Working Drummer

Southpaw drummer Eric Kalb is a versatile musician who enjoys playing groove based music. A devotee of R&B and Soul drumming, his improvisational aesthetic is colored by sudden bursts of rock aggression. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Eric is a multi-faceted studio and touring drummer whose “energetic and exhilarating style” (Jazz Times) keeps him in constant demand.

Over the course of his twenty-year career Kalb has taken to both studio and stage with a dazzling cavalcade of influential and innovative artists. He’s laid it down hard for the supernatural force of Miss Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, the seven-string guitar wizardry of Charlie Hunter, jazz guitarist John Scofield and living organ Legend Dr. Lonnie Smith; to name but a few.

In this episode, Eric talks about:

* How he got into Soul and R&B music* Being part of the Sharon Jones “machine”* John Scofield’s “hands-off” style of bandleading* Making Southpaw, his first record as a leader* The many ways success can be defined

Eric endorses DW drums, Istanbul Mehmet cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, and Evans heads

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Steve Goold plays drums in recording studios and on live stages as well as working as the Lead Music Director at CCV in Phoenix AZ, where he lives with his wife and daughters. Steve also runs a drum lesson website called The Drum Library.

As of 2019 Steve works regularly with Nashville-based artists Ben Rector and Mat Kearney, and occasionally with other artists like Cory Wong, Joel Hanson, Cody Fry, and Sara Groves. In the past, Steve has performed and/or recorded with Owl City, Sara Bareilles, Paul Baloche, Marc Martel, Caitlyn Smith, Yam Haus, Carly Rae Jepsen, Jason Gray, The Blenders, Michael Tait, The Honeydogs, Yuna, Cloud Cult, Go Fish, Larnelle Harris, and many others. Check out this 2015 recording of Steve on this indie recording project that was completely improvised under the band name MaSSs (How I Killed a Bear)

In this episode, Steve talks about: 

* Identifying weaknesses and tackling it* Prepping for gigs* The unique demands of a church drummer* The ability to perform without a good mix * “Modern Drumming” and tasteful uses of electronics

Steve plays Risen Drums and Paiste Cymbals exclusively. All the sticks/mallets/brushes Steve uses are made by Vic Firth, and all of my drums have Remo heads on them. Steve uses Alclair IEMs and a bunch of various items made by Tackle Instrument and Index Percussion. Big Fat Snare Drum named their “Donut” model after Steve.

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Tom Knight came to prominence in the 90’s as a first call of producer Dallas Austin. Through Austin, Tom toured and recorded with TLC, Adam Nitti, Michael McDonald and many others. After more than a decade of solid road work, Tom took a step back from touring and playing live, and began a somewhat accidental second career in voice-overs. As a voice actor, Tom’s credits include Disney, BMW, and an Emmy-Award winning performance for Crown Royal. Tom is still active as a session drummer, mostly in his home studio in Atlanta.

In this episode, Tom talks about:

* The influence and friendship of Dave Weckl* An intensive season of shedding with Jeff Sipe* Being able to hear and feel music in different ways as you get older* Teaching at the Atlanta Institute of Music & Media* The recording process with producer Dallas Austin* Getting into the voice-over profession

Tom endorses Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, and Vic Firth sticks.

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JC Clifford is best known for his work with and promotion of Drumtacs. He is the owner and president at Scorpio Marketing & Management LLC. 

JC’s vocation took a left turn around 2012 that steered away from the auto industry and into the world of music business with a focus on the drumming community. His interpersonal, communication and overall organizational skills as well as a strong work ethic has enabled JC to create a steady business that has taken him all over the world. JC has worked with many drummers like Rich Redmond, Daniel Glass, Thomas Lang, Troy Luccketta and Mike Dawson.

In this episode, JC talks about:

* The pros and con of social media * His trip to Germany with Daniel Glass for Daniel’s Jazz Intensive * Cancer can Stick it foundation with April Samuals * Troy Lucketta’s program, “Troy Shows Up” * JC’s history in the auto industry and how it shaped his work ethic* Drumtacs

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“J-rod” isn’t your typical product of a family of musicians; rather, he grew up in a family who loved listening to music, and exposed him to Gospel and R&B. Through church and school he worked on his music, participating in bands and teaching himself bass guitar, keyboard, and music production. By 2006 he began posting drum cover videos to YouTube, the base of his ever-growing social media following, currently totaling 103K followers on Facebook and Instagram, not to mention his 43K YouTube subscribers.

After graduating from the Atlanta Institute of Music (studying music performance), J-rod joined The 4 Korners in 2013. As well as The 4 Korners, J-rod also drums for Alex Bugnon and Byron Cage. Besides being a full time performing musician, he continues to program live shows and produce for different artists under his business name: J-rod Sullivan Productions, LLC. J-rod has worked with the likes of Jidenna, Seven Streeter, Xscape, Bebe Winans, Everette Harp, Nick Colionne, Kenny Latimore, Chantae Cann, Avery Sunshine, Byron Cage, Alex Bugnon, Ronnie Laws and appeared in films such as BET’s ‘Being Mary Jane’, VH1s ‘Single Ladies’, Oprah’s ‘Greenleaf’, and BET HER.

In this episode, Jerrod talks about:

* The 4 Korners – formation, influences, and writing process* Setting himself apart from his peers with dynamics and touch* His experience in the Atlanta Institute of Music’s one-year performance program* Strategies for increased comfort behind the kit* His clothing company Got Pocket* How he has amassed over 100,000 social media followers

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Matt Tecu is a Los Angeles based studio and live touring drummer. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri. Matt has played on hundreds of recordings and thousands of live concerts world wide throughout the years. He has recorded and/or performed with such artists as Jakob Dylan, Cat Power, Neil Young, Brian Wilson, Stephen Stills, Nora Jones, Beck, Regina Spektor, Stephen Stills, Roger McGuinn, Daniel Lanois, Fiona Apple, Jackson Browne and Sam Morrow to name a few. He presently can be seen and heard in the new documentary/concert film ‘Echo In The Canyon’, as the house drummer for the whole project.

Matt lives in Los Angeles and continues to record and perform with some of musics legends as well as new up and comers like Sam Morrow. He also has taught private drum lessons for years.

In this episode, Matt talks about:

* Serving the song* Playing “ideas” in sessions* Echo and the Canyon documentary * The importance of Ringo* Matt’s journey 

Matt endorses: Paiste cymbals, Pork Pie drums, Aquarian heads and Innovative Percussion

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Nashville drummer Zack Stewart was born in Owensboro, KY. Zack began playing drums at the age of 10 when his parents bought him a snare drum and soon found himself playing in local bands and participating in his school’s music program. After high school Zack went on to attend the University of Kentucky and then the Percussion Institute of Technology in California. At PIT, Zack had the opportunity to study with some of the best players and teachers in World. While at PIT he was offered a full-time touring position with The Van-Dells. This led to him relocating to Nashville in the spring of 2005. Since coming to Nashville, Zack has gone on to work with many different artists including Josh Thompson, Rick Monroe, Sean McConnell, Josh Gracin, Lindsey Ell and has toured all the over the US, Europe, and parts of South America. Currently Zack tours with country singer Jerrod Niemann. When he’s not on the road Zack maintains a busy teaching schedule as well as conducting clinics and master classes throughout the South and Mid-West. In 2013 Zack became the Percussion Coordinator for the 24-time State Champion McGavock High School Band Program. Zack also is the owner and head karate instructor at Traditional Karate Nashville.

In this podcast, Zack talks about: 

* Endorsements in the 21st century* Clinic information that’s useful* Working out musical parts* The parallels between karate and music/drumming* Creating the kind of work you want * Preparing for a 60 minute set in less than 24 hours

Zack endorses: Sonor Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Humes & Berg, Remo Drumheads, Prologix Percussion and Vic Firth Sticks

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TONY, GRAMMY and EMMY award winning Andrés Patrick Forero is the original drummer for the Broadway production of Hamilton, and is considered to be one of the best “crossover” drummer/percussionists in the industry. In 2002, Andrés connected with Tony award winning composer-lyricist Lin Manuel Miranda and Grammy award winning composer Alex Lacamoire. Andrés played a key role in the development of the drum book for In the Heights. Andrés can be found on the original cast recording that was released in 2008. This amazing musical partnership would be rekindled a few years later when Andrés was asked to join Lin and Alex again in the musical development for another Tony Award nominated musical; Bring it On.

In 2015 Andrés joined Lin and Alex during the development of Hamilton, An American Musical where he spent several months with the company during its off Broadway run. In 2016, Hamilton won the Grammy for Best Original Cast Recording and has since been certified Triple Platinum. The musical also set a record with 16 Tony nominations and took home 11.

In this episode, Andres talks about

* His early musical influences, from Bach to the Ohio Players* How music gave his childhood some direction and purpose* Playing with Ringling Bros. Circus* Understanding the elasticity of jazz* The physical and emotional stamina Hamilton requires* Constantly finding nuance in a musical

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Michael Mercurio is the Vice President, and a financial advisor for Stephen and Associates Financial Planning, with offices on Music Row in Nashville, TN and in West Palm Beach, FL. Michael works with clients in almost all financial stages of life throughout the country to create strategies that protect and maximize assets, retirement income, estate, and financial opportunities.

Michael works with clients in almost all financial stages of life throughout the country to create strategies that protect and maximize assets, retirement income, estate, and financial opportunities. Michael believes and has proven time and again that virtually everyone has substantial growth potential that they are not even aware of. He has helped numerous clients grow and protect their wealth throughout his years as a financial strategist.

People can get in touch with Michael at [email protected] or request contact through http://www.sandawealth.com

In this episode, Michael talks about:

* Myths and misconceptions of personal finance * Understanding where your cash is going and why* How compound interest works when investing * The four basic rules of business* The importance of protecting your assets * Good debt * Different types of financial planning * Questions and answers from our audience 

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