Hello, Modern Drummer readers! My name is Dusty Saxton, and I’m a touring and session drummer from Austin, Texas. I’m currently on the road with country artist Brandon Rhyder. I’ve toured with many different artists over the last five years, and I’ve been fortunate to be able to record with even more. I toured with my original rock band, Ember, for four years between 2007 and 2011 and shared the stage with Hinder, Theory of a Deadman, Hell Yeah, Halestorm, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Black Stone Cherry, and Stonesour. Right now I’m on the road four or five nights a week; I love working with new artists on the road and in the studio.

Lately I’ve also been playing drums for a new artist based in Austin named Screamin’ K Phillips. His new album was just released, and it’s a great record for fans of Rolling Stones/Black Crowes–type Americana rock. He had many amazing players on his album, and I encourage all of you to go download it.

I’ve been touring pretty much non-stop for the last five years with no real time off. Over that time I’ve learned a lot and grown from being a struggling musician sleeping in my car to touring Europe twice in 2009 and touring the U.S. full-time on a bus in 2011. This summer I’m also planning my first-ever drum clinics, where I will be sharing things I’ve learned over the years on how to survive on the road as a touring musician and also how to play drums musically and dynamically, and how to make your band sound better with your playing. I also play guitar and bass, and I feel that knowing how to think like a bass player or guitarist is a great quality to have as a drummer. I aim for my drum clinics to inspire other drummers’ playing, and I hope they will enlighten drummers to the reality of making a career in the music business and open their minds and ears onstage to become listening drummers whose goal it is to fit perfectly inside every song. Advertisement

I’ve been fortunate in my career to earn endorsements from Vic Firth, Gretsch, Sabian, Gibraltar, Evans, Audix, Protection Racket, and JH Audio.  All of them make products and equipment that I firmly believe in, and they help keep me on the road and sounding my best.

Thank you to Modern Drummer magazine for your interest in me, and I hope you will see me many times ahead in the future! Please visit my website, dustysaxton.com, and feel free to contact me via my contact page!

Photo by Kat Bevel.