#156 Drew McKeon- Drummer for Michael Bolton, Hall & Oates and More!
Photograph on the thumbnail was taken by Leo Mascaro.
Drew McKeon is an NYC-based session drummer/multi-instrumentalist who has toured and performed with Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Hall & Oates and Daryl Hall (solo), Grammy Award winner, Michael Bolton, Oscar winning duo, Pasek&Paul, Jimmy Buffett, Peter Cetera, Richard Marx, Julian Lennon, Todd Rundgren, Living Colour, Ben E. King, Dave Mason, Ron Pope, Bill Champlin, Shelea Frazier, Sam Moore, Antonique Smith, Hundred Hounds, The Broadway Boys, Darian Cunning, Harbor Party, Natalie Weiss, Carrie Manolakos, Chad Hollister Band, Jeff Tuohy and many others.
He currently serves as musical director for The Voice Season 10 winner, Alisan Porter, as well as Amanda Brown (Alicia Keys, Adele) and tours the world playing drums while conducting the orchestra for Michael Bolton in support of his latest release- A Symphony of Hits
Merry Christmas!
We hope everyone had a good time with family and loved ones! You can hear about the amazing food Damon had and the babies Marcos had lined up to play with.
Gig Alerts
Morgan James just released some preliminary tour dates for her band Memphis Magnetic and Damon will be a special guest on Friday Feb. 28th at the Fairfield Theatre Company Stage 1
Dec. 28th DJ Kilo will be returning to Bridgeport Connecticut’s oldest bar Murphy’s Law with Karibe Mambo featuring Manolo Mairena!
Educational Spotlight
The 7th World Vibes Congress will be on Saturday, January 4, 2020. It will be a day of clinics and workshops from some of the top vibraphonists and keyboard percussionists in the world: Stefon Harris (2020 WVC Hall of Fame inductee, “Harmony Cloud” app.); Warren Wolf; Tony Miceli; Ed Smith; Behn Gillece; and Arthur Lipner.
Steve Weiss Music will have a mallet/sheet music pop-up shop for all of your gear and repertoire needs. Lunch will also be provided by Steve Weiss Music, and the All-Star Vibes Jam will return at 7:30pm to the Langosta Lounge on the Asbury Park Boardwalk.
PAS Hall of Fame is open to nominate new inductees! The deadline for the application is Dec. 31st. You can check out their website to see who has received this great honor and to see what requirements you need to be inducted!
The Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame was established in 1972 and recognizes the contributions of the most highly regarded professional leaders in percussion performance, education, research, scholarship, administration, composition and the industry. Inductees demonstrate the highest ideals and professional integrity to their profession to bring about significant events, substantive improvements in the world of percussion, and the betterment of the profession through exemplary services or acts.
Iconic Recording
This week’s iconic recording features the instrument LM2 in the song is “1999” by Prince. it was written in 1982 and this song was ranked #215 on Rolling stones’ greatest songs of all time. Prince shares lead vocals on the track with members of his band The Revolution, namely Dez Dickerson, Lisa Coleman and Jill Jones.
Product Review
For this week, the product review is on the LM2. If you want to read more on the history of this product you can click here.
Linn Electronics' LM-1 was the world's first programmable sampled-sound drum machine. Announced in 1979, this first product of Linn Electronics started a revolution in 1980s popular music. Originally sold for $5,000 each, only about 500 were ever made, but those 500 owners were a "who's who" of the music industry.
You can purchase one yourself online, they range from $3,000 - $10,000 depending on the condition. If you can’t drop 3k on a sampler then Marcos has shared with us an alternative, Spark VDM by Arturia. It’s a compilation of all those famous drum samples.
Music News
Unexpected Expenses To Prepare For As A Musician - Sam Bowman - Article
CALIFORNIA'S MUSIC ECONOMY IS ABOUT TO CRASH - Ari Herstand - Article
I MET WITH AB5 AUTHOR ASSEMBLYWOMAN GONZALEZ. HERE'S HOW IT WENT - Ari Herstand - Article
New York State Contributes $3.75 Million To Build a ‘Universal Hip Hop Museum’ - Ashley King - Article
A History Of The 'Big' Business Of Hip-Hop - As heard on “Fresh Air” - Article
The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop - Book
Tennessee Politician Tries to Replace a Racist KKK Statue With a Dolly Parton Statue, But Faces Stiff Resistance - Ashley King - Article
Sen. Amy Klobuchar Slams ‘Broken Ticket Industry’ as Justice Department Prepares Legal Action Against Live Nation - Colin Cohen - Article
The song going into the interview is “By Far” by Darian Cunning off the ‘The Lost and Found Channel’ album
This interview is conducted in Drew’s parent’s house on Christmas. Both Damon and Drew sported Santa hats. This photo is taken in front of the Van Halen “shrine” that is talk about later in the interview.
Damon and Drew met at Viva Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant during a steady gig he had.
Shoutout to the #CTMAFIA of musicians. Some of those that came to Viva’s are pictured below.
Drew used a Dr. Beat or Tama Rhythm watch to work on his time during gigs. Some of the bass players he mentions that he got to play with are Dan Asher, Dave Livolsi & Chris DeAngelis.
Drew attended Staples High School and then NYU for Religion and History.
Drew mentions living in NYC and being able to see great drummers like Ari Hoenig, Dan Weiss, (friend of the show) Zach Danziger, Mark Guiliana, (friend of the show) Josh Dion, Nat Townsley & Keith Carlock, all in one night due to the late hours and close proximity of venues in Manhattan.
While in NYC, Drew attended the Drummer’s Collective and studied with the late Kim Plainfield.
Shoutout to John Cutrone, Drew’s first drum teacher. You can catch John’s quartet on Sundays at the Sono Seaport Seafood Restaurant.
This is the Kim Plainfield book that Drew still uses.
Drew’s first concert was Air Supply, BUT he did get to go see Van Halen and attend the meet and greet before the shirt.
Drew has played with the “Who’s who of who’s that?” His first national tour was on the Vans Warped Tour.
He is currently on tour with Michael Bolton. He will be with Alisan Porter at the Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun.
Shoutout to Friendly’s Restaurant and Eliot Lewis for the impetus to Drew getting the gig with Hall & Oates. He mentions the late great Tom “T-Bone” Wolk.
The halloween story Damon tells is full of a night of drummers. From Chrissi Poland to Ryan Vaughn, Aaron Comess, Shawn Pelton, Mark Guiliana to Chris Pennie.
Drew took some lessons from Shawn Pelton at his apartment in NYC. Drew used to see him play the Rob Mathes Christmas concert each year. The song and album Drew mentions is Patty Larkin, “Me and That Train”.
This is the Keith Carlock fill that Drew was talking about.
The Steve Gadd quote is “It’s the fills that bring the thrills, but the groove that pays the bills”.
The show Drew mentions called “Clash of the Choirs” had a team coached by his current boss, Michael Bolton, which featured Ryan (O’Neill) Smith.
Drew has been going to St. Barth’s to play the Baz Bar for several years and has played with tons of artists that have come through there.
Drew’s least favorite album from his favorite band is either the “Spaghetti Incident” or “Chinese Democracy” by Gun’s and Roses.
Drew’s prize possession are John Varvatos triple buckle boots. Pictured below.
Drew worked at Mitchell’s of Westport helping inspire his fashion sense. Also, Charvet ties aren’t cheap. Drew talks about Zach Danziger in his development of the Kerope Cymbals.
Drew’s current rotation includes: Prince “Love.....Thy Will Be Done”, Fantasia’s album “Sketchbook”, Paul McCartney’s “Oratorio”, (Shameless plug to the Discussions in Percussion Christmas Playlist) Phoebe Bridges “Georgia”, Vince Gill, Joni Mitchell, David Ramirez, & Blake Mills.
Drew always brings a bluetooth speaker with him on the road. He currently has a JBL one. Always has his in-ear monitors as headphones, sometimes his laptop.
Drew has used meditation to help him get through some dark times. If you are in a dark place or know someone who is, you can reach out or call the suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or go HERE. If you want to try therapy, you can use Talkspace. Non-profit suicide prevention group LightHopeLife has announced a new division of its non-profit called ‘Tour Support’. It’s aimed at supporting the mental health of musicians and crew traveling for months on the road. Additionally, Mental health and wellness resources for the music industry can be found by visiting Backline (dot) Care.
Here are some meditation apps: Waking Up App, 10% Happier, Calm & Headspace.
Garth Algar is from the movie/SNL skit Wayne’s World.
Drew uses Yamaha Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vater Drumsticks and Protection Racket Cases.
You can follow Drew on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The song leading out of the interview is Time, Love Tenderness by Michael Bolton from the “A Symphony of Hits” album.
