Working Drummer - podcast cover

Working Drummer

Working Drummerwww.workingdrummer.net
With 500 episodes and counting, Working Drummer Podcast is the source for those interested in what it’s like to be a professional drummer. Hosted by Matthew Crouse and Zack Albetta, Working Drummer covers it all with a dynamic range of pro drummers who represent many different genres and scenes. Each weekly interview features a different performer, sometimes with a less recognizable name, but always with an impressive and distinct body of work. This unique approach has garnered a loyal audience hungry for unfiltered stories about making a living as a musician today.

Episodes

516 - Jorge Palacios: Drumming for Rick Springfield, Making Real Connections, Balancing Local and Touring Gigs

Jorge Palacios is an in demand drummer based in San Diego, California. He’s been the drummer for iconic rock star Rick Springfield since 2010. Other artists he’s worked with include Paul Young, Tommy Tutone, Sammy Hagar, The Mustard Seeds and many others. In this episode, Jorge talks about: Embracing different genres Balancing local and touring gigs Making real connections Drumming for Rick Springfield What he learned working cartage in L.A. Drumming for Sammy Hagar Bringing the energy ⁠Here's o...

May 01, 20251 hr 29 min

515 - Kassandra Kocochis: Recovering from the LA Fires, Helping LA Musicians Get Instruments, Touring with Ebi

Kassandra is working with altadenamusicians.org to get instruments to musicians affected by the LA fires. Go to altadenamusicians.org and download the Instrumental Giving app to help. Kassandra Kocoshis was raised in a musical family and has been playing percussion since she was eleven years old. She received her Bachelors of Music in Percussion Performance from DePaul University and her Masters of Fine Arts from California Institute of the Arts. In 2010, Kassandra relocated to Los Angeles to ea...

Apr 24, 20251 hr 12 min

514 - Dafnis Prieto: New Book: "What Are The Odds", Questioning "Tradition" as Related to Latin Music, Inspiring the Next Generation

From Cuba, Dafnis Prieto’s revolutionary drumming techniques and compositions have had a powerful impact on the music landscape, nationally and internationally. His various awards and honors include a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, a GRAMMY Award for Back to the Sunset (2018), two additional GRAMMY nominations, two Latin GRAMMY nominations (including Best New Artist in 2007), and the Jazz Journalists Association’s Up & Coming Musician of the Year in 2006. As a composer, Prieto has created music ...

Apr 17, 20251 hr 19 min

513 - Bill Ransom: Playing with Beth Hart, the Cleveland Scene, Doing Your Homework

As an internationally acclaimed drummer and percussionist, Bill Ransom has played some of the world’s biggest halls with a host of world-famous artists. While building his performing career Bill also worked as an educator, guiding countless young drummers into professional careers. One passion fueling another. He has toured and recorded with artists including Patrice Rushen, Aretha Franklin, Marion Meadows, Cecil Bridgewater, Diane Reeves, Mary Wilson, and James Newton. Bill currently tours the ...

Apr 10, 20251 hr 7 min

512 - Chris Brush: Recording, Drumming, Mixing, Producing, Leaning into Your Passion, Accepting the Role of Entreprenuer

Originally from Garland Texas, Chris Brush moved to Nashville in the fall of 1999 after college to play drums professionally. Over time, session opportunities ignited a passion in Chris as he began to work toward getting off the road full time, and move into the studio scene. Along the way Chris discovered that engineering, mixing, and music production were as exciting to him as drumming. He put the effort into learning about the world of acoustics, microphones, pre-amps, compressors, equalizers...

Apr 03, 20252 hr 45 min

511 - Jamey Haddad: Playing with Paul Simon, Playing What You Know vs. What You Feel, Bringing Cultural Authenticity to Pop Music

Jamey Haddad's career as a drummer and percussionist has spanned five decades, countless genres, and multiple continents. For over 25 years, he’s had a close relationship with Paul Simon, playing alongside Steve Gadd on multiple records and live projects. He has appeared on over 170 recordings and has played with a wide range of artists from Joe Lovano to Yo Yo Ma, and his career as an educator has found him at Berklee, New England Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory, and the Cleveland Institute ...

Mar 27, 20251 hr 19 min

510 - Duncan Phillips: Drumming for the Newsboys, Making Fitness a Priority, Dealing with Personal Changes

Newsboys is one of the biggest bands in Christian music history, having sold more than 10 million records across 23 recordings and garnering boundless accolades, including 1 RIAA® Platinum certification and 8 Gold certifications, 30 #1 radio hits, four GRAMMY® nominations, two American Music Award nominations and multiple Dove Awards. With signature songs like “We Believe,” “Born Again” and the unstoppable mega-hit “God’s Not Dead” — which birthed a film franchise of the same name — Newsboys hav...

Mar 21, 20251 hr 7 min

509 - Russ Lawton: Playing with The Trey Anastasio Band and LaMP, Being a New England "Band Guy", Influence of Afro Beat

Russ Lawton has spent most of his career in and around New England from Cape Cod to Boston to Burlington Vermont. For almost 25 years, he has been the drummer for the Trey Anastasio Band. He also has an organ trio project called Lamp that is about to release their second record and tour in support of it, and has played with countless other bands and artists from blues to Afro beat. In this episode, Russ talks about His early career, moving through Cape Cod, Boston, and Woodstock NY Infusing afro...

Mar 13, 20251 hr 6 min

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

Robert Blair is a Nashville TN based drummer with decades of live and studio experience. Originally from South Carolina, Robert's early love and commitment to drumming led him to working and touring by the age of 16 with players many years his senior. At the age of 21, he made the move to Nashville where he's built a reputation as a solid and reliable player with a professional sound. Not only does Robert stay busy in Nashville, live and in the studio, he has become the first call sub for countr...

Mar 06, 20252 hr 41 minEp. 508

507 - Jose Medeles: Drummer, Drum Shop Owner, Author, Slingerland Brand Manager, Community Builder

Jose Medeles is the owner of Revival Drum Shop in Portland and the author of several books including The Stoic Drummer. In his former life, Jose was an LA based working drummer and toured and recorded with The Breeders and many other artists, and also did a stint working at the famed Pro Drum Shop in Hollywood. Most recently, Jose became the brand manager for the relaunch of Slingerland Drums. In this episode, Jose talks about: His LA-based playing career prior to moving to Portland and opening ...

Feb 27, 20251 hr 17 minEp. 507

506 - Rich Scannella: Drumming for Tonic as well as Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia, Book: "Ghost Notes", Being a “Polite Pain” to Grow Your Social Circle

Rich Scannella has played for some of the most iconic superstars in the music industry. Rich has played, toured, and or recorded with legendary artists: Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Jon Bon Jovi & The Kings of Suburbia, Tonic, Brian Fallon (Gaslight Anthem), Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Joe Elliot (Def Leopard), Neal Schon (Journey), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Gene Cornish (The Rascals), and Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf), to name a few. He has toured the USA, Europe, UK, Japan, Cana...

Feb 20, 20252 hr 47 minEp. 506

505 - Murphy Aucamp: Playing with Blue Man Group, Splitting Time Between New York and Miami, Studying with Dafnis Prieto

A native of South Florida, percussionist Murphy Aucamp studied classical percussion at Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, while simultaneously studying rumba in the streets of south Florida. He is a graduate of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he studied under Steve Rucker, Dafnis Prieto, and John Yarling. Murphy’s performing credits include appearances with Blue Man Group, Gloria Estefan, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Quincy Jones, and Nu Deco Ensemble, He has toured int...

Feb 13, 20251 hr 14 minEp. 505

504 - Tim Baltes: Adjusting to Life in France, Being Authentic, Streamlining Content Creation

Tim Baltes is a drum-centric American music professional living in Nantes, France. Tim has accrued years of social strategy, copywriting, product development, and MI retail operations experience bolstering manufacturers, distributors, and retailers alike. Tim has advised drummers including Curt Bisquera (Johnny Hallyday, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Tom Petty), Michael Urbano (Sheryl Crow, Smash Mouth, Third Eye Blind), and Nic Collins (Phil Collins, Genesis), educating them on audio engineering, au...

Feb 06, 20252 hr 40 minEp. 504

503 - Ben Hilzinger: Playing With Cannons and Eve 6, His New Book and New Podcast, Harnessing His ADHD For Good

Ben Hilzinger is a Los Angeles-based drummer and songwriter with 20+ years of performing, recording and teaching experience. Currently the drummer for Eve 6 and Cannons, Ben has also written, recorded, and/or toured throughout the USA/internationally with MXPX, Fitness, Mike Herrera, Party Nails, We Shot The Moon, Glorybots, Ever So Android, Jake Cummings, Josh Eacrett, Dave Cavalier, and many more. In addition to performing and teaching, Ben is the Director of Artist / Client Relations for Big ...

Jan 30, 20252 hr 35 min

502 - Dylan Wissing Returns: w/ Special Guest Andrew Marsh from WTS Drums, Useful Plug-ins, Tracking Remotely

Dylan Wissing is a session drummer based in Hoboken, New Jersey, who has recorded for such artists as John Legend, Drake, Kanye West, Jay-Z and Eminem. He is best known as the drummer on Alicia Keys’ Grammy award-winning hit, “Girl on Fire,” and is heard in national ads for AT&T, American Airlines, Valvoline, Behr Paints and Banana Republic. Dylan teaches the art of recording and session drumming at his website, Creating the Sound, and is a proud endorser of WTS Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian D...

Jan 22, 20252 hr 33 minEp. 502

501 - Master Gunnery Sgt. Chris Rose: Playing in "The President's Own" Marine Band, Serving a Huge Variety of Musical Roles, Promoting National Unity and Tradition Through Music

Master Gunnery Sgt. Chris Rose has spent the majority of his professional career in his role as percussionist, drumset specialist, and soloist with the United States Marine Band. "The President’s Own" comprises 160 members and takes various forms depending on the event or occasion they’re playing for and the instrumentation needed for it. As you’ll hear, this affords Chris the opportunity to play a huge variety of musical roles, from classical percussion to marching drums to jazz and rock drumse...

Jan 16, 20251 hr 12 minEp. 501

500 - Episode 500: Celebrating this Milesone, New YouTube Content, The Past, Present, and Future of WDP

In years past for milestone episodes, we would do something kinda special or make a big deal out of it in some way. This is definitely our biggest milestone yet but it comes at a time when neither of us (Zack & Matt), really have a lot of time to organize anything much more involved than a regular episode. We tried to line up a special guest but the scheduling didn’t quite work out. We’re confident that person will join us for an episode in the near future, just not this one. This podcast has al...

Jan 09, 20252 hr 32 minEp. 500

499 - Dave DiCenso: "Mastering the Instrument That Plays the Instrument," Finding a Common Theme Amidst Versatility, 30 Years Teaching at Berklee

Dave DiCenso began his career in the late 80s on the metal scene in his hometown of Boston. He later studied at the Drummers Collective in New York and went on to enjoy a successful and varied career touring and recording with Steve Morse, Hiromi, John Petrucci, Duran Duran, Josh Groban, and many others. He is the author of several books including Universal Rhythms for Drumset and his most recent, Fluid Fills and Musical Phrasing, and just celebrated the milestone 30 years of teaching at Berklee...

Dec 19, 20241 hr 23 minEp. 499

498 - Dango: Drumming with Seattle band Amber Pacific, Scott Stapp - Singer for Creed, Playing with Confidence

Dango is a professional drummer based in Nashville, TN who is currently drumming for Grammy award winning artist Scott Stapp – the voice of Creed. He is also a member of the platinum selling worship band, Sonicflood. He has performed with bands and artists all over the world, from the US, to South Africa, to Europe, and South America. He graduated from Belmont University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance, studying under the legendary Chester Thompson. Dango is a longtime member of t...

Dec 12, 20242 hr 32 minEp. 498

497 - Jano Rix: Playing With The Wood Brothers, His Deep Jazz Background, What He Took from Watching His Dad's Playing and Career

Jano Rix is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer who has been the third member of The Wood Brothers for over a decade. He started as a hard core jazz pianist, earning a degree from the University of Miami and playing experimental jazz on the New York scene, but he gravitated back to the drums, his dad's instrument, and steered his path back to other styles of music. The Wood Brothers are currently on tour and in the process of recording their next album. In this epi...

Dec 05, 20241 hr 10 minEp. 497

496 - Brandon Green returns: The Drum Ergonomics Blueprint, The Importance of Recovery, Understanding Your Range of Motion

Brandon Green is a biomechanics specialist, fitness educator, gym owner and drummer. Brandon’s online presence, often recognized as “Drum mechanics”, explores educational biomechanics perspective on fitness, drums and life. Brandon provides a series for all called the "Drum Ergonomics Blueprint" as well as his "Drum Forever Fitness Community". In this episode, Brandon talks about: The Drum Ergonomics Blueprint Physical demands of drummers in the modern age Understanding your range of motion and ...

Nov 21, 20241 hr 11 minEp. 496

495 - Aaron Redfield: Playing with The Greyboy Allstars, Returning to San Diego After 15 Years in LA, Building Creativity and Community Through his Non-Profit

Aaron Redfield grew up in San Diego and started his career on that scene. In addition to his long tenure as the drummer for The Greyboy Allstars, he has compiled a long list of touring and recording credits including Elton John, Ceelo Green, and Foster the People. After 15 years living and working in LA, he has moved is family back to San Diego and operates from there. In this episode, Aaron talks about: The new Greyboy Allstars record and how it came together The musical meaning and history of ...

Nov 14, 20241 hr 20 minEp. 495

494 - Martina Barakoska: The Power of Meditation, Touring Southeastern Europe, Fine Tuning and Cultivating Creativity

Martina Barakoska is a drummer and musician who in her considerably short career has gained notable achievements. Deep and thoughtful yet energetic and playful, her style reflects her love of modern music and her fascination with the power of the drums. Throughout the years, she has maintained continuous growth of success preaching individuality, quality, and persistency.Winning an award for the best drummer at “T’k Tak” drum competition when she was only 17 was followed by many successful music...

Nov 07, 20241 hr 24 minEp. 494

493 - Caleb Whitlock: The Scene in Charlotte, Eyes on Nashville, Maximizing a Small/Simple Home Studio, Financial Literacy

Caleb Whitlock grew up in Charlotte and has been based there for two years after having attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He tours nationally with singer/songwriter Ethan Regan, plays locally with a variety of acts, records in his home studio, and also works as a post-production engineer. Making part of his living doing post-production and editing, and how that differs from mixing How doing post production on acapalla vocal music has influenced how he hears and records dr...

Oct 31, 20241 hr 5 minEp. 493

492 - Chad Wackerman: Working with Allan Holdsworth, Making a Band Sound Better, Auditioning for Frank Zappa

Chad Wackerman’s professional career began in 1978 with the Bill Watrous Refuge West Big Band. Since then he has amassed a remarkable body of work including a seven year association with Frank Zappa, with whom he toured the USA and Europe and recorded 27 albums including the London Symphony recordings. He has also recorded 8 albums and toured with guitar legend Allan Holdsworth, played on the ‘One Voice’ album and video with Barbra Streisand, and recorded albums and toured with artists as divers...

Oct 24, 20242 hr 54 minEp. 492

491 - John R. Beck: Building on Dad's Legacy, Looking Beyond it to Form His Own, Serving as President of PAS

John R. Beck, Professor of Percussion at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, also teaches at Wake Forest University. He is the principal percussionist of the Winston-Salem Symphony and is a member of the Greensboro Symphony, Brass Band of Battle Creek, and the Philidor Percussion Group. A former member of the United States Marine Band, for 10 years he performed regularly with the National and Baltimore Symphonies, Washington and Baltimore Operas, and the Theater Chamber Players ...

Oct 17, 20241 hr 10 minEp. 491

490 - Matt Crowning: Navigating the Remote Tracking World, Drumming with Wife Amber Leigh, Making a Good Impression as a Sub

As a performer, session player, instructor, producer and clinician, Matt Crowning is more than a "drummer's drummer.” He is a "musician's drummer" that brings a wealth of talent, experience, and style to each situation. Matt's diverse performance background ranges from Country, Pop, Rock, Big Band, Jazz and R&B. His work includes performances with various Curb Records, Disney Records / Disney Channel artists, Love and Theft, College 11, Kiki Sanchez, Vanilla Monk, Matt Farr and Kerrie Roberts. C...

Oct 10, 20242 hr 44 minEp. 490

489 - Martin Diller: From Full-Time Freelancing in LA to Becoming a Licensed Therapist in the Bay Area, Perspective on Mental Health and Music

Originally from the Bay Area, Martin Diller spent over a decade on the LA scene, touring, recording and playing locally with a wide range of acts including Post Modern Jukebox and his own quartet. Over the pandemic, he went back to school and became a licensed therapist, and returned to the Bay Area where he still maintains an active performance schedule alongside his therapy practice. In this episode, Martin talks about: The 7-day-a-week grind of freelancing in LA Playing with Post-Modern Jukeb...

Oct 03, 202455 minEp. 489

488 - JR Robinson Returns: New Book - King of the Groove, The Writing Process

World-renowned, Grammy-winning musician John "J.R." Robinson is widely considered the most recorded drummer in history, playing on albums that have sold well over 500 million copies. He is the drummer on 20 number-one pop songs by artists such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie and Steve Winwood, and has been the drummer on more than 100 Grammy-winning tracks. Rolling Stone Magazine featured J.R. in their list of The Top 100 Drummers of All Time. J.R. is the drummer on many other...

Sep 26, 202448 minEp. 488

487 - Marlon Patton: The Intersection of Physicality and Creativity, Playing with Liv Warfield, Making the Move From ATL to NYC

Born and raised in Georgia, Marlon Patton is a New York-based drummer and music producer/engineer. Hailing from a long line of drummers dating back to his grandfather, Phil Patton who played in the Chicago big band circuit, Marlon keeps his schedule interesting and packed full of all types of music. He is the first call for so many musicians not just because of his impeccable time, but because of the incredible musicality of what he delivers. He plays within a huge dynamic range, making him the ...

Sep 19, 20241 hr 27 minEp. 487