Joe Bergamini on Subbing, Broadway Reality, and Building a Real Music Career
In this episode of the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast, I sit down with Joe Bergamini—drummer, educator, author, and one of the most thoughtful voices in the drum world.
Joe has subbed on more than 15 Broadway shows, toured nationally, taught for decades, and written some of the most respected drum books out there. But what really stands out is how clearly he talks about what it actually takes to build a sustainable life as a working musician.
We dig into what subbing on Broadway is really like, how learning music note-for-note early on prepared him for theater work, and how teaching, touring, rock bands, and saying yes to the right gigs quietly shaped his career. Joe also shares stories from his early club days and why preparation, curiosity, and relationships matter more than hype or shortcuts.
This is an honest, practical conversation for drummers who care about longevity.
Here are just a few books he has written:
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
Subscribe and Stay Connected
If you’re getting value from these conversations, make sure you’re subscribed to Broadway Drumming 101 so you don’t miss future episodes and articles.
If you know a musician trying to figure out their next move, share this episode with them. Subscriptions and reviews help more working players find the show.
Thanks for listening and for supporting the Broadway Drumming 101 community.
