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 moretick, tick…BOOM! – Therapy
Before Rent, there was tick, tick… BOOM!. This autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize–and Tony Award–winning composer of Rent, is the story of an aspiring composer who questions his life choices on the eve of his thirtieth birthday. It was first performed as a solo rock monologue by Larson back in 1990. I…
Read more‘A smile so bright’ as this Broadway cast gathers for digital performance – Ain’t Too Proud on PBS Newshour
“In the midst of overwhelming sadness and suffering, we wanted to end the week on a high note. It’s brought to us from the Tony Award-winning cast of “Ain’t Too Proud,” the Broadway show about The Temptations. They recently got online to connect and delivered this performance, part of our ongoing arts and culture series,…
Read moreRemote Temptations: ‘Ain’t Too Proud’ Broadway Cast & Band Harmonize On Classic Motown Hit For Video
The way we do the things we do has changed so much in recent weeks that a classic Temptations song might be what everyone needs right now. In this video, the cast of Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud got together — remotely, of course — to perform the show’s opening number “The Way You Do the Things You…
Read moreBehind The Scenes: Memphis The Musical Recording Session
I never knew this existed! Wow, is this fun to watch. This recording is by far, my favorite cast recording I’ve done. I like what I played, how the recording sounds and I really like the songs. The whole Memphis The Musical experience was fantastic. I remember when David Bryan, the keyboardist for Bon Jovi…
Read moreMotown writers and Temptations’ Otis Williams unite with Broadway’s ‘Ain’t Too Proud’
Legendary Motown writers Eddie and Brian Holland are joined by the cast of Broadway’s “Ain’t Too Proud” for a medley of their hit songs.
Read moreWorking Drummer Podcast – Clayton Craddock: Drumming for “Ain’t Too Proud,” Constructing Your Own Safety Net
Clayton Craddock’s drumming career spans decades and numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals. Clayton is currently the drummer of the Broadway Show Ain’t Too Proud-The Life AndTimes Of the Temptations now playing at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway. Clayton has also held the drum chair and recorded the cast albums for the musicals Altar Boyz, tick…tick… BOOM!,…
Read moreAin’t Too Proud at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
I wasn’t at this performance. I chose to spend time with my family in Connecticut on Thanksgiving. One of my amazing drum subs, Andrew Atkinson, was there to take my place. Even though I wasn’t there physically, it is me on the recording that you are hearing. I had so much fun laying down the…
Read moreShould You Stop Playing $100 Gigs?
Musicians!!! What do you think? I’ll do low paying gigs at this point in my career because I want to have fun with the players, eat a free meal, and drink expensive scotch from the bar. I would rather go back to working at a bank than do what I did 25 years ago. You…
Read moreTraveling Light
I saw this young man get on the bus on 14th street with his drums the other day. It’s one thing I’ve never done in my 26 years living here. I always had a car, so I never took my gear on public transportation. I played a few weddings and corporate events over the years…
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