Working Drummer Working Drummer
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With over 450 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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467 - Ty Bailie: B3 Organ and All Things Keys from Seattle to LA to Nashville, Buying Into an Artist's Vision, Being Musically Agnostic
Ty Bailie is currently on tour with Mitski playing keys and organ. He moved to Nashville in 2021 after a stint in LA where his main gig was touring with Katy Perry. Since coming to Nashville, he has also performed with Joss Stone, Don Felder, Tanya Tucker, Wilder Woods, and his own group Uncle Bronco featuring Petar Jancic on drums and Adam MacPhail on guitar.
In this episode, Ty talks about:
Touring with Mitski, and buying into at artist's vision
Being musically agnostic and seeing validity in all types music, musicians, and music fans
What makes a good organ drummer - "don't panic"
Moving from Seattle to LA to Nashville, and the differences between those scenes
Finding different versions of yourself while still being yourself -
466 - Finch: FDS Drum Services, Managing your Time as a Self Employed Person, Learning New Skills
Born in Northern New Jersey, Finch grew up with an unwavering love for drums that shaped his life's path. Before his eventual move to Nashville Tennessee in late 2020, Finch spent time in the US Army as well as working in the insurance world. Shortly after his move to Nashville, his dream was realized by the founding of FDS Drum Services, a drum tech service that includes repairs, restorations, custom heads, tour teching & so much more.
FDS quickly gained recognition through Finch’s dedication as well as the overwhelming support from the Nashville drumming community. Beyond providing professional drum services, he actively contributes to the community by hosting drummers' hangs, fostering networking, and uplifting fellow musicians.
In this episode, Finch talks about:
Managing your time as a self employed person
Utilizing your network to get things done
Always learning new skills
Being ready when shit goes wrong on stage
Reviewing five different drummers he’s teched for
Creating financial security
Focusing on physical and mental health -
465 - Steve Picataggio: Straddling the Worlds of Jazz and Musical Theatre in NYC,
Steve Picataggio has lived in New York for over a decade and has stayed busy on the jazz and musical theatre scenes there. He has toured with The Hot Sardines, The Four Phantoms, and others, and is active on the New York jazz scene playing everything from trio to big band. He is a graduate of University of North Florida where he studied with Danny Gottleib and Ulysses Owens Jr., and NYU where he studied with Billy Drummond. He is also active as an educator, with students from age 4 to adult as well as at the collegiate level.
In this episode, Steve talks about:
His fully remote college gig
Touring with The Four Phantoms
Why he loves rehearsing
The mentorship and influence of Matt Wilson and Bill Drummond
How cutthroat attitudes are mostly gone
His love of accompanying singers -
464 - Yamil Conga: Playing with Artist Frank Ray, Diversifying your Portfolio, The Origin of the Conga in American music
Yamil Conga is a percussionist and drummer with over 20 years of experience playing a vast array of musical genres in live venues, music videos and in the studio. A native of Puerto Rico and a current resident of Nashville, Yamil has benefitted from a vast array of musical influences. Salsa runs in Yamil’s blood due to his father, singer songwriter, Eladio Jimenez, who wrote and produced for several Latin giants. Knowing that music has no boundaries, Yamil’s mission is to make people fall in love with the art of live performance and foster a new generation of percussionists.
Yamil tours nationally and internationally bringing educational lectures on the conga drum and salsa music. He is currently the percussionist and DJ for Country artist Frank Ray. Yamil rounds out his calendar performing with corporate bands as well as performing as a soloist as a drumming DJ.
In this episode, Yamil talks about:
Diversifying your "portfolio”
Being proactive with your daily activities
The evolution of the drumming/DJ thing
Playing with artist Frank Ray
Lecturing on the origin of the conga in American music
The influence of his father’s legacy
Percussion advice for drum set players -
463 - Tom Jorgensen: Playing on the "Beetlejuice" Tour, Studying with Michael Carvin, A Sound-Oriented Approach
Tom Jorgensen is an active and highly-requested drummer, session musician, composer, and mixing engineer based in New York City, currently on the first national tour of the Beetlejuice Broadway musical. Tom is a graduate with a BFA from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in NYC, where he studied with jazz legends such as Reggie Workman, Charli Persip, and privately with Master Drummer Michael Carvin, with whom a mentorship continues to this day.
Tom frequently performs with the internet sensation Post Modern Jukebox, having toured with the group extensively in the United States, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. His career has also taken him abroad throughout Europe, South America, French Polynesia, and the Caribbean while acting as Music Director onboard Holland America Cruise Line.
In this episode, Tom talks about:
The broad range of genres and drumming styles in the “Beetlejuice” show
Auditioning for a Broadway tour vs. being offered the gig outright
The “authenticity meter” in relationship building
What it means to have a sound-oriented approach
His experience studying with Michael Carvin at The New School in New York
What good relationships look like - if one person wins, we all win
“Go, do, be, have” in that order -
462 - Matt Muckle: Drumming for Kingdom Come, Shedding Negative Energy from your Life, Finding Your Own Voice
Matt Muckle is a Pittsburgh based drummer who has worked with and toured with acts such as Paul Gilbert, Lynch Mob, Buckcherry, John Waite and many others. He is currently recording with and preparing to tour with the band Kingdom Come. This legendary rock band formed in the late 80’s and with Matt as their new drummer, continues to entertain their committed and string fan base.
In this episode, Matt talks about:
Who inspired him to pursue a career in music
Working and recording with Kingdom Come
Shedding negative energy from your life
His experience in Los Angeles
Teaching and producing in a mentorship style
Finding your own voice
Being proactive for your career
Customer Reviews
Praise from a bassist
Great podcast guys. It’s fun and informative to hear your episodes as a bass player. I know and have played with many of your guests and I learn so much. Keep up the great work!
Love it!
This podcast consistently knocks it out. Always learning something from the conversations, I really appreciate how the hosts are prepared and have insightful questions. It’s genuine and gives a perspective of what it’s really like to work as a drummer, build a career and even the tradeoffs folks make in their careers.
Thank you!!
So F’n great
This podcast is not only a must-listen for drummers, but it is a must-listen for ALL musicians. Great content and guests!