Vater Percussion "On the Mic"

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.  

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.

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 coach and so much more! Hosted by Dom Famularo. 

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! 

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.

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, singing, Hal Blaine, his project called Action Skulls and just so much more! 

John Cowsill uses: 

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  

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. Hosted by Dom Famularo. 

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 "Z", Duran Duran, Lisa Loeb, Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes), Billy Idol, Zappa Plays Zappa, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, The Wilsons, The Motels and much more! Hosted by Dom Famularo.

Joe Travers uses:  

Get ready for loads of education, advice and insight directly from inside one of music’s most historical landmarks!

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, what their day to day life looks like on the road, their resposibilities, working very closely and personally with musical legends and so much more.

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!

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 quick lesson on a pad.  

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, One Direction, KISS and many more.   Robin joined us to talk about what it took him to break into the LA session and live scene, selecting the right gear, tuning, home recording, "ghost" drumming and more.  

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.

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. 

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 including Sting, Bono,  Biggie Smalls, Paul Simon, John Legend, Lady Gaga, among many others. On top of all that, Ralph is also and educator and CEO of an international cookie company, Soul Snacks! Hosted by Vater Drumstick Artist  Dom Famularo!

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.

Dave DiCenso is one of those musicians that can sit down and play any style! Dave's credits include hardcore legends Cro-Mags and Shelter, rock acts Steve Morse Band, John Finn Group and Two Ton Shoe, pop icons Duran Duran, Jazz pianist Hiromi, Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci, Extreme/Van Halen singer Gary Cherone and Josh Groban among others. Educationally, Dave has been a teacher at Berklee College of Music since 1994, has published two books, and has performed at major drum events around the world.

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

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. 

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 with music’s biggest names. Curt also talks about why it's important to be well-rounded and growing up absorbing many styles of music that was being played in his home.

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.