Mike Dawson
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.
MD Podcast Episode 236: Tommy Harden, What is a Shuffle?, Online Teaching Basics, and More
In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss Nashville session veteran Tommy Harden. The education segment focuses on defining the shuffle. In the gear section, Mike and Mike talk about the basics of online teaching and how to deal with the…
MD Podcast Episode 235: Four-Stage Practice Method, Sugar Percussion Snare Comparison, and More
In this episode, Mike and Mike dive deep into the four-stage practice method, which comprises a warm-up, creative exploration, main focus, and musical applications. The gear review segment compares two 6x14 Sugar Percussion snare drums, one made from mahogany and…
MD Podcast Episode 232: Wilco’s Glenn Kotche, Playing Over the Barline, INDe RESoArmor Drumset, and More
In this episode, Mike and Mike crack open the April issue and discuss cover artist Glenn Kotche of Americana alt-rock band Wilco. The education segment focuses on playing over the barline. Up for review is a classy all-maple drumset by…
MD Podcast Episode 229: World Rhythms 101, Ilan Rubin, Tama S.L.P. New-Vintage Hickory Drumset, and More
In this episode, Mike and Mike share some of their favorite rhythms from around the globe that they feel are essential study for working drummers. The featured artist is Ilan Rubin, who most recently toured with Angels & Airwaves and…
MD Podcast Episode 222: More Listener Questions
In this episode, Mike and Mike dedicate another hour to answering a stack of questions submitted by listeners over the past few weeks. Show Notes Readers Poll ballot Start your All Access Subscription Modern Drummer Now! MikesLessons.com subscription options Sponsored…
MD Podcast Episode 205: Gretsch Badge History, Listener Questions, Snare Drum Giveaway, and More
In this episode, Mike and Mike begin the show by going over the history of the Gretsch drum badge, starting with the original round design and moving forward to the stop sign and square varieties before returning back to the…
MD Podcast Episode 199: Playing Melodically, Anderson Paak, Yamaha Live Custom Hybrid Oak Drumset, and More
In this episode, Mike and Mike dive into the August 2019 issue and discuss cover artist Anderson .Paak. The education focuses on Jeff Ryan's "Playing Melodically" article, which explores different ways to orchestrate a single linear pattern. Up for review…
MD Podcast Episode 195: Spare Gig Gear, Up-Tempo Rock, Business Basics, and More
In this episode, Mike and Mike dedicate the entire hour to answering a bunch of listener questions. Topics include must-have extra gear on a gig, getting comfortable with up-tempo rock grooves, and some thoughts on handling the business side of…
MD Podcast Episode 176: NAMM Pre-Show, 2019 Predictions, Listener Questions, and More
In this episode Mike and Mike share some opinions and predictions on the state of the drum industry in 2019, including what they expect from manufacturers and where things are headed in the worlds of online drumming and education versus…
MD Podcast Episode 168: Clinics Recap, Travis McNabb, Drumset Ergonomics, Tama Classic Stands, and More
In this episode Mike and Mike recap their clinic experiences at PASIC and in Europe before discussing modern country drummer Travis McNabb, who recently pulled double duty touring with Sugarland and Frankie Ballard. The education segment focuses on how to…
Episode 70: Questions, Questions, and More Questions
In this episode of the Modern Drummer Podcast, Mike and Mike dedicate the entire hour to questions submitted by listeners. Topics include how to get out of a funk, phrasing tips, choosing snare drums, and more. The show concludes with picks of…
Episode 69: Favorite Warm-Ups, Jerry Marotta, SPD-SX, and More
In this episode of the Modern Drummer Podcast, Mike and Mike share their favorite daily warm-up exercises. The featured artist is Jerry Marotta, who played with prog/pop great Peter Gabriel on several of his landmark albums in the ’80s. Up…
Episode 68: The Six-Stroke Roll, Tama Pedals, and More!
In this episode of the Modern Drummer Podcast, Mike and Mike discuss their favorite applications of the six-stroke roll. The featured artist is studio great and acclaimed clinician Russ Miller, who pens a regular Concepts column in Modern Drummer. Up…
Episode 67: Gig Bag Essentials, Michael Shrieve, Canopus Snares, and More
In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss the gear and accessories they make sure to take with them to every gig. The featured artist is original Santana drummer Michael Shrieve. Up for review is a trio of workhorse snares from…
