486 - Ken Coomer: Why Drummers make Great Producers, Touch and Feel Over Fancy Gear, Original Drummer with Wilco

Ken Coomer is a producer best known for his drumming in Uncle Tupelo and later Wilco. He was the drummer and co-founder of the Nashville-based band, Clockhammer, in the late 1980s/early 1990s. As a member of Wilco, Coomer has performed on A.M., Being There, Summerteeth, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Ken has also played on or produced albums by Steve Earle, Frontier Ruckus, Arlo McKinley, Sons of Bill, Tim Finn, Will Hoge, Jars of Clay, Emmylou Harris, Toy Horses, Malcolm Holcombe, Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal and Shaver. In this episode, Ken talks about:    Drumming skills that hold value in the studio    Why drummers can make great producers    Touch and feel over fancy gear    How he started producing    Working with latin artists    Mixing remote tracking with in-person recording Staying focused on the future

Sam Merrick is a Nashville based drummer, currently holding the drum set chair at & Juliet on Broadway at the Sondheim Theater in New York City. Previously, he spent nearly five years and played over 1200 performances with the national tour of Hamilton: An American Musical. He has also recorded and/or performed with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Toots and the Maytals, Jalen Ngonda, Saun & Starr (Daptone Records), The Denver Symphony, People's Champs, Kendra Morris (Colemine Records), and many more. Commercial clients include HBO, Levi Strauss, Chase, AT&T, and This American Life Podcast Network. In this episode, Sam talks about: Balancing maintaining a Broadway chair with other musical opportunities Relearning how to trust his instincts outside the highly controlled environment of a Broadway show Moving from the note-for-note specificity of Hamilton to the longer leash of & Juliet Working with producer Max Martin Maintaining a "healthy ecosystem" of subs

Joel Rothman is the renowned author of almost 100 drum and percussion method books, many of which are among the most popular books used by teachers in private music studios as well as schools and universities worldwide. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Joel studied drums and percussion, as well as piano, with well-known teachers such as Sam Ulano, Ed Shaughnessey, Jim Chapin, Joe Morello, Saul Goodman, and others. He first opened his own private drum studio, then later, after graduating from university, he taught in the New York City school system for many years. During that time Joel was a free-lance drummer playing with various bands and orchestras at private functions, nightclubs and musical shows. Writing his first book at fifteen, Joel also established his own highly successful publishing company JR Publications, which has been going for over half a century. In this episode, Joel talks about:    The inspiration for writing drum books    Using humor when writing    Joel’s System(s) for teachers to use    How he started    Studying with Ed Shaughnessy    Connecting with teachers Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

Dave Brandwein is a drummer, originally from Chicago, who spent 4 years in Los Angeles, CA and has now relocated to Nashville, TN. Dave's current main gig is with pop artist Forest Blakk (drums/playback) with whom he played a 2022 theater run supporting Dean Lewis, various fly dates/festivals throughout the same year, and headlining US/Canadian tours in 2023. Dave has also spent the last 12 years playing drums, running playback, and doing session work for various other artists. Dave teaches private lessons to students of all ages, and does session work, tracking remotely from his studio in Nashville or in-person at studios around the country. How playing for great songs usually means you can do less Coming up in Chicago, spending some time in LA, and ultimately landing in Nashville  The pros and cons of his collegiate jazz experience The first eight years of his career after college, on the grind in Chicago  When and why he started to think and look beyond the Chicago scene His experience in LA, and the difference between posing and assimilating  The song-learning value in wedding gigs, and treating those gigs like “going to the gym” Being in a relationship with another musician and how that’s only right for some musicians Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

Chuck Fields launched his musical career playing rock, blues, and R&B all while studying jazz at the University of Memphis. In the early 90’s he moved to Nashville and landed his first touring gig with Paul Brandt. Through the years Chuck has toured with several of Nashville’s recording artist such as, Martina McBride, Keith Anderson, Michelle Wright, Mark Selby, Johnny Reid and Terri Clark. In this episode, Chuck talks about: Touring Canada Putting your own stamp on the artist music Being able to write and read charts Touring routine Traditional grip Drumming for country superstar, Terri Clark Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

Kent Aberle is a first call drummer from Atlanta, GA. Kent is currently performing with Blackberry Smoke. He has previously recorded and toured with Kristian Bush of Sugarland , James Hall (Pleasure Club, Marry My Hope), R.A.H. and numerous other artists. Kent has over 25 years touring experience both in the US and Internationally including China, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, Canada, and others. Kent has performed on The Conan O’Brien Show, The Today Show with Kathy Lee and Hoda, The Talk, and has performed numerous times at the Grand Ole Opry as well as the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and major festivals around the world. In this episode, Kent talks about: The old school guitar-driven American rock band that it Blackberry Smoke Having long-standing relationships with the band and its individual members Teching and subbing for Brit Turner after Brit got sick The idea of someone's drumming matching their personality Being welcomed into the band by members and fans alike Investing heavily and committing exclusively to one gig Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

Dennis Holt is one of Nashville's most gifted musicians, whose drumming abilities cross nearly every genre from Americana to Country to Rock, Jazz, Ambient and R & B. Seasoned global performer, Dennis’ diversity has proven itself in recording with Taylor Swift, AD/Kansas, Emmylou Harris, Trisha Yearwood, and Deniece Williams to name but a few. Dennis, a first call drummer for top tier artists while living and working in both LA and Nashville, has played and toured the globe and literally performed and recorded on thousands of songs. When it comes to production, Dennis’ knowledge and experience from years in the studio will help you achieve the best results possible. Dennis leads with soul and always strives for perfection. He is an innovator as he looks for new ways to push creative boundaries.  Music,drumming and producing is Dennis’ driving force as he brings a wealth of experience and unparalleled enthusiasm and energy to each and every project. In this episode, Dennis talk about: Remote tracking His formative years Staying active Surviving a bad bicycle accident Negotiating the work load when remote tracking The importance of maintaining your gear Recording and performing with Kerry Livgren from the band Kansas Being able to read anyones chart style

Jamie Eblen is currently on the new hit Broadway musical The Outsiders, which just won the Tony award for best new musical. He also originated the drum chair for the smash hit Dear Evan Hansen, which also won best new musical Tony as well as the Grammy for best original cast recording. He has collaborated with acclaimed artists such as Jason Robert Brown and Pasek & Paul, as well as The RT’s and Mike Tedesco. Jamie began playing drums at the age of 10 in Los Angeles, where he was born and raised. Since moving to New York, Jamie has recorded four Original Broadway Cast albums in addition to a wide variety of session work and live performances throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. In this episode, Jamie talks about Going from doing anything and everything to committing more heavily to more specific gigs/playing Shedding the impulses of gig envy and "grass is greener" syndrome The Outsiders, the new Broadway musical he's on which just won the Tony Award for Best Musical Playing off-Broadway shows such as The Connector, and being part of the development process on a show moving towards Broadway The aspects of The Outsiders that are not the typical Broadway m.o. in terms of playing, mic'ing, and more How Broadway and the shows that occupy it are essentially "in the real estate business"

David Chiverton is a Miami Florida native who continues to work and live in south Florida. The cultural diversity in Miami as well as his upbringing in the gospel church both played a heavy role in shaping him into the musician he is today. He has toured internationally with various major talents such as Lauryn Hill, Jon Secada, Donnie McClurkin and Sheila E to name a few. His range of musical versatility includes Jazz, Gospel, Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, and the ability to freestyle on cue. Not only does David teach as an Adjunct professor at University of Miami, He is also member of the group The Smoogies. The band leans into the diverse background of it’s members to influence its sound and direction. Also, David shares the stage with Harvel Nakundi, another drummer for a powerful double drumming sound. The “Chivertone Sessions” on YouTube showcases David’s diverse skill set. In this episode, David talks about:    The mojo in south Florida    Maintaining a forward momentum       Learning to sound like a pro    The business of endorsements in 2024    Double drumming in the band Smoogies    Drumming with Sheila E    Leading by example

Charles Ruggiero has been active since the early 90s, cutting his teeth on the New York jazz scene and landing his first big gig with Chuck Mangione. His New York cohort included such future giants as Joshua Redman, Peter Bernstein, Jane Monheit, Brad Mehldau, and Chris Potter, to name a few. In addition to his jazz exlpoits, Charles found a home on the metal scene as a member of Slunt, and replacing Matt Sorum in the supergroup Circus Diablo. He relocated to LA in 2007 and didn't miss a step, performing with Larry Goldings, Eric Reed, Bob Sheppard, Bob Reynolds, David Ryan Harris, and many others. He has released multiple albums as a leader and performed as sideman on countless others, and also records for Loop Loft. In this episode, Charles talks about: Playing double drums with Gadd as the intro to his first big gig with Chuck Mangione Trying to serve the music through his artistry What a drummer timekeeping responsibility actually is His perspective on New York and LA, having spent big chunks of his career in both places His various side hustles, including teaching, mixing/producing, and creating album art Trusting his creativity and artistic identity after getting sober