152 – Elton Charles: Touring with Thompson Square, Creating Great Drum Sounds Through Recording Experiences, Building Relationships in the Music Community

Jimmy Paxson has toured, performed and/or recorded with Stevie Nicks, The Dixie Chicks, Alanis Morissette, Idina Menzel, Ben Harper, Ellen Harper, Charlie Musselwhite, Eikichi Yazawa, Edgar Winter, Ronnie Montrose, Stanley Clarke, Rod Stewart, Joe Sample, Randy Crawford, Robben Ford, Philip Sayce, Waddy Wachtel, Keiko Matsui, Sophie B. Hawkins, Sub.bionic, Lady Antebellum, Don Henley, Steve Vai, Sheryl Crow, Roy Gaines, Rick Derringer, Ravi Coltraine, Jerry Goodman, Dave Stewart, Mike Campbell, Johnny Rivers, A Fine Frenzy, Anna Nalick, Adam Levine, Vanessa Carlton, Lili Haydn, Annie Clark (of St. Vincent), Larkin Poe, Ladies of the Canyon, Abandon Jalopy with Brad Smith of Blind Melon, Shy Carter, Batture Boys with Tommy Malone and Ray Ganucheau, Jenni Alpert, Andra Day, Sunnie Paxson, Cagnet, Barbara Morrison, Bernard Fowler, Julian Coryell, Rachael Spector, Elizavetta, Ray-J. and Giorgia. His organ trio “The Casualties of Jazz” (with bassist Chris Golden and Matt Rohde on B3 Hammond Organ) recorded a critically acclaimed record of Black Sabbath songs performed as organ jazz called Kind of Black.  He is the son of Philadelphia Jazz musicians – Drummer Jimmy Paxson Sr. and Pianist Sunnie Paxson. In this episode, Jimmy talks about: * How the music community is dealing with the health emergency* Drumming for the Dixie Chicks* Lessons learned from Waddy Wachtel during his Stevie Nicks gig* What Jimmy learned from his parents who were pro musicians * Being creative in the studio with everything from trashcans and suitcases * Studying with Murray Spivack in L.A.* Sheet music software Aero Drums Jimmy endorses: C&C Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Earthworks, Dunnett Snares, DW Hardware and Innovative Percussion Sticks

26 Maalis 20201h 50min

Khari Parker has spent his entire life in Chicago. He began playing drums in church and became interested in jazz and fusion during his high school and college years. He left college to gig full time and hasn’t stopped since, remaining in high demand by acts spanning jazz, rock, R&B, and gospel. He gained notoriety playing with Destiny’s Child in the late 90’s and is currently the touring drummer for George Benson. In this episode, Khari talks about: * Going to a small regional college rather than a huge program* How he would construct a college drumming curriculum * The driving musical forces of the Chicago scene* How remote tracking lacks the critical elements of in-person collaboration and in-the-moment invention* Managing his energy during shows when he began playing arenas with Destiny’s Child* The lineage of George Benson drummers (Gadd, Mason, et al) Khari endorses Yamaha drums, Vic Firth sticks, and Sabian cymbals.

19 Maalis 20201h 17min

Kip is the touring and recording drummer for Nashville artist Devin Dawson. Drumming for Devin allowed Kip the opportunity to work in the studio with award winning producer Jay Joyce. Kip is known throughout the drumming community for his well produced and insightful video clips on Instagram that has garnered a sizable following. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Kip Allen moved to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Belmont University to study commercial percussion. During his time in and around his time at Belmont, Kip traveled, and playing drums, with Devin Dawson, Paul Childers and the Black Tie Affair, Forest Fire Gospel Choir, and Baylor Wilson just to name a few. In this episode, Kip talks about: * Setting aside practice time to work on recording techniques * The importance of finding space in your playing * Cultivating your own voice and sound* Working with producer Jay Joyce in the studio* Kip’s effective use of Instagram * The use of samples in recordings  Kip endorses: Dw Drums, Pedals and Hardware,Drumtacs & Madbox Cajons

12 Maalis 20201h 7min

Matt Brennan is an author, musician, and researcher. His creative practice as a musician informs his teaching and research process, which also draws from historical, sociological, business, and ethical approaches to understanding music in society. At the University of Glasgow he is Director of the Interdisciplinary Music Industries Research Group (IMIRGe) and Convenor of the MSc Music Industries degree. He has served as Chair of the UK and Ireland branch of the International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM), and held a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship and Chancellor’s Fellowship at the University of Edinburgh prior to taking up his current post as Reader in Popular Music. Matt has authored, co-authored, and edited several books in the field of popular music studies. His latest book, Kick It: A Social History of the Drum Kit (Oxford University Press 2020), establishes the drum kit’s central role in shaping the history of music over the last 150 years. BUY THE BOOK HERE – for 30% off, enter promo code AAFLYG6 at checkout In this episode, Matt talks about: * Why the drums have been simultaneously maligned and indispensable for so long* How negative views of drummers and drumming are rooted in the slave trade and racism* The history of solidarity among working drummers* The role the drums and drummers played in the birth of many musical genres* How The Beatles and Ringo made the drum industry global

5 Maalis 20201h 7min

Creighton Doane’s musical life began at a young age in a household where music formed the heart and soul of the home. A mutli-instumentalist and talented producer, Creighton has played drums and toured the world with artists like Allah Myles, Harem Scarem and sister Melanie Doane. He has and performed with some of Canada’s best-know artists in a variety of genres. Moving his talents to the studio, Creighton brings a wealth of knowledge to a diversity of projects – from writing custom music for advertising and TV; to composing for film and theatre; to songwriting and record production; while continuing to push the envelope behind the kit. In this episode, Creighton talks about:  * Sound design in theatres* The advantage of a drummer’s sensibilities when arranging and writing * His transition from playing live to studio work* Modern recording applications* Creating situations that build upon your experiences * “Faith” as a part of your business plan

27 Helmi 20201h 28min

Chris Brady has been in charge of Artist Relations at Aquarian for 23 years. He also has a hand in marketing, product development, and whatever else he needs to do for the company to grow and thrive. Chris began his playing career in Southern California, a contemporary of Gregg Bissonette and others. Handpicked by Roy Burns to join Aquarian, he made the jump to the product side of the music business and hasn’t looked back. Roy died in 2018, but Chris and the Aquarian team are carrying on with the love for music and musicians that Roy instilled in the company. In this episode, Chris talks about: * The last round of NAMM* His criteria for taking on endorsers* His early gigging life in SoCal* How and why he chose a career path on the product side * Aquarian’s products and “kick and snare” ethos* Roy Burns’s “music first” approach

20 Helmi 20201h 11min

Steve Brewster has lived and worked in Nashville as a session player for over 20 years. A native Tennessean, Steve attended MTSU on a full music scholarship and studied jazz at UT-Knoxville. He moved to Nashville in 1988, after touring early on with country artist, Janie Fricke, and CCM artist, Michael W. Smith. Shortly after moving to town, Steve was embraced by the Nashville studio community and developed a steady and high-profile studio career, which he has maintained to this day. His passionate and creative musical approach, combined with his diverse, eclectic taste have afforded him the opportunity to contribute in a wide range of musical situations ranging from Rock to Pop, to Country, Contemporary Christian and Gospel. Steve has recorded with artists including Bob Seger, Jewel, Deirks Bentley, Chicago, Michael W. Smith, Faith HIll, Sara Groves, Amy Grant, and Richard Marx. He is a devoted husband and father, and, along with a busy studio schedule, he enjoys a strong family life. In addition to being involved in sessions around the Nashville area, Steve has developed and is involved at his own studio, “Brewbeat”. In this episode, Steve talks about: * Helping to create the sound, style, brand of the artist your drumming for* Seeing the chart on the session as a “portal” into what to play* Tapping into the “muse” when the red light goes on* Using diversity as a strength not a weakness* Applying your thumbprint to the music with varying degrees * Steve’s home studio space  Steve endorses Paiste Cymbals and Innovative Percussion Sticks

13 Helmi 20201h 35min

Cole’s style ranges from Neo Soul to 70’s inspired yacht rock. His journey as a musician started as a drummer. Attending Georgia State University, Cole studied 5 years towards a degree in Jazz Studies. Cole quickly became a well known drummer in Atlanta, playing with artists such as The Shadowboxers, Kenny Loggins, Larkin Poe, Faye Webster, ATL Collective, and more. He has also appeared on stage with Justin Timberlake, Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire, Hunter Hayes, Phillip Phillips, and Lucie Silvas. He spent five years in based in Nashville, touring and recording with The Shadowboxers. The band recently decided to relocate to LA, but Cole chose to move his family back home to Atlanta where he can focus on his new creative goals, including making groove-driven Christian music with a more personal message. In this episode, Cole talks about: * Being in Nashville, but dedicated exclusively to the Shadowboxers* Opening for Justin Timberlake on the Man of the Woods tour* The factors in his decision not to follow the band to LA* His new original project, and the new ideas he’s trying to bring to Christian music* The importance of simplicity in music, despite the endless availability of digital sounds and techniques ​ Cole endorses Pearl drums, Istanbul Mehment cymbals, and Vic Firth sticks.

6 Helmi 20201h 8min