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Nashville Drummers Podcast

Nashville Drummers Podcast
Author: Dan Ainspan / Nathan Sletner
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© 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast
Description
Meet the up-and-coming players within Nashville's diverse drumming community, plus interviews with special guests from music cities near and far. Hear their stories, be inspired, and share some laughs along the way.
68 Episodes
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Hailing from Charlotte, NC, Raven Pfeiffer moved to Nashville in 2021 where she currently performs, co-writes, and tours with several artists across different genres, most notably with American folk sibling trio, Girl Named Tom. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Raven studied under renowned performer, composer, and producer, Rick Dior (James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles), and earned a B.A. in Music with a concentration in percussion and a B.A. in German Tran...
Grace Goodman is a Nashville-based drummer known for her dynamic performances and versatility across a wide range of musical genres. A recent graduate of Belmont University (Class of 2024), we dive into Grace's rapid transition from college to professional touring into Nashville's indie rock scene. Since graduating, Grace has toured with Odie Leigh, opening for Shakey Graves, and recently wrapped up a three-month headlining tour across the United States and Canada. Over the past year, she has...
In this special episode of the Nashville Drummers Podcast, we welcomed back our good buddy Ethan Harb. Since his first appearance on the show back in Ep. 5 (Dec. 2021), Ethan's career has quite literally exploded, most recently through his viral social media video series of 'How to Get Fired from a Gig', amassing over 112 million views on one video alone, 450K followers on Instagram and 170K followers on TikTok. Ethan shares insights on the importance of consistency when building a social med...
Subscriber-only episode **BONUS CONTENT: get an inside view into Ethan's complete setup on tour w/ Trey Lewis in our NDP Backstage Rig Rundown! Available exclusively to Patreon, Buzzsprout, and Apple Podcast Subscribers. Connect with Ethan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethanharbdrums TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ethanharbdrums Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE...
Welcome Harrisburg, PA native Aaron Chase to the show! Well-known as the drummer for Nashville pop duo Lost Stars, Aaron shares his journey to Nashville as a session drummer and content creator, including stories from his early drumming days, the challenges and benefits of recording at home, and the impact of running on his physical and mental well-being. Aaron hosts the 'Musicians Should Hang Out', a monthly coffee hang to foster community among local musicians. The conversation also delves ...
Subscriber-only episode Welcome to the inaugural NDP PANEL! Our 1st-ever live roundtable event was held on January 15th, 2025 at Drum Supply in East Nashville. We invited 6 former NDP guests — Kip Allen (Ep. 24), Jonn Bostwick (Ep. 23), Daniel Kozlowski (Ep. 26), Tim Miller (Ep. 42), Dylan Murphy (Ep. 34), and Luke Sumner (Ep. 44) for an open discussion on all things studio drumming in 2025. We covered a lot... from starting an effective home studio on a budget to navigating your ...
We're super stoked to welcome Cody Ash to the studio to help us kick off 2025! In this raw and honest 3hr interview, Cody shares his unique journey from a small-town upbringing in Kentucky through his challenging high school years and various musical phases including joining metalcore bands Sylar and O'Kingdom. Cody recounts the pivotal experiences that led him to Nashville and meeting Jelly Roll, his evolution into country music, overcoming the challenges of learning new material under press...
Today we welcome to the show Nashville-native Joel Mevis! Joel is currently the drummer for Tyler Filmore - a Nashville-based artist blending pop and electronic elements with earnest country. Dubbed as "the most interesting person we've had on the show," we learn Joel's journey through the music industry, his experience with Ableton, Filmore tour stories with Pitbull, and how his detail-oriented nature has contributed to his success. Joel shares valuable insights on managing stress during per...
Today we welcome to the show Georgia-native Kyle Law, a Nashville-based live and session musician currently touring with hard-rock country artist Tim Montana. Kyle shares his insights on prepping for Broadway gigs versus artist gigs, work-life balance, how to keep gigs and choose subs, and his method for learning complex drum parts, including his time with Nashville-based Tool cover band, Rosetta. Kyle talks about his experiences on the road, his transition from country rock to hard rock, and...
Today we welcome Christian Delzoppo to the podcast, currently on tour with Nashville-based indie pop artist Knox Morris (Knox). Christian opens up about his struggles with alcohol and the path to sobriety, which allowed him to reignite his passion for drumming. He speaks to the transformative power of self-care and connections between mental and physical health, while emphasizing the importance of genuine relationships when it comes to networking and landing gigs. We gain insights into his ea...
Today we welcome Stefan Chippeaux to the podcast, currently on tour as the drum tech with young American country phenom Bailey Zimmerman. Stefan recalls his compelling transition from a drummer in Tampa, FL to an accomplished tech and performer in Nashville. We learn the skills and mindsets necessary to be a pro tech in today's industry, emphasizing adaptability, proactive problem-solving, teamwork and dedication to high standards. In this episode, Stefan shares valuable insights on resilienc...
Today we welcome drummer and educator Corey Boise to the podcast! Having moved to Nashville in 1993, Corey is an experienced player and drum corps vet with his hands in many facets of the industry, including performing, recording, and touring. Corey is currently the drummer for Nashville-based punk bands Digital Brains and Critter Brain. When he's not teaching, drumming, or making drumsticks, he takes the field with the Blue Crew Drumline, the official entertainment drumline for the Tennessee...
Today we welcome Artist, Drummer, Musical Director, Producer, Multi-Instrumentalist, and Educator, Garrett Tyler to the podcast! Garrett is currently the Bandleader & Drummer for multi grammy award-winning pop duo, For King & Country. Garrett shares his inspiring journey from a small town in Arkansas to performing with the prestigious Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, and eventually gracing the cover of Modern Drummer magazine. We explore the impact of relationships and community on h...
Today we welcome veteran Nashville drummer Tyler Bronson Smith to the show! This wide-ranging interview spans Tyler's extensive career in the industry - from his small-town upbringing in North Carolina to studying at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles and eventually moving to Nashville, Tyler shares personal anecdotes, the significance of authentic connections, and tips for overcoming professional challenges. He discusses the joys and challenges of Nashville's modern scene, including nota...
Attendee and exhibitor interviews from the Music City Drum Show July 20th & 21st, 2024. Register for the 2025 Music City Drum Show https://www.musiccitydrumshow.com Interviews (in order of appearance) 00:00 Intro 0:17 Welcome 1:49 John Crocken Persimmon Drumsticks 5:05 Vladimir Gutsman - Tonewings 8:50 Rich LeRoy - RL Drums 11:48 Sean Andres - Taproot Drums 14:06 Reagan Kimsey 16:19 Gavin Gillette 18:16 Liz Ficalora - Drum Chart Builder 21:53 Dr. Shayan Ghaffari - The Fine Tune Clinic 27...
Today we welcome to the podcast NorCal native Molly Rose, currently on tour with American rapper and country artist Upchurch. Molly shares her inspiring journey to Nashville, revealing her early love for country music and the pressures she faced as a young drummer. Molly recounts her experience at the Musicians Institute in LA, and how by simply trying something new during the pandemic would lead her to social media stardom, now having amassed over 4.2M likes on TikTok and over 100K followers...
Welcome Long Island, NY native Lou Vecchio to the podcast! Lou is currently the drummer for country artist Alexandra Kay and Danish-American rock band New Politics. In this episode, we learn of Lou's transition from New York's vibrant rock scene to Nashville's country music arena. Lou discusses his mindset during auditions that helped him land the gig with Alexandra, the impact of COVID on his career, and his lifelong passion for drumming inspired by his father. Lou also sheds light on his ad...
Welcome to the podcast St. Petersburg, Florida-native Chris Rayner! Currently drumming for 23-year-old country artist Clayton Mullen, Chris shares with us his 17-year journey to achieving his dream of touring. We highlight his unique path involving starting a mobile RV business and how it unexpectedly opened doors in the music industry. Key topics include the significance of horizontal integration, networking, Chris’ 1st Nashville session with a legendary songwriter, drum covers, and the rele...
Born in Forest City, North Carolina, Matthew "MJ" Milam quickly discovered his love for music, dancing, and entertaining at a very young age. From first performing Michael Jackson tribute shows during his high school years, MJ would naturally transition into the drums at the age of 15, and hasn't put the sticks down since. At the age of 20 he began playing professionally gigging around the Southeast, and eventually landing a gig with country artist Ashland Craft put him on his path to Nashvil...
Today we welcome to the podcast Georgia native Eric Pritchard! Eric is currently the drummer and bandleader for rising country star Megan Moroney. Eric shares with us his journey back to his high school years where he was classmates with Megan, to moving to Nashville and playing their 1st Whiskey Jam together — the band has never looked back. Since the arrival of “Tennessee Orange,” Moroney has achieved such milestones as making her debut at the Grand Ole Opry and selling out her first-ever h...
At only 24 years-old, Detroit, Michigan native Devin Attard was born to play the drums, but he lives to inspire. Having only moved to Nashville just a few years ago, Devin has quickly become known around town as a personality and driven professional; often playing shifts on Broadway when he's not on tour with rising country star Austin Snell. In this wide-ranging interview, Devin stresses the importance of the 3 Ps: Practice, Patience, and Persistence, his strategic views on social media, br...
Alec Parrish is a drummer, music director, and Ableton designer based in Nashville, TN. While he is characterized by an impeccable feel and serving the song, Alec's playing style is powerful and charismatic. With his background in Ableton programming, Alec often uses hybrid drum kits both live and in the studio. Growing up in musically rich Athens, GA, Alec's influences of pop, indie, and rock music have carried heavily into his professional career. Alec is currently touring as drummer and ...
Hailing from Bend, Oregon, Beau Kuther is best known as the drummer for indie rock trio Smallpools. Beau grew up in the Warped Tour era idolizing bands like Incubus and 311, and where MySpace was how people discovered you. He spent much of his adolescent years touring and moving to new cities to chase his passions, including Portland and eventually Los Angeles, where he would first meet Sean Scanlon and Michael Kamerman of Smallpools. The band spent the first 2 years touring opening for Twent...
We are excited to partner with Garden Groove! The new home of Nashville Drummers Podcast. Garden Groove was born out of a desire to create a space where musicians, entertainers, teachers, and learners could come together. Tucked away as a private soundproofed studio, Garden Groove offers a quiet and relaxed environment for creativity to thrive and grow. They understand the allure of the Nashville music community and aim to be a magnet for like-minded individuals who want to hone their skills...
Born and raised in Nashville, TN, Luke was surrounded by the music industry from a young age. Throughout his childhood, he continued to develop his musical skills with his involvement in school and church. After high school, he attended Union University for Percussion Performance before transferring to Lipscomb University and becoming one of the first graduates of the Commercial Music program. Luke has since had the privilege of working with artists such as Sam Hunt, Conner Smith, Switchfoot,...
Raised in Athens, GA, Lemuel "Lemmy" Hayes has called Nashville home for over 10 years, and has the breadth of music industry experience of a true seasoned pro. He's worked with a wide variety of artists, including Berlin, Cindy Wilson of The B-52s, Nicki Bluhm, Dead Horses, Kylie Morgan, and Spencer Crandall, among many others. In this very raw, 2-hour conversation, Lemmy recalls the many ups and downs of his journey to Nashville, including persevering through a serious arm injury, being a t...
Tim Miller is a recording and mix engineer, producer, and musician originally from Philadelphia, PA, currently based in Nashville. With a passion for music that took root at a young age, Tim first delved into the world of audio during his high school years. Tim Miller made the move to Nashville to attend Belmont University, where he earned a degree in Audio Engineering and a minor in Music Business. Since graduation in 2021, Tim has credits with a long list of artists and producers including ...
Pittsburgh, PA native Neal Yakopin arrived in Nashville in July 2020 and in a few short years has become a well-known and respected player, currently touring with country star Nate Smith. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native Neal Yakopin arrived to Nashville in July 2020 and eventually began working with Sony Music Nashville singer-songwriter Drew Green, who has written songs for Florida Georgia Line and Conner Smith. In 2022, Neal joined Nate Smith’s band for a six-show tour followed by a Fall t...
Lawrence, Kansas native Vincent Williams has been on the Nashville scene since the summer of 2016 and is currently coming off tour with platinum American singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips. Vincent is a man of integrity, both on and off the stage, and in this wide-ranging interview, we discuss topics relevant to both the working drummer/musician and anyone hoping to have a professional career in the music industry. Vincent has performed with such artists including Matt Kearny, Bren Joy, and T...
On September 30th, we were stoked to be part of the 1st-ever 615Shedz event hosted at Drum Box Nashville. Today we sit down with the founder of 615Shedz, Jake Robinson, a Fort Myers, FL native who moved to Nashville in 2022 upon graduating from the Berklee College of Music. Recording extensively in the Berklee studios, gigging around the Boston scene, spending hours each day in the practice rooms, and hosting late-night drum sheds, Jake was always finding some way to be involved with the comm...
Attendee interviews from the Music City Drum Show Day 2, July 30th, 2023. We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors: Music City Audiology Website: https://www.musiccityaudiology.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiccityaudiology Drum Supply Website: https://www.drumsupply.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drumsupply Drum Supply Rehearsal: https://soundspace.co/spaces/drum-supply-rehearsal Register for the 2024 Music City Drum Show https://www.musiccitydrumshow.com Interview...
Attendee interviews from the Music City Drum Show Day 1, July 29th, 2023. We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors: Music City Audiology Website: https://www.musiccityaudiology.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiccityaudiology Drum Supply Website: https://www.drumsupply.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drumsupply Drum Supply Rehearsal: https://soundspace.co/spaces/drum-supply-rehearsal Register for the 2024 Music City Drum Show https://www.musiccitydrumshow.com Intervie...
Back on June 3rd, we were delighted to be a part of the 1st-ever Drummer Duel hosted by Soundspace. The event featured 8 local drummers competing head-to-head in front of a live audience, and Indiana native Lleyton Brainard walked away the champ after three rounds featuring drum solos and play-along tracks showcasing participants' musicality and chops. We were thrilled to learn Lleyton's background and his unique approach to the instrument and specifically drum improvisation. As an avid skate...
Drum Supply has been serving the needs of drummers in Nashville and around the world since 1995, but few know the rich history of the shop and its founder, Andy Foote. We were thrilled to go one-on-one with Andy in this exclusive behind-the-scenes interview LIVE from the shop in East Nashville. Andy shares his story of a young, inquisitive drummer growing up in Jackson, TN who quickly found himself at the forefront of the drum-building industry. Andy's entrepreneurial mindset and nimble teena...
Dylan Murphy has been a musician all his life, and he moved to Nashville with a clear purpose and direction. He is currently the drummer for rising rock country artist Ben Chapman, balancing his days off the road at Amber Sound Studios in Nashville, TN tracking demos, overdubs, and full-length projects. Dylan discusses ways to be your most genuine self and a dependable band member while on tour, the pros and cons of metronome apps, and his approach to the studio and live sound. We hope you en...
Welcome drummer and music director Rob Bodley of The Foxies! Rob has been in Nashville for over 5 years and has quickly become known for his "go-getter" attitude and professional work ethic. In this interview, we dive deep into the topics of live performance and touring, as Rob encourages us to "zoom out" of our specific role on the drums and challenges us to elevate our live sets musically and creatively. We also discuss the concept of "distracted practice," why drum sheds can be so valuable...
We're pumped to welcome back our sponsor and featured guest (Episode 11) Ben Wood! In this roundtable-style interview, we dive deep into the topics of mental health as Ben shares his own struggles and personal journey to a fulfilled, happy, and balanced life. We discuss the mental toughness you need to follow your dreams, how to persevere through hard times and setbacks, the importance of self-identity and self-worth, and why community is so important. You're not alone. Please reach out to ...
Hailing from the north shore of Long Island, NY, Perry Dornbush moved to Nashville in 2019 with a yearning to play great music and a drive to continually push his boundaries on the drums. Now the drummer for local alt-rock psychedelic band Spirits Republic, Perry enjoys the Nashville live scene both with his own projects and seeing friends and drumming heroes on stage. In this conversation, we nerd out on math rock, discuss his approach to practicing and recording, explore jobs in the music i...
Born and raised in Columbus, OH, Matthew Crouse moved to Nashville in 2000 and has since made a name for himself as a true working drummer, having been involved in multiple facets of the music industry; including touring, music merchandising, recording, and of course, as the founder and co-host of the Working Drummer Podcast, which he started in 2015 and has grown to over 400 episodes and counting. Matthew gives us a behind-the-scenes look into the music business and how Nashville drummers ha...
Raised in Selma, AL, Matt Mcilwain has only been in Nashville for less than 2 years but has quickly become a known personality in town, most notably as the drummer for American country music singer Trey Lewis. Matt's skillsets extend far beyond his talents as a touring drummer. Utilizing his skills in media and production, Matt has become an invaluable asset for multiple Nashville-based podcasts, including the DM Monday Podcast (Trey Lewis) and In The Round Podcast (Matt Burrill), among other...
Raised in Minneapolis, MN as a young classical percussionist, Sammi Potts moved to Nashville in 2013 to study music at Belmont University. In this interview, we learn the valuable skillsets she learned both in and out of the classroom to propel her to an already fruitful career as a full-time rock drummer, currently on tour with breakout country star Shane Profitt. We discuss how to stay balanced when coming off a tour, the importance of showmanship, and how valuable mentors can be. We hope y...
Hailing from Louisiana, Tayvieon Graham moved to Nashville with rockstar ambitions and an attitude rooted in kindness, understanding, and respect. In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss the parallels between drumming and Tayvieon's non-musical hobbies including golf and speed skating, integrating other musical styles, and why you might wait on endorsements. We hope you enjoy! We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors: Music Lab Nashville https://nashville.musiclab.co Drum Box https://dr...
Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Daniel Kozlowski holds degrees in Percussion Performance and Music Theory, both of which continue to serve him greatly as a sought-after live and session drummer in Nashville, TN. In this episode, we discuss his move from touring to session drumming, why music education is so important, and how incremental steps toward progress can be so powerful. We hope you enjoy! This episode is sponsored by Music Lab Nashville https://nashville.musiclab.co Connect with Da...
You may know our next guest from his online educational videos and plethora of drum transcriptions that have taken the industry by storm. We were thrilled to sit down with Nashville-based drummer, Tim Buell, in this jam-packed, nearly 2-hour long conversation spanning a wide range of informative and valuable topics. We discuss the parallels between high-performing athletes and preparing for the gig, what AI means for creatives, how to be present, and ways to optimize your workflows for optima...
We're kicking off 2023 with local session drummer, producer, and songwriter Kip Allen! Having graduated from Belmont University, Kip has taken every opportunity to refine his craft and grow professionally as a touring and studio drummer, currently on the road with country artists Madeline Edwards and Devin Dawson. Kip's experiences in the industry are wide-ranging; from touring and playing stadiums, to landing a DW sponsorship and cut with Keith Urban, we discuss the steps it takes to compete...
We're closing out 2022 with our interview with Ohio native Jonn Bostwick, currently on tour with Texas country artist Parker McCollum. Jonn is a gifted all-around musician who moved to Nashville with an intensity and drive that fuels his passion day in and day out. Jonn shares with us invaluable performance mindsets and career advice for younger drummers. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This episode is sponsored by Music Lab Nashville https://nashville.musiclab.co Connect with Jonn: Inst...
Our next guest is Nashville business owner and drum tech Thomas Finch of FDS Drum Services! Thomas is a man of conviction, discipline, and a work ethic second to none. Growing up in New Jersey, Thomas shares his upbringing as a drummer touring the world to eventually letting go of music and joining the army, where soon after, his passion for the drums led him to move to Nashville and start FDS Drum Services. This conversation is full of honest wisdom and hard-hitting truth! We hope you enjoy....
Working professionally in Nashville as a drummer, artist, and producer, North Carolina native Howard Artis joins the podcast hot off his 2022 AMA performance with Yola. We were inspired to learn of Howard's journey to Nashville where he overcame the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to major life events that have all shaped his career. We discussed the benefits of broadening your musical horizons, the role that ego plays both as a performer and professional, and healthy tactics...
Nashville multi-instrumentalist and educator Kevin Keith joins the podcast as we discuss his unique journey from the classical percussion orchestral world to starting a rock band on lower Broadway, Too Hot For Leather. Kevin persevered through many challenges brought on by the 2020 pandemic, including moving to a new city and joining a band from Craigslist — all of which have brought him to where he is today in Nashville pursuing what he loves. We hope you enjoy! This episode is sponsored by...
Welcome Nashville-based drummer and educator Jon Butterworth! We had such a pleasure sitting down with Jon and learning his journey to Nashville from Berklee College of Music and LA. Jon has such a positive outlook on the community and is a true student of the instrument. He shares valuable insights from studying with Mike Mangini to healthy performance mindsets we can all use both on and off the gig. We hope you enjoy! This episode is sponsored by Music Lab Nashville https://nashville.musi...
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