508 - Robert Blair: Being Your Authentic Self, Subbing with Wang Chung & Martina McBride, Learning from Nashville’s Legends

Justin Chesarek has lived in Atlanta for almost a decade, where he has played with various jazz artists including Gary Motley,Joe Gransden, and singer/songwriter Sam Burchfield. Justin also teaches at two area universities, Kennesaw State and Emory. He grew up near Pittsburgh which, despite its rustbelt identity, has always had a rich music scene and has recently evolved into a more cosmopolitan city. He stayed close to home for college, attending Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. Grad school brought him to Atlanta in 2007 and he earned a master’s degree in jazz from Georgia State. His recent trip to Alaska, and finding ways to put yourself in a good headspace to perform, especially while on the road Creating jazz tunes with relatable titles and content The early influence of The Beatles, and the first jazz records he listened to His first performance experiences at age 12, sitting in with his teacher’s bands at bars on school nights Notable jazzers from Pittsburgh including Art Blakey, Roger Humphries, Ahmad Jamal and Sean Jones How the Atlanta scene, especially the drumming community, is very high level without being too competitive Rediscovering his passion for rock drumming, and putting in the work to sound authentic on it Transitioning out of a gig in a positive way when life moves in a certain direction The differences between the two college programs he teaches in, and what each requires of him as an educator His hobby of photography, and how it can further enrich the experience of traveling for music Justin endorses Vic Firth Drumsticks

1 Aug 20171h 34min

Kyle Wilkerson is a well-versed and highly versatile drummer/percussion and film composer based out of Nashville, Tennessee. He has played/toured/recorded with many national artists and bands such as Maddie and Tae, Joshua Scott Jones (of Steel Magnolia), Kristen Kelly, Jillette Johnson, Michael Alvarado (of the duo US), Justin Adams, Logan Mize, Adam Sanders, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, The Lucky Few, North Carolina Dance Company, and many more. Kyle has toured all over the nation and has played the top music festivals in North America including Bonnaroo, CMAFest, and will appear in an upcoming episode of Bar Rescue on Spike TV. While home in Nashville, Kyle consistently works at the top live music venues and recording studios such as 3rd and Lindsley, 12th and Porter, Mercy Lounge, Darkhorse Studios, Blackbird Studios, Omni Sound, and Sound Emporium. In addition to recording and performing, Kyle also composes and scores for film and video for the Bofars Production Company based out of Columbia, South Carolina. His music has been featured in the Nissan Innovation for Endurance campaign leading up to the 2012 Olympics and he will be scoring the full-legnth feature documentary, The 41st Day, about the top US Men’s Olympic Marathon runner Ryan Hall (www.ryanhallfilm.com). Kyle also teaches, writes, and arranges for various high school marching bands in NC and TN. When he is not performing or composing, he is teaching/arranging percussion for the WGI Indoor Percussion Group Forza East Independent, based out of Greenville, North Carolina, which he is also the board of directors. In this episode Kyle talks about: Touring with Maddie and Tae When to showcase your chops What a radio tour is How the Maddie and Tae gig happened Creating real relationships Writing music for film Being prepared T.V. performances Answering a question from a listener Kyle endorses: Gretsch, Zildjian Cymbals, Innovative Percussion, Evans Drumheads, Gibraltar hardware, and Big Fat Snare Drum

26 Juli 20171h 27min

Rafael Pereira was born and raised in Sao Paolo, Brazil. As a kid he began playing piano, guitar and percussion, and along with his brother, fell in love with the traditional Samba and Choro music of Brazil. He first came to the U.S. as an exchange student in high school, and spent a year in Idaho. After he returned to Brazil, his father got a business opportunity in Atlanta and Rafa made the move with him. In addition to Atlanta’s Brazilian community of about 60,000, Rafael found immediate opportunities to play all sorts of gigs on drums and percussion. He played percussion alongside two of the city’s most famous local heroes, Sonny Emory and Lil’ John Roberts, which led to his name being thrown into the hat when Janel Monae was forming a new band in 2010. He’s been part of her team ever since, playing for multiple recordings and tours. He also stays active at home in Atlanta with multiple projects including The ATL Collective, a pool of Atlanta musicians that convenes once a month to perform a classic album in its entirety. In this podcast, Rafael talks about: He and his brother getting into the Samba artists of their parents’ and grandparents’ generations The blurred line between percussion and drumset in Brazilian music Why he views the percussionist’s role as that of a copilot, and why he loves it The parallels between American and Brazilian folk/roots music Taking stylistic and rhythmic cues from guitarists His involvement in The ATL Collective Rafael endorses Pearl Drums and Percussion, Remo Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, Innovative Sticks and Mallets, Cooperman Frame Drums, and Ultimate Ears In-Ear Monitors.

19 Juli 201759min

Brian Ferguson is a studio and live Musician/Drummer/Producer based in Austin, Texas. He began playing drums and percussion at the age of 10 and has never looked back. A consummate student of the instrument and it’s significance to American Music, Brian can be found touring, recording and producing a wide variety of acts. His deep knowledge of drumming and music allow him to contribute to any musical situation while inspiring the band to play their best. His light sense of humor and punctual professionalism make him an irreplaceable and key ingredient to a wide variety of musical projects. Brian has performed/recorded/toured with a wide variety of artists including but not limited to: Robert Earl Keen, Pat Green, Jack Ingram, Cory Morrow, Aaron Watson, Stoney Larue, Eleven Hundred Springs, Hudson Moore, Zane Williams, Adam Hood, Jason Eady, Rob Baird, Curtis Salgado, Mike Morgan and the Crawl, Carter Beckworth and Bubba Hernandez. Currently, Brian is drumming with Performing Artist/ Songwriter Cory Morrow, in addition to his own project The Harvey Kartel. THK is the creative outlet and side project of Brian and Steve Miller guitarist Jacob Petersen. In this podcast, Brian talks about: Touring with Texas artist Cory Morrow and dealing with a new born Flying to China for a clinic tour for Dixon Drums Trial by fire during his early years of touring Defining the Texas country music scene and what makes it unique Attitude!!!!!! The importance of subtleties, nuance, touch and feel on the kit Brian’s producing experience Balancing artistic expression and being efficient in the studio Knowing and developing your strengths Brian proudly endorses Dixon Drums and Hardware, Paiste Cymbals, Western Audio Works Cases and Vic Firth Drum Sticks.

12 Juli 20171h 9min

Adam Goodhue has been busy on the Atlanta scene for the last four years. Before that, he spent 16 years in San Francisco where he played just about every type of music it had to offer. Adam grew up in Massachusetts where he was the beneficiary of a small but active high school music program. By his late teens, he was hooked on two things; drumming and snowboarding. For short time, he thought competitive snowboarding might be his focus, but a knee injury made that impossible, and he realized that snowboarding was a fun hobby, but drumming was what he really wanted to do for the rest of his life. He was in a band with some friends who made plans to move to San Francisco. He took advantage of the “in” and moved there in 1996. Although the band didn’t last very long after that, Adam had already fallen in love with the city and began getting work with other groups. He also got some formal training for free, when the University of California at Berkeley was in need of a drummer for their jazz program. Adam was allowed to play in some groups and audit classes without actually enrolling. By this time, he had also become obsessed with the music of New Orleans, discovered that it was a sister city to San Francisco, and found how much the two cities have in common musically. Adam moved to Atlanta in 2013 where he has continued his love affair for the music of the South, performing with Col. Bruce Hampton, Grant Green Jr., Maria Muldaur, Tommy Talton and many others. In this podcast, Adam talks about: How his approach to teaching lessons has changed from the kind of lessons he took as a kid The moment he got serious about pursuing music professionally How discovering the music and drummers of New Orleans was a turning point for his playing What brought him to the Bay Area, and the strong connections between San Francisco and New Orleans Pursuing feel and tone rather than content The Bay Area when he got there vs. when he left What brought him to Atlanta, and what kept him there Treating networking like a full time job when you’re new in town His outlook as he pushes his career forward and makes plans to get married

6 Juli 20171h 24min

There are drummers and there is Sarah Tomek. With the rumbling authority of a John Bonham and the razor precision of a Keith Carlock, she has become one of the most in demand drummers today. Currently playing for Steven Tyler, Gretchen Wilson and the fast rising Americana band Loving Mary, Sarah Tomek commands a front row seat in the new class of top tier musicians. Born and raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Sarah found herself behind the kit at an early age. Her father, Joe Tomek, a formidable drummer in the New York 70’s rock scene, inspired and shaped her natural talents. By her early teens, she was a club staple at world famous venues throughout NYC and NJ. By the time she was 20, she began making her name as a session player. Her precocious ability to play a multitude of genres with effortless pocket and feel made her the easy choice for many producers; recording for Maggie Rose, Glen Burtnik, Gedeon Luke, Lance Larson and Jon Bon Jovi, to name a few. Sarah has been featured in Modern Drummer magazine and currently uses Ludwig drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Kelly Shu drum mounts. In this podcast, Sarah talks about: The many projects Sarah is involved with The reason she moved to Nashville The influence of her father’s drumming on her The idea of “drum ID’s” and adopting them in your playing Positive attitude The joy of proving skeptics wrong who doubt the abilities of a female drummer Touring with Steven Tyler and Gretchen Wilson Staying healthy on the road

26 Juni 20171h 8min

L.A. drummer Kevin Stevens recently completed two tours of Europe with David Brighton’s Space Oddity, a David Bowie tribute show. He is the drummer and bandleader for three groups (Rumproller Organ Trio, Brass Monkey Brass Band, and The Deep Cuts) under the umbrella of his company, Grits n’ Gravy Music. Kevin grew up in Denver, studied music at the University of Miami, cut his teeth as a pro on cruise ships and on the scene in San Francisco, and has lived in L.A. since 2003. He is also on the faculty at Musician’s Institute where he developed a 10-week course on the music, drumming, and drummers of New Orleans. In this podcast, Kevin talks about: First getting involved in Space Oddity ten years ago, being away from it for years, and being asked back three months before Bowie died. His process of learning the songs, making charts for himself, and incorporating the tracks he’s responsible for running. Instrumentation for the Oddity gig, on the road and at home The psychological game of sharing a drum chair, and maintaining confidence in yourself and your relationships How leading three separate bands led to leading a single company His New Orleans Drumming course at Musicians Institute and his long love affair with New Orleans music of all kinds The keys to successful marriage and family life as a musician Kevin Stevens endorses Remo Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, and Protection Racket Cases.

21 Juni 20171h 6min

Kasey Todd is a professional drummer, percussionist, vocalist, and an all around musician and entertainer. Along with being a performer, he also has credits as a producer, arranger, and bandleader. Kasey grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and was involved in music at a very young age. His father is the Co-Owner and front man of 50’s and 60’s show band, The Van-Dells. This has allowed Kasey to be around the music business his whole life, gaining great first hand experiences into the industry. Kasey moved to Nashville, Tennessee in the fall of 2011, and is working as a full time touring and studio drummer. Before moving to Nashville, Kasey graduated from Otterbein University, in Columbus, Ohio, with a Bachelors Degree in Music with a focus in Jazz Studies. At Otterbein, Kasey studied all styles of music and spent a lot of time on drumset, vibraphone, orchestral and hand percussion. Kasey has toured the globe as bandleader with Canadian country artist Aaron Goodvin(Warner Bros.). The latest single ‘Woman In Love’ reached #7 on the Canadian country charts. Kasey also performs and records with singer-songwriter Jace Everett, best known for the theme song to HBO’s True Blood. Kasey can be heard on the new Jace record ‘Dust & Dirt’ (2017). Kasey still holds the drum chair live and in the studio with The Van-Dells. And, starting in the summer of 2017, Kasey has been touring with the band Tonic. Kasey keeps busy working with a wide range of Nashville artists, and is even an entertainer at the Big Bang Dueling Piano Bars where he can be found singing, playing piano, drums, and bass. Kasey has been on stage performing since the age of two and has had the pleasure to play with many great artists and groups. Some of those include Tonic, Jace Everett, Josh Thompson, Aaron Goodvin, Sam Lewis, Morgan Frazier (NBC’s The Voice), The Van-Dells, Rick Brantley, Megan Ruger (NBC’s The Voice), Matty Monk, Andrew Varner, The Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra, The Otterbein College Faculty Jazz Ensemble, and The Westerville Symphony Orchestra just to name a few. In this episode, Kasey talks about: Starting to tour with the band Tonic Growing up watching his fathers band, The Van Dells and then taking on the drum chair Learning to play piano and bass Studying at Otterbein University Dealing with perception vs. reality in the music business Working with singer/songwriter Jace Everett Recording at Abby Road Studios Endorsements Paying your dues Recording at home Kasey endorses: Promark Sticks, Paiste Cymbals, Evans Drum Heads, Kelly Shu mic mounting system, Westone in-ears, Humes and Berg cases, Snare Weight, Vintage Logos and Swan Percussion

15 Juni 20171h 20min