Nashville Drummers Podcast

Meet the up-and-coming players within Nashville's diverse drumming community, plus interviews with special guests from music cities near and far. Hear their stories, be inspired, and share some laughs along the way.

Nashville Drummers Podcast is a music podcast hosted by Dan Ainspan / Nathan Sletner, with 99 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Dan Ainspan / Nathan Sletner hosts Nashville Drummers Podcast, a music show with 99 episodes published.

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  Episode #94

  Milo Simpson: On Tour w/ Ashley Anne, Relationships & Community, Serving the Artist, Vintage Kits, Horror Movies & Tattoos

  Sep 23, 20261h 35mS1

  Welcome, Milo Simpson! Having recently made the move from northeast Iowa to Nashville in 2025, Milo has quickly made a name for himself as a trustworthy, go-to drummer for a variety of up-and-coming country singer-songwriters, most notably touring with 22-year-old Ashley Anne. Milo shares his path through the Visible Music College in Memphis, his early influences (like Twenty One Pilots), and his approach to learning songs quickly under pressure. He shares the story of eventually joining the Ashley Anne camp, from a last-minute stripped-down gig to playing his first arena in Norfolk opening for Zach Top. We chat touring hangs, favorite Nashville local spots, working odd jobs (including Chuck E. Cheese and a cemetery), vintage kits and Facebook Marketplace, and of course, horror movies and Tim Robinson. We hope you enjoy! Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:56 Nashville Chow Mein Debate 2:03 Turning 24 4:25 Moving to Music City 5:03 Memphis Music College 8:19 Relationships Open Doors 9:39 Landing the Ashley Anne Gig 15:21 Learning Songs Fast 21:52 Tim Robinson 23:39 Drum Box (Sponsor) 24:20 Vintage Kits and Marketplace Trade 28:08 Chuck E. Cheese Days 31:06 Serving the Artist 32:37 First Arena Show 40:16 Country Music Roots 41:24 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 42:21 Alt Rock Influences 43:22 Tattoo Tour Stories 50:02 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 50:43 Cemetery Job Tales 57:35 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 58:39 Hobbies and Walking 1:06:10 Waffle House Lore 1:14:11 Meeting Drum Heroes 1:18:24 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 1:19:06 Gigs w/ Brooke Lee 1:31:13 Horror Movies and Tattoos 1:32:18 Outro Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Rezo Custom Drum Heads https://rezoheads.com Music City Audiology https://www.musiccityaudiology.com Connect with Milo: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milosimpson_ Music Featured in this Episode: "paloma" - Ashley Anne "I Won't" - Justin Schools Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

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  Episode #93

  Weston Blatz: From Canada to Nashville, On Tour w/ Emily Ann Roberts, Career Milestones, Burnout & Anxiety

  Sep 7, 20261h 39mS1

  Welcome our first Canadian guest, Weston Blatz! Weston is the touring drummer for rising country artist Emily Ann Roberts. We dive into Weston's musical upbringing in Canada and the winding road that would eventually land him the gig with Emily, including a milestone-packed year performing at both the Ryman and the Grand Ole Opry. We discuss learning songs exactly like the record, memorizing without charts, plus the mental pressures of touring, and why being a good person and a good hang matters most. We hope you enjoy! Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:13 Welcome, Weston! 4:16 Canada Day and Surviving the Dream 7:55 Growing Up on Country and Rock 12:04 Learn the Record 15:08 Memorizing Without Charts 18:04 Why Nashville 22:05 Drum Box (Sponsor) 22:46 Landing the Gig w/ Emily Ann Roberts 23:11 Meeting Tracy Broussard 25:49 Losing the Audition 37:11 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 38:10 Broadway Grind 47:18 Burnout and Anxiety 57:13 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 57:55 Opry and Ryman Milestones 1:06:55 Imposter Syndrome 1:09:55 Goals and Self-Talk 1:11:25 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 1:12:26 Being A Good Hang 1:15:02 Confidence vs Ego 1:16:07 Tracks and Ableton Setup 1:20:43 K-WAT Drum Co. (Sponsor) 1:21:31 Tour Cities and Hobbies 1:24:25 First Drum Kit 1:26:58 Gear and Endorsements 1:37:31 Outro Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: K-WAT Drum Co. https://www.k-watdrumco.com Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Rezo Custom Drum Heads https://rezoheads.com Connect with Westson: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westonjblatzdrums Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westonjakeblatz Music Featured in this Episode: "Whipped" - Emily Ann Roberts Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

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  Episode #92

  Kyle Wilkerson: On Tour w/ Jordan Davis, Golf & Sports, Routines & Professionalism, Career Longevity & Family

  Aug 24, 20261h 51mS1

  Welcome North Carolina native, Kyle Wilkerson! Kyle is the touring drummer for multi-platinum, award-winning country artist Jordan Davis. We dive straight into Kyle's career, discussing family life, golf-centered touring routines, and memorable courses and markets like Europe and Australia. Kyle recounts moving to Nashville in 2010 after Appalachian State, leaving education and classical percussion plans to focus on drum set, beginning his Nashville career through radio tour with Maddie & Tae, later joining Michael Ray, and subbing for Jordan Davis in 2020 before joining full-time in 2021. He shares pragmatic advice on evaluating gigs, professionalism, and relationships, plus views on Broadway, changing Nashville, and the importance of learning Ableton/playback. He outlines gear, endorsements, and emphasizes staying healthy, present as a parent, and taking action without waiting. We hope you enjoy! Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:06 Welcome, Kyle! 1:17 Morning Routines 2:41 Golf and Drumming 5:02 Favorite Courses 6:01 Move to Nashville in 2010 7:46 Jordan Davis Early Years 9:39 COVID-Era Gigs 10:44 "Buy Dirt" Breakthrough 12:19 Maddie & Tae Radio Tour 19:53 Switching Gigs 28:52 Drum Box (Sponsor) 29:34 Touring Europe and Australia 32:10 Linkin Park Night Off 33:05 Band Life and Festival Season 34:03 Playback, Tech, & Ableton 45:24 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 46:05 Early Influences and Jazz 51:11 Finding Your Passion 54:21 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 55:18 Classical Percussion Carryover 59:56 Nashville Then vs Now 1:13:19 Family Doubts and Validation 1:15:08 Raising a Family 1:20:41 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 1:21:45 Career Milestones and Venues 1:24:30 Relationships and Rates 1:27:25 Keeping the Show Fresh 1:31:42 Festival Sets & Country Covers 1:34:51 Endorsements 1:40:57 Career Longevity 1:43:40 Rapid Fire Food Talk 1:45:27 Spurs Fandom and Soccer 1:47:29 IG Handle Story 1:49:50 Outro Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Rezo Custom Drum Heads https://rezoheads.com Connect with Kyle: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flatbillionaire Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyle.wilkerson.395 Music Featured in this Episode: "Tucson Too Late" - Jordan Davis & NEEDTOBREATHE (Live at CMT Crossroads) "Next Thing You Know" - Jordan Davis (Live at CMA Fest 2024) Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

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  Episode #91

  Mace Santa Maria: On Tour w/ 76th Street, Tornsey, Brooke Alexx, LGBTQ+ Community, Avoiding Burnout

  Aug 3, 20261h 42mS1

  Welcome Arizona native, Mace Santa Maria! We cover Mace's move from Phoenix to Nashville four years ago, following a formative year at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. She discusses learning the drums at age 10, major influences like the Jonas Brothers' drummer Jack Lawless (whom she recently met), and how Broadway demands fast adaptation through cues, band-specific arrangements, and on-the-fly decisions. Mace breaks down her unique Pelican-case rig, Nashville do's and don'ts, and opportunities for live streaming and subscription-based content. She details touring with indie-pop artists Brooke Alexx, 76th Street, and Tornsey, building Ableton show transitions, maintaining health and alone time on the road to avoid burnout, and the importance of LGBTQ+ community and representation in her career. We hope you enjoy! Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:53 Welcome, Mace! 4:31 Broadway Connections 6:48 What's for Breakfast? 9:52 From Phoenix to Nashville 12:48 Early Drumming Roots 16:21 Meeting A Childhood Hero 19:35 Broadway Survival Skills 28:49 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 29:53 Broadway Rig Rundown 37:35 TikTok vs Instagram 42:07 Drum Box (Sponsor) 42:49 Queer Pop Tour Scene 53:50 Ableton Show Builds 56:29 Staying Healthy On Tour 1:01:24 Birthday Plans 1:03:55 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 1:04:37 Pizza/Candy Debate 1:10:54 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 1:11:52 Tour Highlights and Burnout 1:16:57 Music City Audiology 1:17:39 Charting and Music Education 1:29:09 Groove MPL (Sponsor) 1:30:20 Home Studio and Iron Maiden Mic 1:35:05 Tattoos and Hobbies 1:41:09 Outro Thank you to our Episode Sponsors: Rezo Custom Drum Heads https://rezoheads.com Drum Box https://drumbox.space Drum Supply https://www.drumsupply.com Low Boy Beaters https://lowboybeaters.com Music City Audiology https://www.musiccityaudiology.com Connect with Mace: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santamariuhhh YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@santamariuhhh TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@santamariuhhh Music Featured in this Episode: "She's My Handsome" - 76th Street Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

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  Nashville Drummers Podcast

  Music City Drum Show 2026 (LIVE Day 2)

  Jul 25, 20261h 45m

  Attendee and exhibitor interviews from the 2026 Music City Drum Show, July 18-19 in Nashville, TN. Register for the 2027 Music City Drum Show https://www.musiccitydrumshow.com Interviews 0:00 Intro 3:33 Kris Mazzarisi - Story Behind Big Fat Snare Drum 17:15 Derek Lee (Beat Note) - "Combining Passions" 24:48 Daniel Hegerle - "Favorite Event of the Year" 28:27 Taylor Morgan - "One Year in Nashville" 30:38 Alex Mortem - "Play Hard, Play Fast" 34:36 Shawn Tracht - "The Great American Drum Shop Road Trip" 57:26 Mace Santa Maria - "Girls Stick Together" 1:03:43 Majo Herrera - "Enjoying the Process" 1:06:17 Christian Gendics - "Welcome to Town" 1:07:38 Ryan Whitt - "Keeping Things Rolling" 1:10:02 Ed Bettinelli - Thumb Thang 1:15:07 Ory Brochet - "Orybon Drums: Sound Different" 1:21:24 Josh Blount - Lucky Drums 1:24:00 Matt Bover - "Best Pizza in Nashville?" 1:30:34 Greg Hersey - "Innovation in Percussion Setups" 1:35:22 Jacob Robinson - "Learning by Doing" Support the show Connect with us: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

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