Nashville Drummers Podcast

In episode 95, we dive right into the multifaceted career of Miami-born drummer, producer, and songwriter, Armando Baeza. From drumming at age 13 to recording friends in GarageBand, Armando moved to Nashville with an intent to learn, and an eagerness to make great music with great friends...and he's doing just that. We discuss why drummers often make the best producers, the challenges of producing and songwriting in Nashville, and how he manages engineering and producing, often from behind the drums. We cover Armando's personal artist project (Mandy), his Cuban heritage and Latin percussion influence, and Nashville's “10-year town” mindset of staying, working, and developing relationships. We break down creative content strategies and social media as a tool, nerd out on home studio mic setups, and compare favorite Nashville dive bars. We hope you enjoy! Chapters:0:00 Intro2:01 Breakfast Routine Talk4:03 Habits and Creativity5:39 Cuban Roots, What's In a Name?10:26 Mandy Artist Project12:11 Moving to Nashville to Produce15:01 Challenges as a Producer19:56 Producing While Drumming25:54 Drum Box (Sponsor)26:36 Influences and Latin Percussion32:35 Percussion Layers and Overdubs33:58 Drum Supply (Sponsor)34:58 Nashville Music Community37:27 10-Year Town42:26 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)43:08 Social Media & Content Creation50:13 Arts School55:44 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor)56:47 Videos & Self-Promotion1:10:43 Future of Music & AI1:14:28 Buy Us A Coffee!1:15:23 Home Studio Mic Setups1:21:49 Non-Country In Nashville1:23:36 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)1:24:19 Rapid Fire Questions1:32:33 OutroThank you to our Episode Sponsors:Drum Boxhttps://drumbox.spaceDrum Supplyhttps://www.drumsupply.comLow Boy Beatershttps://lowboybeaters.comRezo Custom Drum Headshttps://rezoheads.comMusic City Audiologyhttps://www.musiccityaudiology.comConnect with Armando:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themandocombo/Music Featured in this Episode:"Automatic Jesus" - Mandy"Everybody Thinks That It's a Game" - Mandy"All Works Out" - MandySupport the showConnect with us:WebsiteInstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookRecorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TNPodcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome, Milo Simpson! Having recently made the move from northeast Iowa to Nashville in 2025, Milo has quickly made a name for himself as a trustworthy, go-to drummer for a variety of up-and-coming country singer-songwriters, most notably touring with 22-year-old Ashley Anne. Milo shares his path through the Visible Music College in Memphis, his early influences (like Twenty One Pilots), and his approach to learning songs quickly under pressure. He shares the story of eventually joining the Ashley Anne camp, from a last-minute stripped-down gig to playing his first arena in Norfolk opening for Zach Top. We chat touring hangs, favorite Nashville local spots, working odd jobs (including Chuck E. Cheese and a cemetery), vintage kits and Facebook Marketplace, and of course, horror movies and Tim Robinson. We hope you enjoy! Chapters:0:00 Intro0:56 Nashville Chow Mein Debate2:03 Turning 244:25 Moving to Music City5:03 Memphis Music College8:19 Relationships Open Doors9:39 Landing the Ashley Anne Gig15:21 Learning Songs Fast21:52 Tim Robinson23:39 Drum Box (Sponsor)24:20 Vintage Kits and Marketplace Trade28:08 Chuck E. Cheese Days31:06 Serving the Artist32:37 First Arena Show40:16 Country Music Roots41:24 Drum Supply (Sponsor)42:21 Alt Rock Influences43:22 Tattoo Tour Stories50:02 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)50:43 Cemetery Job Tales57:35 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor)58:39 Hobbies and Walking1:06:10 Waffle House Lore1:14:11 Meeting Drum Heroes1:18:24 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)1:19:06 Gigs w/ Brooke Lee1:31:13 Horror Movies and Tattoos1:32:18 OutroThank you to our Episode Sponsors:Drum Boxhttps://drumbox.spaceDrum Supplyhttps://www.drumsupply.comLow Boy Beatershttps://lowboybeaters.comRezo Custom Drum Headshttps://rezoheads.comMusic City Audiologyhttps://www.musiccityaudiology.comConnect with Milo:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milosimpson_Music Featured in this Episode:"paloma" - Ashley Anne"I Won't" - Justin SchoolsSupport the showConnect with us:WebsiteInstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookRecorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TNPodcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome our first Canadian guest, Weston Blatz! Weston is the touring drummer for rising country artist Emily Ann Roberts. We dive into Weston's musical upbringing in Canada and the winding road that would eventually land him the gig with Emily, including a milestone-packed year performing at both the Ryman and the Grand Ole Opry. We discuss learning songs exactly like the record, memorizing without charts, plus the mental pressures of touring, and why being a good person and a good hang matters most. We hope you enjoy! Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:13 Welcome, Weston!  4:16 Canada Day and Surviving the Dream  7:55 Growing Up on Country and Rock  12:04 Learn the Record  15:08 Memorizing Without Charts  18:04 Why Nashville  22:05 Drum Box (Sponsor)  22:46 Landing the Gig w/ Emily Ann Roberts 23:11 Meeting Tracy Broussard  25:49 Losing the Audition  37:11 Drum Supply (Sponsor)  38:10 Broadway Grind  47:18 Burnout and Anxiety  57:13 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)  57:55 Opry and Ryman Milestones  1:06:55 Imposter Syndrome  1:09:55 Goals and Self-Talk  1:11:25 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor)  1:12:26 Being A Good Hang  1:15:02 Confidence vs Ego  1:16:07 Tracks and Ableton Setup  1:20:43 K-WAT Drum Co. (Sponsor)  1:21:31 Tour Cities and Hobbies  1:24:25 First Drum Kit  1:26:58 Gear and Endorsements  1:37:31 OutroThank you to our Episode Sponsors: K-WAT Drum Co. https://www.k-watdrumco.com Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Rezo Custom Drum Heads https://rezoheads.com Connect with Westson:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westonjblatzdrums Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westonjakeblatz Music Featured in this Episode:"Whipped" - Emily Ann RobertsSupport the showConnect with us:WebsiteInstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookRecorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TNPodcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome North Carolina native, Kyle Wilkerson! Kyle is the touring drummer for multi-platinum, award-winning country artist Jordan Davis. We dive straight into Kyle's career, discussing family life, golf-centered touring routines, and memorable courses and markets like Europe and Australia. Kyle recounts moving to Nashville in 2010 after Appalachian State, leaving education and classical percussion plans to focus on drum set, beginning his Nashville career through radio tour with Maddie & Tae, later joining Michael Ray, and subbing for Jordan Davis in 2020 before joining full-time in 2021. He shares pragmatic advice on evaluating gigs, professionalism, and relationships, plus views on Broadway, changing Nashville, and the importance of learning Ableton/playback. He outlines gear, endorsements, and emphasizes staying healthy, present as a parent, and taking action without waiting. We hope you enjoy!Chapters:0:00 Intro 1:06 Welcome, Kyle! 1:17 Morning Routines 2:41 Golf and Drumming 5:02 Favorite Courses 6:01 Move to Nashville in 2010 7:46 Jordan Davis Early Years 9:39 COVID-Era Gigs 10:44 "Buy Dirt" Breakthrough 12:19 Maddie & Tae Radio Tour 19:53 Switching Gigs 28:52 Drum Box (Sponsor) 29:34 Touring Europe and Australia 32:10 Linkin Park Night Off 33:05 Band Life and Festival Season 34:03 Playback, Tech, & Ableton 45:24 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 46:05 Early Influences and Jazz 51:11 Finding Your Passion 54:21 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 55:18 Classical Percussion Carryover 59:56 Nashville Then vs Now 1:13:19 Family Doubts and Validation 1:15:08 Raising a Family 1:20:41 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 1:21:45 Career Milestones and Venues 1:24:30 Relationships and Rates 1:27:25 Keeping the Show Fresh 1:31:42 Festival Sets & Country Covers 1:34:51 Endorsements 1:40:57 Career Longevity 1:43:40 Rapid Fire Food Talk 1:45:27 Spurs Fandom and Soccer 1:47:29 IG Handle Story 1:49:50 OutroThank you to our Episode Sponsors:Drum Boxhttps://drumbox.spaceDrum Supplyhttps://www.drumsupply.comLow Boy Beatershttps://lowboybeaters.comRezo Custom Drum Headshttps://rezoheads.comConnect with Kyle:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flatbillionaireFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyle.wilkerson.395Music Featured in this Episode:"Tucson Too Late" - Jordan Davis & NEEDTOBREATHE (Live at CMT Crossroads)"Next Thing You Know" - Jordan Davis (Live at CMA Fest 2024)Support the showConnect with us:WebsiteInstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookRecorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TNPodcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome Arizona native, Mace Santa Maria! We cover Mace's move from Phoenix to Nashville four years ago, following a formative year at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. She discusses learning the drums at age 10, major influences like the Jonas Brothers' drummer Jack Lawless (whom she recently met), and how Broadway demands fast adaptation through cues, band-specific arrangements, and on-the-fly decisions. Mace breaks down her unique Pelican-case rig, Nashville do's and don'ts, and opportunities for live streaming and subscription-based content. She details touring with indie-pop artists Brooke Alexx, 76th Street, and Tornsey, building Ableton show transitions, maintaining health and alone time on the road to avoid burnout, and the importance of LGBTQ+ community and representation in her career. We hope you enjoy!Chapters:0:00 Intro1:53 Welcome, Mace! 4:31 Broadway Connections 6:48 What's for Breakfast? 9:52 From Phoenix to Nashville 12:48 Early Drumming Roots 16:21 Meeting A Childhood Hero 19:35 Broadway Survival Skills 28:49 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 29:53 Broadway Rig Rundown 37:35 TikTok vs Instagram 42:07 Drum Box (Sponsor) 42:49 Queer Pop Tour Scene 53:50 Ableton Show Builds 56:29 Staying Healthy On Tour 1:01:24 Birthday Plans 1:03:55 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 1:04:37 Pizza/Candy Debate 1:10:54 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 1:11:52 Tour Highlights and Burnout 1:16:57 Music City Audiology 1:17:39 Charting and Music Education 1:29:09 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 1:30:20 Home Studio and Iron Maiden Mic 1:35:05 Tattoos and Hobbies 1:41:09 OutroThank you to our Episode Sponsors:Rezo Custom Drum Headshttps://rezoheads.comDrum Boxhttps://drumbox.spaceDrum Supplyhttps://www.drumsupply.comLow Boy Beatershttps://lowboybeaters.comMusic City Audiologyhttps://www.musiccityaudiology.comConnect with Mace:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santamariuhhhYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@santamariuhhhTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@santamariuhhhMusic Featured in this Episode:"She's My Handsome" - 76th StreetSupport the showConnect with us:WebsiteInstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookRecorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TNPodcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Attendee and exhibitor interviews from the 2026 Music City Drum Show, July 18-19 in Nashville, TN.Register for the 2027 Music City Drum Showhttps://www.musiccitydrumshow.comInterviews0:00 Intro3:33 Kris Mazzarisi - Story Behind Big Fat Snare Drum 17:15 Derek Lee (Beat Note) - "Combining Passions" 24:48 Daniel Hegerle - "Favorite Event of the Year"28:27 Taylor Morgan - "One Year in Nashville"30:38 Alex Mortem - "Play Hard, Play Fast"34:36 Shawn Tracht - "The Great American Drum Shop Road Trip"57:26 Mace Santa Maria - "Girls Stick Together"1:03:43 Majo Herrera - "Enjoying the Process"1:06:17 Christian Gendics - "Welcome to Town"1:07:38 Ryan Whitt - "Keeping Things Rolling"1:10:02 Ed Bettinelli - Thumb Thang1:15:07 Ory Brochet - "Orybon Drums: Sound Different"1:21:24 Josh Blount - Lucky Drums 1:24:00 Matt Bover - "Best Pizza in Nashville?" 1:30:34 Greg Hersey - "Innovation in Percussion Setups" 1:35:22 Jacob Robinson - "Learning by Doing"Support the showConnect with us:WebsiteInstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookRecorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TNPodcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Attendee and exhibitor interviews from the 2026 Music City Drum Show, July 18-19 in Nashville, TN.Register for the 2027 Music City Drum Showhttps://www.musiccitydrumshow.comInterviews0:00 Intro3:34 Tom Stanfill - "Drumming Community is Fantastic" 5:49 Jacqueline Cloud - "Change, Content, & Fudge" 11:04 Edgel Groves - "Music Tech & Business" 15:04 Alexander Hubbard - "Talent Show Rockstar" 16:15 Lleyton Brainard - "Identity & Lemurian People" 20:32 Laurie Toscano - "Lobsters & Accordions" 26:47 Fisher Wilkie - "Drums & Tortellini" 30:53 Dorothea Taylor - "Rudiments & Stardom"35:32 OutroSupport the showConnect with us:WebsiteInstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookRecorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TNPodcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome Pittsburgh native, Luke Zajdel! Luke is currently the touring drummer for country artist Walker Montgomery. A lifelong Rush fan, Luke shares why Clockwork Angels is his favorite record, memories of seeing Neil Peart play 5x, and his emotional reaction to Rush’s return announcement. He explains adapting the note-for-note prog mindset to Nashville’s more flexible country and session culture, learning charting after a last-minute Whiskey Jam call, and developing stage presence by loosening up. Luke shares how important mentors and teachers have been in his development, specifically studying with Mark Poiesz, who has helped with stage presence, mindset, and meditation. We touch on other influences like David Garibaldi, Morgan Rose, and Danny Carey, touring routines, fitness, meditation, home recording, and of course, Luke's seemingly perfect posture behind the kit. We hope you enjoy! Chapters:0:00 Intro1:17 Welcome, Luke! 2:23 On Tour w/ Walker Montgomery 5:39 PPG Arena Homecoming 5:52 Rush Roots and Favorite Album 12:23 Six Months To Obsess 13:53 Garibaldi Rabbit Hole 15:09 Rock Showmanship Chops 17:24 Seeing Neil Peart Live 18:25 Nashville Grind and Purpose 26:38 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 27:38 Looking the Part 30:23 Move to Nashville 31:52 Early Gigs and First Kit 34:50 Drum Box (Sponsor) 38:39 Rush to Country Mindsets 44:29 Mentorship & Meditation 49:24 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 50:06 Touring Habits and Fitness 54:09 Perfect Posture 59:58 Lesson Routine and Teachers 1:00:38 Overqualified For The Gig 1:03:34 Tour Culture and Temptations 1:09:36 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 1:10:33 Home Recording Goals 1:13:42 Rapid Fire Questions 1:21:22 OutroThank you to our Episode Sponsors:Rezo Custom Drum Headshttps://rezoheads.comDrum Boxhttps://drumbox.spaceDrum Supplyhttps://www.drumsupply.comLow Boy Beatershttps://lowboybeaters.comConnect with Luke:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lzajdelmusicYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/2112rushfan1Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lzajdelmusicMusic Featured in this Episode:"All Night Long Left" - Walker Montgomery"Outlaws & Outsiders" - Cory MarksSupport the showConnect with us:WebsiteInstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookRecorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TNPodcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome Massachusetts native, Wesley Bourque! Wes is currently the touring drummer for rising country singer/songwriter Logan Crosby. In addition to gigging and recording, he serves as Artist Relations for NY-based distributor/record label United Masters. In this wide-ranging conversation, Wes shares his journey from small-town New England to the move to Nashville in 2014. We dive into his early years working day jobs at well-known coffee shops, building relationships, and his thoughts on navigating perception and identity. He shares lessons from Broadway, prepping for fill-in gigs with and without charts, and high-stress playback realities including redundancy and backup plans. Wes dives into Noble & Cooley’s history and his personal connection to the company, plus touring highlights and challenges with Logan (including a van fire) and why story, narrative, and platform-specific content matter in today’s saturated music landscape. We hope you enjoy!Chapters:0:00 Intro1:51 Welcome, Wes! 2:17 Broadway Connections 9:10 Ableton/Playback Stress 18:24 Noble & Cooley Origins 29:13 Unexpected Event Planning 30:14 Full Circle Maddie & Tae 33:03 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 34:07 Networking & Coffee Shops 36:08 Breaking Out Of Labels 39:31 Artist Relations and Marketing 45:28 Saturation and Storytelling 50:28 Drum Box (Sponsor) 51:11 Marketing For Musicians 55:46 Subbing Prep (Charts vs Memorization) 1:00:37 Japan Fly-Date Story1:07:45 Iconic Fills and Pranks1:09:58 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 1:11:12 NAMM Lessons and Trade Shows 1:24:04 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 1:25:06 Landing Logan Crosby Gig 1:29:13 Tour Life and Van Fire 1:37:31 Advice for Younger Drummers 1:44:48 Whiskey Jam Wobble 1:48:44 Platform Content Strategy 2:00:20 Handling Mistakes During a Show 2:03:34 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 2:04:25 Guitar Hero Drum Lore 2:05:42 Rapid Fire Questions 2:14:52 OutroThank you to our Episode Sponsors:Rezo Custom Drum Headshttps://rezoheads.comDrum Boxhttps://drumbox.spaceDrum Supplyhttps://www.drumsupply.comLow Boy Beatershttps://lowboybeaters.comMusic City Audiologyhttp://musiccityaudiology.comConnect with Wes:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bourquechop/Music Featured in this Episode:"So Damn Free" - Logan Crosby"A Parking Lot Far Away" - Logan CrosbySupport the showConnect with us:WebsiteInstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookRecorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TNPodcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome multi‑platinum Nashville session drummer, Aksel Coe! Since moving to Nashville in 2018, Aksel has quickly made a name for himself as one of the city's most sought-after session drummers, having recorded on many of today's top country, pop, and indie tracks. Recent recording credits include Ella Langley (ACM Song of the Year 'Choosin' Texas'), Role Model, Holly Humberstone, Zach Bryan, Sierra Ferrell, Willow Avalon, K. Flay, Margo Price, Orville Peck, Sasha Alex Sloan, Cody Jinks, Sam Barber, Wyatt Flores, and Joshua Bassett, among many others. We dive right into Aksel's diverse musical upbringing and his journey from the West Coast to Nashville. Aksel shares invaluable advice and perspective on the home recording process — from creating efficient workflows on and off the drums, when and when not to cheap out on gear, and how to create and effectively market your own sample or loop pack. We discuss avoiding burnout, Nashville's shifting studio landscape, and of course, his acting debut in the 2025 biopic 'Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.' We hope you enjoy!Chapters:0:00 Intro1:45 Welcome, Aksel!5:25 Breathwork For Drummers 10:54 Engineer vs Drummer Hat 14:07 Practice? 16:55 Early Life and First Kit 25:46 Buy Cheap Or Buy Twice 27:52 Too Many Snares? 28:44 Session Preset Workflow 29:46 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 30:49 First Drum Kit 33:23 Mentors and Vintage Pearls 37:42 Drum Box (Sponsor) 38:23 Vintage vs Modern Recording 39:23 Recording Trends 40:33 Burnout and Identity 42:10 Tracking 537 Songs 49:15 Live Band vs Studio Players 55:32 Free Jazz Influence 57:35 Recording As Improv 1:07:53 Session Nightmares 1:20:42 Splice Packs Strategy 1:25:26 Sample Packs Explained 1:34:15 Record Yourself More 1:35:06 Flaws vs Tendencies 1:40:40 Overdubbing Cymbals 1:43:31 Session Communication Skills 1:47:44 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 1:48:25 Home Studio vs Commercial Rooms 1:55:19 Scarlett vs Apollo Debate 2:02:47 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 2:03:44 Aksel's Acting Debut (Springsteen Movie) 2:11:32 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 2:12:48 Rapid Fire Questions 2:20:37 OutroThank you to our Episode Sponsors:Rezo Custom Drum Headshttps://rezoheads.comDrum Boxhttps://drumbox.spaceDrum Supplyhttps://www.drumsupply.comLow Boy Beatershttps://lowboybeaters.comMusic City Audiologyhttp://musiccityaudiology.comConnect with Aksel:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akselcoedrumsWebsite: https://www.akselcoe.comSupport the showConnect with us:WebsiteInstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookRecorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TNPodcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC