Podcast 114 - Steve Miller Band's Gordy Knudtson
July 13, 2015

114 – Steve Miller Band’s Gordy Knudtson: Music, business and creativity and how to make it work together.

In this podcast I talk to Steve Miller Band’s drummer, Gordy Knudtson.  Gordy, who has been playing with Steve Miler since 1987, has also worked with a long list of a-list artists, including Jack MacDuff, Jay McShann, Dave Brubeck, Ernie Watts, Eddie Harris, Bobby Watson, Eric Gravatt, Bobby Shew, Richie Cole, Phil Woods, Georgie Fame, Howard Roberts, Gene Bertoncini, Phil Upchurch, Othello Molineaux, Diane Schuur, Patrice Rushen, Kevin Mahogany, Geoff Keezer, Keith Jarrett, James Williams, Manfredo Fest, Sergio Mendes, Patty Austin, CeCe Winans, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Leo Kottke, Peter Ostroushko, Ann Hampton Calloway, Garrison Keilor, Chuck Berry, Bob Hope, Don Rickles, Bob Newhart, Dick Van Dyke, Willie Murphy, Alexander O’Neal, and The Smothers Brothers.

Aside from his playing Knudson is a master teacher and has authored six drum method books, has produced many method DVDs and videos and is the founder and head of the Percussion Department at McNally Smith College in St. Paul, Minnesota.  In addition to his teaching and playing, Gordy is also the president and owner of GK-Music, makers of the high isolation stereo headphones, Ultraphones.

“You’ll never find time for anything….you have to make it!” – Charles Buxton (Tweet this)

In this podcast Gordy Knudtson talks about:

  • How he got started with drums
  • His early years as a “jingle” drummer
  • The changing landscape of the music business
  • The importance of multiple revenue streams
  • Getting the Steve Miller Gig
  • Founding the percussion department at McNally Smith College of Music
  • His approach to playing what’s right for the song
  • The 3 parts of educating
  • The “open/close technique
  • Ultraphones
  • Much more

Resources and Links Mentioned

Gordy Knudtson Plays:

  • Paiste Cymbals
  • Innovative Percussion Drumsticks
  • Tempus Drums
  • Prologix Percussion Pads

Podcast Sponsors