The Cubby O'Brien Interview: The Carpenters, The Mickey Mouse Club, Bernadette Peters, and More!

For more: https://www.broadwaydrumming101.com In this episode of Broadway Drumming 101, I enjoyed interviewing the legendary Cubby O'Brien. You may know him from his days as a Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club, but his drumming career goes way beyond that. We talk about his early start in music, following in the footsteps of his drummer father, and his work with some of the biggest names in the industry—Lawrence Welk, Bernadette Peters, the Carpenters, and more. Cubby shares stories from his incredible journey through different eras of music, from the early influence of The Beatles and playing alongside icons like Steve Gadd. We dive into his Broadway experiences, where he brings his unique energy to every performance and his thoughts on teaching and adapting to the ever-changing world of music. Whether you're a fan of musical history, a drummer, or just curious about what it takes to build a long-lasting career, this episode is packed with insights and memories you won’t want to miss. Tune in to hear about his collaborations with legends like Shirley MacLaine and Nathan Lane and his work on Tony Award-winning shows—it’s a deep dive into a life well lived! 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:16 Chance Encounter on Broadway Cruise 00:57 Sports Talk: Cowboys and Dodgers 02:49 Cubby's Early Drumming Influences 04:48 The Mickey Mouse Club and Early Career 10:10 Transition to Studio Work and Variety Shows 15:18 Working with the Carpenters 18:43 Electronic Drums and Siegfried & Roy 21:08 Collaborations with Bernadette Peters 26:32 Learning the Drums: Insights from Jack Sperling 27:13 Meeting Susan Stroman and the Producers Journey 28:52 The Creative Process with Mel Brooks 29:47 Challenges of Repetition in Broadway Shows 31:30 Selecting Dependable Substitutes 34:44 Transitioning to Gypsy and Working with Marvin Laird 36:23 The Joy of Live Performances 39:00 Maintaining Longevity and Avoiding Injuries 42:41 Choosing Eugene, Oregon 44:03 Advice for Aspiring Musicians 44:38 Memories with Shirley MacLaine 47:01 Appreciation from Fellow Musicians 48:04 Preferences in Drum Kits 53:05 Top Five Favorite Drummers 54:27 Concluding Remarks and Future Plans When you subscribe for only $10 a month, you will receive behind-the-scenes access to the life of a musician who makes a living on Broadway through YouTube videos, bi-weekly podcasts, and articles on what you need to know. We also have merchandise! https://merchandise.broadwaydrumming1...