Working Drummer

Hosted by Working Drummer

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592

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Nov 2026

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About the show

With 500 episodes and counting, Working Drummer Podcast is the source for those interested in what it’s like to be a professional drummer. Hosted by Matthew Crouse and Zack Albetta, Working Drummer covers it all with a dynamic range of pro drummers who represent many different genres and scenes. Each weekly interview features a different performer, sometimes with a less recognizable name, but always with an impressive and distinct body of work. This unique approach has garnered a loyal audience hungry for unfiltered stories about making a living as a musician today.

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60 recent

November 12, 20261 hr 25 min

593 - Nir Z: Isreal to New York to Nashville, The Power of Dynamics, Attention to Detail

At age 16, Nir Z began playing professionally, performing and recording with the top artists in Israel. He toured extensively throughout Israel, while also appearing regularly on national TV. In 1993, Nir Z left behind his very successful career in Israel and moved to New York City. That decision paid off -- he eventually took over the drum throne once held by Phil Collins for Genesis. He has since played on over 80 albums, including John Mayer's Room For Squares. Internationally renowned and respected, Nir Z currently performs and records in North America, Europe, Japan, and Israel. Some notable album credits also include John Mayer, Blake Shelton, Jason Mraz, Chris Cornell, Wynnona Judd, Billy Squire, John Oats, Hunter Hayes, Katie Armiger, Tracy Lawrence, Love and Theft, and Laura Bell Bundy. In this episode, Nir talks about: Touring in Japan How working in Nashville effected changes in his playing The power of dynamics Attention to detail Nir’s method of recording remotely Staying in love with music and drumming ⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Here's our Homepage⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

November 5, 20261 hr 1 min

592 - Terreon Gully: From Jazz to Hip Hop, From New York to Atlanta, "Creativity, Versatility, Authenticity"

Terreon "Tank" Gully grew up in East St. Louis, IL, attended college at the University of Houston, and went on to cut his teeth on the New York scene. He then relocated to Atlanta where he has been based for some time. His resume includes everyone from jazz greats such as Christian McBride, Kenny Baron, and DeeDee Bridgewater to pop and hip hop icons like Lauryn Hill and Mos Def. In this episode, Terreon talks about: What drew him to Atlanta after attending college in Houston Being a musical and drumming omnivore from an early age - church, pop, jazz, West African, etc. Attending percussion camp at Eastern Illinois University and approaching the drumset from a “total percussion” perspective Becoming known in New York as Terreon in the jazz world and Tank in the Hip Hop world Lessons taken from playing and touring with Christian McBride The value of doing more observing and less questioning "Listening on a high level" His phrasing concepts The resurrection of Churchill Grounds as Atlanta’s jazz hub Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 29, 20261 hr 16 min

591 - Bruce Becker: New Course - "Paradiddle Power", Teaching = Problem Solving

Spanning more than four decades as an educator, Bruce Becker has been bringing forward unique concepts in developing “The Flow”! Drawing from his more than thirty-year association with drumming guru Freddie Gruber, Bruce is carrying on the torch of a unique approach in getting the student to understand the natural principles of the physical body’s interaction with the drum set. Through the years Top Drummers Vinnie Colaiuta, David Garibaldi, Tris Imboden, Mark Schulman, Jack Bruno, Glen Sobel, Tim Carman and many more have sought his guidance.  Bruce co-led the David Becker Tribune for 35 years recording 10 CDs. He has performed/recorded with Ron Carter, Mike Stern, Russell Ferrante, Barbara Dennerlein, John Abercrombie, producer Ken Caillat, Frank Gambale and many others.  Bruce has conducted master classes all over the world and has been a regular contributor to Drumeo creating the highly successful Drum Technique Made Easy course. He is the author of “The Ultimate Guide to Syncopation” (Hudson), an in depth guide to the classic book “Syncopation“ by Ted Reed, “Puzzles, Rhymes and Riddles” (Hudson) and the DVD “Concepts and Philosophies” (Hudson). His newest book/course, “Paradiddle Power: A Complete Guide”, will be released shortly. The project takes the paradiddle far beyond the traditional rudiment, exploring it as a vehicle for phrasing, groove, melodic ideas, and the choreography that allows those ideas to flow naturally around the drumset. It is accompanied by 37 instructional videos. Bruce continues to inspire drummers around the world through books, online education, masterclasses, clinics, and private mentoring, carrying forward a lifelong pursuit of natural movement, musical freedom, and artistic expression. His mission remains the same: to help every drummer discover a more effortless, expressive, and authentic relationship with the instrument. In this episode, Bruce talks about: Teaching one on one in master classes Learning to mix yourself and play to the room “Housing” the stick Teaching = problem solving Bruce’s new book, “Paradiddle Power: A Complete Guide” ⁠Here's our Patreon⁠ ⁠Here's our Youtube⁠ ⁠Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 23, 20261 hr 14 min

590 - Cassius Goens III: Playing on the Indianapolis Scene, Teaching at Ball State University, "You can make it happen wherever you're at"

Cassius Goens III is active on the Indianapolis scene primarily as a jazz drummer but he gets into plenty of other trouble there. He’s also a professor at Ball State University in Muncie, IN where he was born and raised. He teaches jazz drumset and also leads a 15-piece commercial music ensemble in the Music, Media, and Production department there. In this episode, Cassius talks about: Growing the drumset presence at Ball State from having no drumset teacher to a studio of 24 students Leading the school's semi-pro commercial music ensemble Coexisting and collaborating with the percussion and jazz departments Being self-taught on drumset until grad school at University of Iowa Taking transcription further as a compositional tool Why his path has kept him close to home His busy and varied playing schedule, and Indy’s not one but two dedicated jazz rooms How he feels like his prime as a drummer is yet to come Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 15, 20261 hr 29 min

589 - John Gardner: Touring with The Chicks, Early Days of Triggering, Listening and Being Sensitive to the Music

John Gardner is a Nashville legend who's touring credits include working with artists like Narvel Felts, John Conlee, The Dixie Chicks "Top Of The World" tour, James Taylor and The Dixie Chicks, Earl Scruggs, Don Williams and others. He has recorded with many many artists including Rhonda Vincent, Don Williams, Larry Gatlin, Porter Waggoner, Jerry Douglas, Jesse Winchester, Al Kooper, Gene Watson, Ricky Scaggs, Josh Turner, Lee Roy Parnell, Tim O'Brien, Jim and Jesse ,Jim Lauderdale, Mickey Gilley, Merle Haggard, Daily & Vincent Dierks Bentley, Earl Scruggs, Dixie Chicks Steve Wariner, Michelle Wright, Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson, Phoebe Snow, Ed Snodderly, Steep Canyon Rangers & many more From 1999 - 2002 he was the staff drummer for the Grand Ole Opry. And from 2015 - 2020 he was an adjunct professor at East Tennessee State University He was nominated for a Grammy as a band member for Earl Scruggs "The ultimateCollection, Live At The Ryman". His TV credits include The Grammys, David Letterman, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show and Saturday Night Live In this episode, John talks about: How he ended up in Nashville in the 1970’s Touring with the legendary Don Williams The early days of triggering drums The realities of AI and it’s effect on how we do things Moving away from Nashville Touring with the Dixie Chicks and recording a live record Working as a staff drummer at the Grand Ole Opry Listening and being sensitive to what’s being played ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 8, 20261 hr 33 min

588 - Jay Moeller: Life and Music in Austin, TX, "I just wanna be the one guy that sounds like Jay Moeller"

Jay Moeller has spent his entire adult life and career in Austin Texas where he has played with a long list of artists and acts from covers at the dive bar to names with international reach. He has also begun to lead his own projects both live and in the studio.  In this episode, Jay talks about: Feeling like he’s in “a race against time”  Bringing something essentially “him” to every project Making the case for what he does best in recording sessions  Coming up on the Austin scene which was centered around Antone’s How timekeeping and groove should be the responsibility of everyone in the band The double-edged sword of old school players with old school thinkin The many things that can define Texas shuffle How to decide which weaknesses to strengthen Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 1, 20261 hr 31 min

587 - Ben Lecourt: From France to LA, Touring with Cat Power, Performing with Legends

A native of France, Ben Lecourt spent his childhood studying percussion with George Van Gucht of the Percussion Of Strasbourg while at conservatory in the south of France. During this time, Ben simultaneously began his discovery of bebop through private studies with various drum teachers. Spending a decade based in Paris, Ben honed his playing nightly in jazz clubs and festivals such as Montreux Jazz. He moved to LA late 2011 where he studied music production at UCLA Extension, and dove into the local music scene. He has since been busy recording with the likes of Linda Perry, Mark Stoermer from The Killers, Cat Power, Rocco DeLuca as well as playing live with Denny Laine from Wings and The Moody Blues, The Wallflowers, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Nick Waterhouse, Roger Manning Jr amongst others. He is currently on tour with Cat Power celebrating the 20th anniversary of the album “The Greatest”. When not on the road, he can be found in his home studio, Rancho Magnolia. In this episode, Ben talks about: How to be a good tour-mate Growing up in the south-east of France Moving from France to Los Angeles, US Building new friendships and relationships in a new place Discovering American Jazz while growing up in France Touring with Cat Power Preparing for a tour Performing with legends ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 24, 20261 hr 10 min

586 - Jason Smay pt. 2: Pursuing the Right Opportunities for the Right Reasons

Jason Smay has been in Nashville for a decade and plays with his son, McKinley James. Prior to that, he was based in Rochester, NY and toured with JD McPherson, Los Strait Jackets, and others. He and McKinley are also part of the Nashville group The Tiger Beats with Patrick Sweany and Ted Pecchio. In this episode, Jason talks about: Thinking about longevity in terms of exercise and overall health His roots drumming heroes  Forming a relationship as young drummer with fellow Rochester native Steve Gadd Using one set of sounds for a whole record Why he loves producers who were/are also drummers His disposition toward the growing role of tech in all music Learning how to pursue the right opportunities for the right reasons Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 13, 20261 hr 50 min

585 - Christopher Williams: Drumming for Accept, Life Between Tours, Financial Realities in the Metal World

Christopher Williams was born to be a drummer. Throughout high school, Williams drummed for several rock, jazz, metal, funk and blues groups, as well as the Greenville South Carolina youth orchestra. In 2004 he toured the United States as a member of the Carolina Gold Drum & Bugle corps. Christopher won a gold medal during the annual individual & ensemble competition and retained the title until 2006. Since 2008 he has been based in Nashville, Tennessee where he has built a strong reputation within the music community. During his school years, Williams was able to study with Paul Riddle of the Marshall Tucker band, Dr. Gary Robinson, Brian Tinkle of the cavaliers drum & bugle corps, Ed Shaughnessy, Jim Chapin, and Elvin Jones. During April of 2015 it was announced that Christopher would join the legendary heavy metal band Accept. Since then the group has played hundreds of shows in more than fifty countries around the world. Christopher has received global media attention, being featured in magazines and press since joining the band. When possible he performs, records, and tours with other artists & bands in a variety of genres. Some of the artists/groups he has worked with include: Gene Simmons Ace, Frehley, Accept, Andrew W.K,. Rex Brown, Derek St Holmes, John Corabi, Kaato, Mick Mars, Blackfoot, Lee Greenwood, Kid Rock, Peter Stroud, Her, A Thousand Horses, members of: Parliament Funkadelic, the Rolling Stones, Kiss, Slaughter, Cinderella, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Alice Cooper, Steppenwolf. In this episode, Christopher talks about: The origins of his woodworking skills Managing life with a newborn son Drumming for the legendary band Accept How Christopher plans for recordings The importance of being able to read & write notation Inspiring experiences early in life How he spends his time between tours  The financial realities of touring with a legendary band ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Youtube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 10, 20261 hr 11 min

584 - Jason Smay pt. 1

Jason Smay has been in Nashville for a decade and plays with his son, McKinley James. Prior to that, he was based in Rochester, NY and toured with JD McPherson, Los Strait Jackets, and others. He and McKinley are also part of the Nashville group The Tiger Beats with Patrick Sweany and Ted Pecchio. In this episode, Jason talks about: Bringing his son McKinley James up on the Rochester scene Touring with JD McPherson from 2011 to 2020 Moving to Nashville because it was best for McKinley’s career   Entering the Nashville scene without expectations Committing to what you love long enough for opportunities to come to you, rather than chasing trends or money gigs How people have the power to make or break your experience, regardless of the music and the money Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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