The Rich Redmond Show

Rich Redmond catches up with longtime friend and Nashville drummer William Ellis. They cover his Bourbon Street break, life in Blue Merle on Island Records, touring with Eddie Montgomery, trading stocks through COVID, AI in music and his Sabian cymbal setup.Timed Highlights 00:09:50 His first Nashville break at Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar 00:13:43 Jamming with Slash, Billy Preston and Bill Monroe 00:19:42 Pots, pans and a $30 drum set 00:42:08 Blue Merle and "Burning in the Sun" 00:49:10 Van life, Farm Aid and opening for Dave Matthews 00:53:46 Signing with Island Records 01:09:43 AI and who owns a drummer's sound 01:16:25 Trading the markets during COVID 01:20:52 Touring with Eddie Montgomery01:29:41 His Sabian cymbal setup 01:33:34 What his 25-year-old self would thinkConnect with William Ellis on FacebookPodcast Production: https://itsyourshow.coRich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.comThe Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

Rich talks with Mike Miley, founding drummer of the two-time Grammy-nominated band Rival Sons. Mike covers making nine albums with Dave Cobb, holding back on cymbals in the studio, and talking to sound engineers in their own terms. He also explains how he fixed his injuries and shin splints by changing his technique. He introduces his new course, the Foundations Heartbeat System of Learning, and previews his Charlie Brown-inspired Christmas album.HIGHLIGHTS06:16 How Rival Sons started 09:28 Nine albums with Dave Cobb, and holding back on cymbals 18:37 Vinnie Colaiuta or Ringo Starr? 25:01 Healing injuries with resistance bands 36:23 Quitting drinking and cutting sugar 42:38 Inside the Foundations Heartbeat System of Learning 1:00:43 Dave Elitch's heel tip that cured his shin splints 1:05:50 The 26-inch kick and scooping 300 Hz 1:14:16 The Christmas album, recorded to tape at Boulevard Recording 1:21:40 Why Rival Sons hits sit between 85 and 95 BPM 1:31:29 The future of drum education Mike's Social Media Handle: mileyondrumzPodcast Production: https://itsyourshow.coRich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.comThe Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

Josh Ellis, longtime drummer for LOCASH, joins Rich Redmond and Jim McCarthy for a warm, funny and candid talk about building a career in Music City the organic way. Before country, Josh came up in the gospel world, working with Kirk Franklin, James Fortune, Nicole C. Mullen, Sarah Reeves and more. The guys also get into negotiating pay without burning bridges, why Nashville still runs on handshakes, learning to say no, staying fit on a 12-person tour bus, sitting in with the Beach Boys at the Grand Ole Opry, their favorite drummers, Suno demos and AI in the studio, and how much it now costs venues and musicians to work on Lower Broadway. Timed Highlights:00:01:00 Meet Josh Ellis of LOCASH 00:04:49 Moving to Nashville in 2008 00:11:37 Staying fit on the road 00:27:05 Kirk Franklin and the Dove Awards 00:36:08 Bombing his first Nashville gig 00:38:54 The Bourbon Street night that led to Kree Harrison 00:45:13 How he landed LOCASH 00:48:37 Negotiating pay and handshake deals 00:59:28 Sitting in with the Beach Boys at the Opry 01:16:07 Favorite drummers 01:27:32 AI and Suno in the studio 01:40:02 Josh CoachingGuest Instagram: @josh_ellis Guest Website: joshellismusic.comPodcast Production: https://itsyourshow.coRich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.comThe Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

Rich Redmond and Jim McCarthy sit down with drummer Sarah Tomek, who grew up in Asbury Park, NJ, and has called Nashville home since 2012. She has played with Steven Tyler, Maggie Rose, Samantha Fish, Andy Bell of Erasure, and Spanish rock star Manolo García, and she's about to hit the road with Ann Wilson. Sarah talks about going from four-on-the-floor disco tracks to a gig with no click and no tracks. She also tells how Steven Tyler bought her the Black Beauty snare she still uses on almost every session, and why she thinks musicians need "something real" in the age of AI. Highlights: 00:02:43 – AI as a tool, not the music 00:03:16 – Going from disco grids to no click and no tracks 00:13:14 – Them Vibes and why touring costs so much now 00:29:45 – Disappearing session work and bidding for gigs on Broadway 00:34:04 – Prepping for Ann Wilson and Heart's 50th 00:38:21 – Steven Tyler and the Black Beauty 00:42:06 – Why new Nashville players should learn the Number System 00:55:38 – The toughest songs in the Ann Wilson set 01:12:12 – Bringing the fire to the same songs every night 01:22:42 – Her love-hate relationship with NashvilleConnect with Sarah: www.sarahtomek.comInstagram and Facebook: @sarahtomekdrumsPodcast Production: https://itsyourshow.coRich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.comThe Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

Drummer Chase Adams joins the Rich Redmond Show to talk about his journey from church, marching band, and Broadway gigs in Nashville to touring with The Frontmen. He shares what it’s like to perform a 90-minute show packed with 30 number-one hits, and how he also handles the band’s merchandise, social media, and drum tech duties.Chase also talks about learning to be ready for every opportunity, his love of drums and gear, and the support he and his family received from the band through the loss of his son, Chapman. A conversation about music, family, perseverance, and making the most of every gig.Timed highlights:00:04:42 – Chase’s background and joining The Frontmen 00:06:07 – A 90-minute show featuring 30 number-one songs 00:06:40 – Chase’s roles in the band: drummer, merch designer, social media, and drum tech 00:17:33 – Growing up in a musical family and starting drums at age three 00:22:26 – Rich’s advice that helped inspire Chase to move to Nashville 00:25:49 – Getting started on Broadway and building a life playing drums 00:29:17 – How an unexpected gig became an audition opportunity 00:31:47 – Learning The Frontmen’s show in just 10 days00:36:56 – Marching band, technique, and finding his own feel 00:53:58 – Chase’s first major studio session and his K Watt drums 01:02:48 – Chase shares the story of his son Chapman and the band’s support 01:18:46 – Breakthrough studio opportunities and advice for musicians 01:28:53 – Where to find Chase and The FrontmenLinks:The Frontmen tour dates: thefrontmenlive.comPodcast Production: https://itsyourshow.coRich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.comThe Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts