Working Drummer

For the last 15 years, Ben Sesar has been the live and studio drummer for Grammy award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Brad Paisley. This gig has given Ben a perspective on the music industry that few drummers get to experience. Ben offers his insight and philosophy on the business and what obstacles up and coming drummers might face. As a teacher, writer and professed life long student himself, Ben comes off as a true journey-man who is constantly looking for answers that plague his active drumming mind. And as a result of the depth of information we cover, we've decided to break this podcast into two parts. In part 2, Ben gets into practice techniques that he's designed to challenge himself as well as his students. He also explains the reason and origin of his cymbal set up and why they are angled the way they are. We have included the talents of photographer John Zocco in this podcast. You can check out all the great photographs from this interview on www.workingdrummer.net. This interview was rec

For over 15 years Jim Riley has been the drummer for the hugely successful country group Rascal Flatts. After earning a degree in music education from North Texas, Jim found his way to Nashville in pursuit of higher musical goals. In pursuit of these goals, Jim shares with us his story of determination and perseverance. After establishing his drumming skills among his peers in Nashville, Jim quickly found himself with his first artist gig working with Mark Chestnut. As the group Rascal Flatts was beginning to take shape, Jim was asked to be the drummer. In spite of the newness of the group and its ground breaking pop style, Jim saw it as great opportunity and a risk worth taking. Within the first two years, Jim found himself in the position of musical director for Rascal Flatts and continues to maintain that position in the group. Jim discusses his role as "MD" and how it's responsibilities has evolved over years as the band's success has grown. Jim is also a dedicated educator. Sharing real world performance

For the last 15 years, Ben Sesar has been both live and studio drummer for the Grammy award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Brad Paisley. This gig has given Ben a perspective on the music industry that few drummers get to experience. Ben offers his insight and philosophy on the business and which obstacles up and coming drummers might face. As a teacher, writer and professed life long student, Ben comes off as a true journey-man who is constantly looking for answers that plague his active drumming mind. Due to the depth of information we cover, we've decided to break this podcast into two parts. Ben discusses the trials of the music business in this first part as well as his decision to reinvent himself by converting to traditional grip after playing match grip most of his life. He also explains how he divides drumming into the "what we play" and "how we play", and the benefits of understanding the difference. We have included the talents of photographer John Zocco in this podcast. You can check out

Lee Kelley has learned to adapt his drumming style to fit whatever gig has come his way. Lee's range of gigs have included backing up many artists in Nashville including Gary Allan, Mark Chestnut, Heidi Newfield as well as alt-country singer Chris Knight. Originally from the Charlotte North Carolina area, Lee learned drumming from his neighbor at an early age and continued his informal education working with and learning from popular local bands such as Sugar Creek and Too Much Sylvia. Encouraged by Eddie Bayers to move, Lee hit the streets of Nashville in 1996. After embracing the drumming style of classic country music, Lee quickly found himself working with country artist Gary Allan. Lee talks about the many artist gigs that followed and how he has continued to stay busy in the Nashville music scene. This interview was recorded February 3rd 2015. See photos here.

Matt Iceman is our featured drummer for our 7th podcast. Matt is a relatively young drummer who's been steadily making a name for himself in the Nashville scene since his move in the early 2000's. At the time of our interview, Matt was just finishing two busy years touring with singer/songwriter Eric Paslay. We discuss his role as band leader as well as life on the road. While on tour, Matt was able to watch other drummers perform with the artists that were sharing the stage. Since our interview, he has moved on and will be the touring drummer with country singer David Nail. Matt's early influences in music, drums and music education lead him to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and eventually to Nashville. We discuss Matt's perspective on the music industry and the role of the modern drummer as his inspiration to invest in his own home studio. Pictures of his studio and the building process can be found at www.workingdrummer.net. Our interview was recorded December 18th, 2014.

Keio Stroud is the featured drummer for the 6th podcast. 2014 was very busy for Keio, touring with Rodney Crowelland Big & Rich. Openings in his 2014 schedule were quickly filled with other gigs as a sub that included Jake Owen, Chad Warrix and Stoney LaRue. Keio grew up in a family of musicians and spent his formative years performing as the second drummer (double drums) in his dad's band. Keio's interest in drumming emerged from his desire to be involved in anything that had to do with drums. Though he questioned his abilities as a young player, Keio was strongly encouraged by many to pursue performance. Even blues artist Keb' Mo' recognized Keio's talents and included him in his 2014 Grammy nominated album, "BLUESAmericana" playing tracks along with Steve Jordan. Keio's interview was recorded December 17th, 2014. See photos here.

Mark Beckett is an accomplished session and live drummer in Nashville. When not in the studio, Mark's live gigs include touring with Olivia Newton-John as well as sharing the job of "house drummer" at the Grand Ole Opry opposite Nashville drumming legend Eddie Bayers. Eddie played an important role throughout Mark's life as a mentor and teacher. Son of Barry Beckett, renowned session keyboardist and record producer, Mark was exposed to music and the music business at a young age. This experience became uniquely beneficial to Mark in learning practical performance and recording techniques. Mark's Interview was recorded December 17th, 2015. See photos here.

Gregg Lohman has been the touring drummer for Kellie Pickler for the last eight years. At the time of our interview, Gregg had just returned from one of Kellie's many USO tours and was preparing for the Neil Peart tribute show with the Nashville Drummers Jam. Gregg's talents keep him very busy in the ever changing music scene of Nashville. Throughout his life, Gregg has had many positive role models that have given him the tools he's needed to navigate through all that life has thrown at him. After surviving a horrific car crash in 2013 the drumming community in Nashville and beyond rallied around Gregg and showed unparalleled support during his time of recovery. Gregg's podcast interview was recorded December 16th, 2014. See photos here.

Professional drummer Brice Williams is our third podcast interview. Brice is currently touring and recording with Mark Wills. Brice has gained an amazing amount of experience in the relatively short time he's been in Nashville. From an early age he showed great promise as a drummer while playing in his fathers band. In college, Brice studied with one of his biggest influences, Chester Thompson at Belmont University in Nashville. His professional life was was propelled forward through his experience performing and recording with Lady Antebellum early in their career. Learn how Brice embraced those experiences and how they fueled his progress as a drummer, teacher and musician. See photos here.

Nick Buda is the featured artist on the second Working Drummer podcast. Before moving to the United States, Nick grew up in South Africa. Nick tells about his move to the U.S. as a young teen and, what led him to a career playing drums. While Nick was in high school, he had a chance meeting with Vinnie Colaiuta, who advised him to attend Berkeley to study. His early career was spent touring extensively with a host of artists including Colonel Bruce Hampton. Later shifting his energies, Nick decided to become a full time session drummer. He talks about the transition and the lessons learned along the way, including recording with Taylor Swift and being true to yourself as a player. Click hereto see photos of Nick in action and more.

For the first Working Drummer Podcast, we talk with David Black. David is the touring drummer with Easton Corbin. We start from David’s early influences to growing up in a musical family and making the big move to Nashville. David talks about the challenges of raising a young family while touring and shares some of the experiences that lead up to his current gig with Easton. Recorded November 2014, in David’s comfortable home! For photos click here.