Nashville Drummers Podcast

Hosted ByDan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner

Meet the up-and-coming players within Nashville’s diverse drumming community, plus interviews with special guests from music cities near and far. Hear their stories, be inspired, and share some laughs with us along the way.

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Luke Zajdel: On Tour w/ Walker Montgomery, Posture, Professionalism, & Peart

July 6, 2026

Season 1

Episode 90

01:23:00114.17M Comments Off

Welcome Pittsburgh native, Luke Zajdel! Luke is currently the touring drummer for country artist Walker Montgomery. A lifelong Rush fan, Luke shares why Clockwork Angels is his favorite record, memories of seeing Neil Peart play 5x, and his emotional reaction to Rush’s return announcement. He explains adapting the note-for-note prog mindset to Nashville’s more flexible country and session culture, learning charting after a last-minute Whiskey Jam call, and developing stage presence by loosening up. Luke shares how important mentors and teachers have been in his development, specifically studying with Mark Poiesz, who has helped with stage presence, mindset, and meditation. We touch on other influences like David Garibaldi, Morgan Rose, and Danny Carey, touring routines, fitness, meditation, home recording, and of course, Luke’s seemingly perfect posture behind the kit. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:17 Welcome, Luke!
2:23 On Tour w/ Walker Montgomery
5:39 PPG Arena Homecoming
5:52 Rush Roots and Favorite Album
12:23 Six Months To Obsess
13:53 Garibaldi Rabbit Hole
15:09 Rock Showmanship Chops
17:24 Seeing Neil Peart Live
18:25 Nashville Grind and Purpose
26:38 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor)
27:38 Looking the Part 30:23 Move to Nashville
31:52 Early Gigs and First Kit
34:50 Drum Box (Sponsor)
38:39 Rush to Country Mindsets
44:29 Mentorship & Meditation
49:24 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
50:06 Touring Habits and Fitness
54:09 Perfect Posture
59:58 Lesson Routine and Teachers
1:00:38 Overqualified For The Gig
1:03:34 Tour Culture and Temptations
1:09:36 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
1:10:33 Home Recording Goals
1:13:42 Rapid Fire Questions
1:21:22 Outro