116 – Derrek Phillips: Drumming for Hank Williams Jr, Teaching at Two Universities, Master Classes with Tony Williams

Jamie Rogan is a passionate drummer that for the last ten years has been working for country singer Billy Currington. But Jamie is so much more than that. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in music education, he stayed in Alabama for two more years as a band director. In 2000 Jamie moved to Nashville. Jamie continues to juggle many things outside his full time road gig with teaching and session work. When not on the road, Jamie works with a Grateful Dead tribute band called The Stolen Faces. Click herefor pictures This interview was recorded April 7th 2015

20 Maj 20151h 49min

Fred Eltringham has had arguably some of the coolest gigs you could have throughout the years he's been playing. While touring with RCA artists Gigolo Aunts from the mid to late 90's, Fred established many working and personal relationships with the bands they were sharing the stage with. This included The Wallflowers which eventually became Fred's gig for eight years after leaving the Gigolo Aunts. While on a break from The Wallflowers, Fred was recommended for the Dixie Chicks gig where more Nashville connections were made. After multiple moves between LA and New York, Fred moved his young family to Nashville in 2006 where he has become steadily busier as a live drummer working with Sheryl Crow as well as an in demand session drummer recording with strong talent such as Kasey Musgraves, Allison Moorer, KD Lang as well as producer T Bone Burnett. Click here for pictures. This interview was recorded April 6th 2015.

13 Maj 20151h 39min

Before moving to Nashville in 1991, Steve Ebe spent his formative years in Memphis working with such legends as Carl Perkins and Donald "Duck" Dunn. Now, Steve is known throughout the Nashville music community as one of the busiest drummers in town. Whether it's teaching close to 50 students a week, or working with several bands who's primary focus is paying tribute to classic albums by performing them in their entirety, (The Long Players). Steve has carved a niche for himself that is truly unique. He still finds the time to work with other local bands as well, including a Steely Dan tribute called 12 Against Natureand an 80's party band with a strong reputation called Guilty Pleasures. For a little over 15 years, Steve has also been a member of a dedicated original band called Human Radio. This interview was conducted April 1st 2015. Click here for pictures.

6 Maj 20151h 56min

Ed Toth has held down two power house gigs for close to 20 years. Between 1996 - 2005, Ed was the drummer and member of the band Vertical Horizon. Since 2005, Ed has been playing drums with the legendary Doobie Brothers. Ed shares with us the joys and challenges that he experienced as a member of Vertical Horizon from its humble beginnings to multi platinum status as well as what lead to his transition into the gig with the Doobie Brothers. We also cover the strong influence his musician father had on Ed's early education as well as his introduction to the music of the Doobies as a kid. Ed's drum tech, Jeremy Denton joined us for the interview and took some great pictures. All photos in Ed's gallery are Jeremy's. Here is what Ed had to say about Jeremy: "Jeremy Denton (jdenton03@gmail.com) is a Nashville based photographer. He's also my drum tech so he knows his way around the kit and knows what looks best for drummers. If you need some shots for you or your band, I highly recommend you drop him a line!" - Ed Toth This interview was recorded April 2nd 2015

29 Apr 20152h 3min

Not only has George Lawrence been the drummer for Poco for over a decade, he's known throughout the Nashville drumming community as a natural mentor with years of experience performing live and in the studio. His reputation as an influential teacher includes a long list of successful alumni like drumming great Keith Carlock. In the early eighties George maintained steady work as a session drummer in Los Angeles and later at Muscle Shoals in Alabama. Some of George's current and past endeavors include owning his own drum shop, running the magazine "Not So Modern Drummer" as well as running the annual Nashville Drum Show. See photos here.

15 Apr 20151h 44min

For the last 15 years, Ben Sesar has been the live and studio drummer for Grammy award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Brad Paisley. This gig has given Ben a perspective on the music industry that few drummers get to experience. Ben offers his insight and philosophy on the business and what obstacles up and coming drummers might face. As a teacher, writer and professed life long student himself, Ben comes off as a true journey-man who is constantly looking for answers that plague his active drumming mind. And as a result of the depth of information we cover, we've decided to break this podcast into two parts. In part 2, Ben gets into practice techniques that he's designed to challenge himself as well as his students. He also explains the reason and origin of his cymbal set up and why they are angled the way they are. We have included the talents of photographer John Zocco in this podcast. You can check out all the great photographs from this interview on www.workingdrummer.net. This interview was recorded February 10th, 2015

8 Apr 201550min

For over 15 years Jim Riley has been the drummer for the hugely successful country group Rascal Flatts. After earning a degree in music education from North Texas, Jim found his way to Nashville in pursuit of higher musical goals. In pursuit of these goals, Jim shares with us his story of determination and perseverance. After establishing his drumming skills among his peers in Nashville, Jim quickly found himself with his first artist gig working with Mark Chestnut. As the group Rascal Flatts was beginning to take shape, Jim was asked to be the drummer. In spite of the newness of the group and its ground breaking pop style, Jim saw it as great opportunity and a risk worth taking. Within the first two years, Jim found himself in the position of musical director for Rascal Flatts and continues to maintain that position in the group. Jim discusses his role as "MD" and how it's responsibilities has evolved over years as the band's success has grown. Jim is also a dedicated educator. Sharing real world performance experiences with his students is at the core of Jim's teaching style. Jim is preparing to release his comprehensive book, Survival Guide For The Modern Drummer. Jim has also participated in many clinics across the country both large and small that have included Drum Daze in Columbus Ohio and Modern Drummer fest. Jim has defined success based on his own terms. He has found balance between performing with a successful band, teaching, writing music and writing about music as well as raising a family. See photos here.

18 Mars 20151h 36min

For the last 15 years, Ben Sesar has been both live and studio drummer for the Grammy award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Brad Paisley. This gig has given Ben a perspective on the music industry that few drummers get to experience. Ben offers his insight and philosophy on the business and which obstacles up and coming drummers might face. As a teacher, writer and professed life long student, Ben comes off as a true journey-man who is constantly looking for answers that plague his active drumming mind. Due to the depth of information we cover, we've decided to break this podcast into two parts. Ben discusses the trials of the music business in this first part as well as his decision to reinvent himself by converting to traditional grip after playing match grip most of his life. He also explains how he divides drumming into the "what we play" and "how we play", and the benefits of understanding the difference. We have included the talents of photographer John Zocco in this podcast. You can check out all the great pictures from this interview on www.workingdrummer.net. This interview was recorded February 10th, 2015

11 Mars 20151h 14min