#199 Brian Frasier-Moore- Drummer for Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson & More!
Brian Frasier-Moore, born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, grew up in church playing drums at the age of 5. His professional career started 1993 and continues to the present. He has performed with artists like: The Whitehead Brothers, Les Nubians, Jill Scott, Glenn Lewis, Aaliyah, Usher, Goodie Mob, Patti LaBelle, George Howard, Vivian Green, Bruce Parham(Gospel), Ernie Sanders(Gospel), Steve Middleton(Gospel), Vikter Duplaix, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Billy Paul, Bunny Sigler,Teddy Pendergrass, James Poyser, Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Ciara, Eric Benet, Ginuine, Toni Braxton, Keny "Babyface" Edmonds, Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Timbaland, Queen Latifah. More of his recording credits can be found by CLICKING HERE.
Gig Alerts
Artists including Marshmello, Demi Lovato, YG, The Foo Fighters, Reba McEntire, and The Roots are set to livestream performances as part of this weekend’s Save Our Stages Festival (#SOSFEST), which will raise money for the National Independent Venue Association’s emergency-relief fund. -Article
On the heels of the $10 billion Save Our Stages act, currently before Congress, that aims to bring federal relief to independent venues across the U.S. comes #SaveLiveEventsNow. The new initiative that looks beyond venues and aims to expand government relief for the more than 12 million live event workers across the United States who have been out of work since concerts, plays, comedy shows, and all other events shut down in March. -Article
There is more info on Save Live Events Now on their WEBSITE, and you can check out NIVA (National Independent Venue Association) on their WEBSITE.
On Tuesday, the New York Philharmonic announced that it has canceled all of its scheduled concerts through June 13, 2021. It is the first time in the orchestra's 178-year history that it has canceled an entire season.
The last time that the orchestra played together was an open rehearsal on the morning of March 12; by the afternoon, venues across New York City shut down. Tuesday's announcement from the New York Philharmonic comes just days after the Broadway League announced that Broadway will remain closed until at least May 30. -Article
Educational Spotlight
You can register for PASIC now before ticket prices go up on November 2nd.
Brian will be giving a clinic during the two-day virtual event, as well as loads of other people. You can take a look at the FULL SCHEDULE to see who is at what time. There is also an individuals competition you can participate in.
Product Review
Damon and Brian have both upgraded their home studios and you can too. With the help of THIS ARTICLE, you can get started in making plans.
The article doesn’t talk about room treatment, but below is a quick video for upgrading your room on a budget.
You can also download a free home studio handbook HERE. We also did a three part “setting up your home studio” series in Episodes 26, ep 27 & ep 28.
Below is an image of the list of mics recommended by Aaron Sterling that won’t break the bank that Damon mentions on the episode.
Lastly, You can see a few of the recent studio upgrades Damon has made that he talked about on the episode, and listen to what that sounds like.
Damon also talks about adding cameras and lights to your studio for video recording. Besides your phone or tablet (make sure you change the video settings to a higher quality), you can use GoPros or Apeman cameras.
You can get a ring light, or a basic light kit with backdrop as well.
Iconic Recording
This week’s iconic recording is “Jungle Fever” by the group The Chakachas out of Belgium (also known as Les Chakachas or Los Chakachas). It was featured in the movie “Boogie Nights”. The song was written by pianist and arranger Willy Albimoor (as Bill Ador). The band was formed by bandleader Gaston Boogaert, percussion, Kari Kenton, vocals and maracas; Vic Ingeveldt (a Dutchman from Liege), saxophone; Charlie Lots, trumpet; Christian Marc, piano; Henri Breyre, guitar and backing vocals; and Bill Raymond, bass guitar. All were native to Schaarbeek (a district of Brussels), or nearby Charleroi, Willebroek and Liege.
The song was added to the Pop Percussion playlist on Spotify that Damon mentions in the episode.
Music News
After months of back-and-forth negotiations – and multiple impasses – it appears that lawmakers will reach a decision concerning a pre-election second stimulus check within the next 48 hours. -Article
Brian Frasier-Moore Interview
Brian is doing a clinic at PASIC on Saturday November 14th. You can watch online by REGISTERING HERE.
He talks about what will be in the clinic, including, his process and the new album he is currently working on.
Brian has a consultation service that will help you get better faster. He also offers private lessons too!
Brian talks about the help he received from Chris Achzet (and his company Los Angeles Drum Services) in getting him on the road to learning the electronics side of things.
Brian talks about the difference with having a percussion pad and drum triggers that clip onto the drum.
Brian talks about some of his heroes growing up. Shout out to: Joel Smith, Jeff Davis, Gerald Heyward, Lil’ John Roberts, Anthony “Spike” McCray, & Kevin Bronson. After that, Dave Weckl.
Brian talks about the intricacies of playing the super bowl multiple times. Damon and Brian worked together with Madonna in 2012 for the Super Bowl halftime show as well as the MDNA tour. You can see two clips from that tour. CLIP 1 - CLIP 2.
Brian talks about Shakira wanting to play the drums during the super bowl (starting at 7:06)
Brian posts diamond thoughts to his instagram page, and you can get all of them in a book from him as well.
Since Covid has hit, Brian has switched his focus to primarily recording from his new home studio.
Be on the lookout for your BFM World PJs so you too can record from home in your slippers.
Brian has come out with a custom snare drum with the help of Pearl Drums. You can ORDER HERE. There is also a custom case available by Humes & Berg too.
You can see a demonstration of the snare drum from 2020 Namm below.
Brian talks about some of the sonic influences in what he wanted his snare drum to sound like. From “Flyin’ Away” by the Winans, to “Until I Found The Lord” by Walter Hawkins, to “Master Plan” by Dave Weckl.
The musician’s insurance that Damon brings up is with the company Music Pro Insurance. There’s another company that is also reputable called Clarion Musical Instrument Insurance.
Brian talks about the duties of being a sideman, and how that works with the corporation of working with a high-profile artist. One of the Musical Directors Brian works with a bunch is Adam Blackstone and his company BASSic Black Entertainment.
There is a great musical scene in the Philly area churches, as well as the High School for Performing Arts. Some of the people other than Brian that grew up in and around that scene were: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Christian McBride, Kurt Rosenwinkel, the gentlemen in Boyz II Men, Andre Harris and Vidal Davis (aka Dre & Vidal), DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Touch of Jazz Crew, Lil’ John Roberts, James Poyser, Jamar Jones, Maurice Welcher, Erik Tribbett, George "Spanky" McCurdy, Eric “Boots” Green, & Lil’ Darrell Robinson (who hosts the Thanksgiving Shed).
Brian talks about the musical history of Philly and mentions the production team of Gamble and Huff and the rhythm section was made up of members of MFSB, later known as TSOP. The drummer on a lot of those produtions is Earl Young and the percussionist was Larry “Bongo” Washington.
Damon brings up the Philly bombing that occurred in 1985.
Brian talks about people skills and knowing what people expect of him. For help with that in your own career, you can schedule a consultation with him.
Be on the lookout for the new album that Brian is working on now!
Brian’s Mt. Rushmore of inspirations when he was a kid Garfield Williams and Anthony “Spike” McCray. Into his teens and beyond: Lil’ John Roberts, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Omar Hakim, Dennis Chambers and even Dom Famularo.
Brian talks about the VR technology coming soon and the company Eyeora that he is working with to create virtual reality landscapes to perform in.
Brian uses Pearl Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Evans Drum Heads, Vater Drumsticks, Roland Electronics, Mogami Cables, Drumstatic Custom Drumheads, Humes and Berg Cases, Focusrite Interfaces, SE Microphones, Dauz Electronics, and Shy Baffles.
You can follow Brian on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Brian talks about endorsements, shout-out to the late Ricky Lawson, and other important aspects of the music business.
Damon mentions the Tom Petty 70th Birthday Bash that will be streaming online as well.
