Broadway Drumming 101 - The Podcast

• Podcast #94 - Frank Pagano

  🎧 Episode #94: Frank Pagano – From Glen Rock to Broadway, and Everywhere in BetweenIn this in-depth, wide-ranging conversation, drummer, percussionist, and vocalist Frank Pagano discusses a career spanning four decades, which includes recording sessions with legends, world tours, and Broadway pit work for over a dozen shows.Key Highlights:* "You can’t practice experience—you’ve got to get it." Frank opens the episode with advice every young musician needs to hear: play with as many people as possible, in every style you can.* Glen Rock beginnings: How a school assembly changed Frank’s life, and how his early band with Jimmy and Jerry Vivino (of Conan O’Brien and The Fab Faux) set him on his musical path.* Broadway before subbing: Frank shares how his first Broadway show was Leader of the Pack, and how the success of that show at The Bottom Line led to a surprising jump to Broadway—with no prior subbing experience.* Why personality matters: The moment he was told at a Broadway audition, “If John Miller says you can play, I believe it—I just wanted to make sure you weren’t an a*****e.”* Life in the pit vs. on the road: Frank reflects on what it means to have one foot in the Broadway world and one in the touring world, and why that balance has worked for him.* Learning from the greats: From Joe Morello to Justin DiCioccio, Frank discusses the lessons that stuck—and the ones he wasn't ready for at the time.* Working with icons: Frank shares what it was like to record with Bruce Springsteen, Laura Nyro, and over 20 Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.* The subbing philosophy: Why subbing someone else's show isn't about playing “your best”—it's about replicating their show, exactly as the cast and band know it.* Advice for today’s aspiring Broadway musicians: “There’s no shortcut. Make yourself available. Go where the music is. Make real connections. Be reliable. Be likable. Do your homework.”Frank’s perspective is a masterclass in career longevity, versatility, and professionalism. Whether you’re just getting started or trying to stay in the game, this is a must-listen.🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you stream.This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Subscribe and share with anyone chasing the Broadway dream.Visit BroadwayDrumming101.com for more interviews, videos, and resources.Clayton Craddock founded Broadway Drumming 101, an in-depth online platform offering specialized mentorship and a carefully curated collection of resources tailored for aspiring and professional musicians.Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. As a skilled sub, he’s contributed his talents to Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Hadestown (tour), and many more. He has also appeared on major shows, including The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Deniece Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.Clayton proudly endorses Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.Learn more about Clayton Craddock here: www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

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• Broadway Drumming 101 Classic Episode – Featuring Joe Choroszewski

  This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.We're bringing back a Broadway Drumming 101 Classic episode with Joe Choroszewski—a musician whose Broadway and live performance resume is as deep as it is diverse.Joe has been on drums for The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring The Rockettes for the past three seasons, performing hundreds of shows at one of the most iconic venues in the world. Before that, he spent an entire decade (2009–2019) anchoring the Off-Broadway hit Avenue Q at New World Stages, helping extend the legacy of the Tony Award-winning production long after its Broadway run.As a Broadway sub, Joe is in rare company—having performed on more than twenty Broadway productions, including The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Beetlejuice, Frozen, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Legally Blonde, Jagged Little Pill, Ain’t Too Proud, Newsies, and more.Joe also stepped in to take over the drum chairs for Finding Neverland in 2016 and Promises, Promises in 2010, finishing the final runs of both Broadway productions. He was the drummer for the Off-Broadway run of Avenue Q and on tour, he performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Patrick Cassidy. Joe was also on the first national tours of Avenue Q and Monty Python’s Spamalot.In this episode, Joe shares insights from:* His time working with major artists like Heather Headley, Ariana DeBose, Cheyenne Jackson, Sutton Foster, and Chita Rivera* Backing cabaret icons like Natalie Douglas, Christina Bianco, and “Kenn Boisinger” (Michael West)* Playing for household names like Mario Cantone and Real Housewives star Luann de Lesseps* And his long-standing involvement in Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS benefit eventsBeyond Broadway, Joe’s played everywhere—from symphony halls (Princeton Symphony, Allentown Symphony) to cruise ship showbands (Carnival and Norwegian), weddings to worship bands, jazz trios to hard rock cover groups. He’s also helped shape new musicals in development and has been a go-to regional drummer for ACT of Connecticut and Ridgefield Playhouse concerts.Education Spotlight:Joe holds a degree in Jazz Studies from the prestigious University of North Texas College of Music, where he studied for six semesters with drum legend Ed Soph. He continued his private study with another legend—Tommy Igoe—in New Jersey and is featured on Igoe’s best-selling instructional DVD Great Hands For A Lifetime. Joe has been teaching privately for over 25 years and continues to share his knowledge as a guest clinician at schools and studios.Offstage, Joe lives in Somerset County, NJ, with his wife Giana, their three boys, and three dogs. He’s an avid runner, a vintage drum collector, and a passionate Major League Baseball fan.Clayton Craddock founded Broadway Drumming 101, an in-depth online platform offering specialized mentorship and a carefully curated collection of resources tailored for aspiring and professional musicians.Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. As a skilled sub, he’s contributed his talents to Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Hadestown (tour), and many more. He has also appeared on major shows, including The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Deniece Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.Clayton proudly endorses Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.Learn more about Clayton Craddock here: www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

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• Podcast #93 - Paul Hannah

  This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode of Broadway Drumming 101, we chat with touring legend Paul Hannah, whose career spans over four decades and countless genres—from orchestras to biker bars and Broadway pits to jazz trios.Paul began playing professionally at just 16, growing up in Las Vegas during a time when the mob ran the city and every hotel had a full orchestra. He learned firsthand from giants like Jerry Gilgor, Tommy Check, Leo Camera, Roger Rampton, and Walfredo de los Reyes. Later, he studied with titans like Vic Firth, Alan Dawson, and Alexander Lepak, preparing him for a career that’s taken him across the U.S., Canada, Japan, and China.🎭 Paul has performed on Broadway tours of:* Into the Woods* Cats* West Side Story (Tokyo)* Jesus Christ Superstar (with Ted Neeley and Corey Glover)* Spamalot* Wicked* An American in Paris* Funny Girl and moreHe’s also the author of the essential guidebook for any drummer hoping to hit the road:👉 “Show Drumming - An Expert’s Guide to Theatre and Touring” — available hereIn this episode, Paul dives into:* What the old Vegas scene taught him about musical discipline* Why the apprentice system matters* Studying with Alan Dawson and Vic Firth* The real reason he never moved to NYC* What touring life is really like* How over-preparation saved his career (and sanity)* Honest reflections on burnout, growth, and finding purpose in music🎧 Whether you’re a young player dreaming of your first tour, a seasoned pro, or just love hearing rich stories from the road—this episode delivers.Clayton Craddock founded Broadway Drumming 101, an in-depth online platform offering specialized mentorship and a carefully curated collection of resources tailored for aspiring and professional musicians.Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. As a skilled sub, he’s contributed his talents to Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Hadestown (tour), and many more. He has also appeared on major shows, including The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Deniece Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.Clayton proudly endorses Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.Learn more about Clayton Craddock here: www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

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  1:10:52
• BD101 Classic - The Warren Odze Interview

  Back when we were all stuck inside and Broadway had gone quiet, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the great Warren Odze—a true Broadway and NYC studio veteran. Re-listening to this interview in 2025, I’m reminded just how rich and inspiring Warren’s stories are. Things have changed for the better since we first recorded, but this conversation holds up stronger than ever.Warren has played in an incredible list of Broadway shows, including:🎭 The Life🎭 Civil War🎭 Kat and the Kings🎭 Seussical🎭 Thoroughly Modern Millie🎭 Lennon🎭 Come Fly Away🎭 The Wedding Singer🎭 Priscilla, Queen of the Desert🎭 Rocky🎭 An American In Paris🎭 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory🎭 King KongIn this episode, Warren talks about:* Growing up in Long Island and discovering the magic of drumming* Why seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show blew his mind—and how that moment helped launch his music career* Studying at the Manhattan School of Music during a golden age for jazz and classical training* Playing NYC clubs in the '70s and '80s, hauling drums through dangerous subways, and working 6 nights a week* Studio stories: recording jingles, subbing on Broadway, and why "every piece of music was handmade"* Navigating the caste system of NYC musicians—from the A-list cats to the club date scene* His first big Broadway break (The Life), and how a free jazz gig led to a steady theater chair* How he kept things fresh after hundreds of shows: “Do no harm. Save the patient.”🎙️ This interview is packed with wisdom, hustle, and hilarious throwbacks—from terrifying subway hauls to playing on the Dick Cavett Show (and yes, Miles Davis was in the building).Warren is living proof that being versatile, professional, and prepared can take you far, even if it means carrying your gear across town in a blizzard.🟡 Listen to the full episode now and hear about a NYC drumming life well-lived—and still going strong.📲 Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share with your fellow drummers, theater musicians, and music lovers.Clayton Craddock founded Broadway Drumming 101, an in-depth online platform offering specialized mentorship and a carefully curated collection of resources tailored for aspiring and professional musicians.Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. As a skilled sub, he’s contributed his talents to Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Hadestown (tour), and many more. He has also appeared on major shows, including The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Deniece Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.Clayton proudly endorses Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.Learn more about Clayton Craddock here: www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

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  1:17:25
• PODCAST #92 - Q. Robinson

  This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Broadway Drumming 101 – Episode: Quinton “Q.” Robinson (2025 Update)🎧 Hosted by Clayton CraddockDrummer, music director, and Ableton Live wizard Quinton “Q.” Robinson returns to the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast for a long-overdue update! First interviewed in July 2021, Q has since leveled up in remarkable ways—and in this candid, wide-ranging conversation, he breaks it all down with Clayton.From his early connection with Clayton through Ain’t Too Proud, to his time on the Hamilton national tour, Q shares the behind-the-scenes journey of earning trust, honoring commitments, and mastering his craft. He discusses his drum setup evolution, hilarious tour mishaps (air conditioning fan fail, anyone?), and the invaluable lessons he's learned performing in various cities with rotating local musicians.Topics Covered:* How Q first met Clayton and began subbing for Ain’t Too Proud* Getting the call for the Hamilton tour—and turning it down to honor a prior commitment* Transitioning from one major tour to another* Learning how to communicate respectfully with older local musicians in new cities* The physical and mental demands of touring life* Touring gear breakdowns, loadouts, and drum booth logistics* How Q approaches musical authenticity in drum books* The importance of having real-world experience outside of music school* Why developing a personal voice on the drums matters* Owning the responsibility of gear maintenance and musical excellence* What "Got Pocket" means—and why it’s more than a catchphrase* His custom ProMark drumstick and Q's hybrid drum keyMemorable Quotes:🗣️ "Technical skill is just the price of admission. What else are you bringing to the chair?" – Q. Robinson🗣️ "Sometimes learning what not to do is more important than learning what to do." – Q. Robinson🗣️ "Broadway music is not a genre. It’s a subgenre of genres. And if you don’t know who Bernard Purdie is, you’re going to misread the chart." – Q. Robinson🎵 Plus, Q talks gear: from his 20-ply custom snare drum to cymbal setups and his preference for heavier sticks with finesse. And yes—he even dishes on his custom ProMark drumsticks and signature drum key (with a magnet and a drill bit!).Guest Info:Quinton “Q.” RobinsonDrummer for the North American tour of HamiltonWebsite: www.iamqrobinson.comCustom Drum Key & ProMark Sticks: Available via Atlanta Drum ShopMerch Alert:Check out Q’s favorite drumming apparel at GotPocket.comClayton Craddock founded Broadway Drumming 101, an in-depth online platform offering specialized mentorship and a carefully curated collection of resources tailored for aspiring and professional musicians.Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. As a skilled sub, he’s contributed his talents to Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Hadestown (tour), and many more. He has also appeared on major shows, including The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Deniece Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.Clayton proudly endorses Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.Learn more about Clayton Craddock here: www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

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  1:23:37

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