Working Drummer

Erik Aylesworth is an Atlanta-based drummer who joined Jet Black Roses through remote recording during the pandemic. He attended Atlanta Institute of Music but cut his gigging teeth on the funk/R&B scene in Dayton Ohio. He returned to Atlanta in 2016 and got himself busy playing the usual combo of corporate, bar/restaurant, and church gigs. Jet Black Roses signed with N-Ovation Music Group in Nashville and just finished recording their debut album, with songs set to be release starting in late summer of 2022. In this episode, Erik talks about The recording process for Jet Black Roses at Ronnie's Place The band's unique strategy for releasing and publicizing their music, skipping a few of the usual steps Becoming a father during the pandemic How recording with guitarist Rob McNelly influenced his own approach as a drummer How the usual influences of Bonham, Colaiuta, and Peart combined with pocket influences like Prince and Lil' John Roberts

9 Jun 20221h 10min

Drummer and Nashville native, Jerry Pentecost has played with John Prine, Brent Cobb, Amanda Shires, Caitlin Rose, Aaron Lee Tasjan, and many others. In 2018 he became only the second drummer ever nominated for the Americana Music Association’s Instrumentalist of the Year award. Since around 2019, Jerry has been the drummer for the Grammy award winning group, Old crow Medicine Show. In this episode, Jerry talks about:    Loyalty over pay when juggling multiple gigs    Playing the Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame honoring Eddy Bayers    Drumming for Old Crow Medicine Show    Covering many roles with OCMS including playing mandolin, bones and singing    Recording the latest OCMS record, Paint This Town    Two op-eds he wrote for the Tennessean focusing on Black History    Dealing with systemic racism    Traditional country drumming and serving the song

2 Jun 20221h 37min

Eric Slick is a product of the Philly area where he began touring with Dr. Dog. After relocating to Nashville in 2018, he continued that gig until the band’s recent hiatus, and has gone on to perform with Waxahatchee and The Crooked Rhythm Band among others. He is also a singer, songwriter, and producer in his own right, his latest release as a solo artist is an album of ten original songs called Wiseacre. In this episode, Eric talks about His ongoing studio learning process The power of "no" - filling your schedule vs. being fulfilled Playing with the Crooked Rhythm band and digging into the Fela Kuti/Tony Allen stuff His interest in late 70s/early 80s drum machines and productions Wrestling with drums and mics vs. wrestling with the computer How Nashville is becoming a place for everyone, musically and otherwise His "jazz damage"

26 Mai 20221h 18min

Al Murray is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of the British Drum Company He is also one of the UK’s most recognizable comedians! In his guise as the Pub Landlord he has played drums with the likes of Phil Collins and Queen as well as touring the world appearing on TV and radio. Al has published books and is planning a movie, but his first love is drums. A keen and enthusiastic drummer, Al has played since he was a kid, and is currently active in the band 'Fat Cops'. Lastly, Al and historian James Holland discuss all matters Second World War with their immensely popular podcast, We Have Ways of Making You Talk. The podcast is a bi-weekly show exploring the war in close up and James and Al have a stunning knowledge of the subject. In this episode, Al talks about:    His podcast, “We Have Ways of Making You Talk”    His interest in the 2nd World War    The British Drum Company    The variety of snare drums that The British Drum Company offers    His full time gig as a touring comic act, the Pub Landlord    How the history of drum manufacturing is also the history of manufacturing

19 Mai 20221h 5min

Danny Pachall has been active on the Atlanta scene for nearly 20 years with gigs ranging from the most precise metal to the most experimental improvisation. He toured with "blues surrealist" Col. Bruce Hampton and was part of the long-standing jam session hosted by bassist Kevin Scott. He has also toured and recorded with metal guitar heavyweight Emil Werstler, Zappa alum Ike Willis, tribute outfit Georgia Players Guild, and many others. He is currently in the house band for "Metalsome Mondays," a live band metal karaoke show, and most recently he was tapped to perform live and record for a new side project by Mastadon's Brent Hinds. In this episode, Danny talks about His view of the current metal landscape His "Jim Keltner" approach to Brent Hinds' project Recording and touring with Emil Werstler's metal project "Verlorener" The influence of bassist Kevin Scott, and the role Kevin's experimental jam session on the Atlanta creative scene Playing with Col. Bruce Hampton Being capable of the precision of metal and the freeness of experimental music, sometimes simultaneously Getting over imposter syndrome - being a jack of all trades vs. needing a musical home

12 Mai 20221h 13min

Jim Brock has proven to be an innovator in the world of drums and percussion. Within his forty five year career he has appeared on literally hundreds of recordings with artists such as Joe Walsh, Joan Baez, Kathy Mattea, Joe Cocker, Janis Ian, River Phoenix, and James McMurtry. With five solo recordings and a DVD entitled The Nature Of Drumming, Jim Has traveled the world extensively with performances on The Tonight Show, A Prairie Home Companion, Good Morning America, MTV, and multiple appearances on The View, just to name a few. Among these include a concert at the White House for President Clinton in 2000. In 2007, Jim was asked to compose the music for the documentary "The Spirit of Sacajawea". For this work he is the recipient of the prestigious Telly award, and was nominated for an Emmy award in the category of Composer/Arranger. In this episode, Jim talks about:    Learning to develop his own voice with percussion    When and when not to use traditional patterns and feels    Recording with Joe Walsh    Recording in the pre-digital era    Living and working in Charlotte NC    The recording scene in Charlotte    The rhythm of life itself    Recording with Steve Gadd, Alex Acuna, Mel Lewis and others

5 Mai 20221h 22min

Brian Steever is a drummer on a mission to inject joy into every musical situation that he finds himself. One of the most in-demand drummers on the Kansas City scene, the drums have been his passion since he was born. He began his studies with Loyd Warden in Columbia Missouri and is an alumnus of UMKC where he studied with Doug Auwarter, Brandon Draper, Curtis Lundy, Michael Carvin and Bobby Watson. Brian enjoys many performance opportunities in the Kansas City area and beyond. He can be seen around town with Mike Metheny, Matt Otto, Bob Bowman, Jeff Harshbarger, and Hermon Mehari. Brian has also had opportunity to play with musicians from all over the world including Ben Allison, Javon Jackson, Deborah Brown, Bob Sheppard, Tony Tixier, Shunzo Ohno, and Sam Newsome among others. In this episode, Brian talks about: Having the three strong influences of a mentor, a peer, and a community all before he left high school How the Kansas City jazz scene is supportive of everyone's unique voice His experience at University of Missouri-Kansas City The influence of Matt Wilson - being effortless and intentional Exploring sounds and ideas vs. practicing drums The never-ending matched vs. traditional conundrum

28 Apr 20221h 12min

As a session drummer, Shannon Forrest has contributed to the work of many well-known artists, including Brooks & Dunn, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Chieftains, Willie Nelson, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood, Lee Ann Womack, Jerry Douglas, Merle Haggard, and many others. Shannon is also a producer and engineer. Born in Easley, South Carolina and now living in the countryside just outside of Nashville, Shannon's recording career is unparalleled. In his twenty-plus years as one of Nashville’s top session drummers, he's constantly in demand for practically every top artist that town produces. The list includes mega stars Brooks & Dunn, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Faith Hill, Sugarland, Tracy Lawrence, LeAnn Rimes, The Chieftains, Michael McDonald, Willie Nelson, Alabama, Art Garfunkel, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood, Blake Shelton, Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, Gretchen Wilson, Merle Haggard, Trace Adkins…and countless others. Shannon Forrest is a recipient of the Academy of Country Music’s Top Drummer/Percussionist Of The Year. In this episode Shannon talks about:    The confidence of Jeff Porcaro    The “inter-dynamics” of the Rosanna shuffle    What separates the “session musician” from others    The intent of building his own studio    The production of the Tom Bukovac record - Plexi Soul    Performing with spirit and intent    Developing a good working relationship with the click    Recent recording project - Judson McKinney and the Wanderers    Shannon’s YouTube channel

21 Apr 20221h 43min