July 2008
*My new band is called "The Trine". The trio consists of Rob Olsen playing acoustic guitar, Mayme Keagy vocals, and myself playing percussion (Cajon, conga, shakers, tamborine, etc.). We're playing covers, but in a cool acoustic way.
*The Trine is finishing our demo (recorded, mixed, and mastered by myself at The Dream Factory) and our MySpace should be up soon.
*I was asked by Wavemachine Labs (the makers of the Drumagog drum replacement plug-in) to do drum tuning as well as bring some of my drums to sample at Smart Studios in Madison, WI. The drum samples will be included with the new version of Drumagog to be out shortly.
*I'm in the middle of transcribing a Beatles Drum Play-Along book for Hal Leonard.
*Altered Five's CD "Bluesified" is now available for download on iTunes as well as many other download sites.
*I'm doing plenty of recording for Hal Leonard instructional books.
May 2008
*Altered Five finally received our initial copies of our CD "Bluesified" on Cold Wind Records. It will be distributed nationally in June.
*Altered Five is once again playing the "world's largest music festival" Summerfest on July 3rd at 1:15pm on the Classic Rock stage.
*Altered Five is to headline Milwaukee's River Splash on Friday May 30th.
*I've been busy transcribing and recording for Hal Leonard as usual.
*I'm starting a new band (we're still working on a name!) with two great friends and musicians. We're in the middle of recording our demo at the moment. More to come....
February 2008
*I've been invited to give a drum tuning seminar at Madison Media Institute for the enrolled students. Should be fun!
*Altered Five signed a record deal with Cold Wind Records. Our CD should be available sometime in March. It will also be distributed nationally through Allegro Corporation in June.
*I've started transcribing the "real" drum parts for the matching songs available on the new Rock Band game for Hal Leonard Corp.
*I'm doing some session drumming for Garrett Ramquist.
*More recording for Hal Leonard instructional books as usual.
*The promo video for R.E.T Percussion and Madison Media Institute is now on youtube.
*I just began endorsing a great new product called RoboKey. It's a drumkey with a geardrive that spins the tension rod 4 times with one wrist turn. This means it's possible to change heads even faster. No batteries to wear out like when I used to use a cordless drill.
January 2008
*I'm currently transcribing a Police Drum Play-Along book
*I was asked my Madison Media Institute to set up and play an electronic kit by R.E.T. percussion. They recorded it in HD video to be used on their website as well as R.E.T. percussion's. Look for it in the near future.
*I'll be attending the NAMM show in Anaheim California. I can't wait to see all of the new products and meet many new people.
*I had a blast at the NAMM show. Please check out my MySpace page for the photos!
Dec. 2007
*I just finished transcribing the Steely Dan Drum Play-Along for Hal Leonard Corporation. I should be recording the audio CD for it in a couple of months and it should be out shortly after.
*Altered Five is negotiating our recording contract. We're also slated to record one more song for the CD Dec. 21st
*I finally set up my own MySpace page. I'll be posting some more music from time to time on there.
*I just finished tracking drums on one song for a new artist called The Last Few. More info to come...
*I have a couple of new projects in the works. More info to come...
*Merry Christmas!
Nov. 2007
*My new book "Groove You Can Use" was just released through Hal Leonard Corporation. It features 154 grooves on two CDs along with notation of each.
*Altered Five is negotiating our first record deal. More on this soon......
*I just finished recording the drums for the Blink 182 Drum Play-Along. The book should be available sometime in January 2008.
*I just returned from a well deserved vacation in Maui Hawaii with my wife.
*I'm in the middle of transcribing a Steely Dan Drum Play-Along. Look for it mid 2008
*My cymbal setup has been recently added to the Paiste website.
Oct 2007
*Wow, I can't believe I haven't updated this since June.
*It was a fun summer playing festivals with Altered Five and Heartbreaker.
*There's been no shortage of recording work for me. There are quite a few Hal Leonard books coming out.
*Altered Five finished recording our first CD. It turned out great! We're currently shopping labels to release it.
*Altered Five recorded an original Christmas tune for a Madison charity CD project, stay tuned for release details.
*I had the opportunity to play on the homepage opening tune of GuitarInstructor.com. The site should be up and running in December I'm told. Check it out!
June 2007
*I can be seen in the Drum Tech ad for their DTS Drum Tuning System in the August issues of Modern Drummer, Drum!, and Drumhead magazines. Click here to see ad.
May 2007
*I just began endorsing a new product called the DTS Drum Tuning System. Please check out my "endorsements" page for the link to the company web site. These things enable you to "sweep" between the top and bottom drum heads to find the sweet spot of the drum. Very cool!
*I have a new book coming out in a couple of months through Hal Leonard called "Grooves You Can Use".
*I've been busy transcribing more Drum Play-Along books for Hal Leonard. These include: Blink 182, 90's Rock, Punk Rock, and the Doors.
*I've also been busy recording some local projects here at the Dream Factory.
*Altered Five is putting the finishing touches on our first recording. It should be done very soon.
*Altered Five will once again play Summerfest (the world's largest music festival) in Milwaukee, WI on June 29th on the Briggs and Stratton Big Back Yard Stage from 3-5pm
November 2006
*I added some new Altered Five photos from our Summerfest 2006 gig to the "Photos" page
*I added five new books to my "Store" page. These are from the Drum Play-Along series which I transcribed and played on the accompanying CD. These are selling very well. Check 'em out!
October 2006
*I've just completed recording the Drum Play-Along Vol. 5 Funk book for Hal Leonard. Which includes me playing "Soul Vaccination" by Tower of Power (as well as 7 other songs).
*I just finished recording Ricardo Vasquez's Christmas CD. He is a local marimbist and a student of mine.
*I'm also working on some more Pro Drum Tracks songs for a local songwriter.
*As far as drum transcribing goes, I'm continuting to write out Jimi Hendrix Smash Hits songs for an upcoming Drum Play-Along book for Hal Leonard.
*Altered Five is continuing the recording process here at the Dream Factory for our upcoming CD. Things are going quite well.
September 2006
*Altered Five performed live on TV for the Fox 6 Wake Up Show. For photos and video, check out the Altered Five website.
*Altered Five began our recording on the 1st & 2nd here at the Dream Factory.
*I've been doing lots of gigs and recording this month (as usual!).
August 2006
*I've finally finished transcribing Chad Smith's drumming on the Red Hot Chilli Peppers Stadium Arcadium CD. This book should be released soon through Hal Leonard Publishing.
*In preperation for the upcoming Altered Five recording session here at The Dream Factory, I've purchased some new high-end gear: Great River MP2-NV (this is a recreation of the vintage NEVE 1073 pres of yesteryear) and a Cactus mic hand-made by Blue Microphones.
*Altered five has been doing pre-production for our first CD recording scheduled to begin on September 1st.
*I've been continuing to do Pro Drum Tracks for songwriters.
*Altered five has finished a series of gigs this month. One of the high-lights was performing at the Wisconsin State Fair this year.
*I've just begun transcribing the drums for the Jimi Hendrix "Smash Hits" CD. This will be for an upcoming Drum Play-Along book for Hal Leonard. I will also be playing these transcribed parts on the included CD with the book.
July 2006
*It's been a fun summer so far playing festivals with Heartbreaker and Altered Five. The highlights so far have been opening for .38 Special with Heartbreaker, and playing Summerfest with Altered Five.
*I'm still transcribing the Red Hot Chili Peppers CD Stadium Arcadium for Hal Leonard Corp.
*I'm gearing up the Dream Factory for some big upcoming recording sessions. More news later!
*As usual, I've been busy doing weekly recording sessions for Hal Leonard
May 2006
*Yes, it's been a while since I updated this page but I've been busy!
*As usual, I've been busy doing weekly recording sessions for Hal Leonard
*I've also been doing some fun Pro Drum Tracks sessions for musician's around the country.
*Both Heartbreaker and Altered Five are gearing up for the summer festival gigs. Check out my gig schedule for dates and times.
*Altered Five will once again be performing at the world's largest music festival- Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI.
*Altered Five has decided to record a CD in the very near furture (finally!). We'll be recording at The Dream Factory. Scheduling and pre-production are in the works.
*I'm currently transcribing Chad Smith's drum parts from the latest Red Hot Chili Peppers double CD Stadium Arcadium for Hal Leonard Corp.
December 2005
*It's been a really busy year for me. I'm not complaining. It's great to be working!
*I've been doing tons of transcribing for a new Hal Leonard series called "Drum Play-Along" to be released at the January 2006 NAMM show.
*Besides transcibing for the "Drum Play-Along" series, I'm also playing on the included CD with the books. It's been a challenge "copying" some of the best drummers in the world.
*Altered Five is scheduled to perform live on Milwaukee TV channel 6 for their morning show on Dec. 30th.
July 2005
*Altered Five plays Summerfest (the world's largest music festval)
*Yet another busy month of festival gigs with Heartbreaker and Altered Five, and Hal Leonard recording sessions.
*I've added a few new photos to the site.
June 2005
*My book "101 Drum Tips" has been translated into German!
*It's been a crazy month of recording for Hal Leonard Corp. as well as for my Pro Drum Tracks.
*Heartbreaker and Altered Five are gearing up for the outdoor festival season.
May 2005
*I was asked to be added to the "artists" page of Noble & Cooley Drums web site.
*It's been a busy month of gigs and recording sessions. I've been learning a bunch of 80's metal tunes as well as Mitch Mitchell drum parts for several Jimi Hendrix books for Hal Leonard Corporation.
April 2005
*I finally found the time to set up Scott Schroedl's Pro Drum Tracks. It's an affordable way for home recording musicians to have real drum track for their songs. It also allows me to be able to record for virtually any one in the world.
*I've been updating the site over the past few months. It seems like this "news" page is the last one I get to!
*It's been a busy month of gigs between Altered Five and Heartbreaker.
*I've been doing a lot of recording here at the Dream Factory, as well as the Beathouse in Milwaukee, WI.
*I just found out that Altered Five will be performing at Milwaukee's Summerfest (the world's largest music festival) again this year on July 6th.
November 2004
*Hey, what can I say! It's been a busy year. It's hard to keep this updated.
*I've been adding tons more books to my "store" section.
*The recording sessions and live gigs have been keeping me quite busy.
*My private lesson roster is currently in the 40's each week, which also keeps me busy.
*Altered Five is considering recording a CD here at the Dream Factory. More on that in the future.
*Vic Firth has put my signature on my sticks.
*Madison Media Institute has decided to add my book "Drum Tuning- the Ultimate Guide" to their recording school's curriculm.
December 2003
*I've added many more books to the "Store" page. Check out the latest selection. More to be added soon, including DVDs.
*Another busy month for recording sessions.
*Merry Christmas!
November 2003
*Complete web site overhaul!
*Tons of books, DVDs, and CDs added to on-line ordering.
*New photos added.
*Altered Five demo MP3s added.
*The Dream Factory gear list added.
*Yet another busy recording sessions month.
October 2003
*I've added secure on-line ordering of my books.
*I finally finished transcribing the book "Dave Matthews Band Fan Favorites For Drums" for Cherry Lane Music.
*Yet another busy month of recording sessions.
September 2003
*It's a busy month of recording sessions for Hal Leonard Corp.
*I finally received my beautiful new Noble & Cooley drumkit. It's ship date had been delayed due to extreme humidity in Massachusettes (where the drums are made). Therefore holding up the shell painting process. It was well worth the wait. The custom finish turned out awesome!
August 2003
*The Ben Hans Trio recorded their full length jazz CD here at The Dream Factory.
*I should be receiving my new Noble & Cooley drumkit (to be used in my studio for recording sessions) around the end of the month. This kit is being done in a custom blue sparkle finish. My 2001 Noble & Cooley kit will go on the road with Altered Five.
*Altered Five is starting to gig quite a bit. Check out my gig schedule for dates near you!
*I am currently transcribing a "Best of" Dave Matthews Band drum book for Cherry Lane Music.
July 2003
*I finished transcribing the latest Metallica CD "St. Anger" for Cherry Lane Music.
*I visited Paiste Cymbals and Aquarian Drumheads to tour their facitlies and to actually meet the guys I talk with at these companies face to face. I had a great time checking out new cymbals and hanging out with Steve Riskin at Paiste and Roy Burns gave me the tour through Aquarian drumheads.
June 2003
*My latest book "101 Drum Tips- all the stuff the pros know and use" was released through Hal Leonard Corporation.
March 2003
*I've finally added photos of my teaching/recording studio to the website. Check them out by clicking "Studio" on the home page.
*I received my first copies of my first DVD Play Drums Today!
*Altered Five is finishing the mix for our demo.
*I'm wrapping up the audio portion in my studio for my latest book "101 Drum Tips" that should be released in a couple of months through Hal Leonard Corporation.
*I went under the knife again on my right calf for compartment release surgery on March 11th (my third surgery since July!)At this point it's too early to tell my sucess for recovery. More news later.
February 2003
*I found out the my book Drum Tuning- the Ultimate Guide is being translated into Japanese!
*My new band Altered Five has been recording our demo in my studio.
*My ongoing saga with compartment syndrome has me slated for another surgery in March.
January 2003
*Aquarian Drumheads has added my new book "Drum Tuning-the Ultimate Guide to the News and Events section of their web-site.
*Vic Firth drumsticks also mentioned my tuning book in their educational newsletter. It went out to over one-thousand teachers associated with Vic Firth.
*My recording/teaching studio is finally complete! I promise to show photos of it soon.
*Hal Leonard just released my Play Drums Today! DVD at the winter NAMM show.
*I've had a very busy month of recording sessions and live gigs.
*I'm a part of a new blues band called "Altered Five". This new band also includes my brother Jeff on guitar. We're putting the finishing touches on our sets, and plan on gigging very soon.
December 2002
*I updated the photos section and gig schedule.
October 2002
*The first two weeks Melyssa and I spent our honeymoon in Hawaii.
*My new book "Drum Tuning- the Ultimate Guide" is now in print. It is published by Hal Leonard Corporation, and can be found at most major music stores.
*October 23rd I underwent another surgery on my right calf. The surgery in July was sucessful, but I needed more work done. This time it was a right distal deep posterier compartment release. The operation went successfully and I'm going through therepy to get my leg back in shape.
*I'm building an addition onto our house for a recording/teaching studio. I'm sure I'll post photos of the process along the way.
September 2002
*Besides quite a few recording sessions, I shot a DVD for Hal Leonard Corporation of the beginning drumset book I wrote called Play Drums Today! Level 1. It should be released at the 2003 January NAMM show.
August 2002
*I got married to my beautiful wife Melyssa!
July 2002 *As some of you know, I've been struggling to play the bass drum with my right leg for the past year and a half. I've been to countless doctors with no idea of what my problem was. I've finally gotten an answer from Dr. William Turnipseed, M.D. from the University of Wisconsin Medical School. I have been dianosed with Chronic Compartment Syndrome. CCS is usually caused by an overuse injury in well-conditioned athletes (particularly runners). The muscles in my right calf have grown too big for their compartment and cause a tightness feeling when I begin to play which restrict my calf muscles and my ability to play the bass drum. July 18th I go in for surgical compartment release, and expect to be playing again about a month later. During my playing downtime, I will begin working on a drum book transcribing job called "The Best of the Red Hot Chili Peppers for
Drums" to be release by Hal Leonard Corporation.
July 15, 2002 *new photos added from recent gigs!
July 13, 2002 *I just added a link to Sheet Music Direct. The Sheet Music Direct website features more than 8,000 fantastic songs in a wide variety of musical style and notation formats - including many new songs in guitar tablature. Thanks to Sibelius Scorch 2 technology that the site employs, sheet music files are quick to download, fun to interact with, and easy to use; visitors can see the music on screen, transpose the song to any key, and even listen to a MIDI file of the tune before they buy it. Dozens of top songs are added to Sheet Music Direct every day, and are searchable by title, artist, composer or format.
June 2002 *I've finally completed writing, recording and the photos for my new book "Drum Tuning- the Ultimate Guide". It should be available in a couple of months. You can get a copy from any major music store that carries Hal Leonard books.
April 25, 2002 *I signed an endorsement deal with Vic Firth drumsticks. The new sticks, rutes, brushes, mallets, and blades are awesome!