Luke Sumner: Being a Pro the Right Way | Growing up in Nashville, Worship Drumming, Identity, Recording, & Staying Motivated

Born and raised in Nashville, TN, Luke was surrounded by the music industry from a young age. Throughout his childhood, he continued to develop his musical skills with his involvement in school and church. After high school, he attended Union University for Percussion Performance before transferring to Lipscomb University and becoming one of the first graduates of the Commercial Music program. Luke has since had the privilege of working with artists such as Sam Hunt, Conner Smith, Switchfoot, Tiera Kennedy, The Warren Brothers and many more. In this wide-ranging conversation, Luke shares invaluable advice on what it means to be a professional and how to stay motivated and humble in this ever-changing profession. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro 
1:57 Sonique Drums (Sponsor)
2:55 Welcome, Luke / Sketch Comedy
4:44 Growing up in Nashville
12:32 Worship Drumming
14:37 Playing with the Click
24:07 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
25:04 Percussion & Music Education
27:30 Union University, Lipscomb's Commercial Music Program
33:55 Drum Cartage & Mentors
39:55 Relationships & Comunity
44:43 Being a Pro & Doing Things the Right Way
46:28 Drum Charts
51:39 Musical References & Being Prepared
1:01:45 Choosing the Right Gear 
1:04:25Identity
1:10:59 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)
1:11:42 Going One Step Further
1:18:47 Relationships & Being Present
1:26:47 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
1:27:47 Memorable Venues (Grand Ole Opry, Red Rocks)
1:38:50 Staying Hungry & Goal-Setting
1:47:01 1st Ryman Show (Michael McDonald)
1:49:35 Home Studio Recording
1:55:25 Wrap-Up Questions
2:04:00 Outro

We'd like to thank our Episode Sponsors:

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Music City Audiology
https://www.musiccityaudiology.com

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Connect with Luke:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukesumner7
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lukesumnermusic

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Outskirts" - Sam Hunt
"I Hate Alabama" - Conner Smith

Intro Drum Groove
Recorded by Taylor Friesth at Garden Groove Studios in Nashville, TN
http://www.garden-groove.com
Mixed by Jackson Maddox

------
Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded December 2023 in Nashville, TN

Connect with us:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

Recorded at Garden Groove Recording Space, Nashville, TN
Podcast Artwork: GENUINE CREATIVE ART

ⓒ 2024 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:57 Sonique Drums (Sponsor)
• 2:55 Welcome, Luke / Sketch Comedy
• 4:44 Growing up in Nashville
• 12:32 Worship Drumming
• 14:37 Playing with the Click
• 24:07 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
• 25:04 Percussion & Music Education
• 27:30 Union University, Lipscomb's Commercial Music Program
• 33:55 Drum Cartage & Mentors
• 39:55 Relationships & Comunity
• 44:43 Being a Pro & Doing Things the Right Way
• 46:28 Drum Charts
• 51:39 Musical References & Being Prepared
• 1:01:45 Choosing the Right Gear
• 1:04:25 Identity
• 1:10:59 Music City Audiology (Sponsor)
• 1:11:42 Going One Step Further
• 1:18:47 Relationships & Being Present
• 1:26:47 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
• 1:27:47 Memorable Venues (Grand Ole Opry, Red Rocks)
• 1:38:50 Staying Hungry & Goal-Setting
• 1:47:01 1st Ryman Show (Michael McDonald)
• 1:49:35 Home Studio Recording
• 1:55:25 Wrap-Up Questions
• 2:04:00 Outro