Welcome North Carolina native, Kyle Wilkerson! Kyle is the touring drummer for multi-platinum, award-winning country artist Jordan Davis. We dive straight into Kyle’s career, discussing family life, golf-centered touring routines, and memorable courses and markets like Europe and Australia. Kyle recounts moving to Nashville in 2010 after Appalachian State, leaving education and classical percussion plans to focus on drum set, beginning his Nashville career through radio tour with Maddie & Tae, later joining Michael Ray, and subbing for Jordan Davis in 2020 before joining full-time in 2021. He shares pragmatic advice on evaluating gigs, professionalism, and relationships, plus views on Broadway, changing Nashville, and the importance of learning Ableton/playback. He outlines gear, endorsements, and emphasizes staying healthy, present as a parent, and taking action without waiting. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:06 Welcome, Kyle!
1:17 Morning Routines
2:41 Golf and Drumming
5:02 Favorite Courses
6:01 Move to Nashville in 2010
7:46 Jordan Davis Early Years
9:39 COVID-Era Gigs
10:44 “Buy Dirt” Breakthrough
12:19 Maddie & Tae Radio Tour
19:53 Switching Gigs
28:52 Drum Box (Sponsor)
29:34 Touring Europe and Australia
32:10 Linkin Park Night Off
33:05 Band Life and Festival Season
34:03 Playback, Tech, & Ableton
45:24 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
46:05 Early Influences and Jazz
51:11 Finding Your Passion
54:21 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
55:18 Classical Percussion Carryover
59:56 Nashville Then vs Now
1:13:19 Family Doubts and Validation
1:15:08 Raising a Family
1:20:41 Rezo Custom Drum Heads (Sponsor)
1:21:45 Career Milestones and Venues
1:24:30 Relationships and Rates
1:27:25 Keeping the Show Fresh
1:31:42 Festival Sets & Country Covers
1:34:51 Endorsements
1:40:57 Career Longevity
1:43:40 Rapid Fire Food Talk
1:45:27 Spurs Fandom and Soccer
1:47:29 IG Handle Story
1:49:50 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Rezo Custom Drum Heads
https://rezoheads.com

Connect with Kyle:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flatbillionaire
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyle.wilkerson.395

Music Featured in this Episode:
“Tucson Too Late” – Jordan Davis & NEEDTOBREATHE (Live at CMT Crossroads)
“Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis (Live at CMA Fest 2024)

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Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2026 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC