MJ Milam: Dancing & Drumming | On Tour w/ Lauren Watkins, Building a Band, How to Be More Efficient On Stage

Born in Forest City, North Carolina, Matthew "MJ" Milam quickly discovered his love for music, dancing, and entertaining at a very young age. From first performing Michael Jackson tribute shows during his high school years, MJ would naturally transition into the drums at the age of 15, and hasn't put the sticks down since. At the age of 20 he began playing professionally gigging around the Southeast, and eventually landing a gig with country artist Ashland Craft put him on his path to Nashville. Since relocating to Nashville in June of 2021, MJ has played extensively on Broadway, and worked with artists such as Ashland Craft, Noah Hicks, and Meghan Patrick, and is currently on tour with Lauren Watkins opening for Morgan Wallen.
 
In this interview, MJ describes how his passion for dancing and performing has greatly served his professional drumming career, why the people you work with matters so much, and ways to be even more efficient on and off the stage. We hope you enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
2:05 Welcome, MJ!
3:40 Background from North Carolina
5:35 MJ's Dancing Roots
16:53 Making Country Music Dance
20:10 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
20:52 Transition from Dancing to Drums
26:47 Lauren Watkins & Tour
29:13 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
30:12 Early Years w/ Lauren and Finalizing the Band
38:40 Enhancing the Live Show, Ableton
45:03 Drum Box (Sponsor)
45:44 Playing Arenas & Stadiums
55:16 Sonique Drums (Sponsor)
56:14 Current Gear
58:11 Ableton and Tracks
1:00:27 Moments of Efficiency
1:08:54 Theo Von / Comedy
1:12:27 Closing Questions
1:17:49 Outro

Thank you to our Episode Sponsors:

Low Boy Beaters
https://lowboybeaters.com

Drum Supply
https://www.drumsupply.com

Drum Box
https://drumbox.space

Sonique Drums
https://soniquedrums.com


Connect with MJ:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdrums

Music Featured in this Episode:
"Stuck in My Ways" - Lauren Watkins
"Bad Luck" - Kyle Austin
"Fine County Line" - Lauren Watkins

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

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Interview by: Dan Ainspan, Nathan Sletner
Recorded April 2024 in Nashville, TN

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

ⓒ 2024 Nashville Drummers Podcast, LLC

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 2:05 Welcome, MJ!
• 3:40 Background from North Carolina
• 5:35 MJ's Dancing Roots
• 16:53 Making Country Music Dance
• 20:10 Low Boy Beaters (Sponsor)
• 20:52 Transition from Dancing to Drums
• 26:47 Lauren Watkins & Tour
• 29:13 Drum Supply (Sponsor)
• 30:12 Early Years w/ Lauren and Finalizing the Band
• 38:40 Enhancing the Live Show, Ableton
• 45:03 Drum Box (Sponsor)
• 45:44 Playing Arenas & Stadiums
• 55:16 Sonique Drums (Sponsor)
• 56:14 Current Gear
• 58:11 Ableton and Tracks
• 1:00:27 Moments of Efficiency
• 1:08:54 Theo Von / Comedy
• 1:12:27 Closing Questions
• 1:17:49 Outro