I just released the full video conversation with Joe Bergamini, and it’s one of the most honest discussions I’ve had about what it actually takes to make a living as a working drummer.
Joe has subbed on more than 15 Broadway shows, toured nationally, taught for decades, and written many of the drum books players still study today. But this conversation isn’t about credits. It’s about how real music careers are built over time.
We talk about what subbing on Broadway is really like, why learning music note for note early on mattered more than Joe realized, and how teaching, touring, rock bands, club gigs, and saying yes to the right opportunities quietly shaped his career. Joe also shares why preparation, curiosity, and relationships matter far more than chasing hype or shortcuts.
This video is for drummers and musicians who care about longevity and want a clearer picture of how working careers actually function in theater and beyond.
Watch the full episode, and if it’s useful, pass it along to someone trying to figure out their next move.
Speaking at NAMM – January 24
I’ll be expanding on many of these ideas in person at NAMM:
Building a Career in Theater Music
Saturday, January 24
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Hilton California A
If you’re attending NAMM and curious about Broadway, touring, subbing, networking, contracts, and the real financial side of being a working musician, I hope you’ll stop by.
Broadway Bound and Beyond
My upcoming book, Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career, goes deeper into many of the topics we talk about here—how musicians actually get hired, how careers are sustained, and what no one explains when you’re starting out.
Get on the list at:
www.broadwayboundbook.com