163 – Kevin Winard: Playing with Steve Tyrell, Singers and Singing, The Intent and Spirit of Playing

Kevin Winard has toured and recorded with singer Steve Tyrell for 12 years. Over his career, he’s gained a wealth of experience with a wide variety of gigs including Debbie Boone, Paul Anka, and Doc Severinsen. When he was just twenty years old he began backing up one of the most successful pop duos in musical history—The Captain & Tennille, touring and recording with them for over ten years. In the summer of 1988, Kevin traveled the United States with the pop group Times Two opening for Debbie Gibson on her Out Of The Blue tour. In 1991 Kevin was requested by French rock star David Hallyday for his European tour and live album. That same year he traveled the world playing with pop icon Paul Anka.

His latest endeavor is a project that features him singing jazz standards and is aptly named Kevin Winard Sings, produced by pianist, composer and arranger Peter Clark.

In this podcast, Kevin talks about:

Playing a “pop jazz” gig vs. hard-core bop

Playing drumset with a symphony orchestra

Lyman Medeiros, the bassist in the Tyrell band

His thoughts on singing and singers

Simplicity in big band drumming

What Steve Gadd had to say after seeing Kevin perform

How intent and joy on the bandstand translate to the audience

How to physically and mentally relax while playing

Why being in the music business is like being in a marriage

Kevin Winard endorses products by DW, LP, Zildjian, Remo, and Innovative Percussion.

This episode is sponsored by Session Ace.