On the Beat
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
Mike Mangini of Dream Theater
by Mike Haid The announcement that Modern Drummer Hall of Famer Mike Portnoy had left his longstanding position as the reigning king of prog-metal drumming with Dream Theater sent shockwaves through the drumming community. Who could replace such an iconic figure…
Ryan Shutler of Lazarus A.D.
Hey, MD readers, my name is Ryan Shutler, and I play drums for the metal act Lazarus A.D. I’ve spent the better part of this year touring in support of our new album, Black Rivers Flow. I was born in Gurnee, Illinois,…
Nate Morton of The Voice
Hi, MD readers. I thought I had faced musical challenges and done difficult gigs. And I believed I knew what it was like to learn a large amount of material in a short time—recording ten songs in a day seemed like…
Susan VanHecke, author of Raggin’ Jazzin’ Rockin’: A History of American Musical Instrument Makers
Hey, drumheads! So, you already know that Zildjian cymbals and Ludwig drums are among the world’s finest. But how much do you really know about the people behind the famous names? I’ve recently written a book to clue us all…
DW/Collective Scholarship Winner Tommy “T.J.??? Carter Jr.
Hey, how’s it going? My name is Tommy Carter, and I’m from New Haven, Connecticut. I attend the Drummer’s Collective in New York City, and words cannot explain how happy I am to write a blog for Modern Drummer—I’m in shock.…
Jay Michaelis of State Line Empire
Hey Modern Drummer readers! I’m super stoked to be writing a blog for all of you, as I’ve been an avid longtime reader. I guess it all started when I was five, when I saw Buddy Rich and Animal from the…
Jason Reeves’ Billy Hawn
Hello fellow drummers, percussionists, and noise and ear candy makers! 2011 is off to an exciting start for me as I prepare for a short radio promo tour followed by rehearsals and tours throughout the year with singer-songwriter Jason Reeves.…
Scott Borrero of Misery
To all fellow and lady Modern Drummer readers, this is Scott Borrero from Long Island, New York. I’ve been studying drums and percussion professionally and as a student for over twenty years. I will always be a student. I love…
Dawn Richardson of Mental 99
Hey there, everyone! I’m very excited to be included here on the MD Blog. I’m a long-time reader of Modern Drummer magazine and love most things that are related to drums and drumming. I’ve been playing for quite a while now,…
Temim Fruchter of the Shondes
Let’s get this out of the way right now: I don’t have one of those perfect love-at-first-sight drumming stories. In fact, the closest I’ve ever come to being “born to play drums” was being gifted with a puppet version of…
Mike Curran Of Add-2
Hi, I’m Michael Curran and I was born in Berwyn, Illinois, and raised in Stickney, later moving to Naperville for better schooling. I grew up listening to my father play the keyboards and discovering how to make music. My Uncle…
Ryan Cooney of the Gallery
Hey, MD readers! My name is Ryan Cooney and I play drums in a band called the Gallery. We’re from Massachusetts, but have been touring the U.S. and spending extended periods of time in Florida and California the last few years.…
Ryan Pope of The Get Up Kids
Hello, Modern Drummer readers. I’m Ryan Pope from Lawrence, Kansas, and I’ve been playing drums professionally and as a hobbyist for sixteen years. My band the Get Up Kids recently released our fifth full-length album, There Are Rules, on our own label, Quality…
Frank Godla of Meek Is Murder and Empyreon
Greetings, fellow Modern Drummer readers! I’m Frank Godla of the bands Meek is Murder and Empyreon. I’ve been a fan of Modern Drummer magazine since I was a kid, so I’m really stoked to have this opportunity to discuss my drumming with…
