Nashville Drummers Podcast

Attendee and exhibitor interviews from the 2026 Music City Drum Show, July 18-19 in Nashville, TN.

Register for the 2027 Music City Drum Show
https://www.musiccitydrumshow.com

Interviews
0:00 Intro
3:34 Tom Stanfill - "Drumming Community is Fantastic" 
5:49 Jacqueline Cloud - "Change, Content, & Fudge" 
11:04 Edgel Groves - "Music Tech & Business" 
15:04 Alexander Hubbard - "Talent Show Rockstar" 
16:15 Lleyton Brainard - "Identity & Lemurian People" 
20:32 Laurie Toscano - "Lobsters & Accordions" 
26:47 Fisher Wilkie - "Drums & Tortellini" 
30:53 Dorothea Taylor - "Rudiments & Stardom"
35:32 Outro

Support the sho...

Welcome Pittsburgh native, Luke Zajdel! Luke is currently the touring drummer for country artist Walker Montgomery. A lifelong Rush fan, Luke shares why Clockwork Angels is his favorite record, memories of seeing Neil Peart play 5x, and his emotional reaction to Rush’s return announcement. He explains adapting the note-for-note prog mindset to Nashville’s more flexible country and session culture, learning charting after a last-minute Whiskey Jam call, and developing stage presence by loosening up. Luke shares how important mentors and teachers have been in his development, specifically studying with Mark Poiesz, who has helped with stage presence, mind...

Welcome Massachusetts native, Wesley Bourque! Wes is currently the touring drummer for rising country singer/songwriter Logan Crosby. In addition to gigging and recording, he serves as Artist Relations for NY-based distributor/record label United Masters. In this wide-ranging conversation, Wes shares his journey from small-town New England to the move to Nashville in 2014. We dive into his early years working day jobs at well-known coffee shops, building relationships, and his thoughts on navigating perception and identity. He shares lessons from Broadway, prepping for fill-in gigs with and without charts, and high-stress playback realities including redundancy and backup plans...

Welcome multi‑platinum Nashville session drummer, Aksel Coe! Since moving to Nashville in 2018, Aksel has quickly made a name for himself as one of the city's most sought-after session drummers, having recorded on many of today's top country, pop, and indie tracks. Recent recording credits include Ella Langley (ACM Song of the Year 'Choosin' Texas'), Role Model, Holly Humberstone, Zach Bryan, Sierra Ferrell, Willow Avalon, K. Flay, Margo Price, Orville Peck, Sasha Alex Sloan, Cody Jinks, Sam Barber, Wyatt Flores, and Joshua Bassett, among many others. We dive right into Aksel's diverse musical upbringing and his journey from the We...

Welcome Chicago drummer, musician, and entertainer, Aaron Paulsen! Amassing over 4.6 million followers across social media platforms, Aaron has taken his generation by storm with his unique video creations that blend extreme musicianship, storytelling, and undeniable humor. We dive into Aaron's upbringing as a classical percussionist from Chicago, dropping out of a percussion performance scholarship during COVID to pursue content full-time, and the eventual move to Nashville. Aaron breaks down the genesis of his one-man-band setup and other rhythmic gag videos, and his shift from short-form to long-form content. The conversation covers mental health and social media trends, martial arts...

Welcome Brian Czach! Described by some as “Nashville’s greatest secret,” Brian moved to town in late 2015 and continues to find success as an in-demand freelance drummer, both live and in the studio. Known for his ability to adapt to a variety of musical settings at a high level, we dive into his musical upbringing in upstate New York, early influences (including Phil Collins), formal lessons, reading skills, and what led him to adopting traditional grip. He details warmup routines, fitness and hydration habits, and the value of recording gigs to improve feel and self-awareness. Brian explains how he began...

Today is a special episode as we welcome back our first-ever featured guest on the show - Jeffrey Adami! We first got to know Jeffrey back in October 2021 (see Episode 3) at a time when he was 'foot on the gas' in his career, playing for multiple artists a week, networking, meeting new friends, and ultimately laying the groundwork for a successful future as a pro-level touring drummer. Fast-forward to 2026, and he has completed 8 tours with Dove Award-winning, RIAA Platinum-selling Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)  pop Artist, Jordan Feliz. Reflecting on his six years in Nashville, Jeffrey describes shifting from intensive B...

Welcome Dango Cellan! A professional drummer for over 20 years, Dango is currently on tour with Emo legends Hawthorne Heights. We dive right into Dango's extensive and versatile career as a touring drummer, studio musician, educator, and family man. He reflects on saying yes early, not letting one gig define you, and the juggling act of balancing your time, money, career values, and family priorities. Dango shares upcoming Hawthorne Heights 20th-anniversary touring plans, his Warp Tour nostalgia with Amber Pacific, and how his approach to playing has matured toward professionalism and consistency. He recounts growing up as a pastor’s ki...

Welcome Kansas City-native Andrew Bone! Andrew opens up about the changing chapters of life and his shift in career focus. Recently married, he discusses the intentionality of stepping back from the grind of 6–7 days a week on Broadway, while aiming to get back to higher-level touring and more fulfilling gigs. We discuss the realities of post-COVID pay, knowing your worth, professionalism and reliability as a sub, and handling playback/Ableton, IEMs, and onstage failures. We delve into charting vs memorization, learning large volumes of material, working respectfully with a crew, using AI tools for admin and career planning, building a...

Ever wondered what it really takes to play Lower Broadway in Nashville? This live roundtable discussion pulls back the curtain on one of the most competitive and fast-paced live music scenes in the country.

Featuring Nashville’s most in-demand drummers — both in-town and out on tour — join us for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about breaking into the Broadway scene and building a sustainable career.

Moderated by NDP Co-Hosts Dan Ainspan and Nate Sletner, this interactive session gives attendees the chance to ask questions in real time and learn directly from the players who have been there...

Welcome Philly-native Tom Kinka! Tom is currently the touring drummer for up-and-coming country artist Lecade. Growing up in a music-heavy family shaped by Rock Band, Blink-182, and country music in his mom’s car, Tom's passion for music and the drums was developed at an early age. Tom shares how a serious car accident and coma at 17 sharpened his focus on music, leading to a fearless, “persistence and idiocy” approach. He discusses leaving a jazz program at Temple for media production, navigating Philly’s DIY pop-punk scene, moving to Nashville during COVID, learning country on the fly for Broadway, seeking...

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...

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...

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<...

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...

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...

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 W...

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...

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...

Welcome Arkansas native and Nashville mainstay Kirby Bland! Kirby is best known as the drummer for country rock artist JD Clayton and has become a familiar face in the Nashville music scene over the past decade. Kirby shares his unique perspective on life as a “professional traveler,” reflecting on his musical journey, the importance of community, and the lessons learned from both the stage and the road.

From his early days growing up in Arkansas and discovering his love for drumming, to building a career in Nashville’s vibrant music community, Kirby opens up about the realities of bal...

Welcome Keyser, West Virginia native Donnie Marple! Donnie is best known as the full-time drummer for American country music singer and songwriter Lee Brice. He’s also the 2007 Champion of the storied Guitar Center Drum-Off.

Starting from his early love for drumming inspired by his musical family and church, Donnie describes his rise through the competitive ranks, from local area competitions to competing nationally in the Guitar Center Drum-Off and eventually performing a solo at the prestigious Buddy Rich Memorial Concert - where he would share the stage with legends like Neil Peart and Chad Smith. Donnie di...

Attendee and exhibitor interviews from the Music City Drum Show July 19th & 20th, 2025.

Register for the 2026 Music City Drum Show
https://www.musiccitydrumshow.com

Interviews (in order of appearance)
00:00 Intro
0:11 Welcome 
2:02 Matt Bover 
5:04 Joel Edward McCoy 
7:44 Don Orrell 
11:01 Lillian Stegen 
12:14 Dave Brandwein 
14:45 Lleyton Brainard 
16:21 Jake Robinson 
18:05 Laurel Knopf (Roadkill Drums Podcast) 
23:05 Jim Wagy 
26:11 Brian Leszczynski
28:48 Mitch Zlotnik (Audimute) 
33:10 Landon Hall 
36:07 Josh Blount (Lucky Drums Co.) 
37:56 Brendan Golden 
39:40 Sully 
41:23 Joe Hamm 
45:00 Damon...

Welcome New Jersey-native and acclaimed drummer Jay Weinberg! Voted 4x "Best Metal Drummer" and "#1 Rock Drummer" in Modern Drummer Readers Polls, Jay Weinberg is known as the current drummer for American thrash groups Suicidal Tendencies and Infectious Grooves, and past tenure with the heavy-metal band Slipknot from 2014-2023. This episode dives deep into the intersection of art, music, and community. Having just wrapped support on Metallica's M72 World Stadium Tour, Jay recalls stories from the road and his approach to high-level performing. We learn the genesis of Jay's visual art career and his unique approach to balancing perfectionism and...

Welcome drummer, percussionist, producer and educator Jordan Perlson! Jordan's career has spanned about as wide a stylistic reach as one can imagine. Be it with jazz legends Seamus Blake, Gary Burton,  folk heroes Alison Brown and Missy Raines, reggae giants Matisyahu and Trevor Hall, cutting-edge music innovators like Becca Stevens, Snarky Puppy, Banda Magda and Jeff Coffin, or progressive music with Adrian Belew, Echolyn or Kaki King. Jordan has credits on 100+ recordings, including national and international ad campaigns for Powerade, Netflix, The NY Rangers, Buick and more. Jordan is a passionate educator, having authored 2 books for Mel Bay publishing w...

Welcome to the show Wisconsin native Andrew Nesbitt! In this wide-ranging interview, Andrew shares his journey through the music industry, the challenges and opportunities of breaking into the Nashville drumming scene, and his innovative approach to creating custom percussion accessories. Andrew recalls his time at Berklee College of Music studying under legendary drummer Mike Mangini, and his transition from the small town of Sturgeon Bay to NYC, and eventually to Nashville. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro 
2:16 Welcome, Andrew! 
3:30 Making Percussion Accessoroies 
11:47 Playing to the Click 
15:18 Body Awareness and...

Today we welcome to the show talented drummer, videographer, and Nashville-native, Branndon Center. Starting in the warehouse at Meinl Cymbals, Branndon would soon move into the Artist Relations / Media & Content Producer role, a position he's held for over 7 years. Branndon gives us a peek 'behind the lens' into his day-to-day where he's running professional video shoots with some of the biggest names in drumming across the Meinl roster. In addition to production and drum content, we cover some really interesting topics including the future of music in the AI era and the globalization of drum education. We learn of...

Welcome to the show Wilmington, NC native Brian Russell Collins! Having been in Nashville for over a decade, Brian is a familiar, friendly face in our community who has endured more than most of us ever will in a lifetime. We dive into Brian’s journey of perseverance and heartbreak, including beating cancer multiple times and the recent loss of his mom and sister - experiences that have greatly impacted his outlook on music and life. He reminisces on meeting his musical heroes Huey Lewis and Garth Brooks, shares tales from tour opening for Jelly Roll, and stresses the im...

We’re excited to welcome Matt Nolan to the podcast! Since 2020, Matt has been the touring drummer for Lainey Wilson, in addition to working with artists including Maggie Rose, Them Vibes, Brandon Whyde, The Morrison Brothers Band, and Rude Music - a rock and roll group led by Matt and his brother Kevin. In this wide-ranging interview, Matt shares his unique musical journey from studying Jazz in New Orleans to moving to Nashville and eventually landing the gig with Lainey Wilson. Matt shares valuable insights on handling moments of pressure, playing bigger stages, supporting your bandmates, touring sober, and th...

Hailing from Charlotte, NC, Raven Pfeiffer moved to Nashville in 2021 where she currently performs, co-writes, and tours with several artists across different genres, most notably with American folk sibling trio, Girl Named Tom. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Raven studied under renowned performer, composer, and producer, Rick Dior (James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles), and earned a B.A. in Music with a concentration in percussion and a B.A. in German Translation. 

In this conversation, we discuss the importance of committing to gigs that push you to learn new skills, like m...

Grace Goodman is a Nashville-based drummer known for her dynamic performances and versatility across a wide range of musical genres. A recent graduate of Belmont University (Class of 2024), we dive into Grace's rapid transition from college to professional touring into Nashville's indie rock scene. Since graduating, Grace has toured with Odie Leigh, opening for Shakey Graves, and recently wrapped up a three-month headlining tour across the United States and Canada. Over the past year, she has also performed at prominent festivals such as Treefort Music Fest, Shaky Knees Festival, Kilby Block Party, Calgary Folk Festival, Hinterland Music Festival, and...

Subscriber-only episode

**BONUS CONTENT: get an inside view into Ethan's complete setup on tour w/ Trey Lewis in our NDP Backstage Rig Rundown! Available exclusively to Patreon, Buzzsprout, and Apple Podcast Subscribers. 

Connect with Ethan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethanharbdrums
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ethanharbdrums

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Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

In this special episode of the Nashville Drummers Podcast, we welcomed back our good buddy Ethan Harb. Since his first appearance on the show back in Ep. 5 (Dec. 2021), Ethan's career has quite literally exploded, most recently through his viral social media video series of 'How to Get Fired from a Gig', amassing over 112 million views on one video alone, 450K followers on Instagram and 170K followers on TikTok. Ethan shares insights on the importance of consistency when building a social media presence, why you should record every gig, and how to balance being a professional musician with band camaraderie...

Welcome Harrisburg, PA native Aaron Chase to the show! Well-known as the drummer for Nashville pop duo Lost Stars, Aaron shares his journey to Nashville as a session drummer and content creator, including stories from his early drumming days, the challenges and benefits of recording at home, and the impact of running on his physical and mental well-being. Aaron hosts the 'Musicians Should Hang Out', a monthly coffee hang to foster community among local musicians. The conversation also delves into topics like mental health challenges, dealing with negative self-talk, and balancing marriage life with a drumming career. We hope...

Subscriber-only episode

Welcome to the inaugural NDP PANEL! Our 1st-ever live roundtable event was held on January 15th, 2025 at Drum Supply in East Nashville. 

We invited 6 former NDP guests — Kip Allen (Ep. 24), Jonn Bostwick (Ep. 23), Daniel Kozlowski (Ep. 26), Tim Miller (Ep. 42), Dylan Murphy (Ep. 34), and Luke Sumner (Ep. 44) for an open discussion on all things studio drumming in 2025. 

We covered a lot... from starting an effective home studio on a budget to navigating your own drumming identity with the demands of toda...

We're super stoked to welcome Cody Ash to the studio to help us kick off 2025! In this raw and honest 3hr interview, Cody shares his unique journey from a small-town upbringing in Kentucky through his challenging high school years and various musical phases including joining metalcore bands Sylar and O'Kingdom. Cody recounts the pivotal experiences that led him to Nashville and meeting Jelly Roll, his evolution into country music, overcoming the challenges of learning new material under pressure, and his approach to drum solos. Cody reflects on the competitive spirit within the drumming community, his recent accolades; including nominations...

Today we welcome to the show Nashville-native Joel Mevis! Joel is currently the drummer for Tyler Filmore - a Nashville-based artist blending pop and electronic elements with earnest country. Dubbed as "the most interesting person we've had on the show," we learn Joel's journey through the music industry, his experience with Ableton, Filmore tour stories with Pitbull, and how his detail-oriented nature has contributed to his success. Joel shares valuable insights on managing stress during performances, the importance of fitness in a musician's life, and his diverse work and skillsets beyond music, including being a security contractor and the...

Today we welcome to the show Georgia-native Kyle Law, a Nashville-based live and session musician currently touring with hard-rock country artist Tim Montana. Kyle shares his insights on prepping for Broadway gigs versus artist gigs, work-life balance, how to keep gigs and choose subs, and his method for learning complex drum parts, including his time with Nashville-based Tool cover band, Rosetta. Kyle talks about his experiences on the road, his transition from country rock to hard rock, and the importance of camaraderie among band members. Amid the usual banter and shirtless antics, we touch on mental health challenges, the...

Today we welcome Christian Delzoppo to the podcast, currently on tour with Nashville-based indie pop artist Knox Morris (Knox). Christian opens up about his struggles with alcohol and the path to sobriety, which allowed him to reignite his passion for drumming. He speaks to the transformative power of self-care and connections between mental and physical health, while emphasizing the importance of genuine relationships when it comes to networking and landing gigs. We gain insights into his early influences, practice routines, aspirations, and what it's like being a pop drummer in Nashville. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00...

Today we welcome Stefan Chippeaux to the podcast, currently on tour as the drum tech with young American country phenom Bailey Zimmerman. Stefan recalls his compelling transition from a drummer in Tampa, FL to an accomplished tech and performer in Nashville. We learn the skills and mindsets necessary to be a pro tech in today's industry, emphasizing adaptability, proactive problem-solving, teamwork and dedication to high standards. In this episode, Stefan shares valuable insights on resilience, mentorship, and memorable tour experiences, as well as lighter discussions on his favorite movies, tattoos, and personal milestones. We hope you enjoy!

...

Today we welcome drummer and educator Corey Boise to the podcast! Having moved to Nashville in 1993, Corey is an experienced player and drum corps vet with his hands in many facets of the industry, including performing, recording, and touring. Corey is currently the drummer for Nashville-based punk bands Digital Brains and Critter Brain. When he's not teaching, drumming, or making drumsticks, he takes the field with the Blue Crew Drumline, the official entertainment drumline for the Tennessee Titans, of which he's beginning his 9th season while co-managing the group.

In this honest and wide-ranging interview, Corey shares...