114 – Angela Lese: Drumming for The Dead Deads, Cultivating a Strong Fan Base, From “Regular Job” to Touring Musician

Since the early 1990’s, Rodney Edmondson has been the drummer for award winning singer and piano player Ronnie Milsap. Ronnie Milsap is credited with six Grammy Awards and forty No. 1 country hits. He was selected for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2014.  Growing up in Virginia, Rodney developed his feel and approach to drumming throughout the 1970’s with local groups that included many styles that prepared him for his eventual move to Nashville. Rodney quickly established himself as a solid musician that could cover many different styles from heavy rock to traditional country. Just before landing the Milsap gig, Rodney was the full time drummer for the traditional country group, The Whites.  Rodney balances his touring with Ronnie with his work at Spectrum Sound Inc. building and designing road cases.   In this episode, Rodney talks about:  * Ronnie Milsap and his history including the time he meet Ray Charles * How Rodney got the gig with Ronnie * Evolving with the gig  * Recordings that Rodney did with Ronnie  * Growing up in Virginia and playing music locally in the 70’s  * Significant changes In the music scene in Nashville

4 Loka 20181h 28min

Los Angeles native Elmo Lovano built a successful career as a touring and studio drummer with Juliette Lewis, Miley Cyrus, Christina Perri, James Fauntleroy, Avril Lavigne, Paul Oakenfold and many more. He began to see the need for a legitimate networking platform for professional musicians because, “as creatives, we don’t use Linkedin, and as professionals, we don’t use Craigslist.” After a couple years of beta testing among friends and colleagues he launched the Jammcard app in 2017. After a successful rollout amongst L.A.-based musicians, Jammcard then launched in Atlanta, followed by Nashville. In this podcast, Elmo talks about: * How networking for musicians is pretty much the same at any level * Fully completing your product (album, app, whatever) before you market it and release it * The team he assembled to help him create, maintain, and grow Jammcard * Best practices for Jammers * Why Atlanta was chosen as the second launch city * How to build a professional portfolio that will get you accepted to Jammcard Elmo Lovano endorses Pearl drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, and Remo heads.

27 Syys 201846min

MeetHook Founder & CEO Anthony Citrinite is an established pro musician with a number of career highlights including playing on live TV with the classic rock band Boston at the Fiesta Bowl in 2002, Katy Perry and Joe Perry in 2009 at Radio City Music Hall on the MTV Video Music awards, and playing percussion for Coheed and Cambria to a sold out show later that year. He can be heard on a number of notable major label releases & movie soundtracks with his band The SmashUp. Anthony has been a part of The Collective School of Music executive staff and board for 23 years. Anthony is a visionary who is constantly coming up with new ways to help all people follow their passions while sustaining a career in music. In this episode, Anthony talks about: * What the MeetHook app is and how it’s used * * The personal experience that the app MeetHook offers * * How to tackle a daunting task  * * Anthony’s journey * * The great teachers at The Collective  * * Spreading the word about MeetHook * * The importance of making connections in the music business Anthony endorses: MRP Custom Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vater Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads

20 Syys 20181h 26min

Jake Wood has been touring with Hamilton since early 2017, playing percussion, keyboards, electronics, and running Ableton. With no prior experience in musicals, he landed the gig through a San Francisco acquaintance, and proved himself by taking a month away from pretty much everything else in his life to spend ten hours a day practicing and learning the show. In addition to Hamilton, Jake plays with Bay Area groups including Diego’s Umbrella and March Fourth, and has been running his own teaching studio for nearly a decade. In this podcast, Jake talks about: * How he landed the Hamilton gig with no prior experience in musicals * Creating drum cover videos using songs with no drums * How his social media content became a useful resume booster * The month-long process of learning the show * The intricacies of his part and learning to follow a conductor * The mix of acoustic drums and samples in the pit set-up * Playing continuous grooves vs. isolated single notes * The Bay Area scene, and his musical life there outside Hamilton * His strategy for building his teaching studio

13 Syys 20181h 7min

Ben Hans is a musician and music instructor who keeps a busy performance schedule performing many genres of music. Ben performs as a freelance artist, who cut his teeth performing under the tutelage of Jazz Guitarist Jack Grassel and the late Swing Clarinetist Chuck Hedges. Ben has shared the stage with a diverse list of artists such as singer/songwriter/composer and Grammy nominated C. F. Kip Winger. Legendary Rudimentalists John S. Pratt, Mitch Markovich, the great Jazz Pianist Barry Harris, celebrated Saxophonists Eric Morones, Johnny Padilla and Jesse Lee Montijo, Jazz Guitarists Scott DuBois, Jeff Schroedl and Steve Peplin. Guitar virtuosos Reb Beach, John Roth, Jorge Salan and Donnie Wayne Smith as well as rock vocalist Fiona Flanagan. Ben has also performed alongside many great regional jazz artists such as Rick Embach, Berkeley Fudge, Tom McGirr, Pete Billman, Aaron Gardner, John Babbitt, Michael Arnold, Kirk Tatnall, Mark Solveson, Jeannine Rivers, Swing Nouveau, and many more. As an educator, Ben is currently teaching Music Business at SAE Institute in Nashville, TN. Past teaching positions include Milwaukee Area Technical College as well as the Wisconsin Lutheran College. Ben is also an author, proofreader, freelance editor and session performer for Hal Leonard Publishing, with published works including: “Workin’ Drums – 50 Solos for Drumset,” “40 Intermediate Snare Drum Solos,” “Rudimental Solos for the Marching Snare Drummer,” “Modern School for Mallet Keyboard Instruments,” “HalLeonard School for Snare Drum,” and transcriptions of Ray Luzier’s “Double Bass Drum Techniques”, as well as performing on and writing for the Hal Leonard DVD “Traditional Rudimental Drumming”by John S. Pratt. In this episode, Ben talks about: * Building and developing his private teaching practice  * * The importance of being able to read music * * Changes in the recording industry  * * Diversifying your work load  * * Successfully working through drum books – a strategy  * * The history of John S. Pratt * * Ben’s gig with Kip Winger Ben endorses Yamaha Drums, Aquarian Drumheads, Mike Balter Mallets, Vic Firth Drumsticks, and Tycoon Percussion

6 Syys 20181h 30min

Quinton Robinson moved to Atlanta from Miami in 2010, and has established himself as a busy touring and session drummer for acts including Kenny Lattimore, Avery Sunshine, Algebra Blessett, and the newly released New-York-based musical “Born For This.” Jonathan Joseph served as his primary mentor on the drums, and Q has also made himself valuable as an expert Ableton practitioner and STEM producer. In addition to many roles as drummer, Quinton is also the musical director for Anthony David. In this podcast, Q talks about: The different type of fulfillment he gets from playing in musical theatre How trust between a musical’s M.D. and drummer drives (and sometimes saves) the show. What it means to be more than your job title Navigating the culture clash that happens among people from different backgrounds on a musical The enormous potential in musicals for drumming to contribute to emotional content Honing your gift vs. honing the “vessel” that carries and delivers the gift Being a good player vs. “living in musical excellence” How being willing to do a little extra thing for free can lead to an income source Using social media to make authentic connections and create genuine community Quinton Robinson endorses Pearl drums, Vater sticks, Sabian cymbals, Humes & Berg cases, Reunion Blues gigbags, Audix microphones, Empire ears, Pighog cables, Ableton, Kickport, Drumdots, and Big Fat Snare Drum.

30 Elo 20181h 30min

Christian Matthew Cullen started his professional career as a session musician and sideman for Jim Peterik (Ides Of March, Survivor) in his Wold Stage band where he gained the opportunity to play with notable rock artists such as Alan Parsons, Don Barnes (.38 Special), Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Kip Winger, Joe Lynn Turner ( Deep Purple, Rainbow), Mickey Thomas (Starship), and Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger). Christian took over the keyboard chair in Night Ranger in early 2007. Joining up with original members Jack Blades and Brad Gillis, Reb Beach (Winger) and later, Joel Hoekstra (TSO, Rock Of Ages) , he toured the world supporting rock giants Journey, Styx, Boston, REO Speedwagon, Peter Frampton, Heart, Alice Cooper, Steve Miller and Eddie Money. Christian launched a sample company called Sound Famous. It’s for Apple MainStage and features iconic synth sounds from classic records like Prince’s 1999 using analog and virtual synths captured through analog gear and processed to sound exactly like the records they came from. Currently, he composes music and creates sound design for video games, animation and advertising. He has produced music for acclaimed clients such as Smirnoff, Party City, Hollywood Casino, The Kentucky Derby, Jeep, and the Florida Gators and award winning music for children’s media and toys for Tomy, Alex, Infantino, Fisher-Price, Radio Flyer, and Learning Curve.  In the episode, Christian talks about: Recording with Abe Laboriel Jr Being open to ideas in when recording  The benefits of “live tracking” Defining the difference between composing and sound design  Finding out what your truly passionate about  Transitioning from live work to sessions and “in town” work  The influence of technology in the way we work and produce  The power of a peer to peer network to create work Discovering new opportunities when you reach outside your comfort zone

23 Elo 20181h 33min

Quinton Robinson moved to Atlanta from Miami in 2010, and has established himself as a busy touring and session drummer for acts including Kenny Lattimore, Avery Sunshine, Algebra Blessett, and the newly released New-York-based musical “Born For This.” Jonathan Joseph served as his primary mentor on the drums, and Q has also made himself valuable as an expert Ableton practitioner and STEM producer. In addition to many roles as drummer, Quinton is also the musical director for Anthony David. In this podcast, Q talks about: The advent of JammCard in LA, Atlanta, and Nashville The mentorship of Jonathan Joseph and Will Kennedy Making the jump from his gospel upbringing to the broader music world The mixed reputation of the term “gospel drummer” How church drumming makes you “road ready” Why at least some Ableton literacy is almost necessary How programming can be used as an enhancement or a crutch. Quinton Robinson endorses Pearl drums, Vater sticks, Sabian cymbals, Humes & Berg cases, Reunion Blues gigbags, Audix microphones, Empire ears, Pighog cables, Ableton, Kickport, Drumdots, and Big Fat Snare Drum.

16 Elo 20181h 34min