The Rich Redmond Show

On this episode of The Rich Redmond Show, acclaimed Nashville session drummer Chris McHugh talks about the instincts and human connection behind great music. Chris reflects on growing up in a music-loving family, moving to Nashville with Whiteheart, and building a career spanning thousands of recording credits.Rich, Jim, and Chris get into AI and music-making, the value of spontaneity in live performance and recording, the sounds and gear shaping today’s drum tracks, and what it takes to make it as a session musician. Timed highlights: 00:38 – Chris’s Philadelphia-area childhood and musical upbringing 05:04 – Dan Huff, Giant, and why songs connect across genres 07:45 – A live session demonstration that brings the recording process to an audience 09:59 – AI, creativity, and what human musicians bring to a performance 12:42 – Spontaneous playing and responding to a singer in the moment 19:54 – Chris’s move to Nashville and early years with Whiteheart 22:02 – A career in recording: credits, records, and the changing role of liner notes 29:30 – Live music, backing tracks, and what audiences respond to 39:41 – Keith Urban’s Flow State and recording yacht-rock favorites together 46:09 – Drum sounds, tea towels, and the trend toward thuddy snares 57:27 – Tuning drums to a song’s key and preserving their dynamics 1:03:09 – Developing feel through listening, practice, and playing with others 1:23:55 – Chris’s advice for aspiring Nashville session musicians 1:47:38 – Staying grounded after a demanding day in the studio 1:50:27 – The band Chris would choose to tributeLinks:Chris’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrismchugh/?hl=enChris’s Website: http://www.chrismchugh.com/Podcast Production: https://itsyourshow.coRich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.comThe Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

On this episode of The Rich Redmond Show, Rich and Jim welcome Nashville-based drummer Jarred Pope for a wide-ranging conversation about life on the road, finding his place in the music business, and keeping rock and roll alive. Jarred shares stories from his work with Tom Keifer, Brother Kane, Gene Simmons, and other artists, and talks about the value of reading charts, learning by watching great players, and building a distinctive sound behind the kit.Some records Jarred has done:-Mother Funk Conspiracy-Crosby Loggins  and the Light “We All Go Home” great album, but hard to find-Damon Johnson “Echo” Ep, “Birmingham Tonight Live” live album, Memoirs of an uprising Damon Johnson and the Get Ready “Battle Lessons” my favorite DJ record by far…Of course, The Brother Cane “Magnolia Medicine” and Tom Keifer Band “Rise”Timed Highlights:00:00 — Introducing Jarred Pope and his move to Nashville05:00 — ’70s rock, touring, and life on the road11:00 — Reading charts and learning songs17:00 — Vinnie Colaiuta, drumming influences, and gear23:00 — Nashville’s Rock and Roll Residency and the Gene Simmons band30:00 — Touring with Tom Keifer and band chemistry37:00 — California roots, early gigs, and musical influences44:00 — Family, touring life, and Jarred’s grandson’s onstage debut51:00 — Brother Kane, recording sessions, and favorite projects58:00 — Rush, making music your own, and drummer influences1:06:00 — Dream tribute bands and final thoughts1:18:00 — Wrap-up and closing remarksLinks:Jarred’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarredwpope/?hl=enPodcast Production: https://itsyourshow.coRich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.comThe Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Peter Keys joins Rich Redmond and Jim McCarthy to talk about his wild journey from George Clinton and P-Funk to auditioning for, and ultimately joining, one of rock’s most legendary bands. Peter shares how he prepped for the Skynyrd audition in just days, why learning every part of a song changes your musicianship, and how his Stoner Creek Studio and label are shaping his next creative chapter.Perfect for musicians, rock fans, and anyone obsessed with the craft and career of making music for a living.00:00 – Intro: Show production tag & Rich’s gym accident (seven staples, hat talk)02:20 – Hat fashion, personal branding & “on‑brand” looks05:05 – Introducing Peter Keys: Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist & resume overview08:10 – Musical philosophy: “12 notes,” learning every part of the song12:30 – Drummers as “New York City traffic cops” & live arrangement triage16:00 – Peter’s geographic journey: East Coast, NorCal, Atlanta, Detroit, Nashville20:15 – San Francisco in the ’80s: club scene, name‑drops & musical influences24:10 – George Clinton & P‑Funk era, alumni, “on the one,” funk talk28:30 – Stoner Creek Studio: post‑COVID build, gear, coffee priorities31:40 – Touring with Skynyrd: buses, routing, crews & road life realities35:20 – Dad rock, “Drummer Dad” concept & social media content ideas39:00 – Kids, marriages, blended family & starting Stoner Creek Records42:10 – Peter’s kids as musicians, YouTube University & discouraging music careers45:00 – AI & music (Suno, demos, soul vs. algorithms, using AI as a sketch pad)49:00 – Nashville growth, Lower Broadway grind & musician survival odds52:00 – Keyboard competition in Nashville & working live vs. studio54:40 – Social media flyers, AI graphics & authenticity in visual art57:10 – Zappa, Wackerman brothers, influences & mind‑bending arrangements1:00:40 – How Peter joined Lynyrd Skynyrd: the full audition and “nerf piano” story1:05:10 – Defining himself inside Skynyrd, Billy Powell’s parts & performance philosophy1:07:30 – Plugs: Stoner Creek Studio/Records, All Time Low Stars, socials & show wrapLinks.Peter’s Website: https://peterkeys.comPeter’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/PeterKeysPodcast Production: https://itsyourshow.coRich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.comThe Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

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