614 – Carter McLean: Authenticity is Everything

Carter McLean, the longtime Broadway drummer (Lion King) and groove monster behind acts like Charlie Hunter has no doubt caught your eye already. As someone whose the envy of a lot of drummers because of his feel, touch, and overall sound, Carter makes it all sound so easy. But make no mistake, it’s not as easy as it looks. Like a detective, Carter spends hours experimenting with sounds, textures, and other equipment in the never-ending journey of refining his sound. One thing that remains the same is his dedication to just being himself. In a world of social media, Carter has done an amazing job of leveraging the internet, while staying true to himself and honoring his love for groove and musicality.

Carter McLean talks about:

• Picking up new projects after Lion King shut down for COVID
• How he stumbled into endorsements
• How he uses social media to promote himself
• What he’s listening to
• The challenges that stand in the way of playing authentically
• His advice for practicing phrasing
• Designing a custom drumstick
• What he’s going coming up next

Resources/Links mentioned:

• Contact Carter: Website | Instagram | YouTube
• ProMark Carter McLean drumstick
• Drumset Concepts & Creativity: Find Your Unique Voice on the Drumset by Carter McLean