Nashville Drummers Podcast

Welcome Chicago drummer, musician, and entertainer, Aaron Paulsen! Amassing over 4.6 million followers across social media platforms, Aaron has taken his generation by storm with his unique video creations that blend extreme musicianship, storytelling, and undeniable humor. We dive into Aaron's upbringing as a classical percussionist from Chicago, dropping out of a percussion performance scholarship during COVID to pursue content full-time, and the eventual move to Nashville. Aaron breaks down the genesis of his one-man-band setup and other rhythmic gag videos, and his shift from short-form to long-form content. The conversation covers mental health and social media trends, martial arts training and other hobbies, skepticism around traditional industry endorsement models, how to be your most creative self, and fulfilling your true purpose. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:51 Welcome, Aaron! 
3:43 Chicago Roots 
8:16 One-Man Band Origins 
10:14 Musical Family and Influences 
14:53 Comedy Influences 
19:53 Martial Arts And Drumming 
31:48 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 
33:03 Move To Nashville 
40:18 Nashville vs LA Culture 
49:11 Content Creator Breakdown 
52:19 Authenticity vs Polished Content 
1:05:45 Dropping Out, Mental Health 
1:08:44 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
1:09:36 Social Media Comparison 
1:15:09 Be the Trend 
1:16:15 Skillmaxxing 
1:21:03 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
1:26:14 Shorts to Long-form Content 
1:30:54 Building a Brand 
1:36:10 Defining Success and Purpose 
1:43:47 PASIC and Percussion Culture 
1:48:40 Navigating Endorsements as a Creator 
2:07:52 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
2:08:59 Advice for Young Creators 
2:13:22 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Rezo Custom Drum Heads
https://rezoheads.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Connect with Aaron:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronpaulsendrums
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aaronpaulsen
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronPaulsen

Music Featured in this Episode:
...from "The Great Lock In Mixtape" - Aaron Paulsen
Support the show
Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART 

ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome Brian Czach! Described by some as “Nashville’s greatest secret,” Brian moved to town in late 2015 and continues to find success as an in-demand freelance drummer, both live and in the studio. Known for his ability to adapt to a variety of musical settings at a high level, we dive into his musical upbringing in upstate New York, early influences (including Phil Collins), formal lessons, reading skills, and what led him to adopting traditional grip. He details warmup routines, fitness and hydration habits, and the value of recording gigs to improve feel and self-awareness. Brian explains how he began working with the Nashville Symphony and touring symphonic pops shows around the country, plus highlights like West Side Story and The Lion King. He covers his original Miles Davis tribute band MILEStones, how he built a pro-level home studio, the challenges of marketing and subscription platforms, Broadway logistics, and important mindsets for building a sustainable career. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:49 Welcome, Brian! 
4:56 Nashville Greatest Secret 
7:22 Early Drumming Roots 
8:40 First Kit and Phil Collins 
11:52 Healthy Habits and Warmups 
17:48 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 
18:53 Influences and Formal Lessons 
23:49 Switch to Traditional Grip 
38:05 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
38:49 Getting Symphony Calls 
52:43 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
53:25 MILEStones (Miles Davis Tribute Band) 
58:33 Patreon Burnout 
1:03:26 Nashville Jazz Scene 
1:11:34 Building A Home Studio 
1:21:07 Singing While Drumming 
1:24:08 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
1:30:21 Social Media, Perception & Feedback 
1:41:40 Broadway Realities 
1:57:02 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 
1:57:58 Rapid Fire Questions 
2:07:13 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Rezo Custom Drum Heads
https://rezoheads.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Music City Audiology
http://musiccityaudiology.com

Connect with Brian:
Website: https://www.brianczach.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/brianczach
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianczach
YouTube: http://youtube.com/user/intherighttempo

Music Featured in this Episode:
"It's Gonna Be Yesterday" - Gabrielle Lovelace
"Long Days" - Jon Von Boehm
Support the show
Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART 

ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Today is a special episode as we welcome back our first-ever featured guest on the show - Jeffrey Adami! We first got to know Jeffrey back in October 2021 (see Episode 3) at a time when he was 'foot on the gas' in his career, playing for multiple artists a week, networking, meeting new friends, and ultimately laying the groundwork for a successful future as a pro-level touring drummer. Fast-forward to 2026, and he has completed 8 tours with Dove Award-winning, RIAA Platinum-selling Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)  pop Artist, Jordan Feliz. Reflecting on his six years in Nashville, Jeffrey describes shifting from intensive Broadway work to freelancing, and then landing the gig with Jordan after a 2023 audition. He opens up about therapy, diagnoses, and stress management, his take on social media as a “business card,” gratitude, and building an identity beyond music. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:05 Welcome back, Jeffrey! 
3:02 Couch Stories, Sleepers and Snorers 
7:35 First Guest Callback 9:48 
Jeffrey's Background 
13:17 On Tour w/ Jordan Feliz 
31:52 Faith and Serving the Song 
34:13 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
34:55 Burnout From Saying Yes 
37:51 Tim Robinson 
41:24 Burnout Hustle Year 
53:11 Identity Beyond Gigs 
56:31 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
57:12 Social Media Pressure 
58:03 Posting Like a Pro 
1:04:27 Trends and Authenticity 
1:07:04 Instagram vs Websites 
1:13:28 Inspiring Next Generation 
1:18:02 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
1:18:58 Therapy and Diagnosis 
1:24:14 Identity Beyond Gigs 
1:28:01 Gratitude and Present Joy 
1:32:11 Tour Life and Mental Health 
1:35:17 Road Hobbies and Future Plans 
1:38:13 Jeffrey's Mystery Bag 
1:42:22 Rapid Fire Questions 
1:45:59 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Connect with Jeffrey:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffreyadamidrums
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jeffreyadamidrums

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Be Near" - WNDRS Worship
"Familia (Live) - Jordan Feliz
Support the show
Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART 

ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome Dango Cellan! A professional drummer for over 20 years, Dango is currently on tour with Emo legends Hawthorne Heights. We dive right into Dango's extensive and versatile career as a touring drummer, studio musician, educator, and family man. He reflects on saying yes early, not letting one gig define you, and the juggling act of balancing your time, money, career values, and family priorities. Dango shares upcoming Hawthorne Heights 20th-anniversary touring plans, his Warp Tour nostalgia with Amber Pacific, and how his approach to playing has matured toward professionalism and consistency. He recounts growing up as a pastor’s kid in Wisconsin, knee and heart health challenges that redirected him to Belmont, mentorship from Chester Thompson and Brian Fullen, and the importance of community. We also cover the building of his 'Beat Lab' home drum studio out of an Airbnb, the importance of mental health, therapy, rest, and fitness, and his proactive approach to landing and keeping endorsements. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:18 Welcome, Dango!
2:21 Typical Week as a Working Drummer
7:57 Choosing Gigs Wisely
11:38 Skills from Broadway
15:32 Warped Tour (Full Circle)
22:20 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor)
23:24 Early Years & Church
26:03 Sports Injuries, Attending Belmont
32:34 Teaching and Community
36:47 Drum Box (Sponsor)
37:29 Mental Health, Burnout, and Rest
40:17 Post-Pandemic Studio Build
43:18 Fitness and Longevity
45:03 Punk Influences
52:29 Dango's Beat Lab
1:01:29 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
1:02:10 Content That Converts
1:08:52 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
1:09:51 Endorsement Playbook
1:14:09 Loyalty Over Deals, Learn Your Gear
1:21:20 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)
1:22:59 Practice Goals and Technique
1:25:39 Recording and Mic Choices
1:32:50 Social Media Era for Drummers
1:35:46 Touring and Family Balance
1:40:24 Rapid Fire
1:47:35 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Rezo Custom Drum Heads
https://rezoheads.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Music City Audiology
http://musiccityaudiology.com

Connect with Dango:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dangoempire
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dangocellanempire
Music Featured in this Episode:
"Sink Or Swim" - Amber Specific
"The Conqueror" - Amber Specific
Support the show
Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART 

ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Welcome Kansas City-native Andrew Bone! Andrew opens up about the changing chapters of life and his shift in career focus. Recently married, he discusses the intentionality of stepping back from the grind of 6–7 days a week on Broadway, while aiming to get back to higher-level touring and more fulfilling gigs. We discuss the realities of post-COVID pay, knowing your worth, professionalism and reliability as a sub, and handling playback/Ableton, IEMs, and onstage failures. We delve into charting vs memorization, learning large volumes of material, working respectfully with a crew, using AI tools for admin and career planning, building a home studio identity, and early influences from KISS to music academia. Andrew also reflects on moving from Kansas City, his brief experience at Berklee, and why relationships, preparation, and good conduct matter more than chops. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:44 Welcome, Andrew! 
3:08 Life Crossroads and Marriage 
3:56 Broadway Grind 
9:49 Pay Reality Post-COVID 
11:42 Subbing w/ Nate Smith 
16:20 Ableton and Show Design 
19:32 Charts vs Memorizing 
32:10 Kids, Sticks, and Joy 
41:09 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor) 
42:10 Broadway Burnout Plan 
43:46 ChatGPT Career Reset 
51:04 Coffee & Hands Crew 
54:58 Drum Box (Sponsor) 
55:59 Playing Stadiums 
1:03:34 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor) 
1:04:40 Gear Fail Lessons 
1:09:05 Audio Nerd to Drum Pro 
1:20:18 Home Studio 
1:32:04 Drum Supply (Sponsor) 
1:33:01 Kansas City Roots and KISS 
1:39:17 Music City Audiology (Sponsor) 
1:43:31 Time at Berklee 
1:48:24 Move to Nashville 
2:00:11 Broadway Material 
2:08:05 Rapid Fire Questions 
2:12:00 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Rezo Custom Drum Heads
https://rezoheads.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Music City Audiology
http://musiccityaudiology.com

Connect with Andrew:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewbonedrums
Music Featured in this Episode:
"Drink Along" - Josh Gallagher
Support the show
Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART 

ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC