The Drum Shuffle

Jared Schonig joins Jamie on episode 136 of The Drum Shuffle to discuss his fantastic new double album release, Two Takes: Volume 1 - Quintet and Volume 2 - Big Band. This is an ambitious release with differing takes on some brilliant material that sounds simply stunning. Jared is classically-trained, yet his Jazz drumming chops are very organic and shine on this release. Even though this is his d...

Our good friend, Doug Clifford joins Jamie again this week to discuss a new release from Cosmo's Vault, Clifford-Wright. In the years following his success in Creedence Clearwater Revival, Doug started producing other artists. One of the bands that he assembled in those years consisted of Doug on drums and Steve Wright on bass from The Greg Kihn Band, and a stable of great guitarists including Gre...

Roger Earl has spent the past 50 years as the drummer of Foghat. After 50 years and selling several million records, what's left for a fellow to do? Go on tour, of course. Foghat is out on the road this summer supporting their brilliant new live album, 8 Days on the Road that was recorded at Live at Daryl's House Club. On episode 134, Roger stops in to discuss his career with Foghat, the new album...

Todd Sucherman is certainly one of the world's great drummers. His playing with Styx for the past 25 years is legendary. He is also a first-call session drummer and clinician. On episode 133, Jamie catches up with Todd during the Styx tour to support their new album, Crash of the Crown. They discuss the new album, Todd's solo album from 2020, Last Flight Home, how Todd remained busy during the pan...

Uncle Tupelo. Wilco. Those two names ring out as the founding fathers of the No Depression movement in Americana and Alt-Country Music. Ken Coomer was behind the drums for both. Ken is a Nashville native that grew up playing in punk bands (such as Clockhammer) before joining Uncle Tupelo and later, Wilco. After his years in Wilco, Ken began recording and building some studio clientele. He is now a...

Tom Van Schaik's drumming career is exemplary. A graduate of University of North Texas, he had already begun playing professionally in the Dallas scene in his teens. Tom is the original drummer of The Dixie Chicks, a member of the Austin City Limits All-Star Band, and for the past 24 years, has been recording and touring with Robert Earl Keen. On episode 131, Jamie catches up with Tom just as Robe...

Jeff Fabb grew up on Long Island in New York and started drumming as an 11 year old. By the time he was 20, he made the move to Los Angeles to chase his musical dreams. Being 3,000 miles from home and starting fresh in a big city didn't deter him or his ambitions of playing professionally. After finding success and several tours with In This Moment, he joined James Durbin's band. In 2013, he got a...

Dylan Howard is the groovy and creative drummer of Aeges. This L.A. band is known for a strong work ethic, non-stop touring, and undeniably catchy hard-edged rock. Dylan is a non-stop working drummer that openly shares his story with Jamie in this great interview. He discusses his entire career, including his time in The Vitals. Make sure to check out Aeges when they resume touring in 2021 and loo...

Michael Waldrop is arguably one of the most diverse percussionists in the world. He is comfortable in a jazz or commercial music setting as a drumset player and he is equally at home in a classical orchestral setting. He is a virtuoso marimbist, whether performing his own music, or that of other composers. Michael is also adept at hand drumming, having studied with some of the greatest hand percus...

Cam Tyler is our guest today. As promised during the interview, instead of "show notes" here is the Cryptic Cadet bio. About Cryptic Cadet "What started out as the most brutal slap fight in the history of Las Vegas wound up being a collaboration that, for many local musicians, was the only topic worth discussing after the drugs had peaked and it was too late to get any more alcohol.  After a rando...

Zeke Martin is a drummer's drummer. Having a famous drummer for a father, he almost chose tennis over music. Luckily for all of us, he eventually took up the family trade. Zeke makes his home in Boston these days where he is the founder and leader of Zeke Martin and The Oracle along with a full teaching schedule at Northeastern University. On episode 126, Zeke joins Jamie for a wide-ranging conver...

Stefano Ashbridge was born in Italy and moved to the United States when he was 7 years old. He started drumming at age 16 and began teaching shortly after that. After moving to Los Angeles and playing in numerous bands, he continued teaching eventually founding drumlessonsinla.com. Stefano has an incredible dedication to his teaching practice and continues performing in LA as often as possible. On...

Need we say more than, Benny Greb is our guest today? Benny is one of the preeminent educators in the world of drumming, having produced the amazing instructional videos The Language of Drumming and The Art and Science of Groove. His new book, Effective Practicing for Musicians: The Ultimate Guide For How To Become Better At Your Instrument furthers Benny's teachings on how to improve and truly un...

Steve Barney's journey as a drummer is a story of wonder and amazement. His Dad and uncle took him to a Genesis show at age nine, solidifying his desire to become a drummer. His story is familiar amongst burgeoning musicians; forming bands, playing pubs, talent shows, and festivals as a youngster. Steve eventually moved from his small, seaside hometown for Liverpool and became a member of a succes...

Stefan Chippeaux has been in the Nashville music scene for a few years. Having made the move from his hometown of Tampa, Florida, he wanted to broaden his career and opportunities as a young drummer. Since arriving in Nashville, he has been "climbing" the ranks and getting progressively busier every month. One of the Nashville scene's hardest workers, he is truly a drummer to watch as his career c...

Eric Findlay formed his band, Seahaven, in 2009. Amazingly, he was still in junior high and was the band's bassist. When the band's drummer left, Eric auditioned for the open drumming spot and was "hired". His personal story only gets better from there. Seahaven embraced the difficult (yet highly rewarding) do-it-yourself brand of recording and extensive touring. In November 2020, they released th...

Jeremy Brieske grew up as an aspiring drummer like so many of us. He found his path in the music business after a business degree in college, he spent some years working for several music instrument manufacturers until he returned home to drumming by founding Low Boy Custom Beaters in 2014. To say it's difficult to make bass drum beaters an exciting product is quite an understatement, yet that is...

We are joined again by the masterful Jeff Williams to discuss his newest record, Road Tales: Live At London Jazz Festival. We also discuss his prior release, Bloom. Every time you speak to Jeff, you can't help but feeling as though you just had a deep and meaningful talk with a zen-master or Jedi of drumming. Jeff shares his knowledge and approach to music freely, but you have to be prepared to re...

Robyn Flans is a legendary journalist and author in the world of drumming. She started writing for Modern Drummer in 1977 and had countless cover stories and interviews with THE legends of our chosen instrument. On episode 118, Robyn and Jamie discuss her career and go in-depth on her new book, It's About Time: Jeff Porcaro, The Man and His Music. Robyn's history and friendship with Jeff and the e...

Blair Sinta joins Jamie on episode 117 to discuss his career as an in-demand drummer. A graduate of the University of North Texas, Blair moved to L.A. in the mid-90s to begin working as a musician. After landing a tour with Alanis Morissette, his career blossomed to include credits with Annie Lennox, Gwen Stefani, Chris Cornell, John Fogerty, and so many more. Blair built his own studio and is con...

On episode 116, Jamie is joined once again by the great Joe McCarthy for an extensive conversation on drumming education. Joe has developed a new educational program for drummers called "BASIC Training." As the principal percussionist for the US Naval Academy for many years, Joe's passion for teaching is undeniable and the name is so fitting. Joe is an incredible drummer and educator and he talks...

On episode 115, we welcome back Dafnis Prieto to talk about his new sextet release, Transparency. Dafnis is composing and creating some of the most mind-bending music available in the world today and this new release is no exception to that. Not only is Dafnis a Grammy-winning composer and drummer, he is also a world-class educator and a sincerely great human being. As always, he offers a ton of g...

Patrick Ferguson has seen plenty in his years of drumming. Having toured with the Athens, Georgia band Five Eight 200 nights a year between 1989 and 1998, taking "a 9-year long weekend" and returning in 2007, he's a seasoned road warrior. He also spent some time playing with the Psychedelic Furs and Mike Mills of R.E.M. Like many musicians, Patrick had struggles with substance abuse, anxiety, and...

On episode 113, Jamie is joined by the great Rudy Royston to discuss his new solo album, Panoptic, his decision to donate all proceeds from the sale of the album to the Musicares COVID-19 Relief Fund, his background in the Denver, Colorado music scene, his move to New York, and chasing a career in the arts. Rudy has a very realistic and fresh approach to music; and to life in general that shines t...

Danny Gottlieb has a drumming career that most musicians could only dream of. Danny studied with Mel Lewis and Joe Morello, played with the Pat Metheny Group, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Elements, The Gil Evans Orchestra, The Blues Brothers Band, and The Lt. Dan Band, has authored several books, and continues to be one of the great drum teachers in the United States. On episode 112, Danny stops in to di...