#503 Jon Epcar- Drummer for Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw, Composer, and More!
This week’s guest is Jon Epcar! Jon was on back on Episode #86. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Jon Epcar is a drummer and a songwriter. Jon has worked with Bono, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Rihanna, Gavin Degraw, Colbie Caillat, Natasha Bedingfield, Carly Rae Jepsen, The 8G Band on Seth Meyers, Klangkarussell, Cristian Castro, Frances Cone, Matt Morris, Madison Beer, Katie Melua, Evan Rachel Wood, SYML, Diane Gordon, Jesse James, Joan Osborne, John Cameron Mitchell, The Nashville Symphony, The Oregon Symphony, The Pittsburgh Symphony, Taryn Manning, and Danielia Cotton, among others. On Broadway, he originated the drum chairs for Spider-Man, Amelie, and Tina Fey’s Mean Girls. Jon was also a founding member of the band Carney. Jon’s debut album as a songwriter, bandleader, and producer, MORNING DRONE, was released in 2017, and his sophomore album, Solo Duo Toot, was released in 2021. Jon appreciates the great people at Paiste Cymbals, Craviotto Drums, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Reflexx Drumpads, and Aquarian Drumheads for their support and incredible craftsmanship.
R.I.P.
Dolly Parton, a cherished American icon, larger-than-life figure in the entertainment industry, and the enduring “Queen of Country,” has died at the age of 80. -Article
Dolly Parton did lots to give back, like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Jon worked with Dolly on the musical coming to Broadway this December.
Here are some other fun facts about Dolly’s immense heart.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Brian Prokop! Brian is a musician/educator in the northern NJ and NYC area who has been playing drums for over 30 years.
Brian started out with just a practice pad and a pair of sticks, but it wasn’t long before his parents decided to support his new interest by purchasing him a drum set. He began taking lessons at the age of nine.
In high school, Brian was a member of all the school ensembles (concert band, marching band, jazz band) and played with many local groups.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from William Patterson University in New Jersey, Brian made the decision to re-focus his energy towards music and drumming, taking lessons with top players and educators, including Darren Patrick, Jay Dittamo, Ron Thaler, Joe Bergamini and Ignacio Berroa
Brian loves to share his passion for music and drumming with students of all ages and ability levels. His work as a private instructor has instilled a continuing appreciation of music and the arts in his students. His ability to communicate musical concepts and techniques effectively is evident in his ever-growing presence in musical performances and programs throughout the community. Brian’s students have been accepted into county & region ensembles as well as college & university music programs.
Happy Birthday to MSG Mark Reilly! Master Sargent Mark Reilly (who was also on a PASIC Recap Episode). Mark is considered by many to be one of the foremost military music connectors in the world. As an internationally recognised performer, speaker, educator, and consultant, Mark’s experience has allowed him to travel the world extensively working at the state and royal level. He most recently served as the Acting Commander for the United States Army “Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps and previously served as Corps Sergeant Major, Drum Group Leader, Snare Drum Section Leader, and Percussion Arranger for the Corps. Mark is also a proud alumnus of the world-famous Top-Secret Drum Corps from Basel, Switzerland and his newest endeavour, The Washington Tattoo aims to bring a world-class international music and arts festival to the Washington, DC metro area. -Read More
Happy Birthday to Drew Tucker! Drew Tucker is a dynamic musician, educator, speaker, and arts administrator who blends his passion for the arts with a commitment to advocacy. As a trailblazer in the modern vibraphone movement, Drew reimagines the instrument by merging soul, funk, jazz, and hip-hop, creating a sound that is both innovative and rooted in tradition. His artistry has brought him to the stage with a diverse array of musicians, including Cory Wong, Victor Wooten, Shaun Martin, Stefon Harris, and Norah Jones. His contributions have earned him prestigious endorsements and the title of “Cultural Ambassador” from the U.S. Department of State.
Drew’s global impact is evident in his extensive tours across the U.S., South and Central America, Europe, and Asia, where he has captivated audiences with his vibrant performances. He co-founded MalletLab, a summer music intensive where he mentored over 50 students annually, collaborating with the worlds top educators to advance mallet percussion.
In addition to his performance and educational roles, Drew is committed to community development through the arts. He has played a key role in establishing and revitalizing arts centers in underserved areas, including Arts Garage and Old School Square in Delray Beach, Florida. His dedication to fostering artistic expression and accessibility is evident in his work. Currently, Drew serves as Director of the Jazz Road program for South Arts, tours with his band ‘The New Standard,’ serves on the Mallet Committee for the Percussive Arts Society, and continues to inspire as a guest clinician, speaker, and Cultural Ambassador.
Happy birthday to Ed Toth. Ed is an American musician who currently plays drums for The Doobie Brothers. Toth joined the Doobies in 2005 following his departure from Vertical Horizon.
Always interested in music, Toth says that he has been drumming most of his life. He made good use of his father's record collection and was active in all music programs in East Lyme, Connecticut, playing in his high school band at East Lyme High School. He went on to the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in 1994. While still at school, Toth became a member of the funk/rock band Jennifer Culture.
Toth has played in numerous other rock and funk bands over the last decade. Most notably, he was a member of Vertical Horizon from 1996–2005. Toth's association with the group began when he was working at a Boston Borders Books; The mother of Vertical Horizon's lead singer and guitarist Matt Scannell, was shopping in the bookstore and asked Ed for a Vertical Horizon CD, which he had listened to and quite enjoyed. His enthusiasm for the recording impressed Scannell's mother so much that, in gratitude for the assistance she received at the store, she offered to put the bookstore manager and a friend on the guest list for a Vertical Horizon show at Mama Kin, an Aerosmith-owned nightclub, also in Boston. Toth went to the show as the manager's friend; and when the band had an opening for a drummer, Toth auditioned for the spot.
When the Doobie Brothers' drummer, Keith Knudsen, died of cancer in 2005; Toth was selected to fill his spot with the band. He has remained as drummer for the band, first in addition to Michael Hossack. After Hossack's untimely passing, Tony Pia was added, and after Pia's departure, Ed became the sole drummer in the band, and later percussionist Marc Quiñones joined the band after the passing of Gregg Allman. Ed has been influenced by Stewart Copeland, Neil Peart, Bill Bruford and a host of other virtuoso drummers. Toth has also produced some critically acclaimed albums and started a band called Cooper with his friend, Tim Bradshaw.
Happy Birthday to Zach Jones! Zach is a drummer, singer, songwriter, and producer from Brooklyn, NY. Zach has performed and recorded with artists such as Sting, Ingrid Michaelson, A Great Big World, Elle King, and many more. He also writes and records music with his own group, Zach Jones & the Tricky Bits. Keep up with him on Instagram at @zachjonesmusic.
Gig Alerts
The D.C. Jazz Fest is happening in Washington D.C. from September 2-6th.
The Chicago Jazz Fest is happening in Chicago, IL from September 3-6.
The John Coltrane Jazz and Blues Fest is happening in High Point, NC from September 5-6.
Educational Spotlight
The North Carolina Percussion Symposium is happening in Raleigh, NC on August 29th.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording was chosen by Jon. It is, “AM I HUMAN” by Samora Pinderhughes from the album, ‘BLACK SPRING’.
The DOJ attorneys called the Kennedy Center “structurally unsound, fundamentally unsafe, and embarrassing to the Nation’s Capital.” -Article
Jon Epcar Interview
The song leading into the interview is called, “If You Can’t Say Something Nice” by Jon from the “Where We Meet” soundtrack/score.
Damon thanks Jon for introducing him to Spindrift.
Damon and Jon talk about birthday celebrations.
Jon talks about his transitions from Los Angeles to NYC and ultimately landing in Nashville.
Jon used to play the Broadway show Mean Girls.
Jon talks about building a network in Nashville from connections in L.A. and NYC.
Jon mentions working on the Dolly musical that will be opening on Broadway in December of 2026.
Jon talks about playing with Gavin DeGraw and Collbie Caillat.
Shout-out to friend of the show, Neal Daniels.
Jon talks about the difference in some of the artists he worked with.
Jon talks about what excites him in playing live shows.
Jon composed the “Where We Meet” soundtrack, which you can get from BANDCAMP.
Jon mentions a baking sheet that he’s been using. You can see it in the photo below.
Here’s some info on why we have been imprinting memories differently.
Jon talks about his son and his son’s interests. Shout-out to the Blue Rejections and the Ninja Turtles.
Jon asks about Damon’s new gig with Ziggy Marley.
Jon is building a new studio in the new house he bought. Shout-out to Deric Cahill.
Damon mentions the epsiode with Jordan Rose where he talks about his studio build. Also, shout-out to friend of the show, Carter McLean and Mitch over at AudiMute. Damon mentions friend of the show Ross Pedersen and the clouds he got in his studio from GIK Acoustics
Shout-out to Lorenzo Wolff and Restoration Sound Studio.
Damon mentions friend of the show, Joel Rosenblatt.
Damon metnions the Kallax and Kallax accessories for storage in his studio space.
Jon has been doing Bikram Yoga. Damon has been doing the NY TImes 7 Minute Workout. Jon mentions the 7 Minute Abs quote.
Shout-out to Paul Loren.
Jon picks the iconic recording for the week.
Jon uses Aquarian Drumheads, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, and Craviotto Drums.
Shout-out to Michael Carvin, Greg Hutchinson, Jeff Hamilton, Paul Kreibich, Dave DiCenso, Francisco Mela, Ralph Peterson, and Angela Mia Bachman.
Jon attended Berklee College of Music.
Damon asks about Nashville neighborhoods.
Jon and Damon discuss Spindrift.
You can follow Jon on his Website, Facebook, & Instagram.
The song leading out of the interview is “Dirty Sandwich”
