Everything you need to know about being a professional drummer Hosted by Matthew Crouse and Zack Albetta: the podcast Working Drummer covers it all in interviews with a dynamic range of pro drummers
With 400 episodes and counting, Working Drummer Podcast is the source for those interested in what it’s like to be a professional drummer. We hear from a diverse range of musicians who represent many different genres and scenes. Each weekly interview features a different performer, sometimes with a less recognizable name, but always with an impressive and distinct body of work. This unique approach has garnered a loyal audience hungry for unfiltered stories about making a living as a musician today.
Matthew Crouse and Zack Albetta are full-time musicians with the experience and insight to ask the often-overlooked questions. You can stream all the episodes here at www.workingdrummer.net and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Zack Albetta
Zack has called Atlanta home since 2016 and has become a go-to for some of the best talent in the Southeast, recording and touring with Delta Moon, The Atlanta Funk Society, The Equinox Orchestra, Ansley Stewart, and Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics. Prior to this, Zack spent five years in Los Angeles, where he performed most regularly with The Jennifer Keith Sextet, a retro-swing band led by Royal Crown Revue founder Mando Dorame, and as a staff musician at Disneyland. Other highlights of Zack’s L.A. resume include Grammy and Oscar winner Johnny Mandel, Grammy nominees Kim Richmond and Pete Christlieb, Jacques Lesure, Ty Bailie, Nick Mancini, Center Theatre Group, Musical Theatre West and 3D Theatricals.
Zack grew up in Sante Fe, NM, where he began drum lessons at age 8. Music was the focus of his high school years and he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance from Ball State University in Indiana. In 2003, he entered graduate school at The University of Missouri-Kansas City. His primary mentor was alto sax legend and Grammy nominee Bobby Watson, and Zack also studied drumset with Doug Auwarter, a master drummer, author, and musicologist. In four years at UMKC, Zack earned Master’s degrees in Percussion Performance and Jazz & Studio Performance.
By the time he graduated in 2007, he was already in high demand on Kansas City’s rich and vibrant music scene. He spent the next three years playing with many of the area’s top artists and organizations including Bobby Watson, Mark Lowrey, The Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and the 18th & Vine Big Band, with whom he backed up three legendary vocalists – Mary Stallings, Ernie Andrews and five-time Grammy nominee Karrin Allyson.
When not gigging, Zack enjoys cooking, talking about cooking, and comparing everything in life to cooking.
Matthew Crouse
Born and raised in Columbus Ohio, Matt spent his high school years at Fort Hayes vocational school for music and Capital University Conservatory of Music for college studying under drum instructor Bob Breithaupt.
The musical diversity in Columbus gave Matt the chance to play with many great players and learning many different styles – from Big Band (Vaughn Weister’s Famous Jazz Orchestra) and Brazilian to Afro-Cuban and Fusion. All the while, he was doing his share of gigs with original rock bands and top 40 bands.
Matt moved to Nashville in the summer of 1999. Working as a freelance drummer based in Nashville has taken him to all 50 states in the U.S. and most of Canada, as well as overseas to Europe, Asia, The Middle East and The Caribbean.
Matt has toured both regionally and nationally, with the Adam and Shannon Wright, Mark Selby, Eddy Raven, Billy Dean, Stephen Simmons, Three Lane, Whiskey Cash and Roses, Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee: Michelle Wright as well as Julie Roberts and most recently The Frontmen of Country that includes: Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, Richie McDonald of Lonestar, and Tim Rushlow of Little Texas.
From 2009 to 2017 Matt was the full time drummer for the band Savannah Jack. He played percussion on their first studio record in 2010 opposite Steve Ferrone on drums. For their second studio record in 2015, Matt was the drumset and percussion player in the studio.
Matt has also worked with some great folks like SheDaisy, Jo Dee Messina, Billy Dean, Andy Griggs and up and coming Warner Brothers artist Robert Counts.
In the studio, Matt has had the pleasure of working with talented producers including Eric Fritsch, Teddy Morgan, Jim Reilley and Brent Maher. Artist he’s recorded with in the studio have included Sheryl Crow, legendary songwriter Buzz Cason and actor Kevin Costner.
Matt endorses Aquarian Drum Heads,and Session Ace in-ears