Pittsburgh, PA native Neal Yakopin arrived in Nashville in July 2020 and in a few short years has become a well-known and respected player, currently touring with country star Nate Smith. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native Neal Yakopin arrived to Nashville in July 2020 and eventually began working with Sony Music Nashville singer-songwriter Drew Green, who has written songs for Florida Georgia Line and Conner Smith. In 2022, Neal joined Nate Smith’s band for a six-show tour followed by a Fall tour ...
Dec 15, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Lawrence, Kansas native Vincent Williams has been on the Nashville scene since the summer of 2016 and is currently coming off tour with platinum American singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips. Vincent is a man of integrity, both on and off the stage, and in this wide-ranging interview, we discuss topics relevant to both the working drummer/musician and anyone hoping to have a professional career in the music industry. Vincent has performed with such artists including Matt Kearny, Bren Joy, and The ...
Nov 10, 2023•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 40
On September 30th, we were stoked to be part of the 1st-ever 615Shedz event hosted at Drum Box Nashville. Today we sit down with the founder of 615Shedz, Jake Robinson, a Fort Myers, FL native who moved to Nashville in 2022 upon graduating from the Berklee College of Music. Recording extensively in the Berklee studios, gigging around the Boston scene, spending hours each day in the practice rooms, and hosting late-night drum sheds, Jake was always finding some way to be involved with the communi...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Attendee interviews from the Music City Drum Show Day 2, July 30th, 2023. We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors: Music City Audiology Website: https://www.musiccityaudiology.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiccityaudiology Drum Supply Website: https://www.drumsupply.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drumsupply Drum Supply Rehearsal: https://soundspace.co/spaces/drum-supply-rehearsal Register for the 2024 Music City Drum Show https://www.musiccitydrumshow.com Interviews (in or...
Sep 15, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Attendee interviews from the Music City Drum Show Day 1, July 29th, 2023. We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors: Music City Audiology Website: https://www.musiccityaudiology.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiccityaudiology Drum Supply Website: https://www.drumsupply.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drumsupply Drum Supply Rehearsal: https://soundspace.co/spaces/drum-supply-rehearsal Register for the 2024 Music City Drum Show https://www.musiccitydrumshow.com Interviews (in or...
Sep 11, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Back on June 3rd, we were delighted to be a part of the 1st-ever Drummer Duel hosted by Soundspace. The event featured 8 local drummers competing head-to-head in front of a live audience, and Indiana native Lleyton Brainard walked away the champ after three rounds featuring drum solos and play-along tracks showcasing participants' musicality and chops. We were thrilled to learn Lleyton's background and his unique approach to the instrument and specifically drum improvisation. As an avid skateboa...
Aug 21, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Drum Supply has been serving the needs of drummers in Nashville and around the world since 1995, but few know the rich history of the shop and its founder, Andy Foote. We were thrilled to go one-on-one with Andy in this exclusive behind-the-scenes interview LIVE from the shop in East Nashville. Andy shares his story of a young, inquisitive drummer growing up in Jackson, TN who quickly found himself at the forefront of the drum-building industry. Andy's entrepreneurial mindset and nimble teenage ...
Aug 01, 2023•1 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Dylan Murphy has been a musician all his life, and he moved to Nashville with a clear purpose and direction. He is currently the drummer for rising rock country artist Ben Chapman, balancing his days off the road at Amber Sound Studios in Nashville, TN tracking demos, overdubs, and full-length projects. Dylan discusses ways to be your most genuine self and a dependable band member while on tour, the pros and cons of metronome apps, and his approach to the studio and live sound. We hope you enjoy...
Jul 17, 2023•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Welcome drummer and music director Rob Bodley of The Foxies! Rob has been in Nashville for over 5 years and has quickly become known for his "go-getter" attitude and professional work ethic. In this interview, we dive deep into the topics of live performance and touring, as Rob encourages us to "zoom out" of our specific role on the drums and challenges us to elevate our live sets musically and creatively. We also discuss the concept of "distracted practice," why drum sheds can be so valuable, a...
Jun 23, 2023•1 hr 57 min•Season 1Ep. 33
We're pumped to welcome back our sponsor and featured guest (Episode 11) Ben Wood! In this roundtable-style interview, we dive deep into the topics of mental health as Ben shares his own struggles and personal journey to a fulfilled, happy, and balanced life. We discuss the mental toughness you need to follow your dreams, how to persevere through hard times and setbacks, the importance of self-identity and self-worth, and why community is so important. You're not alone. Please reach out to any o...
Jun 05, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Hailing from the north shore of Long Island, NY, Perry Dornbush moved to Nashville in 2019 with a yearning to play great music and a drive to continually push his boundaries on the drums. Now the drummer for local alt-rock psychedelic band Spirits Republic , Perry enjoys the Nashville live scene both with his own projects and seeing friends and drumming heroes on stage. In this conversation, we nerd out on math rock, discuss his approach to practicing and recording, explore jobs in the music ind...
May 19, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Born and raised in Columbus, OH, Matthew Crouse moved to Nashville in 2000 and has since made a name for himself as a true working drummer, having been involved in multiple facets of the music industry; including touring, music merchandising, recording, and of course, as the founder and co-host of the Working Drummer Podcast , which he started in 2015 and has grown to over 400 episodes and counting. Matthew gives us a behind-the-scenes look into the music business and how Nashville drummers have...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Raised in Selma, AL, Matt Mcilwain has only been in Nashville for less than 2 years but has quickly become a known personality in town, most notably as the drummer for American country music singer Trey Lewis. Matt's skillsets extend far beyond his talents as a touring drummer. Utilizing his skills in media and production, Matt has become an invaluable asset for multiple Nashville-based podcasts, including the DM Monday Podcast (Trey Lewis) and In The Round Podcast (Matt Burrill), among others. ...
Apr 12, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Raised in Minneapolis, MN as a young classical percussionist, Sammi Potts moved to Nashville in 2013 to study music at Belmont University. In this interview, we learn the valuable skillsets she learned both in and out of the classroom to propel her to an already fruitful career as a full-time rock drummer, currently on tour with breakout country star Shane Profitt. We discuss how to stay balanced when coming off a tour, the importance of showmanship, and how valuable mentors can be. We hope you ...
Mar 22, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Hailing from Louisiana, Tayvieon Graham moved to Nashville with rockstar ambitions and an attitude rooted in kindness, understanding, and respect. In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss the parallels between drumming and Tayvieon's non-musical hobbies including golf and speed skating, integrating other musical styles, and why you might wait on endorsements. We hope you enjoy! We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors: Music Lab Nashville https://nashville.musiclab.co Drum Box https://drumbox.s...
Mar 08, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Daniel Kozlowski holds degrees in Percussion Performance and Music Theory, both of which continue to serve him greatly as a sought-after live and session drummer in Nashville, TN. In this episode, we discuss his move from touring to session drumming, why music education is so important, and how incremental steps toward progress can be so powerful. We hope you enjoy! This episode is sponsored by Music Lab Nashville https://nashville.musiclab.co Connect with Daniel...
Feb 20, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 26
You may know our next guest from his online educational videos and plethora of drum transcriptions that have taken the industry by storm. We were thrilled to sit down with Nashville-based drummer, Tim Buell, in this jam-packed, nearly 2-hour long conversation spanning a wide range of informative and valuable topics. We discuss the parallels between high-performing athletes and preparing for the gig, what AI means for creatives, how to be present, and ways to optimize your workflows for optimal e...
Jan 27, 2023•1 hr 55 min•Season 1Ep. 25
We're kicking off 2023 with local session drummer, producer, and songwriter Kip Allen! Having graduated from Belmont University, Kip has taken every opportunity to refine his craft and grow professionally as a touring and studio drummer, currently on the road with country artists Madeline Edwards and Devin Dawson . Kip's experiences in the industry are wide-ranging; from touring and playing stadiums, to landing a DW sponsorship and cut with Keith Urban, we discuss the steps it takes to compete i...
Jan 09, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 24
We're closing out 2022 with our interview with Ohio native Jonn Bostwick, currently on tour with Texas country artist Parker McCollum. Jonn is a gifted all-around musician who moved to Nashville with an intensity and drive that fuels his passion day in and day out. Jonn shares with us invaluable performance mindsets and career advice for younger drummers. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This episode is sponsored by Music Lab Nashville https://nashville.musiclab.co Connect with Jonn: Instagra...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Our next guest is Nashville business owner and drum tech Thomas Finch of FDS Drum Services! Thomas is a man of conviction, discipline, and a work ethic second to none. Growing up in New Jersey, Thomas shares his upbringing as a drummer touring the world to eventually letting go of music and joining the army, where soon after, his passion for the drums led him to move to Nashville and start FDS Drum Services. This conversation is full of honest wisdom and hard-hitting truth! We hope you enjoy. Th...
Dec 07, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Working professionally in Nashville as a drummer, artist, and producer, North Carolina native Howard Artis joins the podcast hot off his 2022 AMA performance with Yola. We were inspired to learn of Howard's journey to Nashville where he overcame the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to major life events that have all shaped his career. We discussed the benefits of broadening your musical horizons, the role that ego plays both as a performer and professional, and healthy tactics fo...
Nov 23, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Nashville multi-instrumentalist and educator Kevin Keith joins the podcast as we discuss his unique journey from the classical percussion orchestral world to starting a rock band on lower Broadway, Too Hot For Leather. Kevin persevered through many challenges brought on by the 2020 pandemic, including moving to a new city and joining a band from Craigslist — all of which have brought him to where he is today in Nashville pursuing what he loves. We hope you enjoy! This episode is sponsored by Mus...
Nov 09, 2022•1 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Welcome Nashville-based drummer and educator Jon Butterworth! We had such a pleasure sitting down with Jon and learning his journey to Nashville from Berklee College of Music and LA. Jon has such a positive outlook on the community and is a true student of the instrument. He shares valuable insights from studying with Mike Mangini to healthy performance mindsets we can all use both on and off the gig. We hope you enjoy! This episode is sponsored by Music Lab Nashville https://nashville.musiclab....
Oct 24, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 19
You may know Brandon "Critter" Garza by his inimitable dreadlocks seen up and down the Broadway streets, but most don't know his journey to Nashville — of years filled with challenges, setbacks, and adversity that most of us may never go through in a lifetime. Brandon is a very honest guy that loves the drums, loves learning, and truly values friendships and our special drumming community. We hope this episode gives you inspiration to "keep going" wherever you are in your own journey. This episo...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 18
The foodies out there will thoroughly enjoy this savory conversation with Memphis native and Nashville local Marcus Finnie! We cover some really interesting and relevant topics surrounding today's music industry, including how to charge for gigs, the cost of saying yes, marketing yourself as a musician, committing to your craft, and ultimately — ways to develop your unique identity on the drums. We hope you enjoy! This episode is sponsored by Music Lab Nashville https://nashville.musiclab.co Con...
Sep 07, 2022•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 17
We had such a pleasure sitting down with Nashville-based drummer Dru Marshall! We discuss Dru's time living in LA and starting a rock band, touring with AJ Smith, and the relentless pursuit that keeps him going. Connect with Dru: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/drumarshall1 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Dr%C3%BCMarshall1 Music Featured in this Episode: ' Elevated' by Hotstop ' Superficial' by Hotstop ------ Connect with Nashville Drummers Podcast: Website Instagram Facebook About Dru:...
Aug 12, 2022•1 hr 41 min•Season 1Ep. 16
NY-native and Nashville-based drummer Jake Sommers joins the podcast in this super-packed interview full of inspiration, career advice for younger drummers, fun behind-the-scenes stories on touring with Luke Combs, and of course, lots of laughs. Hope you enjoy! Connect with Jake: Website: http://www.jakesommersdrums.com Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jakesommers7 Facebook Music Featured in this Episode: 'Catchin Hell' by Adam Warner 'Which Way Should I Go' by Chuck Thomas ------ Connect w...
Jul 25, 2022•2 hr•Season 1Ep. 15
Today we had the great pleasure of sitting down with Sofia Goodman! We discuss her time at Berklee College of Music, her journey to Nashville, and why she chose to form her own jazz group. We also explore her thesis, titled "The Art of Incorporating Afro-Latin Rhythms' In the Style of Maria Schneider". We hope you enjoy! Follow Sofia on Social Media: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/thesofiagoodmangroup Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirtyseven.sofia Website: https://www.thesofiagoodma...
Jul 03, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 14
The 2022 Music City Drum Show is July 9-10! Listen to the episode for 10% off tickets! Follow Landon on Social Media: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/thelandonhall Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLandonHall Website: https://www.landonhall.com Follow Music City Drum Show: Instagram: http://instagram.com/musiccitydrumshow Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/musiccitydrumshow Website: https://www.musiccitydrumshow.com Music Featured in this Episode: 'Ruins' by De La Torre ------ Connect w...
Jun 20, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Please help us welcome Alan Pfeifer to the podcast! We dive deep into Alan's past and journey to Nashville, how the drums have played such an integral role in his life both musically and spiritually, and the three of us have fun geeking out over our favorite drummers and bands. Hope you enjoy! Follow Alan on Social Media: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/pfeifdigs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pfeifdiggy Follow Flummox: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flummoxtagram Facebook: https...
Jun 08, 2022•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 12
