Our Story.
Nathan Sletner moved to Nashville in 2016, and Dan Ainspan moved to Nashville in 2020. The two quickly became friends after running into one another at Diamond Sound Studios, where they each rented practice facilities. Beyond “geeking” out over the latest drum videos and weird odd-time phrases to try, the two also shared a passion for storytelling and communicating about different topics, often outside the realm of drumming.
They soon had the idea that maybe others too would enjoy these conversations, and a podcast was born.
What Makes Us Different?
Nashville Drummers Podcast began as a grass-roots, DIY passion project with the goal of giving a voice to the up-and-coming drummers that you may haven’t heard of yet — our friends, neighbors, and colleagues that all have a unique story to tell, and that we all can learn from. While occasionally we will feature big-name stars in the music industry, the majority of our interviews feature lesser-known players from our craft.
Our Story.
Nathan Sletner moved to Nashville in 2016, and Dan Ainspan moved to Nashville in 2020. The two quickly became friends after running into one another at Diamond Sound Studios, where they each rented practice facilities. Beyond “geeking” out over the latest drum videos and weird odd-time phrases to try, the two also shared a passion for storytelling and communicating about different topics, often outside the realm of drumming.
They soon had the idea that maybe others too would enjoy these conversations, and a podcast was born.
What Makes Us Different?
Nashville Drummers Podcast began as a grass-roots, DIY passion project with the goal of giving a voice to the up-and-coming drummers that you may haven’t heard of yet — our friends, neighbors, and colleagues that all have a unique story to tell, and that we all can learn from. While occasionally we will feature big-name stars in the music industry, the majority of our interviews feature lesser-known players from our craft.
Meet Dan & Nate
Meet
Dan & Nate
Dan Ainspan
From Slingerlands, NY, Dan moved to Nashville in 2020 to pursue a career at Pearl Corporation, based in Nashville. He continues to perform and record for a variety of artists & bands around town.
Hometown: Slingerlands, NY
Moved to Nashville: 2020
Works for Pearl Drums in Nashville
Fun facts:
✓ I’m a twin (not identical)
✓ I’m a #1 ranked Rock Band (the game) drummer in the world!
Dan Ainspan is currently the Jr. Marketing Manager, Band & Orchestra Products for Pearl Corporation, based in Nashville, TN.
A Slingerlands, NY native, Dan attended the State University of New York College at Oneonta where he received a B.A. in Music Industry with Double Minors in Percussion Performance and Audio Production. At Oneonta, Dan studied percussion with Dr. Julie Licata and drum set with The Mars Volta drummer Blake Fleming.
After graduating in 2015, Dan relocated to Indianapolis, IN to pursue an internship with the Percussive Arts Society. Upon completion of the program, Dan was hired on full-time as their Social Media & Web Content Manager. Prior to joining Pearl in January 2020, Dan held similar Marketing positions with Marimba One and Herff Jones, LLC.
At Pearl, Dan is responsible for implementing various marketing activities for Pearl’s Educational, Marching, Concert, and Adams branded products. He enjoys engaging with Pearl’s online social communities, as well as working with Pearl’s best-in-class roster of Artists and Educators across the United States and abroad.
When Dan isn’t drumming, he enjoys podcasting, playing tennis, and seeing friends and other bands perform around town.
Nathan Sletner
Born in Redding, CA, Nate moved to Nashville in 2016 and has quickly made a name for himself. Nate performs weekly in rock bands on Broadway’s most popular’s venues including Tootsies and Kid Rocks.
Moved to Nashville: 2016
Live, touring & session drummer
Fun facts:
✓ My left eye does a weird rolling trick when I want it to..
✓ I do the best Andre the Giant impression you’ve ever heard..
Born in Redding, CA, Nate moved to Nashville 5 years ago and has quickly made a name for himself. Often seen on the streets of Broadway, (first from cooking hot dogs!) Nate now performs in several rock bands for Broadway’s most popular’s venues including Tootsies and Kid Rocks. When not playing shifts downtown, Nate is on the road touring with Artists Thomas Gabriel and Dustin Kines.
As a progressive drummer at heart, Nate is involved in a few up-and-coming acts including Crusade (Nashville) and Fly In Formation, who recently released their debut EP.
Nate is a recent Meinl Artist and drumset educator at Music Lab Nashville.
