Derrick and Jeff interview Memphis drummer Ken Artison, who works as a family engagement liaison at Power Center Academy Elementary School in Hickory Hill and plays drums for Elevation Memphis: A Tina Turner Tribute Experience and Just Liyah & Maxwell: A 90s tribute to Aaliyah and Maxwell. Ken shares how Stax Music Academy trained him in production, theory, and performance through a school-year program and summer music experience, and how young musicians can apply. He explains how he landed a long-running Sunday job at Al Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, the connections it created, and his move into more rock-and-roll work. Ken recounts joining Elevation via an audition, discusses tuning drums to a bassist’s lowest note, talks gear and cymbals, and names key drumming influences.

Derrick and Jeff welcome Brad Webb, Tony Adams, and Dan Cochran to talk about decades of Memphis-area recording and gigging, including sessions with Blind Mississippi Morris, Fred Sanders, and others. Brad describes building a barn studio in 1987, working with analog tape and early mic-mixing techniques, and running hundreds of blues jams at venues like Rum Boogie, Stage Stop, and Rock House Live. Dan shares that most of his studio work happened in Brad’s room but prefers live performance, and explains how he became a left-handed person who plays right-handed bass. Tony recounts signing a first record deal at 17, recording at Phillips Studios with Sam Phillips at the console, then working in major analog studios and becoming a sought-after drum tech and tuner, including a story from sessions tied to Matchbox 20’s early work.

Derrick and Jeff welcomes Steve Owens for a special in-studio discussion combining band date announcements, and an open discussion about the local music scene. The conversation covers double-booking problems, sound support, fair pay, covers/tipping, table reservations, and the shared responsibility of bands and venues to promote shows. Steve highlights Hadley’s Monday-night fundraisers benefiting 4-year-old Elise “the Beast” Glimmer (spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and epilepsy, needing treatment in Mexico), the April 19 “Pause for the Cause” animal-rescue benefit at Neil’s, and the sold-out Thomas Half Acre benefit at Lafayette’s on April 20, including an auctioned memorial shirt.

On this episode of The Rhythm Section Podcast, Derrick and Jeff sit down with Lonnie Hammer—singer and principal songwriter for Hammer Down Hard—for a deep dive into his musical journey. Lonnie shares stories from his days behind the kit with bands like Bullet Theory, Chosen, Jack Russell, and Black Oak Arkansas, offering a behind-the-scenes look at life as a working musician. He also talks about his move to Memphis, breaking into the local scene at the legendary Stage Stop, and his experiences recording at the iconic Ardent Studios.

On The Rhythm Section Sports podcast, the Derrick and Jeff welcome Memphis musician Zack Horvath, a Patriots fan and multi-instrumentalist who recently filled in on bass with Music Box and discusses singing while playing bass. Zack talks about simplifying his solo acoustic looping setup, preferences for smaller drum kits, and his shift from fronting bands to working as a hired-gun/session player, including an upcoming July 4th Gen X gig at Gold Strike. He recounts projects including 30 Minute Ego, Triple Annie’s formation from a Hadley’s jam, and Kid Ego’s run and lineup changes, plus earlier bands like PMD and Animal Crackers. Zack shares how he became a Patriots fan, his musical beginnings in school band and church singing, learning guitar by ear, and major influences like Freddie Mercury, Chris Cornell, and Matt Cameron.

On The Rhythm Section Memphis Music Podcast, hosts Derrick and Jeff interview Memphis-born musician Rice Drewry about his band the Rice Drewry Collective and their mix of classic rock with some originals, plus his trio Three Degrees with Donna Wolf and Donna Handsome. They discuss seeing RDC at Nashoba, the band lineup (including Dunk Carter, Dave Botkin, Tony Rapp, and Ron Richards), and RDC winning a Tommy Award for Best Original Band and performing originals, with Boo Mitchell presenting the award. Rice shares experiences playing listening-room shows at South Main Sounds and his long involvement with the Memphis Songwriters Association, reflects on early musical influences from radio and his parents’ records, and recounts his Army service as a flight surgeon. He also talks about recording at Royal Studios and mentor Jack Holder, highlighting his song “Playing With the Angels” (from the EP “Crisis in the Shockers”).

In this episode, Derrick and Jeff interviews drummer Mark Sansom of the cover band Souled Out, starting with stories about Mark’s son Gunner Sansom, a Jerry Lee Lewis–style pianist and singer who taught himself keys and surprised Mark with deep-cut song choices. Mark discusses Souled Out’s lineup, busy private-event schedule, and public gigs at places like Dan McGuinness, Lafayette’s, and Knuckleheads, then dives into drumheads, sticks, playing hard, and learning to sing as a working drummer. He traces his path from a junk first kit and early bands to Memphis venues like Stage Stop, road work in the Midwest, and even opening for Starship, sharing influences from Ronnie Tutt to Eric Singer and views on interpretation vs. note-for-note playing, clicks, and tracks.

Derrick and Jeff invite the band Standard Issue—Mark Vines, Dennis Rosti, Tory Jay, and Jesse—to discuss the group’s formation, members’ backgrounds, and plans for the future. They explain how Dennis and Jesse began jamming after meeting through FAA work, how Tory joined, and how Mark came aboard after the original bassist Brandon left. The band teases the possibility of adding Johnny Lamb on keys and vocals, talks about the challenges of singing while playing, and shares influences ranging from Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson to Gene Simmons and Keith Moon. They run through their cover-heavy setlist (including Stone Temple Pilots, Audioslave, Alice In Chains, Metallica, Dio, and more), recap a successful first gig at the Delta Fair, promote an April 2 show at The 10th Inning in Southaven, and reveal upcoming recording sessions at Sun Studio with artist Michael Inger.

Derrick and Jeff welcome Donnie Wayne Smith to The Rhythm Section Podcast, sharing how he started guitar at age six, was inspired by early concerts and albums like Ratt’s “1984” and Ozzy’s “Bark at the Moon,” and played Memphis-area rooms including the Stage Stop, where he recalls Nita’s guidance and classic club moments. Donnie discusses his COVID-era YouTube series “Separate Studios Together,” explaining his remote-stem workflow and listing collaborators from the local scene. He details joining Winger as John Roth’s backup guitarist from 2014–2019, including major festival experiences and how vocal-cord damage eventually ended his live singing work. Donnie also covers his transition into full-time photography with his wife through http://SmithArtisan.com, his approach to making clients feel confident, and his studio/gear-focused recording setup.

On the Rhythm Section podcast, Derrick and Jeff chat with Memphis guitarist and longtime instructor Rick Forbes about his background as an army brat who settled in Memphis in 1976, switching from saxophone to guitar after classic rock concerts, and joining bands soon after arriving. Forbes discusses how radio, FM album cuts, and modern streaming changed music discovery, and how he teaches students not to rely solely on YouTube. He outlines his current projects with Amber McCain and the cover band Spectrum, as well as past work with Jared Price’s “Almost Elton.” He describes the challenges of faithfully performing pop and Elton John material live. He also recounts years in the instrumental jazz group Pacific Flight, odd gigs, and transcription work for Willie Mitchell’s catalog, and highlights common Memphis venues and scheduling challenges.

Derrick and Jeff welcome back Kevin and Bethany Paige for their second appearance and talk about upcoming and recent projects. The main focus is the debut of Saddle Up Memphis, an ’80s/’90s (with a few exceptions) “diva country” band featuring Bethany Paige on lead vocals. They share details for the debut show on Saturday, May 2nd at Neil’s Music Room, encourage listeners to follow Saddle Up Memphis on Facebook and reserve tables, and discuss plans for future gigs. The conversation includes influences and artists they plan to cover (e.g., Reba, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Jo Dee Messina, Patty Loveless, Bonnie Raitt, Dixie Chicks, Rascal Flatts, and more), thoughts on story-driven country vs. “beer and trucks,” and the appeal of ’90s country for musicians and dance floors. They also recap Kevin and Bethany’s “All About Love” event at the Esplanade Event Center in November, including theextreme effort it took to put it on, and the large band lineup (including Angelo Earl, Gerald Allen, Eric Freeman, a four-piece horn section with Victor Sawyer, Mark Franklin, Chris Barnes, and their daughter singing). Additional topics include their duo performances around Southaven and elsewhere (Tequila, casinos, Lucky Dog, Lafayette’s) and their sitcom-theme segment (e.g., The Jeffersons, Facts of Life, Friends, Cheers). The episode ends with reminders to check out Saddle Up Memphis at Neil’s on May 2nd

In this episode, we catch up with the members of Fevertree - Tim Dills, John Paterson, Mike Bertoldo, and Rocco Wallz - for a hilarious and fun-filled Zoom call. The band members reminisce about their past shows, recent activities, and even share some wild and embarrassing stories. From discussing their haircuts and hunting adventures to Rocco's infamous pranks and gadgets, this episode provides an inside look at the band's dynamic and camaraderie. Don't miss out on the laughs and memories shared in this entertaining reunion!

In this packed episode of The Rhythm Section Podcast, hosts Derrick and Jeff kick things off by recapping their Friday night hang at Nashoba’s, where they caught a killer set from their friends in Land/Divided. Derrick also gives a big shout-out to Matt and Jennifer at Supernova Music for coming through in the clutch with some much-needed gear support.

The featured interview spotlights Scott Sudbury—lead guitarist, vocalist, and driving force behind Almost Famous, Famous, Lost 45s, Six Feet Thunder, and The Scott Sudbury Band. Scott walks the guys through the origins of Almost Famous, shares what the Memphis music scene was like “back in the day,” and tells the story of how he first fell in love with music.

In this episode of The Rhythm Section Podcast, hosts Derrick and Jeff kick things off by teasing some exciting new content coming to the show through the holidays — and what listeners can expect during the off-season from the traditional interview format.

Then, the guys welcome Doug McMinn, a lifelong Memphis drummer known for his work with Roxy Love, The Deb Jam Band, and Southbound, just to name a few. Doug shares stories from decades behind the kit, including memories of his father, Papa Don McMinn, a legendary figure in the Memphis music scene of the ’70s and ’80s. He recalls the history of Rum Boogie Café, his early touring days, the night he jammed with Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the journey that led him to Roxy Love. Doug also talks about his favorite drummers and the influences that have shaped his groove over the years.

For the feature interview, the guys welcome all four members of the rising Memphis-based band Land/Divided — Jacob Turner, Jillian Acor, Nick Ireland, and Zach Perry. The group dives deep into the making of their new record, sharing the creative energy behind its sound, themes, and overall vibe. They talk about their songwriting process, how Nick and Jillian each joined the already established lineup, and the importance of the rhythm section in shaping their music. Jillian opens up about designing the album’s stunning cover art and the deeper meaning behind it, while the band reflects on their experience recording with Jimmy Fulp at Broken Snare Studios. They wrap up by expressing heartfelt gratitude to their families for their unwavering support.

For the feature interview, the guys sit down with Tom Slagle, saxophonist and keyboardist for Thumpdaddy, Rock The Boat, Back In Time, and Heartless. Tom reflects on his musical roots, including his father Ed Slagle, a WWII veteran and Polka Hall of Fame inductee. He shares stories of his journey through various projects, his love for performing, and how he taught himself music theory the old-fashioned way — by reading books from the library.

In this episode of The Rhythm Section Podcast, hosts Derrick and Jeff kick things off by paying tribute to the legendary Ace Frehley of KISS and sharing highlights from their time at Fall Fest during the Starship featuring Mickey Thomas concert. For the feature interview, the guys welcome their friend Ken Houston, one half of the acoustic duo Ken & Darrin and lead singer of No Hit Wonders. Ken opens up about his lifelong love for Cheap Trick and music as a whole, the origin story of No Hit Wonders, how the band came to a halt during COVID, and its exciting relaunch planned for 2026. He also shares some memorable tales from the historic Memphis venue Stage Stop and its beloved owner, Nita Makris.

In this episode of The Rhythm Section Podcast, hosts Derrick and Jeff sit down with Alex Pruitt, drummer for the band Formerly Known As. Alex shares how his musical journey began playing drums alongside his brother in church, which led to his time touring nationally and spending four years at Stax Music Academy. He also discusses how he connected with Shawn Few, leading to his spot in Formerly Known As, and dives into his favorite drum brands, influences, and the lessons learned along the way.

In this episode of The Rhythm Section Podcast, hosts Derrick and Jeff welcome guitarist and vocalist Steve Taylor to the studio for an in-depth conversation about his musical journey. Steve, known for his work with Generation-X and Back In Time: The Music of Huey Lewis and the News, shares stories from his early days to his time performing with bands like Chasing Angels, Rants, and Night Call with Stephen Haynes. The trio dives into Steve’s Memphis connection, his unexpected career as a Nuclear Pharmacist, his musical beginnings, and the artists who helped shape his sound.

On this episode of The Rhythm Section Podcast, hosts Derrick and Jeff kick things off with a big shoutout to Matt Montgomery and Supernova Music, a local shop dedicated to supporting musicians through consignment, repairs, setups, and custom effects. They encourage listeners to support Matt and his team at 8785 Chaffee Road, Arlington, TN, United States, Tennessee - supernovamusicmemphis.com .

For the feature segment, Derrick and Jeff sit down with Corey Riggs, lead singer of the premier Memphis hard rock band The Boneyard. Corey shares stories from his early days in Tokyo Rose, including an unforgettable audition with Allan Bone, and opens up about his personal testimony and spiritual journey during time away from the stage. He talks about returning to live gigs, dives into setlists and band dynamics, and even joins Jeff in some Star Wars lightsaber nerdom. It’s a fun, insightful, and rock-filled conversation you won’t want to miss.