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

Brian Ferguson is a studio and live Musician/Drummer/Producer based in Austin, Texas. He began playing drums and percussion at the age of 10 and has never looked back. A consummate student of the instrument and it’s significance to American Music, Brian can be found touring, recording and producing a wide variety of acts. His deep knowledge of drumming and music allow him to contribute to any musical situation while inspiring the band to play their best. His light sense of humor and punctual professionalism make him an irreplaceable and key ingredient to a wide variety of musical projects. Brian has performed/recorded/toured with a wide variety of artists including but not limited to: Robert Earl Keen, Pat Green, Jack Ingram, Cory Morrow, Aaron Watson, Stoney Larue, Eleven Hundred Springs, Hudson Moore, Zane Williams, Adam Hood, Jason Eady, Rob Baird, Curtis Salgado, Mike Morgan and the Crawl, Carter Beckworth and Bubba Hernandez. Currently, Brian is drumming with Performing Artist/ Songwriter Cory Morrow, in addition to his own project The Harvey Kartel. THK is the creative outlet and side project of Brian and Steve Miller guitarist Jacob Petersen. In this podcast, Brian talks about: Touring with Texas artist Cory Morrow and dealing with a new born Flying to China for a clinic tour for Dixon Drums Trial by fire during his early years of touring Defining the Texas country music scene and what makes it unique Attitude!!!!!! The importance of subtleties, nuance, touch and feel on the kit Brian’s producing experience Balancing artistic expression and being efficient in the studio Knowing and developing your strengths Brian proudly endorses Dixon Drums and Hardware, Paiste Cymbals, Western Audio Works Cases and Vic Firth Drum Sticks.

12 Heinä 20171h 9min

Adam Goodhue has been busy on the Atlanta scene for the last four years. Before that, he spent 16 years in San Francisco where he played just about every type of music it had to offer. Adam grew up in Massachusetts where he was the beneficiary of a small but active high school music program. By his late teens, he was hooked on two things; drumming and snowboarding. For short time, he thought competitive snowboarding might be his focus, but a knee injury made that impossible, and he realized that snowboarding was a fun hobby, but drumming was what he really wanted to do for the rest of his life. He was in a band with some friends who made plans to move to San Francisco. He took advantage of the “in” and moved there in 1996. Although the band didn’t last very long after that, Adam had already fallen in love with the city and began getting work with other groups. He also got some formal training for free, when the University of California at Berkeley was in need of a drummer for their jazz program. Adam was allowed to play in some groups and audit classes without actually enrolling. By this time, he had also become obsessed with the music of New Orleans, discovered that it was a sister city to San Francisco, and found how much the two cities have in common musically. Adam moved to Atlanta in 2013 where he has continued his love affair for the music of the South, performing with Col. Bruce Hampton, Grant Green Jr., Maria Muldaur, Tommy Talton and many others. In this podcast, Adam talks about: How his approach to teaching lessons has changed from the kind of lessons he took as a kid The moment he got serious about pursuing music professionally How discovering the music and drummers of New Orleans was a turning point for his playing What brought him to the Bay Area, and the strong connections between San Francisco and New Orleans Pursuing feel and tone rather than content The Bay Area when he got there vs. when he left What brought him to Atlanta, and what kept him there Treating networking like a full time job when you’re new in town His outlook as he pushes his career forward and makes plans to get married

6 Heinä 20171h 24min

There are drummers and there is Sarah Tomek. With the rumbling authority of a John Bonham and the razor precision of a Keith Carlock, she has become one of the most in demand drummers today. Currently playing for Steven Tyler, Gretchen Wilson and the fast rising Americana band Loving Mary, Sarah Tomek commands a front row seat in the new class of top tier musicians. Born and raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Sarah found herself behind the kit at an early age. Her father, Joe Tomek, a formidable drummer in the New York 70’s rock scene, inspired and shaped her natural talents. By her early teens, she was a club staple at world famous venues throughout NYC and NJ. By the time she was 20, she began making her name as a session player. Her precocious ability to play a multitude of genres with effortless pocket and feel made her the easy choice for many producers; recording for Maggie Rose, Glen Burtnik, Gedeon Luke, Lance Larson and Jon Bon Jovi, to name a few. Sarah has been featured in Modern Drummer magazine and currently uses Ludwig drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Kelly Shu drum mounts. In this podcast, Sarah talks about: The many projects Sarah is involved with The reason she moved to Nashville The influence of her father’s drumming on her The idea of “drum ID’s” and adopting them in your playing Positive attitude The joy of proving skeptics wrong who doubt the abilities of a female drummer Touring with Steven Tyler and Gretchen Wilson Staying healthy on the road

26 Kesä 20171h 8min

L.A. drummer Kevin Stevens recently completed two tours of Europe with David Brighton’s Space Oddity, a David Bowie tribute show. He is the drummer and bandleader for three groups (Rumproller Organ Trio, Brass Monkey Brass Band, and The Deep Cuts) under the umbrella of his company, Grits n’ Gravy Music. Kevin grew up in Denver, studied music at the University of Miami, cut his teeth as a pro on cruise ships and on the scene in San Francisco, and has lived in L.A. since 2003. He is also on the faculty at Musician’s Institute where he developed a 10-week course on the music, drumming, and drummers of New Orleans. In this podcast, Kevin talks about: First getting involved in Space Oddity ten years ago, being away from it for years, and being asked back three months before Bowie died. His process of learning the songs, making charts for himself, and incorporating the tracks he’s responsible for running. Instrumentation for the Oddity gig, on the road and at home The psychological game of sharing a drum chair, and maintaining confidence in yourself and your relationships How leading three separate bands led to leading a single company His New Orleans Drumming course at Musicians Institute and his long love affair with New Orleans music of all kinds The keys to successful marriage and family life as a musician Kevin Stevens endorses Remo Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, and Protection Racket Cases.

21 Kesä 20171h 6min

Kasey Todd is a professional drummer, percussionist, vocalist, and an all around musician and entertainer. Along with being a performer, he also has credits as a producer, arranger, and bandleader. Kasey grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and was involved in music at a very young age. His father is the Co-Owner and front man of 50’s and 60’s show band, The Van-Dells. This has allowed Kasey to be around the music business his whole life, gaining great first hand experiences into the industry. Kasey moved to Nashville, Tennessee in the fall of 2011, and is working as a full time touring and studio drummer. Before moving to Nashville, Kasey graduated from Otterbein University, in Columbus, Ohio, with a Bachelors Degree in Music with a focus in Jazz Studies. At Otterbein, Kasey studied all styles of music and spent a lot of time on drumset, vibraphone, orchestral and hand percussion. Kasey has toured the globe as bandleader with Canadian country artist Aaron Goodvin(Warner Bros.). The latest single ‘Woman In Love’ reached #7 on the Canadian country charts. Kasey also performs and records with singer-songwriter Jace Everett, best known for the theme song to HBO’s True Blood. Kasey can be heard on the new Jace record ‘Dust & Dirt’ (2017). Kasey still holds the drum chair live and in the studio with The Van-Dells. And, starting in the summer of 2017, Kasey has been touring with the band Tonic. Kasey keeps busy working with a wide range of Nashville artists, and is even an entertainer at the Big Bang Dueling Piano Bars where he can be found singing, playing piano, drums, and bass. Kasey has been on stage performing since the age of two and has had the pleasure to play with many great artists and groups. Some of those include Tonic, Jace Everett, Josh Thompson, Aaron Goodvin, Sam Lewis, Morgan Frazier (NBC’s The Voice), The Van-Dells, Rick Brantley, Megan Ruger (NBC’s The Voice), Matty Monk, Andrew Varner, The Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra, The Otterbein College Faculty Jazz Ensemble, and The Westerville Symphony Orchestra just to name a few. In this episode, Kasey talks about: Starting to tour with the band Tonic Growing up watching his fathers band, The Van Dells and then taking on the drum chair Learning to play piano and bass Studying at Otterbein University Dealing with perception vs. reality in the music business Working with singer/songwriter Jace Everett Recording at Abby Road Studios Endorsements Paying your dues Recording at home Kasey endorses: Promark Sticks, Paiste Cymbals, Evans Drum Heads, Kelly Shu mic mounting system, Westone in-ears, Humes and Berg cases, Snare Weight, Vintage Logos and Swan Percussion

15 Kesä 20171h 20min

Go-Go Ray has been a Kansas City fixture since he moved there in the early 90s. He grew up in Dallas where he played in every possible school ensemble from 4th grade on, and got his first professional experience in a local funk/R&B cover band. He studied music briefly at North Texas but was drawn to the rock, punk, and other music scenes that were happening outside of school. Mike Dillon‘s band Billy Goat needed a new drummer and the chair was offered to Go-Go, with the caveat that he had to move to Kansas City where the band was based. Go-Go made the move and hasn’t looked back, playing in a litany of groups including Mike Dillon’s Go-Go Jungle, Karma, The Brody Buster Band, and most recently with blues guitarist and singer Samantha Fish. In 1992, he won the Guitar Center Drum Off and in 2010, won the Roland V-Drum Competition. He has also been an educator for 20 years, maintaining a steady roster of private students to whom he is known not as the drum teacher or the drum instructor, but The Drum Counselor. In this podcast, Go-Go talks about: The musical culture of Texas when he was growing up there Playing in various projects lead by Mike Dillon The history of the blues scene in Kansas City Making his playing more mainstream after playing experimental music How advertising himself as The Drum Counselor started as a gimmick but quickly became an educational philosophy The growth that comes from participating in competitions His five-year tenure with Samantha Fish and why it was time to move on Putting himself in a position to be patient and wait for the right project to come along, rather than taking whatever comes up next Go-Go Ray endorses Yamaha Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads, Promark Drumsticks, Humes & Berg Cases, Sweet Spots, Carmichael Thrones, BDM Mic Clips, Cympads, and 64 Audio.

7 Kesä 20171h 26min

Milton Sledge is a session drummer best known for a string of sessions in Muscle Shoals, Alabama as well as several albums with country super-star Garth Brooks. With Garth, Milton wrote and played drums on several key albums including the self-titled 1987 Capitol release, “No Fences,” “Ropin’ The Wind” and “The Chase.” Milton can be heard on many recordings including those of: John Anderson, Barbara Mandrell, Tracey Lawrence, Jo Dee Messina, Randy Travis, The Amazing Rhythmn Aces, Asleep at the Wheel, Mark Chesnutt, Paul Overstreet, Bryan White, Becky Hobbs, Crystal Gayle, Neal McCoy, Juice Newton, Eddie Rabbitt, The Statler Brothers, Gene Watson, Kathy Mattea, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, Alabama, Hal Ketchum, Shenendoah, Trisha Yearwood, Pam Tillis, Chris LeDoux, Vince Gill, Toby Keith and Garth Brooks, just to name a few. As a songwriter, Milton has written for Pat Alger and Bruce Bouton along with Garth Brooks. Milton has played drums on over 30 number 1 singles and the albums that he has played on have sold over 180 million copies. In October of 2016, Milton along with the hand picked group of musicians dubbed “The G-Men” were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame for their work and creative contributions to almost every Garth Brooks recording. Originally from Decatur, Alabama, Milton grew up in the Clements community, west of Athens, AL, not far from Muscle Shoals, an area known for its wide variety of music. After graduation from high school and a stint in the Army Band, Milton returned to the Shoals area to attend college and study music at the University of North AL. While in college there, Milton started to pursue his dream of playing in the recording studios of Muscle Shoals. He worked his way through the ranks and worked regularly in the studios there for 4-5 years. Soon he began to receive more and more calls for recording sessions in Nashville. This prompted him to move there in 1984, where he has been a mainstay in the Nashville recording studios ever since. In February of 2014, Milton moved back to his hometown of Athens to “give back” by offering his expertise/assistance to local musicians. He is once again an active part of the music scene in the Shoals area, as well as Nashville. Since his return, he has been writing with various songwriters and playing at local venues. As well as producing. He has also played with the Muscle Shoals All-Stars and recorded at Fame Studio, The Nutthouse, all in Muscle Shoals AL. In this episode, Milton talks about: Recording at the original Muscle Shoals Sound Studio at 3614 Jackson Highway Tuning the kit for different rooms The “Muscle Shoals sound” Recording all the Garth Brooks records Changes in the Nashville studio scene over the last 30 years Giving back, paying it forward Getting a good ear mix in the studio

31 Touko 20171h 11min

Evan Pazner is a native and life-long resident of New York City. For the last six years, he has been the touring drummer for Lee Fields & The Expressions, a truly old-school soul band. It’s not old school just because they got the right gear and the right sound, it’s old school because Lee Fields has been doing it for over four decades. Evan got into drums playing in bands with friends as a teenager, catching the tail end of a New York music scene in which some clubs allowed 15-year-olds to play there. After earning a liberal arts degree at NYU, he entered The New School for two years of intensive drum study with Jimmy Cobb, Joe Chambers, Billy Hart, Joey Baron, and others. Recently, when not traveling with Lee Fields, Evan has also been working on Broadway as a sub drummer for Cirque Du Soleil’s “Paramour.” In this podcast, Evan talks about: How he landed the gig with Lee Fields and what a straight-up soul band requires of the drummer, stylistically and technically How growing up in New York City shaped him as a musician and as a person His time at the New School, and why a degree wasn’t the point The most valuable lesson he got from Jimmy Cobb How there is no substitute for the confidence that comes from putting in the work and getting experience What has changed about New York since he was a kid, and what will never change How family life has made it easier to be in the moment, on stage and at home.

25 Touko 20171h 4min