Working Drummer

Michael Dawson is a New Jersey–based drummer, educator, and clinician and is currently managing editor for Modern Drummer, the world’s most widely read magazine exclusively for drummers. Dawson produced and co-hosted the industry-leading weekly podcast, The Modern Drummer Podcast With Mike and Mike, along with renowned online educator/clinician Mike Johnston. 2020 is bringing a new, interview based podcast called The Modern Drummer Podcast.

Additionally, Mike serves as book editor for Modern Drummer Publications, with most releases including Progressive Drumming Essentials by drummer/educator Aaron Edgar, Rhythm and Chops Builders and Stick Technique by rudimental specialist Bill Bachman, and Exercises in African-American Funk by top touring drummer Jonathan Joseph and University of Miami faculty member Steve Rucker. In the pages of MD, Michael has authored dozens of artist features, educational columns, and product reviews.

Dawson has a bachelor’s degree in music education from West Virginia University and a master’s degree in music from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He’s a senior lecturer in music journalism and drumset at the UArts, and he operates a recording studio out of his home in New Jersey, where he tracks drums and percussion remotely for artists around the globe. Michael was a regular sub for the drumset chair in the hit Broadway musical The Lion King.

In this episode, Mike talks about: 

* Effective time management* Drawing inspiration from the community at Modern Drummer Magazine* The ability to grow as a player through all stages of life* How to inspire and be honest when teaching* The creation of the Neil Peart MD tribute issue* The new Modern Drummer Podcast

This episode is sponsored by Beier Drums

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Billy Brimblecom’s career has taken him from drumming to philanthropy, and from his hometown of Kansas City to Nashville, and back to Kansas City. Over his 25 year career, Billy has manned the drum chair for Blackpool Lights, The Start, The Creature Comforts, and Summer Breeze.

In early 2005 Brimblecom learned he a form of cancer in his leg called Ewing’s sarcoma.[2] This resulted in his left leg being amputated above the knee. After 13 rounds of chemotherapy and a few months of rehab, Brimblecom re-joined Blackpool Lights and returned to touring ( with a prosthetic leg) in March 2006. Brimblecom and the band did extensive tours of the U.S., Canada and Japan as well as support slots for Social Distortion, Anberlin, Angels and Airwaves.

Brimblecom relocated to Nashville in 2009 where he did session work with producer/songwriter Don Chaffer (of Waterdeep) and Greg LaFollette. During this time, he also founded the Steps of Faith Foundation, which helps amputees get the prosthetics they need.

Billy and his family returned to Kansas City in 2017, where he has continued both his philanthropic and musical endeavors. Since 2017, he has partnered with his fellow Kansas Citian and high school friend Jason Sudeikis to produce Thundergong, a live benefit for Steps of Faith which featured performances by a host of big names including Ben Harper, Fred Armisen, Wynona Judd, and The Get Up Kids.

In this episode, Billy talks about:

* The challenges of playing Yacht Rock* Merging his old life in full time music with his new life in philanthropy* How he moved forward physically, emotionally, and practically after losing his left leg* What attracted him to Nashville, and why he ultimately returned home to Kansas City* Becoming the Executive Director of the Steps of Faith Foundation, and how he has fused that role with his identity as a drummer and his expertise in the music business* Thundergong – a yearly fundraiser event he coproduces with Jason Sudeikis

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Jason Cooper is a native of Memphis TN and played his first professional gig at 11 years old. Since then, he has gone on to play in many local bands and has travelled the country playing for numerous acts. He has also played in almost 40 professional theater productions including Dream Girls, Footloose, The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins and Into the Woods. He has also done numerous recording sessions for artists in the US, Canada and throughout Europe. Jason worked at the Memphis Drum shop from 1999 to 2006. While at Memphis Drumshop, he teched for Dennis Chambers, Sonny Emory, Herman Matthews, Alex Acuna, Billy Ward, Peter Erskine, Will Kennedy, Virgil Donati, Akira Jimbo Keith Carlock and many others. He even changed a drumhead for Tony Williams once. – Very cool.

After many years of slugging away in the unpredictable world of the music business, Jason decided to take a break from it all and go back to school and earn a degree that lead to a job as an x-ray technician. Today he splits his time between his “day job” and maintaining a solid roster of clients from all over the world providing drum tracks from his home studio – Old Lantern Studio. A project of note includes the Neal Bowen Trio which will have an EP out soon.

In this episode, Jason talks about: 

* Working as an x-ray technician and leaving room for drumming * His decision to go back to school and get a “day job”* Learning to produce the best drum tracks he can from his home studio* Cymbal selection in the studio* The good and the bad of social media

This episode is sponsored by Beier Drums

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Drummer Adam Alesi is in high demand for session and live work in Los Angeles and around the greater Southern California region. As a student of drum legend Gregg Bissonette (and later as Gregg’s drum tech), Adam learned how to connect with music and musicians on a personal and emotional level. Like his mentor, he has made taste and versatility his hallmarks. 

One of Adam’s longest musical relationships has been with veteran pianist/composer/producer Geoff Stradling. Adam has been Geoff’s first call for over a decade, and the two have worked on countless recording projects together including Mad Men, the Golden Globe Awards, the SAG Awards, and Geoff’s original big band, The Stradband. Another decade-plus tenure Adam maintains is with the all-pro band that supports Burbank High School’s show choir, In Sync. The group is nationally competitive, perennially award-winning, and served as the model for the hit Fox series Glee.

Adam’s other credits for film and TV include the IMAX original film Pandaswith composer Mark Mothersbaugh, and a national Samsung ad campaign featuring Rihanna. He has performed regularly with numerous big band legends including Grammy Award winner Gordon Goodwin and Tonight Show composer/arranger Mike Barone. Over his 15-year career, Adam has also performed with legendary artists across many genres including Aretha Franklin, Richard Carpenter, and David Benoit.

In this episode, Adam talks about:

* Getting a jump on the home studio game before COVID* File management skills and other ways he’s improved his workflow* Becoming the go-to drummer for Hollywood composers Geoff Stradling and Mike Barone* What he’s learned through his long relationship with Gregg Bissonette * His experience playing in the Pixarmonic Orchestra at Disneyland California Adventure* Drumming and contracting the band for Burbank High School’s nationally competitive show choir

Adam endorses Dixon drums, Sabian cymbals, Aquarian drumheads, Vanguard Audio Labs microphones, and Presonus Audio Electronics

This episode is sponsored by Beier Drums.

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Neil LaFortune has covered many styles throughout the years from Classic Rock, Funk, R&B, Country, Latin, Pop, Jazz, and Blues based cover bands, to original acts. Studies at Ontario College of Percussion in Toronto and later studies with Jim Blackley helped prepare Neil for professional settings that required reading and versatility.

The last several years Neil has been busy with Tribute acts such as Abba Revisited, Police tribute “Message In A Bottle,” as well as many other tributes in the U.S. and abroad. Neil’s work included gigs with his duo Sticks and Tones as well as rising Canadian country singer Meghan Patrick opening for the likes of Rascal Flatts, Dwight Yoakam and Kiefer Sutherland. In 2020 Neil started hosting his weekly interview series called the Gretsch Afternoon Drum Break.

Teaching is another passion and Neil teaches lots of private lessons at home and does clinics and workshops locally and abroad. His teaching efforts earned him the Drummers Choice’s Teacher of The Year in 2003. 

In this episode, Neil talks about: 

* Differences between the music scenes in Canada compared to the U.S. * Hosting the “Gretsch Afternoon Drum Break” * Navigating the world of endorsements * Adapting to the socioeconomic climate of your scene* Working with tribute acts* Good health after 50

This episode is sponsored by Beier Drums

Neil proudly endorses: Gretsch drums, Dream Cymbals and Regal Tip products

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Marcus Finnie and Zack Albetta both have a deep and abiding passion for food and cooking. So since a lot of us are probably doing more cooking these days, we wanted to talk what we’ve been up to in the kitchen, share some resources, recipes, tips, tricks, and hacks, in hopes that it will inspire some others to push their kitchen game a little higher.

In this episode, Marcus and Zack talk about

* What got them into cooking* The importance of quality, sharp knives, and the difference between sharpening and honing* Pans: the versatility of non-stick, and moving on to stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron* Cooking for kids and how to make delicious veggies* A few basic tips to make simple things like pasta or roast chicken AWESOME* Venturing into baking* Parallels between cooking and music

Links to stuff we talked about:

Smitten Kitchen

The Paprika III recipe organization app

“Ruhlman’s Twenty” Cookbook

Instant Pot

Knives: Shun, Wustoff, Global, Cutco

This episode is sponsored by Beier Drums

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Originally from Chicago and spending over 35 years and in the Los Angeles music scene, Mike Hansen had the opportunity to work with many great artists such as the band Hurricane, Steve Vai, George Lynch, Doug Pinnick of kings X fame, The Pointer Sisters, Albert Lea, the band tribe after tribe and many others.He’s been spending this last year living in Chicago taking care of his parents and tending to his fathers needs who’s been suffering from cancer. His father was an important figure in Mike’s musical development as his father was a professional guitar player and exposed Mike to many great musicians and opportunities throughout his life. 

In this episode, Mike talks about:

* Working “non-music” gigs * The influence of his father* Using the Roland TM-6 drum module to mix with his acoustic kit live and when recording* Recording the new Hurricane record* Covering Ted McKenna’s drum parts on a Rory Gallagher tour* Working with Dug Pinnick* Touring in the mid-80’s

This episode is sponsored by Beier drums

Mike endorses: Aquarian drum heads, Sawtooth Drums, Soundbrenner, Kickport, Beier Drums, JBL, Cymbal Sox, Techra drumsticks, ChromaCast and Chicago Drum company

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Christopher Allis has been active on the LA scene for over a decade doing session, touring, commercial and jingle work. He has lent his talents for TV spots for Coca-Cola, Discovery Channel, and others. His playing can also be heard a variety of commercial music for shows including “Smash”, “The Voice”, “True Blood”, “Sons of Anarchy”, “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, and a variety of children and young adult shows on ABC, ABC Family, Nickelodeon, and the Disney Channel. Film music includes “Planes – Fire and Rescue”, “The Hills Have Eyes”, and overdub sessions for the James Bond films “Gold Finger”, “The Man With the Golden Gun”, and “Dr. No”.

His latest touring stints have been with Deanna Carter and Michael Nesmith. He has also entered the world of academia as a special guest lecturer at the USC Thornton School of Music where we works with production classes to discuss and demonstrate modern studio drumming techniques.

In this episode, Christopher talks about:

* Tailoring your home recording rig to your skill level and your target market* The flexibility of minimal mic’ing techniques* Acquiring recording gear that you’ll grow into * His listening habits during COVID* Leaning into a particular aesthetic to find his place on the LA scene* Reassessing what we really want out of music and how to get it* How his life and career have changed as a result of his wife’s ongoing battle with cancer* Not asking “why?” but rather, “what now?”

Christopher endorses Ludwig drums, Istanbul Agop Cymbals, Remo Drum Heads, Vater drumsticks, Canopus Snare Wires and Accessories, Big Fat Snare Drum, Snare Weight, SKB Cases, Yamaha DTX Electronic Drums, andToontrack software.

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Danny Gottlieb is one of the most popular drummers in jazz and contemporary music. While best known as the drummer in the original Pat Metheny Group, of which he was a member for six years, Danny, during the past 30 years, has performed and recorded with some of the world’s greatest musicians including Airto and Flora Purim Group, Al DiMeola Project, Blues Brothers Band, Bobby McFerrin Trio, Elements (co-leader with Mark Egan), Gary Burton Quartet, Gil Evans Orchestra, WDR Big Band, Gary Sinise’s band: Lt Dan Band and many more.

Danny has been on the covers of Modern Drummer, Down Beat, Drums and Percussion, Rhythm, and Drum Scene magazines.

In this episode, Danny talks about: 

* Teaching at the University of North Florida* The multicultural experiences of music * Drumming with the Pat Metheny Group* Recording in the late 70’s* The new recording “Electric Blue” with Mark Egan* Reflecting on Lyle Mays* Studying with Joe Morello * Drumming for the Gary Sinise’s band: Lt Dan Band 

Find the new recording here: https://markegan.com/wavetone

This episode is sponsored by Beier Drums

Check out Troy Lucketta rocking the Beier 4 x 15 snare here

Danny currently endorses: Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drum Heads, Basix Drums, Hot Sticks, Eames Drum Shells, Calato Brushes, Vic Firth Mallets, Alternate Mode-Kat products, Shure Microphones, Hammerax Products.

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Jack Jones has been performing and teaching music for 25 years. Jack has has toured the U.S. and Japan extensively with jam band luminary Col. Bruce Hampton, Texas Blues artist Chris Duarte, and Blair Crimmins and the Hookers. In 2019, Jack was featured in YouTube music channel host, Rick Beato’s videos, Top 20 Drum Intros of All Time and Top 20 Drum Fills of All Time, which have collectively received more than 3 million views. He has a B.M. in Music Education from the University of LA at Monroe, and a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University, and he has worked with many local and national artists such as Scott Henderson, Keven Bales, and the Joe Gransden Big Band. He is currently the full time drummer with The Mike Veal Band, a well known Atlanta cover band. He also composes music and leads his own project, The Jack Jones Trio, a jazz trio with which he will be recording in the coming year.

In this episode, Jack talks about:

* Using the last few months to explore his creative process and improvisatory instincts* Planting seeds for a collection of original compositions* Trying to find a “free” state of mind in musical situations with defined parameters * Rick Beato’s in-the-moment approach to producing his Youtube videos* His main live gig with the Mike Veal Band, a long-time Atlanta favorite

This episode is sponsored by Beier Drums

Check out Troy Lucketta rocking the Beier 4 x 15 snare here

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