Broadway Drumming 101

Thanks for reading Broadway Drumming 101! This post is public so feel free to share it. In this episode of Broadway Drumming 101 , host Clayton Craddock sits down with the incredibly talented drummer Jaylen Petinaud to discuss his journey from an eager young musician introducing himself at LaGuardia High School to playing with Herbie Hancock and holding the drum chair for Hell’s Kitchen on Broadwa...

🎙 About This Episode: In this Broadway Drumming 101 Classic, I sit down with the incredible Quinton Robinson—better known as "Q"—for an insightful and inspiring conversation. Recorded in July 2021, right before he hit the road with the first national Ain't Too Proud tour, this episode dives deep into Q’s journey from his beginnings in Miami to becoming one of the most versatile drummers in the ind...

Broadway Drumming 101 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this episode of Broadway Drumming 101 , I chat with the legendary Jonathan Haas about his incredible journey from studying liberal arts to becoming a virtuoso timpanist and professional musician. We talk about his groundbreaking work in Broadway and orc...

Get ready for an exciting upcoming episode of Broadway Drumming 101! I’ll be talking with the legendary timpanist Jonathan Haas about his groundbreaking work with the NYU Broadway Percussion Seminar. Jonathan shares how the program started, its impact on over 400 students worldwide, and how it gave young musicians a real taste of Broadway—playing with top percussionists, sitting in active pits, le...

In this episode of Broadway Drumming 101, I sit down with Jonathan Haas, a percussion legend who revolutionized the timpani and built an extraordinary career performing with major orchestras, rock bands, and jazz icons. We talk about what it really takes to make it on Broadway—the hard work, the unexpected breaks, and the reality of starting at the bottom. Jonathan shares real-world advice and sto...

Welcome back to another Broadway Drumming 101 Classic episode! This time, I’m revisiting an incredible conversation I had with the talented Shannon Ford back in late 2021. Shannon has an amazing story, and I’m excited to share it with you again today. Broadway Drumming 101 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Shan...

On the next episode of Broadway Drumming 101, we sit down with Mike Ramsey, a seasoned professional musician who’s been making it happen in New York City for years. Mike shares what it takes to build a career in one of the most competitive music scenes in the world—talking about why being early, prepared, and easy to work with are non-negotiables for success. We dive into the nitty-gritty of subbi...

On the next episode of Broadway Drumming 101 , we chat with Mike Ramsey, who’s been making it happen as a professional musician in New York City for many years. We get into what it really takes to build a career in New York—from being on time (actually, being early) to knowing how to gel with people and stay prepared. Mike also drops some major gems about subbing for other musicians—like why it’s...

In the next episode of the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast, I chat with Mike Ramsey, a talented drummer/percussionist and an accompanist in the Dance department at NYU, to discuss his musical journey and offer invaluable advice for aspiring Broadway musicians. When asked about how to break into the Broadway scene, Mike shared a memorable lesson from his mentor, Javier Diaz , during a clinic at Rutge...

In this special episode of Broadway Drumming 101 , we step out of the drum chair and into the conductor’s podium with Nate Patten, a celebrated music director, writer, and comedian based in New York City. With a resume spanning eight Broadway shows—including Company , The Prom , Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , and Catch Me If You Can —Nate brings a wealth of knowledge and humor to our discussi...

Landing a gig in a Broadway pit is about more than just being talented or prepared—although that’s important, too. Music directors are looking for musicians who bring something unique to the table and can fit into the group's chemistry . It’s not just about being the best at your instrument; it’s about being the right fit for the team and the project. In this video, we break down what music direct...

In this episode of Broadway Drumming 101 , we’re shaking things up by bringing you a guest who offers a fresh and invaluable perspective from the other side of the orchestra pit. We’re thrilled to welcome Nate Patten —a seasoned New York-based music director, writer, and comedian. Nate has conducted or played keyboard for eight Broadway shows, including Company (starring Patti LuPone), The Prom ,...

Know someone who’s passionate about drumming and loves the behind-the-scenes world of Broadway? Broadway Drumming 101 merch makes the perfect gift this holiday season! Whether it’s for yourself or the musician in your life, our gear is a great way to celebrate the art of drumming and theater. Don’t wait to grab these unique items—head to our online store and check a few gifts off your list. Make t...

Broadway Drumming 101 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this episode, we’re honored to feature Ed Shea , a distinguished musician whose career spans from the Philadelphia soul scene to the stages of Broadway. Highlights from the Episode: * Early Musical Influences : Ed shares his initial fascination with mus...

In this clip, legendary percussionist Ed Shea takes us back to his days at Sigma Sound Studios . Ed paints a vivid picture of the studio's bustling energy, where top-tier musicians like Bobby Eli and Tom Bell seamlessly crafted iconic records. Ed shares insider details about what it was like working with legends like Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff , recording albums for Lou Rawls , and navigating the...

Mike Dobson is a drummer, percussionist, and Foley artist who has spent over 20 years bringing stories to life with his unique combination of live music and sound effects. With degrees from The Hartt School (B.M.) and The New School (M.M.), Mike has the training and the creativity to tackle any project. He co-wrote the offbeat production  Room 17B and has worked with top directors like Tina Landau...

In this clip, Mike Dobson breaks down what it’s like to be part of the small, elite group of drummers and percussionists on Broadway—and how his work is even more specialized. He combines live music and Foley artistry, creating sound effects in real-time for the stage, something very few people know how to do. Mike shares his experience working in this super-niche field, reflecting on his nearly 2...

In 2021, I started this podcast with a clear goal: to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the lives and careers of Broadway drummers. Since then, we've hosted some truly remarkable guests who've shared their unique stories, experiences, and insights. As our audience has grown, we've realized that many of you might have missed out on some of our most inspiring interviews. So, over the next year, w...

In this episode of Broadway Drumming 101, I enjoyed interviewing the legendary Cubby O'Brien. You may know him from his days as a Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club, but his drumming career goes way beyond that. We talk about his early start in music, following in the footsteps of his drummer father, and his work with some of the biggest names in the industry—Lawrence Welk, Bernadette Peters, th...

In this episode of the Broadway Drumming 101 podcast, we’re thrilled to have the legendary Cubby O'Brien, one of the original Mouseketeers from The Mickey Mouse Club! Cubby takes us back to his early years, sharing how his musical journey began with his father teaching at a Sun Valley, California music school. He describes being part of a Dixieland band made up of young musicians who performed at...

In this episode of the Broadway Drumming 101 podcast, legendary drummer Cubby O'Brien shares a memorable story about subbing out of his first Broadway show and an unexpected encounter with Nathan Lane. When a stage manager informed Cubby that Nathan Lane wanted to see him in his dressing room, Cubby was slightly surprised. After finding his way upstairs, Nathan greeted him with a joking, "You can...

In this podcast episode, I sit down with the legendary Cubby O'Brien, whom I had the pleasure of meeting earlier this year on a Broadway cruise where I was performing with several acts, and he was with the iconic Bernadette Peters. Cubby, best known for his time on The Mickey Mouse Club and touring with The Carpenters , has had a remarkable career on Broadway, drumming for shows like Annie Get You...

In this episode of Broadway Drumming 101 , I had the chance to talk with one of the most respected drummers in the business, Cubby O'Brien. We chatted about the process of picking subs for Broadway gigs—a topic that’s critical for anyone looking to make it in the scene. Cubby breaks down what he looks for in a sub: dependability, solid playing, and being an established player in New York. He shout...

Broadway Drumming 101 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this video, Damien Bassman explains why every performance should be treated with the same dedication, whether it's someone's first Broadway show or a special occasion. He emphasizes respect for the material and the audience's experience. Listen to the p...

In this video, Dena Tauriello, drummer for Little Shop of Horrors and a sub for Hamilton and several others, discusses what it takes to make it on Broadway in a group podcast that you can listen to here : Dena shares her experience about the importance of networking in the industry and how she's often asked to grab a coffee or chat about the business, but due to her busy schedule, she appreciates...