John Geiger began his love for music and drumming at an early age and spent his early band years playing 80’s rock on the Sunset Strip and later moved on to country and classic rock. John pursued his music passion by creating a multi-decade career in the music product industry. John has spend over 30 years working in this industry with iconic brands such as Yamaha, D’Addario, KORG USA and Zildjian.

John currently plays in the Scotty Mac Band who’s regional success led to opening slots for national touring acts like Brett Young, Tyler Farr, Phil Vassar, Lee Brice and Chase Rice. The band performs at festivals around the country including Night in the Country, Country Fan Fest, Oregon Jamboree, Country Thunder, Coastal Country Jam among others. In 2016 McLaughlin released his first EP Messin’ Around which was followed in 2018 with a sophomore album Starts With A Girl, both recorded in Nashville. The band won California Country Association’s Entertainer of the Year in 2017. Today, fans can see the band playing in Nashville at bars such as Tin Roof, Winners and Ole' Red.

In this episode, John talks about:

   Major changes in the retail industry over the last 40 years

   His job title and responsibilities at Zildjian / Vic Firth

   John’s history in the music product industry 

   The communal nature of drummers

   The business of endorsements

   News about supply chain issues

Born in Chicago, Chris was playing drums at age three and began performing his first professional gigs at eleven. At nineteen, Parker began recording and touring with blues great Paul Butterfield and then broke into the New York studio scene in 1970,doing records, movie scores and filling the drum chair at Saturday Night Live. Toph, as friends know him, recorded platinum, gold and Grammy winning albums and CDs with many artists, including, Bob Dylan, Cher, Natalie Cole, Donald Fagen, Ashford and Simpson, Aretha Franklin, Freddie Hubbard, James Brown, Stuff, Miles Davis, Patti LaBelle, Michael Bolton, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, and Quincy Jones who has written liner notes for the latest cd, ”Blue Print.”

Currently leading his own band, the Chris Parker Trio with Kyoko Oyobe, piano and Ameen Saleem, bass, Parker has just recorded “Blue Print,” a new cd dedicated to Arif Mardin and produced by Arif’s son, Joe. This new work features Randy Brecker on three tracks as well as Parker’s original compositions.

In this episode, Chris talks about

New York scene in the 70s, when he was getting serious about music

His 50 year association with bassist Will Lee

His work with Stuff, and playing double drums in the band with Steve Gadd

Seeing numerous drum legends over and over at New York clubs, and receiving mentorship from them in different ways

How an impromptu rehearsal/jam with Bob Dylan unknowingly served as an audition

Adapting to the many different ways Dylan wanted to interpret songs in the moment

How his passion for drawing and painting has informed his musical approach

Steven Wolf (also known simply as Wolf) is one of the world’s most in-demand studio musicians. His discography includes numerous #1, Gold, Platinum, and Grammy winning records.

    A virtuoso drummer and world class programmer, with an encyclopedic musical vocabulary spanning every musical genre, his distinctive skill-set and versatility have made him the "go-to" rhythmic solution for a long list of the world's top recording artists and producers.    In addition to drumming and programming, he's also an accomplished producer, songwriter, and remixer.

Wolf’s credits include: Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Annie Lennox, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Celine Dion,Cher, Joss Stone, Britney Spears, The Bee Gees, Natalie Imbruglia, Leona Lewis, Johnny Cash, Rufus Wainwright, Daryl Hall, Macy Gray, Grover Washington Jr, Oz Noy, Hiram Bullock, Tribal Tech, Larry Coryell, The Gil Evans Orchestra, Lenny Pickett, The Saturday Night Live Band, and many others…

In this episode, Wolf talks about:

   Advice for the young player

   Transitioning from a touring to session drummer and programmer

   Getting the right sounds in the studio

   Managing a sample library

   Creating an emotional reaction in programming

   Staying current with musical styles

   The connection between mind and body

Acclaimed by Downbeat as “one of the hippest bandleaders now at work,” Billy Drummond’s thrilling, powerful and highly musical playing has also made him one of the most called-for sidemen of his generation. Mentored in the bands of jazz legends Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, J J Johnson and Sonny Rollins, Drummond is now widely acknowledged as one of today’s most versatile drummers, making sideman appearances with a veritable who’s who of jazz greats on over 350 albums. He has made three albums as a leader—including Dubai, a New York Times Number 1 Jazz Album of the Year—and five as a co-leader, including We’ll Be Together Again  in Three’s Company, a trio with Javon Jackson and legendary bassist Ron Carter, which made several Top Ten lists of the Year.  

In this episode, Billy talks about:

The idea of a jazz record being a snapshot of an artist's present condition

How what he loves listening to relates to what he chooses to play

Entertainment vs. expression

Playing with Horace Silver

The influence and mentorship of Al Foster

Teaching at NYU and Julliard

Desmond Davis the “BlackDrumHippie”, is a Dove Award, Stellar Award & Ascap Rhythm & Soul Award winning, Grammy nominated musician, producer and writer hailing from the west side of Chicago where he honed his skills in the Baptist church playing gospel music however; he is well-rounded with the ability to play various genres including but not limited to; rock, pop, country, hip-hop, jazz, R&B, reggae, funk, and blues .

The BlackDrumHippie’s talent and tenacity has afforded him various endorsements and the opportunity to play a variety of tours, festivals, tv appearances and concert venues.

With growing notoriety, Desmond has played for decorated artists such as: Donald Lawrence, Johnathan McReynolds, Sir the Baptist, Todd Dulaney, Byron Cage, Bri Babrieaux, Hunter Hayes, Mickey Guyton & many more.

Desmond’s hard work and forward thinking has allowed BlackDrumHippie to transcend music as it has grown into a brand that provides customizable Levi denim jackets, t-shirts and other merchandise.

In this episode, Dez talks about:

   Moving to Nashville in 2019 with a gig with Hunter Hayes

   Affordable home studio options for outboard gear

   Growing up and performing in many churches in the west side of Chicago

   Trusting in his faith to be a guide

   His experience with songwriting yet staying focused on live performance and sessions

   Promoting his brand

Larry Florman is a drummer, percussionist, vocalist, and front man for the Nashville-based band Them Vibes. Also known as Brother Love, he fronted numerous bands in New York before relocating to Nashville. Them Vibes has put out numerous singles and EPs since 2013, and became the opener and backing band for Maggie Rose, with whom they co-wrote and toured. Larry is also married to Nashville drummer Sarah Tomek.

In this episode, Larry Talks about:

Joining forces and later parting ways with Maggie Rose

How his musical life came to encompass drumset, percussion, and vocals

Learning traditional African and Latin percussion in New York with Babatunde Olatunji and other masters

Traditional Afro-Cuban conga playing vs. the American soul tradition

How he and Sarah interact musically

Nick Raskulinecz is a record producer who has produced a Grammy-winning album for Foo Fighters, a #1 rock album for Alice In Chains, a #1 rock album for Rush, a #1 Billboard album for Evanescence, a #1 UK album for Stone Sour, and many more.

Neil Peart writes:

"Nick was best known for his highly successful work with the Foo Fighters, but before that he had a long history as a musician, engineer and producer. He had started out in Knoxville, Tennessee, and more-or-less worked his way west, studio by studio. When we met Nick, we all liked his youthful, unbridled enthusiasm, but at 36, he was also experienced enough to have a strong background in music and recording."

Of the recording sessions with Nick, he writes: "I have never enjoyed the recording process so much, nor been so satisfied with the results."

Geddy Lee from Rush also writes praise about working with Nick, saying "There's no point in hiring a producer who's not going to speak his mind, but it's a tall order to find someone who can hear Neil's playing, amazing as it is, and still say, 'Maybe you should try going in this direction...' It was a pleasure to be challenged [by Nick]. That's really what a band like us needs."

In this episode, Nick talks about:

   Moving to Nashville from Los Angeles

   His studio in Nashville “Rock Falcon Studio”

   What he’s learned from drum techs over the years

   Studio hacks when tracking drums as well as an “anti-hack”

   What a producer really does

   Producing the last two Rush records

   Nick’s hands on approach to producing drummers

   Reflections on Taylor Hawkins

Tommy Crane is a NYC and Montreal based musician. Crane has recorded and performed with Ambrose Akinmusire, Melissa Aldana, Briars of North America, The Mingus Big Band, Linda Oh, Thus Owls, Aaron Parks, Richard Reed Parry, Logan Richardson, Bing and Ruth, Becca Stevens, Half Waif, Port St Willow, and Wood River.

In 2017 Crane was commissioned by the Lincoln Center, NY, to create a multimedia piece titled "Preservation" in collaboration with filmmaker Tracy Maurice. Crane's composition was performed live and released as a full-length album in 2019. In addition to Crane, the recording features performances by Colin Killalea (Albert Hammond Jr.), Eliot Krimsky (Here we go magic), and Greg Chudzik (Steve Reich).

In 2017/2018, Crane toured extensively with Melissa Aldana and recorded the Grammy Nominated album "Visions" with the band. Crane is also a core member of Aaron Parks's "Little Big" (whom he met and befriended at a jazz camp in NYC when they were both 15 years old). Crane also taught improvisational ensembles at the Accademia Nazionale del Jazz - Siena Jazz in Italy (2019-2020). He contributes original compositions to various WNYC and NPR podcasts and is also a Sunhouse artist.

In this episode, Tommy talks about:

The process of recording his album, almost entirely on his own at home

How he uses Sunhouse products

His early days in New York attending the New School and immersing himself in jazz

Playing with the Mingus Big Band

Getting burned out by life in New York, musically and otherwise

Prioritizing projects, bands, and his own music over the "hired gun" life

Adam Box is the touring and recording drummer with the country duo, Brothers Osborne.

Adam grew up in Mississippi where with the support of family, friends and his church community, helped to develop the skills he needed to be a world class musician and drummer. This community and environment lead to Adam meeting legendary bass player Chris Ethridge, member of the Flying Burrito Brothers. Chris became a mentor to Adam and was an important figure in the early days of Adam’s career. 

Shortly after Adam moved to Nashville, his talents we’re quickly realized and this lead to him joining the group Brothers Osborne.

He has also played on recordings by Chase Bryant, Lucie Silvas, Sonlite Band, Jeremy Lesley, Kristy Lee Cook and many others. Adam also produces and records out of his home studio, Gilded Palace.

In this episode, Adam talks about:

   Useful application in his home studio

   Humble beginnings in Nashville

   Adam’s snare tone(s)

   Geeking out on studio tech

   An inspiring in-ear mix for live performance

   Working with Producer Jay Joyce

   Experiencing a performance on the Grammys

Will Kennedy's musicality and finesse are legendary in the jazz world and beyond, performing with luminaries such as Yellowjackets, Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Snarky Puppy, Bobby McFerrin, Esperanza Spalding, George Benson, and Lee Ritenour. His career is marked by pushing musical boundaries and a desire to be inspired yet be an inspiration. As a longstanding member of the Yellowjackets, the celebrated jazz quartet that includes fellow USC Thornton faculty members Bob Mintzer and Russell Ferrante.

Kennedy played percussion and began private lessons with teacher Bill Nawrocki throughout his school years. He also studied under professor and mentor Bill Bell, performing with him in San Francisco. Kennedy quickly became a fixture in the Bay Area scene as a teenager, and was introduced to legendary steel pan virtuoso Andy Narell with whom he recorded and toured Europe.

Joining the Thornton faculty in Fall 2018, Kennedy took over the duties of drumset instruction for Ndugu Chancler, longtime faculty member and one of the founders of the Popular Music program.

In this episode, Will talks about:

His early teachers and influences in the Bay Area, from groove with Willie "Wild" Sparks to jazz with Tony Williams

Playing on daytime talkshow, movie soundtracks, and other studio word during his hiatus from Yellowjackets

His approach to teaching pop drumming at USC

His physical approach and how he uses and teaches rudiments

What it means to play with your body vs. against your body