503 - Ben Hilzinger: Playing With Cannons and Eve 6, His New Book and New Podcast, Harnessing His ADHD For Good

Jan Faircloth grew up in western Kansas and moved to Kansas City in his early 20s. There, he found ample opportunities to pursue his love of Blues and Country music and has since been the heartbeat of some of the most successful blues acts to come out of KC, including Trampled Underfoot, Levee Town, and the Danielle Nicole Band. He is a fixture on the local scene and tours nationally and internationally on the circuit of the world’s best blues clubs, festivals and cruises. In this podcast, Jan talks about: His approach on the drums as an original member of a band vs. joining an existing band Why North Texas wasn’t for him His relationship with the late great jazz pianist, composer and educator Frank Mantooth The hallmarks of KC blues, and how it was informed by KC jazz How musicians are more open to change than listeners KC’s blues hub, Knuckleheads, and its drumming hub, Explorer’s Percussion His number one objective, whether playing or teaching: FUN! Jan Faircloth endorses Meinl Cymbals. This episode is sponsored by Sakae Drums.

19 Loka 20161h 19min

Kevin Rapillo was born in Trumbull, CT, just north of New York City. A combination of growing up just hours north of New York City and having a great uncle, Lou Vitale, that was a professional drummer were the things that helped nurture Kevin’s interest in music. After high school, he found himself at the Berklee College of music in Boston. After moderate success in the Boston area with bands in and out of label deals, Kevin moved to Nashville in late 1997 looking for a fresh start. Shortly after his move, Kevin met and stared working with country singer Rodney Adkins in the early stages of his career. After 14 years and six number ones, Rodney’s still going strong and keeps Kevin busy as a full-time touring drummer. When not touring, kevin stays busy in Nashville playing often at the legendary Nashville club, The Family Wash. Kevin has worked with many other artists in Nashville including Will Kimbrough, Pat Buchanan and producer Tom Hambridge. Last year, Kevin’s trio recorded a record called The HiMM’s. In this podcast, Kevin Talks about: Touring with country singer Rodney Atkins Auditioning a whole new band as the band leader The influence of a great uncle who was a successful big band drummer Staying focused on musical goals the face of overwhelming competition Drumming for Tom Hambridge – songwriter, producer and drummer as well Building your career around relationships Kevin endorses Sakae Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Remo Drumheads This episode is sponsored by Sakae Drums

12 Loka 20161h 13min

Ed Breckenfeld was born and raised in Chicago and has lived and worked there all his life. He’s done it all, from devoting years of his life to a single band, to being the jack-of-all-trades hired gun, to being the first call for producers, artists and engineers for all kinds of session work. He is the author of “Off The Record,” a long-running transcription series for Modern Drummer Magazine in which he delved into many iconic drum parts across many genres. In addition to working with many local Chicago acts live and in the studio, Ed currently tours internationally with the rock band Pride of Lions. In this podcast, Ed talks about: Chicago…the city’s lifestyle, musical infrastructure, musical history, and drumming legacy What he tells every student about the drums in their first lesson The advice he gives students who want to pursue music in college The insight that writing “Off the Record” gave him about how drum parts are created How the types of gigs you’re in the hunt for change as you age, but don’t necessarily decrease His experience as a member of a band trying to make its mark in the 1980s, and the nature of the music industry then vs. now His love of original songs and records, and how he wants his drumming to contribute to those This episode is sponsored by Sakae Drums.

5 Loka 20161h 18min

Rob McNelley is an accomplished session guitarist in Nashville who has landed a string of high-profile gigs and awards including “Guitarist of the Year” from the Academy of Country Music in 2014. Rob’s father, Bobby Gene McNelley, was the lead singer of McGuffey Lane, a southern-rock band based out of Columbus in the 1980s. Rob spent much of his young life listening to his father’s band, and gradually picking up the guitar. Rob became a huge fan of the Rolling Stones, and an even bigger fan of the blues artists they covered including Jimmy Reed, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. Rob eventually moved to Nashville, where he landed a job as Delbert McClinton‘s guitarist and toured with the Grammy-winning blues musician for years, often doubling as McClinton’s opening act. As Delbert’s touring schedule was winding down, Rob was spending more time in the studio and groups like Lady Antebellum began hiring McNelley to play on their multi-platinum albums. Other artists followed, from Bob Seger to Buddy Guy, Kacey Musgraves and Rascal Flatts. Rob performs with his own band, The Rob McNelley Band, AKA – RNB, regularly in Nashville. In this podcast, Rob talks about: Touring with Delbert McClinton Demos vs. Master sessions in Nashville Old and new ways of producing Connecting with the drummer in the studio Drummers that take a compositional approach and create signature parts Checking your ego at the door Advice for young drummers and experienced drummers Growing up in a musical house Recording with Buddy Guy This episode is sponsored by Sakae Drums

28 Syys 20161h 20min

Lauren Kosty is a classically trained percussionist who has been upping her drumset game in recent years. She spent her entire life in L.A. until she moved to London in February of 2015, where she quickly won an open audition for the drumset/percussion chair with crossover artist Russell Watson. Watson combines operatic singing with various pop styles, making the gig the perfect culmination of Lauren’s many skills. She describes London as “maybe the best city in the world to be a musician in.” Before moving there, she was commanding a busy schedule in L.A. involving orchestras, musicals, and pop acts, both live and in the studio. Her credits include John Williams, Sir Neville Marriner, Gustavo Dudamel, David Benoit, P. Diddy, Chris Botti, Bobby McFerrin, Brian McKnight, the L.A. Philharmonic, The Long Beach Opera, Dave Ricard Big Band, and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. In this podcast Lauren talks about: How she moved to London knowing almost no one there How her first few months in London gave her the opportunity to expand her drumset chops The audition for Russell Watson, and her clever approach to the improvisation portion of it How she bent a few rules at USC in order to get a greater diversity of playing experience The rigors of preparing for orchestral auditions How her interest in a wide variety of instruments and music has led to a wide variety of gigs Her early impressions of the art and music culture of Europe vs. that of the U.S. This episode is sponsored by Sakae Drums

21 Syys 201659min

On a historic night in the Winter of 2009, drummer Wes Little proved beyond any doubt that he is the nimble, adaptable, professional musician he wanted to be even before he left his small Southern home town. The occasion: the inaugural ball for newly elected President Barack Obama. The job: to back a jaw-dropping lineup of legendary talent, including Stevie Wonder, Sting, Mary J. Blige, Faith Hill and Beyonce. Through a wild variety of styles, arrangements and temperaments, Wes Little held down the groove, satisfied the most demanding stars and made the whole event bolder, smoother and better. Star-studded as it was, the Inaugural Ball was by no means the first validation of Little’s multi-faceted musicianship. For a decade in New York and recent years in Nashville, Little has been patiently taking his place among the elite session drummers, supporting major artists in rock, jazz, hip-hop and country. Wes is from Wingate, North Carolina, a small college town southeast of Charlotte, where his parents were both educators. Lacking big city distractions, Wes was drawn to music. After seeing a picture of fusion great Billy Cobham seated behind one of the world’s biggest drum sets in a Tama catalogue, Wes knew that’s what he wanted to do. Most drummers get on-the-job training only, but Little had his eyes on a jazz career, so he pursued formal studies in music, including a master’s degree in jazz drumming from the Manhattan School of Music. As a new professional in New York, there was certainly jazz around, but there was also a smorgasbord variety of styles and gigs. Little played in theater orchestras, sideman sessions and rock bands. He connected with hip-hop legend Chuck D and worked in several of his post-Public Enemy bands, including Confrontation Camp and Fine Arts Militia. While in New York, Little met his future wife Britt Savage, who moved to Nashville ahead of him. Since 2004, Little has been based in Nashville where he’s earned respect in the Music City studio scene. That said, he’s frequently on the move for work back in New York or tours across the country and world with Robben Ford, Joe Nichols, Jo Dee Messina, Billy Dean and others. He has also expanded his work as a producer and songwriter. In this podcast, Wes talks about: Building studios / practice spaces Evolution of the home studio Studying at East Carolina University Moving from New York to Nashville Working with Chuck D and his band Confrontation Camp Playing at Obama’s inauguration in 2009 with many artists including Sting, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder and Mary J. Blige The difference between studio and live playing Recording and touring with Robben Ford Rhythm section master class at PASIC Being married to a musician This episode is sponsored by Sakae Drums Wes Little endorses Pearl Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vater Sticks, Evans Drumheads, Vintech Audio, Ableton Live, Presonus and Carmichael Thrones His wife’s hilarious fake Craig’s List post: Britt (AKA Joey) i don’t need floor tom. what would you charge. Do you have a snare? I live in Lebanon and am working until 9. please get back to me right away cuz I’m looking at another drum set on friday. do you know if I can get a loud sound with these drums. My favorite drummer is Travis barker (blink 182) and John Dalmayan (System o...

14 Syys 20161h 18min

Darren Stanley is one of the Atlanta area’s most established and well-liked drummers. His main gig is touring with Colonel Bruce Hampton, who is described by Wikipedia as a Blues Surrealist. Before that, he was the longest standing drummer for Delta Moon, with whom he toured and recorded for eight years. He is the house drummer for bassist Kevin Scott’s Tuesday night jam session in Atlanta, which is known both locally and by national musicians touring through town as a bastion for experimental music. He is also the percussion instructor for one of the biggest and best high school music programs in the state, Brookwood High School, where his wife is the band director. In this podcast, Darren talks about: Playing in Colonel Bruce’s band, and having to be open to almost anything, musically or otherwise His experience as a student at The University of Georgia and as a musician in Athens His technical foundation, from rudimental drumming to The New Breed and The New Breed 2 How his eight-year tenure in Delta Moon forced him to strip his playing down to the bare essentials Being the house drummer for a jam session that is not genre-based and truly open How losing his father changed his perspective on music Teaching music to students who aren’t going to make it their careers, but whose musical experience will shape them as people Why travelling is important for musical and personal development https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAL4tFM2SDY&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VJtqkQ8xII This episode is sponsored by Sakae Drums

7 Syys 20161h 24min

A Memphis native, Marcus Finnie has toured and recorded several years with Grammy winner Kirk Whalum. He has also toured the world with Grammy winning artists such as Donna Summer, Larry Carlton, Earl Klugh, Lady Antebellum, Billy Preston, and BWB. Marcus is featured on KirkWhalum’s fourth volume of The Gospel According to Jazz. This project also features Rick Braun, Norman Brown, Sheléa and several other artists. Marcus also performed with Sinbad, Keiko Matsui, Marc Antoine, Chuck Wicks, Gerald Veasely Christopher Cross. While living in Nashville, Marcus has toured and performed with Keb Mo, India Arie, Tamir Hendleman, Monte Montgomery, Larry Goldings, Lalah Hathaway, Aaron Neville, CeCe Winans and several others. Over the years he’s worked with Grammy winning producers Keb Mo, Shannon Sanders, Andrew Ramsey, Cedric and Victor Caldwell, Kelvin Wooten, John Stoddart, Robben Ford, Rodney Crowell, Darrel Brown, Tommy Simms, Ed Cash, and Desmond Child. Marcus teaches at The Nashville Jazz Workshop and fronts his own band – The Marcus Finnie Band. Marcus endorses: Sakae Drums, Vic Firth Sticks, Zildjian Cymbals, Meinl Percussion & Evans Drum Heads This episode is sponsored by Sakae Drums In this podcast, Marcus talks about: Changing his set-up to accommodate the song/vibe in the studio Working with studio engineers Marcus’s early influences Working with Grammy award winning Kirk Whalum Click or no click in the studio Nashville Jazz Workshop The Marcus Finnie Group The future of jazz in Nashville Healthy road life

31 Elo 20161h 16min