047 – Jim Reilley: Producer, The Influence of Ringo on Modern Drumming, Getting the Right Drum Sounds in the Studio

Jim Reilley is a songwriter and producer in Nashville. Jim was also the co-founder of the late-lamented folk-rock “gangstas”, The New Dylans. Along with songwriting partner Reese Campbell, The New Dylans toured the country for 9 years sharing stages with The Band, Townes Van Zandt, Shawn Colvin, The Fleshtones, Superdrag, Syd Straw, The Silos, Steve Forbert along with old pals 10,000 Maniacs.

Reilley broke up The New Dylans and moved to Nashville in 1998, signing deal as a staff songwriter with Curb Publishing. In his 8 years at Curb, over 45 of Reilley’s songs were recorded by artists including Vince Gill, Hal Ketchum, Jack Ingram, Tim O’Brien, Sam Bush, Claudia Church, Joy Lynn White, Ronna Reeves, Cowboy Crush, Lisa Brokop, Ryan Tyler, Mustang Sally, Lauren Lucas, Susan Haynes, Amy Chappell and many others. In 2003, Reilley released his first solo album “The Return of Buddy Cruel” on Silent Planet Records.

Reilley recorded a second solo album (“Thank God I’m A Contrary Boy”) in 2004 with Grammy-winner Robert Reynolds (The Mavericks) co-producing and featuring a band consisting of Ken Coomer (Wilco/ Uncle Tupelo), Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick), Jen Gunderman (Jayhawks), Audley Freed (The Black Crowes), Al Perkins (Gram Parsons/Manassas), Paul Deakin (The Mavericks) and David Mead. In October 2012, Reilley signed a songwriting deal with Nashville based Rare Spark Media Group.

In April 2015, The New Dylans released “Meta”, their first new album in 18 years. The Tennessean, has documented the entire process of writing and recording of “Meta”.

In this podcast Jim talks about:

Producing

Producers and musicians working together to make the recording session happen

Using musical references to give direction

Ringo creating a musical landscape for pop music

Less recognized session drummers from the 50’s – 70’s

Audio examples of Keith Moon and Ringo Starr with the drums isolated

Getting the right drum sounds for recording

Click here for pictures

This interview was recorded January 3rd, 2016