Drummer/Singer/Songwriter Jordan West joined us to talk about her musical journey so far, what got her into playing drums, her jazz background, playing rock/soul with Grace Potter, her upcoming clinic at PASIC 2021 and so much more. Jordan uses the Vater Classics 5A model. www.vater.com www.instagram.com/vaterdrumsticks www.facebook.com/vaterdrumst…

Vater Drumsticks Artist Will Hunt has loads of stories, knowledge and advice to share from his many years as a professional drummer. He's been on the kit for Black Label Society, Motley Crue, Methods of Mayhem, Staind, Static-X, Device, Slaughter, Vince Neil, Bloodsimple, and Vasco Rossi to name a few. Will has also been with Evanescence since 2007…

Vater Drumstick Artist Brooke C joined us live to talk about how she got into drumming at 6 years old, her influences, how she grew her huge social media fan base and how that lead to her meeting and sitting in live with bands that she did drum covers of. We also dug into what she has going on with her band, PLUSH, from landing on the Billboard cha…

Vater Drumsticks Artist John Fred Young of Black Stone Cherry joined us from Kentucky to talk about his musical family, growing up on the family farm, forming Black Stone Cherry when he was 16, the endless hard work of being in a band, his influences and so much more. Hosted by Dom Famularo. John Fred Young uses the Vater 55AA drumstick model. www.…

A living blues legend, shuffle king, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer - Chris Layton joined us to catch up and chat about his lengthy career working with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Arc Angels, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Experience Hendrix and more. We heard from Chris about how hearing Chubby Checker changed his life, quiting a steady paying gig to play wi…

Matt Starr joined us to talk about how to navigate the music industry as a "hired gun", how to be fully prepared for a gig.session/tour, how to negotiate your pay, importance of doing good business in the music business, being a young KISS fan to finding himself working with KISS members, his upcoming tour, songwriting, producing, being a career co…

Hayley Brownell is a great drummer, singer, guitarist and songwriter that is currently on tour with rising star Olivia Rodrigo, including a recent stop at Saturday Night Live. Hayley is also very involved with the Hit Like a Girl contest, so this chat is loaded with lots of inspiring stuff! Hosted by Dom Famularo. Hayley uses the Vater Keg 5A Drums…

Tony Hajjar defines grit, sacrifice, determination, perseverance and passion. Tony is best known for his work with At The Drive In, but trust us…there’s a lot more to Tony that we got into in this powerfully inspiring conversation about living life as well as music! Tony uses the Vater Power 5B Acorn drumstick model. www.vater.com www.instagram.com…

Ashlyn Shanafelt is a superb musician, independent drummer and educator out of Austin Texas. Ashlyn is always a focused, dedicated and a hard-working student herself, constantly pushing herself to the next level. She keeps busy with session and live work so we will get her insight into being an independent drummer in the unique Austin music scene. …

Shuffles, Memphis, Brush work, touring with Albert King and the advice Jim Keltner gave him is just some of what Vater Drumsticks artist George Sluppick spoke to Dom Famularo about. George has played with Albert King, JJ Grey & Mofro, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Morgan James, Sha Na Na, Macy Gray, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh and many more. George uses …

Brent Fitz of Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators/TOQUE checked in with us to share some career history, advice and stories from his personal professional experience. Brent has been on the kit for Alice Cooper, Vince Neil, Gene Simmons, Ronnie Montrose, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith and so many more. On top of drums, he also has played …

This episode is loaded with amazing stories and lots of laughs! John Cowsill of the legendary Beach Boys has spent his entire life in the music industry. We got into his becoming a child star with his family band, The Cowsills, playing on Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson, The Johnny Cash Show, joining the Beach Boys as a piano player then moving to drums…

We caught up with Vater Drumsticks artist Anthony Michelli to talk about music education, producing, tips on sight reading gigs and sessions, the importance of having an open and versatile ear and much more. Hosted by Dom Famularo. Anthony uses his signature Anthony Michelli AM 595 model https://www.vater.com https://www.instagram.com/vaterdrumstic…

What’s it like to be a drum tech and drum/guitar builder/designer/customizer/painter for some of music’s biggest names like Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, Van Halen, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, and Mana to name a few? What’s it like to have your artwork on display at Hard Rock Cafe and art galleries around the world? What’s it like to fill in w/ ZZ Top and Slash o…

Stacy Jones has been the musical director and drummer for Miley Cyrus since 2006. He’s also been on drums for Matchbox Twenty, Letters to Cleo, Veruca Salt, Madonna, Everclear, The Chainsmokers and has worked as musical director, writer and musician for artists such as Joan Jett, Avril Lavigne, Ariana Grande, Billy Ray Cyrus and countless others. H…

We caught up with Jared Falk of Drumeo to talk all things drums, education, what makes a great student, what makes a great teacher, how Drumeo came to be, why Drumeo partnered with Vater, the Vater Drumsticks Drumeo 5A, the 10,000 Rim Shot Challenge and so much more! Hosted by Dom Famularo Buy your pair of Drumeo 5A Drumsticks HERE or go to Drumeo.…

Hayley Cramer of Pop Evil joined us from the UK to catch up on the many things she has going on. She spoke about teaching, special workshops she is hosting, the new Pop Evil album, the importance of finding inspiration from things going on all around you, having a positive attitude, giving it your all on stage every single night and so much more. H…

Special guest Sean McLaughlin joined us for Vater Drumsticks On The Mic. Sean filled us in on his background as a musician and getting into the studio scene, working in the studio with Rush, Maroon 5, Matchbox Twenty, Queensryche, how he approaches working with a wide variety of artists and bands at his own studio, 37' Productions. Sean also spoke …

Joe Travers filled us in about his background, hitting Los Angeles to get on the gig hustle in the late 80's, scoring an audtion 6 months later that ultimately has shaped his professional career. Joe got into his duties as "Vaultmeister" for the Zappa Family Trust and the current Zappa projects. Joe has performed with Dweezil & Ahmet Zappa's group …

Chad Sexton has inspired countless drummers over the years with his incredible playing and distinct sound and 311 continue to deliver the goods at a high level with no signs of slowing down! We caught up with Chad to talk about drums, what it takes to survive in a band and the music industry for over 30 years, the 311 Live Stream series, influences…

Get ready for loads of education, advice and insight directly from inside one of music’s most historical landmarks! Vater Drumsticks artist Justin Holder joined us with very special guests and legendary Muscle Shoals Swamper guitarists Kelvin Holly and Will McFarlane from inside the iconic FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals Alabama! Justin spo…

John Wicks of Fitz and The Tantrums joined us to talk music, drums, rock climbing, ultra marathon running and Drum Coffee, the coffee company he owns that features some iconic drummer inspired roasts. We got into John's co-writing major hits with Fitz and The Tantrums, Bruno Mars and CeeLo Green, his new project, Deaf Charlie, with Jeff Ament of Pe…

We dig in with the incomparable Virgil Donati to find out what motivates him to continue to push the boundries of drumming, how he got into drumming at a very young age, his commitment to physical fitness, composing music and more. Virgil also took viewer questions. Hosted by Dom Famularo. Virgil uses: Vater Virgil Donati Assault Vater Power House …

Mike Ledesma has been working the past few years with Cindy Blackman Santana, John "Magee" McGarry has spent the past 15+ years in various roles with Aerosmith and Tim "Soya" Solyan has been working with Primus since the late 1980s and is currently with Roger Waters! They shared their unique perspecives and experiences - what got them into touring,…

A musician since being 9 years old, Vater Drumsticks Artist Tony Escapa is such a diverse musician that is so incredibly knowledgeable and fluid with his playing. Tony joined us to share his experiences with being the drumming force behind Latin music superstar Ricky Martin for the past 16 years, growing up with a pro-musician father, joining march…

Grab your notebook! Signature Vater Drumsticks artist Mike Mangini [Dream Theater/Educator] joined us to talk a bit about his background, his successful methods that are used in his books, dvd and teaching philosophy to help musicians improve all aspects of their playing and more. Hosted by Dom Famularo. https://www.vater.com https://www.instagram.…

Abe Cunningham [Deftones], Roy Mayorga [Stone Sour] and Morgan Rose [Sevendust] are all known for being hard hitting, energetic players who give it their all behind the kit. These Vater Drumsticks Artists spoke about the physical toll that performing at their level has had on their bodies, how they prepare themselves mentally and physically to hit …

SUBBING GIGS: Lil John Roberts, Brian Frasier-Moore and Chris Johnson talk about something that doesn't get covered too often...being on both sides of subbing a gig. These in-demand drummers shared their insight on what goes into hiring a fill in drummer for any gig, from a club date to an arena tour. Between them, their resumes add up to a long li…

So much great and inspiring stuff in this discussion with our Special Guest Sheryl Crow and Vater Drumsticks Artist Fred Eltringham. Sheryl and Fred talk about working in the studio together, songwriting, touring, being locked in as a band and friends, being produced by a great drummer himself, Steve Jordan, musical influences and tons more! Fred u…

Lots of great advice in this talk with Shaun Foist that goes well beyond our "musical lives".Shaun also spoke with Dom Famularo about his musican background, being inspired by his drummer father and persuing a career in music to landing an audtion with Breaking Benjamin, getting the gig, hitting #1, touring the world and more. Shaun also taught a q…

You have heard Robin Diaz all over the radio, whether you realize it or not! Robin has been one of the go to drummers of the LA Session scene for years and has worked with artists such as Chris Cornell, Keith Urban, Simple Plan, LIVE, Courtney Love, Kelly Clarkson, O.A.R., Billy Corgan,, Nikka Costa,, Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, 3 Doors Down, On…

Drum education fun with Jeff Bowders and fellow Vater Artist Dom Famularo! Jeff talks about his background, being a student at Musicians Institute to then teaching there, publishing his own educational books and more. Jeff also teaches a lesson on a pad during this great talk. Jeff uses the Vater Power House model. vater.com facebook.com/vaterdrums…

Mario Calire guest hosts this chat with fellow Vater Drumstick Artist Adam Deitch [Lettuce / Break Science / Pretty Lights]. They get into Adam's growing up, influences, his time with Average White Band, John Scofield, Wyclef John and many more. https://www.vater.com https://www.instagram.com/vaterdrumsticks https://www.facebook.com/vaterdrumsticks…

Ralph Rolle of Nile Rodgers & Chic joined us to talk about his growing up in the Bronx, getting into music, his lengthy career and starting a cookie business. Ralph spent 14 seasons as the house drummer for the legendary TV show “Showtime at the Apollo”, he was AR at Jive Records and he’s performed with a list of musical greats a mile long includin…

Vater Drumstick Artists Dave DiCenso and Dom Famularo caught up to discuss drum education, his background and career. Dave also talks about the shift to online teaching and how to adapt and work around specific challenges that come with virtual lessons to help both educators and students to achieve continued success and stay inspired by drumming. D…

Vater Drumsticks Artists and father & son musical duo Jay and Max Weinberg talk with Dom Famularo! They go over what got them into drumming, their influences, playing professionally, Jay subbing the drum seat in Springsteen's band for his dad for a world tour, their Vater Drumstick models and so much more. Recorded December 15, 2020 https://www.vat…

Dennis Brennan, Head of Touring for Q Prime Artist Management, gives a unique insight into the touring world. Dennis talks about how he started out touring in the late 80's, making his way to tour managing acts like Snot(Band), Sevendust, Disturbed, Josh Groban and now being on the other end of it as Head of Touring for Q Prime Management where he …

Zachary Alford digs in and talks about coming up in the New York music and art scene, getting a career and profile boost by joining the B52's, getting called to audition and get the gig with Bruce Springsteen, touring and recording with David Bowie, working with Billy Joel and so much more. Hosted by Vater Artist Dom Famularo. Zack uses the Vater P…

She’ll make you laugh...she’ll inspire you....sharing great stories of being a professional musician and much more, Mona Tavakoli joined Vater Drumsticks and Dom Famularo for a live chat. Mona has made music and toured the world with Jason Mraz, Raining Jane, Sara Bareilles, Andy Grammer, Colbie Caillat and many more. She is also co-founder/co-dire…

Sharing their very personal stories of struggles and resilience to overcome substance abuse, how it affected their musical careers, relationships, day to day lives and much more is Vater Drumstick Artists VICTOR INDRIZZO [Alanis Morissette] and DREW HESTER [Stevie Nicks], along with Legendary Guitarist/Vocalist JOE WALSH of The Eagles and multi-Ins…

Dynamics/Less Is More - one of the topics Vater Drumsticks artist Curt Bisquera discusses here with Dom Famularo. Working with artists such as Elton John, Mick Jagger, Tom Petty, Seal, Josh Groban, Johnny Cash and a long list of others, Curt has tons of first hand experience and insight into this subject and what it takes to get the call to play wi…

Ilan Rubin talks with fellow Vater Drumstick Artist Dom Famularo. Ilan talks about how his professional career got started at a very young age, the motivation and inspiration his parents from his family, being a multi-instrumentalist, how he blends electronics and acoustic instruments with Nine Inch Nails, being the youngest inductee in history int…

Vater Drumstick Artist Cindy Blackman Santana talks with fellow Vater Artist Dom Famularo. Cindy discusses what motivates her, how she stays in shape both physically and mentally, her new solo album, her new Vater Drumstick design that she has dubbed "Magic Wand" and more. https://www.vater.com/#!/ http://facebook.com/VaterDrumsticks http://instagr…