543 - Scott Williamson: Playing the Song, Not the Drums, The Good and Bad of Home Recording, Working with Producer Bob Ezrin

Originally from Corpus Christi Texas, one of the most defining moments in Willie Cantu’s music career was at the young age of 17 when he became an original member of the Buckaroos led by Buck Owens in the 1960’s. During the three and a half years Willie performed and recorded with Buck Owens, the band earned numerous awards that included Grammys and CMA’s. In 1966, Buck Owens and the Buckaroos were only the second country act to have appeared at Carnegie Hall. Willie has always been an avid fan of jazz and jazz drumming. During a visit on tour with Buck, Willie had the rare privilege to meet and hang with the great Tony Williams as well as many other jazz greats. After leaving Buck in late 1967, Willie married a canadian moved to Toronto were he got more involved in performing in jazz groups like the Pharoah Sanders Quartet. Shortly thereafter, Willie moved to San Francisco were he continued his education in all things percussion. In 1983 Willie moved to Nashville were he began playing country again as well as Scottish Pipe Band Drumming. He started two Scottish Pipe Bands in Tennessee including the Tennessee Scot’s Pipe Band. He became the house drummer at the Nashville Palace from 1989 to it’s closing in 2005. Willie continues to teach privately and perform locally in Nashville. Click here for pictures

12 Aug 20151h 25min

Raised in South Bend Indiana, Trey Gray moved to Nashville in 1990. Trey has built a strong reputation in Nashville as a solid and dynamic drummer starting with his work in 1994 with Faith Hill. Later, Trey went on to work with Jewel, Brooks and Dunn, Reba McEntire as well as Ronnie Dunn as a solo artist. In 2003, Trey was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease. Despite the disease’s hallmark symptoms of uncontrolled movement of the upper body, Trey continues to work as a drummer for many of these artists as well as write and produce in his two recording studios in Nashville and Indiana. With the help of some close friends, Trey started the Huntington’s Disease Foundation (HDFI) to help raise awareness of the disease as well as organize events that will generate income towards research for a cure. Also, through help with Vanderbilt University, Trey has started the Trey Gray Fund. Click here for pictures This interview was conducted July 30th 2015

6 Aug 20151h 21min

At four years old, Tim Horsley began playing drums and by the age of eight, he was playing live shows with his fathers gospel group in Southern Illinois. This early experience created a foundation for Tim to become the in-demand drummer he is today in Nashville. Starting in 1998, Tim has played drums with some of the best known country artists. After a short stint with Suzy Bogguss, Tim toured for close to five years with Keith Urban. His work with Keith helped establish Tim as a formative player that lead to many other artist gigs like Gary Allan, Deana Carter and Jamie O’Neal just to name a few. Becoming an expert at recording the drums, is one of the many ways Tim continues to diversify his talents within the music industry. Dedicating his energy into getting the best drum sounds he can for tracking drums in his home studio has been an obsession that continues to pay off. You can easily access examples of these recordings on his web-site. From an educational angle, Tim utilizes his home recording experience and teaches others through the web-site homestudiocorner.com. Along with maintaining a steady stream of recording clients, Tim is also the house drummer for a multi-media web-site called Digital Rodeo. Tim stays busy performing live with a variety of artists like Dean Alexander as well as performing in industry showcases for new artists. Click here for pictures This interview was recorded July 27th 2015

29 Jul 20151h 26min

Bassist David Santos shares insight into music and drumming that only a bass player can give. David has toured and recorded with Billy Joel/Elton John, John Fogerty, Crosby Stills and Nash, The Neville Brothers, Billy Preston and many others. As a consummate student of music, David has created opportunities to work with some of the greatest musicians of our time. This includes working with many amazing drummers. Some of the drummers we discuss in this podcast include Andy Newmark, Kenny Aronoff, Cindy Blackman-Santana and Liberty Devitto. David continues his work in Nashville as a first-call session musician and runs his own world-class White Rock Studios. David is also a respected educator and songwriter/producer. He provides instruction on piano, guitar and bass. Click here for photos This interview was conducted July 21st 2015

22 Jul 20151h 39min

For the last five years, Kevin Murphy's been the power house drummer for country singer Randy Houser. Before his current road gig, Kevin toured for 11 years with the band Tonic. Growing up in the Northern Virginia/DC area, Kevin's exposure to music, like hardcore and "Go Go," became an undeniable influence on Kevin's playing and has served him well for the more than two decades he's spent as a full-time professional drummer. Kevin plays an active role in the Nashville drumming community and constantly works at maintaining strong friendships among his peers. Most recently Kevin was one of the drummers mentioned in the August issue of Modern Drummer's feature on the "Nashville Drummer Jam" and their tribute to Neil Peart. It's easy to hear an air of confidence in Kevin's voice but you can also hear it in his playing. His YouTube channel is well stocked with live footage of Kevin's dynamic playing. Kevin has also taken on the role of producer and songwriter. Kevin's producing and songwriting skills can be heard on Josh Gracin's (former American Idol contestant) record "Redemption." Also, Kevin is a partner in a hot sauce called Mad Hatter Foods. Click here for pictures

15 Jul 20151h 43min

Brian Fullen is a veteran drummer who's lived in Nashville for many years and worked for many artists including Shania Twain, Peter Frampton, Bob Carlisle, Allies, The Imperials, Vince Gilland Larry Carlton just to name a few. As a first call studio drummer, Brian's session work covers artist projects to movie sound tracks to music for TV commercials. Brian's been expanding his home studio work with sessions supporting chart topping Australian artists that have been at the forefront of an Australian country music renaissance. Some of these artists include Australian X-Factor finalists and Toyota Star Maker winners from 2013 and 2014. Brian's family has deep musical roots and at the age of fifteen, he was working professionally as a drummer. Studying in Columbus Ohio at Capital University and later receiving a Masters of Art from the University of Memphis, Brian used his educational experience to become a respected educator himself. As well as teaching at Belmont University in Nashville for twelve years, Brian has authored three well received books, Bass Drum Essentials for the Drumset, Contemporary Country Styles for the Drummer and Bassist and Jazz Standards for Drumset. Click here for pictures This interview was conducted June 19th 2015

8 Jul 20151h 41min

Drummer Rich Redmond has so many plates spinning there wouldn't be enough room in the podcast show notes to list them all. Best known as the drummer for country super star Jason Aldean (touring and studio), Rich also produces other artist's music with his partners at New Voice Entertainment. As a speaker and author, many of Rich's pursuits encompass the combination of education and motivation. You may find Rich at a music store putting on a drum clinic for aspiring drummers while on tour with Aldean and the next week speaking in front of business professionals motivating them to reach the next level with his program C.R.A.S.H. Course For Success. Living by example, Rich is constantly dreaming up new and innovative ways to find success in music, drumming, the entertainment industry and many other areas of business. Based in Nashville and Los Angeles, Rich adds songwriting and most recently acting to his impressive resume. Click here for pictures This interview was conducted June 18th, 2015

24 Jun 20151h 55min

Many people know Steve Bowman as a founding member and original drummer for the band Counting Crows. Born and raised in Oakland California, Steve had the good fortune of growing up in a town with a history of successful bands like The Counting Crows. Steve established a reputation as a solid musician with his original and creative drumming on the band's 1993 debut album August And Everything After. In Late 1994, Steve left the band and went on to play with artists like Third Eye Blind, John Wesley Harding, and Penelope Houston. While on a trip to Nashville in 2006 to record with the band The Bittersweets, Steve discovered the charm of the music city and moved his family in 2007. Since that time, Steve stayed busy live and in the studio with artists like Big Kenny and many other songwriters. The devastating Nashville flood in 2010 and the damage it did to Steve's property forced him to make many changes in his life. What started as a dark period has turned into an opportunity for Steve rediscover and reinvent many aspects of his life including how he makes music. Click here for pictures.

17 Jun 20151h 22min