#140 Eric Gross - "You don't have to play professionally to enjoy the drums".

Inside Zildjian’s historic building, I sit down with Eric Gross (Head of Artist Relations at Zildjian/Vic Firth) to trace the winding path from Berklee days to backstage access—how internships, chance meetings, and a few well-timed risks opened real doors. We compare notes on choosing “music business” over a pure performance track, surviving Nashville on hustle, and the mentors who changed everything.Eric pulls back the curtain on artist relations and product development (think: how ideas become the gear drummers obsess over), plus the balance between following trends and setting them. It’s equal parts career roadmap and drummer candyGet After the GIg delivered straight to your inbox! Get full access to After the Gig at afterthegig.substack.com/subscribe