Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Blackmon.
Hi Todd, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I first started my journey as a gamer playing Music Games and just learned how to take some of the information from the games to actually knowing how to play an instrument. My name is (the) Essential Drummer and I have been in the business for 14 years and have been performing and making music for a living for myself and others. After I graduated from being Homeschooled, I went to San Jacinto Community College to went to study General Music and then after that, going to Texas State University to go for my Jazz degree to learn advanced concepts in music. I was taught by some badass musicians and it’s hard to believe that my drum teacher was a living piece of history: Butch Miles who played for Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Tony Bennett and so many more. I learned a lot from him and has helped me become the musician I am now. After college, I decided to start making a living by teaching music and then after that performing with various bands and making music for clients.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It was not always a smooth road because of my Autism and ADHD. I have had silent seizures and that has affected my life because I could not remember stuff and made me relearn everything again. But my family has helped me get to where I am today and be able to support myself. Doctors told me that I would not be able to read or write or live on my own but I have two music degrees to prove them wrong. My Autism has helped me in certain situations and make me an advanced thinker but in the beginning, I had no social cues.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work has been both a balance of Teaching, Performing, and creating music. I do photography on the side but that is a hobby that will turn into a side hustle because I think like a business person because in this art you have to make it a business. I really specialize in my performance because energy is everything. if you don’t have a good performance in your instrument, then the music will suck. I have been really known for my creativity on the drum set and making my music very unique because I think like a drummer when I play and create music. I’m really proud of the music I have made in the past six years and it keeps getting better and better as the days go by. what really sets me apart from others is the way I play and the way I write music. as a person with autism, we just think differently and have unique ideas and what sets me apart is the jazz elements that I have acquired from music school and made it my own when I make Rock, Pop, EDM, etc.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My choice would be Passion because that is the most important thing people notice about me and is important is my passion with anything. it could be a project or a date. No matter what I am passionate about, even if it’s a project I don’t like or care much for, I still give it the same energy as the other groups. because if people see I’m passionate about something they want to join in or help out too. It can make people really like you or be jealous of your energy. I have been getting more work because of the passion I have and it makes me different than any other musician in the workforce.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essentialdrummer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063715773614
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EssentialDrummer
Image Credits
Ipaparazzi for the me and my guitar shot
