Working Drummer

Accomplished drummer and spiritual teacher Steve Sinatra has dedicated fifteen plus years to making his living as a full time professional studio and touring musician. He’s toured and shared the stage with many nationally recognized artists such as Sarah Buxton, Pat Green, Richard Marx, Vertical Horizon, Billy Gilman, Joe Nichols, Little Big Town, Hunter Hayes and many others. 

After spending ten plus years performing with these notable artists, he had achieved the dream that he embarked on as a child. Still feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled, he was inspired to dig deeper as to why. That tough question lead him to spending the last four years examining and finding answers to some of life’s tough questions. As he refines and organizes the information, he roots to it through self experience and teaching it to others. The unique blend of experiences and teaching modalities he uses are all linked to three categories, Source, Science, and Sound.

sourcescincesound.com is also the website where Steve can be found offering a resource for those asking the same tough questions. 

This episode is sponsored by Shure. Enter here – https://drum-mastery.shure.com to enter the Shure drum solo contest by April 15th, 2019.

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Tarik Abouzied has played and traveled with a vast array of incredible musicians. His groups have collectively produced seven original albums: two from Pocket Change, an instrumental funk septet in the vein of Tower of Power, three from Hardcoretet, a modern instrumental jazz quartet, one from McTuff, an incredible funk/jazz Hammond organ trio, and one from his current project, Happy Orchestra. Happy was awarded 4Culture’s Arts Project Grant and its debut album, Baba, reached #5 on the KEXP NW Music Chart and was nominated NW Recording of the Year by readers of Earshot Jazz. Aside from these groups, Tarik has performed with Victor Wooten, George Porter Jr., John Medeski, Chris Wood, Jeff Coffin, Brian Haas, Jessica Lurie, Nigel Hall, Mike Stern, Bob Franceschini, Damian Erskine, and many more.

As an educator Abouzied has led clinics and classrooms at universities and schools internationally. He was a coordinator and teacher for the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra’s Jazz Scholars Program, which provides free music instruction for low-income students, and was the Musical Director for Kentridge High School’s drama program, where he led a pit orchestra comprised of student musicians and professional section leaders. He maintains a private studio of drum set, guitar, bass, piano, and music theory students.

In this episode, Tarik talks about:

* The creative projects he’s involved with in Seattle

* Playing bass on pop/cover gigs, and drums on original gigs

* Seattle’s support for original/creative music and art at the government/corporate level

* Attending University of Washington, which was not a top-tier music school, but perfect for him at the time

* “The Amazon Effect”

* Amassing an audience online first, THEN booking and marketing a live show

* His blog posts and the role writing plays for him

* His take on the “low-paying-gig” debate

* An influential night with Dennis Chambers, Victor Wooten, and Bob Franceschini

This episode is sponsored by Shure. Check out their drum solo contest at

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Petar Janjic was born in Kraljevo, Serbia, also known as Kingstown. At 5, his father, a well known Serbian drummer, gave him a drum set and at the age of 10, Petar began studying with legendary a Serbian drummer Slobodan Stojanovic. In high school, Petar toured all over Europe before his eventual move to the United States. In 2008 he studied Music Performance & Percussion at the McNally Smith College of Music and eventually became one of its percussion instructors.  

During his time in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area in Minnesota, Petar’s passion for learning and persistence won the trust of Prince drummer Michael Bland and the music community that surrounded him. Petar eventually became Michael’s first call sub. Currently, he continues to tour and record with Cory Wong and just moved to Nashville in pursuit of more music and recording opportunities. 

In this episode, Petar talks about:

* Moving to the U.S. from Serbia to study music 

* Becoming the sub for Michael Bland in Dr. Mambo’s Combo in Minneapolis 

* Overcoming the challenges of learning “popular western music” in Serbia 

* How he approaches live drumming vs. drumming in the studio 

* Being asked to play on a Prince record by Prince 

* Working with Cory Wong

* His approach to soloing 

Petar endorses Paiste Cymbals and Vic Firth sticks

This episode is sponsored by Shure microphones. Apply online by April 15th 2019 at drum-mastery.shure.com for the Shure Drum Contest.

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Jordan Manley made the move to Atlanta in 2014, after growing up and spending the early years of his career in the small town of Columbus, GA. Since moving, he has been a member of several Atlanta-based groups including Black Linen, Lightning Orchestra, and Mattiel, with who he has been touring the U.S. and Europe, opening for the likes of Jack White and St. Paul & The Broken Bones.

In this podcast, Jordan talks about:

* What Mattiel and her band have learned from each other

* The early years of his career in Columbus

* Breaking into the Atlanta scene

* Struggling with his musical identity

* The West African influence in his childhood church

* How playing in hip-hop bands made him more attuned to accompanying vocalists

* Focusing on the role of the drummer in a given situation, not just the content of the drumming

* A different approach to teaching at Meta Music

* His goal-setting philosophy

This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones.

Enter the Shure Drum Mastery Contest by April 15th!

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One of the premier showmen in rock, Carmine Appice became known worldwide for his astonishing live performances and a highly sought-after session drummer, He is known As the drummer for many ground breaking rock bands in the late 60’s to early 70’s like Vanilla Fudge Cactus as well as one of the first super groups with Jeff Beck, Beck, Bogert & Appice.

In 1976, he joined Rod Stewart’s band, touring, recording and writing two of Stewart’s biggest hits, “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” and “Young Turks.” In the early 1980s, he toured with Ozzy Osborne and Ted Nugent. In the mid ’80s, he formed King Kobra for two Capitol albums and international touring. In the late ‘80s, he formed Blue Murder with Whitesnake’s John Sykes and The Firm’s Tony Franklin. In the early ’90s, he pounded away soul-style for The Edgar Winter Group.

As an educator, Carmine was the first to legitimize rock drumming with his landmark book, The Realistic Rock Drum Method, selling over 400,000 copies

His latest project is a re-release of his GUITAR ZEUS project, a compilation album featuring a who’s who list of the best and world-renowned guitarists on the planet including Brian May, Slash, Neil Schon, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Richie Sambora, Dweezil Zappa, Vivian Campbell, Steve Morse, Dug Pinnick, and many others

In this episode, Carmine talks about:

* The GUITAR ZEUS project, a compilation album

* New projects and a stage in Carmine’s career 

* Life leading up to Vanilla Fudge

* The influence of drummers in the 60’s 

* Mixing technique with power and volume

* Carmine as educator and his very successful book 

* Advice for teachers 

Carmine endorses Vic Firth, ddrum, Evans drum heads, Sabian cymbals, DW Pedals, Anvil Cases, The Carmichael Throne, Zoom

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John Bryant is a drummer, percussionist, composer, educator, and music producer residing and working in Dallas, Texas. Originally from Virginia, he moved to Dallas and majored in music at the University of North Texas, where he performed and recorded with the One O’Clock Lab Band. He has recorded and/or performed with numerous artists including Ray Charles, Delbert McClinton, Joe Walsh, Lightnin’ Hopkins, the Paul Winter Consort, and Doc Severinsen. Bryant has played, composed and produced music for many different types of projects that include regional artists, touring shows, major motion pictures, and documentary films for PBS and National Geographic. His latest project is playing and co-producing for a new record with Glen Clark, a hit singer/songwriter and veteran of Bonnie Raitt and Delbert McClinton.

Bryant is a founding member of the world music percussion group D’Drum, and acted as producer of the group’s collaboration with composer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer Stewart Copeland and the Dallas Symphony on the world premiere of Gamelan D’Drum, a three-movement concerto commissioned for D’Drum.

Bryant has recorded across the country in some of the most important recording studios pivotal to the history of American popular music. These include A & R / Columbia Studios in New York with Phil Ramone, RPM Studios with Ray Charles, and Sound Castle Studios in Los Angeles, Criteria Studios in Miami, The Automatt in San Francisco, Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ardent Recording in Memphis, Arlyn Studios in Austin, and most every recording studio in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

In this podcast, John talks about:

* The pros and cons of the Dallas scene, and what keeps him and other working musicians there

* Leaving school in the middle of his last semester to join the Paul Winter Consort

* How living and working in Dallas helped him get the gig with Ray Charles

* Dallas’s role in the jingle recording industry

* Teaching drumset and music production at Southern Methodist University, and the role of listening in both

* One of the keys to nailing a style: the balance or “EQ” between the voices of the drumset in that style

* Practicing for coordination/ideas vs. practicing for sound/touch

* Playing with Ray Charles, and his experience as a white musician in that predominantly black band

* His long friendship and musical partnership with Stewart Copeland

BBC SERIES: HISTORY OF DRUMSET WITH STEWART COPELAND

HISTORY OF THE BASS WITH TINA WAYMOUTH

HISTORY OF GUITAR WITH LENNY KAYE

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Danny Young (bald) and Mike McKee (bald) met a few years back while touring together and very quickly bonded over their mutual love for all things drums/percussion. Since then, they started a very nerdy friendship of developing and creating new instruments to use on their respective gigs: Mike with Delta Rae and Danny with Dan Tyminski.

In 2018, the two officially joined forces and created “BaldMan Percussion”. The baldmen are continually developing new and unique instruments to help take the drum and percussion world to the a new sonic space! Their first release, The Junk Hat™, is now making it’s way across the world and they are currently in the test stages of their next product!

Mike McKee of Raleigh, North Carolina is the drummer/percussionist for the band Delta Rae. He has traveled the world with Delta Rae since 2009, and has performed on Conan O’ Brien, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The Late Show with Seth Meyers.

When not traveling with Delta Rae, Mike teaches private drum lessons, records for various artists, and conducts team building programs with Drum Team Collective™.

Mike endorses Ludwig Drums, Remo Drumheads, and Vic Firth Drumsticks.

Danny Young has been playing drums for 18 years in every sort of band, ensemble, and setting imaginable. He is currently based in Nashville, TN where he plays drums, sings and music directs for Eastland, Lucie Silvas, and 14-time Grammy award winner, Dan Tyminski. Danny can also bet seen playing with Thompson Square, Brandy Clark and Lindsay Ell.

​In addition to touring, Danny is also heavily involved in the studio, both playing drums and singing. He has worked for a wide range of clients including singer-songwriters, pop, rock and country artists, several Cruise lines, theme parks, music publishers and more.

Danny endorses Treehouse Drums, Snareweight, Vic Firth and Humes & Berg

This episode is sponsored by Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs. Go to www.discovervibes.com and use promo code WDP to get 15% off plus free shipping (free shipping only applies to customers in the USA)

In this episode, Danny and Mike talk about: 

* Representing at NAMM

* Current news with podcast alumni Danny Young

* Modernizing the approach to recording in the publishing world

* Mike drumming for the band Delta Rae

* Mike’s project “Drum Team Collective”

* Describing The Junk Hat and it’s many uses

* Promoting yourself all while maintaining authenticity

​

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Drummer/Percussionist Sam Wisman is a versatile fixture in Kansas City’s thriving creative music scene. He is a member of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, the Mark Lowrey Trio, Roger Wilder Quartet, Kinnor Philharmonic, Marimba Sol de Chiapas, and the People’s Liberation Big Band. He has performed with the Kansas City Symphony, the Topeka Symphony, New York Voices, Bobby Watson and more. He has worked extensively as a percussionist in musical theater including the Kansas City Repertory Theater, New Theatre Restaurant, Unicorn Theater, Musical Theater Heritage, and the Coterie Theater. Sam has helped premiere works by Harry Connick Jr., Stephen Schwartz, Shirley Jones & Richard Maltby Jr., Henry Krieger & Bill Russell, Samsel/Anderson & Jodi Picoult, and Ahrens & Flaherty. You can also listen to Sam as a DJ for Jazz Afternoon on 90.1 FM KKFI.

In this podcast, Sam talks about:

How his career of late has become centered around musicals

Straddling the classical and jazz departments in college

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For over 10 years, Dillon Napier has been the drummer for Grammy Nominated artist Margo Price. From performing at the O2 in London and Red Rocks in Colorado, to performing on multiple TV shows including Saturday Night Live, Margo’s success in recent years has afforded Dillon many unique and bucket list opportunities with many more to come. You can hear Dillon on Margo’s 2016 record, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter as well as the recording, All American Made from 2017 that features Willie Nelson on one track.

Well before his work with Margo, Dillon was already a familiar face behind the drums in Nashville’s most popular rock clubs, honky tonk bars, and studios. Dillon has been a go-to hired gun on record and on the road for country, rock, and Americana artists such as Chris Knight, Caitlin Rose, Patrick Sweany, Sonia Leigh, and many more.

In this episode, Dillon talks about:

* Working with Margo Price

* The subtle intricacies of traditional country drumming 

* The benefits of learning different styles 

* Recording at Sun Studio

* Feeling the positive influence of JJ Johnson’s drumming

* Recognizing the difference between a good drummer and a great drummer

Dillon endorses: Sabian Cymbals, Promark sticks, Evans drumheads, Sakae drums

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Bob Knight was our guest on episode 165 and was so informative and entertaining, we had to go back for more. Bob lives in London where he commands somewhat of a dual career, both as an in-demand drummer and a music agent or “fixer,” matching musicians with bands or artists who need backing. He graduated from the jazz program at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London and has gone on to work with some of the biggest names in pop music including Sting, Cee-Lo Green, Charlotte Church, and Jennifer Hudson. His company, BEK Music, has provided musicians for a huge variety of acts from Andrea Bocelli to Eminem.

In this episode, Bob talks about:

* Custom-building a new practice/rehearsal studio

* Being a session drummer week in, week out vs. casting yourself that way on social media

* The results of a few months of intensified practicing

* Being more committed, confident, and consistent in his timekeeping, and the positive response it’s gotten

* The Yamaha EAD10

* Using social media to shine a light on others, and how social media factors into his hiring decisions

* “Not playing” with Sting, the other artists he’s done sideline TV gigs with, and the prep involved with that kind of gig

* His most recent TV gig as drummer and M.D. on Celebrity Game Night

* Not taking himself seriously while taking what he does seriously

* The strategy in turning down certain gigs, even when you’re available

* His thoughts on the ”tribute” trend

This episode is sponsored by Motion Pro Drum Thrones

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