I apologize for going so deep into the Cameo story in this episode; the music of Cameo had such a profound impact on my life and my drumming. It’s all part of the story of why I play the shows I play and how I play them. Sammy’s drum programming on the mid-’80’s Cameo records was stellar and set a high bar for drum programming from that point forward.
In this episode, we discuss:
Growing up in Akron, Ohio, and playing in several bands during his formative years.
What it was like auditioning for Chubby Checker and getting an 18-month tour.
The importance of playing live and playing with older and better players.
Going to a cattle call for a Billy Idol tour and his many second-place finishes.
How a $2.75 beer at the Prince Street Bar catapulted him to another level where he became the go-to guy for drum programming in New York City.
Meeting Larry Blackman and recoding ‘ Single Life’ and eventually programming the drums for their breakout album “Word Up.”
Working on commercials in the morning, then off to do sessions with Hall and Oates in the afternoon, and Cameo later at night.
How he met Cyndi Lauper and got the drum chair at Kinky Boots.
Sammy Merendino is one of NYC's top drummers. He is currently performing at Diana a True Musical Story on Broadway at the Longacre Theater.
He has recorded and/or performed with many top artists, including Cameo, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Foreigner, Lou Reed, Aretha Franklin, Ziggy Marley, Hall & Oates, The Beach Boys, Pat Metheny, Joan Osborne, Anita Baker, Sophie B. Hawkins, Carly Simon, Paul Rodgers, and many others. He has played on numerous Grammy-winning recordings and over 1,000 commercials and television themes, including Monday Night Football with Hank Williams Jr., Nightline, World News Tonight, and ABC Golf.
Currently residing in Harlem, Sammy's turn-of-the-century brownstone is home to a state-of-the-art recording studio. Complete with Pro-tools HDX, Neve/API/BAE/ mic pre's and EQ's, vintage microphones, and compressors, his drums are always set up, and mic'd - ready to go!
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Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.
You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms:
For more: claytoncraddock.com
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