The Rich Redmond Show

On this episode of The Rich Redmond Show, acclaimed Nashville session drummer Chris McHugh talks about the instincts and human connection behind great music. Chris reflects on growing up in a music-loving family, moving to Nashville with Whiteheart, and building a career spanning thousands of recording credits. Rich, Jim, and Chris get into AI and music-making, the value of spontaneity in live performance and recording, the sounds and gear shaping today’s drum tracks, and what it takes to make it as a session musician. Timed highlights: 00:38 – Chris’s Philadelphia-area childhood and musical upbringing 05:04 – Dan Huff, Giant, and why songs connect across genres 07:45 – A live session demonstration that brings the recording process to an audience 09:59 – AI, creativity, and what human musicians bring to a performance 12:42 – Spontaneous playing and responding to a singer in the moment 19:54 – Chris’s move to Nashville and early years with Whiteheart 22:02 – A career in recording: credits, records, and the changing role of liner notes 29:30 – Live music, backing tracks, and what audiences respond to 39:41 – Keith Urban’s Flow State and recording yacht-rock favorites together 46:09 – Drum sounds, tea towels, and the trend toward thuddy snares 57:27 – Tuning drums to a song’s key and preserving their dynamics 1:03:09 – Developing feel through listening, practice, and playing with others 1:23:55 – Chris’s advice for aspiring Nashville session musicians 1:47:38 – Staying grounded after a demanding day in the studio 1:50:27 – The band Chris would choose to tribute Links: Chris’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrismchugh/?hl=en Chris’s Website: http://www.chrismchugh.com/ Podcast Production: https://itsyourshow.co Rich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.com The Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

On this episode of The Rich Redmond Show, Rich and Jim welcome Nashville-based drummer Jarred Pope for a wide-ranging conversation about life on the road, finding his place in the music business, and keeping rock and roll alive. Jarred shares stories from his work with Tom Keifer, Brother Kane, Gene Simmons, and other artists, and talks about the value of reading charts, learning by watching great players, and building a distinctive sound behind the kit. Some records Jarred has done: -Mother Funk Conspiracy -Crosby Loggins and the Light “We All Go Home” great album, but hard to find -Damon Johnson “Echo” Ep, “Birmingham Tonight Live” live album, Memoirs of an uprising Damon Johnson and the Get Ready “Battle Lessons” my favorite DJ record by far… Of course, The Brother Cane “Magnolia Medicine” and Tom Keifer Band “Rise” Timed Highlights: 00:00 — Introducing Jarred Pope and his move to Nashville 05:00 — ’70s rock, touring, and life on the road 11:00 — Reading charts and learning songs 17:00 — Vinnie Colaiuta, drumming influences, and gear 23:00 — Nashville’s Rock and Roll Residency and the Gene Simmons band 30:00 — Touring with Tom Keifer and band chemistry 37:00 — California roots, early gigs, and musical influences 44:00 — Family, touring life, and Jarred’s grandson’s onstage debut 51:00 — Brother Kane, recording sessions, and favorite projects 58:00 — Rush, making music your own, and drummer influences 1:06:00 — Dream tribute bands and final thoughts 1:18:00 — Wrap-up and closing remarks Links: Jarred’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarredwpope/?hl=en Podcast Production: https://itsyourshow.co Rich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.com The Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Peter Keys joins Rich Redmond and Jim McCarthy to talk about his wild journey from George Clinton and P-Funk to auditioning for, and ultimately joining, one of rock’s most legendary bands. Peter shares how he prepped for the Skynyrd audition in just days, why learning every part of a song changes your musicianship, and how his Stoner Creek Studio and label are shaping his next creative chapter. Perfect for musicians, rock fans, and anyone obsessed with the craft and career of making music for a living. 00:00 – Intro: Show production tag & Rich’s gym accident (seven staples, hat talk) 02:20 – Hat fashion, personal branding & “on‑brand” looks 05:05 – Introducing Peter Keys: Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist & resume overview 08:10 – Musical philosophy: “12 notes,” learning every part of the song 12:30 – Drummers as “New York City traffic cops” & live arrangement triage 16:00 – Peter’s geographic journey: East Coast, NorCal, Atlanta, Detroit, Nashville 20:15 – San Francisco in the ’80s: club scene, name‑drops & musical influences 24:10 – George Clinton & P‑Funk era, alumni, “on the one,” funk talk 28:30 – Stoner Creek Studio: post‑COVID build, gear, coffee priorities 31:40 – Touring with Skynyrd: buses, routing, crews & road life realities 35:20 – Dad rock, “Drummer Dad” concept & social media content ideas 39:00 – Kids, marriages, blended family & starting Stoner Creek Records 42:10 – Peter’s kids as musicians, YouTube University & discouraging music careers 45:00 – AI & music (Suno, demos, soul vs. algorithms, using AI as a sketch pad) 49:00 – Nashville growth, Lower Broadway grind & musician survival odds 52:00 – Keyboard competition in Nashville & working live vs. studio 54:40 – Social media flyers, AI graphics & authenticity in visual art 57:10 – Zappa, Wackerman brothers, influences & mind‑bending arrangements 1:00:40 – How Peter joined Lynyrd Skynyrd: the full audition and “nerf piano” story 1:05:10 – Defining himself inside Skynyrd, Billy Powell’s parts & performance philosophy 1:07:30 – Plugs: Stoner Creek Studio/Records, All Time Low Stars, socials & show wrap Links. Peter’s Website: https://peterkeys.com Peter’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/PeterKeys Podcast Production: https://itsyourshow.co Rich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.com The Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts

Guitarist, songwriter, producer, and real‑estate investor Erik Halbig joins Rich and Jim to talk Nashville showcase days, early Jason Aldean moments, writing number ones with the Wolfe Brothers, using AI tools like Suno, developing young artists, and building real passive income with rental properties. If you’re a working musician who cares about songs and your financial future, this one’s for you. Timed Highlights: 00:00:00 – Cold open: low‑cash demos, $40 a song, and early Nashville hustle 00:06:10 – What Erik looks for in drummers: alpha energy, loud count‑offs, strong transients 00:15:30 – 90s/00s Nashville: 12th & Porter, Third & Lindsley, showcases, and Jason Aldean’s big break 00:27:45 – Writing wins: Wolfe Brothers number ones and why helping others pays off 00:39:20 – Side hustles: teaching for decades, guitar books, and “rock and roll real estate” 00:50:05 – AI and Suno: how AI demos are killing old‑school demos but creating new studio work 01:01:40 – Producing new artists: getting a “second meeting” and building a brand, not just tracks 01:11:10 – Real estate playbook: condos, tax hikes, equity, and planning a musician’s retirement Links & Socials Mentioned Erik’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erikhalbig The Rich Redmond Show: https://therichredmondshow.transistor.fm/ Podcast production studio: https://itsyourshow.co Drum intensive with Rich Redmond: https://drumtensive.com

Rock drumming powerhouse Tommy Clufetos sits down with Rich Redmond and Jim McCarthy to talk about the reality of life at the top of rock, why every gig matters, and how “playing at” rock is killing the feel in modern music. Tommy goes deep on growing up in Detroit hauling gear for his dad’s band at age seven, earning gigs with Ted Nugent and Alice Cooper the hard way, and spending 15 years on the road with Ozzy and Black Sabbath. He breaks down drum solos as part of the show, his love/hate relationship with click tracks, and why he’d rather drive 16 hours to a gig and crush it than complain about the grind. If you care about groove, conviction, and the craft of being a pro drummer, this one’s a masterclass in attitude and work ethic. Timed Highlights: 00:00 Cold open: “Pound Town” drum container practice idea 03:45 Looking like a musician: leather jackets, visual brand, and “leather and latte season” 08:10 Old‑school parenting: no phone, no TV, and raising a kid on ’50s/’60s/blues 12:30 Meeting his wife on a Rob Zombie–directed CSI episode and reconnecting in Vegas 16:55 Leaving L.A. for Nashville and why he loves the South’s “old‑school” feel 21:40 Detroit roots: hauling gear for his dad’s band at age seven and baptism by fire 27:05 First time sitting in: Moni Moni, kids going wild, and learning patience for the gig 31:30 Playing for Mitch Ryder, Alto Reed, and getting in front of Ted Nugent 36:15 The Ted Nugent test: three rounds of 20 songs, winter drives, and 4 a.m. wake‑ups 42:40 Ozzy years: respect, leadership, and why Tommy won’t casually say “best friend” 48:20 Black Sabbath dynamics: serving Ozzy, Tony, and Geezer all at once 53:10 Planes, not buses: the grind of top‑level international touring 57:45 Clicks vs feel: why real rock needs to breathe and follow the crowd 1:03:20 Using a flashing light only as a tempo reference in Sabbath, then turning it off 1:07:40 Instagram drumming, overplaying, and why younger players “play at” music 1:12:55 Holiday Inn lesson: playing full‑tilt even when nobody is in the room 1:18:10 Tommy’s Rock Trip: original hard rock, young bandmates, and building work ethic 1:24:00 Money and integrity: walking out of a session at 16 when the pay was cut in half 1:29:10 Bob Seger, Alto Reed, and practicing to Seger records then and now 1:34:30 Drum solos as part of the show: structuring the solo so it lifts the entire set 1:39:00 Final advice: know what you’re getting into, focus on the music, and leave no regrets Links: The Rich Redmond Show: www.therichredmondshow.transistor.fm Podcast production studio: https://itsyourshow.co Drum intensive with Rich Redmond: https://drumtensive.com Tommy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialtommyclufetos/?hl=en