564 - Ryan Connors: MD'ing for Hozier, Finding Self-Acceptance as a Drummer, Loving the Rehearsal Process

Reuben Spyker is a master technician who has built his career as an educator, artist, and innovative drummer.  Reuben has developed teaching programs that emphasize efficient playing, critical observation, and creativity.  Most recently, Reuben has combined his obsession with detail and interest in art to create an original signature snare drum with the help of master snare builder Ronn Dunnett.   In this episode, Reuben talks about:     The many facets of Reubens career     Using curiosity as inspiration     Finding joy in things like drawing, building things and Davinci     Working closely with Ronn Dunnett to build a custom snare drum     The importance of critiquing yourself     The power of focus     Reuben’s different teaching courses ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ross McReynolds has toured and recorded with artists such as Katie Pruitt, Maia Sharp, Juan Solorzano, The Muddy Magnolias, Dynamo, Cory Wong, Kelsey Waldon, Caleb Groh, Jess Nolan and many more. He attended Belmont University in Nashville and lived and worked there for many years after, but recently made the move to LA. In this episode, Ross talks about: Moving from Nashville to LA because of a general need for change Going crazy if he spends too long in the studio without connecting with an audience His experience at Belmont University in Nashville  Realizing the typical Nashville music career and some of Nashville’s musical values didn’t agree with him How patience can turn seemingly difficult decisions into no-brainers “The passivity of a streaming service” How synthesizers and other electronic instruments he like using still feel physical and tangible and analogue  Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Craig Krolicki is a versatile and musical drummer playing a wide variety of styles. He is a graduate of Youngstown State University (The Dana School of Music), with a BA in Music Education. In 1997 Craig moved to Nashville TN, and has toured as a drummer with artist such as Curb Recording Artist Jeff Carson, Hank III, Sony Recording Artist Tammy Cochran, Singer/Songwriter/Producer Gail Davies, Singer/Songwriter Billy Yates, BNA Recording Artist Kellie Coffey. From 2006-2020, Craig drum teched for the country band Rascal Flatts. In recent years, Craig has been teching for Kent Slucher of Luke Bryan. Craig continues to freelance as a drummer in and around Nashville and has even started a new fitness coaching program. In this episode, Craig talks about: Unique tech challenges during CMA week in Nashville Essential gear for playing on Lower Broadway in nashville What a drum tech actually does Being the glue between the drummer and the engineer From Pennsylvania to Nashville Staying in shape on the drums in between performances His new fitness program Coach Craig Fitness ([email protected]) ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Pruitt has toured and/or recorded with Eddie Gomez, Mike Stern, Snarky Puppy, Oz Noy, and many others. He was a finalist in the 2000 Guitar Center Drum-Off and went on to study with Ed Soph at North Texas. In this episode, Steve talks about: Facing a lot of adversity quickly at North Texas The differences and similarities in his approach to straight ahead jazz vs. fusion How he things about the word "integrity" "Finding the dance" that makes the music work with certain musicians or groups Taking responsibility, "even when it isn't fair to" The chapter of his life and career spent in South Korea ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Misamore has been drumming since he was 11 years old. He has been the drummer in Dierks Bentley’s band since 2002. Steve moved to Nashville in 1993 from Houston TX. Before he met Dierks, he did all sorts of gigs in town from bars to studio work, to private gigs and everything in between. Steve met Dierks playing the bars in Nashville in 1999 and helped him open some doors at Sony/ATV. Steve has been working with Dierks ever since. Steve played on some of the early stuff like "Free and Easy" "Feel That Fire" as well as a few others. In this episode, Steve talks about: Creative ways to stay engaged with drumming when not touring The evolution of the Dierks Bentley gig Working with Dierks from the very beginning Recreating the drum parts from Dierks' records Translating the studio performance into a live performance Getting his pilots license The parody group Hot Country Knights The early influence of Herman Matthews ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Musty has been the drummer for Train since 2019. He has lived in Boston, New York, Nashville, and Los Angeles and in addition to Train, his touring and recording credits include Grace Potter, Gwen Stefani, Shoshana Bean, Keith Urban, and many others. In this episode, Matt talks about: Learning the recording principle that the only rule is what sounds good to you The Broadway musical in development that Train is writing music for, and learning the “many cooks in the kitchen” approach  Being a part of Train’s writing process with Pat and Jerry How to fight jadedness  “Doing everything wrong and backwards” in New York Moving to Nashville and finding himself in the drum chair with Grace Potter How the space is what makes recordings sound cool Caring enough to strive for 110%, and not caring enough to not beat the shit out of yourself when you never get there  Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Leone has toured and recorded with bands like Ollabelle and Chris Robinson Brotherhood. He has also worked with a variety of musicians including Levon Helm, Phil Lesh, Anders Osborne, Lou Donaldson and others. In September 2020 he joined the legendary band Little Feat. Tony is active on the New York City jazz scene where you can catch his quintet at famous clubs like Ornithology and Smalls Jazz Club In this episode, Tony talks about:     Adapting to different musical scenarios     Being honest about styles of music you want to play     Playing with Little Feat and learning the catalogue     The realities of self doubt     Spending time & double drumming with Levon Helm     Following in his father’s footsteps     The duality of jazz and classic rock that shaped him     Studying with Art Taylor     Fronting his own jazz group in NY ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jon Radford has been adding soul and rhythmic vibe to the Nashville music scene since 2005, when he first began visiting the city to pick up drum gigs. He would soon move to Nashville from his hometown of Clarksville, TN with his wife, acclaimed painter Kim Radford.   After transitioning to Nashville full-time, Radford began touring across the US and Europe with Charles Walker & The Dynamites and Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors. When not touring, Radford could be found fulfilling a vital tradition for Nashville’s most talented, playing the lower Broadway honky-tonk bars on Sunday nights with The Don Kelly Band. In 2012, Radford helped found the critically acclaimed Luella and the Sun, a blues and gospel-tinged rock quartet. The band released a 10” single, Fly So Free, and toured for two years, performing at festivals such as Austin City Limits and Hangout Fest before disbanding. Also in 2012, Radford joined Justin Townes Earle’s touring band, performing on The Late Show with David Letterman.    Radford’s uniquely soulful, powerful drumming style is influenced by the iconic session players of 1960s and 1970s, including Kenny Buttrey, Hal Blaine, Jim Gordon, Steve Gadd, and Al Jackson Jr. Radford’s extensive and ever-growing record collection is also a constant and evolving influence.   In recent years, Radford has been an active session musician around Nashville, recording with producers such as Jacquire King, Brendan Benson, Paul Ebersold, and Jim Abbiss. Radford is also a regular member of the Nashville-based instrumental group Steelism. In this episode, Jon talks about How his vinyl obsession and his drum obsession feed each other Being willing to be a novice at something in middle age Being married to a fellow creative, painter and visual artist Kim Crawford, whose work can be seen around Nashville   Recent renewed global interest in Sixpence None The Richer His early days in Nashville and gigging on the “old” lower Broadway  Changes in the Nashville scene  Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matthew Atkins is a celebrated veteran of the music industry. An honours graduate of the renowned Musician’s Institute in Hollywood CA, Matthew has worked in a wide array of genres and situations. Matthew is equally at home on a stage playing pop-country to a festival audience, jazz to an intimate venue, or top 40 dance music at a high-end corporate event, as he is playing as part of a drum line at a world class sporting event.With a large catalogue of recording sessions to his credit, Matthew is known to be a diverse, creative professional. Matthew has been recognized with honours and awards from groups such as the Alberta Recording Industries Association and the Canadian Country Music Association.Having lived and worked in Asia, Mexico, and most recently Vancouver, Matthew now makes his home in St Albert, Alberta. In this episode, Matthew talks about:     The thought process while performing     His early touring experiences with Canadian artists     Favorite drummer verses biggest influence     His take on the supposed threat of AI     Experiencing of loss his wife to cancer     Nurturing life long careers in music     Unique dynamics in the Canadian music industry ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Connors is a multi-instrumentalist, MD, songwriter, and producer based in Nashville. He is currently keyboardist, MD, and backup drummer for Hozier, and has also worked with many other artists and bands including Yola, Melinda Doolittle, and Dynamo. He also writes and produces his own original music. In this episode, Ryan talks about: How smaller college programs give you more opportunities to play The virtues of multiple disciplines vs. specialization Being able to “speak drum” as an MD and producer The benefit of closing some doors Getting to play with Gadd “Finding where it feels good and not leaving there” Loving the discovery and connection that happens in rehearsal  Leading by example as an MD in any given situation  Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices