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Nashville Drummers Podcast

Dan Ainspan / Nathan Sletner
  • 4.9 (37)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Meet the up-and-coming players within Nashville's diverse drumming community, plus interviews with special guests from music cities near and far. Hear their stories, be inspired, and share some laughs along the way.

  1. Billy Joe Freeman: On Tour w/ Dustin Lynch, Professional Sideman, Texas Roots, Gig Triangle, Home Recording

    6D AGO

    Billy Joe Freeman: On Tour w/ Dustin Lynch, Professional Sideman, Texas Roots, Gig Triangle, Home Recording

    Welcome Billy Joe Freeman! Billy is the touring drummer and music director for country artist Dustin Lynch. A Garland, Texas native, Billy began his professional career at just 12 years old, playing in Texas' longest-running Opry House. In 2012, he landed a spot at the Guitar Center Drum Off grand finals, leading to a tour with country legend Neil McCoy. Billy moved to Nashville in 2013, and has been with Dustin Lynch ever since. In this candid conversation, Billy discusses professionalism on and off stage, how to best serve the song and the artist, the value of expanding your setup, the 'gig triangle' - when to say yes or no to a gig, how to balance home recording with live performance, and the ever-changing Nashville music scene. Billy also shares some fascinating stories and insights from his career, including his encounter with Virgil Donati at PASIC. We hope you enjoy! Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:15 Welcome, Billy! 6:31 Is Nashville Still a 10-Year Town? 18:49 The Evolution of Touring 24:23 Growing Up in the Texas Opry Scene 34:28 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 36:38 Expanding the Kit, Industry Trends 47:42 The Role of Electronics in Live Shows 51:05 Drum Box (Sponsor) 51:57 Becoming MD for Dustin Lynch 56:43 Value of Taking Broadway Gigs 1:00:57 Social Media's Impact on Musicians 1:01:22 Early Career and Influences 1:23:23 The Dallas Music Scene and Snarky Puppy 1:33:14 Home Recording 1:37:44 Balancing Family and Music 1:43:46 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 1:51:18 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 1:52:18 Career Highlights and GC Drum-Off 1:58:04 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 1:58:47 Career Outlook 2:06:08 Bacon, BBQ, & Coffee 2:14:00 Outro Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Rezo Custom Drum Heads https://rezoheads.com Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Music City Audiology http://musiccityaudiology.com Connect with Billy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billyjoefreeman Music Featured in this Episode: "Red Alert" - Billy Freeman, Doug Bossi, David Garfield, John Pena Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

    2h 15m
  2. Jordan Carter: From Cleveland to Nashville, Embracing Musical Growth, the Power of Community, Role of a Music Director

    JAN 30

    Jordan Carter: From Cleveland to Nashville, Embracing Musical Growth, the Power of Community, Role of a Music Director

    Welcome Cleveland-native Jordan Carter! A conversation full of laughter, good hangs, and true words of wisdom, join us for Ep. 80 as we dive deep into Jordan's unique journey to Nashville as a professional drummer and music director. Hailing from small-town Cleveland, Jordan followed his passion for the drums from a young age, pursuing higher education at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he would live and work for the next 12 years playing with artists such as Oompa, Sing, Lisa Bello, Louie Bello, Marcela Cruz, among others. Jordan moved to Nashville in 2022 and currently plays for artists such as Kaylee Rose, Slim Gambill, and Aveva. Jordan reminisces about influential figures from his time at Berklee and discusses the importance of community, patience, and self-discovery. Jordan offers insights into the role of a music director, the importance of effective communication, and the challenges of adapting to Nashville's diverse and talented pool of musicians. We hope you enjoy! Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:13 Welcome, Jordan! 2:46 From Cleveland to Nashville 3:26 Relearning the Drums: Challenges and Growth 23:11 Drum Box (Sponsor) 23:53 Boston Days at Berklee 40:15 Discovering Nashville's Music Scene 57:08 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 57:53 Finding the Right Gig 1:03:43 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 1:04:43 Memorable Shows and Venues 1:12:16 Drumming Influences 1:24:08 The Role of a Music Director 1:33:32 Therapy and Self-Improvement 1:40:19 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 1:41:02 Madden, Harry Potter, Closing Questions 1:51:23 Outro Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Music City Audiology http://musiccityaudiology.com Connect with Jordan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordancarter.music Website: https://www.jordancartermusic.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JordanCarter Music Featured in this Episode: "Sade" - Sing "Joy Back" - Oompa Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

    1h 53m
  3. Collin Dobbs: On Tour w/ The Bellamy Brothers, Preparing for the Big Gig, AI & Social Media, Landing Endorsements

    JAN 16

    Collin Dobbs: On Tour w/ The Bellamy Brothers, Preparing for the Big Gig, AI & Social Media, Landing Endorsements

    Welcome Georgia-native Collin Dobbs! Collin is the touring drummer for legendary country duo, The Bellamy Brothers. We delve into Collin's fascinating journey to Nashville - starting from his Georgia roots and Florida upbringing, Collin shares his quick rise in the music industry, the importance of being prepared and professional, tips on tuning and technique, and the value of networking and social media in landing a dream gig. The episode touches on the importance of diversifying skills, embracing various music genres, staying humble, and using AI to your benefit. We hope you enjoy! Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:37 Welcome, Collin! 11:44 Early Life and Musical Beginnings 23:08 How to Prepare Like a Pro 27:06 Drum Box (Sponsor) 27:48 Love Your Sound Engineers 34:33 Tuning Techniques and Tips 40:18 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 41:00 Joining the Bellamy Brothers 43:15 Influences and Early Inspirations 48:35 Mountain Biking 51:07 Gig Security 55:03 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 56:02 Drumming Identity 59:03 Social Media & Content Creation 1:09:17 Lucky Drums (Sponsor) 1:10:16 Endorsements and Gear 1:15:38 Using AI to Your Benefit 1:18:18 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 1:19:29 Closing Questions 1:24:27 Memorable Gigs and Touring Experiences 1:27:11 Outro Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Lucky Drums https://www.instagram.com/luckydrumsco Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Groove MPL https://www.groovempl.com Connect with Collin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collindobbsdrums Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collindobbsdrums TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@collindobbsdrums Website: https://www.collindobbs.com Music Featured in this Episode: "Redneck Girl" - The Bellamy Brothers "Let Your Love Flow" - The Bellamy Brothers Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

    1h 29m
  4. Tim Carman: On Tour w/ Parlor Greens & Canyon Lights, Musical Mileage, Drumming Identity, Hockey Crossover, Work-Life Balance

    12/26/2025

    Tim Carman: On Tour w/ Parlor Greens & Canyon Lights, Musical Mileage, Drumming Identity, Hockey Crossover, Work-Life Balance

    Welcome Nashville newcomer Tim Carman! An international touring musician, session drummer, educator, and five-time published author, Tim currently records and tours extensively with Parlor Greens—a soul-jazz trio consisting of Tim on drums, Jimmy James on guitar, and Adam Scone on organ—and Canyon Lights, a garage rock group formed with singer/guitarist Pat Faherty, formerly the lead singer of GA-20. Tim also leads two of his own projects: Tim Carman & The Street 45s — a world-groove inspired funk band—and the Tim Carman Trio—a vintage organ jazz trio (à la Jimmy Smith) nominated for “Jazz Act of the Year” in 2022, 2023, and 2024 by the Boston Music Awards. In this episode, we dive deep into Tim's diverse musical upbringing in Boston, his approach to absorbing musical vocabulary and the importance of studying music history, and his time spent in LA, Denver, and the eventual move to Nashville. We discuss how he manages multiple original projects, work-life balance, his joy for hockey, and his approach to networking, social media, and landing endorsements. We hope you enjoy! Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:43 Nashville's Best Chicken 9:19 Tim's Education Books 17:45 Boston Punk Upbringing 22:48 Drum Box (Sponsor) 23:31 Hockey Crossovers 28:31 Parlor Greens Formation 30:44 Fuji Rock Festival in Japan 32:11 Balancing Multiple Projects 33:12 Switching Between Genres 35:16 Work-Life Balance 37:22 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 38:04 Nashville's Scene 41:02 Punk Rock Influences 47:43 Networking and Opportunities 58:14 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 59:14 Social Media for Musicians 1:05:25 Memorable Concerts 1:09:29 Bucket List Venues 1:14:04 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 1:15:16 Endorsements and Gear Talk 1:23:17 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 1:24:12 Closing Questions 1:29:43 Outro Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Groove MPL https://www.groovempl.com Music City Audiology https://www.musiccityaudiology.com Connect with Tim: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tcarmandrums Website: https://timcarmandrums.com Music Featured in this Episode: "West Memphis" - Parlor Greens "Let Me In" - Canyon Lights Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

    1h 31m
  5. Andrew Besl: Lessons in Gratitude & Forgiveness, Relationships & Self-Discovery, Music City Mayhem, Role of a Studio Drummer

    12/08/2025

    Andrew Besl: Lessons in Gratitude & Forgiveness, Relationships & Self-Discovery, Music City Mayhem, Role of a Studio Drummer

    Welcome, Andrew Besl to the podcast! Andrew is a Nashville-based drummer currently playing with Artists Noah Floersch, Neon Child, Pink Bubba, and Bee Kelly, among others. When he’s not on the road, he’s behind the kit as the in-house session drummer at Last Dollar Studios. In this candid conversation, Andrew shares valuable life lessons on gratitude and forgiveness as he details his journey from a self-taught musician to a sought-after working drummer in Nashville, both live and in the studio. Andrew touches upon his experiences with different bands, winning the Lightning 100's Music City Mayhem Competition with Bee Kelly, the significance of being a 'good hang,' and the importance of honest communication. Andrew's insights on life, music, and personal growth give us a compelling story of perseverance and self-discovery. We hope you enjoy! Chapters: 0:00 Intro  2:16 Andrew's High School Journey  5:56 Learning Drums Through Rock Band  23:01 Drum Box (Sponsor)  23:44 College Life, Belmont  28:21 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)  29:03 Balancing Music and Day Jobs  37:38 The Big Decision: Tour or Puerto Rico?  41:05 Lessons from 1st Tour Experience  48:54 Drum Supply (Sponsor)  49:54 Music City Mayhem Competition  1:02:57 Groove MPL (Sponsor)  1:04:08 Post-Win  1:08:53 Noah Floersch  1:16:35 A Great Camp  1:21:49 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)  1:22:31 The Role of a Studio Drummer  1:33:37 Last Dollar Studios (Sponsor)  1:34:32 Closing Questions  1:41:24 The Power of Gratitude and Forgiveness  1:45:32 Outro Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Groove MPL https://www.groovempl.com Music City Audiology https://www.musiccityaudiology.com Last Dollar Studios https://www.lastdollarstudios.com Connect with Andrew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewbesldrums Music Featured in this Episode: "Bamboo" - Bee Kelly "Restless" - Pink Bubba "Long Gone" - Noah Floersch Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

    1h 47m
  6. Dan Rubin: On Tour w/ Gavin Adcock, From Punk Roots to Country Stages, Experiencing Culture, Embracing Challenges

    11/14/2025

    Dan Rubin: On Tour w/ Gavin Adcock, From Punk Roots to Country Stages, Experiencing Culture, Embracing Challenges

    Welcome, South-Florida native Dan Rubin! Dan is currently the touring drummer for rising country Artist Gavin Adcock. From Dan's DIY humble beginnings in punk bands to headlining sold-out stadiums, Dan's journey is both inspiring and relatable. We dive into how he landed the gig with Gavin and has had to adapt and embrace the ever-changing dynamics of a fast-paced tour life. Dan shares tactics for learning songs quickly and the importance of continually pushing yourself on the instrument, and his favorite food finds and moments from tour. We hope you enjoy! Chapters: 0:00 Intro  2:40 Welcome, Dan!  7:38 Landing the Gig w/ Gavin Adcock  28:20 Balancing Tour and Personal Life  33:01 Drum Box (Sponsor)  33:44 On Tour w/ Gavin  37:52 The Band's Chemistry and Flexibility  38:28 Journey to Nashville  52:17 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)  52:58 Adapting Quickly  1:08:16 Nashville Gig Connections  1:16:21 Drum Supply (Sponsor)  1:17:42 Nashville Food Scene  1:20:49 Pho, Traveling, and Experiencing New Cultures  1:39:00 Groove MPL (Sponsor)  1:40:11 Dreaming of Playing in Japan  1:45:37 Keep Pushing Yourself  1:49:10 Networking and Community  1:51:07 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)  1:56:12 Balancing Practice and Performance  2:10:52 Outro Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Groove MPL https://www.groovempl.com Music City Audiology https://www.musiccityaudiology.com Connect with Dan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steelydanrubin Music Featured in this Episode: "Terrible" - Mitch the Hero (Dan Rubin) "Target" - Mitch the Hero (Dan Rubin) Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

    2h 12m
  7. Ryan Beydler: On Tour w/ Maddox Batson, Learning from the Masters, Studio Recording, Violin Roots, Foodie Adventures

    10/17/2025

    Ryan Beydler: On Tour w/ Maddox Batson, Learning from the Masters, Studio Recording, Violin Roots, Foodie Adventures

    Welcome, Memphis, TN native Ryan Beydler! Ryan is currently the touring drummer for 15-year-old rising country Artist Maddox Batson. In this episode, we cover Ryan's wide range of experiences in the music industry, as well as invaluable lessons from legendary drummers Ryan has been lucky enough to study with, including John "JR" Robinson, Shannon Forrest, and Zoro. Ryan takes us through tour life with Maddox and the band, including his techniques for integrating electronics into a hybrid setup, bucket list venues, and of course, Ryan's passion for finding the best food spots while on the road. Learn about Ryan's musical beginnings, the mentorships that shaped his career, and his thoughts on achieving balance and avoiding burnout in the competitive Nashville drumming scene. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:58 Welcome, Ryan! 2:20 On Tour w/ Maddox Batson 12:35 Implementing Electronics 20:36 Drum Box (Sponsor) 21:18 Ryan's Musical Beginnings 31:03 Belmont University & Mentorships 34:58 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 35:40 Studying w/ John JR Robinson 36:57 Gaining Confidence and Mastering Time 39:56 Influences and Inspirations 42:01 Nashville Drumming Community 48:18 Balancing Identity and Adaptability 52:35 The Art of Subbing and Respecting the Gig 53:42 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 54:42 Violin Roots 58:58 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 1:02:01 Personal Life and Hobbies 1:13:19 Favorite Food Spots on the Road 1:17:40 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 1:18:22 Lessons from Touring 1:27:19 Working at Apple During COVID 1:38:11 Bucket List Venues 1:42:05 Closing Questions 1:46:48 Outro Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Groove MPL https://www.groovempl.com Music City Audiology https://www.musiccityaudiology.com Connect with Ryan: Website: https://www.ryanbeydler.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbeydler YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNe6HaoKzTvHKJqeb2FrzKw/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryguy_615 Music Featured in this Episode: "One Too" - Makenzie Schriner "Wish You Gone" - Halle Kearns Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

    1h 49m
  8. Jordan Arnold: On Tour w/ Noah Hicks, Stick Tricks & Style, Mentors & Endorsements, How to Be a Good Hang

    09/19/2025

    Jordan Arnold: On Tour w/ Noah Hicks, Stick Tricks & Style, Mentors & Endorsements, How to Be a Good Hang

    Welcome Athens, GA native Jordan Arnold! Jordan is the current drummer for rising country artist Noah Hicks. Jordan shares his journey into his passion for music and the drums, starting from his early days inspired by Def Leppard, to his special relationship with his father both on and off the stage. Jordan stresses the value of important relationships within the music industry and shares insights and fun stories from life-long mentors and drumming legends Rich Redmond and Gregg Bissonette. Jordan takes us through life on the road with Noah, including automating an entire set in Ableton, to how to be nimble and cope with high-pressure situations. We delve into Jordan's brief stint teching for drummer and close friend Eric Pritchard (Megan Moroney), how to pull off the perfect stick tricks, and ways you can become both a great player and a great hang! We hope you enjoy. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:56 Welcome, Jordan!  3:06 Father-Son Musical Bond  5:54 Balancing Multiple Gigs  10:11 Ableton and Automation  15:51 Drum Box (Sponsor)  16:33 Noah Hicks & Career Trajectory  29:50 Mentor Rich Redmond  36:48 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)  37:29 Gregg Bissonette & Dixon Drums  41:51 Broadway Gig Adventures  48:12 Dixon Drums & Gear Talk 56:06 Networking vs Making Friends in Nashville  1:00:30 Teching for Eric Pritchard, Drum Tuning Insights  1:07:41 Drum Supply (Sponsor)  1:08:42 Dream Gigs and Def Leppard  1:13:02 Memorable Gigs and Stories from Tour  1:22:45 Playing for the Military and Secret Service  1:31:28 Groove MPL (Sponsor)  1:32:39 Wrap-Up Questions  1:41:29 Outro Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Groove MPL https://www.groovempl.com Connect with Jordan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanthedrummerwb YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JordanArnoldOfficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jordanthedrummerwb Music Featured in this Episode: "Dirt On It" - Noah Hicks "Country Tonight" - Noah Hicks Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

    1h 43m
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4.9
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

Meet the up-and-coming players within Nashville's diverse drumming community, plus interviews with special guests from music cities near and far. Hear their stories, be inspired, and share some laughs along the way.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Ainspan / Nathan Sletner
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast
  • Show Website
    Nashville Drummers Podcast
  • Provider
    Daniel Ainspan

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