Working Drummer

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Working Drummer episodes

October 21, 2021341 - Jake Sommers: Drumming for Country Artist Luke Combs, The Value of Charting Skills, Studying with Dom Famularo
Jake Sommers attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia (UArts) as a music performance major. He was fortunate to study under Marc Dicciani, Jimmy Paxson (Ben Harper, Stevie Nicks, and Natalie Maine), Gerry Brown (Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross), Marcus Baylor (Yellowjackets), as well as Erik Johnson. He graduated from University of the Arts in May 2013 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Music Performance. He was awarded the prestigious Paul D. Patterson Drum Set Award. Jake also studied under Dom Famularo and John Favicchia.
Jake relocated from his hometown in New York to Nashville, TN to pursue playing drums. Jake started drumming at the honky tonk scene on Broadway in downtown Nashville. Shortly after, he met singer-songwriter /artist by the name of Luke Combs. Jake became Luke Combs touring drummer in 2015. Over the course of Jake’s time touring with Luke Combs, Jake has made appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Today Show and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. In addition to touring Jake teaches lessons and plays on recording sessions.
In this episode, Jake talks about:
   Building a home studio client base
   How he got the Luke Combs gig
   Networking in a new town
   His responsibilities in the Luke gig
   The value of charting skills
   Studying at The University of the Arts Philadelphia

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1 hr 30 min
October 14, 2021340 - Shawn Zorn: Memphis Over Nashville, Playing with Mike Doughty and Other Songwriters
Shawn Zorn is a drummer from Memphis, TN who now splits his time beween Nashville and Memphis. He has performed or recorded with artists such as Twin Forks, Allen Mack Myers Moors (featuring Zach Myers of Shinedown) Amy LaVere, Will Sexton, Cory Branan, Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing), Anthony Raneri (Bayside), Dashboard Confessional, Susan Marshall, Luther Dickinson, John Paul Keith, and more. He is a creative studio performer who does sessions in the Nashville or Memphis areas and also records remotely from his studio in Memphis.
In this episode, Shawn talks about:
What got him a foothold in Nashville, but why he ultimately prioritizes Memphis
Tracking drums vs. mixing drums
The unique process/experience of recording with Mike Doughty
Creating a sample pack and finding a marketable angle for it
A few of the Memphis drummers that have influenced him

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59 min
October 07, 2021339 - Dave Moraata: Drumming for Saving Abel, Finding His Own Voice in a Town Like Nashville, Learning from Podcasts!
In 2021, drummer Dave Moraata become the newest member of the band Saving Abel. Originally from a small Mississippi town (Philadelphia), Dave eventually made his way to Nashville, Tennessee in 2017. In between raising a young family and holding down a full time job, Dave took every opportunity to introduce himself to the rock scene in Nashville through jam nights, tribute shows and subbing gigs for other drummers. His dedication and attitude paid off when a chance encounter with the original singer for Saving Abel turned into a touring and recording gig of a lifetime.
In this episode, Dave talks about:
Humble beginnings in Mississippi and making the move to TN
Finding his voice at jam nights, tribute shows in Nashville
Getting the gig with Saving Abel
Dave’s personal experience in Nashville
Learning from podcasts like Drummer’s Resource, Big Fat Five and WDP

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1 hr 37 min
September 30, 2021338 - Sam Merrick: Resuming the "Hamilton" Tour, Building Cred in Multiple Cities, The Team Effort of a Sample Pack
Sam Merrick has been in the drum chair for the touring production of Hamilton since January 2018. Prior to that, he was a busy freelancer in New York, working a bartending job for some of that time, and playing a wide range of gigs from weddings to Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. When the pandemic shut down Hamilton, he relocated to the Washington, DC area and set up a home studio where he has done remote tracking and a sample pack which he has just released through The Drum Broker.
In this episode, Sam talks about
The random wedding gig that led to the Hamilton gig
The various learning curves the show presented, from reading to energy
How the show forced him to reckon with some physical issues
Creating "normal" life away from home
"De-Hamilton-izing" his playing over the break, and seeking out inspiration and motivation from others rather than waiting it for to come from within
The sample pack partnership between drummer, producer (Jeremy Page) and platform (Drum Broker)

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1 hr 9 min
September 23, 2021337 - Chuck Palmer: Applying Drumming Expertise to Produce, Write, Arrange, Conduct and Create, Collaborating with Cellist Dave Eggar
As a drummer/percussionist, producer, engineer, arranger, songwriter, conductor and composer Chuck Palmer has performed and recorded with a myriad of artists including Foreigner, AG, Gil Goldstein, RJD2, Frank Ocean (Channel Orange), Dave Eggar, Esperanza Spalding, Norah Jones, Cellogram, Dr. Ralph Stanley, The City And Horses, John Patitucci, Earwig, Five For Fighting, Amber Rubarth, O.A.R., Waway Saway with the Talaandig Tribe, and Amy Lee of Evanescence.
In this episode, Chuck talks about:
Using your skills and expertise as a drummer to produce, engineer, mix, write and create
His experiences and growth as a musician in New York City
Collaborating with cellist, pianist and composer Dave Eggar
Conducting and creating string arrangements for the band Foreigner

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1 hr 23 min
September 16, 2021336 - Cameron Tyler: Carving a Niche in Las Vegas On and Off the Strip
Cameron Tyler has been based in Las Vegas since 2017, where he is involved with numerous shows including Cirque du Soleil's Ka. He spent the first chapter of his career in Los Angeles learning the ropes of touring and recording, but relocated to Vegas in search of more affordable housing and studio space, and more creative autonomy as a drummer and producer.
In this episode, Cameron talks about:
Why he chose to relocate to Vegas, and how he got involved with Ka
How reading and Ableton are table stakes for most Vegas gigs
The importance of treating your space for optimal sound
The piece of gear that has upped his mixing game

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1 hr 18 min
September 09, 2021335 - Bobby Jarzombek: From Fates Warning to George Strait, Splitting Duties Between Metal and Country
Bobby Jarzombek is currently the drummer for progressive metal band Fates Warning, vocalist Sebastian Bach, and country music legend George Strait.

He has also recorded and toured extensively with the Halford band, featuring legendary Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford as well as the long-running New York City metal institution Riot. Bobby made his recording debut with Juggernaut on "Baptism Under Fire" in 1986. Other touring and recording credits include his work with Spastic Ink, CED Earth, Demons & Wizards, Rob Rock and John West among others.
In this episode, Bobby talks about:
   Early interests that shaped his drumming
   Tracking from home for different projects
   Getting the gig with George Strait
   Adapting to changes in live performances

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1 hr 3 min
September 02, 2021334 - George Sluppick: The Memphis Vibe, The Sample Pack Business Model, Erasing Genre
George Sluppick is an American drummer born in Memphis, Tennessee, specializing in blues, funk, soul and R&B music. In 1986, he graduated from Overton, a prestigious creative & performing arts high school. Growing up in Memphis, he shared the stage with many legends, including BB King and Rufus Thomas and just one year after his high school graduation at age 19, he went on the road with blues guitarist Albert King. He has since played with Charlie Hunter, JJ Grey & MoFro, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, and many others, and has just released a Memphis-infused sample pack through Yurt Rock.
In this episode, George talks about:
The process of creating and marketing his new sample pack
Why he moved from his hometown of Memphis to the smaller town of Greensboro, NC
The influence of Idris Muhammed and the idea of genre-free drumming

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1 hr 10 min
August 25, 2021333 - Joe McCarthy - Band Leading the New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, His B.A.S.I.C. Training Lesson Program, Living and Working in Miami Florida
Joe McCarthy has led a diverse career as drummer/percussionist, bandleader, producer and educator in a myriad of settings from symphony orchestra to bebop, big band, afro cuban, theater and beyond.
Joe is the founder, leader, producer and drummer of The New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, winner of the 2008 Latin Grammy for Latin Jazz Album of the Year, and nominated in the same category for the 51st Grammy Awards for the Heads-Up release “Afro Bop Alliance”, featuring Dave Samuels.
Active in education, Joe has held adjunct appointments at the collegiate level since 1992 upon graduating from the University of North Texas with a Masters in Percussion Performance. Previous adjunct positions include Texas Wesleyan University, Delaware State University, Georgetown University, George Mason University and Washington College. As a clinician, Joe has been a featured performer and clinician at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), Jazz Educators Network International Convention (JEN), numerous PAS Days of Percussion, MusicFest Canada, The National Jazz Workshop, George Mason University Summer Jazz and Percussion Seminars, The Jazz n Youth Exchange of Germany, and many others. Joe has been featured at many of the nation’s top collegiate music institutions and festivals, in addition to numerous high school jazz festivals as a guest soloist, clinician and adjudicator.
As an author, Joe is published by Alfred music with “Joe McCarthy’s Afro Cuban Big Band Play-Along Series”, featuring a book/CD play-along and Vol’s I & II DVD’s.
Joe spent a twenty-year tour as Chief Petty Officer with The United States Naval Academy Band, where he served as principal percussionist with the wind ensemble and Chief in Charge/drummer of the Next Wave Jazz Ensemble- one of the Navy’s two premier big bands.
In this episode, Joe talks about:
   Living and working in Miami Florida
   How he spends his practice time
   Teaching in the 21st century
   The value of learning multiple styles
   His B.A.S.I.C. Training lesson program - Balance, Alignment, Substitution, Interdependence, and Control
   Band leading the New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band

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1 hr 46 min
August 19, 2021332 - Stephen Chopek: Playing with John Mayer, Charlie Hunter and More; Writing, Recording, and Mixing His Own Original Songs
Stephen Chopek is a musician living and working in Atlanta, GA. Prior to releasing his first solo album in 2012, he spent over 10 years drumming on tour and in the studio with Charlie Hunter, John Mayer, and Jesse Malin among many others. He had just returned home from a tour playing drums with former Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty when an explosive songwriting streak hit him. While in the throes of his creative deluge, the Pandemic put most of the world on indefinite lockdown. With no other commitments for the foreseeable future, he finally had the latitude to take his time with the new songs. It was a luxury that he, as a touring musician for the last two decades, is normally not afforded. His new EP, Dweller, is out now.
In this episode, Stephen talks about:
How Memphis changed his playing
Studying with Leon Parker and playing with Charlie Hunter in his early New York-based career
Playing on the John Mayer Room for Squares tour
Taking a year away from drumming to volunteer with Americorps and delve into other instruments
Taking the opportunity during the pandemic to fully realize his original songs

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1 hr 26 min

About Working Drummer

From the publisher's feed

With 500 episodes and counting, Working Drummer Podcast is the source for those interested in what it’s like to be a professional drummer. Hosted by Matthew Crouse and Zack Albetta, Working Drummer…