The Rich Redmond Show

Rock drumming powerhouse Tommy Clufetos sits down with Rich Redmond and Jim McCarthy to talk about the reality of life at the top of rock, why every gig matters, and how “playing at” rock is killing the feel in modern music.Tommy goes deep on growing up in Detroit hauling gear for his dad’s band at age seven, earning gigs with Ted Nugent and Alice Cooper the hard way, and spending 15 years on the road with Ozzy and Black Sabbath. He breaks down drum solos as part of the show, his love/hate relationship with click tracks, and why he’d rather drive 16 hours to a gig and crush it than complain about the grind.If you care about groove, conviction, and the craft of being a pro drummer, this one’s a masterclass in attitude and work ethic.Timed Highlights:00:00 Cold open: “Pound Town” drum container practice idea03:45 Looking like a musician: leather jackets, visual brand, and “leather and latte season”08:10 Old‑school parenting: no phone, no TV, and raising a kid on ’50s/’60s/blues12:30 Meeting his wife on a Rob Zombie–directed CSI episode and reconnecting in Vegas16:55 Leaving L.A. for Nashville and why he loves the South’s “old‑school” feel21:40 Detroit roots: hauling gear for his dad’s band at age seven and baptism by fire27:05 First time sitting in: Moni Moni, kids going wild, and learning patience for the gig31:30 Playing for Mitch Ryder, Alto Reed, and getting in front of Ted Nugent36:15 The Ted Nugent test: three rounds of 20 songs, winter drives, and 4 a.m. wake‑ups42:40 Ozzy years: respect, leadership, and why Tommy won’t casually say “best friend”48:20 Black Sabbath dynamics: serving Ozzy, Tony, and Geezer all at once53:10 Planes, not buses: the grind of top‑level international touring57:45 Clicks vs feel: why real rock needs to breathe and follow the crowd1:03:20 Using a flashing light only as a tempo reference in Sabbath, then turning it off1:07:40 Instagram drumming, overplaying, and why younger players “play at” music1:12:55 Holiday Inn lesson: playing full‑tilt even when nobody is in the room1:18:10 Tommy’s Rock Trip: original hard rock, young bandmates, and building work ethic1:24:00 Money and integrity: walking out of a session at 16 when the pay was cut in half1:29:10 Bob Seger, Alto Reed, and practicing to Seger records then and now1:34:30 Drum solos as part of the show: structuring the solo so it lifts the entire set1:39:00 Final advice: know what you’re getting into, focus on the music, and leave no regretsLinks:The Rich Redmond Show: www.therichredmondshow.transistor.fmPodcast production studio: https://itsyourshow.coDrum intensive with Rich Redmond: https://drumtensive.comTommy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialtommyclufetos/?hl=en

Freelance Nashville drummer Carlos Guevara joins Rich and Jim to share his incredible journey from growing up in Venezuela under political and economic crisis to rebuilding his life and career in the U.S. Despite being born with arthrogryposis, Carlos became a first-call Broadway drummer, a devoted family man, and a model of resilience and positivity.They dig into his escape from Venezuela, learning English through drum magazines, adapting his technique around physical limitations, grinding for gigs on Lower Broadway, and balancing music, Uber, and fatherhood. The guys also geek out on Stewart Copeland, Journey, Yamaha’s EAD-10, and the culture of world futbol vs. American sports.Perfect for drummers, creatives, and anyone who needs a shot of perspective, gratitude, and hustle.Timed Highlights:0:00 Show open, Drummer Dad idea, and Yamaha EAD talk3:30 Stewart Copeland stories and guys’ night at the Ryman7:20 Meet Carlos Guevara: from Caracas to Nashville via Anaheim11:00 Falling in love with country music and surviving Broadway15:10 Family, teenagers, and fútbol culture (football is life)20:00 Learning English from records, Drum Magazine, and method books23:40 El Sistema explained: Venezuela’s free orchestral training27:10 Life under Chavez and the decision to leave Venezuela31:00 Colombia stopover and finally landing in Los Angeles with almost nothing35:10 Driving Uber in the U.S. and wild passenger stories39:00 Moving to Nashville, discovering Broadway, and first gigs at Mellow Mushroom43:30 Breaking into the scene, networking, and always showing up at clinics47:30 Arthrogryposis: Carlos’s condition and how he adapted his technique51:00 Ergonomics hacks: extra hi-hat, jam block, and left-foot workarounds54:10 Yamaha EAD-10 vs EAD-50 and why every drummer should consider one57:00 Immigrant mindset, AI/apps, and Jam Juice shaking up Broadway bookings1:01:30 Carlos’s goals: more tours, family balance, and motivational speaking1:04:30 Venezuelan arepas, keeping traditions alive, and where to find Carlos online1:06:40 Closing gratitude and episode wrapLinks:Carlos Guevara Instagram: https://instagram.com/carlosdrums86Podcast website: https://therichredmondshow.transistor.fmRich’s DrumTensive: https://drumtensive.com Production studio: https://itsyourshow.coRich Redmond: https://richredmond.com

Rich and Jim sit down with Nashville drummer, producer, and drum tech Jeff Brown (Shrug Sound Studio) for a deep dive into a working musician’s reality: from opening for Rush and Van Halen to teching the Taylor Swift Eras Tour, tuning for stadiums, building a home studio career, and navigating divorce, burnout, and late-bloomer success.Jeff shares stories from early days in Anaheim clubs, cruise ship gigs at 18, Nashville’s legendary 12th & Porter era, and playing with artists like Phil Vassar, Thomas Rhett, Steel Magnolia, Tom Kiefer, and more. He also breaks down hybrid drumming on massive pop tours, practical tuning approaches, remote session workflows, and why drum techs are part mechanic, part therapist.Timed highlights:00:00 The porta-potty on stage, bar hangs, and touring creature comforts06:20 Foreigner at the Ryman: Kelly Hanson’s retirement and Luis stepping up to sing14:30 Meeting Jeff Brown: Anaheim roots, moving to Nashville in ’93, and the 12th & Porter scene21:40 Dreaming in English: publishing deals, opening for Rush, Weezer, and Van Halen30:10 Studio work and Shrug Sound Studio: home recording since 2010 and mic choices36:45 Simple drum recording setups and the Yamaha EAD10 for social content44:00 Cruise ship gigs at 18: long sets, bad charts, and learning to memorize51:30 From player to drum tech: Tom Kiefer, Kevin Murphy, and landing the Taylor Swift Eras Tour1:02:00 High-pressure teching: triggers, MainStage, redundancy, and that one snare mistake1:11:20 Tuning philosophy: coated vs clear heads, tom intervals, and consistency on tour1:19:00 Influences: Rush, Stewart Copeland, Herb Alexander, Jimmy Chamberlin1:27:10 Making people feel it: driving the band, backbeats, and keeping songs fresh1:36:30 Drum tech as psychologist: honest feedback, compliment sandwiches, and road life1:45:00 Managers, rates, and word-of-mouth: the business of remote sessions and mixing1:54:00 Mixing, producing, and Andrew Scheps: falling in love with the mix process2:01:30 AI, samples, and the future of music work2:08:00 Writing with his dad, getting humbled, and grieving the “band” dream2:15:30 Late bloomers, ergonomics, posture, and playing pain-free into your 50s2:23:00 Social media, tech tips, and why documenting the studio process matters2:30:00 New goals: sync music, instrumental releases, Shrug snare samples, and upcoming toursLinks:The Rich Redmond Show:www.therichredmondshow.transistor.fmPodcast Filmed and Produced by:https://itsyourshow.coRich’s intensive:https://drumtensive.comJeff Brown – drums, studio, and merch:https://jeffbrowndrums.comShrug Sound Studiohttps://shrugsoundstudio.com

Rich sits down with drummer and biomechanics specialist Brandon Green of Drum Mechanics to unpack how drummers can play hard for life without breaking their bodies. They dig into pain‑free technique, throne and kit setup, strength training, cardio, nutrition, and longevity—plus stories about working with Thomas Lang, top touring drummers, and building a business around drummer health.Timed Highlights:00:00 – Cold open: Drumstick physics, carpal tunnel, and energy absorption02:10 – Rich opens the show and introduces Brandon Green of Drum Mechanics06:40 – Pain‑free drum set playing: Anatomy, physics, and setting up your kit to fit you14:20 – How bad setup and stick physics create injuries (and how to avoid them)19:30 – Why most drumming injuries are preventable with better ergonomics and strength23:55 – Cardio vs. resistance training for drummers and playing into your 60s and 70s30:05 – VO2 max, longevity, and why “drumming is athletic, but not always exercise”36:10 – Rich’s snare angle, neck issues, and what changed after working with Brandon44:00 – Throne height, leg angle, and why your lower back is begging you to fix your seat52:20 – Brandon’s education: From personal trainer to biomechanics specialist for drummers59:40 – Helping pro drummers: Thomas Lang, Art Cruz, Matt Billingslea,  and more1:07:10 – Diet for drummers: Protein, carbs around gigs, and simple food rules that work1:15:00 – Creatine, magnesium, fiber, and smart supplementation for performance and sleep1:23:15 – Sunday meal prep, busy schedules, and staying sharp on the road and at home1:30:40 – Drummechanics.com: Inside the membership, workouts, and live sessions1:38:00 – Studio makeover, family, kids on drums, and music education in Canada1:44:10 – Final thoughts: Drum forever, invest in your “fitness bank,” and where to find BrandonLinks:The Rich Redmond Show site:therichredmondshow.comRich Redmond:richredmond.comPodcast production:itsyourshow.coDrum-tensive study with Rich:drumtensive.comBrandon Green:drummechanics.com

In this episode, Rich and Jim sit down with drummer, composer, and educator John Wackerman to talk about the Wackerman dynasty, from their band-director dad Chuck to brothers Chad, Bob, Brooks, and John’s own genre-hopping career.John shares stories from the road and studio with Frank Zappa, Maynard Ferguson, Alan Holdsworth, Family Matters, Vegas headliners, and more. He breaks down his all-star drum duets project with Steve Gadd, Alex Acuña, Ronnie Tutt, Steve Smith, Terry Bozzio, Taylor Hawkins, and others, plus the origin story of DW Drums, a private masterclass with Stuart Copeland, and why discipline and reading still matter in a click-track world.Timed Highlights0:00 Show and sponsor intro1:00 Jim on his son’s musical talent and parenting a creative kid2:12 Rich on being an “overeducated rock drummer” and closet rocker5:18 Mapping the Wackerman dynasty: Chuck, Chad, Bob, Brooks, and John7:56 How the drum duets project was born and why Alex Acuña went first12:12 The real DW Drums origin story: Drum Workshop, Camco, and the double pedal16:00 Vegas era: Mandalay Bay, Zumanity, and drummer coffee hangs21:12 Moving from L.A. to Vegas to Nashville and lifestyle tradeoffs26:01 A half-day film-scoring masterclass at Stuart Copeland’s house33:30 Recording Steve Gadd in Rochester when the SSL console dies40:48 Maynard Ferguson’s band: 300 dates a year, buses, clinics, and survival48:02 Growing up in a house full of drums, vibes, and serious practice54:20 Their dad’s pioneering jazz program and what “passion” meant at home1:03:00 Brooks’s journey from Bad For Good to Bad Religion to Avenged Sevenfold1:10:20 Charts vs memory: how different drummers approach complex gigs1:18:30 Drummers and cars: classic 911s, Audis, and gearhead confessions1:32:40 John’s vegetarian routine, health, and daily fuel1:40:52 Letting go of CDs and DVDs and living in a streaming world1:49:05 John Wackerman Drum Academy plans and Rich’s clinic/tour schedule1:52:10 Closing plugs, mugs, and where to find John onlineLinks:The Rich Redmond Show site:therichredmanshow.comRich Redmond:richredmond.comPodcast production:itsyourshow.coDrum-tensive study with Rich:drumtensive.comGuest:johnwackerman.com

Rich Redmond and Jim McCarthy sit down with Nashville drummer and counselor Elizabeth Chan to unpack what it really takes to build a sustainable music career in 2024: from grinding on the road and tour managing, to setting healthy boundaries, negotiating contracts, and managing your mind while you chase the dream.Elizabeth shares her journey from Brooklyn churches to Liberty University, moving to Nashville at 20, landing gigs with Carrie Underwood and Lady A, and earning a master’s in counseling so she can help artists unburden and stay healthy in the process.You’ll hear shop talk on rates, contracts, tour management, mental health, imposter syndrome, AI and the future of music, plus a hopeful look at the rise of female drummers and what real longevity in this business looks like.Watch, share, and tag a musician or creative who needs to hear this.Timed Highlights:00:00 E-bikes, gym guilt, and seven seasons of the show02:30 Meet Elizabeth Chan: Nashville drummer and the show’s first female drummer guest08:20 Learning drums in church and 10 years of free lessons11:30 The audition video that won a full-tuition scholarship12:50 Moving to Nashville at 20 and booking an audition on day one20:25 How one CCM showcase put her in front of the whole industry23:10 Life with Carrie Underwood: Vegas, drum features, and serious work ethic26:00 Connecting into Lady A through house-band award shows and Instagram DMs29:10 Doing double duty as drummer and tour manager36:00 Real talk on pay, prep time, and why low day rates don’t add up44:30 Nashville’s evolution: from handshakes to “the most one-sided contracts”48:10 When mental health gets real: Elizabeth’s mom, therapy, and a new path57:00 Imposter syndrome on big tours and talking to your “child” vs “adult” self1:00:40 Getting her counseling degree during COVID and launching Arrow Counseling1:05:00 How therapists avoid taking clients’ pain home1:08:10 Self-care routines: yoga, pools, oceans, and real community1:16:10 Helping younger musicians figure out run rate, budgets, and boundaries1:23:00 AI, music, and why we may run back to live, imperfect bands1:30:00 Red pandas, otters, and guilty pleasuresLinks:The Rich Redmond Show site:therichredmanshow.comRich Redmond:richredmond.comPodcast production:itsyourshow.coDrum-tensive study with Rich:drumtensive.comElizabeth: elizabethrchan on Instagram, Arrow Counseling (Nashville)

Born and raised in Nashville, Tucker Wilson grew up surrounded by true country music royalty: a grandfather in the Grand Ole Opry staff band, family ties to The Whites, and Uncle Ricky Skaggs holding him the day he was born. Today, Tucker is the powerhouse drummer behind Justin Moore, playing arena and shed tours, cutting number one country records, and rocking with his own band Dog Violet.In this episode of The Rich Redmond Show, Tucker opens up about his musical lineage, quitting drinking in 2023, dialing in massive Gretsch drum sounds, networking the right way in Nashville, and balancing dad life with the road.Timed highlights:0:00 It’sYourShow.co add, cold open, and intro3:57 Quitting alcohol, losing 35 pounds, and playing better8:01 Meet Tucker Wilson: Nashville native and Justin Moore’s drummer16:01 Grand Ole Opry staff band stories and “Spider” Wilson19:40 The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, and a family of bluegrass legends22:07 Avoiding the “nepo baby” label and earning it the hard way30:24 Big beat country drumming and Tucker’s Gretsch setup35:14 “John Bonham in Lynyrd Skynyrd”: landing the Justin Moore gig42:30 Why drummers should listen to bluegrass and music with no drums52:07 Eddie Bayers, Lonnie Wilson, Greg Morrow, Chad Cromwell56:58 Playing on Justin Moore’s 2023 album and first number one59:06 “This Is My Dirt” and “Time’s Ticking” hit stories1:00:00 Leaving social media for sanity, sobriety, and family1:05:20 Golf, tour life, and keeping your body moving on the road1:11:00 Studio at home, chasing drum tones, and unmasterable crafts1:14:31 Dog Violet: Tucker’s rock power trio on Spotify and Apple MusicLinks:The Rich Redmond Show site:therichredmanshow.comRich Redmond:richredmond.comPodcast production:itsyourshow.coDrum-tensive study with Rich:drumtensive.comTucker Wilson’s Instagram:@_tuckerwilson

The Rich Redmond Show returns from hiatus with viral Nashville drummer Ethan Harb.From Santa Barbara to Lower Broadway, Ethan breaks down how he went from garage bands to grinding 3-a-day sets, touring with Taylor Acorn, building Skylines & Satellites, and accidentally blowing up the internet with a single “bonk” in Immigrant Song. Rich and Jim go deep on social media strategy, drum gear, Ableton, mental health, and building a long-term career in today’s music world.Chapters:0:00 Intro – The Rich Redmond Show is back1:00 Meet Ethan Harb: Santa Barbara to Nashville, sushi with Rich, early advice4:20 Why Broadway is a “blue collar” training ground for drummers7:40 Skylines & Satellites lineup and original releases9:50 Songbooks, setlists, and keeping a pop-punk/metal set alive on Broadway11:35 Drumeo, Stewrat Copeland challenge, and how they produce so much content16:10 Metalcore, grindcore, and the Cookie Monster vocals discussion17:45 Doing country gigs while staying in the rock and metal world19:50 Nashville vs Texas touring and how big some of these markets really are21:05 Flying nonstop, “sky waitresses,” and road life rituals28:55 How to actually get into Broadway: sitting in, slow season, and not being a pest33:15 The “How To Get Fired” Immigrant Song bonk that went viral34:50 How Ethan films gigs (Zoom, livestream screen records) and edits in iMovie/Reels41:50 First big click/live track gig with Ben Gallagher and learning Ableton in a week45:45 Crack vs thud: snare sounds, heads, dampening, and Broadway volume hacks52:00 Dream kits, Danny Carey, mandala pads, and hybrid setups57:15 Groceries, inflation, and musician shopping strategy: Walmart, Publix, Whole Foods1:00:40 Pessimism, therapy, SSRIs, and deliberately choosing positive habits1:05:45 Non-music friends, walks, and not spiraling alone1:15:25 H Audio studio, drum sample philosophy, and future recording plans1:25:10 Rich’s closing thoughts on Ethan’s path and the new seasonLinks:The Rich Redmond Show site:therichredmanshow.comRich Redmond:richredmond.comPodcast production:itsyourshow.coDrum-tensive study with Rich:drumtensive.comFollow Ethan Harb:Search “Ethan Harb Drums” on YouTube and Instagram

Ben Wood sits down with Rich Redmond and producer Jim McCarthy for a fast-moving conversation about music, business, and building a life in Music City. Ben shares how a Green Day concert lit the spark, why he drove 7 hours to study with Rich in LA, and how that conversation pushed him to choose Nashville over Los Angeles.They break down the origin story of Music Lab Nashville, including buying an existing school, taking on serious debt during the pandemic, and growing it to 15 teachers and 200+ students. Ben talks teaching philosophy, Ableton and tracks, being an asset to artists, and what it really takes to move from “local guy” to touring drummer.Along the way they riff on Calypso Café, MySpace days, cruises, hockey, Legos, horror movies, Annika Niles with Rush, Aaron Spears, Stuart Copeland’s one‑man show, and why more female drummers should move to Nashville right now.Drop a comment if you’ve ever thought about moving to Nashville for music or if you’ve taken lessons at Music Lab Nashville.Timed highlights:00:00 Produced by ItsYourShow.co and why Ben brings more than just drumming01:20 Organic food, Calypso Café, and Nashville musician culture05:30 Meeting Jim at Calypso to talk voiceover and MySpace throwbacks06:40 Introducing Ben Wood: Sacramento roots, LA lesson, and move to Nashville08:15 Screamo band tours, record deal at 18, and falling in love with teaching17:20 Mike Johnston’s Drum Lab, Serge Lysack, and the Sacramento drum scene22:20 Pandemic wipeout and the “I’m going all‑in” moment for Music Lab Nashville25:55 Absorbing Jan Williams School clients and staff; rebuilding the business model29:40 Year‑3 turning point, signing a 10‑year lease, and reaching profitability32:30 Culture at Music Lab: all ages, all styles, all abilities39:10 Just Jane, CMA Fest, and getting gigs through hockey and community43:40 Female drummers, Annika with Rush, and the open lane in Nashville48:30 Hockey clips, Lego addiction, and algorithm‑stopping content52:00 Streaming services, sex scenes, and full‑frontal overload55:10 Gateway music, Green Day, and MTV‑era discovery59:40 Paradiddles, 3s and 5s, and Ben’s warm‑up philosophy1:02:30 Doubling to 400 students and the vision for Music Lab Nashville1:15:00 Owning “best drummer in Nashville,” handling trolls, and betting on yourselfPodcast Studio and Prodcuders: https://itsyourshow.coDrumtensive: https://drumtensive.comMore Rich Redmond Show Episodes: https://richredmond.com/podcastsMusic Lab Nashville: https://nashville.musiclab.coBen Wood Instagram: @benwooddrums