081 – Wes Little: Backing Super Stars Like Sting, Stevie Wonder and Beyonce at Obama’s Inaugural Ball, Touring and Recording with Robben Ford, Building a Session Resume

On a historic night in the Winter of 2009, drummer Wes Little proved beyond any doubt that he is the nimble, adaptable, professional musician he wanted to be even before he left his small Southern home town. The occasion: the inaugural ball for newly elected President Barack Obama. The job: to back a jaw-dropping lineup of legendary talent, including Stevie Wonder, Sting, Mary J. Blige, Faith Hill and Beyonce. Through a wild variety of styles, arrangements and temperaments, Wes Little held down the groove, satisfied the most demanding stars and made the whole event bolder, smoother and better.

Star-studded as it was, the Inaugural Ball was by no means the first validation of Little’s multi-faceted musicianship. For a decade in New York and recent years in Nashville, Little has been patiently taking his place among the elite session drummers, supporting major artists in rock, jazz, hip-hop and country.

Wes is from Wingate, North Carolina, a small college town southeast of Charlotte, where his parents were both educators. Lacking big city distractions, Wes was drawn to music. After seeing a picture of fusion great Billy Cobham seated behind one of the world’s biggest drum sets in a Tama catalogue, Wes knew that’s what he wanted to do.

Most drummers get on-the-job training only, but Little had his eyes on a jazz career, so he pursued formal studies in music, including a master’s degree in jazz drumming from the Manhattan School of Music. As a new professional in New York, there was certainly jazz around, but there was also a smorgasbord variety of styles and gigs. Little played in theater orchestras, sideman sessions and rock bands. He connected with hip-hop legend Chuck D and worked in several of his post-Public Enemy bands, including Confrontation Camp and Fine Arts Militia.

While in New York, Little met his future wife Britt Savage, who moved to Nashville ahead of him. Since 2004, Little has been based in Nashville where he’s earned respect in the Music City studio scene. That said, he’s frequently on the move for work back in New York or tours across the country and world with Robben Ford, Joe Nichols, Jo Dee Messina, Billy Dean and others. He has also expanded his work as a producer and songwriter.

In this podcast, Wes talks about:

Building studios / practice spaces

Evolution of the home studio

Studying at East Carolina University

Moving from New York to Nashville

Working with Chuck D and his band Confrontation Camp

Playing at Obama’s inauguration in 2009 with many artists including Sting, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder and Mary J. Blige

The difference between studio and live playing

Recording and touring with Robben Ford

Rhythm section master class at PASIC

Being married to a musician

This episode is sponsored by Sakae Drums

Wes Little endorses Pearl Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vater Sticks, Evans Drumheads, Vintech Audio, Ableton Live, Presonus and Carmichael Thrones

His wife’s hilarious fake Craig’s List post:

Britt (AKA Joey) i don’t need floor tom. what would you charge. Do you have a snare?

I live in Lebanon and am working until 9. please get back to me right away cuz I’m looking at another drum set on friday. do you know if I can get a loud sound with these drums. My favorite drummer is Travis barker (blink 182) and John Dalmayan (System o...