Big Fat Five: A Podcast Financially Supported by Big Fat Snare Drum Ben Hilzinger

Our guest today is none other than Jost Nickel, a renowned German drummer, composer, and educator. Jost is part of the golden generation of drummers from Germany, alongside his friends and fellow drumming legends Anika Nilles, Marco Minnemann, and Benny Greb.
Currently, Jost keeps busy with Jan Delay and Disko No. 1, but his talent has graced many hit records both in Germany and beyond. He's also had the privilege of playing with jazz greats like Randy Brecker, Jeff Lorber, Jimmy Haslip, Barry Finnerty, and many more.
In addition to his impressive performance career, Jost has authored four highly successful instructional books: Jost Nickel’s GROOVE BOOK, Jost Nickel’s FILL BOOK, Jost Nickel’s SNARE BOOK, and Jost Nickel’s BEGINNER BOOK.
I absolutely love Jost’s playing. It's always so crisp, clear, snappy, and incredibly creative, yet it always feels good. Today, we're diving into the five records that have helped shape Jost Nickel into the phenomenal drummer he is today. Cheers!"

JOST'S BIG FAT FIVE:
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Album - The Dream of the Blue Turtles
Artist - Sting
Release Year - 1985
Key Track - Shadows in the Rain
Drummer - Omar Hakim
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Album - Master Plan
Artist - Dave Weckl
Release Year - 1990
Key Track - Tower of Inspiration
Drummer - Dave Weckl
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Album - True Colors
Artist - Level 42
Release Year - 1984
Key Track - Kansas City Milkman
Drummer - Phil Gould
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Album - This Time
Artist - Al Jarreau
Release Year - 1980
Key Track(s) - Spain (I Can Recall)
Drummer - Steve Gadd
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Album - Synchronicity
Artist - The Police
Release Year - 1983
Key Track - King of Pain
Drummer - Stewart Copeland 

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

This week's guest is Nick Wilkerson. For the past decade, Nick has been the drummer for the critically acclaimed Louisville, KY rock band, White Reaper. Recently, he decided to embark on a solo journey as an independent artist, and I’m eager to see what he creates next.
I always invite drummers on this show who truly move me with their playing. I discovered Nick’s videos on Instagram and was immediately impressed before I even realized he was the drummer for White Reaper, a band I really admire. Check out his videos, and you'll understand why.
I was stoked to have this conversation with Nick, and it’s moments like these that make me love what I do. Now, enjoy as we explore the five records that helped shape Nick Wilkerson into the musician he is today. Cheers!
NICK'S BIG FAT FIVE:
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Album - Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 Soundtrack
Artist - Various
Release Year - 2001
Key Track(s) - Boy Who Destroyed The World (AFI), If You Must (Del The Funkee Homosapien), Amoeba (Adolescents)
Drummer - Various
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Album - American Idiot
Artist - Green Day
Release Year - 2004
Key Track(s) - Jesus of Suburbia, St Jimmy, Homecoming
Drummer - Tre Cool
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Album - Bad Brains
Artist - Bad Brains
Release Year - 1982
Key Track(s) - Attitude, Banned in DC, Big Takeover
Drummer - Earl Hudson
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Album - Live At Leeds
Artist - The Who
Release Year - 1970
Key Track(s) - Heaven And Hell, Can’t Explain, Happy Jack
Drummer - Keith Moon
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Album - Wonderful Rainbow
Artist - Lightning Bolt
Release Year - 2003
Key Track(s) - Assassins, Two Towers, Crown of Storms
Drummer - Brian Chippendale

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

This week's guest is Isaiah Weatherspoon, a Philadelphia-based drummer who started playing at the age of four. He went on to graduate from Berklee College of Music in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in Music Production and Engineering. Over the years, Isaiah has performed with an impressive roster of artists, including Lizz Wright, Greg Phillinganes, Lauren Talese, Leehom Wang, Justin Timberlake, Sister Sledge, and many more.
I first noticed Isaiah when I saw a video on Instagram of him using one of our Big Fat Snare Drum Steve's Donuts on his floor tom during an outdoor concert. He was going crazy on the drums, and I was truly impressed. His positive energy and outlook made this conversation a real pleasure. Plus, we dive into a fascinating topic: synesthesia, a perceptual phenomenon that Isaiah proudly embraces.
So, without further ado, here are the five records that have shaped Isaiah Weatherspoon into the musician he is today. Cheers!
Check out his book: MUSIC IS COOL! Music Coloring Book for Kids

ISAIAH'S BIG FAT FIVE:
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Album - Not Guilty
Artist - John P Kee
Release Year - 2000
Key Track - Rain On Us
Drummer - Calvin Rodgers
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Album - Purpose By Design
Artist - Fred Hammond and Radical For Christ
Release Year - 2000
Key Track - Jesus Be a Fence Around Me
Drummer - Marvin McQuitty
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Album - In A Dream
Artist - Gretchen Parlato
Release Year - 2009
Key Track - Butterfly
Drummer - "No drums on this record. But I believe Kendrick Scott plays on album"
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Album - Ten Summoner's Tale
Artist - Sting
Release Year - 1993
Key Track(s) - Seven Days
Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta
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Album - Choose Your Weapon
Artist - Hiatus Kaiyote
Release Year - 2015
Key Track - By Fire
Drummer - Perrin Moss

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

This week’s guest is Eric Somers-Urrea…a Chicago-based drummer, educator and producer who I very-much admire both on and off the kit. His main project is a band called Marina City and his sincerity / kindness as a person matches his incredible prowess on the drums. I just can’t say enough good things about him.
This is a edited and re-airing of my conversation with Eric from a few years ago so some references are a little dated, but I'm pushing this to the top of the feed because I might be switching things up a bit and, to keep things cryptic, let's just say I want you to get to know Eric a little bit more. Stay tuned. Please enjoy our chat about the 5 main influences that shaped Eric into the drummer he is today, but first…we play a little game. Cheers!

ERIC'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Performance - Drum Corps International 2004 Finals
Release Year - 2004
Artist - The Cavaliers
Song Choice - https://youtu.be/KpUuMM1y2_o?t=140 (anywhere between 2:20-4:20ish)
Drummer - The Cavaliers Drumline
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Album - Quadrophenia
Release Year - 1973
Artist - The Who
Song Choice - The Real Me (1:30ish)
Drummer - Keith Moon
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Album - Deadwing
Release Year - 2005
Artist - Porcupine Tree
Song Choice - Glass Arm Shattering (3:30ish)
Drummer - Gavin Harrison
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Album - Mer De Noms
Release Year - 2000
Artist - A Perfect Circle
Song Choice - Judith (2:40)
Drummer - Josh Freese
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Album - With Teeth
Release Year - 2005
Artist - Nine Inch Nails
Song Choice - All the Love in the World
Drummer - Dave Grohl/ Trent Reznor
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HONORABLE MENTIONS:
"Glass Prison" by Dream Theater
"Heart Don't Stand a Chance" by Anderson .Paak (Tiny Desk Concert version 3:45)

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. 

This week's guest is Megan Spencer, a talented young drummer and educator from just outside Los Angeles. Megan recently caught my attention with her amazing cover of Marques Murrey's Million Dollar Baby remix, and I was instantly drawn to her unique tones and vibe. So, I’m excited to have her on the show!  I'm always grateful for the opportunity to connect with new drummers who inspire ME and learn about the drummers who inspired THEM, in hopes of inspiring YOU. Thanks for hanging around. Today, Megan will share the five records that have significantly shaped her journey as a drummer. Enjoy the episode! Cheers!

MEGAN'S BIG FAT FIVE:
Album - Innervisions
Artist - Stevie Wonder
Release Year - 1973
Key Track - Higher Ground
Drummer - Stevie Wonder
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Album - Bad
Artist - Michael Jackson
Release Year - 1987
Key Track - Smooth Criminal, Bad, Dirty Diana, Man in the Mirror
Drummer - John (JR) Robinson
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Album - Ten Summoner’s Tales
Artist - Sting
Release Year - 1993
Key Track - Seven Days
Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta
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Album - Alive in South Africa
Artist - Israel Houghton & New Breed
Release Year - 2005
Key Track - Turn it Around, Still Standing
Drummer - Mike Clemmons
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Album - Loopified
Artist - Dirty Loops
Release Year - 2014
Key Track - Hit Me, Rolling in the Deep
Drummer - Aron Mellergard

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.

This week's guest is Chris Fryar, primarily known for his work with the Zac Brown Band. He has also worked with Oteil and the Peacemakers, led by bassist Oteil Burbridge of the Allman Brothers Band, as well as with Victor Wooten, John Popper, Steve Bailey, and many more.
Chris is powerful, creative, and consistent, yet very reactive and conversational with his playing. I was so happy to chat with him. I'll be honest—I haven't really said this in an intro before, but this conversation is what I envisioned when I started this podcast. Chris is incredible at sharing his story through his choices and offers invaluable advice along the way.
This is hands down one of my favorite episodes. Please enjoy my chat with Chris Fryar about the five records that shaped him into the musician he is today. And make sure you check out his honorable mentions. He's got plenty, and they'll all make you a better player. I promise.
Cheers!

CHRIS' BIG FAT FIVE:
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Album - Zenyatta Mondatta
Artist - The Police
Release Year - 1980
Key Track(s) - Shadows In The Rain, Driven To Tears, When The World Is Running Down
Drummer - Stewart Copeland
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Album - Ten Summoner's Tales
Artist - Sting
Release Year - 1993
Key Track(s) - Seven Days, St. Augustine in Hell, She's Too Good For Me, Shape of My Heart
Drummer - Vinnie Colaiuta
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Album - Kind of Blue
Artist - Miles Davis
Release Year - 1959
Key Track(s) - So What, All Blues, Freddie Freeloader
Drummer - Jimmy Cobb
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Album - Live and In Living Color
Artist - Tower Of Power
Release Year - 1976
Key Track(s) - Knock Yourself Out (live), What Is Hip (live)
Drummer - David Garibaldi
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Album - Robben Ford & The Blue Line
Artist - Robben Ford
Release Year - 1992
Key Track(s) - You Cut Me To The Bone, Real Man, Prison Of Love
Drummer - Tom Brechtlein

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Aja - Steely Dan
Big Swing Face - Buddy Rich Big Band
TOTO IV - TOTO
Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin
Moving Pictures - Rush
Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack - various artists
Life On Planet Groove - Maceo Parker
At Fillmore East - Allman Brothers Band
HELP! - The Beatles
Rubber Soul - the Beatles
Revolver - the Beatles
John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman
Apple Juice - Tom Scott
Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit
Heavy Weather - Weather Report

For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram.