Drummers on Drumming

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming ... a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum This week’s Drum Panel has me joined by Mark Stepro and Kris Mazzarisi for a wide-ranging conversation about what happens when gigs fall through, routines get shaken, and you’re forced to rethink how you want to work and live as a drummer. In this episode, we talk about: How to respond when a major gig disappears Why direct, personal outreach still beats mass posts Aging, touring, and shifting priorities Social media’s role vs real relationships Practicing vs working, and why confusing them stalls growth Tracking progress without over-measuring Onstage anxiety, depersonalization, and mental spirals Balancing family, business, touring, and sanity Letting go of shame around how your brain works Building a career that isn’t dependent on constant touring --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This week’s Drum Panel features me, Ben Hilzinger, alongside George Martinez (aka @skinnygeorge) and Eric Urrea from Marina City. We talk honestly about rejection, identity, and what actually gets built in the moments when things don’t go your way. In this episode, we talk about: Rejection as a mirror, not a verdict, and how quickly one “no” can distort your self-image The danger of ruminating on tiny moments, and how over-analyzing the past steals energy from the present Why authenticity matters more than perfection, and how trying to manage how others see you leads to bad fits The hidden value of “failed” prep, and how deep study always compounds even when the gig disappears The emotional difference between ego pain and income fear, and how each one shapes your reactions Balancing confidence and self-doubt, and why artists need both to stay sharp and grounded How unclear communication creates unnecessary emotional weight, and what that reveals about professional culture Why creative freedom often shows up disguised as disappointment New Year’s intentions around health, connection, communication, and long-term sustainability Letting go of shame around how you work, and learning to build systems that actually fit you --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. Happy New Year. This week’s Drum Panel features me, Ben Hilzinger, alongside George Martinez (aka @skinnygeorge) and Eric Urrea from Marina City. In this episode, we talk about: Burnout as a signal, not a failure, and how to tell when you actually need to step back The success trap of linking worth to being busy, and how scarcity thinking keeps you stuck Dependability, kindness, and the invisible parts of your reputation that shape your career Grace under pressure, and what tech failures and bad shows reveal about who you are on stage Confidence without arrogance, and how to take your craft seriously without taking yourself too seriously --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This week features another batch of my favorite clips over the past year. Let me know if you agreeeee. --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This week features a few of my favorite clips over the past year. Let me know if you agreeeee. --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. Featuring myself, Ben Hilzinger, with Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, TrackTribe) & Eric Urrea (Marina City) Inside this episode The real life of high-output music production How drummers survive the modern content grind without losing their mind Touring vs session vs teaching: finding the mix that keeps you sane When your “Instagram drum sound” fights your natural playing How to meet heroes backstage without being that guy Building drum sounds, dealing with phase, and chasing ideas that actually feel good Progress, burnout, and what it means to “feel like a drummer” again --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This week features me, Ben Hilzinger, alongside Eric Urrea (Marina City) & Zack Albetta (Working Drummer podcast, & Juliet Broadway tour) Inside this episode: When to chase a stable gig and when to walk away How Broadway touring shapes your mind, body, and playing Staying confident when you’re surrounded by people who could change your career The honest math behind consistency vs freedom --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This is another installment of Big Fat Five, where I invite my favorite drummers on the show to break down the five records that shaped how they approach the instrument. Today’s guest is Madden Klass. Madden grew up in New York and built a reputation as a player who can seamlessly transition between power, finesse, and tight technical playing without losing the heart of the song. She’s toured with Boygenius, Chappell Roan, Watsky, Mike Doughty, Wheatus, Big Wild, Matt Maltese, Nat & Alex Wolff, Allison Ponthier, and Dixie D’Amelio, while also carving out her own sound through original projects. With roots in progressive rock and pop, Madden has always treated the drum chair as part of the composition, not just the support. MADDEN'S BIG FAT FIVE: Performance - Ilan Rubin's solo at the 2011 Guitar Center Drum-Off Drummer – Ilan Rubin - Artist – Battles Album – Glass Drop Release Year – 2011 Key Track – "Futura" Drummer – John Stanier - Artist – Hiatus Kaiyote Album – Live in Revolt EP Key Track – "Sphynx Gate" Drummer – Perrin Moss Artist – The Aristocrats Album – The Aristocrats Release Year – 2011 Key Track – "Bad Asteroid" Drummer – Marco Minnemann - Artist – Ash Soan Release Year – 2020 Key Track – "Ghostship Time-out" (video) Drummer – Ash Soan --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This week’s panel features Eric Urrea, me, and a new friend of the podcast, Brian Blake from Real Friends. Brian shares his experiences making a living in pop-punk, dealing with impostor syndrome, and finding ways to keep joy alive when your passion becomes your paycheck. Eric and I explore the feeling of "faking it" on stage, the tendency of drummers to overthink their playing, and how small mistakes can ruin your night if you let them. In this episode, we discuss: The journey from feeling confident to realizing how much there is still to learn. Brian's experience with the moment he thought, "Maybe I'm not good enough to be doing this," and how that thought motivated him to move forward. Eric's nightmare scenario of being asked to "play a drum solo" in the middle of a set. The ways stage banter can feel scripted and how bands should acknowledge it. The idea that filming every show can help combat perfectionism, but also damage your ego. The unglamorous yet essential skill of honest communication within bands after difficult performances. --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This week’s The Drum Panel features me, Eric Downs, and Chance Famighetti (aka Free Arlo). Eric’s the music director behind Nicky Youre’s current live show—the same gig Chance once bluffed his way into before I took over. Together, we dig into what it means to actually sound human on stage in a world obsessed with perfection. Eric opens up about imposter syndrome as an MD, Chance explains how he rewired his brain to stop overthinking fills, and I share what it’s like being critiqued for the first time by another drummer. We also discuss: • Why drummers should separate identity from the instrument • Producing vs. drumming—and how one mindset improves the other • Improving via recording yourself before the haters get involved • The art of being coached without losing your confidence We wrap by talking about playing for the audience versus the band, knowing your “why” on stage, and how to build a live show that feels real, messy, and alive. --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. We’re back with my bestest mouse, Chance Famighetti, aka Free Arlo. Last week we covered how he bluffed his way into the drum chair for Nicky Youre only to be replaced by me :) This time, we go deeper. We discuss self-worth tied to art, the stress of carrying your own project versus the ease of being a hired gun, and why chasing fame can warp the very reason we make music in the first place. Chance opens up about struggling with persona-over-songs culture, learning to let go of the algorithm, and building a career that actually feels good. We also get into: • How live gigs shape your sound more than the practice room • Eye contact on stage and the strange intimacy of being watched • Pocket aces, missed opportunities, and knowing when to shift plans • Free Arlo’s new music and finding pride in the work again --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. This week’s episode features my buddy Chance Famighetti, also known as Free Arlo. He was the first drummer for Nicky Youre—the artist we both now tour for—but these days he’s behind the piano while I’m on drums. It’s a wild and funny conversation about how Chance said “yes” to playing drums for Nicky… before he actually knew how. What started as a bluff turned into a crash course in drumming, arenas, and self-belief. We dig into how producing helped him fake his way through those early gigs, what it felt like to play arenas without knowing how to set up a hi-hat clutch, and how saying yes to one opportunity changed his entire life. We also talk about his artist project Free Arlo, lessons from touring, why personality keeps you the gig more than skill, and how he’s built a creative life that spans piano, drumming, and sound design. --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠Click here to order now!⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming, a podcast powered by Big Fat Snare Drum. If you haven’t heard, RUSH just announced a run of new shows with Anika Nilles behind the kit. I’m beyond excited for her—she’s going to absolutely crush those songs. For anyone who isn’t familiar with Anika, I wanted to bring our 2020 conversation back to the top of the feed. It’s one of the first interviews I ever recorded, so I definitely sound like a baby, but I still love this one. Technically, this was back in the Big Fat Five era—before the current format was established—but you’ll get the idea. I had such a blast, and Anika will also be part of another project I’ve got in the works. In the meantime, enjoy revisiting my chat with Anika Nilles and learning more about the music that helped shape her into the unstoppable musician she is today. ANIKA'S CHOICES: Artist – TotoAlbum – The Seventh OneRelease Year – 1988Key Track – "Mushanga"Drummer – Jeff Porcaro - Artist – NerveAlbum – The Distance Between Zero And OneRelease Year – 2011Key Track – "Loot"Drummer – Jojo Mayer - Artist – The John Scofield BandAlbum – ÜberjamRelease Year – 2002Key Track – "Überjam"Drummer – Adam Deitch - Artist – Foo FightersAlbum – There Is Nothing Left To LoseRelease Year – 1999Drummer – Taylor Hawkins / Dave Grohl --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠Click here to order now!⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠ and follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Twitter⁠, and ⁠TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to The Drum Panel with me, Ben Hilzinger, alongside Eric Urrea and Kris Mazzarisi. We cover a lot of ground today, but most of our conversation centers around image—what it means, how it evolves, and why it matters. It’s a loaded topic that hits everyone differently, but we do our best to share honest takes from our experiences as working musicians. Think of it as equal parts peer therapy and real-world advice for drummers coming up in the scene. - Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming. This is another installment of Big Fat Five—the series where I sit down with my favorite drummers and ask them to break down the five records that shaped how they approach the kit. Lately I’ve been fortunate to have guests who’ve already appeared in other drummers’ Big Fat Fives, and today’s guest is one of them: Terry Silverlight. Terry’s career is so deep and wide-ranging that I almost don’t even want to start listing artists. His discography is massive — you can check it out on his website HERE and he’s still extremely active today. He was already recording at 14 on his brother Barry Miles’ record, and he hasn’t slowed down since. Along the way he’s worked with everyone from George Benson to Roberta Flack to Natalie Merchant, just to name a few. This episode doesn’t veer from the Big Fat Five format, but Terry interleaves the records that shaped him with the way music has been ingrained in his life from day one. I mention this at the top of our chat, but it’s worth saying again here — the through-line of music in Terry’s story is undeniable. Toward the end, I also ask him about a session that came up in Aaron Steele’s episode a while back, when Aaron brought up Terry’s work with the band Change. If you haven’t heard that one, go back and check it out — Aaron’s a young legend in his own right. - Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. SONGS PLAYED IN THIS EPISODE: Artist – Barry MilesAlbum – White HeatRelease Year – 1972Key Track – "White Heat"Drummer – Terry Silverlight Artist – Max RoachAlbum – Max Roach + 4 ... On The Chicago SceneRelease Year – 1958Key Track – "Memo: To Maurice"Drummer – Max Roach Artist – The Tony Williams LifetimeAlbum – Emergency!Release Year – 1969Key Track – "Emergency"Drummer – Tony Williams Artist – Ravi Shankar & Alla RakhaAlbum – The Genius of Pandit Ravi ShankarRelease Year – 1990Key Track – "Yaman - Gat in Matta Tal"Tabla – Alla Rakha Artist – ShaktiAlbum – Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live)Release Year – 2025Key Track – "5 In The Morning, 6 In The Afternoon"Tabla – Zakir Hussain Artist – McCoy TynerAlbum – TridentRelease Year – 1975Key Track – "Elvin (Sir) Jones"Drummer – Elvin Jones Artist – Airto MoreiraAlbum – FingersRelease Year – 1973Key Track – "Fingers (El Rada)"Drummers – Airto Moreira & Ivan Conti For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming. This is another installment of Big Fat Five—the series where I sit down with my favorite drummers and ask them to break down the five records that shaped how they approach the kit. This week, I’m joined by the legendary Calvin Rodgers. His playing has helped define modern gospel drumming through his work with Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, and John P. Kee. And speaking of John P. Kee—Calvin’s performance on "Rain On Us" has come up again and again in other drummers’ Big Fat Fives. I had to ask him about it, and his story doesn’t disappoint. - Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. CALVIN'S BIG FAT FIVE: Artist – Walter HawkinsAlbum – Love Alive IIRelease Year – 1978Key Track(s) – “Until I Found The Lord”Drummer – Joel Smith - Artist – Hezekiah WalkerAlbum – Oh Lord We Praise YouRelease Year – 1991Key Track(s) – “Oh Lord We Praise You,” “He’s Sweet I Know,” “Walk In The Light”Drummer – Gerald Heyward - Artist – BabyfaceAlbum – UnpluggedRelease Year – 1997Key Track(s) – “Whip Appeal,” “I’ll Make Love To You”Drummer – Ricky Lawson - Artist – Dave WecklAlbum – SynergyRelease Year – 1999Key Track(s) – “High Life,” “Cultural Concurrence,” “Tower 99”Drummer – Dave Weckl - Artist – Kirk FranklinAlbum – The Rebirth of Kirk FranklinRelease Year – 2002Key Track(s) – “Hossana,” “Don’t Cry,” “Brighter Day”Drummer – Terry Baker - Honorable MentionArtist – Mint ConditionAlbum – Definition Of A BandRelease Year – 1996Key Track(s) – “Intro,” “Let Me Be The One,” “Raise Up,” “Sometimes”Drummers – Stokely Williams, Chris Dave For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with another installment of Big Fat Five - a segment of the show where I chat with my favorite drummers about the 5 records that shaped their approach to the instrument. This week’s guest is Zach Danziger...a drummer/composer who refuses to let tradition box him in. From early days with Wayne Krantz to collaborations across jazz, fusion, film, and experimental projects, Zach has built a career that’s as deep as it is unpredictable. Sometimes you click with everything a guest says…and this conversation was just that. Talking with Zach not only made me more confident in who I am as a player, but also excited to explore elements I've been neglecting. That being said, I hope you enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Zach Danziger into the player he is today. Cheers.  - Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. ZACH'S BIG FAT FIVE: Artist – Bill ConnorsAlbum – Step ItRelease Year – 1985Key Track – “Step It”Drummer – Dave Weckl - Artist – Chaka KhanAlbum – NaughtyRelease Year – 1980Key Track – “Clouds”Drummer – Steve Ferrone - Artist – McCoy TynerAlbum – Inner VoicesRelease Year – 1977Key Track – UptownDrummer(s) – Eric Gravatt & Jack DeJohnette - Artist – Luther VandrossAlbum – Busy BodyRelease Year – 1983Key Track – For the Sweetness of Your LoveDrummer – Yogi Horton - Artist – SquarepusherAlbum – Feed Me Weird ThingsRelease Year – 1996Key Track - Squarepusher ThemeDrummer – Programmed by Tom Jenkinson (Squarepusher) For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Drum Panel, we’ve got Dave Elitch and Sarab Singh. Dave has worked with The Mars Volta, Weezer, The 1975, Justin Timberlake, and plenty more. Alongside his playing career, he’s become a sought-after instructor on body mechanics and the psychology of performing. He’s put out two online courses—Getting Out of Your Own Way and Staying Out of Your Own Way—that dive deep into how the body moves behind the kit. His brand-new online course, Your Mind’s Ear, shifts the focus to sound and gear. Check out all of his courses ⁠HERE⁠! Joining us is our good friend Sarab Singh. He’s an incredibly talented drummer based in Los Angeles and currently plays with MUNA. Beyond that, he’s one of the best hangs I know, and the perfect bridge between me and Dave. This isn’t just a promo. We cover a lot of ground as always—but Dave’s new course is the glue that holds today’s conversation together. Check out all of his courses HERE! - Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Big Fat Five, I’m joined by drummer Xavier Ware. He’s currently out on the road with Bilmuri, and his playing is UNREAL—able to blaze with the kind of intensity that feels like he’s getting paid by the note, then pivot into a dynamic, nuanced jazz approach with left-foot finesse that I honestly can’t wrap my head around. Both of those styles live so far outside my own playing, which made this conversation especially exciting. We discuss where he learned the jazz language, how he breaks down the incredibly technical songs he’s known for, and his journey toward appreciating the small things. And ultimately, how you shouldn’t strive for perfect timing or playing, but that perfect feeling, for both you and the audience. XAVIER'S BIG FAT FIVE: - Artist – NerveAlbum – Prohibited BeatsRelease Year – 2009Key Track(s) – “Syncopath,” “Jabon,” “Far,” “7even”Drummer – Jojo Mayer Artist – Button MasherAlbum – The 16bit.WavRelease Year – 2020Key Track(s) – “Siblings,” “Meta Knight's Revenge” (from Kirby Superstar)Drummer – Midi Artist – Louis ColeAlbum – Quality Over OpinionRelease Year – 2022Key Track(s) – “Laughing in Her Sleep,” “I’m Tight,” “Failing in a Cool Way”Drummer – Louis Cole Artist – Sonny RollinsAlbum – East Broadway RundownRelease Year – 1966Key Track(s) – “Front to Back”Drummer – Elvin Jones Artist – YellowjacketsAlbum – Blue HatsRelease Year – 1997Key Track(s) – “CapeTown,” “Statue of Liberty,” “New Rochelle”Drummer – Will Kennedy - Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ve been deep into working on the second book, which has me going back through a bunch of the older conversations. One that really stood out again was with Steve Goold. If you don’t know, Steve is actually the Steve of Steve’s Donut. He’s also played with Sara Bareilles, Owl City, Mat Kearney, and Scary Pockets, to name a few. But more than the resume, I was reminded how insightful he is. There’s this part where he talks about there being no neutral notes—like, every note carries weight, it’s never just filler. That idea has been rattling around in my head ever since I revisited the chat. Steve just put out his first release under his own name, a live recording called Solo Improvisations On Drumset, and you can watch the whole thing on YouTube HERE. STEVE'S BIG FAT FIVE: - Artist – Pearl Jam Album – Vs. Release Year – 1993 Key Track – “Go” Drummer – Dave Abbruzzese - Artist – Owsley Album – Owsley Release Year – 1999 Key Track – “Oh No the Radio” Drummer – Chris McHugh - Artist – Jeff Buckley Album – Grace Release Year – 1994 Key Track – “Mojo Pin” Drummer – Matt Johnson - Artist – Happy Apple Album – Body Popping – Moon Walking – Top Rocking Release Year – 2000 Key Track – “Where Does a Stranger Go on Christmas Eve?” Drummer – Dave King - Artist – Dogs of Peace Album – Speak Release Year – 1996 Key Track – “The Truth” Drummer – John Hammond - Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ to order now!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, Twitter, and TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices