345 - Tommy Harden: Nashville Studio Great, Drumming for Legendary Country Band Alabama, Playing for the Song

Yonrico Scott has been a fixture on the Atlanta scene and in Southern music in general for decades. He was born and raised in Detroit, where he began touring and recording as a teenager. His interest in percussion brought him to The University of Kentucky where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in classical music. After college, he moved to Atlanta and quickly felt like he was home. In the late 90’s he joined the band led by guitar prodigy Derek Trucks with whom he recorded several albums and toured extensively for a decade. He was also a member of Southern super group The Royal Southern Brotherhood, co-led by Devon Allman, Mike Zito and Cyril Neville. YonRico has just released Life of a Dreamer, his fifth album as a leader. In this Podcast, Yonrico talks about Recording “Life of a Dreamer” at ZAC Recording Studios in Atlanta with engineer Tony Terrabone Recognizing when a unique drum part is called for vs. something more obvious Playing congas and percussion in funk, R&B, and pop settings as opposed to Salsa, and the subliminal power of a shaker How he was shaped by the musical culture and history of Detroit. Studying percussion at Kentucky State University and the University of Kentucky, and approaching the drumset more like orchestral percussion. His time in The Derek Trucks Band, and what he and Derek learned from each other. Sentiments on his recently departed friend and Allman Brothers drummer, Butch Trucks. Yonrico Scott endorses Pearl Drums, Ziljian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, and LP Percussion. This episode is sponsored by Mapex.

29 Maalis 20171h 15min

Rob Mitchell has built an impressive resume list of gigs throughout his decades in Nashville, Tennessee. Currently, Rob continues to hold down the drummers chair with the band, Sixpence None the Richer. Due to their light touring schedule, Rob finds time to work with singers like at James Otto, Chuck Wicks, Wes Cunningham and Chris Carmack from the TV show “Nashville”. Rob stays busy in Nashville’s vibrant studio scene recording everything from demos to independent projects. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Rob moved to Nashville in the mid 80’s to study music at Belmont University. During his time at the Belmont, Rob received the type of professional experience he needed to maintain steady work as a professional musician. In this episode, Rob talks about: Working with Sixpence None the Richer World travel and playing shows around the world in places like Japan, Buenos Aires, and Jacarta, Indonesia Receiving “real world experience” in college Taking charge from the drum chair when needed The challenges of promoting yourself online Sharing a house with drummer Kevin Murphy! Being prepared for what the music business offers Staying mentally healthy on the road and dealing with “down time” This episode is sponsored by Mapex Drums

22 Maalis 20171h 18min

Wayne Salzmann has been at the top of the Austin scene for nearly a decade. Even before graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a Master’s degree in jazz performance, he was working his way into the many musical circles Austin has to offer. He has since compiled a long list of performance credits including Steve Miller, Kris Kristofferson, Joe Satriani, Mike Stern, Joe Bonamassa, Bobby Mcferrin, Jeff Coffin, and Oz Noy. He also holds down regular gigs with his own trio and with Austin favorites Bob Schneider and Eric Johnson, and is a member of the adjunct jazz faculty at UT Austin. In this episode, Wayne talks about: Why Austin is the self-proclaimed “live music capital of the world,” and why it’s a destination for musicians from all regions and backgrounds The small but mighty jazz program at UT Austin, and how he uses the Austin scene as a training ground for his students. His early musical life in Stevens Point, WI, the town that was the basis for That 70’s Show Creating a live music scene in his small college town where there wasn’t one before Receiving a grant to travel to New York for an independent study project with Bill Stewart, Billy Martin, Joey Barron and Ari Hoenig. His gigs with real-life guitar hero Eric Johnson, singer-songwriter Bob Schneider, and his own groups, The Wayne Salzmann Trio and Groove Society. Wayne Salzmann endorses Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Evans heads, and DW Drums, pedals, and hardware. This episode is sponsored by Mapex drums.

16 Maalis 20171h 2min

In this episode Working Drummer hosts Zack Albetta and Matthew Crouse have a unique opportunity to join forces with Nick Ruffini from Drummer’s Resource to have a “host-full” conversation. We take a break from our normal interviews and spend some time to talk about ourselves and some major transitions all three of us are going through. In this podcast, Nick, Zack and Matt talk about: Adapting to major life changes and transitions Changing the Narrative of what its like to be a working musician Finding non-playing gigs in the music business “Shedding the ego related badge of only playing for a living'” Nick Ruffini’s anticipated transition to San Francisco Zack Albetta’s transition to Atlanta after a year Matt’s transition from life as a touring drummer to finding work closer to home in Nashville Being selective about work The pitfalls of comparing ourselves with other people This episode is sponsored by Mapex Drums

8 Maalis 20171h 10min

Tony Austin was born and raised in Los Angeles. He is one of two drummers (the other being Ronald Bruner Jr.) who are part of The West Coast Get Down, a collective of LA musicians making their mark on the modern jazz scene. The collective’s flagship is saxophonist Kamasi Washington’s recent release, “The Epic,” a three disc set of compositions involving dozens of musicians and ranging from free jazz to soul to electronica, on which Tony played multiple roles as drummer, engineer and producer. As a kid, Tony was part of the Big Brothers program and was mentored by Roger Linn, a pioneer inventor of electronic musical instruments including the MPC60 drum machine. He credits Roger with nurturing his interest in music and re e maintains that relationship to this day. In this episode, Tony talks about: Growing up in North Hollywood and learning about music, electronics, and recording from Roger Linn The origins and mission of The West Coast Get Down The unique, “co-op” approach to recording Kamasi Washington’s “The Epic” Playing double drums with Ronald Bruner Jr. His friendship, musical partnership, and current duo project with bassist Miles Mosley Carving out creative and profitable projects for yourself, not just being at the mercy of the sideman hustle The experiences he had as a kid under the mentorship or Roger Linn Tour managing and playing with groups that performed on military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tony Austin endorses Tama drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks, and Remo drumheads. This episode is sponsored by Sonor.

1 Maalis 20171h 12min

In this episode we have the opportunity to share the unique perspective of a group of talented black musicians who make their living in Nashville, Tennessee. They share stories of resilience and realism in an unpredictable work environment. Our guests include Keio Stroud, Derek Phillips, Jeremy Roberson, Marcus Finnie and Hubert Payne. Their respective artist gigs include Big and Rich, Chase Rice, Hank Williams Jr., Kirk Whalum, Little Big Town as well as other live and studio work that keeps these drummers busy. In this podcast, this round table discusses: Building relationships upon the common ground of music Being the only black person at an arena gig Influencing the culture on and off the kit Learning how to develop thick skin Being mistaken as the band’s security The influence of urban music in country music “Kanye Twitty” “Don’t step on the money” – AKA the melody – Keb Mo Hands = knowledge / Ears = wisdom Driving the band Creating a support system This episode is sponsored by Sonor drums

22 Helmi 20171h 37min

Andy Sanesi is a New York native who has spent the last decade in L.A. His time in New York was highlighted by playing with saxophonist John Zorn but the quality of life in L.A. and the opportunity to do better than just scrape by drew him west. He got busy soon after moving, thanks to a few friends in L.A.’s latin, jazz, fusion and rock scenes, and eventually landed the gig with Missing Persons, a drum chair originally occupied by Terry Bozzio. In this podcast, Andy talks about: Growing up with the jazz influence of his dad and the pop/rock influence of his older sisters How a John Zorn tribute show in college led to actually playing with Zorn Not being the best at any one thing, but really good at many things How working his way onto the LA scene hinged on just a few key contacts Playing in Missing Persons, and making that drum chair his own The difference between being told what to play and told how to play The tools and techniques he uses to alter the sound of his cymbals His long-standing weekly steady with the Julian Coryell Trio at Trip in Santa Monica His (and Zack’s) favorite cocktail  Andy Sanesi endorses DW drums, Aquarian drumheads, Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks, and Humes & Berg cases. This episode is sponsored by Sonor drums

16 Helmi 201759min

When not out touring with country duo Trick Pony, Wil Easterwood spends his time as a freelance drummer and vocalist for live performances and studio sessions in Nashville, Tennessee. He also has several years of experience as an audio engineer live/studio. Originally from Cedartown, GA, Wil moved to Nashville in 2008 and quickly began working steadily as a drummer on lower Broadway. The exposure and experience on lower Broadway lead to many performance opportunities for Wil including his work with Trick Pony. At the age of 29, his musicality and approach to the instrument has a maturity that has been well-recognized by his peers of all ages and experience.  Before moving to Nashville, Wil played with Georgia based groups in both indie rock and country genres. While in Georgia, Wil worked for several Atlanta market FM and smaller “hometown” AM radio stations as an On-Air Personality. And, from 2005 to 2007, Wil served as the house engineer and assistant technical director for his hometown one thousand seat auditorium/theater. Repairing, cleaning, tuning and general maintenence of drums has always been something Wil has had a love and talent for. Under the name, “Circus Bear Drum Services”, Wil is now offering this service to the drumming community. In this episode, Wil talks about: Singing while playing drums Expecting the best from yourself How the Trick Pony gig happened In-Ears vs a wedge Playing lower Broadway gigs in Nashville Early small town musical influences Wil’s engineering experience Circus Bear Drum Services and its back story Diversifying your workload This episode is sponsored by Sonor Drums

8 Helmi 20171h 33min