#480 Jeremy Wade- Percussionist, Educator, Composer, and More!
Happy St. Paddy’s Day!
Damon mentions playing a show with friend of the show, Terence F. Clark in support of David Ryan Harris.
This week’s guest is Jeremy Wade! Jeremy is a dynamic educator, composer, and performer based in Central Kentucky. He currently serves as the percussion instructor for Transylvania University, Lexington Christian Academy (LCA), and Jessie Clark Middle School, and as Teaching Artist for the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. He teaches dance for the Kentucky McTeggart Irish Dancers (KMID), and is Co-Director/ bodhrán instructor for the Kentucky Irish Music Academy (KIMA). In addition to providing class and private instruction, Jeremy regularly facilitates bodhrán workshops and Irish music/ dance presentations at schools and festivals throughout the Ohio Valley and beyond.
A versatile performer, Jeremy is a member of several musical ensembles and maintains an active schedule as a freelance percussionist, specializing in bodhrán, timpani, and drumset. He is the principal percussionist for the Central Kentucky Concert Band, and holds the drumset chair for Family Worship Center and Tates Creek Christian Church. He regularly serves as a drummer/ percussionist for local pit orchestras – including LCA and Woodford County High School – and has played for the Lexington Children’s Theatre, Woodford Theatre, and The REP Theater Company. Previously, Jeremy performed and recorded with Lexington-based rock band, Analog Apostles (2013-2014), and held the drumset chair for LifeGate Church (2010-2015).
Since 2009, Jeremy has cultivated a thriving presence in the Irish traditional music community. He has studied with several of the world’s most well-respected bodhrán players – including Colm Phelan, Robbie Walsh, and Cormac Byrne – and travels to Ireland annually to hone his skills. He plays bodhrán as one half of Irish trad duo, Set Course, and regularly serves as an accompanist at local feiseanna and céilí events. Jeremy’s bodhrán performance can be heard on several albums/ soundtracks, including Maiden Voyage (Set Course, 2017), Songs for the Church (Mason Ballard, 2024), and two documentaries produced by Witnessing History. He commissioned/ originated the bodhrán part for Chad Floyd’s EscALE8 (2020) and premiered the piece in 2021 with the Campbellsville University Chamber Percussion Group. In addition to garnering accolades as an instrumentalist, Jeremy is an award-winning Irish dancer, and performs as a member of the KMID faculty dance company.
Jeremy has a robust history in the marching arts that spans over 20 years. Since 2008, he has taught a number of high school marching bands (LCA, Bryan Station, Tates Creek, George Rogers Clark, Woodford County, Lafayette) and competitive percussion ensembles (LCA, Bryan Station, Woodford County, INov8, Triple Crown), and has provided percussion/ wind arrangements for schools across Kentucky. As a performer, he was a member of the Lafayette High School (2003-2006) and University of Kentucky Wildcat Marching Bands (2007-2010), played snare for the Stallion Stampede Drumline (2006), and performed as the timpanist for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps (2011). Additionally, he was a charter member of the Tates Creek Indoor Ensemble – playing timpani (2007-2009, 2011-2012) and snare (2010).
Jeremy Wade resides in Lexington, KY, and is a member of the Percussive Arts Society. He holds a Master of Arts in Teaching (Integrated Music P-12) from the University of the Cumberlands, and a B.A. in Telecommunications from the University of Kentucky (with an emphasis on audio and video production).
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Jon Shiffman! Growing up in Teaneck, NJ - Jon's love of drumming was forged under the tutelage of his high school band director Bob Hankle (Aretha Franklin - Trombone), and his son Matt (Blue Man Group, Tom Morello - Drums).
After jazz studies at both New School University and City College of New York, Jon began his career as a touring rock/pop drummer.
Most of his time on the road was spent with his band Steel Train - led by Grammy Award winner Jack Antonoff. Garnering a cult following throughout the States, Steel Train's performance highlights included performances at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Conan O'Brien, and David Letterman.
After Steel Train disbanded, Jon went on to record with Antonoff's Grammy award winning, Fun, and was hired as drummer and Music Contractor and Musical Director for Antonoff's solo project, Bleachers. With Bleachers, Jon received a Gold record for his contribution to the record, "I Wanna Get Better".
Since retiring from touring in 2015, Jon maintains a busy schedule that includes drumming for various NYC artists, jingle work, drumming and bandleading in event bands (namely Atomic Funk Project).
He also writes music under the moniker, Sports and Arts, and hopes to release solo material independently in 2023.
Happy Birthday to Andrew Beall! Hailed by NY Classical Review as “Spectacularly Virtuosic”, international composer/performer Andrew Beall’s work has been performed in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and North/South America. Grammy-winning Broadway Records released albums of his musicals, Song of Solomon (starring Tony-nominee Ramin Karimloo) and Platinum Girls (starring Tony-winner Beth Leavel) both of which have been produced on the international and domestic stage, and Goodbye New York, a commission by NewYorkRep, will receive it’s London premiere in the ‘24/’25 season. Recent commissions: signature song, “This Is Your Show” for national organization, Compassions and Choices, “Jennifer’s Lullaby” for the feature film, Four Cousins and a Christmas (MarVista). His orchestral work has been premiered at Lincoln Center. Broadway: Les Miserables, West Side Story, The Notebook, The Lion King, In The Heights, Beetlejuice, Aladdin, Six, Spiderman, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Days of Wine and Roses. Orchestra: Albany Symphony, American Symphony, Columbus Symphony, New Haven Symphony, Greenwich Symphony, Key West Symphony, Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, Pit Stop Players, and Parlando, which he also serves as Orchestra Manager. Twice Mr. Beall has appeared as a guest soloist with the Siberian Symphony Orchestra, performing his percussion and marimba concerti. He is the drummer for the Broadway dance company, American Dance Machine, eclectic rock quartet, Cordis, and can be seen in the feature film Breathe In and Amazon series, Mozart in the Jungle. He has released three albums on BMP Records: Deliverance, Glass Jungle, and Relentless. Owner of Bachovich Music Publications and Past President of the Percussive Arts Society New York Chapter, Mr. Beall is an endorsing artist for Pearl Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Innovative Percussion, Latin Percussion, and Evans Drumheads and a graduate of Manhattan School of Music and New York University.
Gig Alerts
University students and recent graduates: Applications Open on April 1st (not an April Fool’s joke) for the PASIC Internship! It’s the full PASIC production experience, providing an exciting, career-building opportunity for those interested in music industry leadership, event production, marketing, arts administration, and nonprofit operations.
You can CLICK HERE for submission details or read this next link for more info.
The West Texas Symphony has an opening for a percussionist. If you are interested in auditioning for an open position please download the application details, then follow the instructions to apply.
The Coachella Festival is happening in Indio, CA from April 10th-12th and 17th-19th.
Friend of the show Luis Conte will be leading his own band at the Baked Potato in Los Angeles on Friday March 20th. Friend of the show Kevin Ricard will be playing congas with him.
Educational Spotlight
The Drum Fantasy Camp has made a bit of a switch with the guest instructors. Keith Carlock is no longer available and Kaz Rodriguez has stepped in to teach alongside Dave Weckl and Steve Smith.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording was chosen by Jeremy. It is “Ancient of Days” by the late Ron Kenoly. It had friend of the show Alex Acuña on percussion and Chester Thompson on drums.
Music News
A vital program has just opened its applications in the UK to help emerging artists who cannot afford to go on tour. Harry Styles, Sam Fender, and Coldplay – have been stepping in. For a while now, they have been donating £1 from every ticket sold for their shows. So far, this ticket levy has raised a massive £5 million for the LIVE Trust. More information at the UK Artist Touring Fund (UKAT).
Timothée Chalamet received some backlash for his insensitive comments about opera and ballet. -Article
Trump’s hand-picked Kennedy Center board has voted to shut down operations for two years for renovations, following July 4 celebrations this summer. -Article
Kid Rock blasts the Trump DOJ for surrendering in its antitrust case against Ticketmaster and Live Nation for a mere $280.4 million settlement. -Article
Live Nation is doing damage control after the bombshell “robbing them blind” Slack messages dropped this week. But their response raises more questions than it answers. -Article
Following Live Nation’s DOJ settlement – and evidently fruitless resolution discussions between the Ticketmaster parent and many attorneys general – roughly 30 states are plowing ahead with their antitrust claims. -Article
Jeremy Wade Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Johnny Mickey Polka!” It is a track that Jeremy uses as the intro for his YouTube channel. it is performed by Jeremy and Hannah Harris (violin).
Jeremy recaps what he presented at PASIC 50 this passed November.
Jeremy played timpani for the Spirit of Atlanta drum corps in 2011.
Damon mentions the Boston Crusaders and their Irish feature. Shout-out to Andy Kruspe and Dr. Kyle Forsthoff.
Shout-out to friend of the show, Rónán Ó Snodaigh.
Jeremy talks about some of the history of playing the instrument, the bodhrán as well as some playing techniques.
Jeremy went to the University of Kentucky. He learned bodhrán as well as Irish dance.
He has a buyer’s guide that you can download and read when making decision to get an instrument.
The people Ronan suggested for buying a bodhrán are: Seamus O’Kane in the north of Ireland, and Paraic McNeela in Dublin. The German fellow Ronan mentions is Christian Hedwitschak.
Jeremy shares a playlist of Irish music.
Jeremy talks about the instrumentation of various groups.
Jeremy mentions a little St. Paddy’s Day history.
Jeremy’s grandfather was a professional percussionist, his dad lead a choir, and his mom played flute and piano.
Jeremy plays a bunch of faith based music, primarily on drumset.
Jeremy talks about the different institutions he teaches at.
Jeremy teaches at Jessie Clark Middle School, Transylvania University, and other schools as well.
Jeremy talks about his educational YouTube channel.
Jeremy got his bachelor’s degree in telecommunications.
He talks about his college audition material.
University of the Cumberlands is where he got his certification for teaching.
He mentions the Craiceann Festival.
Boston and Chicago are prominent Irish music communities. He mentions having one in Kentucky and building one. He gives some tips on how to build this community. Irish pubs and dance schools are a good place to start.
Jeremy picks the iconic recording for the week.
Damon and Jeremy talk Irish food and beverage. Damon talks potatoes and mentions THIS COOKBOOK by chef Poppy O’Toole.
Jeremy uses Metloef Drums by Rob Forkner, tippers by Steven Moises and Chris Hedwitschak Bodhráns.
Shout-out to Jeremy’s grandfather Terry W. Everson, Brian Flack, John Wilmarth, Andy Kruspe, Colm Phelan, Robbie Walsh, Cormac Byrne,
You can follow Jeremy on his Website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The song leading out of the interview is, “Medium Bebop'“ which is a play along track from Jim Riley’s Survival Guide for the Modern Drummer.
