Working Drummer

Chris Draper is a drummer, author, and performance coach based in London. After coming up on the city's Jazz and Fusion scene as the drummer in the house band at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Chris began getting opportunities in musical theatre, culminating in landing the drum chair on the West End production of Hamilton.

His new book, "The Inner Athlete: A Musician's Guide to Performance Conditioning," is the result of what Chris learned through rehabilitation after sustaining two traumatic brain injuries and subsequently getting certified as a personal trainer.

In this episode, Chris talks about:

No longer having a home studio, and not missing it

How a chance meeting at a pub led to his musical theatre career

Playing in the house band at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London

How some college programs are becoming more open to commercial music, especially when it comes to drums

The traumatic brain injuries and subsequent recovery that inspired him to write “The Inner Athlete”

What regulation is, physiologically, and different ways to do it

The power of breath work 

Why conventional weight training and athletic conditioning doesn’t work best for musicians

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Reuben Spyker is a master technician who has built his career as an educator, artist, and innovative drummer.  Reuben has developed teaching programs that emphasize efficient playing, critical observation, and creativity.  Most recently, Reuben has combined his obsession with detail and interest in art to create an original signature snare drum with the help of master snare builder Ronn Dunnett.  

In this episode, Reuben talks about:

    The many facets of Reubens career

    Using curiosity as inspiration

    Finding joy in things like drawing, building things and Davinci

    Working closely with Ronn Dunnett to build a custom snare drum

    The importance of critiquing yourself

    The power of focus

    Reuben’s different teaching courses

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Ross McReynolds has toured and recorded with artists such as Katie Pruitt, Maia Sharp, Juan Solorzano, The Muddy Magnolias, Dynamo, Cory Wong, Kelsey Waldon, Caleb Groh, Jess Nolan and many more. He attended Belmont University in Nashville and lived and worked there for many years after, but recently made the move to LA.

In this episode, Ross talks about:

Moving from Nashville to LA because of a general need for change

Going crazy if he spends too long in the studio without connecting with an audience

His experience at Belmont University in Nashville 

Realizing the typical Nashville music career and some of Nashville’s musical values didn’t agree with him

How patience can turn seemingly difficult decisions into no-brainers

“The passivity of a streaming service”

How synthesizers and other electronic instruments he like using still feel physical and tangible and analogue 

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Craig Krolicki is a versatile and musical drummer playing a wide variety of styles. He is a graduate of Youngstown State University (The Dana School of Music), with a BA in Music Education.

In 1997 Craig moved to Nashville TN, and has toured as a drummer with artist such as Curb Recording Artist Jeff Carson, Hank III, Sony Recording Artist Tammy Cochran, Singer/Songwriter/Producer Gail Davies, Singer/Songwriter Billy Yates, BNA Recording Artist Kellie Coffey.

From 2006-2020, Craig drum teched for the country band Rascal Flatts. In recent years, Craig has been teching for Kent Slucher of Luke Bryan. Craig continues to freelance as a drummer in and around Nashville and has even started a new fitness coaching program.

In this episode, Craig talks about:

Unique tech challenges during CMA week in Nashville

Essential gear for playing on Lower Broadway in nashville

What a drum tech actually does

Being the glue between the drummer and the engineer

From Pennsylvania to Nashville

Staying in shape on the drums in between performances

His new fitness program Coach Craig Fitness (coachcraigfit@gmail.com)

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Steve Pruitt has toured and/or recorded with Eddie Gomez, Mike Stern, Snarky Puppy, Oz Noy, and many others. He was a finalist in the 2000 Guitar Center Drum-Off and went on to study with Ed Soph at North Texas.

In this episode, Steve talks about:

Facing a lot of adversity quickly at North Texas

The differences and similarities in his approach to straight ahead jazz vs. fusion

How he things about the word "integrity"

"Finding the dance" that makes the music work with certain musicians or groups

Taking responsibility, "even when it isn't fair to"

The chapter of his life and career spent in South Korea

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