Broadway Drumming 101

Broadway Drumming 101 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode, we’re honored to feature Ed Shea, a distinguished musician whose career spans from the Philadelphia soul scene to the stages of Broadway.Highlights from the Episode:* Early Musical Influences: Ed shares his initial fascina

In this clip, legendary percussionist Ed Shea takes us back to his days at Sigma Sound Studios. Ed paints a vivid picture of the studio's bustling energy, where top-tier musicians like Bobby Eli and Tom Bell seamlessly crafted iconic records.Ed shares insider details about what it was like working with legends like Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, recording albums for Lou Rawls, and nav

Mike Dobson is a drummer, percussionist, and Foley artist who has spent over 20 years bringing stories to life with his unique combination of live music and sound effects.With degrees from The Hartt School (B.M.) and The New School (M.M.), Mike has the training and the creativity to tackle any project. He co-wrote the offbeat production Room 17B and has worked with top directors li

In this clip, Mike Dobson breaks down what it’s like to be part of the small, elite group of drummers and percussionists on Broadway—and how his work is even more specialized. He combines live music and Foley artistry, creating sound effects in real-time for the stage, something very few people know how to do.Mike shares his experience working in this super-niche field, reflect

In 2021, I started this podcast with a clear goal: to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the lives and careers of Broadway drummers. Since then, we've hosted some truly remarkable guests who've shared their unique stories, experiences, and insights.As our audience has grown, we've realized that many of you might have missed out on some of our most inspiring interviews. So, over t

In this episode of Broadway Drumming 101, I enjoyed interviewing the legendary Cubby O'Brien. You may know him from his days as a Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club, but his drumming career goes way beyond that. We talk about his early start in music, following in the footsteps of his drummer father, and his work with some of the biggest names in the industry—Lawrence Welk, Ber

In this episode of the Broadway Drumming 101 podcast, we’re thrilled to have the legendary Cubby O'Brien, one of the original Mouseketeers from The Mickey Mouse Club! Cubby takes us back to his early years, sharing how his musical journey began with his father teaching at a Sun Valley, California music school. He describes being part of a Dixieland band made up of young musicians

In this episode of the Broadway Drumming 101 podcast, legendary drummer Cubby O'Brien shares a memorable story about subbing out of his first Broadway show and an unexpected encounter with Nathan Lane. When a stage manager informed Cubby that Nathan Lane wanted to see him in his dressing room, Cubby was slightly surprised. After finding his way upstairs, Nathan greeted him with a j

In this podcast episode, I sit down with the legendary Cubby O'Brien, whom I had the pleasure of meeting earlier this year on a Broadway cruise where I was performing with several acts, and he was with the iconic Bernadette Peters. Cubby, best known for his time on The Mickey Mouse Club and touring with The Carpenters, has had a remarkable career on Broadway, drumming for shows lik

In this episode of Broadway Drumming 101, I had the chance to talk with one of the most respected drummers in the business, Cubby O'Brien. We chatted about the process of picking subs for Broadway gigs—a topic that’s critical for anyone looking to make it in the scene. Cubby breaks down what he looks for in a sub: dependability, solid playing, and being an established player in