#412 Chris Coleman- Drummer for Prince, Chaka Khan, Beck, New Kids on the Block & More!
This week’s guest is Chris Coleman. Chris has been playing drums since the ripe old age of 2, sitting on his uncle's knee in church. He traveled with his father and uncles who performed together in a gospel ensemble.
In his youth he practiced relentlessly with the aim of making it big as a drummer. In Junior high school he earned numerous awards in band competitions, including 1st place for instrumental soloist three years running.
He also took top honors in his hometown "Music Appreciation Awards" at the age of 14, and began traveling throughout the country with several gospel groups including Marvin Winans, Edwin Hawkins, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong - as well as performing with five jazz/variety/show bands.
In 1999, Chris graduated with honors from the Drummer's Collective. He was offered a scholarship to Berklee School of Music, was accepted into Manhattan School of Music, and received a recommendation from Ed Soph to attend North Texas State. He opted instead to return to his hometown of Saginaw, Michigan to start full-time ministry and ATW Global. He moved briefly to Cleveland to join the instructional staff at Christian Music Academy.
December 8, 2001, Chris was honored to win 1st place in the National Drum Competition sponsored by Guitar Center, which hosted 30,000+ drummers. He then came to Atlanta to study Bass guitar at AIM, where he was pleased to accept a position teaching drums. In addition to his teaching, Chris keeps a busy schedule touring. He has toured with Pastor Creflo A. Dollar Ministries throughout the country since June 2002, and has traveled to over 40 cities in 3 countries with praise and worship band "Israel and New Breed" since September 2003.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Amy Smith! Amy is a nationally recognized performer and educator. As a member of the percussion group, The Caixa Trio (www.caixatrio.com) she has performed in France, Puerto Rico, Korea, Mexico, Brazil. In addition, Amy has performed with many orchestras including the Nashville Symphony, the Evansville Philharmonic, the Boulder Philharmonic, and the Sewanee Festival Orchestra. She is a sought after clinician and has presented workshops and master classes throughout the United States. A former resident of Tennessee, Amy was a band director for the Murfreesboro City Schools and the director of Steel de Boro, an elementary steel drum band. Under Smith’s direction, Steel de Boro performed at prestigious events including the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the National Staff Development Council, and the Housing and Urban Development Conference. Amy was the national winner of the 1996 MTNA Collegiate Percussion Competition. She was a marimba soloist with the Boulder Bach Festival in Colorado and was also a member of the 1994 Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. In 2001, Smith studied African Music and Dance abroad in Ghana, West Africa. Amy holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Performer’s Certificate from Pennsylvania State University. She received her Master of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she was awarded a Chancellor’s Fellowship. Her former teachers include Frank Giguere, Dan Armstrong, Cort McClaren, Doug Walter, and Paschal Younge. Amy is an endorser of Innovative Percussion, Pearl/Adams Musical Instruments, Evans Drum Heads, and Grover Pro Percussion. Currently Amy is the orchestra. mariachi and percussion director at Young Women's Leadership Academy. She lives in El Paso, Texas with her husband, percussionist Andy Smith, and their two children.
Happy Birthday to Master Sergeant Glenn Robertson! Glenn Robertson is from Spencer, Massachusetts. From a very young age Glenn had a passion for drumming and rhythm. At the age of 4 he started honing his craft by playing on a cheap Sears drum set and mimicking a Simon Philips concert video and Pete Townshend’s Live From the Deep End. During his high school years Glenn won many awards and accolades and decided he should pursue music even deeper.
In the fall of 2000, Glenn went on to study at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. There, Glenn was fortunate enough to be instructed by three of the most influential people in his life: World renowned clinicians and artists Thom Hannum, Eduardo Leandro, and Bob Gullotti. Glenn earned his degree in 2005. During his college years he was rewarded with the International Association of Jazz Educators Outstanding Musician Award and three Down Beat Magazine Awards. In 2004, Vic Firth recognized Glenn's talents as an up and coming artist and offered him an endorsement deal. Smith Drum Company and Samson Technologies were the next to follow and also added Glenn to their artist's roster in 2005.
Glenn performed with the Funk/Rock group, The Bomb Squad, which won an American Music Award in 2003 and has shared the stage with such groups as George Clinton and the 420 Funk Mob, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Stefon Harris, Russ Gershon, as well as Ernie Watts, Adam Kolker, and Jeff Holmes. Glenn's comprehensive musical talent can be heard on his past recordings with The Missing Lance Project, and Spirit House Records recording artist, Barry Kingston and the Screaming Souls. He has played with Andrew Jones and Spirit House, an array of jazz groups from Massachusetts and Connecticut. Glenn has also played at Presidential Inaugurations for Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barak Obama, the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Glenn is currently Sergeant First Class in the Army Field band where he plays drums as well as a founding member of the Six String Soldiers.
Happy Birthday to Richie Flores! Richie is one of the most in demand percussionists of today’s active music scene. Born in Brooklyn, New York, raised in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Richie was a prodigious child that began playing congas at the early age of 5. He embarked on his professional career by age 8 playing with Grupo Batacumbele and Roberto Roena and the Apollo Sound. By age 13, he traveled to New York to play with Roberto Roena at the Village Gate, making him one of the youngest musicians ever to travel with a band outside of Puerto Rico. He continued performing professionally while studying percussion at the highly regarded Escuela Libre de Musica in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.
Richie’s musical career continued to evolve by playing with some of the most respected and celebrated artists in Music today such as Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Cachao, The Fania All Stars, Gato Barbieri, Hilton Ruiz, David Sanchez, Tropijazz All Stars, Jack Bruce of Cream, McCoy Tyner and even the Beastie Boys. He has participated on many notable recordings, including the Grammy Award Winning albums “Master Sessions – Volume I,” 1995 by Cachao, Dave Samuels 2003 “The Gathering” and The Celia Cruz 2002-2003 double Grammy winner album “La negra tiene tumbao”. Grammy nominated albums “Arete” by Eddie Palmieri in 1996 and on “Palmas” in 1994, as well as David Sanchez’s Grammy nominated album “Obsession” in 1997 and many more. He played for President Clintons Inauguration in 1998 and for the UN…All the Presidents around the world in 2000.
Happy Birthday to Mike Bennett! Mike is an internationally recognized drummer, percussionist, programmer, producer & composer working with many of today's top stars as well as legends of the music industry.
His tremendous musicality and high energy performances has led DRUM! Magazine to call him, "a full fledged chameleon, showing restraint or blasting chops when called for, with a clean sound, metronomic feel and a distinctly melodic soloing style." Modern Drummer Magazine agrees saying that Bennett is, "on the fast track... a versatile drummer who has built a reputation as one of L.A.'s finest."
Able to easily cross many contemporary and world genres, Bennett has performed and/or recorded with artists such as Hilary Duff, Richie Kotzen, Steve Stevens, Charlie Wilson, Pitbull, Benise, Andra Day, Mary Mary, Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter, Common, Prince, Slash, Stevie Wonder, Marie Digby, Jamie Foxx, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and many others all over the globe. He has also made television appearances on programs such as The Tonight Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Good Morning America, The Today show and many more.
Off stage, Bennett is an in-demand producer, programmer and television/film composer for networks including NBC, ABC, FX, HISTORY, DISCOVERY, MTV, VH1, HGTV, DISNEY CHANNEL, A&E, BRAVO, Lifetime, ABC Family and many others.
Mike Bennett proudly endorses Yamaha Drums, DTX Electronics, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Aquarian Drumheads & LP Percussion.
Gig Alerts
Coachella announced the festival line up for APR 11-13 & 18-20 2025.
Primus currently taking submissions from all points in the universe for the position of Primus drummer/percussionist. They are seeking a well-mannered, affable individual with original sensibility and aesthetic, possessing a desire to open new doors in the creative world.
Flashy chops are wonderful, but groove, pocket, and the ability to listen, react, and contribute to the musical conversation is a must. You can submit resume and a recent video performance to:
drumsearch@primusville.com.
The University of Delaware is now accepting applications for a Marching Band PERCUSSION Teaching Assistant for Fall 2025. AWARDS: Full tuition scholarship and $27,000 assistantship APPLY by January 15, 2025 (http://www.udel.edu/0012658) AUDITION: Wednesday–Saturday, January 22-25, 2025, or recorded submission HERE ARE THE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS. ENSEMBLE DIRECTORS: Prof. Brooke Johnson and (friend of the show) Prof. James Ancona CONTACT: musicadmissions@udel.edu
The next installment of the New York Percussion Series, with “The Percussion People” will take place on Monday, February, 10th at 7pm at The Players Theater in the West Village of NYC. The host and leader of the percussion people is friend of the show Michael Sgouros. The special guest is (friend of the show) Arthur Lipner.
Educational Spotlight
The educational spotlight is the new Vibraphone solos book that Arthur Lipner put out through his company, Malletworks Music.
Product Review
The product review this week is Steve Jordan’s gear store, hosted by Sweetwater. If you’re interested in anything he is selling over there, go get it before it disappears!
Iconic Recording
There were a lot of songs Chris chose for the iconic recordings, but he narrowed down to the album, ‘Petite Blonde’ with Dennis Chambers on drums. Damon chose “Two Price Hit” as the song from that album.
Damon also mentioned the video “In The Pocket” with John Scofield and the Serious Moves video.
Music News
When Live Nation banned personal folding chairs from their events at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), fans were outraged at the new rule. Then Live Nation started selling their own folding chairs for $15, sparking even more ire from concertgoers. And it’s not just SPAC — 31 of the 37 amphitheaters listed on Live Nation’s website ban or will ban outside chairs. -Article
The 58th annual Country Music Association Awards kicked off in Nashville on Wednesday, recognizing the year’s biggest talent across the genre. -Article
Chris Coleman Interview
The song leading into the interview is called, “Glow Up” by Chris.
Damon mentions the flight tracker map.
The interview starts with Damon instigating a story about Chris’ encounter with Prince. Chris sets the record strait with the details.
Shout-out to friends of the show, Brian Frasier-Moore, and Teddy Campbell as well as Gordon Campbell and Rex Hardy Jr.
Shout-out to Lil John Roberts and the song, “777-9311” by The Time.
Chris talks about Tal Wilkenfeld and the drummers collective.
Chris mentions touring with New Kids on the Block, Sheila E, Chaka Khan, and more.
Chris grew up playing in church at the Greater Coleman Temple COGIC in Saginaw, MI then in the summers he would stay in Memphis, TN with his grandparents.
Chris talks about gospel vs. secular music and how he navigates it.
Chris talks about his wardrobe choices.
Chris talks about working hard and hustling.
Before drums full time, Chris was a correctional officer. His dream was to become a Navy Seal. In addition Chris was a barber, worked at a gas station, worked at Continental Airlines, and more!
Chris talks about working his way up at a snowmobile shop.
Chris has played bass, piano, sax and trumpet in addition to drums.
Chris talks about his choice to attend The Drummer’s Collective.
Chris picks the iconic recording. He starts by mentioning anything with Dana Davis on drums. Specifically Ron Winans album “Family and Friends”. He also mentions Joel Smith, and wraps it up with the aforementioned album Petite Blonde.
Chris uses Sonor Drums, Meinl Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Evans Drumheads, Gruv Gear Bags and Cases, Drum Dots, Sennheiser Microphones, and DW Hardware.
Shout-out to James “Diamond” Williams, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, (friend of the show) Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Dave Weckl and his uncle.
