Designated Drummer

This week is a sit down in Canada with my guest co-host, Amelie Rainwater, my daughter. After playing drums for 41 years, its nice to pass along some of the knowledge I have accumulated. Amelie is going to help me do just that in this episode by sharing your questions live on the show. We talk about drums, drumming careers and life on the road. She worked hard to compile these questions and I enjoy her perspective, as the daughter of a professional drummer and a musician in her own right. Listen now to pick up some great tidbits and join in with some fun laughs.

Saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Pattie Cossentino has a work ethic that very few can beat. Finding something special within the saxophone at an early age, she started her own jazz group, developed an award winning album (pattiecossentino.com/music) and has been touring with hit song writing, Phil Vassar for the last several years. Hear about her career path and also learn some interesting facts about the history of the saxophone on this week's Designated Drummer episode.

Drummer Kevin Rapillo has been the drummer for Rodney Atkins since Rodney’s beginnings in the early 2000’s. His power and discipline are keenly felt when listening to him play live. His beginnings were humble but very steady as he learned his craft and proved his worth as a power house drummer. Listen to my conversation with Kevin on this week's episode and you will soon agree he is one of the best drummer's out on the road today.

Dave McAfee has been a pro drummer for acts like Toby Kieth, Bryan White, Mason Dixon, Wade Hayes, Lee Greenwood and more. Dave and I go way back to our Dallas Texas club days where we followed a very similar path playing the Texas honky tonk bars in the 80’s and 90’s eventually ending up in Nashville and hitting the road with national acts. Dave has been the backbone and rhythmic foundation for Toby Keith’s band for more than 20 years. We talk about his beginnings and journey from Oklahoma, California, Ohio, Texas and finally Nashville. He’s my long time friend and my guest this week on Designated Drummer.

Artist Manager Corey Wagner is the Sr. VP of Shelter Music Group in Nashville. He Currently manages Lonestar, Austin Meade and Eliza Grace and has recently managed the likes of Tommy Lee, Everlast, Mic Fleetwood and many more. Music management is one of the most demanding, rewarding and challenging aspects of the music business. Corey earned his knowledge by being in the right place at the right time and building relationships. His stories of Mic Fleetwood and Tommy Lee are priceless. Come along and join me as we dig into the ever-changing world of Artist Management.     Shelter Music Group https://www.sheltermusic.com

Scott Brewer is an instructor at the famous Blackbird Academy, a School for Audio Engineering. A musician himself, he has been teaching at Blackbird for several years and turning out some of the best industry professionals in the world, both live sound and studio engineering. Join Scott and me as we discuss the academy's 6 month program and what makes it so successful.

Ever wondered why its so hard to record music or why it's hard to put a band together? My co-host and daughter, Amelie, and I answer some fun questions sent in by listeners and fellow students. What’s my favorite drum within the drum kit? Why is it easier to play 6/8 time as opposed to 4/4? Amelie and I have a blast talking about all this stuff including some funny stories about when I played trumpet (or whatever it was) in the school band. Join us and learn lots of crazy stuff.

Lee Kelley has been drumming it up for the likes of Hank Williams Jr, Gary Allen, Little Texas (filling in for Del Gray) and many more. His work ethic and philosophy of serving the song and the artist has put him in front of millions of people. I was shocked to learn he has even played with Loverboy! Get know this Nashville Drummer in this week's episode.

WSM on-air personality Bill Cody has been a Nashville and Grand Ole Opry legend for close to 3 decades and a country radio DJ for nearly 50 years. His personality and experience goes all the way back to his Kentucky days as a teenager when he was captured by the magic of radio. You can still hear the excitement he has for radio and country music in general as we talk about his amazing career.

Playing drums is one of the most complicated things your body and brain can do. It’s even been scientifically proven! Learning to do something different with all four limbs plus possibly your voice added can be really challenging. In this episode I talk about drumming coordination and developing patterns that stay in your brain like programs on a computer. Even if you’re not a drummer, you can learn to play simple patterns as easy as walking. Here’s the link to a YouTube reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAnNlVPu4NU

Auditions can be really intimidating. If you’ve ever had to get up and show them your stuff, you know what I mean. It’s something like being under a microscope! With the right attitude and preparation, you can go in there and nail that audition. In this episode, some friends of mine and I talk about what is important in an audition and even a few stories of good and not so good examples. If you’re wanting to be a professional musician, you’ll need to get into the audition game and this episode can help prepare you.   Links to Mentioned podcasts: Scotty Simpson: https://keechrainwater.mykajabi.com/podcasts/designated-drummer/episodes/2147885450 Keio Stroud:https://keechrainwater.mykajabi.com/podcasts/designated-drummer/episodes/2147710990 Rich Redmond:https://keechrainwater.mykajabi.com/podcasts/designated-drummer/episodes/2147728291    

Eddie Reasoner is a keyboardist, songwriter, composer and most recently former member of the band Three Dog Night. His credits in music for television and film are numerous. His wisdom and knowledge is impressive. After years of touring with his own band and then hooking up with Three Dog Night, he’s taking it easy and enjoying his time fishing and working in his home studio.

Tom Van Schaik was the original drummer for the Dixie Chicks (The Chicks). He has been a session drummer, live drummer and even a teacher of percussion at the Arts Magnet school in Dallas. These days he can be found in Nashville networking and freelancing. Listen to this week's episode and find out all about his journey.