Working Drummer

Cassius Goens III is active on the Indianapolis scene primarily as a jazz drummer but he gets into plenty of other trouble there. He’s also a professor at Ball State University in Muncie, IN where he was born and raised. He teaches jazz drumset and also leads a 15-piece commercial music ensemble in the Music, Media, and Production department there.

In this episode, Cassius talks about:

Growing the drumset presence at Ball State from having no drumset teacher to a studio of 24 students

Leading the school's semi-pro commercial music ensemble

Coexisting and collaborating with the percussion and jazz departments

Being self-taught on drumset until grad school at University of Iowa

Taking transcription further as a compositional tool

Why his path has kept him close to home

His busy and varied playing schedule, and Indy’s not one but two dedicated jazz rooms

How he feels like his prime as a drummer is yet to come

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John Gardner is a Nashville legend who's touring credits include working with artists like Narvel Felts, John Conlee, The Dixie Chicks "Top Of The World" tour, James Taylor and The Dixie Chicks, Earl Scruggs, Don Williams and others.
He has recorded with many many artists including Rhonda Vincent, Don Williams, Larry Gatlin, Porter Waggoner, Jerry Douglas, Jesse Winchester, Al Kooper, Gene Watson, Ricky Scaggs, Josh Turner, Lee Roy Parnell, Tim O'Brien, Jim and Jesse ,Jim Lauderdale, Mickey Gilley, Merle Haggard, Daily & Vincent Dierks Bentley, Earl Scruggs, Dixie Chicks
Steve Wariner, Michelle Wright, Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson, Phoebe Snow, Ed Snodderly, Steep Canyon Rangers & many more
From 1999 - 2002 he was the staff drummer for the Grand Ole Opry.
And from 2015 - 2020 he was an adjunct professor at East Tennessee State University
He was nominated for a Grammy as a band member for Earl Scruggs "The ultimateCollection, Live At The Ryman".
His TV credits include The Grammys, David Letterman, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show and Saturday Night Live

In this episode, John talks about:

How he ended up in Nashville in the 1970’s

Touring with the legendary Don Williams

The early days of triggering drums

The realities of AI and it’s effect on how we do things

Moving away from Nashville

Touring with the Dixie Chicks and recording a live record

Working as a staff drummer at the Grand Ole Opry

Listening and being sensitive to what’s being played

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Jay Moeller has spent his entire adult life and career in Austin Texas where he has played with a long list of artists and acts from covers at the dive bar to names with international reach. He has also begun to lead his own projects both live and in the studio.

In this episode, Jay talks about:

Feeling like he’s in “a race against time”

Bringing something essentially “him” to every project

Making the case for what he does best in recording sessions

Coming up on the Austin scene which was centered around Antone’s

How timekeeping and groove should be the responsibility of everyone in the band

The double-edged sword of old school players with old school thinkin

The many things that can define Texas shuffle

How to decide which weaknesses to strengthen

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A native of France, Ben Lecourt spent his childhood studying percussion with George Van Gucht of the Percussion Of Strasbourg while at conservatory in the south of France. During this time, Ben simultaneously began his discovery of bebop through private studies with various drum teachers. Spending a decade based in Paris, Ben honed his playing nightly in jazz clubs and festivals such as Montreux Jazz.

He moved to LA late 2011 where he studied music production at UCLA Extension, and dove into the local music scene.

He has since been busy recording with the likes of Linda Perry, Mark Stoermer from The Killers, Cat Power, Rocco DeLuca as well as playing live with Denny Laine from Wings and The Moody Blues, The Wallflowers, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Nick Waterhouse, Roger Manning Jr amongst others.

He is currently on tour with Cat Power celebrating the 20th anniversary of the album “The Greatest”.

When not on the road, he can be found in his home studio, Rancho Magnolia.

In this episode, Ben talks about:

How to be a good tour-mate

Growing up in the south-east of France

Moving from France to Los Angeles, US

Building new friendships and relationships in a new place

Discovering American Jazz while growing up in France

Touring with Cat Power

Preparing for a tour

Performing with legends

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Jason Smay has been in Nashville for a decade and plays with his son, McKinley James. Prior to that, he was based in Rochester, NY and toured with JD McPherson, Los Strait Jackets, and others. He and McKinley are also part of the Nashville group The Tiger Beats with Patrick Sweany and Ted Pecchio.

In this episode, Jason talks about:

Thinking about longevity in terms of exercise and overall health

His roots drumming heroes

Forming a relationship as young drummer with fellow Rochester native Steve Gadd

Using one set of sounds for a whole record

Why he loves producers who were/are also drummers

His disposition toward the growing role of tech in all music

Learning how to pursue the right opportunities for the right reasons

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