Drummer's Resource

In this podcast I talk to Dave Black who aside from his impressive performance career, has been on the publishing side of the drum/music business for over 30 years.  Dave is not only the percussion acquisition editor at Alfred Music, but has also authored over 60 titles, many of which have been performed and recorded, […] The post 112 – Writing the best selling drum method book of all time and advice on how to self-publish your own book, with Dave Black appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I switch chairs and become the interviewee.  Don Lombardi (owner of DW Drums and DrumChannel) invited me out to Oxnard California to record lessons for Drum Channel.  While we were there I had the opportunity to interview Don (Don’s Interview) and he suggested that he interviews me…so we did it.  For those […] The post 111 – Don Lombardi Takeover: Don interviews Nick Ruffini appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I chat with jazz great, John Riley,  Riley has made a name for himself performing with world-class musicians like including Stan Getz, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Scofield, Bob Mintzer, Gary Peacock, Mike Stern, Joe Lovano, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, John Patitucci, Bob Berg, and many others. […] The post 110 – John Riley: The four characteristics of a great player appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to Gerald Heyward, who is not only known for his long list of clients, ridiculous chops & groove and humbleness, but most importantly, he’s an innovator.  Gerald blazed a trail of successfully moving from the Gospel scene into the R&B / Pop scene and now he’s helping others do the […] The post 109 – Gerald Heyward: The Godfather of Gospel and R&B Drumming appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to world-renowned drummer Benny Greb about his latest DVD “The Art and Science of Groove”.  This is the second time Benny has been on the podcast, and like last time, he NAILS it!  Check out his first interview here. This interview is a little different than normal because 1. I […] The post 108 – Benny Greb: The Art and Science of Groove appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to industry veteran Don Lombardi, who is widely known and respected in the drumming community as the founder of Drum Workshop (DW Drums) and Drum Channel.  Don has worked tirelessly since 1972 to create a hand crafted custom drum company with products made in the USA but it didn’t start […] The post 107 – Don Lombardi: Starting DW & Drum Channel and thriving in music business for over 40 years appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to Mike Greenfield, who is best known for his work with the band, Lotus. Mike’s story is great because before he got the gig with Lotus he was working a “day job” and wasn’t playing professionally, which reminds you that if you’re thinking that you’re not going to “make it” […] The post 106 – From 9 to 5 to non-stop touring, the story of Lotus’ Mike Greenfield appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to master clinician and educator, Gary Chaffee.  Known for his work as an educator and clinician, Gary’s reputation proceeds him with his slew of well regarded students like Vinnie Colaiuta and  Joey Kramer and critical acclaim from Dave Garibaldi, Ed Thigpen, and Jonathan Mover and countless others.  His “Patterns” books […] The post 105 – Gary Chaffee: Developing your own patterns appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to Claude Coleman who is best known for his work with ween, who he’s played for since the band’s inception in 1984.  Although Ween has been a steady gig for most of career, Coleman has branched off to compile an impressive studio and touring career over the past 25+ years. […] The post 104 – Claude Coleman (Ween): An incredible journey of fate and perseverance appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

I n this podcast I talk to Aaron Comess, who is best known for his work as founding (and current) member of the multi-platinum group The Spin Doctors. Although you’ve heard his grooves behind their hits like “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t be Wrong” what you may not have heard is his massively impressive […] The post 103 – Play the drums, don’t let them play you: with Aaron Comess appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to Russ Lawton, who is best known for his work as a co-writer and drummer for the Trey Anastasio (Phish) band.  Russ Lawton grew up in the Boston area where he began drumming professionally,and studying with Gene Roma. Early in his career, Russ toured with the Afro-fusion band Zzebra, formed […] The post 102 – Jamming with purpose with Russ Lawton (Trey Anastasio Band) appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I chat with Mike  Vacanti to discuss health and fitness for musicians on the go.  Far too often us musicians keep late hours, are constantly on the road, and playing in bars that serve “bar food”.  All of this often makes it hard to find the time and resources to exercise and […] The post 101 – Health and fitness for musicians on the go with Mike Vacanti appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

This interview was recorded on location at Drum Channel.  Special thanks to Don Lombardi, Adam Kuhns, Kevin Majorino and Jose for their hospitality during the time that I was there! In this podcast I sat down with the one and only, Gregg Bissonette.  Gregg’s reputation proceeds him, stemming from his work with Ringo Starr, Santana, Spinal Tap,Toto, […] The post 100 – Gregg Bissonette: A chameleon behind the kit appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to Jost Nickel, who is known for his work with German mega-star Jan Delay and his group Disko #1, as well as a master clinician and player throughout the US and the world.  Jost, born in Germany, studied in NYC and retuned to Germany as a stand out player and […] The post 099 – Jost Nickel: A different type of groove appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I sat down and chatted with the Rodeney Holmes.  Rodney, best known for his work with Santana, has also played with Steve Lukather, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Maceo Parker, Rob Thomas, Al Jarreau, Paul Gilbert, Jim Weider, Bill Evans, Daryl Jones, Alphonso Johnson, Mike Mainieri and Steps Ahead and […] The post 098 – Rodney Holmes: Talent VS Skill appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I chat with Jazz drummer Mark Guiliana, who has been on fire as of late releasing two of his own records (on the SAME DAY), touring with his band Mehliana, and landing on the cover of Modern Drummer in November of 2014.  As stated in Modern Drummer, “…he´s the guy to watch if […] The post 097 – Mark Guiliana: Creating confidence behind the kit appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

This is a new series called #AskRuffini.  I get a ton of emails, messages, tweets, etc asking all sorts of questions ranging from “How can I practice better?” to “What’s your favorite food?” and everything in between.  Rather than replying to the messages individually I want these answers to benefit everyone in the Drummer’s Resource Community, so I decided to […] The post 096 [#AskRuffini] – Independence, creativity, fills around the kit and playing for free appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to legendary drummer, John Blackwell who is best known for his powerful grooves behind the conic star, Prince for 12 years.  Blackwell has also performed with Billy Eckstine, Cameo, Pattie LaBelle, Justin Timberlake, Crystal Kay, and P Diddy.  In addition to his work with various artists, John frequently performs at clinics […] The post 095 – Prince’s John Blackwell tells all appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I talk to drummer, Jimmy Keegan, who  has been performing professionally since the age of 10, has done voiceover work for major television shows, won Starssearch and was a regular at Disneyland, all before his 18th birthday.  His adult career has been nothing short of impressive, recording with Santana on his wildly […] The post 094 – From child star to Santana with Jimmy Keegan appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .

In this podcast I interviewed Mike Adamo, author of The Breakbeat Bible.  The Breakbeat bible is an in-depth look at the drum groves and breaks that have shaped the landscape of modern music.  Undoubtedly, whether you know it or not, you’ve heard breakbeats in their original form, sampled or duplicated on songs ranging from hip […] The post 093 – The Breakbeat Bible with Mike Adamo appeared first on Drummer's Resource: Conversations with the world's greatest drummers and music industry pros. .