Working Drummer

Dan Needham is recognized in Nashville as one of the top session and live drummers. Dan has performed and/or recorded with Michael McDonald, Amy Grant, Peter Cetera, Dave Barnes, Chaka Khan, Nathan East, Garth Brooks, Sara Bareilles, Phil Keaggy, Gino Vannelli, Al Green, Billy Preston, James Ingram, Steven Curtis Chapman, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Carole King, as well as many other amazing artists.

Besides being in the studio, Dan has appeared on several nationally syndicated television shows including Regis & Kathy-Lee and the Pat Boone Show.

In this episode, Dan talks about:

* The balance between live and studio work* “Reading the room” when recording * Being a chameleon in the studio* Working with Michael McDonald * Early and important lessons

Dan endorses, Yamaha drums, Paiste cymbals, VicFirth sticks, Remo drumheads and SlapKatz

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Montague graduated from the renowned Jazz Course at Leeds College of Music in 2011 before embarking on a career as a touring drummer. Spending the next few years playing with numerous theatre shows and original projects, touring all over the UK and Europe, Joe soon found his passion in faithfully recreating the music of The Beatles. Through his website and email list, Joe offers a recreation of Ringo’s drums free for anyone who is interested. Joe is also the host of a podcast called That 60’s Recording Podcast. 

Joe tours worldwide in the internationally acclaimed theatre show Beatlemania, and has performed at The World Famous Cavern Club with The Cavern Club Beatles and worked with West End theatre tour Let It Be.

Joe endorses Amedia Cymbals and Balbex Drumsticks

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Ben Hilzinger is a Los Angeles-based drummer and songwriter with 20+ years of performing, recording and teaching experience. 

Currently the drummer for Eve 6, Ben has also written, recorded, and/or toured throughout the USA/internationally with MXPX, Fitness, Mike Herrera, The classic crime, tapir, cannons, chevy mustang, Party Nails, We Shot The Moon, prxzm, Glorybots, Ever So Android, Jake Cummings, Josh Eacrett, rental 58, ray little, Jody ellen, young Professionals, Dave Cavalier, madhawkes and many more. 

In addition to performing and teaching, Ben is the Director of Artist / Client Relations for Big Fat Snare Drum and hosts the ‘Big Fat Five’ podcast. Before moving to Los Angeles in 2016, Ben also taught drums/percussion/music theory both privately and at Off The Wall school of music in Seattle, WA. 

In this episode, Ben talks about:

* Finding his voice during the shut down* The Big Fat Five podcast* Ben’s Big Fat Five* Ben’s role at BFSD* Setting time aside for yourself* Finding work in L.A.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Grimani has spent 28 years in the audio industry, is a highly respected expert in home theater acoustics and design and consults worldwide. He is responsible for several audio/acoustic patents. His experience includes positions at Dolby and Lucasfilm THX where he led the development of both Dolby and Lucasfilm THX Home Theater technologies. In 2013, CEPro Magazine named him one of the “Top 20 Most Influential People of the Past 20 Years.”

Check out Sonitus USA here

In this episode, Anthony talks about:

* Sound Isolation vs Sound Treatment * Why Sound Isolation * STC or Sound Transition Class* The “how to” of sound isolation with graphics* Isolating the floor and ceiling 

FIG 1FIG 2FIG 3FIG 4FIG 5FIG 6FIG 7

This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the new Drummer Bundle Track Pack now on sale!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Covid, Josh was between three worlds – drumming (mostly gigging with his brother in a party band), comedy & improv (performing around New York and working as an intern at NBC), and French Literature (his college major). During Covid, he started making videos in which he played along with different comedians, as a way of combining two of his loves to study and get better at both. He posted them on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube, where they quickly went viral, garnering him hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of views, culminating in an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

In this episode, Josh talks about:

* How he goes about creating his transcriptions and videos* The importance of delivery, in comedy and music* Always thinking of ways drumming can go beyond the drums* Drum legends whose playing had an inherent comedic side* Thinking of the drumset as an emotional communication device* How social media’s algorithms lead to a homogenization of content* Monetizing and further developing his concept

This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the new Drummer Bundle Track Pack now on sale!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Grimani has spent 28 years in the audio industry, is a highly respected expert in home theater acoustics and design and consults worldwide. He is responsible for several audio/acoustic patents. His experience includes positions at Dolby and Lucasfilm THX where he led the development of both Dolby and Lucasfilm THX Home Theater technologies. In 2013, CEPro Magazine named him one of the “Top 20 Most Influential People of the Past 20 Years.”

Check out Sonitus USA here

In this episode, Anthony talks about:

* His transition from electronics to the science of acoustics* The distinction between sound treatment and sound proofing * Differences between diffusers and absorbers * How to treat a room and avoid a “boxy” sound from your drums* What Sonitus offers* Treating a mixing room 

Fig #1Fig #2Fig #3 The Left wall or hi-hat sideFig #4 – front wallFig #5 – Right side wallFig #6 – the back wallFig #7 – The ceilingSonitus PremiumSonitus StandardSonitus UltraFig #8

This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the new Drummer Bundle Track Pack now on sale!

This episode is also sponsored by Airgigs. Check out our Patreon page to get early access to our 7-part conversation with CEO David Blacker about how to build a profile and clientele on Airgigs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J-Zone spent the first chapter of his music career as a Hip hop DJ, but eventually burned out on various frustrations with the music business. His reentry into music began with reconnecting with the funk, soul, R&B, and jazz he grew up on, and an unexpected gift from his father, a cheap Sonor drumset. Obsession and instinct drove him further and further into the world of drumming, and what started as a mid-life hobby evolved into a drumming career.

He has released a series of solo breakbeat records, been sampled by Madlib, Prince Paul, Alchemist, Marco Polo, and recorded for Danger Mouse, Broken Bells, Lord Finesse, Pharoahe Monch, Karen O, Michael Kiwanuka, DJ Nu-Mark and many more. He is also the drummer and cofounder of instrumental funk outfit The Du-Rites.

In this episode, Jay talks about:

* His unconventional entry into drumming resulting in his instinctual non-“drummy” style and lack of drummy ego* How his producing background made him obsessed with the sounds of drumming* Discovering that his cred in the hiphop world meant little to nothing in the drumming world * “Convincing people that what you do can work for them” rather than changing what you do to suit everyone* The importance of restraint, whether in what to pursue or what you play* His experience interviewing legends like Purdie, Garibaldi, Greg Errico, and many others* The festival experience that showed him how all drummers are on the same team

This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the new Drummer Bundle Track Pack now on sale!

This episode is also sponsored by Airgigs. Check out our Patreon page to get early access to our 7-part conversation with CEO David Blacker about how to build a profile and clientele on Airgigs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Czach (pronounced “Zack”) is currently playing sessions and live shows around Nashville. Czach has devoted his life to being as creative and versatile anyone with a pair of sticks could hope to be. Born in Schenectady NY, he has experience playing in every imaginable musical setting, from the filthiest rock club, to the swankiest hotels, film & TV scores, artist sessions, tours, dance bands, and live theater, Brian’s musical experience is vastly extensive.

Brian leads a tribute to Miles Davis called MILEStones which plays monthly at Rudy’s Jazz Room in Nashville. He has toured/performed/recorded with: Reggie Wooten, Jimmy Castor & The Bunch, Clayton Anderson, Rick Monroe, Joshua Jones (Steel Magnolia), Dalton Gray, Scott Van Zen, Tony DeSare, Joe Piscopo, Martin Nievera, Clint Holmes, Rick Faugno, Zach Ryan, Amelia Eisenhauer Band, & Brynn Marie among many others. Production credits include: Mannheim Steamroller, Australian Bee Gees Show, You’ve Got A Friend, & Pin Up, as well as recording Film/TV credits “Gigolo” on Showtime Network & “I Am Rebel” on NGC. 

Click here for Brian’s Patreon page

In this episode, Brian talks about: 

* Providing regular content for his new Patreon page* Brian’s new home studio rebuild and sonic improvements* Working on cruise ships and Las Vegas and lessons learned* Band leading and creating your own work environment * Shifting gears between traditional live acts and heavily produced shows

This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the new Drummer Bundle Track Pack now on sale!

This episode is also sponsored by Airgigs. Become a patron of the show on our Patreon page to get early access to our 7-part conversation with CEO David Blacker about how to build a profile and clientele on Airgigs.

Brian endorses: Istanbul Agop cymbals, Canopus snare drums & snare wires, Aquarian drum heads, Innovative Percussion drum sticks, Prologix Percussion Drum Pads, & Humes & Berg cases 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Based in Athens, GA, Luke O’Kelley has quietly built a long resume or live work and a large portfolio of session work ranging across pop, rock, country, and folk/singer/songwriter genres. His transition from marketing work to full time music coincided with joining Airgigs, which has been integral in Luke’s remote recording income. Artists he’s played with include Matt Papa, The Welcome Home, Son and Thief, The Tuten Brothers, Zach Seabaugh, Grant Cowan, Oak House, Andrew Brantley, and more.

In this episode, Luke talks about:

* What makes the Athens music scene special* Avoiding imposter syndrome, but also avoiding truly getting in over your head* How setting a low session rate might attract more clients, but more low quality clients* Luke’s article on getting more remote session work* Aaron Sterling’s dirty secret* Valuing personal relationships over digital contacts* Not psyching yourself out when tracking

This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the new Drummer Bundle Track Pack now on sale!

This episode is also sponsored by Airgigs. Become a patron of the show on our Patreon page to get early access to our 7-part conversation with CEO David Blacker about how to build a profile and clientele on Airgigs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nashville drummer Josh Day, has recorded and performed with top acts ranging from Sara Bareilles to John Oates, Jennifer Nettles and Brandy Clark.

Josh attended Appalachian State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. After an additional year of post graduate at ASU for Musical Performance, Josh made the move to Los Angeles, where he attended the Musician’s Institute and graduated with honors in 2003.

Most recently, Josh has spent a considerable amount of time recording and performing with John Oates of the famed Hall & Oates, where he is a member of John Oates and The Good Road Band. He has also spent time performing with country singer-songwriter Brandy Clark. Josh is also a member of The Contenders, an original duo project with singer-songwriter-guitarist, Jay Nash. When not touring, Josh likes to spend time in his own recording/production studio, where he writes and records songs for film and TV, and also teaches lessons.

Throughout his career, Josh has also recorded and performed with many other artists, such as Carrie Underwood, Maroon 5, The Secret Sisters, Brent Cobb, The Kruger Brothers, Meiko, Jay Nash, and many, many others.

In this episode, Josh talks about:

* Staying productive during the shut down in 2020* Being efficient in your home studio* The importance of listening * The differences between what you learned in school and the real world* The influence of folk and bluegrass on Josh * Working with Sara Bareilles and John Oates

Josh endorses, Gretsch, Big Fat Snare Drum, Zildjian and Vic Firth

This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the new Drummer Bundle Track Pack now on sale!

This episode is also sponsored by Airgigs. Become a patron of the show on our Patreon page to get early access to our 7-part conversation with CEO David Blacker about how to build a profile and clientele on Airgigs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices