From the Ain’t Too Proud Instagram Page: “Tonight, the folks at #TheAtlanticFest got a sneak peek at our upcoming Ain’t Too Proud virtual event in partnership with American Express featuring performances from the cast and a conversation with book writer Dominique Morriseau and original member of The Temptations, Otis Williams! Oh, and it’s hosted by…
Read moreDon’t Judge A Book By Its Cover
This photo was of me laying down a track for a heavy metal/fusion band many years ago. Don’t be fooled by the way I’m dressed. Many moons ago, I worked a square job-meaning a 9-5 day gig. I was a financial services rep for MetLife and also a banker at Chase. Yeah, I did what…
Read moreBroadway Lives Matter
I keep reading about all of the people who are on unemployment, sitting around collecting the supplemental $600 in federal pandemic money on top of their state’s unemployment benefit. In an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows implied that federal money shouldn’t be extended because it “paid people to stay…
Read moreThe Black Neil Peart – My Manchester High School “Battle Of The Bands” Story
This photo was from the Manchester High School Battle of the Bands – circa 1982 or 1983. Back during this time, I swore I was the black Neil Peart. Neil was the drummer of the rock band Rush. He’s on almost everyone’s top 10 list of greatest rock drummers of all time. I never really…
Read moreThe Cast of AIN’T TOO PROUD Sings “I Wish It Would Rain”
The cast of Ain’t Too Proud on Broadway reunites virtually for a special performance of The Temptations classic, “I Wish It Would Rain.”
Read moreThinking Of Her – On Mothers Day
Last Saturday, I sat in my drum booth in-between shows and did a little practicing. I scrolled through some of my favorite songs on certain playlists and just happened to come across the album by Lenny Kravitz called “5.” I feel it’s, by far, his best and most consistent album. One of my favorites is…
Read moreHow To Network And Become A Successful Musician – Part II – “Social Media”
In my last post about networking for musicians, I wrote about how to be assertive and just ask. If you are a monster on your instrument but can’t seem to gather the strength and courage to talk to people you don’t know, you may be that amazing musician that no one knows about. That’s generally the…
Read moreHow To Become Better At Networking – Here are five tips that can help make connecting with people a little easier.
I often encounter musicians who tell me they suck at networking. They’re the kind of person who, in their formative years, spent hours learning how to play their instrument but little time on meeting other musicians. I’ve heard complaints from my colleagues about the lack of work or when work is slow. There are always…
Read moreFive Things You Need To Know About Playing Drums On A Broadway Show
If you are at all interested in finding work as a musician playing drums on a Broadway musical, I can certainly give a few tips. I’ve been fortunate to have played in several over the past 20 years and I’ve learned a little from each one I’ve been in. Each of the shows I’ve done…
Read morePapa Was A Rolling Stone
This song is just amazing. I love playing it every night at my show Ain’t Too Proud. The strings, the guitar, bass, harp, keys, drums, percussion, horns, woodwinds….all working together to play such a beautiful intro: Clayton Craddock is an independent thinker, father of two beautiful children in New York City. He has written about…
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