Damon and Marcos talk with Suz Paulinski and Cheryl Engelhardt about setting yourself up for 2018 with tools and tips to get your music career moving forward right away in the new year. They offer creative ways to make sure you can stay on track, and also implement their techniques with the greatest rate of success. There's an iconic recording, music news, and an educational spotlight. 

This episode, Damon and Marcos talk to Dr. Brian Zator about what PAS is (Percussive Arts Society), and does, and what it offers to percussionists. They also talk about what is coming up in the future and some details on the Rhythm Discovery Museum. They also talk about how he balances running a percussion studio at a University, home life with a wife and two kids, being on his kid's school board, volunteering at their church and even his past in the Cavaliers Drum Corps. They talk about his time in Japan and interactions with Keiko Abe and Minoru Miki. There is also some music news and some product reviews (even some last min holiday gift ideas). 

This episode, Damon and Marcos sit down and talk to Marc Quiñones about his youth, growing up in the Bronx, playing with everyone in the salsa scene, being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Allman Brothers, his influences, what he's practiced, and so much more. There's also an iconic recording, educational spotlight, music news and more!

Damon and Marcos talk with Neil Grover about performing with the Boston Pops, Boston Symphony, The Opera Company of Boston, Aerosmith, as well as popular John Williams film soundtracks. They talk about the company he founded and the products he produces at Grover Pro Percussion. There's much more to the interview as well as Festival updates, an educational spotlight and music news!

Damon and Marcos interview Colin McNutt and talk about his upbringing in Cape Cod, winning individuals with the Santa Clara Vanguard, & teaching Star of Indiana's 1993 winning drumline. They also talk about him currently writing and teaching the Boston Crusaders, Calgary Stampede and other percussion programs like Spirit of America, groups in Thailand and some other B.O.A. groups. There's some music news, an iconic recording and an educational spotlight. 

This episode Damon and Marcos interview Jhair and talk about his upbringing in Peru, his move to NYC and his friendship and musical camaraderie with Pedrito Martinez. He explains some of the folkloric rhythms from Peru, how he comes up with his sound and musical vocabulary from different genres and styles he has learned and so much more! There's a tribute to Ben Riley, a recap of the Latin Grammys and American Music Awards, as well as an educational spotlight, iconic recording and music news. 

Damon and Marcos talk about the PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Conference) in Indianapolis, IN. While out at PASIC, Damon interviews Weedie Braimah before his soundcheck. They talk about him growing up in a musical family, Miles Davis, the history of his education with the Djembe, where the future of Djembe playing is going, how to get educated in West African styles and more. There's new product reviews, upcoming musical festivals, & music news.

Damon and Marcos interview Jacquelene right after she returned from China. They talk about her Latin Grammy nomination with the all female mariachi band Flor De Toloache, the Manhattan Bridges band with her father, drummer/percussionist Memo Acevedo as well as her touring with trumpet player Jeremy Pelt. There are product reviews, upcoming festival announcements, music news and more! 

This episode Damon interviews Bob Weiner. Drummer and percussionist Bob Weiner has toured and performed with Harry
Belafonte, Itzhak Perlman, Betty Buckley, Jon Lucien, Dianne Reeves, Andy Statman, Rebecca Paris, Kenny Werner, Bob Moses and many others. He has taught at the Drummers Collective (New York, NY) , New England Conservatory (Boston, MA) and Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA). He currently plays at Earthdance for Contact
Improvisation Jams, and with many movement/dance formats.
Bob has co-authored two important percussion books, “Afro-Cuban Rhythms for Drumset” with Frank Malabe and “Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset” with Duduka da Fonseca. There is also an iconic recording, music news, and educational spotlight and a tribute to Fats Domino. 

In this episode Damon and Marcos sit down with the two drummers JJ & Falcon in the middle of their fall residency at the Beacon Theater in NYC. They talk about how they navigate the situation of two drummers while also thinking like percussionists. They talk about how they navigate the business of music without the help of social media and they get into talking about other life adventures. There's also an iconic recording, some upcoming gigs and festivals and as always some music news. 

Damon and Marcos travel to Bobby's place and talk to him about growing up with a family full of musicians (the Rumberitos) and playing with different artists like Tito Nieves, Ruben Blades, Marc Anthony & The Spanish Harlem Orchestra in the Latin world, but also other genres like Paul Simon, Cindi Lauper, Gov't Mule & Grover Washington Jr. There's a tribute to the late Grady Tate, music news and a product review. 

This episode (for National Hug a Drummer Day), Damon and Marcos travel to Ralph's house in Brooklyn to talk about playing with Ray, Ruben, Cachao, and more. They talk about being in the movie The Mambo Kings, his travels from NYC to Puerto Rico and back. Ralph also talks about his mentors and trying to push the envelope with his playing and leading his own group. There's also some music news, and more on Puerto Rico and how to help in addition to some upcoming festivals and benefit concerts.

This episode features an interview with Jose Madera where Damon and Marcos talk to him about playing in the "Golden Era" of latin dance bands, arranging for many groups, being on over 500 recordings as well as teaching at the Boys Harbor school for almost 30 years. There's also some music news, a tribute to Tom Petty, a follow up on Puerto Rico & the NFL, tribute to Vegas, Jazz Foundation of America benefit, an iconic recording and a new product review. 

This week's episode is sponsored by Scott Kettner's World Drum Lessons (dot com). Damon interviews Michael Spiro and talks about his upbringing, travel to Cuba & Brazil, the books he wrote, new (and older) albums as well as the group he co-founded Talking Drums with Jesus Diaz and David Garabaldi. They talk about his teaching tenure at Indiana University, composing for Blast! and other adventures he's had in his illustrious career thus far. There is also an iconic recording and music news, as well as how to help with hurricane and earthquake relief.

This episode Damon and Marcos talk with Reinaldo DeJesus and talk about his upbringing in Puerto Rico, some of the groups he toured with there, what brought him to Berklee College of Music and then NYC. They talk about his versatility being able to play with Latin jazz to pop to R&B and more. There is also music news, how to help with Hurricane relief aid, and a new product review.

Damon and Marcos interview Jason Treuting who is not only a great percussionist, but also a founding member of Sō Percussion ensemble. They talk about his studies taking him from California to NY to CT to even Japan. They Talk about the Sō Percussion Summer Institute as well as how Sō Percussion grew from a percussion ensemble to a full fledged business and even how they came up with the name of the group. There's an iconic recording/birthday shoutout, product review and some music news. This episode is sponsored by Scott Kettner's World Drum Lessons (dot com).

Damon and Marcos interview Eduardo Leandro, percussion faculty at Stony Brook University as well as well rounded and world renowned percussionist. We talk about his upbringing in Brazil, move to Europe and finally settling in the USA. This episode is sponsored by World Drum Lessons (dot com), special shoutout to Walter Becker (RIP), Product reviews, and some music news.

Damon and Marcos interview Karl Perazzo and talk to him about his upbringing and introduction to music in the bay area all the way up through his current touring gig of Santana. He answers questions they received from the listeners, as well as his interactions with other great Santana members like the late great Raul Rekow, & Armando Perazza. He talks about being of Mexican decent and how he delt with that while navigating the music scene. There is some music news and a special guest appearance by Marcos Lopez as well.  

Damon and Marcos interview Daniel and talk about his upbringing in the South Bronx, how Frankie Malabe helped him develop his independence, how his versatility keeps him working and playing across several genres and more! There's also some music news, an educational spotlight and information on a drum-off competition!

Damon and Marcos sit down with marimba virtuoso and educator Robert Van Sice to talk about his passion for art, architecture and education. His upbringing in the San Antonio area, going to school in Ohio at Oberlin & Cleveland institute to study with Cloyd Duff. Then traveling to Japan to study with Keiko Abe and then traveling through Europe for a decade and premiering the first solo marimba concert in Amsterdam. They also talk about how he got the job at three prestigious music schools among other great insights. There is also a bunch of music news as well as a product review and an educational spotlight.  

Damon and Marcos sit down with "Dandy" in El Barrio, Spanish Harlem and talk about his endeavors and adventures being right in the middle of all the top mambo and Salsa groups. A living legend, he has played with and/or recorded with the who's who of Latin music. There is also some music news, but mostly "Dandy"

Damon and Marcos interview Victor Pablo while he's on the road in Australia with Nestor Torres. They focus on his versatility moving between Latin based groups, Broadway shows, classical and contemporary groups and more. There's also a tribute to famed cowbell maker Cali Rivera of JCR bells in the Bronx, music news, an iconic recording and more!

Damon and Marcos interview Kwame Henry Jones and discuss how he builds the various West African Drums he sells, as well as his group Infinite Roots that performs and educates others in various styles of drumming and dancing from different West African countries. There is more music news, and an iconic recording.

Damon and Marcos sit down with Marcelo Woloski and talk about the various instruments, implements and setups he uses with Snarky Puppy and other groups he performs with. He demonstrates some styles and techniques he's had to learn coming from Argentina to Boston to NYC. There's also music news, listener letters, and upcoming gigs. 

Damon and Marcos interview Travis McNabb in part 3 (of 3) in the series of setting up your home studio. In addition to playing with Sugarland, Better Than Ezra, Frankie Ballard and more, Travis has a studio called Wood Hill Recording. He talks about what goes into preparing for a session, as well as some tips to setting yourself up for success. They also talk to him about his extensive touring adventures since the age of 18. There is also music news, some new drum camps, a couple of summer tours, an education spotlight, iconic recording, and a shoutout to John Blackwell Jr.