Nashville Drummers Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Today we welcome Artist, Drummer, Musical Director, Producer, Multi-Instrumentalist, and Educator, Garrett Tyler to the podcast! Garrett is currently the Bandleader & Drummer for multi grammy award-winning pop duo, For King & Country. Garrett shares his inspiring journey from a small town in Arkansas to performing with the prestigious Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, and eventually gracing the cover of Modern Drummer magazine. We explore the impact of relationships and community on his career, his diverse musical influences, and his disciplined approach to drumming. We touch on Garrett’s meaningful tattoos, his debut solo album 'New Normal', and reflections on growth, creativity, and the dynamic changes in Nashville. A rich and heartfelt conversation about dedication, growth, creativity, and the love of music. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
2:36 Welcome, Garrett!
3:19 Discovering Golf and Parallels to Drumming
9:43 Warm-Up Routines and Techniques
14:42 Growing Up in Arkansas
22:19 Joining the Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps
27:14 Blue Devils International and Representing the U.S.
38:35 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
39:18 Music School and Mentorship at Belmont
55:40 Gospel Influences
1:02:13 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
1:03:17 For King & Country
1:08:46 Modern Drummer Feature
1:15:03 Nashville's Changing Landscape
1:15:55 Drum Box (Sponsor)
1:16:36 Garrett's Tattoos
1:25:15 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)
1:25:57 'New Normal' and Collaborative Projects
1:41:54 Sonique Drums (Sponsor)
1:43:37 Closing Questions
1:47:09 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Music City Audiology
https://www.musiccityaudiology.com

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com


Connect with Garrett:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garrettptyler
Website: https://www.garrettptyler.com

Music Featured in this Episode:
"The Moment" - Garrett Tyler
"Think Less" - Garrett Tyler
"In My Opinion" - Garrett Tyler

Intro Drum Groove
Recorded by Taylor Friesth at Garden Groove Studios in Nashville, TN
http://www.garden-groove.com
Mixed by Jackson Maddox

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded June 2024 in Nashville, TN

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Today we welcome veteran Nashville drummer Tyler Bronson Smith to the show! This wide-ranging interview spans Tyler's extensive career in the industry - from his small-town upbringing in North Carolina to studying at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles and eventually moving to Nashville, Tyler shares personal anecdotes, the significance of authentic connections, and tips for overcoming professional challenges. He discusses the joys and challenges of Nashville's modern scene, including notable gigs, networking, and the significance of maintaining a good reputation. Tyler emphasizes adaptability, authenticity, and the blend of simplicity and technicality to find your own unique sound. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
1:54 Welcome, Tyler!
2:37 Growing Up and Early Influences
13:20 Musical Journey and Inspirations
27:46 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
28:27 Moving to Nashville
34:42 The Fishbowl Analogy: Growing Beyond Small Towns
37:25 Memorable Encounters with Legends
39:45 Evolution of Music and Technology
51:04 The Reality of Gig Life
1:14:33 Unexpected Gigs
1:20:59 The Importance of Reputation
1:26:34 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
1:27:34 Vegas Gig, Navigating Broadway
1:32:07 Drum Box (Sponsor)
1:33:43 Session Work and Live Performances
1:41:42 Sonique Drums (Sponsor)
1:42:39 Nashville Food & Coffee
1:47:32 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com


Connect with Tyler:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylerbronson88

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Cold Winter" - Alex Drasser

Intro Drum Groove
Recorded by Taylor Friesth at Garden Groove Studios in Nashville, TN
http://www.garden-groove.com
Mixed by Jackson Maddox

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded May 2024 in Nashville, TN

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Hailing from Bend, Oregon, Beau Kuther is best known as the drummer for indie rock trio Smallpools. Beau grew up in the Warped Tour era idolizing bands like Incubus and 311, and where MySpace was how people discovered you. He spent much of his adolescent years touring and moving to new cities to chase his passions, including Portland and eventually Los Angeles, where he would first meet Sean Scanlon and Michael Kamerman of Smallpools. The band spent the first 2 years touring opening for Twenty One Pilots, Grouplove, Walk The Moon, and Two Door Cinema Club. Now 10 years into their career, Smallpools has amassed an impressive following of superfans and is about to release their 3rd studio album on the heels of a U.S. headlining tour kicking off April 2024. Beau discusses what it's like being an indie band, the songwriting process, and the challenges of releasing music in today's TikTok era. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters
00:00 Intro 
2:05 Welcome, Beau
3:33 Growing up in Oregon
11:49 Balancing Multiple Interests
17:34 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
18:16 Early Influences (Copeland, Sexton)
23:43 Move to Portland, Kaddisfly, Warped Tour
25:17 MySpace Era
28:17 Touring as an Indie Band
33:29 Move to LA, Odd Jobs
38:46 Sonique Drums (Sponsor)
39:44 Smallpools
45:18 Releasing Music in 2024
52:56 Writing Process as a Band
59:30 Drum Box (Sponsor)
1:00:10 Headlining Tour, Live Shows & Superfans
1:07:20 Chainsmokers Collab
1:09:21 SNL & TV Performances
1:13:07 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
1:14:06 Current Setup
1:15:59 Endorsements
1:19:16 Wrap-Up
1:29:33 Outro

We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors:

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Masters of Maple
https://mdrums.com


Connect with Beau:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beauknowsdrums
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beauknowsdrums

Connect with Smallpools:
Website: https://www.smallpoolsmusic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallpools
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Smallpools

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Dreaming" - Smallpools
"Fake A Happy Face" - Smallpools

Intro Drum Groove
Recorded by Taylor Friesth at Garden Groove Studios in Nashville, TN
http://www.garden-groove.com
Mixed by Jackson Maddox

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded March 2024 in Nashville, TN

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

We are excited to partner with Garden Groove! The new home of Nashville Drummers Podcast.

Garden Groove was born out of a desire to create a space where musicians, entertainers, teachers, and learners could come together. Tucked away as a private soundproofed studio, Garden Groove offers a quiet and relaxed environment for creativity to thrive and grow. They understand the allure of the Nashville music community and aim to be a magnet for like-minded individuals who want to hone their skills and connect with others in the industry.

We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors:

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Music City Audiology
https://www.musiccityaudiology.com

Connect with Garden Groove:
Website: http://garden-groove.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garden_groove_nashville
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GardenGrooveRecordingSpace
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@garden_groove_nashville

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Told Ya" - Tjf

Intro Drum Groove
Recorded by Taylor Friesth at Garden Groove Studios in Nashville, TN
http://www.garden-groove.com
Mixed by Jackson Maddox

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded February 2024 in Nashville, TN

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Born and raised in Nashville, TN, Luke was surrounded by the music industry from a young age. Throughout his childhood, he continued to develop his musical skills with his involvement in school and church. After high school, he attended Union University for Percussion Performance before transferring to Lipscomb University and becoming one of the first graduates of the Commercial Music program. Luke has since had the privilege of working with artists such as Sam Hunt, Conner Smith, Switchfoot, Tiera Kennedy, The Warren Brothers and many more. In this wide-ranging conversation, Luke shares invaluable advice on what it means to be a professional and how to stay motivated and humble in this ever-changing profession. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro 
1:57 Sonique Drums (Sponsor)
2:55 Welcome, Luke / Sketch Comedy
4:44 Growing up in Nashville
12:32 Worship Drumming
14:37 Playing with the Click
24:07 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
25:04 Percussion & Music Education
27:30 Union University, Lipscomb's Commercial Music Program
33:55 Drum Cartage & Mentors
39:55 Relationships & Comunity
44:43 Being a Pro & Doing Things the Right Way
46:28 Drum Charts
51:39 Musical References & Being Prepared
1:01:45 Choosing the Right Gear 
1:04:25Identity
1:10:59 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)
1:11:42 Going One Step Further
1:18:47 Relationships & Being Present
1:26:47 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
1:27:47 Memorable Venues (Grand Ole Opry, Red Rocks)
1:38:50 Staying Hungry & Goal-Setting
1:47:01 1st Ryman Show (Michael McDonald)
1:49:35 Home Studio Recording
1:55:25 Wrap-Up Questions
2:04:00 Outro

We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors:

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Music City Audiology
https://www.musiccityaudiology.com

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Connect with Luke:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukesumner7
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lukesumnermusic

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Outskirts" - Sam Hunt
"I Hate Alabama" - Conner Smith

Intro Drum Groove
Recorded by Taylor Friesth at Garden Groove Studios in Nashville, TN
http://www.garden-groove.com
Mixed by Jackson Maddox

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded December 2023 in Nashville, TN

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Raised in Athens, GA, Lemuel "Lemmy" Hayes has called Nashville home for over 10 years, and has the breadth of music industry experience of a true seasoned pro. He's worked with a wide variety of artists, including Berlin, Cindy Wilson of The B-52s, Nicki Bluhm, Dead Horses, Kylie Morgan, and Spencer Crandall, among many others. In this very raw, 2-hour conversation, Lemmy recalls the many ups and downs of his journey to Nashville, including persevering through a serious arm injury, being a tour manager in Europe, and his stories of working various odd jobs inside and outside the industry. Lemmy offers his perspective on social media for both artists and players, and how he discovered his second passion for photography. We hope you enjoy!

We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors:

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Nelson Drum Shop
https://www.nelsondrumshop.com

Connect with Lemmy:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemuel.wav
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemuel.jpg
Website: https://www.lemuelhayes.com

Music Featured in this Episode:
Dune Boi Bumper - Lemuel Hayes
Be Alright - Kudzu Duo

Intro Drum Groove
Recorded by Taylor Friesth at Garden Groove Studios in Nashville, TN
http://www.garden-groove.com
Mixed by Jackson Maddox

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded December 2023 in Nashville, TN

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Tim Miller is a recording and mix engineer, producer, and musician originally from Philadelphia, PA, currently based in Nashville. With a passion for music that took root at a young age, Tim first delved into the world of audio during his high school years. Tim Miller made the move to Nashville to attend Belmont University, where he earned a degree in Audio Engineering and a minor in Music Business. Since graduation in 2021, Tim has credits with a long list of artists and producers including LOCASH, Trey Lewis, Craig Campbell, and an array of others. In addition to his audio engineering skills, Tim is a professional live and studio drummer. We hope you enjoy!

We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors:

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Detox House
https://detoxhousenashville.com

Connect with Tim:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmymillerengineer
Website: https://www.timmillerengineering.com

Toone Towels:
https://www.instagram.com/toone_towels

Music Featured in this Episode:
Stefanie Joyce - Resurrection Day (Produced by Tim Miller)

Intro Drum Groove
Recorded by Taylor Friesth at Garden Groove Studios in Nashville, TN
http://www.garden-groove.com
Mixed by Jackson Maddox

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded December 2023 in Nashville, TN

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Pittsburgh, PA native Neal Yakopin arrived in Nashville in July 2020 and in a few short years has become a well-known and respected player, currently touring with country star Nate Smith.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native Neal Yakopin arrived to Nashville in July 2020 and eventually began working with Sony Music Nashville singer-songwriter Drew Green, who has written songs for Florida Georgia Line and Conner Smith. In 2022, Neal joined Nate Smith’s band for a six-show tour followed by a Fall tour with American country music singer Brett Eldredge. During this time, Nate's “Whiskey On You” single was gaining traction and landed No. 1 on Canada's country radio chart for six weeks, making the song the longest-running No. 1 country debut by a male vocalist in the country's chart history.

Since then, Neal has performed at Nashville’s most revered country music venues: The Ryman, Bridgestone Arena, and the Grand Ole Opry, as he looks ahead to a busy 2024 touring season including support for Morgan Wallen's One Night At A Time tour alongside Nashville's Bailey Zimmerman and Lauren Watkins.

In this interview, we discuss Neal's approach to live shows, how he started a business TourLaunch LLC, and the current state of the music industry’s TikTok-driven era. We hope you enjoy!

We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors:

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Detox House
https://detoxhousenashville.com

Connect with Neal:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nealyakopindrums

TourLaunch:
https://www.tourlaunchnashville.com
https://www.instagram.com/tourlaunch

Music Featured in this Episode:
Nate Smith - Alright, Alright, Alright (Apple Music Sessions)

Intro Drum Groove
Recorded by Taylor Friesth at Garden Groove Studios in Nashville, TN
http://www.garden-groove.com
Mixed by Jackson Maddox

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded November 2023 in Nashville, TN

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Lawrence, Kansas native Vincent Williams has been on the Nashville scene since the summer of 2016 and is currently coming off tour with platinum American singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips. Vincent is a man of integrity, both on and off the stage, and in this wide-ranging interview, we discuss topics relevant to both the working drummer/musician and anyone hoping to have a professional career in the music industry. Vincent has performed with such artists including Matt Kearny, Bren Joy, and The Delta Saints. When he's not on tour or attending the local Eastside Jam, Vincent writes and produces his own music. We hope you enjoy!

We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors:

Music City Audiology
Website: https://www.musiccityaudiology.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Connect with Vincent:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drum2loud

Music Featured in this Episode:
Vincent Williams - Grapekoolaid (feat. Csztr)

Intro Drum Groove
Recorded by Taylor Friesth at Garden Groove Studios in Nashville, TN
http://www.garden-groove.com
Mixed by Jackson Maddox

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded October 2023 in Nashville, TN

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

On September 30th, we were stoked to be part of the 1st-ever 615Shedz event hosted at Drum Box Nashville. Today we sit down with the founder of 615Shedz, Jake Robinson, a Fort Myers, FL native who moved to Nashville in 2022 upon graduating from the Berklee College of Music. Recording extensively in the Berklee studios, gigging around the Boston scene, spending hours each day in the practice rooms, and hosting late-night drum sheds, Jake was always finding some way to be involved with the community. Since moving to Nashville, Jake has built a reputation of being one of the most unique and versatile drummers in the scene, specializing stylistically in Jazz Fusion, R&B/Hip Hop, Funk, Neo-Soul, and Rock. In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss the benefits to a drum shed and why you should give one a try, ways to overcome fear and anxiety behind the drums, and the cultural perception of old vs new Nashville. We hope you enjoy!

We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Connect with Jake:
Website: https://www.jacobrobinsondrumz.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobrobinsondrumz
 615Shedz: https://www.instagram.com/615shedz

Music Featured in this Episode:
Wrong Guy - Scott Levi Jones & The Holy Cow
Changing Tides - Slow Animals

Intro Drum Groove
Recorded by Taylor Friesth at Garden Groove Studios in Nashville, TN
http://www.garden-groove.com

Mixed by Jackson Maddox

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded October 2023 in Nashville, TN

Support the show

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2025 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC