Get exposed …

... to more music!

It’s nearly impossible to fathom just how much music has been created in the world. As a drummer, I’ve found that exposing myself to many different genres of music, has been a fantastic way to broaden my skills, expand my creativity, and open my mind.

My early influences were mostly rock bands like KISS, Aerosmith, Jefferson Airplane — mostly stuff I'd heard on the radio and from my parent’s vinyl record collection. In school, I’d learn about the great jazz masters, from my band instructors. My best friend turned me on to a sub-genre called prog rock. My younger brother would introduce me to the alternative music scene, with bands you’re not likely going to hear on commercial radio. Then there were the blues jams hosted at the local club. I would go downtown every Monday to jam with musicians I’d never met, playing music I’d never heard, on stage, in front of an audience.

In the first five years of my journey as a drummer, I’d been exposed to rock, classic rock, prog rock, jazz, alternative, and blues. Not bad, but that’s just scratching the surface of musical genres and sub-genres.

Exploring with your ears.

While it’s been mandatory or recommended that most of us stay home during the pandemic, it doesn’t mean you can’t explore new music. If you’re like most people right now, you’ve probably found yourself having a lot of free time. That is, unless you’re a medical worker on the frontline of this battle against Covid-19, or an essential worker, keeping food and other necessities available. In which case I want to offer my deepest gratitude.

For the rest of us, we’ve got to keep ourselves occupied. So find a comfortable spot, put on your headphones, and experience music you would have otherwise never listened to.

To get you started, here's a list of some musical genres I've enjoyed, along with a few suggested artists:

Jazz/Swing - Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman

Oldies - The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Byrds

Southern Rock - Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special, Molly Hatchet

Classic Rock - Bad Company, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix

80s - Spandau Ballet, Eurythmics, Huey Lewis & The News

Grunge - Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots

Prog Rock - Rush, Yess, Dream Theatre

Metal - Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Black Sabbath

Pop - Lady Gaga, Dermot Kennedy, Madonna

New Wave - Devo, New Order, A Flock of Seagulls

Alternative - Radiohead, The Talking Heads, The Shins

Country - Big & Rich, Willy Nelson, Waylon

Punk - The Clash, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones

Blues - Joe Bonnamassa, Sonny Boy Williamson, John Lee Hooker

Funk - James Brown, Kool & The Gang, Sly & The Family Stone

Disco - The Bee Gees, The Jacksons, KC & The Sunshine Band

R&B - Mary J Blige, Sade, Luther Vandross

Reggae - Bob Marley, The Rastas, Delroy Wilson

That should be enough to help you make the most of your time in isolation. We're gonna get through this, and maybe on the other end, you'll have found a new source of inspiration to inject into your rhythms, and spread some infectious grooves ... instead of the coronavirus.

Stay safe. Stay home. Wash your hands.