In this episode, I sit down with drummer David Northrup for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about groove, longevity, and serving the song. David has built an incredible career by doing precisely that, whether he’s playing traditional country, blues, soul, or roots-based music. We start by talking about his current work with Joe Nichols, why it’s such a musical and personal fit, and what it means to work for an artist who values authenticity, consistency, and real country music. David shares stories from the road and explains why being a good human is just as important as being a great drummer.We spend time digging into David’s early musical influences growing up in central New York, where constant exposure to Motown, singer-songwriter records, pop radio, and classic albums shaped his musical instincts. David talks about learning by listening, studying album credits, and developing a deep appreciation for feel and style long before social media or online tutorials existed. He reflects on how that environment taught him to truly listen, absorb, and respect the music rather than chase trends.David walks through his path to becoming a professional drummer, from starting in school band programs to a pivotal moment when he saw Chuck Mangione perform while in college. That experience helped him realize music was the path he needed to take seriously. We talk about the importance of mentors, including teachers who challenged him when he wasn’t ready and supported him when he was, and how discipline, fundamentals, and humility played a massive role in his development.We dive deep into David’s years in Nashville, including his first five years building connections, studio work, and eventually landing his long-running gig with Travis Tritt. David explains how Nashville truly is a five-year town, why patience matters, and how preparation and professionalism keep you working once you get the call. We also talk about his deep admiration for drummers like Carlos Vega, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Jordan, Russ Kunkel, and others, and why groove, taste, and feel will always matter more than flash.A significant highlight of the conversation is David’s time touring with Boz Scaggs. He shares what it was like to step into such an iconic musical legacy, learn to play with conviction at very low volumes, and work alongside world-class musicians night after night. We talk about why playing the room matters, how restraint can be more complicated than power, and why those lessons apply to every drummer at every level.We also spend time talking about David’s solo record Shapes, including how it came together over many years, the musicians involved, and why recording live, organic performances was central to the album’s sound. David explains his philosophy of making music that’s groove-focused, accessible, and enjoyable for listeners beyond just musicians. We close by discussing teaching, clinics, the importance of shuffle feel, regional time concepts, and the soft skills that help musicians not just get gigs but keep them. It’s an honest, thoughtful conversation packed with wisdom for musicians and music lovers alike.To learn more about David, visit his website. Music from the Episode:All Blues (David Northrup)Smooth (David Northrup)Bayou Chicken (David Northrup)Salty Crackers (David Northrup)Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

In this episode, I sit down with singer, songwriter, bassist, and musical innovator Scott Mulvahill for a wide-ranging conversation about curiosity, collaboration, and building creative worlds. We start by talking about Scott’s recent trip to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he performed Paul Simon’s Graceland in a profoundly meaningful way, including sharing the stage with original Zydeco musicians who appeared on the album. Scott explains why Graceland was such a formative record for him as a teenager, how it shaped his love of songwriting, groove, and global musical connections, and why revisiting that music continues to teach him something new every time he performs it.We talk about Scott’s busy life as a touring musician and collaborator, from solo performances to regional shows, symphonic work with Cody Fry, and juggling multiple projects at once. Scott reflects on saying yes to opportunities, spinning multiple creative plates, and why he’s drawn to work that keeps him challenged rather than comfortable. He shares the story behind his band Slap Dragon, how the group came together organically, and why playing in a band scratches a different creative itch than performing solo. We also explore the balance between solitude and community in music, and how collaboration continues to fuel his artistic growth.A significant part of the conversation centers on Scott’s experience as a singing bassist. We dig into the technical and musical challenges of singing while playing bass, especially in groove-heavy music, and how performing complex material like Graceland forces constant growth. Scott explains how difficulty, discipline, and repetition sharpen his musicianship and why pushing himself technically ultimately leads to deeper musical freedom.We also spend time talking about Scott’s years playing with Ricky Skaggs, an experience he describes as musical graduate school. Scott shares what it was like to step into a bluegrass tradition without a drum set, how time feels differently in that genre, and why it took nearly a year to feel comfortable in the band. He reflects on learning directly from masters, developing an intuitive sense of rhythm, and why that experience shaped him as a musician in lasting ways.Finally, we dive deep into one of Scott’s most ambitious projects, the Database. Scott explains the origin and evolution of this custom-built upright bass with integrated MIDI triggers and sampling, how it works technically, and why it allows him to expand his sonic world without sacrificing creativity or authenticity. We talk about technology as a tool rather than a gimmick, the balance between production and performance, and how the Database has reshaped his approach to songwriting, arrangement, and live shows. It’s a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about experimentation, craftsmanship, and following curiosity wherever it leads.To learn more about Scott, visit his website.Music from the Episode:Begin Againers (Scott Mulvahill)Fighting for the Wrong Side (Scott Mulvahill)Survive (Scott Mulvahill)Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

In this episode, I sit down with Dame Evelyn Glennie to talk about what listening really means and why it matters far beyond music. We start with the origins of the Evelyn Glennie Foundation and how her work evolved organically from teaching, performing, and asking people better questions so they can hear themselves more clearly. Evelyn shares how her own experiences shaped a broader philosophy of listening that encompasses sound, the written word, and the ways we communicate through email, texts, and social media. We also dig into how technology has changed our patience and attention, and why listening belongs at the center of education, wellbeing, empathy, and community.From there, we move into the performer’s mindset and Evelyn’s lifelong curiosity about sound. She explains why she starts new repertoire from the inside out, how the body becomes an essential listening partner over time, and why recordings are only frozen snapshots rather than definitive answers. I ask her about formative training, the balance of learning by ear and reading music, and how her early environments built a deep listening culture that still guides her today. Evelyn offers a powerful reminder that every performance is a world premiere for someone, and that familiar instruments can become brand new when we hear them in a different context.We also go down memory lane through landmark repertoire and collaborations. Evelyn talks about discovering and recording Paul Smadbeck’s Rhythm Song, revisiting it years later, and even developing a creative version for marimba and strings. She reflects on the Bartók Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, including the intensity of working at a young age with Sir Georg Solti and the lessons that stayed with her. We then explore her long pursuit of John Corigliano’s Conjurer, how the concerto’s concept came together, and what it takes to tour a major work night after night, adapting to different instruments and acoustics. Finally, we discuss her experience performing Philip Glass’s Double Timpani Concerto with Jonathan Haas, the logistics behind that project, and why she loves the energy of shared soloist roles.To close, Evelyn shares what she is creating right now, including writing for television and film, new books, wide-ranging collaborations, duo projects, and continued foundation work that invites people to slow down, listen deeply, and rethink what connection feels like. This conversation is a masterclass in curiosity, artistry, and attention, and I’m grateful to share it with you.To learn more about Evelyn and the Evelyn Glennie Foundation, visit her website. Music from the Episode:Joseph Schwantner - Velocities for Solo MarimbaPaul Smadbeck - Rhythm SongBéla Bartók - Sonata for Two Pianos and PercussionJohn Corigliano - Conjurer: Concerto for Percussionist and String OrchestraThank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

Episode 100 of The Bandwich Tapes marks a meaningful milestone, not just in numbers, but in intention.What began as a simple idea, having thoughtful conversations with musicians I admire, has grown into a space for deep listening, reflection, and curiosity. Reaching one hundred episodes felt like a moment to pause, look back, and express gratitude to everyone who has chosen to spend time with this show.For this milestone episode, I’m honored to share a conversation with Dame Evelyn Glennie.Dame Evelyn Glennie is one of the most influential and inspiring musicians of our time. A world-renowned percussionist, composer, and advocate for listening, her work has reshaped how many of us understand sound, awareness, and musical perception. Her artistry extends far beyond performance; it invites us to reconsider what it truly means to listen.In this conversation, we explore Evelyn’s approach to listening as a full-body experience, the philosophy that guides her musical life, and the curiosity that continues to drive her work. It’s a discussion about sound, silence, intention, and the responsibility that comes with being deeply attentive to music, to others, and to the world around us.Sharing this interview as episode one hundred is a privilege, and one I’ll carry with me for a long time.Thank you for listening, for supporting the show, and for being part of this journey.Episode 100 drops January 19, 2026.

In this episode, I sit down with drummer, educator, speaker, and author Rich Redmond, and this conversation goes far beyond the drum set. From the moment we start talking, it’s clear that Rich approaches music and life with an uncommon level of purpose, energy, and presence. We talk about why he plays every song like it might be the last one he ever gets to play, how longevity changes your perspective on time, and why being fully present matters just as much offstage as it does behind the kit. Rich reflects on nearly five decades of holding the sticks, what it means to love the work truly, and why every gig still feels like the best day of his life.We dig into Rich’s background growing up in Connecticut and Texas, how Texas marching band culture shaped his musical foundation, and why music education in that state continues to produce world-class players. He shares stories from his early training, the classic method books that shaped his hands and mind, and how transcription became a survival skill when he moved to Nashville. Rich breaks down how charting, reading, and preparation quickly opened doors, why the Nashville number system is such a powerful tool, and how learning to create efficient charts can save gigs and careers.A significant focus of the conversation is Rich’s belief in using all of your gifts. We talk about his work as an educator, public speaker, author, and podcast host, and how teaching reinforces your own understanding of music, communication, and purpose. Rich explains his CRASH philosophy, commitment, relationships, attitude, skill, and hunger, and how that framework shaped his life, his speaking career, and his approach to helping others succeed, whether they are musicians, students, or corporate audiences. He shares how blending drumming with storytelling keeps audiences engaged, why attention spans are shorter than ever, and how performance can make ideas stick in ways slides never will.We spend time unpacking his long-running work with Jason Aldean, including how studio and live drumming require different mindsets, how records are made efficiently at a high level, and why consistency, trust, and preparation matter more than flash. Rich explains how live drumming is about execution, confidence, and making everyone onstage feel safe, while still delivering energy to the back row. We talk about signature fills, macro rhythms, playing in food groups, and why honoring the record while amplifying the live experience is part of the job.Rich also walks through his teaching philosophy, from Drumtensives and masterclasses to clinics and one-on-one coaching. He explains why reading, time, left-foot independence, stylistic awareness, and charting are non-negotiables, and how meeting students where they are can unlock confidence and growth. We also dive into the soft skills of being a working musician, why being prepared, likable, and open to direction often matters more than chops, and how trust keeps you working long term.We close by talking about health, longevity, curiosity, and why Rich continues to challenge himself creatively through writing, speaking, podcasting, and new musical ideas. It’s an inspiring, practical, and honest conversation about building a meaningful career, staying hungry, and using music as a vehicle to lift others along the way.Music from the Episode:Amarillo Sky (Jason Aldean)My Kinda Party (Jason Aldean)The Truth (Jason Aldean)Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.