
Carter Beauford

A full fifteen years after the Dave Matthews Band drummer’s last MD cover story, he and his mates remain as popular as ever. In that time, much has changed in Carter’s world—but much has not, including an unceasing dedication to his craft.

“I tried to assemble a kit that would fit with what we were doing musically,” says Carter Beauford. “Everyone in the Dave Matthews Band comes from a different musical background, and we were [representing] all those different backgrounds through the music. I’m psyched that the new Recording Custom has come …

Joey Castillo, Dave Lombardo, Jack White, Carter Beauford, Tyshawn Sorey, Jon Karel, Bun E. Carlos, Sib Hashian, Bernard Purdie, Dena Tauriello, Chris Pennie, Gary Husband, Rich Pagano, Phanie Diaz, Eric Green, Freddie “Goldenstix” Holliday, Brian Tichy

Rodney Holmes, Carter Beauford, Josh Eppard, Elvin Jones, Rick Latham, Chris Parker, Eric Singer, Ray Marchica, Franklin Vanderbilt Jr., Jason Boesel, Brandon Barnes, Matt Walker, Baby Dodds, Bill Stewart, Antonio Sanchez, Simon Phillips

John Otto, Ron Spagnardi, Terry Bozzio, Bill Bruford, Simon Phillips, Carter Beauford, Chad Cromwell, Tim Alexander, Josh Freese, Steve Smith, Stephen Perkins, Gary Husband, Gordon Heckaman, Jason Bittner, Martin Atkins, Tony Thompson, Thomas Lang, Matt Sorum, Abe Laboriel Jr.

Spüg, Carlos Vega, Rodney Green, Daniel Freedman, Karriem Riggins, Ali Jackson, Carter Beauford, Tico Torres, Patty Schemel, Derek Roddy, Tris Imboden, Darren Lyons, J.D. Blair, Vinnie Colaiuta, Virgil Donati, Scott Rockenfield

Joey Kramer, Carter Beauford, John McEntire, Brady Blade, Mike Cosgrove, Rick Shelton, Donna C, James O’Connor, Peter Schmidlin, Philly Joe Jones, Ringo Starr, Brad Wilk, Akira Jimbo, John Riley

Peter Criss, Jimmy Cobb, Joey Shuffield, Andy Gangadeen, Mike Malinin, Tim Berkebile, Graham Lear, Barrett Deems, Hanna Fox, Kirk Covington, Clyde Stubblefield, Joe Daniels, David Light, Wallace Roney, Carter Beauford, Sam Wiley Jr., Bill Bruford, Dave Abbruzzese
Carter Beauford, Billy Martin, Mike Clark, Keith Moon, Paul Deakin, Charlie Benante, Mark Walker, Scott Rockenfield, Joe Birch, Marky Ramone, Mark Rajakovic, Terry Bozzio, Paul Liem,

Carter Beauford, Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, Elvin Jones, Omar Hakim, Tim Alexander, Trilok Gurtu, Dave Lombardo, Sheila E., Peter Michael Escovedo, Walfredo Reyes, Jr., Narada Michael Walden, Jonny Cragg, Eric Kamau Gravatt, Levon Helm, Ciarlante, Yuval Gabay, Billy Mintz, Chet McCracken, Eddie Bayers, Max Weinberg, Simon Phillips
Posted: March 17, 2020

Shad Teems of Framing Hanley
When I was two years old, my parents got tired of continually picking up pots and pans and wooden spoons off the floor.
Posted: June 13, 2017

On the Beat with Percussionist Tyler West and Drummer Bryan Adkins of Super Doppler
Tyler West What’s up, Modern Drummer readers! My name is Tyler West, but most people call me Teeter, and I’ve been the percussionist in psychedelic rock ’n’ soul band Super Doppler since tenth grade. From banging on pots and pans in the kitchen as a youngster to getting my first …
Posted: January 24, 2017
On the Beat with Conor Sullivan of Ice Nine Kills: Talks Setup and Latest Release
What’s up, MD! This is Conor Sullivan, drummer of the theatrical metalcore band Ice Nine Kills. We have done countless tours supporting and headlining across the US, Canada, UK, and Europe.
Posted: September 15, 2016
Video Interview! A Look Back at Twenty-Five Years in the Dave Matthews Band with Carter Beauford
Web Exclusive A Look Back at Twenty-Five Years in the Dave Matthews Band with Carter Beauford Interview by Miguel Monroy We recently had the opportunity to spend two days with the Dave Matthews Band in Noblesville, IN. The crew welcomed us into their family, and were among the most gracious …
Posted: April 29, 2015

Drummer Blog: Billy McCarthy on the Documentary Ferocious Drummers
Hello Modern Drummer readers! My name is Billy McCarthy, and right now the trailer for my documentary film, Ferocious Drummers, is up at www.kickstarter.com. With this film, I am hoping to move drummers to a place they hardly visit on the actual stage—right up front and center….
Posted: April 29, 2015
Drummer Blog: Billy McCarthy on the Documentary Ferocious Drummers
Hello Modern Drummer readers! My name is Billy McCarthy, and right now the trailer for my documentary film, Ferocious Drummers, is up at www.kickstarter.com. With this film, I am hoping to move drummers to a place they hardly visit on the actual stage—right up front and center….
Posted: January 2, 2015
What You Need to Know About…Effects Cymbals
The term effects, or FX, is applied to a wide array of cymbals, from tiny splashes to giant, oddly shaped sheets of metal to cymbals with tambourine jingles riveted to them. The key to helping customers find that unique voice they’ve been missing in their setup is to know what’s …
Posted: June 8, 2014
Sarah Hagan to Head Zildjian Artist Relations Worldwide
The Zildjian Company is proud to announce that Sarah Hagan has been promoted to director of artist relations–worldwide effective immediately. Sarah assumes responsibility for planning and executing Zildjian’s global artist relations program based out of its headquarters in Norwell, MA….
Posted: January 10, 2014
Daniel Bordihn of Bordeen
Hi there, Modern Drummer readers! I’m Daniel of Bordeen, an indie-rock band from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada….
Posted: June 28, 2013
Modern Drummer’s 2013 Readers Poll Winners
The results are in for the longest-running, most prestigious drummer poll in the world. Without further ado, here are your winners for 2013….
Posted: June 4, 2013
Jazz Drummer’s Workshop: The Stick Shot
Click here to check out a new Jazz Drummer’s Workshop article on the stick shot.
Posted: June 3, 2013
July 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Carter Beauford
See what’s in the July 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Drummer Carter Beauford of Dave Matthews Band
Posted: March 29, 2013
James Forsberg of RapScallions
My name is James Forsberg, and I am the drummer for the California rock band RapScallions.
Posted: November 28, 2012
Billy McCarthy of Ferocious Drummers
As a drummer myself, I had a burning question, “Why is it we’ve never heard from the drummer’s personality and character on and off the stage????
Posted: July 5, 2012
Jordan Plosky of Big Time Rush
Hi there! My name is Jordan Plosky, and I play drums for Big Time Rush. We’re embarking on a two-and-a-half-month headlining summer tour across the U.S. and Canada.
Posted: May 8, 2012
D’Arcus Curry, Angieszka Matusczak, and Karmi Santiago Announced as Winners of Hit Like A Girl 2012
The sponsors and supporters of “Hit Like A Girl 2012??? are proud to announce the winners of the first ever drumming contest for girls and women. (read more)
Posted: March 19, 2012
Tim Walsh of the Stepkids
I’m Tim Walsh of the Stepkids, and I’m excited to be on here and hope to add to the wealth of knowledge that is MD’s awesome thirty-five-year history…
Posted: July 1, 2011
MD Readers Poll 2011 Results
Welcome once again to the MD Readers Poll, where the greatest drummers on the planet are honored by the most educated drum fans around. Let’s get right to it: the envelope, please….
Posted: March 4, 2011
Nate Parsell of Amely
My humble beginnings as a drummer began in the basement of my old house in rural Ohio. My parents gave me my first kit as a Christmas present when I was in the eighth grade. I studied percussion privately throughout my high school days while also playing in marching band, …
Posted: September 27, 2010
The Drummer: Classic Rock
An educated, entertaining, essential addition to every drummer’s library—and to the history of modern drumming—The Drummer: Classic Rock Collector’s Edition magazine builds on content from Modern Drummer’s Top-selling The Drummer book with expanded coverage of drumming royalty from the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll.
Posted: August 30, 2010
J.R. Hardee of Paper Tongues
Photo by Brad Moore I didn’t grow up taking lessons, but I had a natural sense of rhythm from my pops, Ricky Dean, the percussionist/BBQ god, and my poppy Gary, the fishing drummer. Poppy now plays steel guitar and is the proud songwriter of hits such as “Margarita Momma.” Though …
Posted: July 22, 2010
Giuseppe “Gypsy??? Capolupo of Haste The Day
My name is Giuseppe “Gypsy??? Capolupo, and I play for Indianapolis, Indiana–based metal-core band Haste The Day. What an honor it is to be featured on such a well-known website!
Posted: March 10, 2010
Carter Beauford: Dave Matthews’ Ace In The Hole
In the fifteen-plus-year history of the Dave Matthews Band, Beauford has done just that, and a whole lot more. Check out the drummer’s playing with the genre-crossing group—creative ideas combined with tremendous technique, over-the-top wailing executed with pinpoint control, all rolled up in the groove of death…
Posted: October 13, 2009
Gary Foster of The Sunstreak
What’s up, everyone! My name is Gary Foster and I play drums and percussion with the Sunstreak…
Posted: September 27, 2008
Jarrod Montague of Taproot
Taproot's new album, Our Long Road Home, came out this past September 16. This is our fourth studio release.
Posted: August 6, 2008
Bruce Burgess
I started off as a rock drummer, but over time I’ve evolved into classical, jazz, and world-music playing styles…
Posted: May 18, 2007
Rob Bourdon: Midnight Confessions
Back in 1999, Rob Bourdon was just another drummer in LA, playing with his band Linkin Park, doing the rounds of clubs, and working on his loops, beats, and pieces….
Posted: July 19, 2005
Damien Fahey
Damien Fahey has a dilemma: These days he’s having a difficult time finding the time to play his drums. You see, Damien hosts one of MTV’s most popular shows, Total Request Live, which airs weekdays at 5:00 P.M. EST to an audience of 50 million viewers.
Posted: May 19, 2005
Billy Ashbaugh
‘N Sync, a pop band backed by live musicians, have gained a reputation of spectacle and not-to-be-missed precision. MD Online recently caught up with rising drum star Billy Ashbaugh, the man who keeps it all together….
Posted: May 12, 2004
Stewart Copeland: An Interview
A case can be made that Stewart Copeland is the single most influential drummer of the last twenty-plus years. A good case….
Posted: March 31, 2017
Episode 86: Practicing Polyrhythms, Carter Beauford, Sabian Artisan Elites, and More
In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss some of the ways they learned to play polyrhythms. The featured artist is legendary Dave Matthews Band drummer Carter Beauford. Up for review is a set of Artisan Elite rides and hi-hats from Sabian.