Aug 01 2024 62 mins 2
Kris Myers was born on April 5, 1977. Receiving a drum kit at the age of 8, he took an early interest in jazz, rock and punk music. During high school Myers co-started his first musical outfit, a ska/punk band called the Skalawags. The group received a decent amount of success but denied an offer to tour Japan to instead pursue college degrees.
Myers attended Elmhurst College from 1995 – 1999 where he was a music major and the drummer in the Elmhurst College Jazz Band. Under director Doug Beach, the Elmhurst College Jazz Band played gigs in the U.S. and Internationally at events such as the Umbria Jazz Festival, Jakarta Jazz Festival and the Montreaux Jazz Festival.
In 2001 Myers enrolled in DePaul University where he earned his master’s degree in jazz drumming and was a member of the Rob Parton Orchestra. In addition to his involvement in school bands, Myers was playing in festivals with a variety of jazz artists such as Nicholas Payton, Diane Schuur, Randy Brecker, Dennis DiBlasio as well as local musicians Mark Colby and John McLean. Myers also was a member of Chicago jazz fusion band Kick the Cat.
Myers began playing drums for progressive-rock band Umphrey’s McGee in 2003 following the departure of original drummer Mike Mirro. With Myers at the helm, Umphrey’s has released ten albums and maintains a rigorous touring schedule of over 100 live shows per year. Umphrey’s has performed at legendary festivals and venues such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Fuji Rock Festival, South by Southwest, Red Rocks, The Ryman Theatre, The Beacon Theatre and more.
With Umphrey’s, Myers has shared the stage with countless notable musicians such as Buddy Guy, Huey Lewis, Ivan Neville, Les Claypool, Stephen Perkins, Mike Keneally, Joshua Redman, Bela Fleck, Taj Mahal, Victor Wooten, Adrian Belew, Stanley Jordan, Gene Ween, Derek Trucks and Jason Bonham.
In 2011 Myers was honored with the title of Best Jam Band Drummer by DRUM Magazine, beating jamband stalwarts such as Butch Trucks (The Allman Brothers) and Jon Fishman (Phish). In 2018, Myers was featured on the cover of Modern Drummer’s July issue. Myers placed second in the Experimental Rock category of the publication’s “Readers Poll Awards” behind St. Vincent drummer Matt Johnson.
When he’s not behind the drum kit, Myers enjoys playing golf, attending concerts, hiking and collecting art.
Some Things That Came Up:
-2:30 Kris’s multi genre style
-3:00 Rabid fans
-4:45 The Umphrey's McGee audition turned into a 21 year gig and counting
-6:30 Kris’s previous band was Kick The Cat
-11:00 Maintaining a list of all the venues the band has played
-11:30 Red Rocks is fave venue as well as The Fox Theater in Oakland and The Ryman in Nashville
-14:00 Vic Salazar !!! The ambassador of the drum community
-16:40 The rider! The love of milk chocolate!
-18:00 Stretching, fitness center, yoga
-19:40 The documentary “Frame By Frame”
-21:20 The Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart.. “most impressive”
-23:40 The cover of Modern Drummer magazine in 2018!
-24:30 Dauz pads! Used by Rush and Nine Inch Nails
-26:45 Writing material together as a band
-27:40 Producer Greg Majors and Manny Sanchez
-30:30 Different sets every night. Choosing from 14 studio albums. Responsible for all songs at all times
-35:40 collaboration with Huey Lewis. Met at The Jammy Awards in 2006.
-43:00 Kris loves practicing impressions
-44:30 Stewart Copeland, Buddy Rich, Vinnie Colaiuta, Keith Carlock, Steve Gadd
49:50 The art of mashups, inspired by DJ culture
-50:15 Kris songs background vocals while playing insane music
-52:00 Rotator Cuff repair surgery. 6 month rehab, but ready after 4 months
-54:00 Local gigs and charity work
-54:50 Getting to do the “Boom Smack”
-55:50 “David’s Den” for mental health
-56:15 Wedding preparation
-57:20 “The Fave 5”
Follow: www.umphreys.com
FB: @krismyers
IG: @krismyersdrums
YouTube: @krismyersdrums
The Rich Redmond Show is about all things music, motivation and success. Candid conversations with musicians, actors, comedians, authors and thought leaders about their lives and the stories that shaped them. Rich Redmond is the longtime drummer with Jason Aldean and many other veteran musicians and artists. Rich is also an actor, speaker, author, producer and educator. Rich has been heard on thousands of songs, over 30 of which have been #1 hits!
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Jim McCarthy is the quintessential Blue Collar Voice Guy. Honing his craft since 1996 with radio stations in Illinois, South Carolina, Connecticut, New York, Las Vegas and Nashville, Jim has voiced well over 10,000 pieces since and garnered an ear for audio production which he now uses for various podcasts, commercials and promos. Jim is also an accomplished video producer, content creator, writer and overall entrepreneur.
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