In this episode of Broadway Drumming 101, I sit down with the incredibly talented Skyler Fortgang, the drummer for The Great Gatsby on Broadway. We dive deep into his journey from early drumming experiences to landing a coveted spot in the Broadway scene.
Highlights from the Episode:
First Impressions: Hear about when Skyler took a lesson with me and immediately blew me away with his drumming skills.
Broadway Breakthrough: Learn how Skyler connected with The Great Gatsby through his work with Chris Jago and how subbing on Paradise Square opened doors for him.
Mentorship and Connections: Discover how Sean McDaniel became a pivotal mentor for Skyler, guiding him through critical stages of his career.
Musical Evolution: Skyler shares how his playing style evolved under Sean McDaniel’s mentorship, focusing on less-is-more techniques and the importance of sound quality.
Early Inspirations: Find out how Guitar Hero and lessons from Rudy Bird (Lauryn Hill’s drummer) sparked Skyler’s passion for drumming.
Navigating New York: Skyler offers invaluable advice for musicians planning to move to New York, including saving money, committing fully to the journey, and the importance of networking.
Drumming Challenges: Skyler talks about the physical challenges of drumming, from dealing with tendonitis to adjusting to different setups in Broadway pits.
Career Highlights: Skyler reflects on his subbing experiences on Broadway, including working on Strange Loop and Titanic, and how those roles prepared him for The Great Gatsby.
Skyler also provides insights into his equipment preferences, advice for aspiring drummers on preparing for subbing gigs, and how he balances his Broadway career with other musical projects.
Connect with Skyler:
Instagram: @SkylerFortGang.music
Tune in to get an inside look at the life of a rising Broadway drummer and gain tips on breaking into the scene yourself!
Clayton Craddock is the founder of Broadway Drumming 101, a comprehensive online platform dedicated to providing specialized mentorship and a meticulously curated collection of resources.
Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include: tick, tick...BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill, and Ain't Too Proud - The Life And Times Of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. He has subbed for shows like Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, Spongebob Squarepants - The Musical, Hadestown (tour), and many more. Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Boyle, Norm Lewis, Denise Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.
Clayton is a proud endorser of Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.
For more about Clayton Craddock, click here: www.claytoncraddock.com
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Podcast #80 - Skyer Fortgang