast production:
itsyourshow.co

Drum-tensive study with Rich:
drumtensive.com

Guest:

johnwackerman.com