The Rich Redmond Show

Guitarist, songwriter, producer, and real‑estate investor Erik Halbig joins Rich and Jim to talk Nashville showcase days, early Jason Aldean moments, writing number ones with the Wolfe Brothers, using AI tools like Suno, developing young artists, and building real passive income with rental properties. If you’re a working musician who cares about songs and your financial future, this one’s for you.Timed Highlights:00:00:00 – Cold open: low‑cash demos, $40 a song, and early Nashville hustle00:06:10 – What Erik looks for in drummers: alpha energy, loud count‑offs, strong transients00:15:30 – 90s/00s Nashville: 12th & Porter, Third & Lindsley, showcases, and Jason Aldean’s big break00:27:45 – Writing wins: Wolfe Brothers number ones and why helping others pays off00:39:20 – Side hustles: teaching for decades, guitar books, and “rock and roll real estate”00:50:05 – AI and Suno: how AI demos are killing old‑school demos but creating new studio work01:01:40 – Producing new artists: getting a “second meeting” and building a brand, not just tracks01:11:10 – Real estate playbook: condos, tax hikes, equity, and planning a musician’s retirementLinks & Socials Mentioned  Erik’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erikhalbig  The Rich Redmond Show: https://therichredmondshow.transistor.fm/  Podcast production studio: https://itsyourshow.co  Drum intensive with Rich Redmond: https://drumtensive.com

Rock drumming powerhouse Tommy Clufetos sits down with Rich Redmond and Jim McCarthy to talk about the reality of life at the top of rock, why every gig matters, and how “playing at” rock is killing the feel in modern music.Tommy goes deep on growing up in Detroit hauling gear for his dad’s band at age seven, earning gigs with Ted Nugent and Alice Cooper the hard way, and spending 15 years on the road with Ozzy and Black Sabbath. He breaks down drum solos as part of the show, his love/hate relationship with click tracks, and why he’d rather drive 16 hours to a gig and crush it than complain about the grind.If you care about groove, conviction, and the craft of being a pro drummer, this one’s a masterclass in attitude and work ethic.Timed Highlights:00:00 Cold open: “Pound Town” drum container practice idea03:45 Looking like a musician: leather jackets, visual brand, and “leather and latte season”08:10 Old‑school parenting: no phone, no TV, and raising a kid on ’50s/’60s/blues12:30 Meeting his wife on a Rob Zombie–directed CSI episode and reconnecting in Vegas16:55 Leaving L.A. for Nashville and why he loves the South’s “old‑school” feel21:40 Detroit roots: hauling gear for his dad’s band at age seven and baptism by fire27:05 First time sitting in: Moni Moni, kids going wild, and learning patience for the gig31:30 Playing for Mitch Ryder, Alto Reed, and getting in front of Ted Nugent36:15 The Ted Nugent test: three rounds of 20 songs, winter drives, and 4 a.m. wake‑ups42:40 Ozzy years: respect, leadership, and why Tommy won’t casually say “best friend”48:20 Black Sabbath dynamics: serving Ozzy, Tony, and Geezer all at once53:10 Planes, not buses: the grind of top‑level international touring57:45 Clicks vs feel: why real rock needs to breathe and follow the crowd1:03:20 Using a flashing light only as a tempo reference in Sabbath, then turning it off1:07:40 Instagram drumming, overplaying, and why younger players “play at” music1:12:55 Holiday Inn lesson: playing full‑tilt even when nobody is in the room1:18:10 Tommy’s Rock Trip: original hard rock, young bandmates, and building work ethic1:24:00 Money and integrity: walking out of a session at 16 when the pay was cut in half1:29:10 Bob Seger, Alto Reed, and practicing to Seger records then and now1:34:30 Drum solos as part of the show: structuring the solo so it lifts the entire set1:39:00 Final advice: know what you’re getting into, focus on the music, and leave no regretsLinks:The Rich Redmond Show: www.therichredmondshow.transistor.fmPodcast production studio: https://itsyourshow.coDrum intensive with Rich Redmond: https://drumtensive.comTommy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialtommyclufetos/?hl=en

Freelance Nashville drummer Carlos Guevara joins Rich and Jim to share his incredible journey from growing up in Venezuela under political and economic crisis to rebuilding his life and career in the U.S. Despite being born with arthrogryposis, Carlos became a first-call Broadway drummer, a devoted family man, and a model of resilience and positivity.They dig into his escape from Venezuela, learning English through drum magazines, adapting his technique around physical limitations, grinding for gigs on Lower Broadway, and balancing music, Uber, and fatherhood. The guys also geek out on Stewart Copeland, Journey, Yamaha’s EAD-10, and the culture of world futbol vs. American sports.Perfect for drummers, creatives, and anyone who needs a shot of perspective, gratitude, and hustle.Timed Highlights:0:00 Show open, Drummer Dad idea, and Yamaha EAD talk3:30 Stewart Copeland stories and guys’ night at the Ryman7:20 Meet Carlos Guevara: from Caracas to Nashville via Anaheim11:00 Falling in love with country music and surviving Broadway15:10 Family, teenagers, and fútbol culture (football is life)20:00 Learning English from records, Drum Magazine, and method books23:40 El Sistema explained: Venezuela’s free orchestral training27:10 Life under Chavez and the decision to leave Venezuela31:00 Colombia stopover and finally landing in Los Angeles with almost nothing35:10 Driving Uber in the U.S. and wild passenger stories39:00 Moving to Nashville, discovering Broadway, and first gigs at Mellow Mushroom43:30 Breaking into the scene, networking, and always showing up at clinics47:30 Arthrogryposis: Carlos’s condition and how he adapted his technique51:00 Ergonomics hacks: extra hi-hat, jam block, and left-foot workarounds54:10 Yamaha EAD-10 vs EAD-50 and why every drummer should consider one57:00 Immigrant mindset, AI/apps, and Jam Juice shaking up Broadway bookings1:01:30 Carlos’s goals: more tours, family balance, and motivational speaking1:04:30 Venezuelan arepas, keeping traditions alive, and where to find Carlos online1:06:40 Closing gratitude and episode wrapLinks:Carlos Guevara Instagram: https://instagram.com/carlosdrums86Podcast website: https://therichredmondshow.transistor.fmRich’s DrumTensive: https://drumtensive.com Production studio: https://itsyourshow.coRich Redmond: https://richredmond.com

Rich and Jim sit down with Nashville drummer, producer, and drum tech Jeff Brown (Shrug Sound Studio) for a deep dive into a working musician’s reality: from opening for Rush and Van Halen to teching the Taylor Swift Eras Tour, tuning for stadiums, building a home studio career, and navigating divorce, burnout, and late-bloomer success.Jeff shares stories from early days in Anaheim clubs, cruise ship gigs at 18, Nashville’s legendary 12th & Porter era, and playing with artists like Phil Vassar, Thomas Rhett, Steel Magnolia, Tom Kiefer, and more. He also breaks down hybrid drumming on massive pop tours, practical tuning approaches, remote session workflows, and why drum techs are part mechanic, part therapist.Timed highlights:00:00 The porta-potty on stage, bar hangs, and touring creature comforts06:20 Foreigner at the Ryman: Kelly Hanson’s retirement and Luis stepping up to sing14:30 Meeting Jeff Brown: Anaheim roots, moving to Nashville in ’93, and the 12th & Porter scene21:40 Dreaming in English: publishing deals, opening for Rush, Weezer, and Van Halen30:10 Studio work and Shrug Sound Studio: home recording since 2010 and mic choices36:45 Simple drum recording setups and the Yamaha EAD10 for social content44:00 Cruise ship gigs at 18: long sets, bad charts, and learning to memorize51:30 From player to drum tech: Tom Kiefer, Kevin Murphy, and landing the Taylor Swift Eras Tour1:02:00 High-pressure teching: triggers, MainStage, redundancy, and that one snare mistake1:11:20 Tuning philosophy: coated vs clear heads, tom intervals, and consistency on tour1:19:00 Influences: Rush, Stewart Copeland, Herb Alexander, Jimmy Chamberlin1:27:10 Making people feel it: driving the band, backbeats, and keeping songs fresh1:36:30 Drum tech as psychologist: honest feedback, compliment sandwiches, and road life1:45:00 Managers, rates, and word-of-mouth: the business of remote sessions and mixing1:54:00 Mixing, producing, and Andrew Scheps: falling in love with the mix process2:01:30 AI, samples, and the future of music work2:08:00 Writing with his dad, getting humbled, and grieving the “band” dream2:15:30 Late bloomers, ergonomics, posture, and playing pain-free into your 50s2:23:00 Social media, tech tips, and why documenting the studio process matters2:30:00 New goals: sync music, instrumental releases, Shrug snare samples, and upcoming toursLinks:The Rich Redmond Show:www.therichredmondshow.transistor.fmPodcast Filmed and Produced by:https://itsyourshow.coRich’s intensive:https://drumtensive.comJeff Brown – drums, studio, and merch:https://jeffbrowndrums.comShrug Sound Studiohttps://shrugsoundstudio.com

Rich sits down with drummer and biomechanics specialist Brandon Green of Drum Mechanics to unpack how drummers can play hard for life without breaking their bodies. They dig into pain‑free technique, throne and kit setup, strength training, cardio, nutrition, and longevity—plus stories about working with Thomas Lang, top touring drummers, and building a business around drummer health.Timed Highlights:00:00 – Cold open: Drumstick physics, carpal tunnel, and energy absorption02:10 – Rich opens the show and introduces Brandon Green of Drum Mechanics06:40 – Pain‑free drum set playing: Anatomy, physics, and setting up your kit to fit you14:20 – How bad setup and stick physics create injuries (and how to avoid them)19:30 – Why most drumming injuries are preventable with better ergonomics and strength23:55 – Cardio vs. resistance training for drummers and playing into your 60s and 70s30:05 – VO2 max, longevity, and why “drumming is athletic, but not always exercise”36:10 – Rich’s snare angle, neck issues, and what changed after working with Brandon44:00 – Throne height, leg angle, and why your lower back is begging you to fix your seat52:20 – Brandon’s education: From personal trainer to biomechanics specialist for drummers59:40 – Helping pro drummers: Thomas Lang, Art Cruz, Matt Billingslea,  and more1:07:10 – Diet for drummers: Protein, carbs around gigs, and simple food rules that work1:15:00 – Creatine, magnesium, fiber, and smart supplementation for performance and sleep1:23:15 – Sunday meal prep, busy schedules, and staying sharp on the road and at home1:30:40 – Drummechanics.com: Inside the membership, workouts, and live sessions1:38:00 – Studio makeover, family, kids on drums, and music education in Canada1:44:10 – Final thoughts: Drum forever, invest in your “fitness bank,” and where to find BrandonLinks:The Rich Redmond Show site:therichredmondshow.comRich Redmond:richredmond.comPodcast production:itsyourshow.coDrum-tensive study with Rich:drumtensive.comBrandon Green:drummechanics.com