#487 Clayton Craddock- Drummer, Author, Educator, Podcaster, and More!
Welcoming back Clayton Craddock to the podcast. Clayton was previously on Episode #430. With a career rooted in Broadway and live performance, Clayton Craddock has brought his unmistakable feel, discipline, and deep musicality to stages across the country. He's known not just for nailing the gig but for elevating the entire experience, whether in the pit, on stage, or behind the scenes, helping the next generation find their way. His playing is precise, powerful, and always in service of the story.
But Clayton's work goes far beyond the drum kit. He's a thinker, a builder, and a straight shooter—someone who values honesty over hype and substance over style. As the founder of Broadway Drumming 101, he created a platform that educates, uplifts, and demystifies what it truly means to be a working musician today. He's equally passionate about entrepreneurship and believes in ownership, not just participation—building something that stands on its own long after the last note is played.
Family is at the center of everything he does. As a father, he's dedicated to raising strong, self-aware, and curious children. As a man, he speaks out for fathers' rights, personal responsibility, and the importance of showing up—especially when it's uncomfortable.
To Clayton, music isn't just about performance—it's a vehicle for growth, freedom, financial empowerment, and connection. His journey is about legacy: creating systems, stories, and platforms that outlive any single show or moment. Whether writing, mentoring, teaching, or playing, Clayton's mission remains simple: do the work, tell the truth, and leave something meaningful behind.
Now, with the launch of C.R.A.D. Global Ventures, Clayton is expanding that mission—developing creative tools and educational resources and empowering media designed to support artists, entrepreneurs, and independent thinkers. It's not just a company—it's a movement built to last. -Read More
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Daniel Sadownick! Bronx native Daniel Sadownick earned a Master’s Degree in Musical Education at New York University, where he also studied composition. He then went on to study privately with percussion masters Andrew Cyrille, John Amira and the late, great Frankie Malabe. After graduating, Mr. Sadownick toured with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra for two years. It was here that Daniel made numerous contacts that would lead to tours and recordings with jazz greats such as: Michael Brecker, Dennis Chambers, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, Nat Adderley, George Coleman, Dianne Reeves, Carl Allen, Nnenna Freelon, Dewey Redman and many others.
A versatile percussionist that does not limit himself to one genre, Daniel has spent the last few years touring and recording with such diverse artists as: Steely Dan, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Idol, Tony, Toni Tone’, Maxwell, Angie Stone and Me’shell Ndege’Ocello. Daniel is also a member of the New York based cult band the Screaming Headless Torsos, who were listed as one of the top ten bands in America in the February 1996 issue of Musician Magazine.
Recently, Daniel premiered his own project, which is called Function Over Structure. It features all original compositions as well as showcasing the utilization of percussion in a “straight-ahead jazz context.” Daniel feels that percussion in jazz at this present stage seems to be limited to a certain style that does not included all the possibilities of the instruments. “I want to include all my influences when I play jazz. That runs the gamut from the Art Ensemble of Chicago to Joe Zawinul; from Cannonball Adderley to Frank Zappa. These musicians were torchbearers and pioneers. “I hope that my contributions make a statement that is parallel to these exceptional artists. They were consistent in their commitment to bring passion, intensity, and soul to their music.”
Daniel also teaches private studies in percussion and is a faculty member of New York University.
Happy Birthday to Ron Powell! Ron is a skilled percussionist, accomplished musician, clinician, author and exciting performer. He has toured the world since 1978 and has worked with over a hundred great artists, the most notable being, Madonna, Kenny G., Diana Ross, Sergio Mendes and most recently Brian Hughes.
Through his experience with Sergio, Ron learned the intricacies of Brazilian percussion. He has also played with Tania Maria, Oscar Castro-Neves, and his own band, L.A. Samba, and made special appearances with Gilberto Gil, Ivan Lins, Djavan and Samba School Villa Isabelle. Ron's versatility and showmanship have made him one of the most sought after percussionists in the world.
Ron is well studied in Afro-Latin percussion and has performed with Santana, El Chicano and Miami Sound Machine, Earth Wind & Fire, Black Eyed Peas, Rascal Flatts, and many others.
Ron has participated in many music related projects, which include the coordination of the African drum section of the Lion King Parade at Disneyland in California. He attributes his success in the music industry to his love for performing, sharing percussion and music.
Ron's equipment list changes with each playing situation, however he feels that LP is the only company with the variety and quality of instruments to fulfill his needs. Ron has been an LP artist for over 30 years.
Happy Birthday to Dominique Thomas! Dom is a dedicated percussionist from Philadelphia who began to travel & study percussion at the age of 14. He and his mom traveled to Senegal & Mali West Africa to study drum and dance with the National Ballet of Mali along with other masters. He then attended Berklee college of Music to further his studies.
Teachers He continued to learn under some of the greatest players such as Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio Hernendez, and great friend and mentor Doc Gibbs of the “Emeril Live” cooking show.
Experience Dom has played with a number of groups and bands in and around the tri-state area, starting with his mother as the lead drummer of a West African drum and dance group called “Kuumba”. He later toured with the Apollo Circus of Soul band as the percussionist. Continuing on his journey Dom has played with some of the top hip/hop & R&B artist such as Questlove & Black Thought from the Legendary Roots Crew, Mos Def, Raheem DeVaughn, K’Jon, Syleena Johnson, Kindred The Family Soul, touring and performing on “Dancing with the stars & Jay Leno” with Grammy award winning R&B singer Maxwell, ended 2013 on a 16 city tour with Grammy nominated R&B artist Jaheim. In 2014 also performed in Johannesburg, South Africa with Jaheim. In 2015 played on “Jimmy Kimmel” & Centric presents the “Soul Train Awards” with Philly’s own Jill Scott, all which landed me a full time spot as her percussionist. In March 2016 he also landed the position playing for Eminem and did the 2016 South American Lollapalooza Tour. The entire summer of 2016 we toured Europe (North Sea Jazz Festival) & the US with Jill Scott also doing shows in Tokyo, Japan. October 2016 performed on the Ellen Degeneres show with John Legend which landed me the full time percussion position. In 2017 I toured more than half the year starting in the U.S., Europe, and South Africa with John Legend as well as doing a show in Hawaii while finishing the year touring with Jill Scott. February 2018 we did the Dubai jazz festival with John Legend as well as a month long Asia tour. We also did U.S. tour with Jill Scott and currently gearing up for a end of the year/U.S. Christmas tour with John Legend.
Happy Birthday to Marcos Lopez! Marcos is one of the most promising multi-genre percussionists that broke through the music scene out of his native Puerto Rico. He's armed with a reputation for his profound ability to transition seamlessly between diverse styles with great precision, thanks to a history of great and abundant influences from every part of the world. Marcos is leading an inspiring movement among the musicians of this time that has broad implications for the modern percussion performers.
Lopez began to make his path known with the salsa group N’Klabe. Following its inception, he has become unstoppable. He has toured and performed with figures like Cuban superstar Issac Delgado, Puerto Rican all-stars Wisin & Yandel and salsa veterans like Victor Manuelle, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Tony Vega, Andy Montañez, Ismael Miranda, La India and Tito Nieves in venues like the Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center and the Carnegie Hall. Marcos has also appeared in ABC’s Good Morning America and the Late Night Show with Seth Meyers along pop duo Karmin.
As a Berklee College of Music alumni and after only 4 years as a New Yorker, Marcos Lopez has expanded his frontiers as a percussionist. He has appeared in countless recordings, including his contribution and featuring in major studio projects including Ceremony with Nea jazz master Dave Liebman, which was released in November 2014 and Maldades with Grammy winning artists Humberto Ramirez and Oskar Cartaya, released in 2015. He has become a member of the Max Weinberg Orchestra and has also been on tour with Multi-Grammy award winner Lila Downs, superstar Thalia as well as with the Grammy nominee band Plena Libre.
Thanks to family influences, including his grandfather Sammy Ayala, who was one of the founders of Cortijo y su Combo, Marcos began playing caribbean percussion instruments at age two. At age seven, he got into the Conservatory of Music in Puerto Rico and at age twelve he was accepted in the Escuela Libre de Musica where he trained in classical percussion, graduating in 2006. Within that time, in 2005, he won a full scholarship from Berklee College of Music, from which he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Music Business & Management in 2011.
While at Berklee, Marcos was part of “La Timbistica”, a group of Latin Jazz with worldwide influences that represented the talent of the renowned college. They headlined the Heineken Jazz Fest in Puerto Rico, the Monterey Jazz Fest in California, the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in Washington D.C, the Saratoga Jazz Festival in NY,and many more. They were awarded Downbeat Magazine’s 2008 Jazz Group of the Year Award in the collegiate category.
As an educator, he has given percussion clinics and performances at The Montreal Drum Fest, PASIC, Berklee College of Music and in the Percussion Festival in The Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music.
Marcos is continually working to reach new levels, musically and artistically. His evolution rests on a solid foundation layered with diligence and a strong work ethic that has been nourished by all his years in the music industry. These qualities manifest themselves in a form of professionalism rarely found in musicians his age and make him a treasure among the percussionists of this era.
Gig Alerts
The L.A. Jazz Fest is happening in and around Los Angeles, CA between Aug 7th-23rd.
The Guitar Center Drum-Off is back for 2026. Applications opened May 1st and will remain open until May 22nd.
Summer Stage in NYC has announced their summer concert schedule.
Olivia Rodrigo has announced her forthcoming 60+ date tour.
Damon has some upcoming gigs, starting with Kirk Franklin in L.A. on May 9th. He also just performed at Jazz Fest in New Orleans as well as on the Today Show in NYC with Ziggy Marley.
Educational Spotlight
There are forthcoming Day of Percussion events in May.
Friend of the show, Ivan Llanes who was on Episode #279 and Episode #386 participated in the Central California Day of Percussion.
The registration date to ATTEND this forthcoming Pasic 2026 in November opens May 15th. You need to first, become a Percussive Arts Society member for the best discount.
Iconic Recording
Clayton picked the Wendy and Lisa debut album after The Revolution. Damon chose the song, “Sideshow” (“Waterfalls” was also an honorable mention). Here is the personnel on the album.
Music News
Spotify is launching verification badges to differentiate from A.I.
Instagram announces that accounts regularly reposting content they didn’t create will no longer be eligible for recommendations across the platform. -Article
Indie musicians have just dealt the Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopoly another major blow in Portland, ME.
There are music related grants you should be keeping an eye out for. Make sure to take a look at the subtext.
There are also eligibility requirements you should also look into before applying.
Shakira thrills a crowd of 2 million with free concert on Brazil’s Copacabana beach. Shout-out to friend of the show, Brendan Buckley for participating.
Clayton Craddock Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Underground” from the Memphis: A New Musical (Original Cast Recording).
Damon and Clayton reconnected at the NAMM show. They talk about the Air Turn products, specifically the tap (that they both use) and the pedal that Damon uses. Shout-out to friend of the show “Q” Robinson who introduced this to Clayton.
Clayton talks about doing a speaking seminar at the NAMM show.
Shout-out to friend of the show, Brian Dunne.
Clayton has RELEASED A NEW BOOK! All of the things that Clayton talks about him being involved in can be found on his WEBSITE.
Clayton talks about food.
The new show Clayton is playing on, Cats: The Jellicle Ball has recently been nominated for 9 Tony Awards.
Clayton and Damon talk about passive income vs. active income. Clayton mentions Questlove’s 19 jobs.
Clayton mentions, “Everything You'd Better Know About the Record Industry” by Kashif.
Damon mentions friend of the show, Ari Herstand’s book, “How to Make it in the New Music Business” and Donald Passman’s book, “All You Need to Know About the Music Business”.
AUWA Books is the imprint that Questlove has. Clayton has his own called Cincopated Publishing.
Damon is writing a book for side-people and session musicians. It is his own sentiments as well as interviews with seasoned professionals.
Ingram Spark is the self publishing company that both Damon and Clayton are using.
Damon mentions the impetus for his book came from friend of the show, Mel Brown and his book, "From Zero to Sideman (in 5 steps)”
Damon mentions the C.R.A.D. Global Ventures and also the Substack, "Think Things Through" Clayton has. Clayton talks about how he chose the name Crad.
Damon has started the research on self-employed musicians being able to receive sick day benefits and/or tax credits.
Clayton mentions mental health. May is mental health awareness month.
Damon mentions the H.I.T.S. act that has passed.
Clayton mentions some of the concerns you should be aware of that are all in his book that don’t have anything to do with your playing.
Damon mentions Wu Tang Financial.
Damon mentions the book, The Big Payback by Dan Charnas.
Clayton talks about the South Bronx. Damon and Clayton talk about old school hip hop. Damon mentions, Who Sampled. Clayton mentions this Public Enemy song.
Shout-out to the Jazz Foundation of America.
Clayton uses the perfect pushup device.
Damon mentions Hannibal King Street Workouts, the Kentucky Derby, May The Fourth, and Cinco De Mayo.
Clayton likes Makers Mark, but there are other bourbons out there to try.
Clayton mentions the iconic recordings. He also mentions Prince’s bootleg albums.
Clayton uses Paiste cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks and mallets, Aquarian drum heads, and AirTurn.
Bill Lanham and Larry Lelli, and so many more (including friend of the show, Gene Lake).
Clayton mentions his merch store, including the Steve’s shirt.
You can follow Clayton on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The song leading out of the interview is, “Replaceable” by Anya Singleton, from her ‘The Other Side’ album.
