173 – Brian Hudson: Making a Record as a Leader, The Church Gig, Political Advocacy for Music

Atlanta-based drummer and studio musician Brian Hudson has performed, toured and recorded a diverse mix of music for various artists for the past 20 years. Hudson grew up in Clearwater, Florida. After high school, he attended The University of South Florida School of Music and later transferred to the University of Georgia and the music town of Athens, Georgia, which provided him with a rich diversity of music opportunities.

In 2000 Hudson moved to Atlanta, Georgia and immediately started playing and touring with various acts covering a variety of styles from jazz to blues to rock to country. In 2001, he was invited to audition for Capricorn Recording Artist Memory Dean who had gained national success with the release of 6 studio albums. Hudson landed the gig and has performed with Memory Dean as a member of the band ever since. In addition to Memory Dean, Hudson has performed with a variety of other acts including soul/funk/blues band SOULHOUND, The Dave Mathews Cover Band (The DMCB), power pop singer Steve Baskin, smooth jazz artist MADOCA, country artist Thomas Tillman, R&B/Smooth Jazz band Momentum, Johnson Ferry Worship and many others.

In August 2017, Hudson released his debut jazz/fusion album, NEXT LEVEL, worldwide. The songs blend jazz, jazz/fusion, funk, and Latin with a contemporary jazz underpinning and feature some of the most talented musicians in the southeast. Since its release, NEXT LEVEL has gained attention from radio stations and listeners from all over the world. Brian currently leads his jazz/fusion band Next Level, is a member of former Capricorn Record Artist Memory Dean and performs with various other artists covering a diverse mix of music. In addition, he is an active studio musician in Atlanta and also tracks drums remotely for artists around the world. Brian is on the Advisory Board for Georgia Music Partners and is a voting member of The Recording Academy.

In this podcast, Brian talks about:

Wearing all the hats necessary to make a record: Drummer, composer/arranger, engineer, producer, etc.

Partnering with pianist and composer Randy Hoexter

The necessity of using promoters and bookers to get a project out into the world

Playing with Memory Dean

Setting up profiles on Airgigs and Soundbetter

His church gig

His political involvement with state and local government to build music business infrastructure in Georgia

Brian endorses Sakae Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Regal Tip Drumsticks and Headhunters Creations.

This episode is sponsored by Session Ace