Can You Dig It? Podcast - Episode 6 — Trust the Groove

Episode 6 — Trust the GrooveSometimes you know exactly where you’re headed. Other times, you just have to trust the groove.In Episode 6, David Lauser and his daughter “Ella” Danielle pick up where their Chuck Berry story left off, exploring the moments when instinct takes over and you make the leap before you know where you’re going to land.David recalls taking a musical chance onstage while backing Chuck Berry — despite Berry’s reputation for being notoriously tough on musicians — and getting an unforgettable reaction. Ella shares her own Chuck Berry memory from childhood: being brought onstage, having Chuck’s guitar placed around her, taking a very public tumble during his famous duck walk, and finding the courage to get back out there.From there, father and daughter explore the people and decisions that helped shape David’s life: a mother willing to put a drum kit in a small house, a gym teacher who saw potential in him, Sammy Hagar believing in him when he struggled to believe in himself, and the frightening decision as a 19-year-old musician to leave home and head to San Francisco with a band.David also talks about another leap of faith — becoming a drum teacher despite having never taught professionally. That decision not only made him a better drummer, but created friendships and connections that have lasted for decades.And because this is Can You Dig It?, the groove eventually leads backstage: opening for Aerosmith, a funny encounter involving Ella and Bay Area radio personalities, and the day Steven Tyler unexpectedly sat down behind David’s drum kit at soundcheck.At its heart, this episode is about following what you love even when you’re insecure, afraid, or unsure of the outcome.Sometimes you don’t need to know exactly what comes next. You just need enough courage to play the next beat.David’s instinctive onstage gamble while playing with Chuck Berry“Ella” Danielle’s unforgettable childhood encounter with Chuck — including attempting the duck walkWhy David told Ella that Chuck Berry’s autograph was something specialThe early encouragement David received from his motherA school coach who recognized something in him — and let the budding musician keep his long hairHow Sammy Hagar believed in David during difficult periodsMoving to San Francisco at 19without knowing whether it would workBecoming a drum teacher when his performing career hit an uncertain periodWhy teaching ultimately made David a better musicianLoving music even while feeling insecure about your abilitiesOpening for Aerosmith in 2010The unexpected day Steven Tyler played David’s drumsWhy taking chances can create opportunities you couldn't possibly predictDavid's pick: “I Got the Feelin’” — James BrownElla’s pick: “Dance Yrself Clean” — LCD SoundsystemElla challenges David to check out LCD Soundsystem's fusion of electronic music with live musicianship — particularly the drumming — while David sends things straight back to the funk with James Brown.Episode theme: Trust the groove. Take the chance. Do what you love — and leave room to be surprised by where it takes you.In this episodeTrack Swap 🎧