Mr Morton.... In 1992 I left very stable gig as a first call drummer in the Washington D.C. area to pursue one of my other loves.... flying..... And in the summer of 1992 I saw ...felt...KNEW the mistake I had made, I was flying for "Branson Airlines"... and as I was descending into Branson Missouri.... I was ..SOOOOOO EXCITED !!!!..... not because I was living my dreams of being an airline pilot and flying a four engine airplane.... but because I was going to see one of the greatest, most well rounded musicians ..... Glenn Campbell..... My wife was at home being the everyday housewife..... and I was doing what so many would love to do....and my heart ached knowing that as much as I loved to fly... and more-so to teach flying...... in my early 30s.... I walked away from a gig in DC that I will likely never see again. This performance..... your performance and leadership of Gravity...... bittersweet. I didnt need to hear the singer... as the BAND...... is breath taking. Your interpretation.... is glorious. I am writing this from my Barracks in Afghanistan...yes really.... ( I am now flying in support of the US Army). I will be home in a few weeks and ( my wife knows that my 1970's Rogers Drums and Td-12 combo will be up only a few days after I recover from the 40 hours of travel...... as it always does. I am a preferred ("First Call") big band drummer in Jacksonville Florida.... except that I am rarely there. Your playing........ PROVES.... the musicality , depth and contribution of the drums in the band..... gorgeous, grooving, bittersweet... and motivational. thank you .... and p.s. I got the big DC gig... BECAUSE..... the leader/contractor had to keep "asking me to play louder"..... so I was killing Sinatra, Manillo and Sister Sledge... but he had to keep asking me to play louder. I was hired because he knew he could put me on any gig.... in any room.... make sure you students can groove hard while playing ppp.... there's a lot of money playing ppp. And if I could "Know back then..."... honestly yes..... your playing... reminds me... that I would have stayed. Lastly..... my first new years gig when I was 12.... marching bands... rock bands... big bands.... table saws...and airplanes...... and now at 62 I wear hearing aids... what were the odds !.... Please protect your hearing Sincerely.... and very respectfully.
This is one of, if not THE most thoughtful, philosophical and meaningful responses I've ever received on a video I've posted. Thank you so much for it... and thank you for sharing your story... So much in there to digest... Despite whatever second thoughts you may have, it is remarkable that you transitioned from one life love to another... that is to be commended to be sure! -and now flying for the military... also to be commended... thank you for your service. Stay as safe as you can, safe travels home and I'm sure you're wife and drum anxiously await your arrival! Thank you again! Much gratitude....
Despite not knowing a thing about sight-reading (Don't worry, Nate, I also can't do sight-reading), I wonder if you could do a cover of the original Broadway soundtrack's versiin of _Defying Gravity_ in the future. I'd love to hear play the musical's soundtrack in your own way. I bet it would be truly wicked!
Don't know how I'm just now finding this video after you posted a clip on your FB... SO GOOD! I've had the "theatre version" of this tune memorized for years and to finally hear your take on it... PHEW! A breath of fresh air man! Had me jumping out my chair haha! Highlight of my day for sure!
Nate, thank you so much for your awesome videos! I can only imagine they are quite a process. I also LOVE that you include your transcription of the songs. Been looking for a faster way for myself to charts so it's cool to see how you do it. Keep it up!
Im very enjoy watching your drum cam! please keep doing this cause I learn a lot from you! By the way, are you using click track on every song in the voice?
Inspiring as hell as usual Nate! Your kit just sings!..the toms especially, do you have "people" as far as a drum tech to tweak the kit or are you flying solo?.. In any event, whoever is doing it is earning his keep! Peace and Happy New Year!
My drum tech is Steevo Morrison... he's awesome... he does an amazing job of making sure all the drums look and sound great! I Couldn't do it without him!
I need to go get a ROOOOt Canal and get some Reeeleeef... dat boy HURTS Clean up on Isle Morton. At the end,,,, the applause..... that for the band He's gonna get convicted of a capitolll offense.... cause he KILLED it
Ok…two more comments… and then I will chill 1) while in Afghanistan March 2020.. I was not feeling well… so I grounded my self… after getting home back in the USA… and then spending the required two weeks in COVID quarantine… on a Monday we did the medical tests…. and on Friday… We did open heart surgery and I received a new heart valve… 18 months later I rejoined my team ..this time in Iraq… and now I’m writing this from Somalia… possibly the last tour… time to stay home and aggravate the family. Maybe some local work… doing what I do… but definitely re-connecting with my music buds.. 2) this is for all of the actual HUMANS…that play drums … not that Batman guy.. that , when he gets bored he puts on his Nate Morton Costume… totally by accident I discovered that ALL…of my rack mounted Toms were being choked by the tom mounts and stands… INCLUDING THE RIMMS MOUNTED Rogers 12” and the 13”…AND the Yamaha Yess 10” and 12”… but my 8” Mapex Mars with the Mapex Mount ..sustained fine. ( I’m not selling Mapex… I’m just reporting what I found.. it might be because that drum is LIGHTER and has less weight/stress/ twisting/ choking on the shell) And the damndest thing… try this yourself… play a tom while you hang it by just holding it…two fingers pinching / holding the rim.. let it hang .. play it and listen to the sustain..and then GET THAT TONE IN YOUR HEAD …then attach it to the Mount and stand… THE MOUNTs AND STANDs were killing my sustain !!!.. but by sliding the Tom’s in and out on the mounting rod… and /or moving the the Mount up and down in the stand… or just swapping/ changing mounts around…. What the helllll ?… THE SUSTAIN CHANGED !!! DONT HATE YOU DRUMS…until you’ve experimented with many different MOUNT ATTACHMENT configurations… you may be able to keep what you have , but (as crazy as this sounds) I could even attach the YESS ball socket system to the drum ( but not drop it In to the actual STAND…) and the sustain was still there… but then when the YESS ball and socket Mount was placed into the stand… the resonance and sustain went down aaaaa lot. ..And the same with the Rogers 12” and 13” with the RIMMS mounts… connected to EITHER THE ORIGINAL SwivoMatic Ball and socket mounts…or the Yamaha hex rod… ball and socket mounts… AND… one of my Yamaha Ball and Socket mounts is the “LONG ARM” version…. Yup… it changes the sound differently…. I’m crazy… yup… got … now try it your self. EXPERIMENT with ALL… of that configuration… BUT..start with just the tom “hanging” from your pinched fingers holding the rim…BANG THAT … I KNOW …IM CRAZY… now shut up and try it…not you Mr M…. Just all the humans . Im not selling magic medicine… where you stick a spoon in your ear and then tap on it… I’m not selling anything ..and this isn’t an April Fools Joke. There’s is no such thing as too much tone…. You can always tame the drum… But there is such a thing as CHOKED AS HELL. I FOUND IT BY ACCIDENT … and now I’m never going back . When I get back… doing a you tube video PROVING what I’m saying is on my to do list. And I will show the EXACT moment and config where the 12x8 Yamaha Tom with a Remo Frosted Ambassador on top and clear Ambassador on the bottom just BLEEEWWWW …ALL…. Of the other drums away… ( I had the 12” Yamatom attached to my High Hat stand via Pearl bracket … and it was TWICE as resonant.. I will do the video… but please… don’t assume that your mounts and stands aren't criminals… I caught mine red handed stealing A LOT of my tone. Peace
Sir, I had no expectations of a public reply.... thank you for the acknowledgement. And to be clear... although I do "support the Army"... I am not "In"... the Army... so 1) speaking as a dove ( v hawk) I am morally relieved to see how often the call to get things "Done"... is declined for straight up ... :the right reasons.... the guys that make the decisions, say no... often. 2) please don't thank me, I don't deserve the thanks... but the next time you're in the grocery store and a guy ( or lady) is in uniform behind you in line..... letting them get in front of you..... they would remember that all day. 3) Steve Gadd was in the Army Band 4) Surprisingly my Rogers 12" and 13" swivomatics had TERRIBLE/AWFUL/NASTY/J...U...N...K..... bearings! All four !!! Terrible uneven cuts.... And I played them for years thinking that I didn't know how to tune. Pin-Stripes tight they screamed..... but open and resonant..... yuck.... So I finally saw all the you tube videos of guys re-cutting their bearings..... and I was a Piano Tuner and wood worker too.... so... what the hey.... I trued them.... flattened them.... cut new inner 45 degree bearings and.... OK .... they arent million dollar pearls,,,, but damn.....warm, round, tone... and the 16 inch floor with Evans G3s wide open is a cannon......the Rogers drum set I bought in 1973, 11th grade and at 17 years of age.... is the Rogers drum set that I will set up and play when I get home... and my wife expects it. How's THAT for a love story ! Again sir ... please do protect your ears. Peace Finally I don't expect additional replies but ... if you have access to my email I do have a couple of additional comments.
Nate = the epitome of the term professional musician. The best
flattered! thank you! :)
That was absolutely wicked!!!!!
Mr Morton.... In 1992 I left very stable gig as a first call drummer in the Washington D.C. area to pursue one of my other loves.... flying..... And in the summer of 1992 I saw ...felt...KNEW the mistake I had made, I was flying for "Branson Airlines"... and as I was descending into Branson Missouri.... I was ..SOOOOOO EXCITED !!!!..... not because I was living my dreams of being an airline pilot and flying a four engine airplane.... but because I was going to see one of the greatest, most well rounded musicians ..... Glenn Campbell.....
My wife was at home being the everyday housewife..... and I was doing what so many would love to do....and my heart ached knowing that as much as I loved to fly... and more-so to teach flying...... in my early 30s.... I walked away from a gig in DC that I will likely never see again.
This performance..... your performance and leadership of Gravity...... bittersweet.
I didnt need to hear the singer... as the BAND...... is breath taking. Your interpretation.... is glorious.
I am writing this from my Barracks in Afghanistan...yes really.... ( I am now flying in support of the US Army).
I will be home in a few weeks and ( my wife knows that my 1970's Rogers Drums and Td-12 combo will be up only a few days after I recover from the 40 hours of travel...... as it always does. I am a preferred ("First Call") big band drummer in Jacksonville Florida.... except that I am rarely there.
Your playing........ PROVES.... the musicality , depth and contribution of the drums in the band.....
gorgeous, grooving, bittersweet... and motivational.
thank you .... and p.s. I got the big DC gig... BECAUSE..... the leader/contractor had to keep "asking me to play louder"..... so I was killing Sinatra, Manillo and Sister Sledge... but he had to keep asking me to play louder.
I was hired because he knew he could put me on any gig.... in any room.... make sure you students can groove hard while playing ppp.... there's a lot of money playing ppp.
And if I could "Know back then..."... honestly yes..... your playing... reminds me... that I would have stayed.
Lastly..... my first new years gig when I was 12.... marching bands... rock bands... big bands.... table saws...and airplanes...... and now at 62 I wear hearing aids... what were the odds !....
Please protect your hearing
Sincerely.... and very respectfully.
This is one of, if not THE most thoughtful, philosophical and meaningful responses I've ever received on a video I've posted. Thank you so much for it... and thank you for sharing your story... So much in there to digest... Despite whatever second thoughts you may have, it is remarkable that you transitioned from one life love to another... that is to be commended to be sure! -and now flying for the military... also to be commended... thank you for your service. Stay as safe as you can, safe travels home and I'm sure you're wife and drum anxiously await your arrival! Thank you again! Much gratitude....
wonderful comment and response. Thank you for sharing ❤️
Those old man licks are killin! Also went and was able to find a 22 k custom and you’re right, best ride ever!
Nate you're killing it man! so musical and love your dynamic contrast!
Drums sound like a studio recording! Awesome!!!
Yep... Randy Faustino and the audio crew killin' it!
I want to learn all of those old man drumming licks. Your pocket is exceptional sir.
Good grief brah, stellar, superb drumming, on point as always... \m/
EPIC!!
Nate! That is perfect. Absolutely perfect. You are the best allrounder i have ever seen.
Great playing! I need that throne, it looks very comfortable.
Roc-N-Soc.... they're the best!
Despite not knowing a thing about sight-reading (Don't worry, Nate, I also can't do sight-reading), I wonder if you could do a cover of the original Broadway soundtrack's versiin of _Defying Gravity_ in the future. I'd love to hear play the musical's soundtrack in your own way.
I bet it would be truly wicked!
Don't know how I'm just now finding this video after you posted a clip on your FB... SO GOOD! I've had the "theatre version" of this tune memorized for years and to finally hear your take on it... PHEW! A breath of fresh air man! Had me jumping out my chair haha! Highlight of my day for sure!
So tight! And that kit sounds mega!
Jamie Kemp Lol... thank you! :)
Outstanding!
The energy, confidence and grace that you play with is so great.
Thanks again for sharing another video- Teacher.
;)
Rick
:) thank you!
Very wise words Nate. Thanks for sharing these vids, really insightful and informative.
My pleasure!
Best band !! Amazing drummer, bassist , guitarist.... Congratulations♥️
Corentin Boyon Very nice of you to say... i will pass along you compliments to the rest of the guys! Thank you!!!
Love it- as always, thanks for sharing!
thank you for enjoying! :)
Fantastic!!! Bravo!!!!
Awesome as always !!!!
why thank you!
My new favorite!! Love you bud
you're one of the best, Nate!!!
lol.... you're too kind... thank you!
You guys crazy!!! I love it!!!
Definitely a few screws loose, that's for sure!
Some say that snare reverb is still going...
Listen to the sustain!!!! (Spinal Tap reference anyone?). lol...
What a guy!!! Too good man!
thanx Angel, I appreciate it...
Nate, thank you so much for your awesome videos! I can only imagine they are quite a process. I also LOVE that you include your transcription of the songs. Been looking for a faster way for myself to charts so it's cool to see how you do it. Keep it up!
stoked you find it useful! Fortunate to be able to share!
This was so awesome! Thank you!
Solid as always Nate.
thanx Les! :)
Your performance in this song was amazing, Nate. I was waiting for this drum cam. Congrats.
you got it... thank you!
You are amazing..!!
nah... just hitting stuff... but thank you! I appreciate it! :)
I love this so much! I see the valid comments and kudos... and the ONE thumbs down from the dude who is sitting at home, wishing he had a gig. Pfft!
Awesome style man love your drumming!! Definitely one of my favorites now can’t wait to see more uploads maybe even some lessons.
Im very enjoy watching your drum cam! please keep doing this cause I learn a lot from you! By the way, are you using click track on every song in the voice?
yes... click on basically everything.... thanks for watching!
Thanks!👍
Wow! Favourite song from my favourite musical.
Well done again Nate! My 17mo daughter and I really enjoy your videos! Thanks again!
Awww.... cool... thank you!
Please, whats the name of this song?
J Mesquita this is ‘Defying Gravity’ from the musical Wicked.
ReadySetVirtual thank you!!
Knew this song was super familiar...you sound amazing Nate!
March 6th right young monster?
Yeah! :D
Nice!!
:)
Inspiring as hell as usual Nate!
Your kit just sings!..the toms especially, do you have "people" as far as a drum tech to tweak the kit or are you flying solo?..
In any event, whoever is doing it is earning his keep!
Peace and Happy New Year!
My drum tech is Steevo Morrison... he's awesome... he does an amazing job of making sure all the drums look and sound great! I Couldn't do it without him!
You are an awesome drummer..
thank you!
dang
Great rendition of the song! The band really follows that conductor, perhaps better than a pit orchestra!
I need to go get a ROOOOt Canal and get some Reeeleeef... dat boy HURTS
Clean up on Isle Morton.
At the end,,,, the applause..... that for the band
He's gonna get convicted of a capitolll offense.... cause he KILLED it
what heads are you using? your sound is amazing!
REMO Coated Ambs on everything!
such an amazing sound!!!
Oleeeeeeeeeeeeeee yeaaaaaaaahhhhhhh.
lol... :)
Hey Nate, what ride is that?
22" K Custom Ride... best ride ever!
Ok…two more comments… and then I will chill
1) while in Afghanistan March 2020.. I was not feeling well… so I grounded my self… after getting home back in the USA… and then spending the required two weeks in COVID quarantine… on a Monday we did the medical tests…. and on Friday… We did open heart surgery and I received a new heart valve… 18 months later I rejoined my team ..this time in Iraq… and now I’m writing this from Somalia… possibly the last tour… time to stay home and aggravate the family.
Maybe some local work… doing what I do… but definitely re-connecting with my music buds..
2) this is for all of the actual HUMANS…that play drums … not that Batman guy.. that , when he gets bored he puts on his Nate Morton Costume…
totally by accident I discovered that ALL…of my rack mounted Toms were being choked by the tom mounts and stands… INCLUDING THE RIMMS MOUNTED Rogers 12” and the 13”…AND the Yamaha Yess 10” and 12”… but my 8” Mapex Mars with the Mapex Mount ..sustained fine. ( I’m not selling Mapex… I’m just reporting what I found.. it might be because that drum is LIGHTER and has less weight/stress/ twisting/ choking on the shell)
And the damndest thing… try this yourself… play a tom while you hang it by just holding it…two fingers pinching / holding the rim.. let it hang .. play it and listen to the sustain..and then GET THAT TONE IN YOUR HEAD …then attach it to the Mount and stand… THE MOUNTs AND STANDs were killing my sustain !!!.. but by sliding the Tom’s in and out on the mounting rod… and /or moving the the Mount up and down in the stand… or just swapping/ changing mounts around…. What the helllll ?…
THE SUSTAIN CHANGED !!!
DONT HATE YOU DRUMS…until you’ve experimented with many different MOUNT ATTACHMENT configurations… you may be able to keep what you have , but (as crazy as this sounds) I could even attach the YESS ball socket system to the drum ( but not drop it In to the actual STAND…) and the sustain was still there… but then when the YESS ball and socket Mount was placed into the stand… the resonance and sustain went down aaaaa lot.
..And the same with the Rogers 12” and 13” with the RIMMS mounts… connected to EITHER THE ORIGINAL SwivoMatic Ball and socket mounts…or the Yamaha hex rod… ball and socket mounts…
AND… one of my Yamaha Ball and Socket mounts is the “LONG ARM” version…. Yup… it changes the sound differently…. I’m crazy… yup… got … now try it your self.
EXPERIMENT with ALL… of that configuration… BUT..start with just the tom “hanging” from your pinched fingers holding the rim…BANG THAT …
I KNOW …IM CRAZY… now shut up and try it…not you Mr M…. Just all the humans .
Im not selling magic medicine… where you stick a spoon in your ear and then tap on it…
I’m not selling anything ..and this isn’t an April Fools Joke.
There’s is no such thing as too much tone…. You can always tame the drum… But there is such a thing as CHOKED AS HELL. I FOUND IT BY ACCIDENT … and now I’m never going back .
When I get back… doing a you tube video PROVING what I’m saying is on my to do list.
And I will show the EXACT moment and config where the 12x8 Yamaha Tom with a Remo Frosted Ambassador on top and clear Ambassador on the bottom just BLEEEWWWW …ALL…. Of the other drums away… ( I had the 12” Yamatom attached to my High Hat stand via Pearl bracket … and it was TWICE as resonant.. I will do the video… but please… don’t assume that your mounts and stands aren't criminals… I caught mine red handed stealing A LOT of my tone.
Peace
My first vid of 2018...
RAD! :)
Sir, I had no expectations of a public reply.... thank you for the acknowledgement.
And to be clear... although I do "support the Army"... I am not "In"... the Army... so
1) speaking as a dove ( v hawk) I am morally relieved to see how often the call to get things "Done"... is declined for straight up ... :the right reasons.... the guys that make the decisions, say no... often.
2) please don't thank me, I don't deserve the thanks... but the next time you're in the grocery store and a guy ( or lady) is in uniform behind you in line..... letting them get in front of you..... they would remember that all day.
3) Steve Gadd was in the Army Band
4) Surprisingly my Rogers 12" and 13" swivomatics had TERRIBLE/AWFUL/NASTY/J...U...N...K..... bearings!
All four !!! Terrible uneven cuts.... And I played them for years thinking that I didn't know how to tune. Pin-Stripes tight they screamed..... but open and resonant..... yuck.... So I finally saw all the you tube videos of guys re-cutting their bearings..... and I was a Piano Tuner and wood worker too.... so... what the hey....
I trued them.... flattened them.... cut new inner 45 degree bearings and.... OK .... they arent million dollar pearls,,,, but damn.....warm, round, tone... and the 16 inch floor with Evans G3s wide open is a cannon......the Rogers drum set I bought in 1973, 11th grade and at 17 years of age.... is the Rogers drum set that I will set up and play when I get home... and my wife expects it. How's THAT for a love story !
Again sir ... please do protect your ears.
Peace
Finally I don't expect additional replies but ... if you have access to my email I do have a couple of additional
comments.