Drummers on Drumming

We’ve got another installment of Big Fat Five: a segment where I talk to drummers about the stories and records that shaped their sound.Today’s guest is Lucy Ritter, a New York/New Jersey native who picked up the drums at just 9 years old and was already landing professional gigs by 14. After three years at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, she made the bold decision to leave and join her first major tour: the Broadway musical An Officer and a Gentleman. That gig opened doors, eventually leading to her being offered the drum chair for the Grammy Award-winning musical Jagged Little Pill.These days, Lucy has stepped away from the Broadway scene and taken on an exciting new role as the drummer for one of today’s fastest-rising pop acts, Chappell Roan. We dig into how she landed that gig and explore the five records that have profoundly influenced her drumming style. This episode has been a long time coming, so let’s dive in. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the incredibly talented Lucy Ritter... cheers!---Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!🎯 Click here to order now!Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.LUCY'S BIG FAT FIVE:Album - A Love SupremeArtist - John ColtraneRelease Year - 1965Key Track(s) - Pt. II - Resolution & Pt. III - PursuanceDrummer - Elvin Jones-Album - EarfoodArtist - Roy HargroveRelease Year - 2008Key Track(s) - Strasbourg / St. Denis, The Stinger, Mr.CleanDrummer - Motez Coleman-Album - GrowArtist - ChonRelease Year - 2015Key Track(s) - But / all of themDrummer - Nathan Camarena, Brian Evans, Matt Garstka-Album - Live at VelfarreArtist - Earth, Wind & FireRelease Year - 1996Key Track(s) - In The Stone, September, Let Your Feelings Show, Let’s GrooveDrummer - Sonny Emory-Album - Take Off Your Pants and JacketArtist - Blink-182Release Year - 2001Key Track(s) - 3Drummer - Travis BarkerFor more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 5 of The Drum Panel This week's guests are my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City / Sessions) and good buddy Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum).SUBMIT YOUR CONTROVERSIAL MUSIC OPINIONS HEREIn this episode, we dive into: If you could reinvent one aspect of your drumming, what would it be, and why? What's the one piece of advice you wish you'd known as a young drummer starting out? How important is style to a drummer’s career—can visuals be as impactful as skill? What ingredients create a drum tone that stands the test of time? Have we lost the ability to have a hit song without the use of a click? With AI's influence growing, what do you think drumming will look like in the near future? Is the quest for 'perfect' recordings draining the soul out of live music? Why do so many drummers gravitate toward intricate playing—are we losing the groove? ---Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!🎯 Click here to order now!Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I’m joined by Jesse Boyle, my good buddy and the drummer for the boundary-pushing band Chase Atlantic. Known for blending genres like alternative, R&B, and electronic music, Jesse’s unique approach drives the pulse behind Chase’s immersive live soundscapes. We’ll dive into the top five influences that shaped his drumming and musical journey and we get into a newer career he’s started…all because he gave himself permission. I think it’s important for everyone to stay tuned through the end of the episode. ---Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!🎯 Click here to order now!Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.JESSE'S BIG FAT FIVE:-Album - Reggatta De BlancArtist - The PoliceRelease Year - 1979Key Track(s) - Message in a Bottle, Walking On the MoonDrummer - Stewart Copeland-Album - By The WayArtist - Red Hot Chili PeppersRelease Year - 2002Key Track(s) - By the Way, Don’t Forget MeDrummer - Chad Smith-Album - Only by the NightArtist - Kings of LeonRelease Year - 2008Key Track(s) - Closer, I Want YouDrummer - Nathan Followill-Album - The Colour and The ShapeArtist - Foo FightersRelease Year - 1997Key Track(s) - My Hero, EverlongDrummer - Dave Grohl / William Goldsmith-Album - TOTO IVArtist - TOTORelease Year - 1982Key Track(s) - RosannaDrummer - Jeff PorcaroFor more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey friends, Ben Hilzinger here. I wanted to take a few minutes to talk to you about a pretty exciting shift I’m making with this podcast. After much thought, I’ve decided to change the name of the podcast. Moving forward, it will be known as Drummers on Drumming.Let me tell you a little about how I got here.This whole thing started as The Big Fat Snare Drum Podcast, just a fun way to connect with drummers I admire—talking about stories, gear, grooves, and whatever else came up. It was a blast. But after a while, I wanted to dive deeper into the stories that shaped the way drummers think and play. That’s where the Big Fat Five concept came from: drummers sharing the five records or moments that influenced them the most.The Big Fat Five format really connected with people, and I loved it. But over time, I realized the name was becoming a little limiting. I’ve got so many ideas for other segments—like The Drum Panel, where multiple drummers join me for roundtable discussions—and I didn’t want to feel stuck in one format. I needed a title that gave me space to try new things and keep the podcast fresh.And honestly, if I want to keep doing this—and growing the show—I need to make sure it’s easy for new listeners to find. Big Fat Five isn’t exactly the most discoverable name if someone’s searching for “drumming podcasts.” So this rebrand to Drummers on Drumming not only reflects the direction I want to take, but it’ll also make the show more findable for people who haven’t discovered it yet.Now, here’s how the change will happen. Right now, the podcast is still called Big Fat Five, but I wanted to give everyone a heads-up before the switch. One week from today, both the name and the podcast icon will officially change to Drummers on Drumming. So, if you see the new name and artwork in your podcast feed next week, don’t worry—it’s still the same show you know and love, just with a new name and more room to grow.Oh! And speaking of exciting new things, I’ve been working on a book—also called Drummers on Drumming—and it’s almost ready! The book dives deep into the Big Fat Five concept, with insights from some truly amazing drummers. I’m currently wrapping up the book cover as I record this, and I plan to have it available by Black Friday. So keep an eye out for that—it’ll make a pretty sweet gift for the drummer in your life...or, you know, yourself.So there you have it—a new chapter for the podcast. It’s the same vibe, the same passion, just with a new name and more freedom to explore new ideas. I can’t wait to bring you along for this next phase.Thank you so much for listening, supporting, and being part of this journey. I’ll see you next time on Drummers on Drumming.---Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!🎯 Click here to order now!Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 4 of The Drum Panel This week's guests are my good buddies Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum), and Mark Stepro (The Wallflowers, Butch Walker).In this episode, we dive into: If we could steal one drummers’s feel and add it to our own, who would it be? What is an example of a perfect drum take on record? What does “pocket” ACTUALLY mean? What is the role of drummers in songwriting credits? Does music theory really make one a better musician? What’s the first thing we notice about a drummer that makes them come across as “amateur”? Check out Steward Copeland on Drumeo HERE---Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!🎯 Click here to order now!Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today is one of Berlin’s rising stars in the drumming world, Julian Wieder. At just 25, he’s already making serious moves across the RnB, Hip-Hop, and Indie scene, both on stage and in the studio. I first discovered Julian thanks to the algorithm gods on Big Fat Snare Drum’s Explorer page—and once I saw his playing, I knew I had to get him on the show. His feel is unreal, blending pocket grooves with a sense of freedom that feels completely natural and effortless. Plus, he’s not just a drummer…he’s an educator, and a bit of a clinic master in the making.In this episode, we’ll dive into the top records that shaped his sound, and he introduced me to a new favorite of mine that I can’t wait for you to hear. So I hope you enjoy the top records that helped shaped Julian Wieder into the drummer he is today. ---Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!🎯 Click here to order now!Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.JULIAN'S BIG FAT FIVE:-Album - The Joy Of MotionArtist - Animals as LeadersRelease Year - 2014Key Track(s) - The Woven Web, Tooth and ClawDrummer - Matt Garstka-Album - ContinuumArtist - John MayerRelease Year - 2006Key Track(s) - Waiting On The World To Change, GravityDrummer - Steve Jordan-Album - WallflowerArtist - Jordan RakeiRelease Year - 2017Key Track(s) - Eye To Eye, SorceressDrummer - Jim Macrae-Album - Chris Dave and The DrumhedzArtist - Chris DaveRelease Year - 2018Key Track - WhateverDrummer - Chris Dave-Album - Past Present and FuturesArtist - Chick CoreaRelease Year - 2001Key Track(s) - Fingerprints, Rhumba FlamencoDrummer - Jeff Ballard-Honorable Mentions:Nas - IllmaticGhost Note - SwagismYussef Kamaal - Black FocusFor more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today is Gabe Smith, the current CEO of Drums for Gracie Abrams Inc. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, now based in New York City, Gabe has also worked with incredible contemporary artists like Wet, Tei Shi, Eden, Frankie Cosmos, Kimbra and many more. Last summer, he opened for Taylor Swift and is about to rejoin that tour after some headline shows with Gracie Abrams. He’s a busy guy! It took some finessing since we’re both on tour, but we made it happen. I loved his picks, and I’m excited for you to hear this one. Please enjoy the top 5 records that shaped Gabe Smith into the sought-after, hardworking musician he is today. Cheers! ---Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!🎯 Click here to order now!Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.GABE'S BIG FAT FIVE:Album - Abbey RoadArtist - The BeatlesRelease Year - 1969Key Track - She Came In Through The Bathroom WindowDrummer - Ringo-Album - Songs In The Key of LifeArtist - Stevie WonderRelease Year - 1976Key Track - Knocks Me Off My FeetDrummer - Stevie Wonder-Album - When The Pawn...Artist - Fiona AppleRelease Year - 1999Key Track - A MistakeDrummer - Matt Chamberlain-Album - Friendly Travelers LiveArtist - Wolfgang Muthspiel, Brian BladeRelease Year - 2007Key Track - Gnadenwald (Live)Drummer - Brian Blade-Album - Donny HathawayArtist - Donny HathawayRelease Year - 1971Key Track - She Is My LadyDrummer - Al Jackson Jr.For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 3 of The Drum Panel This week's guests are my good buddies Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Carina Round), Neal Daniels (Matchbox 20, Liz Phair), Mike Robinson (Blame My Youth, Food On Tour Podcast).In this episode, we dive into: The value of high-end gear: Is it really worth the investment? The existence of drum heroes: Do they still inspire us today? Yes...we talk about Oasis... Insights from the guys on the current landscape of drum endorsements. ---Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!🎯 Click here to order now!Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today is Daniel Glass. Daniel is a renowned drummer, educator, and historian known for his deep expertise in the roots of American drumming, particularly in jazz, swing, and early rock 'n' roll. A member of the pioneering retro-swing band Royal Crown Revue, Glass has performed with a wide array of top artists, blending historical influence with modern flair. His passion for drumming history is reflected in his books, clinics, and instructional videos. The project that introduced Daniel to me was his three-hour documentary called “The Century Project” which explores the evolution of the drum set and drumming styles from 1865 to 1965. Glass is also celebrated for his dynamic, groove-focused playing and his ability to bridge the gap between past and present drumming traditions. Go check out all his happenings at danielglass.com, but for now, please enjoy the 5 records that helped shape Daniel Glass into the drummer he is today. Cheers!---Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!🎯 Click here to order now!Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.DANIEL'S BIG FAT FIVE:Album - Made In JapanArtist - Deep PurpleRelease Year - 1972Key Track(s) - Highway Star, Space Truckin', The MuleDrummer - Ian Paice-Album - Three QuartetsArtist - Chick CoreaRelease Year - 1981Key Track(s) - Quartet No. 1, Quartet No. 2, Part 2Drummer - Steve Gadd-Album - BuffaloArtist - Frank ZappaRelease Year - 2007 (from a 1980 live concert)Key Track(s) - The Torture Never StopsDrummer - Vinnie Colaiuta-Album - LyricArtist - Billy ChildsRelease Year - 2005Key Track(s) - In Carson's Eyes, Into the Light, Scarborough Fair, American LandscapeDrummer - Brian Blade, Marvin "Smitty" Smith-Album - From DarknessArtist - Avishai CohenRelease Year - 2015Key Track(s) - Beyond, Abie, C#-, From DarknessDrummer - Daniel Dor-Honorable Mentions:Album - BlueArtist - Joni MitchellRelease Year - 1971Key Track(s) - All I Want, This Flight Tonight-Album - The Concert at Carnegie HallArtist - Benny GoodmanRelease Year - 1938Key Track(s) - Don't Be That Way, Honeysuckle Rose, Sing, Sing, Sing-Album - DrumsvilleArtist - Earl PalmerRelease Year - 1961Drummer - Earl Palmer-Album - Live at the Royal Festival HallArtist - John McLaughlinRelease Year - 1989Key Track(s) - Mother TonguesDrummer - Trilok Gurtu-Album - Tiny ResistorsArtist - Todd SickafooseRelease Year - 2008Key Track(s) - Allision MillerDrummer - Everyone Is GoingFor more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 2 PART DEUX of The Drum Panel Welcome to The Drum Panel—a segment where a rotating group of professional drummers engages in roundtable discussions on polarizing and controversial drum topics submitted by our listeners.Today's episode is the second half of a conversation between myself (Ben), my co-host Eric Urrea and special guest, Kris Mazzarisi (owner/founder of Big Fat Snare Drum & drummer for Winnetka Bowling League).Today we discuss: If you're overly critical of gear, are you showcasing your lack of skill? Should snare drums and floor toms always between flat (Eric is surprisingly passionate about this subject)? If you don't know what the singer is singing, can your take still suit the song? We do it...we talk the world of endorsements. ---Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today!🎯 Click here to order now!Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit.For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices