Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tutorials
  2. Drum Lessons & Tutorials

Session Drumming Month: Networking

News
By Rich Chamberlain published 13 April 2011

Steve Barney, Dean Butterworth and more on getting your name out there

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Session Month: Networking

Session Month: Networking

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Or is it? How much importance do some of the session world’s top stars place on networking? As part of Session Month we sat them down and asked them.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Session Month: Networking

Session Month: Networking

“I’ve found word of mouth is the strongest way to get work … if you do a good job and you’re a cool to be around, people remember you and want you back. Never forget, when you’re employed by an artist, record company or manager you are your own representative. Keep all your email addresses and telephone numbers backed up. Use the power of the internet to promote yourself.”

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Session Month: Networking

Session Month: Networking

"One tip for networking is to try not to be something your not, i.e be yourself. And also make sure you do make a conscious effort to talk to people and get yourself out there.”

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Session Month: Networking

Session Month: Networking

“Always staying in touch with other players and producers is very important.Business is about building relationships. That how the dots connect and can take you to the next level.”

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Session Month: Networking

Session Month: Networking

Networking is important. There’s also a margin where you don’t over do it. If you’re hassling people all the time, it’s not the way to do it. You need to be patient and the gigs will come to you if you do a good job and people like you. The whole session thing is about meeting the right people though so you have to have the interaction skills as well to meet different people and put yourself across in the best way possible.”

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Session Month: Networking

Session Month: Networking

"Networking should be very high on your agenda. Nobody is going to book you if they don't know you exist! Getting out to shows and meeting people is key. Become friends with other drummers as well. We do help each other out and it's nice to involve your musical friends in projects.”

For more session hints, tips and secrets pick up the latest issue of Rhythm and check out our online Session Month.

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Rich Chamberlain
Rich Chamberlain

Rich is a teacher, one time Rhythm staff writer and experienced freelance journalist who has interviewed countless revered musicians, engineers, producers and stars for the our world-leading music making portfolio, including such titles as Rhythm, Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, and MusicRadar. His victims include such luminaries as Ice T, Mark Guilani and Jamie Oliver (the drumming one).

Latest in Drum Lessons & Tutorials
Overhead shot of electronic drum set plugged into a laptop running a VST
“At certain points in music history it became fashionable to place accents on certain beats”: How to score a drum part
 
 
Man in white t-shirt playing a Roland electronic drum set
10 common electronic drum set issues and how to troubleshoot them
 
 
Side profile of a person playing a drum kit
13 easy drum songs every beginner should learn
 
 
Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook
“An extremely well-thought-out and all-encompassing piece of drum education”: Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook review
 
 
Chad Smith
Chad Smith just destroyed the Wu-Tang Clan in his latest drum tuition video
 
 
Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater
“I’m sorry I ruined your song!”: Mike Portnoy hears Taylor Swift's Shake It Off for the first time and plays along... with surprising results
 
 
Latest in News
Gary Clark Jr plays his signature Cobra Burst ES-355 live onstage.
Gary Clark Jr channels the King of the Blues for limited edition Gibson Custom Shop collab
 
 
Pitbull
“Know you’re about to have the time of your lives”: Pitbull fans will attempt to break a world record in July
 
 
Nile Rodgers and John Mayer
How the gift of a divisive Rolling Stones album scuppered the chance of a collaboration between Nile Rodgers and John Mayer
 
 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Michael Stipe attends Netflix's "Goodbye June" New York screening at Whitby Hotel on December 08, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Stephanie Augello/Getty Images)
Michael Stipe returns to Springfield to sing a rewritten version of one of REM's biggest hits
 
 
PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 15: Raye performs live on stage at Accor Arena on February 15, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)
Producer Mike Sabath on starting Raye’s “outrageous” second studio album at an Airbnb
 
 
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Billy Steinberg performs onstage at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 42nd Annual Induction and Awards at The New York Marriott Marquis Hotel - Shubert Alley on June 16, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame)
Tributes paid to Billy Steinberg, one of the defining songwriters of the '80s and '90s, who has died
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...