Drummer's Resource

You would think that when you leave school you’re prepared for the “real world” and have the tools and knowledge you need to succeed on the road ahead…but that’s not always the case. Although it’s argued whether school (college) is a good idea or not, there’s no denying the fact that life lessons (call them, […] The post 171 – 7 things they don’t teach you in school appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I had to the pleasure to chat with and get to know Craig Blundell, the seemingly overnight success who is currently on tour with Prog Rock icon Steven Wilson. Craig has been working tirelessly in the trenches of music, trying to “make it pro” for many years. Between bouncing between day job […] The post 170 – Craig Blundell: The long road to overnight success appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to David Garibaldi, who is one of the most influential drummers of his generation and  known as an innovator in funk drumming. He’s also one of my biggest drumming influences of all time so this conversation was extremely special for me. David, known for being the founding (and current) drummer […] The post 169 – David Garibaldi: Still funky after all these years appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

“How a person does one thing is how they do everything” – Zen Saying (Tweet this) Is this true for you? Are you as disciplined and dedicated to all aspects of your life as you are with your drumming? Do you make time for paradiddles but not for the gym? Life is all about balance […] The post 168 – How your drumming habits can improve your overall life appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

I talk to A LOT of people who want a job in the music business. But, most of them never act on it because, in their own words: “don’t know how to get a job in the music business” Let me start by saying that making up excuses and listing all the reasons why you can’t […] The post How to get a job in the music business appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to Dave Dicenso, who has played with a slew of artists including: Steve Morse Band, Cro-Mags,  Hiromi, Duran Duran, John Petrucci, Gary Cherone, Suze DeMarchi, Johnny A and is currently the drummer for Josh Groban. When I first heard Dave play I was blown away…not only because of his obvious talent, but also is […] The post 167 – Dave DiCenso: Overcoming Rhythmic, Mental and Physical Roadblocks appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to my buddy Mark Feldman, owner of Bang! The Drum School in NYC. Mark has a unique story from winning one of the first Modern Drummer Magazine Drum Solo contests, to VP of Marketing for Columbia Records and leaving the corporate world to return to his love of playing. Our […] The post 166 – Following Your Passion with Mark Feldman of Bang! The Drum School appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to one of my biggest drumming influences, Rick Latham. Rick is not only an in-demand studio and live drummer but is also one of the best clinicians in the world and author of  Contemporary Drumset Technique and the timeless classic, Advanced Funk Studies (on of the “The 25 Greatest Drum Books […] The post 165 – Rick Latham: Timeless Advice from a Master appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

We’ve all been there…stuck in a rut. Dealing with some level of worry, fear, lack of creativity, blah blah blah. While it happens to all of us, and there’s no avoiding it, there are a few ways to get out of of rut once you’re in one. Ruts can last for hours, days, weeks, moths […] The post 164 – How to get out of a rut appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I chat with the one and only Denny Seiwell who is best known as being the founding drummer in Paul McCarney’s band “Wings” after he left the Beetles. Denny has been a mainstay in the studio and film score scene as well and is widely considered as one of the greatest studio […] The post 163 – Denny Seiwell: Riding on the “Wings” of Paul McCartney appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I give a quick, bulleted list of how I reverse engineer the things I want in life: My goals, relationships, etc. Far too often people get bogged down and fearful of their goals because they don’t know where to start. This is understandable, especially if you’re planning on going down a road […] The post 162 – Reverse engineering your goals appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I chat with Josh Dion, a drummer I’ve known about for years but finally got a chance to get him on the show. Josh and I ran in the same circles back in the early 2000s and he’s blown me away since the first I ever saw him play. Josh is one […] The post 161 – Josh Dion: Multitasking Art appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In part one of “Life as a sideman” I talk about a the somewhat uncomfortable topic of the longevity for musicians…especially as sidemen or “hired guns.” In part 2 I take a deeper dive into running your business as a sideman and offer 7 critical things to keep in mind as your navigating the waters of being […] The post 160 – Life as a Sideman (part 2): Running your Music Business appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I share the most recent Drummer’s Resource Pro Q&A session, featuring the legendary drummer, Michael Carvin. Michael has been on the podcast before and his interview was easily one of the most talked about interviews I’ve ever done. As a master player Michael has performed with legends including: Jimmy Smith, Freddie Hubbard […] The post 159: Michael Carvin – Effective Practice Techniques appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk about a the somewhat uncomfortable topic of the long-term plan for musicians…especially as sidemen or “hired guns.” Unfortunately, after the tour is over and after the recording button is turned off, the money comes to a halt. Far too often musicians tend to think that they’ll have their cushy gig […] The post 158: Life as a sideman (Part 1) – A realistic message about the “business” of music appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

I get a ton of emails, messages, tweets, etc asking all sorts of questions ranging from “How can I practice better?” to “What’s your favorite food?” and everything in between.  Rather than replying to the messages individually I want these answers to benefit everyone in the Drummer’s Resource Community, so I decided to add them […] The post 157 – [#AskRuffini]: Soloing , doubles and weak hand development appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to Curt Bisquera, who has been touring and recording for over 30 years with some of the biggest names in the business, including: Mick Jagger, Elton John, Tom Petty, Sarah McLachlan, and many others. Curt serves up real-world advice for the touring and studio drummer and suggests what he’d concentrate […] The post 156 – Curt Bisquera: Keeper of the groove appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

“If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.” (Tweet this) In this podcast I talk about the effect that networks and relationships have on your life, success, failures and more. “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most amount of time with.” – Jim Rohn This podcast […] The post 155 – Upgrading Your Network and Relationships appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to world-renowned drummer and educator Mike Johnston. Mike, known for his MikesLessons.com online lessons site is an innovator in teaching. Starting as a touring drummer, Mike realized that he’s more passionate about teaching than playing live and decided to make teaching his “plan A”. Mike and I dig deep into […] The post 154 – Mike Johnston: A Born Educator appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to Tony “Thunder” Smith who is known for his wide variety work with Lou Reed, David Bowie, John Mc:Laughlin and more. Now, as a Berklee professor, Tony continues to not only tour and record but he also teaches the next generation of drummers and equips them for the real world of being […] The post 153: Tony “Thunder” Smith talks Lou Reed, Bowie, Berklee and more… appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .