Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Ziehm.
Hi Nathan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Born and raised in Niagara Falls NY. It all started when I was about 6 years old, any time I heard drums I always tried to replicate on pots and pans. I eventually graduated to a small drum kit and added piece by piece until I had a full drum kit. Year after year I would get better and my mom eventually got me in drum lessons. I always played by ear, so the reading aspect of drums was really tough for me. Once I got to high school, I took it very seriously knowing I was gonna play for a living. I started on simple percussion instruments until I worked my way up to the top ensembles in high school. Sometimes I felt like quitting, but I practiced and practiced and practiced, which ended up paying off.
After High School I went to Nelson University in Waxahachie tx. I got a degree in Music Performance. I toured with the faculty jazz band there and played in most of the ensembles and bands. I got a lot of good touring experience and the teachers I met there really helped me get where I am today. Joel Griffin (RIP) and Tyrone Block.
After College, I hit up all the DFW jam nights playing and shaking hands with all the local musicians. It took me about a year of doing that to really get on the scene. The rest is history.
Currently, I am a freelance musician and drum instructor in Dallas/ Fort Worth Texas. I’ve played with great players in and
out of the DFW region which include Lance Lopez, Charlie Crockett, Zac Wilkerson, Mike Tuck (Pat Green), Tennessee Jet, Ryan Berg (The Voice), Michael Lee (B. B. Kings Blues Band), Leon Bridges, Kayla Reeves (Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Jim Suhler (George Thorogood), 5 time Grammy winner Tim Alexander (Asleep at the Wheel), Andy Timmons, opened up for Dwight Yoakam, Cody Jinks and many more! My biggest accomplishment to date was playing Red Rocks in Morrison Colorado. With a love of music, performance and entertainment, I am always looking to develop, create, and share my music and art with the world.
The teaching business aspect of my career, I started in the middle of my music career. I played full time for about 10 years and was getting tired of the grind and playing gigs just for money instead of picking and choosing which gigs i wanted to play. So I started my own lesson business. I started a Google business page and found out quickly the importance of Google reviews. After a year of the lesson business being out there on the web, I had 40 students and couldn’t take anymore. Now, the lesson business runs itself. Its been amazing. I can now pick the shows I want to play and teach lessons on the side.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was always pretty tough for me. I had lots of family tell me ” why drums, you’ll never do anything with it”. The amount of times I wanted to quit were plentiful. But I kept going and going and proving everyone wrong. Now, I’m the one doing what I love. I tell everyone never stop chasing your dreams. If I died today, I’ve done everything I wanted in life before I turned 40. Its because I never listened to the outside noise. My dad always told me ” never give yourself a plan B because then you give yourself a way out of plan A”.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in playing percussion and drum kit. I tour and play shows all over the US. I’m most proud of playing Red Rocks in Colorado. I told my dad who has passed away that I would play there someday. I’m proud to endorse Turkish Cymbals USA and SJC drum company. Getting endorsed was a life long goal. I’m currently working on a new stick endorsement. I would say what sets me apart from others is I live by 3 rules in music. Always be on time, always be an easy hang, and come prepared. I always try to play what the a song needs not play every note that exists. Music is playing with others not yourself.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I grew up with nothing. My parents were poor and we moved around a lot. At some points in my life we didn’t have Christmas, we didnt have working showers or heat. It was pretty tough sometimes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nathanziehm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanziehmdrums?igsh=MW9zYnh5MThtYjU1ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19QHd37Hgo/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tennesseejetmusic?si=MmOOddV4WO8Wxq_u
