Interview with Greg Garman, Drummer for Selena Gomez and the Scene
I recently caught up with Greg Garman, drummer for Selena Gomez and The Scene. He was kind enough to let me interview him regarding with his gig with Selena, his drumming, and today’s music industry. Greg has been playing with Selena since August of 2009, and has had some amazing experiences along the way.
Selena Gomez Released her debut record, “Kiss and Tell,” in September of 2009 on Hollywood Records. She has been in the industry since she was six years old when she was cast on the show Barney and Friends. She also starred in the hit Disney show Wizard’s of Waverly Place, and a handful of television movies. She is an insanely hard worker, and is quite seasoned for her age. Check out Greg’s interview below!
Q: How long have you been playing drums?
A: I have been playing drums for about 11 years. My mom played drums while she was pregnant with me. That may have affected my need to be a drummer.
Q: Who are your current endorsers?
A: Sabian and Tama
Q: What drums and cymbals do you use and why?
A: These companies have great products, and great people working for them. It’s great to be endorsed by big companies, because they usually have a setup similar to mine wherever we play. Most of the time I am not playing my own personal gear. If I ever need anything from these companies, they are always there to back me up.
Q: Did you receive any professional training?
A: I took drum lessons throughout my high school years. After that I enrolled into the Musicians Institute. That place opened my eyes as to how hard you need to work in order to be great at what you do.
Q: What was it like auditioning for someone like Selena Gomez, and how did it feel getting the gig?
A: Auditioning for Selena was great. By this time I had put myself through enough uncomfortable situations to feel pretty relaxed during the process. The only way to get better at something is to do it. No matter the outcome, you will learn from the experience and move on. I was honored to get the gig, and still am. It just makes you feel like you are doing a good job at what you do. It has definitely boosted my confidence.
Q: Before your first show, how long did you rehearse for?
A: We rehearsed for about two months before the first show.
Q: Were the rehearsals laid back, or regimented?
A: As long as everybody remains professional, the rehearsals are light and fun. You know you show up on time, come prepared, and brush your teeth. Loren Gold was our jump start musical director. He has worked with a lot of bands, and is a great musician. We all put our faith and respect into his method. It was awesome working with him.
Q: I saw you on Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve. Does that rank at the top of your list of experiences with Selena so far, and are there others that stand out as your favorites?
A: It seems like every show we do is the coolest thing I’v done. I take so much away from the experiences we have. New Years Eve was for sure one of the coolest. It’s really neat to witness all the behind the scenes action for TV shows especially.
Q: Has playing with a major label artist altered you perspective or outlook on the music industry, or your place in it?
A: Playing at this level has made me realize how complex the industry is, how much of a small world it is, and how much of it has nothing to do with actually playing your instrument. I keep in mind that even though this is the coolest job ever, I have a job to do. Drums are my livelihood, and are because I am incredibly passionate about the whole thing, and am always striving to get better. The moment you settle on your level, you start sucking. There’s always room to grow. It doesn’t matter who you are, or whom you play for.
Q: What lies ahead for Selena Gomez and The Scene?
A: It looks like we’re doing a promo trip to Europe in April, followed by more tour dates at the end of summer. Selena is the hardest working human being I know. She is a great role model, and I am very fortunate to be able to play drums in a band with her.
Check out Greg playing with Selena on the Ellen show
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