Drum Channel Podcast

Hello everyone, welcome to Billy's Bubble! This episode features a behind-the-scenes look into Def Leppard's Rick Allen and singer/songwriter Lauren Monroe's organization Raven Drum Foundation.  The organization was started twenty years ago by Rick & Lauren to raise awareness of healing through music, with drum circles, (with many top drummers & musicians) and raising funds for Veterans, First Responders, and people suffering from trauma.  This show features a conversation between a few Raven drummers, Styx's Todd Sucherman, Godsmack's Shannon Larkin, Widespread Panics Duane Trucks, Allman/Betts John Lum, Ace Frehley/Mr.Big Matt Starr, session legend Alvin Taylor, myself, and Rick Allen and Lauren Monroe.  We dig in deep on this one! Enjoy!

Hello everyone, Billy Amendola here.   My guest today Fred Coury is mostly known as the drummer from the eighties MTV-multi-platinum-band Cinderella.    Coury and Cinderella parted ways in 1991 and Fred joined Stephen Pearcy of Ratt to form the band Arcade and record two albums.    Fred also briefly substituted for GnR's drummer Steven Adler in 1987 when health issues forced Adler off the road.   At age five, Coury started taking violin lessons and by age six, studied at the Beirut Conservatory of Music in Beirut, Lebanon. At age ten, he added the trumpet to his repertoire, and at age twelve he started playing the drums. Shortly after, as a teen, Coury was accepted to Berklee School of Music in Boston, for violin. These days Coury spends most of his time in his Los Angeles recording studio, Double Forte Music, composing as an Emmy multi-award-winning composer for top television shows and sports teams.  In 2021, Coury also co-produced pop sensation and singer/songwriter Debbie Gibson's “The Body Remembers”  An avid hockey fan, Coury combined his love of the sport with his musical skills to create the “Goal Song” theme for the LA Kings hockey team.  Let's welcome Fred. Enjoy! 

Hello everyone! Billy A. here with my guest Cole Marcus, who is no stranger to our Drum Channel audience. I remember meeting and seeing Cole mesmerize a crowd at a NAMM SHOW when he was four years old, which doesn't sound odd these days, but over two decades ago, it wasn't as common as now. These days, now twenty-five years old, Cole has released a new single “Cause & Effect,” which he wrote, recorded, sang, as well as playing all the instruments.   In this segment, we talk about recording, songwriting, his early years appearing in movies, and TV commercials, and transitioning into composing for films. Let's welcome Cole back to Drum Channel. Enjoy!

Hello everyone, Billy Amendola here on Drum Channel with my long-time friend and R&B/Soul legend Earl Young.    Earl, known as the founder and singer of the group The Trammps, (and recording drummer) took the disco world to the mainstream pop charts with their smash hit “Disco Inferno” among others.    Always having success as both a vocalist as well as a drummer, many didn't realize that Earl, along with the rhythm section, of the late, Ronnie Baker and Norman Harris, created what's known as TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)   Along with producers/songwriters Gamble & Huff, the trio went on to record classic R&B/Soul hits throughout the 70s. Creating a sound all their own.    When the Baker, Harris, and Young hit-making machine stretched out to form MFSB and Salsoul Orchestra, the trio took their trademark sound with them.    Let's listen in on how Earl's career started from his early childhood to his teens, to an adult, to a now young 84-year-old, who's still out playing and touring with his version of Earl Young and The Trammps. This show is a history lesson for sure. Enjoy! 

Hello everyone! John Cowsill is back, and this time he brought his beautiful wife Vicki.    Most of you on Drum Channel should be familiar with John's career, he's been drumming almost as long as he's been walking.    We're going to talk about his appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show at age eight years old with his family band The Cowsills, and their hit song, “The Rain The Park and Other Things” (which most people know as “The Flower Girl” song.) and also the inspiration for the popular TV show The Partridge Family and more.    We speak to Vikki about her group The Bangles, featuring Debbi Peterson (Vicki's sister) on drums & vocals, Susanna Hoffs on guitar & vocals, and bassist Micki Steele (who before joining in 1983, was in The Runaways for a minute) replacing original and now current bassist Annette Zilinaskas.   The female foursome went on to become one of the most popular bands of the eighties with hits, “Manic Monday,” Walk Like an Egyptian,” Eternal Flame,” and “Hazy Shade of Winter,” along with sold-out tours all over the world.   Vicki's sister Debbi also joins us, via Zoom, to talk about her experience as the drummer/singer in the Bangles, getting started, a few of her influences, and more.    Happy New Year! Let's enjoy! 

Hello, my Drum Channel family! Billy Amendola here in my “Bubble” with, our special guest, superstar Rick Astley.    Before exploding on the pop charts in the 1980s, Astley was playing drums in bands and singing from behind the kit. Once he stepped out front, a new calling began. He was labeled one of the best singers to come out of the U.K. and take America by storm with his powerhouse vocal style with his two number-one hits, “Never Gonna Give You Up” and “Together Forever.”    Working for songwriters/producers Stock, Aitken, and Waterman, the most successful songwriting and producing teams of the 80s, scoring more than 100 UK top 40 hits and selling over 40 million records, Rick became an international star.    In 1993, Rick took a six-year hiatus to take a break from stardom to raise a family. He was itching to return after seeing how much he was missed and respected in the industry by writing, recording, and playing all the instruments in his home studio as a present to himself, turning 50 years old.    He has since released new music, played huge shows, and found out Dave Grohl and one of his favorite bands, the Foo Fighters, were huge fans.    Rick talks about his insight into the songwriting and recording process, as well as his continued passion for playing drums.    Listen to this one with your family and friends. Enjoy the words & music. 

Hello Hello! Billy Amendola in my “Bubble” with today's guest, who is not only one of the most respected musicians/producers on the planet, but he's also been a mentor, an inspiration, and a dear friend to me for decades. He appeared on the scene in NYC from Michigan as a drummer and teacher. A few of his students include Omar Hakim, the late Tony Thompson, and many others who launched successful careers. At 21, he joined the Mahavishnu Orchestra on the recommendation of their previous drummer (who was at the top of his game with the title “greatest drummer”), the one and only Billy Cobham. Now a band-member, he goes from the road into the studio to work on the next Mahavishnu album with John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, and legendary Beatles producer George Martin.    A few years later, he took the world by storm on the dance floor by releasing his solo album; singing, writing, producing, and playing, and he became a star in his own right.   If that wasn't enough, a few years later, he became one of the world's Top Ten producers of all time, crafting number-one hits for Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Cindy Blackman, the list goes on and on.   With Multiple hit records, Grammy after Grammy, as a band leader, solo artist, producer, singer/songwriter, spiritual leader, and drummer, touring with Jeff Beck, Journey, and his band, there's nothing the man can't do.   We catch up to discuss his latest album “Euphoria” and more. Please welcome Narada Michael Walden back to Drum Channel. Enjoy! 

Hello Everyone, welcome to “Billy's Bubble” on Drum Channel. Today's show features my co-host, longtime friend, and the beat on every Billy Joel hit, Liberty DeVitto.   Lib & I got together to honor and pay tribute to the late great Hall of Fame drummer Dino Danelli.  The legendary drummer best known as an innovator, inspiration, and influence to thousands of musicians, first with the 60/70s band The Rascals, featuring Gene Cornish, Felix Cavaliere, and Eddie Bragati (managed by Sid Bernstein), and then as a band member of Bulldog, FotoMaker, and Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul.  The day this podcast is airing is the one-year date Danelli passed away on December 15, 2022, at age 78. Billy & Lib, along with a little help from a few fellow admires, and friends, to talk all things Dino, The Rascals, and more. Enjoy this special episode. 

Hello everyone! This is a “Billy's Bubble” segment here on Drum Channel, and my guest today is a friend and drummer/bandmate for one of the most popular pop/rock bands on the planet, The Struts. The new album “Pretty Vicious” is the band's fourth album, and each gets better and better. The band is ending the 2023 tour and already getting prepared for 2024. Gethin and I talk about a few tracks from the latest album, advice on keeping a band together, keeping egos in check, and what it's like to be a “Rock Star.” I'm happy to welcome Gethin back. It's always a pleasure. Enjoy!

Hello everyone, Billy A. and my guest today on Drum Channel is Rick Springfield's Jorge Palacios.    Jorge has been touring and recording with Springfield since 2010.    The gig was originally scheduled for three days as a fill-in for drummer Roger Carter, who was going through health issues at the time and it became the start of a long music relationship with Rick and the band.    In the nineties, Jorge was playing in the Mustard Seeds with two members who also went on to be part of Springfield's band, guitarist George Bernhardt and bassist Matt Bissonette.    Let's find out about touring with Rick, Jorge's early days, his personal family sacrifices, and more.  Let's welcome Jorge Palacios to Drum Channel. Enjoy! 

Hello everyone! Billy Amendola here, and my show today is one of my “Billy's Bubble” segments, featuring Marshall Chess, the son of Chess Records founder Leonard Chess. Chess, a Polish/Jewish immigrant, and his brother Phil created what many describe as “America's Greatest Blues label.”    You've heard of Willie Dixon, Howlin Wolf, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and other legendary blues musicians from The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles. They all were pioneers on the legendary label.    My guest, Marshal Chess, now 81 years young, grew up in the studio and became vice-president in 1969 before going on to become president of GRT, and then creating Rolling Stones Records, and becoming executive producer of The Rolling Stones albums “Sticky Fingers” and “Exile on Main Street.    Also featured on the show is Marshal's long-time collaborator, producer/drummer/engineer Keith Leblanc. The two met at SugarHill Records and have worked together since.    They now have a new record, “The Chess Project,” featuring seasoned players and singers who reinterpret Chess gems from Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim, Little Walter, and Sonny Boy Williamson. The album is titled “New Moves.”    Keith, both an acoustic drummer and a pioneer in programming and playing drum machines and electronic loops, became known with his band Tackhead, who were successful in Europe, where Keith lived for a few years. His solo record, “No Sell Out,” is one of the first sample-based releases.    Keith kick-started his career at SugarHill Records and later Tommy Boy Records, two of the most successful labels in hip-hop and dance music.    In the '90s, Keith worked in the studio with producer Trevor Horn in the UK, programming, and playing drums with Annie Lennox, Tina Turner, and Seal's first album, among others.    Let's dive into this historical career with two pioneers in our industry and welcome Marshal & Keith to Drum Channel. Enjoy! 

Hello everyone, Billy Amendola here with my guest today, drummer T.J. Steinwart from the upcoming independent rock band Feel. If you're a fan of late 60s British rock drumming and California 70s blues/rock, you will dig T.J. and the band Feel. The vibe of the young band from St. Louis, Missouri, floats back to the sounds of Humble Pie, Bad Company, Led Zeppelin, and the Black Crows combined with flavors reminiscent of newer generation bands like Rival Sons & Dirty Honey. I am a fan of finding new music and drummers, especially bands, which we don't have enough of. I came across a video of the band, and I liked it enough to do research to find out more about T.J. and the band. Let's welcome him to Drum Channel and find out the story bbehind Feel, one of the new bands keeping the rock flag flying high and proud. Enjoy!

Hello everyone, Billy Amendola here on Drum Channel with my guest, Donald Barrett.   Donald recently wrapped up a Las Vegas residency with superstar artist Lady GaGa on her “Piano & Jazz” show.    Over the years, Donald has toured and or performed with Toni Braxton, Seal, Tony Bennett, Sade, Pussycat Dolls, Dolly Parton, and Josh Kelly. From 2006 to 2009, Donald was the house band drummer for TV's “Last Call With Carson Daly.”   DC chats with Donald about his Vegas Jazz gig with GaGa featuring a thirty-piece-orchestra, learning brushes from Ed Thigpen, playing in church, playing cruise ships, moving to California, being a music director for Colbie Caillat, and more.     Let's welcome Donald to the Drum Channel Podcast. Enjoy!

Hello everyone, Billy Amendola and I'm in Brooklyn, New York in my bubble for this special episode. My guests today are two members of the band Mammoth WVH Garrett Whitlock and Wolfgang Van Halen. As on the previous Mammoth debut, which started as a solo project, Van Halen writes and plays all the instruments, vocals and drums.  Band member Garrett Whitlock and leader and founder Wolfgang Van Halen both share drumming duties on the video for the bands new single “I'm Alright.” On tour, Garrett plays drums while Wolfgang sings, plays guitar, bass and fronts the band. DC talks to both Garrett and Wolfgang, who played together in Tremonti before joining forces for Mammoth WVH, about their playing and personal relationship, the current tour, being band members and more. Let's welcome them to Drum Channel. Enjoy! 

Hello everyone, welcome to “Billy's Bubble” on Drum Channel. In this segment, we talk to independent country/pop artist Jessica Lynn.    Jess recently returned from a long-awaited two-month European tour that was planned to take place just as the pandemic began.    We talk to Jess about the tour, her career as an independent artist/singer/songwriter, her tips, and her determination to stick to her gut feelings while maintaining passion, focus, and positive energy. And she plays drums!    Jess' first full-length record, "Lone Rider," was released in 2022. It landed on the top of the charts on Amazon Music as the only female and independent artist in the Top 5. She shortly after reached the #1 spot in both the USA and UK.    On iTunes, the release also charted in the US at #5 in country music, breaking the Top 20 in Canada and the Top 50 in Belgium.    “Lone Rider's” debut went on to chart at #41 on the Top Current Country Albums Chart by Music Connect / Billboard, securing Jessica's spot as the only independent artist in the Top 45.   Let's learn more about Jess and warmly welcome her to my bubble and the Drum Channel family. 

Hello everyone! My guest today is Hooters drummer and long-time band member David Uosikkinen.    David and the band recently recorded and released a new album, “Rocking & Swing,” that took the band back to their original ska/reggae sound from the early eighties.    The band of forty-plus years has just wrapped up their European/US tour, their first lengthy tour in decades.    David has a documentary, “Heart of The Beat,” that premiered in October 2023 at Philadelphia's longest-running indie film festival. I've seen the film and for as long as I've been a fan of David & The Hooters, I learned more than what I knew. And, there's cool photos and footage. I like its casual and honest narrative.    Let's welcome David to Drum Channel to talk about the incredible success of the band, the documentary, his solo project “In The Pocket” and more! 

Hello, it's me, Billy Amendola, on “Billy's Bubble here on Drum Channel.  My guest today is music director Ray Chew. Ray was a child prodigy since the age of six, he was a first-call studio and touring musician since the mid-seventies, and he's been on TV producing and leading house bands for over two decades.  He's worked with Melba Moore, Ashford & Simpson, Luther Vandross, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Diana Ross, Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Pharrell Williams, Justin Bieber, Aretha Franklin, Lenny Kravitz, Pitbull, Queen Latifah, and Jennifer Hudson to name a few.  His TV shows as music director and performer include, Live at the Apollo, American Idol, The Grammy's, Primetime at the Emmys, both Miss Universe and Miss USA Pageants, and Macys Thanksgiving Parade and 4th of July Celebrations. These days, since 2014, you can catch him on the hit TV show Dancing With The Stars.  Let's welcome Ray Chew to Drum Channel. Enjoy! 

Hello everyone, Billy Amendola here in NYC on the Drum Channel Podcast.  Today, my guest, Daxx Nielsen, who joined the superstar band Cheap Trick over a decade ago, talks with us about his experience with the legendary band, sharing a tour opening with Rod Stewart, his early years with his original band Harmony Riley with his brother Miles, and more.  Let's welcome Daxx to Drum Channel. Enjoy! 

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Drum Channel East. The Bronx is in the house today! My guest Tony Cintron, is best known as both a percussionist and drum set player. A native New Yorker Tony has recorded and toured with many of the best in the industry playing R&B, smooth-jazz, Latin-jazz, salsa, gospel, pop and rock.   One of Tony's first big gigs out of New York City was with legendary vocalist Roberta Flack at Carnegie Hall, sharing rhythm section duties with bassist Marcus Miller and the late great percussionist Ralph MacDonald. That experience led him to gigs with R&B singers Phyllis Hyman, Angela Bofill, Audrey Wheeler, Lisa Lisa, Phil Perry, and more.    In the early eighties, Tony became a band member of the group Unlimited Touch, which had a few dance hits, especially “I Hear Music in The Streets,” which hit number six on the Dance charts in 1981, and was later sampled by producer Sean Combs (Diddy) in 1999 for the Faith Evans song "All Night Long.”   Let's Welcome, Tony Cintron to Drum Channel.

Hello everyone, welcome! I'm Billy Amendola and my guest today live in the studio at Drum Channel East is Billy Idol's Erik Eldenius.  Erik stopped by on his day off of touring with Idol to chat about his career, working with Billy for the past twelve years, (on a recommendation from producer/songwriter/drummer Keith Forsey), his first taste of success as a band member of Adam Cohen's band Low Millions and more.  Besides Idol and Low Millions, Erik has played and or recorded with Cher, Donna Summer, Venice, LeAnn Rimes, Five For Fighting, Anastacia, Vanessa Carlton, and Mandy Moore, to name a few. Let's welcome Erik to DC East. 

Hello everyone, welcome to “Billy's Bubble” here on Drum Channel. Joining Amendola for this week's cover story features one of the most popular hit-making young producers, musicians, and songwriters Pete Nappi.  Billy first met Pete in 2016 at an off-tour show in Brooklyn, New York for iHeart radio station Z-100. Nappi was drumming and producing his LA-based trio, Ocean Park Standoff, who had just released their self-titled EP on Hollywood Records. The band was riding the success of their hit single “Good News,” which became one of the most requested songs on the station's playlist.  Fast forward four years later, and Nappi is on his way to becoming a hit-making machine, producing the international #1 hit “abcdefu” by Atlantic Records' newly signed teen, Gayle. From there, Pete proceeded to work with Jared Leto (30 Seconds To Mars), Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park), Kesha, Shinedown, Meghan Trainor, and Chainsmokers, to name a few.  The Berklee College of Music student who studied film scoring and classical percussion with a minor in conducting, as well as honing his production skills, scored a publishing deal with Universal Music Group under the guidance of Arthouse publisher, singer-songwriter Kara DioGuardi.  Nappi recently wrote, played, and produced the Jonas Brothers sixth studio record, The Album, containing the first two hit singles, “Waffle House” and "Wings, as well as producing and co-writing the latest Maroon Five album.  Let's listen in as Pete tells Drum Channel his journey from touring drummer to producer/songwriter and more. Enjoy! 

Hello everyone, Billy A. here, and my guest is drummer/producer/composer Tal Bergman.  Tal has worked with Billy Idol, Chaka Khan, B.B. King, Dave Mason, Roger Daltrey, Sammy Hagar, Simple Minds, Joe Bonamassa, Billy Gibbons, Herb Alpert, Chris Botti, Terence Trent D'Arby, Peter Cetera, Heart, Belinda Carlisle, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and LL Cool J. to name a few.  Tal is also an Associate Producer and drummer on the seven-time multi-platinum and Grammy nominated album “It Had To Be You ... The Great American Songbook by Rod Stewart.” And if that's not enough he's the bandleader, producer, and drummer of his jazz-funk supergroup Rock Candy Funk Party.  Let's welcome Tal Bergman to Drum Channel. Enjoy!

Hello Drum Channel family! Billy A here and my guest today is Steve Rucker.  Steve is known these days as one of the most respected educators on the planet. Since 1979, Rucker has been the Director of Drum-set Studies at the University of Miami, Florida. Steve's also a well-known touring and recording artist, mainly as the drummer in The Bee Gees for the second part of their triumphal comeback.  We talk about both experiences and much more. Let's welcome Steve Rucker. Enjoy! 

Hello, it's me, Billy Amendola, here at Drum Channel East with my guest Joey Cassata. I   I first became aware of Joey and his band ZO2 with the Z brothers Paulie and the late David Z., from their IFC comedy TV series Z Rock.    The trio recorded a few albums, and went on tour opening for their childhood idols. Joey is also a member Trans Siberian Orchestra for thirteen plus years. He's written an Amazon top-selling biography, and performed on Broadway with Josh Groban. Let's welcome Joey to Drum Channel. 

Hello everyone, welcome to Drum Channel. I'm Billy Amendola, and my guest for this segment is Brian Dunne. Brian is currently on tour backing both Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren.    Dunne is also the house drummer for the TV show “Live from Daryl's House.” Let's welcome Brian to Drum Channel. 

Hello everyone and welcome to Drum Channel. Billy Amendola here at DC East studios with my guest Rocky Bryant.  Rocky is one of those players who has performed and or recorded with numerous amount of superstars but remains in the background, not one to rest on his laurels, his goal is to do his job and he does it well; in any genre. He's both a hired gun on the road as well as a recording artist, including his solo record. “The View From Here.” (featuring an excellent remake of the George Harrison track “I Want To Tell You.”)  Over his long career, Bryant has recorded and or performed with Paula Abdul, he's been a band member of the Family Stand, and Bradford Marsalis' Buckshot LeFonque, he recorded with Dianne Reeves (recording her grammy award winning album), Peter Frampton, Cyndi Lauper, Daryl Hall and since 2016 a member touring and recording with Average White Band, among others.  And if that wasn't enough, he returned to the Broadway scene in 2019, to be on stage for “Tina, The Tina Turner Musical.” Let's welcome Rocky to our Drum Channel family!  Thanks everyone, and I'll see you next time on Drum Channel! Enjoy! 

Hi, Billy Amendola here. Welcome to Drum Channel! East Long Island is in the house today! My buddies Joe Franco (The Good Rats, Twisted Sister, Widowmaker with Dee Snider, & Beatstreet Studio owner) and Blue Oyster Cults Jules Radino, who's been playing with the legendary band for twenty-years, came back to Brooklyn to talk drums and drumming and share career advice and more. Let's welcome Jules and Joe to Drum Channel. Enjoy! 

Hello everyone,   Billy Amendola here on Drum Channel and I'm excited to introduce you to a drummer/multi-instrument from Israel, Yoni Madar. (whose handle on Instagram is Johnny Mathar)   I've been watching his videos on social media for almost close to a year before I reached out to say hello, and let me tell you, if you haven't seen him play, you must look him up after listening to this podcast.    Yoni, has a style and technique all his own. Some of what he plays is complex and seems impossible, at times; and not only on drums, his approach to learning and practice is definitely “out of the box!”    Let's get to know Yoni and welcome him to our Drum Channel family. Enjoy! 

Hello everyone Billy Amendola here; Welcome to Drum Channel.  Today my guest is a young up-and-coming drummer Molly Rose.  Molly, born and raised in Northern California, took an interest in drums at four years old and at eight years old got her first drum set. At sixteen, she placed 2nd in the international “Hit Like A Girl” contest and, after graduating high school, moved to Los Angeles where she studied and earned a Bachelor's Degree at Musicians Institute.  In 2020, she took to the internet posting drumming videos on TikTok under the name “Country Drummer Girl.” Her love of country music recently brought her to Nashville where she currently resides.  In May 2023, Molly appeared on a band competition show on AXS TV titled “Banded.” (Which was created by my long-time-friend, singer/songwriter, and superstar model, Wendy Starland) The band Molly performed with won the first series competition.  Let's find out more about the TV show and Molly Rose here on Drum Channel.  Thank you all for visiting us, see you next time! Enjoy! 

Hello everyone and welcome to “Billy's Bubble” here on Drum Channel. Today's guest is singer-songwriter, actress, TV personality, and Broadway star Debbie Gibson.  Debbie has released eleven studio albums, six compilation albums, one box set, and forty-six singles.  Gibson's career goes back to 1986, while still in her early teenage years, writing and recording her debut Atlantic Records album Out the Blue. The first single “Only In My Dreams,” landed in the top five on the Billboard charts and put Debbie on the map as one of the youngest artists to write and record their own material. The track featured our very own DC podcast host Billy Amendola on Simmons drums. It went on to sell five million copies to date and went gold and platinum.  Still relevant today Debbie is on “The Body Remembers Encore” U.S. summer tour for her latest album, The Body Remembers, which features former Cinderella drummer Fred Coury as one of the producers.  Debbie and Billy catch up on a phone call to talk about all things drums and more. Enjoy! 

Hello everyone! Welcome to Drum Channel East in Brooklyn, NY.    Today my guest (and neighbor) is Jake Slichter from the band Semisonic.    The band's number-one Billboard hit “Closing Time" was released on March 10, 1998, as the first single from the trio's second album, and for months into years, till now, you've heard it on mainstream radio and in every bar/club on the planet at the end of every night!    Jake, stopped by the studio only three days home after a month-long tour, the band's first in twenty years, to chat about the road, teaching writing as a professor at Sarah Lawrence College, the band's rise and successful career, and more.    Let's welcome Jake to Drum Channel. Enjoy! 

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Drum Channel podcast with Billy Amendola and his guest Van Romaine.  Van has been touring the world (and in recent years as music director) with  Latin/pop superstar Enrique Iglesias for fourteen years.  In between you can find him recording and performing in a band with former Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse among others.  Let's welcome Van to the Drum Channel east coast studio where he and Billy discuss his early years, studying with studio guru Gary Chester, bands/artists he's worked with, playing on one of the biggest hip-hop songs and so much more. Enjoy! 

Hello again! Billy Amendola here on Drum Channel with my guest Aaron Comess of the Spin Doctors.  The Spin Doctors are one of America's greatest bands. Formed over thirty-five years ago, the band still sells out shows and makes new recordings.  Let's jump right in and welcome Aaron to the East Coast DC studio in Brooklyn, NY. 

Hello everyone, and welcome to the Drum Channel east coast studio in Brooklyn, NY. I'm Billy Amendola and my guest today is drummer/co-founder, and long-time-band-member of the band Living Colour since 1984. He's no stranger to Drum Channel, and has been a previous guest with host Don Lombardi and is a favorite to our DC audience.   Will has won two Grammy Awards, one in 1989 for Best Hard Rock Performance by a Group and again for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1990. Living Colour also won an international rock award in 1991 for Best Rock Band.  Living Colour has released six studio albums rising to fame with their debut album Vivid in 1988. Although they recorded several hits, they will always be known for their signature song, "Cult of Personality,” which won a Grammy in 1990 for Best Hard Rock Performance. The band was also named Best New Artist at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards. Let's check in. I'll see you all next time on Drum Channel. Thank you for listening!

Hi everyone, welcome to this week's Drum Podcast with Billy Amendola and his guest Lou Santiago Jr.  Lou is another of what you could call one of Billy's “students.” He didn't need to teach him to play drums (he already had that down); Billy would proudly offer life/business advice over the years whenever asked.    Lou went from being in the military, studying at The Collective in NYC, to winning the Undiscovered Modern Drummer contest in 2003 and performing at the prestigious MD Festival. (Billy and Lou talk about the life lesson learned from that experience)    From there, Santiago made a name in the business by touring with artists that sold out shows, becoming a family man, an educator of drums, and attending school to become a medical doctor.    Lou is back and ready to combine his playing, educating (with his 99-cent drum lesson program), and healing through the practice of medicine. Let's welcome Lou Santiago Jr. to Drum Channel. Enjoy! 

Hello everyone and welcome to the Drum Channel east coast studio in Brooklyn, NY with Billy Amendola and his two guests drummers Andrew Campanelli and PJ Howard from the eight-piece-band The Revivalists.  The New Orleans band broke onto the scene in 2015 with their double platinum Billboard Hot 100 hit "Wish I Knew You." Since then, the band has had more than 800 million streams with hits such as "Change" and "All My Friends." The band will be releasing their fifth studio album Pour It Out Into The Night on June 3rd, 2023 and are currently gearing up for summer festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz Fest, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and a co-headline tour with The Head and The Heart and Band of Horses this summer into early fall. The groups latest single “Kid” and the album Pour It Out Into The Night is out TODAY as we speak. Let's welcome Andrew Campanelli and P.J. Howard to the Drum Channel Podcast.  Thank you to Carla at Press Here Publicity for arraigning for us to get together.  Thank you Andrew & PJ and all our listeners. I'll see you next time on Drum Channel. Bye! 

Hi everyone! Billy Amendola here. Welcome to the Drum Channel Podcast.    Today my guest is Robin Diaz. I've known Robin since he was very young man and I've watched him grow into one of the industry's top hired guns and ghost drummers on hits you've heard but didn't know he recorded.    I chat with Robin about his session and live work (He's currently recording and touring with the band LIVE), his years as a member of Daughtry, a few of the producers and artists he's worked with over the years, and more. Enjoy! 

Hello! Welcome to Drum Channel with Billy Amendola and his guests, percussionist Danny Reyes and drummer Chris Fryar of the Zac Brown Band.  Billy catches up with long-time official band members before they head out on tour for the summer and into the fall. The band has been on top of their game for ten-plus years, selling out stadiums and charting hits on both the country and pop charts.    Before joining Zac Brown, de los Reyes toured with Earth, Wind, & Fire, Don Henley, Sheryl Crow, and Ricky Martin to name a few.   Danny's father, the legendary Walfredo Reyes, Sr. (who turned 90 in May, 2023) and his late grandfather Walfredo de los II were forerunners of the Cuban orchestra genre.    Chris fills us in on what led him to become a member of ZBB, his short time at North State University, and the Mississippi University for Women, his early days, advice on being a band-member, and more. Let's listen! 

Hello and welcome to Drum Channel with your host Billy Amendola. For this episode, Billy chats with his long-time-pal, Rich Redmond. Since moving to Nashville from Connecticut more than twenty-five years ago, Rich is best know touring and recording with multi platinum country rocker Jason Aldean for nearly two decades. He has recorded over 30 #1 radio hits and has performed to millions of fans in iconic venues across the globe. He's also an actor, author and motivational speaker.  Recently, Redmond was the drummer in the super-group tribute to the late Gary Rossington, the lone remaining member of Southern Rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd. He rocked the beat at the CMT Awards show with Slash, Billy Gibbons, Warren Haynes, Paul Rodgers and Chuck Leavell; with backing vocals by Wynona Judd and LeAnn Rimes.  Let's listen in. Enjoy. 

Hello Drum Channel family! I'm Billy Amendola, and my guest today is best known as a TV star.    Nate Morton has been a drummer in house bands on television for most of his twenty five plus year career.    Nate and I go back almost as long. We first met when he was filming Rockstar: Supernova in 2006. That's also when he first met drum tech and snare builder, Steve Morrison when Steevo was Tommy Lee's tech on the show. The relationship led them to eventually work together on the popular TV show The Voice, where Nate is getting ready for its upcoming season. (Steevo is back on tour with Tommy & Motley Crue). The Voice debuted in America in 2011 and is one of the most popular shows on NBC TV.    There have been a few more TV shows; “Rockstar INXS” and The Bonnie Hunt talk show. Morton also worked in the studio recording and touring with Paul Stanley and a residency in Vegas with Cher. He also found the time to record his first solo record Playground Philosophy with his band at the time Dootybug, over twenty years ago.    Let's check in with my long-time buddy Nate Morton. 

Hi Everyone! Welcome to an exclusive Drum Channel Podcast with drummer/singer/songwriter/actor/and super-cool-dude John Cowsill. John visited the East Coast Drum Channel Studio to chat with his buddy Billy Amendola about his early career with his family band, The Cowsills, his years with and now without The Beach Boys, his new music projects with his wife Vikki Peterson, and more. Enjoy.

Hi everyone! Welcome to show three of “Did You Know?” This special episode of Billy's Bubble features Liberty and Billy sharing stories, humor, and the history of session greats Panama Francis and Hall of Fame drummer Earl Palmer. Let's listen to a few songs together that Panama & Earl recorded, the artist they recorded with on those classics, and more. Enjoy!

Hi everyone, welcome to Drum Channel. I'm Billy Amendola, and joining me at the DC east-coast studio is Brianna Sig of the Philadelphia-based rock band Soraia.  Brianna and the band were in town for a promo tour to support their new single “Bloom,” and Brianna graciously stopped in before soundcheck to chat about being a band member, her early years, and more. 

Billy's guest on Drum Channel Brian Tichy is one of rock music's most in-demand-hired guns. Playing drums since he's eight years old and teaching himself guitar four years later, Tichy went on to attend Berklee College of Music.  Shortly after graduating Brian went on to record and perform with Sass Jordon, Whitesnake, Foreigner, Slash's Snakepit, Billy Idol, and front his own project BALL, in which he sang played and recorded every instrument on the album. He has written music for television and film, and has been a rotating member of the Dead Dasies as well as running the famous “Bonzo Bash” shows at NAMM.  Tichy became a speed bag enthusiast while on tour with Foreigner and quickly got with some of the best speed baggers around to learn and increase his own skills. During the 2009–10 tour with Foreigner, Tichy hung several speed bag wall units inside the bands equipment truck and created the infamous "Speed Bag Truck.” Let's listen in. Enjoy! 

Hi everyone! This week the Drum Channel Podcast features Stanton Moore.  The New Orleans native and founding member of the band Galactic visited Billy Amendola at DC's east coast studio to chat with his long-time buddy about drums and drumming, how he survived the pandemic, building a business team, and the famous New Orleans music venue Tipitina and more. Happy listening! 

Hello everyone! Welcome to Drum Channel. I'm Billy Amendola, and my guests in this segment are notable, versatile players and educators. Please welcome two of the finest Daniel Glass and Jason Gianni.  We talk to Daniel about his early days, his band Royal Crown Revue, his trio, and more.  Jason, a long time teacher and session musician tells us about his television and radio recordings, the Collective in NYC and so much more.  Welcome Daniel Glass & Jason Gianni to Drum Channel. Enjoy! 

Our guest today Corky Laing recently celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday on January 26th, 2023. The Canadian drummer is not slowing down; he's actively busy recording and performing all over the world.  Never resting on his laurels, Laing never stopped playing, and to this day, he continues to front his new band, record and write a new album, “Finnish Sessions,” and squeeze in live performances.  Corky will always be known as a member of the 70s superstar-legendary band Mountain, which also featured guitar God Leslie West and bassist and producer Felix Papalardi. The band's hit “Mississippi Queen” (co-written by Laing) is one of the most popular songs in the history of rock music. Everyone knows it from the cowbell count-in and Leslie's guitar riff that no one has ever forgotten.  Listen in as we discuss not only Mountain but also West, Bruce & Laing” (yes, that Jack Bruce, from Cream). We discussed the new album with his new band from Finland, where Corky has been living, traveling back and forth from there to Long Island, to Canada to NYC.  I've known Corky for over thirty years, and I will tell you, his energy is uplifting, and he's enjoying a fantastic ride into his upper years.  Fans of Mountain and anyone who digs big powerful drums and hooky guitar riffs will enjoy his latest album. There are even a few ballads and guest appearances.  Thanks for listening and supporting Drum Channel. See you next week!

Hello, my friends; welcome to Drum Channel. Billy A. here with my guest Joan Jett's Michael McDermott.   In 2022, Mike was part of the most successful arena tour we've seen the likes of in years.    We also discuss his previous band, The Bouncing Souls, and how becoming a Blackheart emerged.    McDermott and Jett are currently back out on the road sharing a tour with Bryan Adams. Let's listen in. Enjoy!

Hello everyone, welcome to the Drum Channel Podcast! I'm Billy Amendola and my guest is Tucker Rule. You may know Tucker from the hard-rock-emo-band Thursday, formed in 1997 in New Jersey. The band has been considered an influence on the music scene in the 2000s, and is credited as forerunners of the emo/screaming vocal sound.  But, that was then and this is now and Tucker's new project L.S. Dunes is a mix of a who's who of friends from popular bands.  L.S. Dunes debut album, Past Lives was released in November 2022, has generated three singles. Also, joining Tucker is his bass-player Tim Payne from Thursday. So, trust me when I say “the rhythm section is solid.” We talk about the new album, gear, touring, what's next and more.  Let's listen in and welcome Tucker Rule to Drum Channel. 

Hello everyone, welcome to Billy's Bubble on Drum Channel. For this segment, we're going to talk with Clubhouse Studio Owner, Paul Antonell.  Paul, no stranger to the studio, found his passion for recording at sixteen years old and has gone on to work with Parliament-Funkadelic, Shawn Mendes, Post Malone, and Natalie Merchant, to name a few.  Paul built his state-of-the- art-studio on isolated historic farm grounds a few miles outside of Rhinebeck, NY. The renovated barn has a full kitchen and five suites connected directly to the studio. It sounds like a musician's perfect vacation spot. The list of drummers who've recorded there is a list of who's who of superstars. We also have Clubhouse in-house engineer Mark Everton Gray joining us. Mark partnered with Paul and the studio in 2022 and has engineered/recorded hundreds of projects throughout his career. A few include Norah Jones, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Maroon 5, The Killers, and Imagine Dragons.  Also joining us is Ace Frehley recording and touring drummer Matt Starr as well as legendary drum-tech, and drum maker Jeff Ocheltree. (joining us by phone)  Matt recently recorded at the Clubhouse for the first time with Jeff as his drum tech and has been raving about it ever since. There's something for everyone to learn from each of these experts in this segment; from running and owning a studio, to engineering, to drum-teching, and playing. Let's listen in! Enjoy! 

Hi everyone! Billy Amendola and my guest today on Drum Channel east is still feeling the excitement of his past gig less than a week ago.    His phone and messages have been blowing up with congratulations and show of support non-stop and we're excited he found the time to fill us in on what it was like to play the 2023 Super Bowl Half-Time Performance with Rihanna.   We talk about his set-up, gear, and keeping emotions in check under a high-pressure gig. We also go back to his beginnings and what led him to this point in his career.    A few of the artists Mike has toured and performed with besides Rihanna include, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Arianna Grande, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Smokey Robinson, Alicia Keys, Eminem and Pharrell Williams to name a few. Reid has also performed in the house band at the BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, and the Oscars.   Let's welcome Mike Reid to Drum Channel. Enjoy!