In this episode, we sit down with Matt Crouse, the host of the acclaimed The Working Drummer podcast, to unpack the secrets behind his show's incredible 500-episode milestone. Matt shares insights on building meaningful relationships in the music industry, the art of networking, and the importance of specializing as a musician. He also discusses the evolving landscape of home recording, session work, and the vibrant drumming community in Nashville. Whether you're a drummer, a podcaster, or an aspiring creative, this conversation is packed with invaluable lessons on building a sustainable career. Tune in to discover the strategies that have made The Working Drummer podcast a resounding success.
Some Things Things That Came Up:
-1:00 Gifts!
-3:30 500 Episodes of The Working Drummer Podcast
-7:00 Being Thoughtful and hand written thank you notes -8:45 It doesn’t take much to stand out these days
-10:30 Moving AWAY from home made all the difference!
-11:45 Working at Jim Rupp’s Columbus Pro Percussion
-13:00 Covering all the styles in Columbus, Ohio
-13:20 Going to school with Jay DeMarcus
-16:00 Working at Fork’s Drum Closet. Retail or Play?
-19:30 Matt works out!!!
-22:30 A Big Fish in a Little Big Town
-26:00 Standing on the shoulder of giants
-30:40 Drummers are in a PRACTICE, like a doctor or a lawyer
-34:00 Working with the Frontmen of Country Music
-37:00 “The Road” vs. “In Town”
-41:50 Click vs. No Click
-46:00 Creating musical moments under pressure
-47:00 Lower Broadway is a source of experience
-54:00 When you move to Nashville, you are STARTING a business
-56:30 Start a Podcast!!! Keeps your name front of mind with people
-57:30 Savannah Jack
-1:02 Home Studio Pricing and Psychology
-1:05:40 Relationships!
-1:11:20 Looking back on the humble beginnings of Matt’s podcast
-1:12:50 Co-Host Zach Albetta!
-1:15:00 The skill of hosting
-1:26:00 Advertisers and dynamic ads on podcasts
-1:28:00 The Music City Drum Show
-1:29:50 The Fave 5
-1:30:00 Bassist Luis Espaillat crashes the podcast!
1:32:40 THE Tribute band
FOLLOW:
www.mattcrouse.net
www.workingdrummer.net
Born and raised in Columbus Ohio, Matt caught the music bug early. When he was 7 years old, a friend’s father was in the entertainment business. Hanging out at rehearsals and on the tour buses sold Matt on the idea of being a musician, or at the very least, a drummer. All this lead to spending his high school years at Fort Hayes vocational school for music and Capital University Conservatory of Music for college studying under drum instructor Bob Breithaupt.
The musical diversity in Columbus gave Matt the chance to play with many great players and learning many different styles – from Big Band (Vaughn Weister’s Famous Jazz Orchestra) and Brazilian to Afro-Cuban and Fusion. All the while, he was doing his share of gigs with original rock bands and top 40 bands.
Matt moved to Nashville in the summer of 1999. Working as a freelance drummer based in Nashville has taken him to all 50 states in the U.S. and most of Canada, as well as overseas to Europe, Asia, The Middle East and The Caribbean.
As well as the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Matt has performed in great local venues like the Ryman Auditorium, Mercy Lounge, 3rd and Lindsley, The 5 Spot, The Sutler, The Basement, The Wildhorse Saloon, and many clubs on lower Broadway.
Matt has toured both regionally and nationally, with the Adam and Shannon Wright, Mark Selby, Eddy Raven, Billy Dean, Stephen Simmons, Three Lane, Whiskey Cash & Roses, Michelle Wright - (throughout Canada), Julie Roberts, and The Frontmen of Country which is Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, Richie McDonald of Lonestar, Tim Rushlow of Little Texas.
From 2009 to 2017 Matt was the full time drummer for the band Savannah Jack. He played percussion on their first studio record in 2010 opposite Steve Ferrone on drums. For their second studio record in 2015, Matt was the drumset and percussion player in the studio.
In the studio, Matt has had the pleasure of working with talented producers including Eric Fritsch, Teddy Morgan, Jim Reilley and Brent Maher. Artist he's recorded with in the studio have included Sheryl Crow, legendary songwriter Buzz Cason and actor Kevin Costner.
In 2015, Matt started a podcast for drummers called "Working Drummer", an interview based podcast that maintains a focus on the drummer that makes a living at his or her craft. Along with the help of co-host Zack Albetta, the podcast has a growing audience throughout the world with more listeners every week. www.workingdrummer.net
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The Rich Redmond Show is about all things music, motivation and success. Candid conversations with musicians, actors, comedians, authors and thought leaders about their lives and the stories that shaped them. Rich Redmond is the longtime drummer with Jason Aldean and many other veteran musicians and artists. Rich is also an actor, speaker, author, producer and educator. Rich has been heard on thousands of songs, over 25 of which have been #1 hits!
Rich can also be seen in several films and TV shows and has also written an Amazon Best-Selling book, "CRASH! Course for Success: 5 Ways to Supercharge Your Personal and Professional Life" currently available at:
https://www.amazon.com/CRASH-Course-Success-Supercharge-Professional/dp/B07YTCG5DS/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=crash+redmond&qid=1576602865&sr=8-1
One Book: Three Ways to consume....Physical (delivered to your front door, Digital (download to your kindle, ipad or e-reader), or Audio (read to you by me on your device...on the go)!
Buy Rich’s exact gear at www.lessonsquad.com/rich-redmond
Follow Rich:
@richredmond
www.richredmond.com
Jim McCarthy is the quintessential Blue Collar Voice Guy. Honing his craft since 1996 with radio stations in Illinois, South Carolina, Connecticut, New York, Las Vegas and Nashville, Jim has voiced well over 10,000 pieces since and garnered an ear for audio production which he now uses for various podcasts, commercials and promos. Jim is also an accomplished video producer, content creator, writer and overall entrepreneur.
Follow Jim:
@jimmccarthy
www.jimmccarthyvoiceovers.com
www.itsyourshow.co
