#280 Chris Smith- Chief Musician (Percussionist) for the Coast Guard Band and More!
Chief Musician Christopher Smith, percussion, joined the United States Coast Guard Band in February 2005. Originally from Danbury, Connecticut, MUC Smith did his undergraduate studies at the Hartt School in Hartford, Connecticut. He studied percussion with Benjamin Toth, orchestral percussion with Mike Werner of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, hand drumming with Glen Velez, Latin percussion with Johnny Almendra, and timpani with Alexander Lepak. MUC Smith has performed regularly with the New Haven Symphony, Orchestra New England, Bridgeport Symphony, Waterbury Symphony, and Ridgefield Symphony, as well as freelancing on the steel drums throughout the Northeast.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Carter McLean! Carter was born in San Francisco and shortly thereafter moved to Connecticut. This is where McLean listened to and fell in love with music and especially the drums. At age 10, he started his journey as a musician. Broadway wasn’t even on his radar when he started working at Manny’s Music in Manhattan just prior to 9/11. The self-taught musician had just wrapped up his studies at University of Colorado, Boulder and was hoping to land a gig with someone like Sting, Peter Gabriel or Paul Simon. But then, while working his shift and playing at the store, he got noticed by a vet of Stevie Wonder’s band Dennis Davis and got invited to play with legendary musician Roy Ayers in Harlem. While touring with Melvin Sparks in 2002 McLean was approached to be a sub at The Lion King in NYC. This eventually lead to McLean taking over the chair at the hit show in 2011.
From Charlie Hunter to the Lion King on Broadway, McLean has been busy touring and doing studio work as well as having a busy teaching schedule. In addition McLean has shared the stage or recorded with Jamie McLean, Greg Holden, Charlie Hunter, Victor Wooten, Anthony Hamilton, Bernie Worrell (Parlament Funkadelic), Fred Wesley (James Brown), Shelby Johnson (Prince), Melanie Gabriel (Peter Gabriel) Leni Stern, Matt Duke and many others. Carter also released a new album called Travelers.
Happy Birthday to Brian Frasier-Moore. Brian 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
Bryant Park Is Hosting 26 Incredible Free Outdoor Concerts This Summer, Featuring New York City Opera, American Symphony Orchestra, Joe’s Pub and the Classical Theater of Harlem! -Article
Hudson Yards Is Hosting Free Outdoor Concerts For The First Time This Summer
"Backyard at Hudson Yards" will be headlined by a new, free 10-week concert series programmed by The Bowery Presents featuring today’s emerging artists. -Article
Here Are The Dates For NY Philharmonic’s Free Outdoor Park Concerts
Following the announcement of Bryant Park's Picnic Performances, more free outdoor musical events are returning to NYC this summer including The NY Philharmonic's "Concerts in the Parks" series. -Article
Damon has some upcoming gigs as well. -Website
Educational Spotlight
Aaron Sterling is hosting another King Dojo series in Nashville on June 3rd and June 4th. It’s an 8 hour day in a recording studio with me and a small group of people like yourself. Typically no more than 15 people. The main purpose for me is to connect one on one with each person in the room and answer as many questions as I can regarding drumming, engineering, production, touring, session work, business, etc.
Product Review
The product review is the new Moon Mic by DW.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording for this week was chosen by Chris Smith. It is the song “Crystal Silence” by Chick Corea and Gary Burton. This version is from 2003 from the ‘Rendezvous in New York’ album.
Music News
Damon is speaking at the DIY Musician Conference in Austin, TX from August 26-28th. For discounted tickets, please CLICK HERE.
There’s some more details in the video below.
Chris Smith Interview
The song leading into the interview is the main theme from Star Wars performed by the Coast Guard Band.
Damon starts the interview with mentioning other Chris Smiths that play drums.
Damon met Chris initially through his father, David Smith. Chris comes from a musical family with his brother Kevin, who plays bass and his mom Judith, who plays cello.
Chris attended the Manhattan School of Music Prep.
Chris attended The Hartt School of Music for college. At Hartt is where he started expanding the range of instruments played, like steel pan.
Chris’ pan is made by Kyle Dunleavy. Shout-out to Victor Provost.
One of the groups/artists Chris played pans with was friend of the show, Arthur Lipner.
Shout-out to David Gaskin.
After Hartt, Chris was back and forth from Hartford to Danbury, CT. He played gigs and practiced for about a year before he won the audition for the Coast Guard Band.
Some of the military premier bands can be found by CLICKING HERE.
You can find some orchestral audition postings by CLICKING HERE or CLICKING HERE.
Chris talks about his audition and preparation.
There is NO BOOT CAMP for the Coast Guard Band, but you have to go to the Cape May facility to get fitted for uniforms and learn the customs and courtesies for that branch of service.
The Coast Guard Band, is stationed in New London at the Academy.
Chris has a 30’ Catalina sailboat. Damon has his eye on a Hinkley Picnic or a Zeelander Z55 (if he can ever get enough money).
Chris talks about a typical week and assigning parts as the principal.
Chris talks about being a how to be a better sightreader.
Chris also talks about how to audition better.
Chris talks about his iron man and marathon excursions.
Damon talks about using an anti fatigue mat under his rug when standing and playing.
Chris talks about effective practice vs getting out of the practice room.
He talks about upcoming Coast Guard events.
Chris talks about his warmup routine.
Chris picks the iconic recording (see above). Shout-out to Fred hinger and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Shout-out to Ben Toth, Chris’ teacher at Hartt and also for bringing in guest artists like: Glen Velez, Johnny Almendra, Dave Samuels and others.
Chris’ go-to orchestral snare is a 5”x14” Clevelander Brass Snare Drum.
PRO TIP: If you have to bring your own gear to an audition, make sure it is light so you can carry it from place to place and still execute the music effectively.
Chris’ favorite drumset snare is the Pearl MH5314DG 14x6.5 Mahogany Classic Limited Edition Snare Drum with Exotic Burl Mahogany.
Chris mentions he has a bunch of drums (mostly are in his basement).
Chris stresses the importance of a working car.
Shout-out to Ben Toth and David Smith.
Bonus excerpt is Chris’ coffee routine/obsession.
You can follow Chris on Facebook and Instagram.
The song leading out of the interview is called “El Chupacabra” by Sean Nelson's New London Big Band, from the ‘Social Hour!’ album.
