Best Chris Tollins Podcasts (2024)

1
1000 Year Old Robotic Drummers!? Al-Jazari's 12th Century Mechanical Marvels 9:22

7d ago9:22

9:22

In this solo episode, I take a deep dive into the 1000 year old automaton drummers that were created by 12th century Islamic inventor, Al-Jazari. These VERY early robots are amazing marvels of engineering and predominantly feature drummers who play kettle drums and cymbals to alert people in Mesopotamia (now Turkey) of the time of day with extremel…

1
Eric Bogosian 1:06:58

2d ago1:06:58

1:06:58

This week Johnny C has a special guest from his early days at NYU and the New York City theater. Eric Bogosian is one of the most prolific actors/playwrights today. You may have seen him recently on Anne Rice's Interview With A Vampire. Eric Bogosian was born in Boston and grew up in Woburn, Massachusetts. After graduating from Woburn Memorial High…

1
The Studio Drums of Lars Ulrich (Part 1) with Chris Russio 1:23:50

4d ago1:23:50

1:23:50

Chris Russio joins me back on the podcast to do a super deep dive into all of the studio drum sets, cymbals, heads, sticks, accessories, percussion and everything else used by Lars Ulrich from 1982 to 2001! We talk about all of the earliest known recordings of Metallica on his Camco drum set, through all the Tamas, the famous Sabian HiHats, and the…

1
Chris Cortazzo 59:30

10d ago59:30

59:30

Chris Cortazzo is an icon. His name is synonymous with Malibu, a rare breed of real estate agent born and raised in the famed coastal haven. When Chris speaks about his beloved hometown, you don’t just hear the passion in his voice — you sense it at the soul level. It’s one of the many reasons why countless celebrities and high-profile business lea…

1
Why Do Drum Brands Sound Different? with Jeff Kirsch 1:32:17

28d ago1:32:17

1:32:17

Jeff Kirsch teaches us the real reason why the biggest drum brands in the world sound different from each other, and in some cases, why they sound exactly the same. We discuss brands such as Ludwig, Gretsch, Leedy, Tama, Camco, DW, just to name a few. We talk about the different shell constructions, ply counts, use of re-rings, rise of Japanese bui…

1
Dale Dye 58:27

1M ago58:27

58:27

ale Dye was born Oct. 8, 1944, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He graduated as a cadet officer from Missouri Military Academy, but there was no money for college, so he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in January 1964. He served in Vietnam in 1965 and 1967 through 1970, surviving 31 major combat operations. He emerged from Southeast Asia with numerou…

1
The Drum Gear of Primus with Tim "Herb" Alexander 51:27

1M ago51:27

51:27

Tim "Herb" Alexander joins me on the show to discuss his iconic drum sets that were used in classic Primus music videos such as Jerry Was A Race Car Driver, My Name is Mud, John The Fisherman, Wynona Big Brown Beaver, DMV and much more! I am a longtime Primus fan and I learned a TON from this conversation. Tim is a 3x grammy nominee and multi-plati…

1
Recap Episode #2 41:34

2M ago41:34

41:34

This week on Connective Tissue? We are going to take a: “pause-for-the-cause”, and look back at our last SEVEN guests. The density and quality of content, that these SEVEN storytellers have shared with us, makes it all together appropriate and fitting, that we “...take a breath.” …That we revisit a few of their storytelling “gems”. And, that we tak…

1
The HUGE Alex Van Halen Auction with Kurt Ekstrom 1:13:31

2M ago1:13:31

1:13:31

Alex Van Halen is auctioning off hundreds of unbelievable items that have never been seen by public eyes, plus some of his most iconic drum sets that he played with Van Halen! Kurt Ekstrom joins me back on the podcast to look through this incredible auction and dissect tons of these rare items. Kurt covered all of AVH's career on the podcast last y…

1
Peter Berg 1:17:50

2M ago1:17:50

1:17:50

Peter Berg is an American actor, director, writer, and producer. His first role was in the Adam Rifkin road movie Never on Tuesday (1988). He went on to star in the World War 2 film A Midnight Clear (1992). Roles in Fire in the Sky (1993) and Cop Land (1997) followed, and the Tom Cruise films Collateral (2004) and Lions for Lambs (2007). Peter has …

1
A Look at the Gear of Danny Seraphine with Tate Berkey 2:32:58

2M ago2:32:58

2:32:58

Danny Seraphine is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted, world-famous original drummer of Chicago. Tate Berkey has been researching Danny's gear for the last year and has compiled an exhaustive look at all things Danny Seraphine. We cover his earliest drum kits, his time with Slingerland drums, his Zildjian endorsements, and then his switch to Y…

1
Todd Garner 53:00

3M ago53:00

53:00

Todd Garner, the head of Broken Road Productions, is a veteran producer and Hollywood creative executive with a remarkable gift for creating and nurturing mainstream, commercial motion pictures. In various capacities throughout his career, Garner has developed, overseen, executive produced or produced well over 170 movies, many of them major hits f…

1
Keith David 46:04

3M ago46:04

46:04

Keith David is a classically trained actor, winning 3 Emmys out of 6 nominations as well as being nominated for a Tony award. He starred in the recently concluded TV series "Greenleaf" for Oprah Winfrey's OWN network. Upcoming films include "Horizon Line" with Allison Williams ("Get Out") and "Black As Night," for Amazon. In "Greenleaf" Keith portr…

1
The Lessons of Robbie Gonzalez with Rob Hart 1:06:59

3M ago1:06:59

1:06:59

Rob Hart takes us through audio clips of his former mentor and teacher Robbie Gonzalez which gives us first hand knowledge and ideas of this great mind of drumming. Robbie Gonzalez was a Berklee professor, prolific recording artist, and performed with greats like Al Di Meola. This episode features many great recordings of Robbie performing live and…

1
Rory Kennedy & Mark Bailey 37:00

4M ago37:00

37:00

Today on Connective Tissue, John interviews filmmakers Rory Kennedy & Mark Bailey. This duo has put out documentary films like "Ethel", "Downfall: The Case Against Bowing", and their new HBO documentary series "The Synanon Fix". This new 4 part series was released on HBO on April 1 at 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT with the following episodes being released…

1
The History of Recording Drums with Jay Petach 56:24

3M ago56:24

56:24

Unravel the captivating journey of recording technology with Jay Petach as your guide, spanning back to the 1800s when pioneers like Thomas Edison introduced groundbreaking inventions like the Phonograph and Edison's Cylinders. Delve into the evolution leading to the revolutionary use of magnetic tape and the advent of computers, propelling us into…

1
Scott Rosenberg 49:19

4M ago49:19

49:19

Scott Rosenberg is an American film producer, actor and writer from Needham, Massachusetts. He has a bachelor's degree from Boston University and an MFA from UCLA. He came in third place at a UCLA screenwriting contest which led him to sign with his first agent. He wrote Disturbing Behavior (1998), Beautiful Girls (1996), Highway (2002), High Fidel…

1
New Temporary Schedule and New Studio! 6:01

4M ago6:01

6:01

Hey everyone! I am launching a temporary bi-weekly show schedule with two new episodes per month. We are currently in the midst of an attic renovation which has bumped me out of my normal Drum History Studio for the next month or two. It has been chaos recently with having a newborn and i've got some new stuff going on with traveling to California …

1
Ellis Tollin: Drumming's Unsung Legend with Anthony Amodeo 1:05:43

4M ago1:05:43

1:05:43

Ellis Tollin is a world-class performer who played on hit records, started a very successful music store in Philadelphia called Music City, which hosted countless performances by greats such as Louie Bellson, Max Roach, Art Blakey, and many more. Ellis is known as the father of the Drum Clinic, and he was also a close personal friend of Buddy Rich.…

1
Mike Tollin 47:42

5M ago47:42

47:42

Mike Tollin is a Producer, Director and Writer in various formats from documentaries to television to movies. From directing multiple episodes of TV shows like One Tree Hill or well known movies like Radio and Summer catch, Mike is a storyteller that where is different hats for different occasions. He sits down with John to discuss the process of a…

1
The Budget Guide to "Sleeper" Drum Gear with Gerry Porter 1:04:43

5M ago1:04:43

1:04:43

Gerry shares with us a list of drums and cymbals that are often overlooked and under-marketed but sound just as good as the equipment that is 10x the price. "Sleeper Gear," by definition, is drum gear that you might not notice at a music store or never even consider trying when, in reality, it sounds great and can be found at a bargain price. Gerry…

1
(The Vault) The History of Gretsch Drums with John Sheridan 53:55

5M ago53:55

53:55

(First Aired Feb 2019) "That Great Gretsch Sound" has been around since 1883, join me as I talk with John Sheridan about the full history of this iconic company! John is an expert on Gretsch and co-wrote "The Gretsch Book" with Rob Cook. John takes us through the 136 year history with amazing facts and stories and also some information that you won…

1
Drums & Demons: The Tragic Journey of Jim Gordon with Joel Selvin 55:13

5M ago55:13

55:13

Jim Gordon went from being the first call drummer of his generation who played on hundreds of hit records, to becoming a victim of the chemicals in his brain that caused him to murder his mother in a schizophrenic episode. Joel Selvin describes his Jim Gordon's life and his book perfectly with this description: "The blazing rock opera of the greate…

1
Brian Currie 42:17

5M ago42:17

42:17

John brings on a special guest today. Brian Currie is it two-time Academy award winner and screenwriter for the film "Green Book". John and Brian talk about upbringings in an Irish family as well as what motivated him to take part in this crazy business we call Hollywood. There's quite a few gems of important advice so pay attention produced by Joh…

1
Who is Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Drummer? 16:31

5M ago16:31

16:31

Did you know that Alfred Hitchcock used a drummer on the set of the 1963 classic thriller, 'The Birds'? The real question is: who is this mystery drummer, and how/why did Hitchcock employ a percussionist to perform during the filming of the movie? I have been researching this topic for the last few weeks and have made some amazing discoveries about…

1
A Look at Alex Van Halen's Gear (Part 2) with Kurt Ekstrom 1:44:11

6M ago1:44:11

1:44:11

(Part 2 Covers 1985-2015) Alex Van Halen is responsible for inspiring a generation of young drummers to pick up drumsticks because of his virtuosic playing and HUGE drum sets. Kurt Ekstrom joins us on the podcast to guide us through each and every one of Alex's iconic drum sets and all the accessories and details that make them absolutely one of a …

1
Recap Episode 44:50

6M ago44:50

44:50

So far we've interviewed five different storytellers with distinct ways of telling their stories. Johnny C picks out the best inspiring tidbits and motivate you to new ways of thinking. This episode is definitely a do not miss. Host John C McGinley Produced by John C McGinley and Angie Quidim Audio editing and recording by Chris Sweda, TME Producti…

1
A Look at Alex Van Halen's Gear (Part 1) with Kurt Ekstrom 2:14:03

6M ago2:14:03

2:14:03

(Part 1 covers 1964-1984) Alex Van Halen is responsible for inspiring a generation of young drummers to pick up drumsticks because of his virtuosic playing and HUGE drum sets. Kurt Ekstrom joins us on the podcast to guide us through each and every one of Alex's iconic drum sets and all the accessories and details that make them absolutely one of a …

1
(The Vault) The History of Sabian Cymbals with Andy Zildjian 1:00:25

6M ago1:00:25

1:00:25

My wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy last week, so enjoy this classic episode from 2020 while I get caught up on next weeks episode! Andy Zildjian is the president of Sabian Cymbals and takes us on a very fun journey through the history of the company that dates back to its founding in 1981 by his father, Robert Zildjian. This episode features …

1
Scott Silver 37:28

6M ago37:28

37:28

In this episode Johnny C talks with writer director and producer Scott Silver about the tough times and the good times of being Hollywood screenwriter. Scott is an Oscar nominated writer who's one of the people responsible for films like "8 Mile", "The Joker" and the upcoming Joker sequel. It's not all smiles and sunshine and sometimes you get thro…

1
Designing a Mega Drum Set with Mike Mangini 57:04

6M ago57:04

57:04

Mike Mangini is famous for being an incredibly talented drummer and teacher, but also for creating some of the most elaborate and breathtaking drum sets of all time. He breaks down his first kit, which he used with Extreme, consisting of RotoToms in an 'Apex Shape.' Then, we jump to his 2010s Dream Theater kit, which was a modern marvel of drum set…

1
(The Vault) Ringo Starr's Life and Gear with Gary Astridge - New Video! 1:04:29

6M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

(From March 2020) Gary is a historian and expert on all things Ringo Starr. He has curated Ringo's collection of original Beatles drum kits and is full of great stories about Ringo that you won't hear from anyone else! We talk about a biography of Ringo, A description of all of his drum sets through the years, and Garys involvement with Ringo and h…

1
Kenny Chesney 29:59

7M ago29:59

29:59

From the power and process of flow, the work that goes into being ready, the role of gratitude, and the reality of being smart in achieving success, Kenny and Johnny C. go into more thoughtful places than most of modern media. Ungarded,personal and sifting through the white noise that surrounds success, Johnny C, created what is almost a late night…

1
Exploring Silent Film Era Drums and Traps with Nick White 1:11:02

7M ago1:11:02

1:11:02

Nick White has the worlds largest collection of Silent Film Trap instruments, and he recently used them in the Martin Scorsese film, Killers of the Flower Moon. Nick shares some of his favorite instruments and sounds in this episode including automotive, train, animal, impact, and comedy sound effects, plus many more. Nick was on the show over 200 …

1
How to Make a Career as a Drummer with Henrique De Almeida 1:13:53

7M ago1:13:53

1:13:53

Henrique has had a prolific drumming career as a performer, Berklee professor, author, studio musician, clinician, and business owner. In this episode, he teaches us a clear path to create a successful and fulfilling career as working drummers through multiple different outlets. We cover topics such as do you need to read to be a pro drummer? What …

1
(The Vault) The History of Keller Shells with Justin Owen 47:30

7M ago47:30

47:30

(4/30/2019) Keller has quietly made drum shells for many of the worlds greatest drum brands - learn about how the company got its start in 1946! I talk with Justin Owen, Special Accounts Manager at Keller Products, about how this company has been at the center of the drum universe for over 70 years and managed to remain out of the limelight. - you …

1
Drum History Podcast Intro Challenge is live! 2:53

7M ago2:53

2:53

Thanks to everyone who submitted videos of themselves playing the Drum History Podcast intro music for the 2023 Drum History Intro Challenge to help me celebrate 5 years of the Podcast. We got 33 great submissions from all over the world and they are all unique and sound amazing! Check them out here on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ugAdCU9BS…

1
Randall Wallace 31:51

8M ago31:51

31:51

Randall Wallace is an author, filmmaker, screenwriter and theologian. He's written major films such as "When We Were Soldiers" and the well-known story of William Wallace called "Braveheart". Today Johnny C talks about the sacrifices one makes to be successful in Hollywood. Randall goes into a deep dive about his career and the sacrifices he's made…

1
(The Vault) The Birth of the Drum Set with Dr. Jaz Sawyer 46:10

8M ago46:10

46:10

(Released May 2019) Did Papa Jo Jones invent the Hi-Hat with the help of a plumber? Find out in this episode! Jaz takes us from the beginnings of drumming in Africa through the advent of the modern drum set as we know it today. The amount of different cultures drumming styles that blended together leading up to "double drumming" goes much deeper th…

1
A Look at Tony Williams Cymbals (Part 4: 1963-1997) with Paul Wells 2:04:32

8M ago2:04:32

2:04:32

Paul Wells closes out the 4 part Tony Williams series with a deep dive into TW's legendary cymbals, and his Sticks and Heads. Tony Williams is one of the most iconic drummers of the 20th century, with a meteoric rise from his days with Miles Davis to his Lifetime project, and he became jazz royalty through his tireless pursuit of pushing our instru…

1
Brian Helgeland 30:47

8M ago30:47

30:47

Benjamin Byron Davis PublishedNov 14, 2023 Welcome to the world of "Connective Tissue" where storytelling, storytellers, current events, conflicts, and kindness are brought to the same table to find connective tissue between them. It is a safe space for critical thinking and some different perspectives to engage our audience. There also might be qu…

1
A Look at Tony Williams Gear (Part 3: 1990-1997) with Scott Garrison 1:29:13

8M ago1:29:13

1:29:13

Scott Garrison was Tony Williams drum tech from 1994 through Tony's passing in 1997. He takes us on a journey through the gear and his experiences with Tony Williams in great detail. Tony Williams is one of the most iconic drummers of the 20th century, with a meteoric rise from his days with Miles Davis to his Lifetime project, and he became jazz r…

1
A Look at Tony Williams Gear (Part 2: 1975-1990) with Paul Wells 1:49:15

8M ago1:49:15

1:49:15

Paul Wells takes us on a journey through the gear of Tony Williams in extreme detail. Tony Williams is one of the most iconic drummers of the 20th century, with a meteoric rise from his days with Miles Davis to his Lifetime project, and he became jazz royalty through his tireless pursuit of pushing our instrument to its limits. Tony Williams will a…

1
Benjamin Byron Davis 32:05

9M ago32:05

32:05

Welcome to the world of "Connective Tissue" where storytelling, storytellers, current events, conflicts, and kindness are brought to the same table to find connective tissue between them. It is a safe space for critical thinking and some different perspectives to engage our audience. There also might be quite a few candid conversations that listene…

1
A Look at Tony Williams Gear (Part 1: 1940's-1975) with Paul Wells 1:35:38

9M ago1:35:38

1:35:38

Paul Wells is back on the show to take us on a journey through the gear of Tony Williams in extreme detail. Tony Williams is one of the most iconic drummers of the 20th century, with a meteoric rise from his days with Miles Davis to his Lifetime project, and he became jazz royalty through his tireless pursuit of pushing our instrument to its limits…

1
(The Vault) The Roots of Reggae Drumming with Gil Sharone 54:38

9M ago54:38

54:38

(May 2021) Gil is a world renowned drummer who shares his deep passion and knowledge for Reggae drumming in this great episode. He takes us through all the sub genres such as ska, rocksteady, dub, and dancehall. Plus he teaches us about the legends in Reggae drumming such as Lloyd Knibb and Carlton Barrett and the gear that these Jamaican drummers …

1
From “War Dogs” to Drum Machines with David Packouz 1:06:03

9M ago1:06:03

1:06:03

David Packouz was the subject of the 2016 film 'War Dogs' (starring Miles Teller and Jonah Hill), which chronicled his incredible experience as a contract gun runner for the US government during the Iraq War. In complete contrast to that, he has more recently created a top-of-the-line drum machine called the Beat Buddy, which captures the feel of a…

1
5 year Anniversary of Drum History! (Listener Video Project) 13:27

9M ago13:27

13:27

Thank you to everyone who has supported the show over the last 5 years! I am excited to announce a project where I am going to make a video showcasing you guys performing the Drum History Podcast Into music. Shoot a video of yourself performing and send me the files to drummingwithbart1@gmail.com by November 7th, 2023 and I will edit everything tog…

1
Exploring Calfskin Drum Heads with Rob Cook 1:14:35

10M ago1:14:35

1:14:35

Rob Cook joins me to discuss all things calfskin drumheads in this interesting and educational episode! We talk about the differences between calfskin and other animal skin heads, the level of durability, how temperature affects them, what happened to the industry when plastic heads came along and much more! Rob Cook is the founder of Rebeats, runs…

1
Mind. Body. Drums. - Drumming and the Nervous System with Adam Gust 59:13

10M ago59:13

59:13

Adam Gust teaches us how understanding Neuroscience, The Vegus Nerve, and listening to your body and emotions can help you be a better drummer with less pain and tension in your body. Adam began this quest to combine brain science and drumming after traumatic experience where he lost the ability to play the drums after walking through a plate glass…

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