The Drum Panel: Master Rights, Mid-Gig Panic, and the Myth of “Making It”

Welcome back to Drummers on Drumming , powered by Big Fat Snare Drum . In this episode of The Drum Panel , I’m joined by my co-host Eric Urrea (Marina City) for a laid-back but honest conversation about drumming, the music industry, self-worth, and everything in between. We had originally planned to bring on a guest, but when that fell through, we decided to just catch up and hit record—which, honestly, ended up being exactly what we needed. Today we discuss: A belief we both held about drumming early on that we’ve since let go of. Why learning kick drum patterns is my first step when tackling new material. The very real anxiety of walking into a new gig and playing in front of a band for the first time. Our approach to charting vs. memorizing —and why it changes depending on the situation. Whether drummers deserve songwriting credit and how we navigate that conversation. The difference between publishing and master rights , and what every drummer should understand about the business. Our evolving definitions of “making it” as working musicians. How our instruments can feel like both a source of pride and frustration—and how that ties into self-worth . The constant push-pull between confidence and impostor syndrome , and how we deal with it. If you’re navigating your own creative path, juggling multiple projects, or just trying to stay inspired through the ups and downs, I think this episode will hit home. --- Get Your Copy of the Drummers on Drumming Book Today! 🎯 ⁠ Click here to order now! ⁠ Drummers on Drumming (the book) takes you inside the stories, records, and moments that shaped some of the world’s greatest drummers. Built on the Big Fat Five format of digging into top influences, it’s packed with candid interviews and personal insights. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, this book is here to inspire you to sharpen your skills and find your own voice behind the kit. For more information on Big Fat Snare Drum, check out ⁠www.bigfatsnaredrum.com⁠ and follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices